I struggled all the way through undergrad and I struggled all the way through grad school as well because I'm not a natural science learner.

I'm a person who wants to understand deeply the mysteries of the universe and even if you're a stay-at-home mom after that, even if you become an actor on a TV show,

the knowledge that I have as a scientist has transformed my understanding of my religious life,

my parenting life, and really everything about the world that I live in.

I'm so excited to get to speak with my Ambiolic today.

I've never talked to it before. This would be the first time we've met, but in a strange way I kind of feel like I know we're having watched her on Big Bang Theory for so many years.

Welcome to people I mostly admire, with Steve Levitt. I'll be totally honest with you.

I'm not sure that I have much to talk about with a typical Hollywood star, but I'm hoping that

Mayam is going to be different. She's got a PhD in neuroscience and she really seems to play by

her own rules and I just can't wait to get to know her a little bit and let's hope I'm right and she's interesting. We'll find out.

Such a pleasure today to talk with Mayam Bialek, renowned actress,

neuroscience PhD, a best-selling author, a mother of two teenage boys,

the producer and a director, and all of that's incredibly impressive.

But the real reason that I wanted so badly to talk to you is because it seems like you've managed

to succeed by breaking all the rules by being true to yourself

and by being authentic and I don't see very many people who have the courage to be him or herself

and to make their way in the world.

So I'm just really excited to talk to you today, Ma'am.

Thank you.

I'm very honored to speak with you.

All right, already by the time you were, I don't know,

maybe 10 or 11, you were an incredibly successful child

...