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 Gabriel Hesch, an electrical engineer (host from 2016-2024) with a passion for mathematical clarity, the show is dedicated to uncovering the mathematical structures behind science, engineering, technology, and the systems that shape 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—whether it’s into the strange beauty of chaos theory, the ethical dilemmas of AI, the deep structures of biological evolution, or the thermodynamics of black holes. Along the way, Autumn and Gabriel interview leading thinkers and working scientists from across the spectrum: computer scientists, quantum physicists, chemists, philosophers, neuroscientists, and more.
But this isn’t just a podcast about equations—it’s a show about how mathematics influences the way we think, create, build, and understand. Breaking Math pushes back against the idea that STEM belongs behind a paywall or an academic podium. It’s for the curious, the critical, 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?
* How do we quantify uncertainty in climate models?
* Can consciousness be described in AI?
* Why does beauty matter in an equation?
Then you’re in the right place.
At its heart, Breaking Math is about building bridges—between disciplines, between experts and the public, and between the abstract world of mathematics and the messy, magnificent reality we live in. With humor, clarity, and deep respect for complexity, Autumn and Gabriel 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.io [https://breakingmath.io/]
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/breakingmathmedia
Email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com
All content for Breaking Math Podcast is the property of Autumn Phaneuf and is served directly from their servers
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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 Gabriel Hesch, an electrical engineer (host from 2016-2024) with a passion for mathematical clarity, the show is dedicated to uncovering the mathematical structures behind science, engineering, technology, and the systems that shape 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—whether it’s into the strange beauty of chaos theory, the ethical dilemmas of AI, the deep structures of biological evolution, or the thermodynamics of black holes. Along the way, Autumn and Gabriel interview leading thinkers and working scientists from across the spectrum: computer scientists, quantum physicists, chemists, philosophers, neuroscientists, and more.
But this isn’t just a podcast about equations—it’s a show about how mathematics influences the way we think, create, build, and understand. Breaking Math pushes back against the idea that STEM belongs behind a paywall or an academic podium. It’s for the curious, the critical, 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?
* How do we quantify uncertainty in climate models?
* Can consciousness be described in AI?
* Why does beauty matter in an equation?
Then you’re in the right place.
At its heart, Breaking Math is about building bridges—between disciplines, between experts and the public, and between the abstract world of mathematics and the messy, magnificent reality we live in. With humor, clarity, and deep respect for complexity, Autumn and Gabriel 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.io [https://breakingmath.io/]
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/breakingmathmedia
Email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com
In this conversation, Marcus Du Sautoy explores the intricate relationship between mathematics and various forms of art, including music, literature, and visual arts. He discusses how mathematical concepts such as prime numbers, symmetry, and randomness influence creative processes and artistic expressions. Through examples from renowned artists like Shakespeare and Dali, Du Sautoy illustrates how mathematics serves as a blueprint for understanding and creating art, while also emphasizing the emotional and aesthetic dimensions of both fields.
Takeaways
* Mathematics and art are deeply interconnected.
* The circle is fundamental to both mathematics and nature.
* Prime numbers are essential building blocks in mathematics.
* Music often employs mathematical structures for creativity.
* Shakespeare used prime numbers to disrupt rhythm.
* Symmetry plays a crucial role in both art and mathematics.
* Dali's work reflects his fascination with scientific ideas.
* Theatre allows for abstract exploration of mathematical concepts.
* Ambiguity is embraced in art but avoided in mathematics.
* Randomness can lead to unexpected creative outcomes.
Chapters
* 00:00 Blueprints of Mathematics and Art
* 02:35 Defining Creativity and Its Interplay
* 04:24 Mathematicians as Collaborators with Artists
* 07:17 The Fractal Nature of Jackson Pollock's Art
* 12:54 The Significance of Circles in Mathematics
* 16:31 Exploring the Mystery of Prime Numbers
* 19:52 The Role of Primes in Music Composition
* 28:01 Mathematics and the Structure of Music
* 29:00 The Mathematical Foundations of Music
* 31:50 Art and Mathematics: Dali's Exploration
* 38:56 Theatrical Structures and Mathematical Concepts
* 43:46 The Distinct Narratives of Numbers and Art
* 48:07 Symmetry and Randomness: Blueprints of Creativity
* 58:49 Exploring Creativity Through Mathematics
Follow Professor du Sautoy on Twitter [https://x.com/MarcusduSautoy], BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/marcusdusautoy.bsky.social], and find his new book here [https://bio.to/Blueprints?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaefqRocv2pUysqSuWsMgWkm7wN5vIqAtG0XJ_Jgm0hnhAQ47Ui7mu9foO6ZkA_aem_mU-tV_Q0f15y-UR-VnKwqg].
Subscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow Breaking Math on Twitter [https://x.com/breakingmathpod], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/breakingmathmedia/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/breaking-math/], Website [https://breakingmath.io/], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BreakingMathPod], TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@breakingmathmedia]
Follow Autumn on Twitter [https://x.com/1autumn_leaf], BlueSky [https://bsky.app/profile/1autumnleaf.bsky.social], and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/1autumnleaf/]
Become a guest here [https://www.breakingmath.io/contact]
email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com
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 Gabriel Hesch, an electrical engineer (host from 2016-2024) with a passion for mathematical clarity, the show is dedicated to uncovering the mathematical structures behind science, engineering, technology, and the systems that shape 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—whether it’s into the strange beauty of chaos theory, the ethical dilemmas of AI, the deep structures of biological evolution, or the thermodynamics of black holes. Along the way, Autumn and Gabriel interview leading thinkers and working scientists from across the spectrum: computer scientists, quantum physicists, chemists, philosophers, neuroscientists, and more.
But this isn’t just a podcast about equations—it’s a show about how mathematics influences the way we think, create, build, and understand. Breaking Math pushes back against the idea that STEM belongs behind a paywall or an academic podium. It’s for the curious, the critical, 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?
* How do we quantify uncertainty in climate models?
* Can consciousness be described in AI?
* Why does beauty matter in an equation?
Then you’re in the right place.
At its heart, Breaking Math is about building bridges—between disciplines, between experts and the public, and between the abstract world of mathematics and the messy, magnificent reality we live in. With humor, clarity, and deep respect for complexity, Autumn and Gabriel 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.io [https://breakingmath.io/]
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/breakingmathmedia
Email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com
