HMNS Beyond Bones Podcast

My wonderful guest today is the spellbinding actor of stage and screen, Nathaniel Hackmann.

Nathaniel plays the iconic character "Biff" in the award-winning Broadway smash-hit "Back to the Future: The Musical", now showing from March 31st through April 5th, 2026 by Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) at the Hobby Center!

In this episode, Nathaniel and I talk about what it's like "becoming" Biff and the extraordinary experiences and lengths he's gone to to become a part of the iconic...and dare I say sacred Back to the Future universe.

TUTS, "Back to the Future: The Musical" more info and tix! https://www.tuts.org/back-to-the-future-the-musical-2026/

Theatre Under the Stars https://www.tuts.org/

Nathaniel Hackmann
https://www.instagram.com/n8hackmann/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9823221/
https://www.broadway.com/buzz/stars/nathaniel-hackmann/profile/

For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

My sweet mother is a funeral director and world-renowned restorative artist. In this episode, I walk her around our "Death by Natural Causes" exhibit to discuss how she might prepare a few of the victims for an open-casket...or if it is even possible...audience discretion is advised if you're a little squeamish about this subject matter.

https://www.hmns.org/

For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

Is their any truth to the idea that fossils can be radioactive? Colin Diggins is a paleontologist and our paleontology laboratory manager here at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Enjoy the fascinating conversation!

Show Notes:

Manganese in the spring water was correct.

https://www.hmns.org/
#paleontology #science #podcast #museum #houston #fossils #dinosaur #dinosaurs #radioactive

For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

Scientists can be found everywhere in the museum. Alex Ruff may seem like a mild-mannered Building Manger here at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, but he is actually an expert in minerals and geology...with the credentials to boot. Enjoy this deeply fascinating conversation about our exquisite minerals, geology in general, and even a bit more about our illustrious Alma Queen! I guess you could say this conversation...rocks.

Show notes:

Yes, Manganese Carbonate is the mineral of which Rhodochrosite is made and its purity dictates how "red" it appears.

For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/

They march once more, this time to Houston 📍

Explore World of the Terracotta Warriors, opening November 14.

See ancient China’s unification under Qin Shi Huang brought to life through rare artifacts and stunning craftsmanship.

World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries in Shaanxi in the 21st Century is jointly organized by the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration, Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center, and Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum Site Museum of the People's Republic of China, and Bowers Museum in the United States.

Local support is provided by Regent Seven Seas Cruises®.

#TerracottaWarriors #HMNS #HistoryUnearthed #WarriorsAtHMNS

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For centuries, China’s Terracotta Warriors have stirred the soul and ignited the imagination. Here at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, we are thrilled, privileged, and honored to host these marvels within our own walls for all to witness. https://www.hmns.org/

For more information about the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visit https://www.hmns.org/