Episodes

Sept. 23, 2021

Thu. 09/23 - Birds Are Real (and Got Louder During Lockdown)

The dark side of the history of epidemiology. Plus, a study that proves, yes actually, birds were louder and more numerous during lockdown. And two women in their hundreds who have lived incredible lives and refuse to quit d…
Sept. 22, 2021

Wed. 09/22 - The Wonders of Fall, and the Cosmos

Sharing some reflections, some poetry, and a bit of a historical context on what it is that makes fall strike such a strong chord with so many of us, in honor of this first day of fall. And a look at NASA’s upcoming Lucy mis…
Sept. 21, 2021

Tue. 09/21 - Making 26,000 People Out of 20: Ted Lasso's Trick

How Ted Lasso filled a whole stadium for a crowd scene during the pandemic, and how advances, especially in AI, are beginning to change filmmaking. Plus, a Colorado man has won a yearlong treasure hunt for golden tickets, ma…
Sept. 20, 2021

Mon. 09/20 - Poison Ivy Vaccines & A Mosh Pit History

The history and science of mosh pits. Exciting developments in the treatment of poison ivy reactions, including a possible vaccine. And how to catch tonight’s Harvest Moon, and why we call it that.
Sept. 17, 2021

Fri. 09/17 - Night-Lunch and the Origin of Food Trucks

The history and future of food trucks, and a look at the old tradition of “night lunch.” The visually-striking lanternfly that eastern US states are begging people to kill. And why you may not be getting that book you ordere…
Sept. 16, 2021

Thu. 09/16 - Jane Austen's Advice for Social Media Users

How the social lives of the characters from Jane Austen’s novels are analogous to our digital ones today, and what we can learn from them about being over-stimulated. Plus, a study illustrating how we could build bases on Ma…
Sept. 15, 2021

Wed. 09/15 - Civilian? Amateur? Private? Whatever, They're Going to Space!

SpaceX’s Inspiration4 all-civilian crew is blasting off tonight in Cape Canaveral. Here’s everything you need to know about the historic launch. Plus, the Māori Party in New Zealand has introduced a petition to rename the co…
Sept. 14, 2021

Tue. 09/14 - Steve Wozniak's New Space Company

How gas stations actually make money, and their prospects for the future. Steve Wozniak says Don’t Mess With Space. And, a timeless question for the ages: how many s’mores could you make from the giant Stay Puft Marshmallow …
Sept. 13, 2021

Mon. 09/13 - De-Extinct Woolly Mammoths & Potty-Trained Cows

Could woolly mammoths help slow the effects of the climate emergency? It’s not just a theoretical question. One entrepreneur is betting on it, and working to bring woolly mammoths back from extinction to prove it. Lorde has …
Sept. 10, 2021

Fri. 09/10 - The Mystery of Blue Moon Ice Cream

What exactly is blue moon-flavored ice cream and where did it come from? Plus, NASA is planning to purposefully hit an asteroid with a spacecraft, more on why and when. And this year’s Ig Nobel Prize winners have been announ…
Sept. 9, 2021

Thu. 09/09 - Roof Panels That Cool Your Home, No A/C Required!

Forget air conditioners, give me radiative cooling panels on my roof! That’s what I hope I’ll be saying a few years from now. Plus, a new species of giant carnivorous dinosaur with shark-like teeth has been identified. And M…
Sept. 8, 2021

Wed. 09/08 - What Happens When You Get Struck By Lightning?

What it’s actually like getting struck by lightning, and the community of survivors helping each other cope. Plus, another team of scientists say they have achieved a crucial and record-breaking milestone in the quest for cl…
Sept. 7, 2021

Tue. 09/07 - Mars Rocks, A Billionaire's Utopia, & The Free Blockbuster Movement

The Mars Perseverance Rover has secured its first rock sample, with big promise for insights to come. A billionaire is working on plans to build a new sustainable city “for the people” somewhere in America. And you may have …
Sept. 3, 2021

Fri. 09/03 - The Billion Year Gap In the Grand Canyon's Rocks

What if a room could charge all of your devices just by them being in there? Like no wires, no charging pads, just being in the room. Some engineers have made that a reality. Plus, new insights into the billion years of time…
Sept. 2, 2021

Thu. 09/02 - What Is Grimace & Why Are Hyperlinks Blue?

Why are hyperlinks blue? You ever think about that before? Plus, a look at the tech behind the wheelchairs and prostheses used by Paralympians. And what the heck is Grimace, the big purple McDonald’s mascot? A manager at a C…
Sept. 1, 2021

Wed. 09/01 - Flying EVs, Bedroom Pop, & Murder Hornets 2: Venomous Boogaloo

Would you take a flying rideshare taxi? NASA is betting on it. Plus, murder hornets are back and badder than ever. And the growing genre of “bedroom pop,” which isn’t what it maybe sounds like.
Aug. 31, 2021

Tue. 08/31 - Could We Delete Our Memories One Day?

The climate crisis is causing some animals to shrink, and that’s definitely not a good thing. Experts weigh in on the possibility of humans ever being able to edit or delete their own memories. And Netflix cheat codes to hel…
Aug. 30, 2021

Mon. 08/30 - Electric Cars Almost Became the Norm in the 1800s

Electric cars were being made as far back at the late 19th century, with entire fleets of electric cabs roaming the streets of several major cities. So what happened? Why didn’t they become the go-to vehicle from the beginni…
Aug. 27, 2021

Fri. 08/27 - The History of the ICEE, The Coolest Drink In Town

The history of and science behind the ICEE. Plus, Glenfiddich is now powering their delivering trucks with spent whisky. And some tips on cleaning your earbuds because, c’mon, how long has it been since you’ve actually done …
Aug. 26, 2021

Thu. 08/26 - What If All Food Was Square?

The 7,200 year old skeleton of a teenage girl is shaking up what we thought we knew about ancient human migration. The creative solution an Oregon hospital has come up with to support its overworked staff, and what we can do…
Aug. 25, 2021

Wed. 08/25 - Comirnaty? How Pfizer's Vaccine Got Its Brand Name (and what it almost was)

The Paralympic Games kicked off in Tokyo last night. Here’s what you need to know and a brief history of the games. Plus, how did the Pfizer vaccine end up with the brand name Comirnaty, and what were some of the other conte…
Aug. 24, 2021

Tue. 08/24 - Pixels Aren't Square. Or Visible.

What exactly is a pixel? Pixar co-founder Alvy Ray Smith discusses its math and history and his new book. Plus, farmer’s markets, once a cornerstone of in-person weekend outings, have gone digital. And Liquid Death Mountain …
Aug. 23, 2021

Mon. 08/23 - Critics Hate Them! Netflix's UNBELIEVABLE Clickbait Strategies

Netflix is leaning into the clickbait game that soured online journalism ten years ago. Could this strategy affect the film industry overall, and has it been played before? Plus, how community members in Marseille took over …
Aug. 20, 2021

Fri. 08/20 - The Necrobiome: Dead and Loving It

What is the necrobiome and why do some think it’s crucial for restoring our ecosystems? More and more zoo animals across the US are getting their own special animal vaccine, but why doesn’t your pet cat need one? And Disney’…