In the first half, author Dr. Jerome Corsi discussed how Nazi chemists developed a series of equations during WWII which demonstrated that oil can be formed synthetically. Known as the Fischer-Tropsch equations, they indicated that the mixture of hydrogen and carbon with various catalysts under intense pressure and heat, produced hydrocarbons-- such as what is made in the mantle of the Earth on an ongoing basis, he explained. It doesn't take dead plants or animals, dinosaurs, plankton, algae or former living matter to produce oil, and the Nazis understood this, he continued, adding that some of their scientists were brought over to the US during Operation Paperclip to continue their research after the war.

However, documents of their research into Fischer-Tropsch were largely lost or hidden, said Corsi, who suggested that the US government and Big Oil conspired to bury their findings because they didn't want the public to know that the planet naturally produces oil, abundantly on a deep earth level. The science of abiotic oil continues to be suppressed and ridiculed, while the "fossil fuel" explanation for oil persists. He pointed out that a fossil is not the animal or plant itself, but the structure of the animal or plant typically filled in by various minerals that have hardened into stone over the ages. Corsi reported that the Russians have long been aware of the Fischer-Tropsch process, and this may be why their country has become one of the top producers of crude oil. He called the U.S the "Saudi Arabia of shale oil," and has concluded that America could actually become a top producer of oil and natural gas. While the print edition of his new book, The Great Oil Conspiracy, won't be out until later in the year, it's currently available as an e-book.

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In the latter half, Stanford University educator Tina Seelig, who has taught creativity to the brightest students and business leaders around the world, discussed how people can use creative problem solving to generate fresh ideas and solutions. "We each have our own internal combustion engine for creativity," which includes three things-- knowledge, imagination, and attitude, she detailed. Environments in which failure is not tolerated tend to stymie creativity, she noted-- failure is actually an opportunity to learn. When problem solving, truly creative people often rethink what the problem itself is, she noted, adding that "one of the most creative things you can do is to try and reframe the problem you're trying to address."

Various factors can enhance creativity, Seelig detailed, such as working with a team that knows how to be productive, as well as rules, rewards, constraints, and incentives, and a culture that fosters innovation, and experimentation. Knowledge and resources are intertwined-- "the more you know, the more resources you can unlock," and vice versa, she shared. Getting out of your routine, and doing and looking at things in different ways can often open up solutions, she added.

News segment guests: Lauren Weinstein, Mitch Battros