Laws of Notion Podcast
Science was revolutionized by Newton’s laws of motion. But how can we revolutionize our ideas?
Laws of Notion is an award-winning podcast by the Institute for Science & Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where we push against our preconceived beliefs and think critically about the world around us.
Each season, we’ll tell a story about an issue facing a community, where there are no easy answers. Listen to explore the interconnections between science, policy, and our human nature.
Awards and Press
Laws of Notion won two awards for its Season 1 debut, Coal at Sunset, taking home the 2022 National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communication for Local/Regional Science Journalism, and the 2022 Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards from the National Association of Science Writers in the long-form category.
And for the second year in a row, we were awarded the 2023 National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communication for outstanding writing and reporting for Season 2 of our podcast, Water Under Pressure.
Laws of Notion was also named one of the 26 Best Podcasts to Listen to in 2024 in Colorado by 5280 Magazine! The magazine described our podcast in the best way possible: "In discussions about the most intractable scientific problems facing humanity, the humans most directly affected by policymakers are too often left out of the conversation. This nonprofit-produced, national-award-winning series gives literal voice to those Coloradans...".
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NEW! Season 5
Gray Territory: The Return of Wolves to Colorado
Colorado is the first state to intentionally bring back wolves by popular vote. But voting was just the beginning.
In an era where “us versus them” narratives run amok and monopolize headlines, the Colorado wolf reintroduction story seems like another dividing wedge issue. Urban vs rural. Pro-wolf vs anti-wolf. Frustrations and tensions are real. Yet despite that, people are working through the complicated day-to-day reality of learning to live with wolves. From the ballot box to paws on the ground, join us as we take a closer look and show there is much more to the story than you might think.
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Season 4
United by Fire
United by Fire challenges us to rethink our landscapes, our communities and ourselves. This season we take you inside the harrowing 2020 wildfire season through the voices of those who witnessed it firsthand. Hear from firefighters and residents who found themselves in the path of the flames, as well as ecologists, land managers, community planners and entrepreneurs who are working to build a more wildfire-resilient future.
Learn how climate change and human behavior are driving these unprecedented ecological events – and why we have to rethink the way we live in world that’s burning hotter and faster than ever.
Note: Our hearts go out to all those affected by the Los Angeles fires. To offer support go to lacounty.gov/relief.
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Season 3
Clearing the Air: The Hazy Future of Our Skies
The urban Front Range of Colorado frequently makes headlines for poor air quality. And in parts of the state, the air we breathe ranks dangerously high for particle pollution and ozone, which are some of the most harmful types of air pollution.
Our air is a complex soup of ingredients, which impacts not only the health of our most at-risk neighbors and children but the health of all of us, our economy, and our climate. When people’s health is at risk, and tradeoffs need to be made -- how do we solve this complicated issue? Listen to our eight-part series about the state of the air in Colorado and beyond, and how we are navigating this complex problem that has no borders.
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Season 2
Water, Under Pressure: The Uncertain Future of Colorado's Most Valuable Resource
In Colorado, the pressures on water are approaching an all-time high. Our state continues to grapple with who has the right to water because what pours out of our tap is actually a complex blend of history, economics, policy, and power plays.
The five-episode series explores the tradeoffs and consequences required to manage our water system. Through in-depth interviews and storytelling, we uncover the complexities of water from the San Luis Valley to the Front Range, and how they impact everyone’s quality of life.
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Season 1
Coal at Sunset: A Colorado Town in Transition
In rural northwestern Colorado, the town of Craig is at a crossroads. Coal has long been the primary employer and economic driver in this small, tight-knit community. It’s an identity. A way of life.
But now, something is about to change. The nearby coal plant and coal mines will close by decade's end as Colorado moves away from fossil fuels in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Suddenly, Craig faces a looming economic transition, the loss of hundreds of well-paying jobs, and an uncertain path forward. The eight-part podcast series takes you inside one community on the front lines of Colorado's energy transition.
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