D Peterschmidt is a producer, host of the podcast Universe of Art, and composes music for Science Friday’s podcasts. They’re drawn to stories about art, technology, and the environment.
Before joining the team at Science Friday, D. was a product intern for NPR, where they helped out with podcast content management, social media strategy, and designed promo art.
D grew up in San Diego, where they learned hip slang like “swoll,” “clean,” and “off the flame” to describe muscle definition.
When they’re not working, you might find them playing Super Smash Bros. with their family, making 8-bit covers of TV show theme songs, or playing D&D as a clumsy bard named Chip Chap Chopman.
33:52
Celebrating The Weird, Wonderful World Of Cephalopods
Did you know most cephalopods can only live for a year? Or that they rely heavily on taste to sense their environment?
Why This Sound Artist Recorded Nature And Human Life For 40 Years
Jim Metzner, a pioneer of science radio, looks back on his lifetime of nature recordings, now heading for the Library of Congress.
11:56
How Art Can Help Treat Dementia And Trauma
A new book investigates the relatively new field of neuroaesthetics, which researches the effects that artistic experiences have on the brain.
The Surprising Ways Art Changes Our Brains And Bodies
‘Your Brain On Art’ examines new research about the effectiveness of art in healthcare and the benefits of picking up a daily arts practice.
11:34
Record Number Of People In Space At The Same Time
There is a record number of humans in orbit: 17. Plus, flies are more necessary than we give them credit for—and they’re in trouble.
This Violinist Is Making Ultra-Affordable 3D-Printed Violins For Kids
A concert violinist is developing a 3D-printed violin that costs $7, in hopes of lowering the barrier to getting kids into music.
12:06
Orcas Are Attacking Boats Near Spain. Scientists Don’t Know Why
Orca attacks on boats in the region have increased, leading to three sinkings. Plus, how a Supreme Court decision could affect wetlands.
16:01
What To Do When 500-1,000 Crows Roost In Your Neighborhood
When hundreds of crows took up long-term residence in a Baltimore neighborhood this past winter, one woman turned to Reddit for answers.
Soak In The Sounds Of A River With This Composer’s Sound Maps
Composer Annea Lockwood uses stereo microphones and underwater hydrophones to create detailed “river maps.”
This Astrophysicist Turned Star Data Into 3D-Printed Spheres
Astrophysicist Nia Imara’s career merges art and astronomy to figure out how stars are born.