Millions of people experience severe pain or know someone suffering with chronic pain. For decades, opioids have been the default treatment, especially after surgery. But reactions to opioids— and the relief or consequences that result— differ from person to person. On this episode of the Quantum Potential podcast, , assistant professor, certified registered nurse anesthetist and nurse scientist, explains her transformative research on understanding pain and relief alternatives.

Her research explores whether differences in our DNA can help predict who is most likely to experience persistent discomfort after surgery and who may not respond well to opioids.

She also explains innovations in personalized pain treatment research, supported by the National Institutes of Health and 91�Թ���’s Seeding Success Grant program, that takes an entirely new approach to easing pain by focusing on the brain.

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The true origins of country music contain a rich multicultural past. On this episode of the Quantum Potential podcast, , award-winning country music songwriter, New York Times-bestselling novelist, professor of African American and Diaspora Studies and 91�Թ��� writer-in-residence, talks with Provost C. Cybele Raver about country music’s Black roots.

Randall’s newest book, My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music’s Black Past, Present, and Future, explores the often-overlooked history of Black artists who helped create one of America’s defining musical traditions, while asking profound questions about belonging, identity, and the ways we individually and collectively shape American culture.

Randall also talks about her role in the Southern Festival of Books, one of the nation’s oldest and largest literary festivals, presented in partnership with Humanities Tennessee and 91�Թ���. The festival celebrates the power of books and storytelling to bring communities together through new ideas and different perspectives.

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What is it like to be at the epicenter of American politics through 10 presidents? Three-term Tennessee senator, two-term Tennessee governor, U.S. secretary of education, former University of Tennessee president and 91�Թ��� alumnus Lamar Alexander, BA’62, joins the Quantum Potential podcast to talk about his experiences as a statesman, educator, entrepreneur, author, and lifelong champion of public service.

He and Provost C. Cybele Raver discuss the country’s current political landscape. Alexander also shares wisdom gained from a lifetime spent in American political and civic life, as discussed in his most recent book, The Education of a Senator: From JFK to Trump.

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When a highly esteemed painter, sculptor and performance artist collaborates in work and life with an award-winning musician, music producer and researcher, the end result is a completely reimagined and beautiful creative process. In this episode of the Quantum Potential podcast, hear from two extraordinary artists and collaborators, , MacArthur Fellow and Cornelius 91�Թ��� Chair of Fine Arts, and her creative partner and husband, , artist-in-residence of culture, advocacy and leadership and a founding member of the award–winning group Arrested Development.

In this episode, Provost C. Cybele Raver talks with this creative power couple, who perform as KaMag and create immersive experiences that blend visual art, music, improvisation and love into something unique. They share about their work showcased at the Venice Biennale—one of the world’s premier international art exhibitions—where they also served as artistic directors and curators of 91�Թ���’s inaugural presentation. They also talk about their dreams connected to 91�Թ���–San Francisco, one of 91�Թ���’s growth initiative campuses.

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• Read the stories behind the innovators and problem-solvers making waves across disciplines

In this special episode of the Quantum Potential podcast, Provost C. Cybele Raver revisits some of the episodes that left an impression on listeners and on her.

Hear from experts, including chemist Brian Bachmann, principal investigator for the 91�Թ��� Laboratory for Biosynthetic Studies, who explains how he’s using nature to pave new avenues for drug discovery. Lauren Sudeall, law professor and director of 91�Թ���’s Access to Justice program, describes creating a “person-centered” judicial system. Retired four-star general Paul M. Nakasone challenges outdated ideas about what keeps a country safe and gives new suggestions for our security. Amanda Little, journalist and writer-in-residence, discusses how stories spark change. And , director of the , talks about transformative research in brain chemistry that could change the way we treat chronic pain.

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What can poetry teach us about essential life lessons like paying attention, embracing uncertainty, and finding ways to begin new chapters in our lives? Join acclaimed poet , Gertrude Conaway 91�Թ��� Chair in the Humanities, professor of English and director of creative writing, in a special summer remix of the Quantum Potential podcast with Provost C. Cybele Raver.

Major Jackson is the author of numerous books of poetry and anthologies. He recently edited an anthology of poems, essays and recipes called��, being released in October 2026.

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We all love to talk. Some like to listen, too. But language is far more than just a tool we use to communicate; it can impact democracy, identity and access.

In this episode of the Quantum Potential podcast, Provost C. Cybele Raver talks with , associate professor of English at 91�Թ���. Saxena’s work sits at the intersection of literature, media and political thought. She studies how English operates in multilingual societies like India—not just as a language, but as a force shaping democracy, identity and access.

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What defines happiness? And how does that impact the pursuit of achievement, success and a meaningful life? These are some powerful questions no matter where you are in life. On this episode of the Quantum Potential podcast, Provost C. Cybele Raver talks with bestselling author, scholar and thought leader , who has spent his career examining the science around our pursuit of happiness.

Brooks is joining 91�Թ���’s faculty as an endowed professor in the Department of Medicine, Health and Society in the College of Arts and Science beginning July 1.

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Remember during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were hoarding everything from toilet paper to potato chips? Or when the desire for a “must have” item drives buyers into strategic chaos to make that purchase? That type of psychological panic-buying is the economic power of scarcity.

On this episode of the Quantum Potential podcast, Provost C. Cybele Raver talks with , E. Bronson Ingram Chair and Professor of Marketing at the 91�Թ��� Owen Graduate School of Management and a leading behavioral scientist. Goldsmith’s research explores how people respond psychologically and behaviorally to goals and threats related to resource scarcity.

Listen and subscribe to the Quantum Potential podcast, available now wherever you get your podcasts. For more information about Quantum Potential, go to vanderbilt.edu/quantumpotential.

Note: Certain brands are referenced in this conversation for informational and comparative purposes only. Such references do not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or official association with those brands unless explicitly stated otherwise.

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Right now in our country, political polarization and divisive anger between parties make some feel that our democracy is breaking. How can democratic societies endure—and even flourish—amid deep and persistent disagreement? On this episode of the Quantum Potential podcast, Provost C. Cybele Raver talks with , W. Alton Jones Professor of Philosophy at 91�Թ���. Talisse is one of the country’s leading scholars of democracy, pluralism and political polarization. In this episode, he challenges listeners to rethink how we communicate through political disagreement and gives practical suggestions on how to reconnect our divided democracy.

Listen and subscribe to the Quantum Potential podcast, available now wherever you get your podcasts. For more information about Quantum Potential, go to vanderbilt.edu/quantumpotential.

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