Sources & Attributions
The Ponder Podcast sources page brings together every study, idea, and image reference used throughout the show. Each citation or credit reflects our goal to help listeners see truth clearly while recognizing the creative and scholarly work that shapes every episode.
If you’re exploring ideas introduced in Arc 1 – Foundations of Discernment, you can find them here. For more about why accuracy and attribution matter to our process, visit the About Page.
As new arcs release, this list of Ponder Podcast sources will grow to include updated studies, historical references, and imagery. Our aim is complete transparency and credit for all contributors, designs, and insights shared through The Ponder Podcast.
Some of the imagery used across this site was generated by Jeff Martin with the assistance of ChatGPT (OpenAI, DALL·E) to visually illustrate original concepts and themes from The Ponder Podcast.
These images are used solely for creative and educational purposes and reflect the podcast’s mission — to inspire deeper thought and renewed curiosity about how we see, believe, and discern.
Referenced Studies & The Ponder Podcast Sources
Episode 1 – Seeing Clearly
Docan-Morgan, Tony & Hale, Sydney E. (2023). “Unpacking Variation in Lie Prevalence: Prolific Liars, Bad Lie Days, or Both?” Communication Monographs, 90(1), 1–28.
Summarized in: University of Wisconsin–La Crosse News Center, “Research finds people lie just a little bit day-to-day — except for a few prolific liars.”
https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/research-finds-people-lie-just-a-little-bit-day-to-day/
Episode 3 – The Belief Continuum
Jones, Jeffrey M. (2022, June 17). “Belief in God in U.S. Dips to 81%, a New Low.” Gallup News – Politics.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/393737/belief-god-dips-new-low.aspx/
Episode 8 – Alternate Earths (Part 1)
Referenced Scientific Foundations
Armstrong, J. C., Barnes, R., Domagal-Goldman, S., et al. (2014).
“Effects of Extreme Obliquity Variations on the Habitability of Terrestrial Exoplanets.”
Astrobiology, 14(4), 277–291.
https://doi.org/10.1089/ast.2013.1120
Supports the role of axial tilt in driving climate stability and seasonal extremes.
Williams, D. M., & Kasting, J. F. (1997).
“Habitable Planets with High Obliquities.”
Icarus, 129(1), 254–267.
https://doi.org/10.1006/icar.1997.5759
Demonstrates how modest increases in planetary tilt lead to dramatic climatic and seasonal shifts.
Kopparapu, R. K., Ramirez, R. M., et al. (2013).
“Habitable Zones Around Main-Sequence Stars.”
The Astrophysical Journal, 765(2), 131.
https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/765/2/131
Defines the narrow orbital-distance ranges where liquid water and stable climates are possible.
Spiegel, D. S., Menou, K., & Scharf, C. A. (2008).
“Habitable Climates: The Influence of Obliquity.”
The Astrophysical Journal, 681(1), 1609–1623.
https://doi.org/10.1086/588089
Explores the sensitivity of climate to small changes in insolation and axial tilt.
Laskar, J., Joutel, F., & Robutel, P. (1993).
“Stabilization of the Earth’s Obliquity by the Moon.”
Nature, 361, 615–617.
https://doi.org/10.1038/361615a0
Explains how the Moon stabilizes Earth’s axial tilt, influencing long-term climate and habitability.
Munk, W., & Wunsch, C. (1998).
“Abyssal Recipes II: Mixing and Tidal Energy.”
Deep-Sea Research I, 45(12), 1977–2010.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0967-0637(98)00070-3
Shows how tidal forces drive ocean mixing and nutrient cycling along coastlines.
Knauth, L. P. (1998).
“Salinity History of the Earth’s Early Ocean.”
Nature, 395, 554–555.
https://doi.org/10.1038/26895
Highlights the importance of tides and coastal zones in early life and nutrient availability.
Image Credits
- Arc 1 – Seeing Clearly
“Hand brushing condensation from glass” — created by Jeff Martin using ChatGPT (OpenAI, DALL·E). - Arc 2 – Origins and Order
“Bacterial flagellum diagram,” LadyofHats (public domain), via Open Oregon State / Wikimedia Commons. - Arc 3 – The Human Pattern
“Snake casting a question-mark-shaped shadow” — created by Jeff Martin using ChatGPT (OpenAI, DALL·E).
