PodcastsArtsBreaking Math Podcast

Breaking Math Podcast

Autumn Phaneuf & Noah Giansiracusa
Breaking Math Podcast
Latest episode

193 episodes

  • Breaking Math Podcast

    Denied, Then Unstoppable: The Story of Mary T. Washington Wylie

    27/03/2026 | 8 mins.
    This Women in History Mini-Series episode with Dr. Victoria Bateman explores the inspiring story of Mary T. Washington Wylie, the first African-American woman CPA, her challenges, achievements, and legacy in breaking racial and gender barriers in the early 20th century. Mathematics is supposed to be objective—but access to it has never been equal.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Mary T. Washington Wylie
    00:48 Early Life and Challenges
    02:58 Breaking Barriers in Accountancy
    05:25 Pioneering a Path for Others
    07:21 Legacy and Impact

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  • Breaking Math Podcast

    The Power of Connection in Math: Insights from Hortensia Soto

    24/03/2026 | 40 mins.
    In this episode of Breaking Math, we sit down with Dr. Hortensia Soto, former president of the Mathematical Association of America, to explore the role of mathematics in a world shaped by AI, education, and access. We discuss how debates in math are often really about opportunity and inclusion, how educators can navigate the rapid pace of AI, and why communication and human connection matter more than ever. The conversation also highlights the importance of financial literacy, embodied learning, and collaboration, reframing mathematics not as a set of answers, but as a way of thinking grounded in curiosity, effort, and relationships.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Hortensia Soto and the Math Community
    02:48 The Role of AI in Mathematics
    05:17 Access to Mathematics and Its Political Nature
    07:34 The Importance of Financial Literacy in Math Education
    10:19 Communication Skills for Mathematicians
    13:06 The Culture of the Mathematical Association of America
    15:29 Reflections on Leadership in the Math Community
    25:01 Innovative Approaches to Mathematics Education
    25:50 Recognizing Math Identity in Students
    27:02 Nurturing Student Potential
    35:31 The Role of AI in Learning
    38:26 The Human Element in Mathematics
    39:51 Mathematics Beyond Symbols and Procedures

    Follow Hortensia Soto on
    LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hortensia-soto-41230188/)

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    Website (https://www.breakingmath.io/)
    YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@BreakingMathPod)

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    email: [email protected]
  • Breaking Math Podcast

    Florence Nightingale: Data-Driven Reformer of Medicine

    20/03/2026 | 12 mins.
    This Women in History Mini-Series episode with Dr. Victoria Bateman explores the groundbreaking contributions of Florence Nightingale, highlighting her use of data and statistics to revolutionize healthcare and public health during the 19th century. Discover how her innovative use of data visualization and her perseverance against gender biases transformed modern nursing and public health policy.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Florence Nightingale's Legacy
    02:21 The Crimean War and Nightingale's Impact
    05:18 Data Collection and Analysis in Healthcare
    07:18 Overcoming Gender Bias in Medicine
    09:23 Innovations in Data Visualization
    11:59 Nightingale's Lasting Influence and Conclusion

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    Website (https://www.breakingmath.io/)
    YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@BreakingMathPod)

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  • Breaking Math Podcast

    The Math Behind Gerrymandering, Fair Representation, and Politics with Karen Saxe

    17/03/2026 | 35 mins.
    Mathematics quietly shapes some of the most important decisions in public life, from redistricting and congressional apportionment to federal research funding and AI policy. In this episode, Autumn and Noah speak with Dr. Karen Saxe, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at the American Mathematical Society, about how mathematical ideas influence representation, fairness, education, and the future of research. From gerrymandering and geometric compactness to life inside the U.S. Senate and the growing policy debates around AI, Karen reveals how deeply math is woven into the systems that govern everyday life.
    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to the Conversation
    01:15 The Hot Tea in DC
    01:24 Gerrymandering and Mathematics
    03:42 Understanding Gerrymandering and Redistricting
    08:07 The Role of Mathematicians in Politics
    12:19 Experiences in the Senate with Al Franken
    19:32 Government Relations and the Role of Mathematics
    23:01 The Impact of AI on Mathematics and Policy
    28:41 Community Readiness for AI Transformations
    29:22 Diversity in Education and Its Challenges
    29:40 Bridging Mathematics and Politics
    29:58 Career Pathways: Academia to Policy

    Follow Karen Saxe on
    LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-saxe-5015038a/)
    Website (https://www.ams.org/government)

    Follow Breaking Math on Substack (https://breakingmath.substack.com/)
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    Website (https://www.breakingmath.io/)
    YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@BreakingMathPod)

    Follow Noah on
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    Substack (https://substack.com/@1autumnleaf)

    email: [email protected]
  • Breaking Math Podcast

    Anna Schwartz: The Economist Who Changed How We Study Economies

    13/03/2026 | 14 mins.
    This Women in History Mini-Series episode with Dr. Victoria Bateman explores the groundbreaking work of Anna Schwartz, a pioneering economist who transformed macroeconomics through data-driven research. Discover how her meticulous analysis of monetary history shaped economic policy and the legacy she left for future generations.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Anna Schwartz and Her Impact
    01:45 The Historical Context of Economic Data
    04:10 Challenges Faced by Women in Economics
    06:03 A Monetary History of the United States
    09:04 The Methodology of Anna Schwartz
    11:46 Legacy and Personal Insights on Anna Schwartz

    Follow Breaking Math on
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    Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/breakingmath.bsky.social)
    Website (https://www.breakingmath.io/)
    YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@BreakingMathPod)

    Follow Victoria on Website (http://www.vnbateman.com/)
    Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/women.wealth.power/)
    Twitter (https://x.com/vnbateman)
    Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/vnbateman.bsky.social)

    Follow Autumn on
    Twitter (https://x.com/1autumn_leaf)
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    Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/1autumnleaf/)
    Substack (https://substack.com/@1autumnleaf)
    TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@1autumn_leaf_)

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About Breaking Math Podcast

Breaking Math is a deep-dive science, technology, engineering, AI, and mathematics podcast that explores the world through the lens of logic, patterns, and critical thinking. Hosted by Autumn Phaneuf, an expert in industrial engineering, operations research, and applied mathematics, and Noah Giansiracusa, a mathematician and leading voice in algorithmic literacy and technology ethics, the show is dedicated to uncovering the mathematical structures behind science, technology, and the systems shaping our future.What began as a conversation about math as a pure and elegant discipline has evolved into a platform for bold, interdisciplinary dialogue. Each episode of Breaking Math takes listeners on an intellectual journey—into the strange beauty of chaos theory, the ethical dilemmas of AI and algorithms, the hidden math of biology and evolution, or the physics governing black holes and the cosmos. Along the way, Autumn and Noah speak with working scientists, researchers, and thinkers across fields: computer scientists, physicists, chemists, engineers, economists, philosophers, and more.But this isn’t just a podcast about equations. It’s a show about how mathematics shapes the way we think, decide, build, and understand the world. Breaking Math pushes back against the idea that STEM belongs behind a paywall or an academic podium. It’s for the curious, the critical, and the creative—for anyone who believes that ideas should be rigorous, accessible, and infused with wonder.If you’ve ever wondered:What’s the math behind machine learning and modern algorithms?How do we quantify uncertainty in climate and economic models?Can intelligence or consciousness be meaningfully described in AI?Why does beauty matter in an equation?You’re in the right place.At its heart, Breaking Math is about building bridges—between disciplines, between experts and the public, and between abstract mathematics and the messy, magnificent reality we live in. With humor, clarity, and deep respect for complexity, Autumn and Noah invite you to rethink what math can be—and how it can help us shape a better future.Listen wherever you get your podcasts.Website: https://breakingmath.ioLinktree: https://linktr.ee/breakingmathmediaEmail: [email protected]
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