The human brain loves a good explanation. Parenthood has other plans. Science journalist and Radiolab host Lulu Miller explores why we are so determined to make sense of the world, and what happens when life refuses to fit the story.


Shownotes: 

  • Much of today's conversation draws on Lulu Miller's bestselling book Why Fish Don't Exist, a meditation on our deep human desire to impose order on the natural world, and why embracing uncertainty may ultimately be more liberating.
  • Lulu reflects on the life of David Starr Jordan, the pioneering ichthyologist whose lifelong quest to classify every species of fish became the starting point for Why Fish Don't Exist. His story ultimately led Lulu to explore the promises – and dangers – of our desire to impose order on a messy world.
  • Lulu also reflects on The Eleventh Word, her essay for The Paris Review, in which she explores how her son's first words reshaped the way she thinks about language, parenthood and our illusion of understanding the world.
  • Many of the ideas in this episode continue in Terrestrials, Lulu's award-winning podcast for children, where science, storytelling and play invite young listeners to stay curious about the natural world. For Father's Day, Lulu teamed up with Michael Feigelson for a special episode exploring the surprising diversity of fatherhood in the animal kingdom – from seahorses and poison dart frogs to owl monkeys – and what these stories can teach us about human dads.
  • This podcast is part of the Early Childhood Matters platform by the Van Leer Foundation.


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