New Origin of Life Research Shows Alien Life may be Common with Dr. Steven Benner

New Origin of Life Research Shows Alien Life may be Common with Dr. Steven Benner

Author: John Michael Godier August 31, 2026 Duration: 1:03:04

A breakthrough in RNA research has been found, life may be far easier to get started than we previously thought possible.https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/ast.2022.0027Steven Benner heads the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, which he founded after serving on faculty at Harvard, ETH Zurich, and University of Florida. His research combines two traditions in science, one from natural history, the other from the physical sciences. His laboratory has been a leader in the field of synthetic biology, where it has redesigned DNA to better understand how these molecules work, generate new classes of diagnostics tools, and to open new avenues to disease therapy. Separately, he also created the field of paleogenetics, his work also guides NASA missions to search for alien life and how life originated. His most recent book is: "Life, the Universe, and the Scientific Method."


Curiosity about the cosmos often starts with a simple question, and that's where John Michael Godier's Event Horizon finds its rhythm. Hosted by author and futurist John Michael Godier, this podcast delves into the profound and the perplexing at the edges of our understanding. Each episode builds a narrative, weaving together discussions on astronomy, astrophysics, and the latest space science news with broader themes of technology, history, and futurism. The conversations are grounded by special guests who bring expertise and diverse perspectives, turning complex ideas into engaging explorations. You'll find the dialogue moves from the concrete details of scientific discovery to the speculative implications for our future, all with a thoughtful and accessible tone. This isn't just a recap of headlines; it's a deep dive into the context and consequences of what we're learning about the universe. For anyone who looks up at the night sky and wonders about black holes, the potential for life elsewhere, or where our technology might take us next, this podcast offers a compelling space to linger on those big ideas. The production emphasizes clarity and depth, making even the most daunting topics feel within reach. Tune in for a regular journey to the frontiers of science and human thought.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

John Michael Godier's Event Horizon
Podcast Episodes
Are Solar Flares Dangerous? Featuring Dr. Avi Loeb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:35
John Michael Godier is joined by Dr. Avi Loeb a theoretical physicist and serves as the Chair of Harvard's Department of Astronomy, where they discuss how dangerous events like solar flares, such as the 1859 Carrington E…
JMG - KIC 8462852 Alien Megastructure Star Update 8/7/16 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:11
An update on the KIC 8462852 story as of August 7, 2016 as part of my continuing coverage of the story.Links:For backstory, see my earlier update: • KIC 8462852 Alien Megastructure Star Updat... My video on advanced nano…
JMG - The Death of Planet Earth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:25
Cylinder Three by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/cylinders/ Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/
New Horizons NASA Flyby of Ultima Thule with Ben Pearson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:59
Tracking the progress of the NASA probe New Horizons flyby of the Kuiper Belt object Ultima Thule which sent back some of the first pictures of the furthest object in our solar system we have visited Ultima Thule. NASA N…
JMG - Exoplanet Odyssey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:02
An exploration of the most interesting exoplanets scientists have found. Cylinder Eight by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Source: http:…
Is Science Not Taking Enough Risks? With Avi Loeb [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:34
Dr. Avi Loeb is a theoretical physicist and serves as the Chair of Harvard's Department of Astronomy, in this clip he discusses with John Michael Godier possible solutions to the fermi paradox with technosignatures and b…
JMG - The Promise of Molecular Nanotechnology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:21
Molecular nanotechnology may have the power to completely revolutionize human living.Drone in D by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...) Source:…
JMG - KIC 8462852 Alien Megastructure Star Update 4/10/16 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:28
An in depth update and analysis of the alien megastructure star KIC 8462852 or Tabby's Star as of 4/10/16 reflecting the new information gleaned over the last few months. Cylinder Five by Chris Zabriskie is licensed unde…