The Future of Everything

Pediatrician Yair Bannett studies and treats ADHD in preschool-age children. His interests stem from watching too many families struggle to understand their child’s behavior. He now focuses on improving frontline care using artificial intelligence to analyze electronic health records. One recent study explored whether doctors are making appropriate non-drug interventions before choosing to medicate children. Through his research, he hopes to raise the standard of ADHD care for thousands – and perhaps millions – of children. Early diagnosis and better care can prevent later problems, Bannett tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.
Episode Reference Links:
Stanford Profile: ​​Yair Bannett 
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Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces guest Yair Bannett, a developmental behavioral pediatrician at Stanford University.
(00:03:44) Why Study ADHD
Yair’s path from primary care pediatrics to ADHD research.
(00:04:32) Understanding ADHD
The core symptoms and diagnostic criteria for ADHD.
(00:05:57) Diagnosing ADHD in Youth
Why diagnosis is challenging and relies on clinical judgment.
(00:08:21) Known Causes of ADHD
What is known about biological origins and environmental influence.
(00:10:08) Geographic and Cultural Differences
The variations in ADHD prevalence across regions and populations.
(00:11:37) ADHD Across Countries
Prevalence of ADHD globally and challenges with monitoring diagnosis.
(00:12:23) Natural History of Untreated ADHD
The lifelong persistence of ADHD and associated risks when untreated.
(00:14:28) ADHD Diagnosis in Adults
The challenges in identifying and diagnosing ADHD later in life.
(00:16:27) ADHD Treatments
An overview of the two treatment interventions used to treat ADHD.
(00:18:16) Stimulant Medications
The effectiveness and long-term benefits of stimulant treatments.
(00:21:30) Non-Stimulant Medications
When and why alternative medications for ADHD are used.
(00:22:31) Non-pharmacological Interventions
The alternative interventions used outside pharmacological treatments.
(00:23:18) Reducing Household Chaos
Strategies for structure and behavior management within the home.
(00:24:55) Measuring Quality of ADHD Care
Using electronic health records and AI to improve treatment.
(00:28:10) Importance of Early Diagnosis
The benefits of identifying ADHD before school entry.
(00:29:29) Future In a Minute
Rapid-fire Q&A: applying AI, collaboration, and theatre dreams.
(00:31:55) Conclusion

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Physician-scientist Randall Stafford studies the effects of alcohol use on population health – the true health impact, he emphasizes. Stafford explains how early research suggested that drinking is beneficial – or at least not bad – for people. That mindset produced decades of wishful thinking based on inconsistent science driven by social, emotional, and industry forces. The small cardiovascular benefits, he says, are far outweighed by the risks of cancer, liver disease, depression, and other ills. Although the harms of low-level consumption are small, there is no safe level of alcohol use, Stafford tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.
Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].
Episode Reference Links:
Stanford Profile: ​​Randall Stafford
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Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces guest Randall Stafford, a professor of medicine at Stanford University.
(00:03:35) Challenges in Alcohol Research
Why cultural norms and study limitations complicate evidence.
(00:03:56) Historical Perspectives on Drinking
How early studies suggested benefits and why those conclusions shifted.
(00:09:12) Risk, Dose, and Drinking Patterns
The increased risks with binge drinking and higher doses of alcohol.
(00:12:15) Health Benefits vs. Lifestyle Enjoyment
Clarifying what alcohol does—and does not—provide medically.
(00:13:37) Alcohol and Mental Health
The bidirectional effects between alcohol use and mental health.
(00:17:37) Broader Mental and Social Effects
Alcohol’s connection to bipolar disorder, unemployment, and social harm.
(00:20:12) How Alcohol Myths Persist
Why simplified conclusions endured despite contradictory data.
(00:22:46) Changing Cultural Attitudes
Cultural trends toward reduced drinking and alcohol-free periods.
(00:25:49) Alcohol and Liver Disease
The effects of alcohol beyond heavy use, including metabolic disease.
(00:27:29) Strategies to Reduce Harm
Way to reduce alcohol consumption and avoid binge drinking.
(00:29:25) Future In a Minute
Rapid-fire Q&A: avoiding alcohol, research needs, and studying liver disease.
(00:31:04) Conclusion

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We're here to wish you a very happy New Year! We hope you’re ringing in the new year in good health and looking forward to what’s ahead in 2026. As people are setting goals and making resolutions, we’re re-running an episode today on the future of motivation. Last year, we sat down with Szu-chi Huang, an expert in motivation. She explained how science is changing our understanding of goal-setting and achievement, and offered a few tricks you can try when you feel stuck. We hope you’ll tune in again today and pick up a few insights on how to sustain enthusiasm for your goals over time.
Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].
Episode Reference Links:
Stanford Profile: ​​Szu-chi Huang
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Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
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Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces Szu-chi Huang, a professor of Marketing at Stanford GSB.
(00:02:13) Studying Motivation
Szu-chi shares what led her to study motivational science.
(00:02:45) Defining Motivation
Motivation as the drive to close the gap between current and ideal self.
(00:03:39) The Science of Motivation
Studying motivation through behavioral and neurological data.
(00:04:30) Why It Matters in Business
How motivation science applies to leaders, teams, and customers.
(00:05:21) The Motivation Framework
The strategies needed in order to stay motivated over time.
(00:06:24) Journey vs. Destination Mindset
The different mindsets needed throughout the stages of motivation.
(00:08:03) Motivating Kids to Choose Healthy
Collaborating with UNICEF to study what motivates children.
(00:09:37) Gamified Coupons in Panama
A study using gamified coupons to influence children's food choices.
(00:13:08) Loyalty Programs as Motivation
How customer reward programs act as structured goal journeys.
(00:15:29) Progress Versus Purpose
The different incentives needed in each stage of loyalty programs.
(00:17:11) Retirement Saving Lessons
How financial institutions apply motivational science to long-term goals.
(00:19:54) Motivation in Social Context
The role of social connections in goal pursuit and sustaining motivation.
(00:21:20) Support vs. Competition in Shared Goals
The benefits and drawbacks of sharing goal journeys with others.
(00:24:52) Designing Apps for Motivation
How redesigning user interfaces can help users stay motivated.
(00:26:02) AI as a Motivation Coach
Using AI to personalize feedback across all stages of goal pursuit.
(00:28:50) Starting and Sustaining a Goal
Practical strategies for launching and sustaining a goal.
(00:30:59) Conclusion

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Hi everyone, it’s your host, Russ. As we celebrate another holiday season and round out the year, I want to take a moment to say thank you for listening. This show started out over 8 years ago as an experiment and has not only grown to become a passion project, but also an archive of the impactful work my colleagues across Stanford dedicate their lives to. In a time when the sheer volume of information available to us can make it hard to determine what’s accurate, I’m proud to be able to bring you information directly from expert scientists in the fields of physics, medicine, technology, computer science, law, and much more.
The show, however, would not exist without you. So thank you for giving us your time and attention; it means a lot and also makes what we do possible.
Happy holidays and happy new year!

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We hope you’re enjoying the holiday season with family, friends, and loved ones. We’ll be releasing new episodes again in the new year – in the meantime, today, we’re re-running a fascinating episode on The future of AI coaching. The past few years have seen an incredible boom in AI and one of our colleagues, James Landay, a professor in Computer Science, thinks that when it comes to AI and education, things are just getting started. He’s particularly excited about the potential for AI to serve as a coach or tutor. We hope you’ll take another listen to this conversation and come away with some optimism for the potential AI has to help make us smarter and healthier. 
Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].
Episode Reference Links:
Stanford Profile: ​​James Landay
Connect With Us:
Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces guest James Landay, a professor of Computer Science at Stanford University.
(00:01:44) Evolving AI Applications
How large language models can replicate personal coaching experiences.
(00:06:24) Role of Health Experts in AI
Integrating insights from medical professionals into AI coaching systems.
(00:10:01) Personalization in AI Coaching
How AI coaches can adapt personalities and avatars to cater to user preferences.
(00:12:30) Group Dynamics in AI Coaching
Pros and cons of adding social features and group support to AI coaching systems.
(00:13:48) Ambient Awareness in Technology
Ambient awareness and how it enhances user engagement without active attention.
(00:17:24) Using AI in Elementary Education
Narrative-driven tutoring systems to inspire kids' learning and creativity.
(00:22:39) Encouraging Student Writing with AI
Using LLMs to  motivate students to write  through personalized feedback.
(00:23:32) Scaling AI Educational Tools
The ACORN project and creating dynamic, scalable learning experiences.
(00:27:38) Human-Centered AI
The concept of human-centered AI and its focus on designing for society.
(00:30:13) Conclusion

Connect With Us:
Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
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Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

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