Utah Public Radio's science-centric show, 'UnDisciplined,' reached a broadcasting milestone with its 300th episode, not just in numbers but in the depth and diversity of subjects covered from the physics of fried rice to the potential of pests in zero gravity. The show, which airs Thursday mornings and doubles as a podcast, dovetails science with discovery, aiming to ignite curiosity and provide clarity in a world often riddled with complex jargon.
Firmly rooted in the belief that everyone possesses an area of brilliance, the show's founding producer and host, Matthew LaPlante, believes engaging the audience with accessible content is key. According to USU Today, LaPlante has hosted around 425 experts and has navigated topics as varied as agrobiology, and zoonotic pathology, maintaining that "Everybody is absolutely brilliant at something," and communication should happen accordingly.
A Pew Research Center survey cited in the Utah State University article noted that while a majority of Americans trust scientists, there is a shorter stride in communication, with only 45% of U.S. adults considering scientists "good communicators." UnDisciplined challenges that notion by encouraging insightful yet understandable discourse, originally cultivating exchanges between scientists of vastly different fields, and now, fostering dialogue that speaks to intelligent non-experts.
Beyond bridging the gap between science and society, 'UnDisciplined' has been instrumental in shaping careers. Former producers and USU journalism students Alyssa Roberts, Naomi Ward, and Clayre Scott have leveraged their experience with the show to propel themselves into careers in digital production and communication, with Scott asserting her time at UnDisciplined was "everything" in securing her subsequent career opportunities. The show's impact ripple extends to LaPlante himself, who embarked on his own Ph.D. in climate science, a decision sparked by his continual engagement with guests' scientific fervor.
