Episodes

Jan. 21, 2022

Fri. 01/21 - False Bananas & Sexy Skeletons

How a new technique for 3D printing metal could revolutionize manufacturing. Plus, the great potential of the false banana. And archeology’s “sexual revolution.”
Jan. 20, 2022

Thu. 01/20 - A Film Studio IN SPACE

Some reassurance from the experts that being bad at Wordle is not a sign you’re less smart than everyone else. Plus, the International Space Station is getting a film studio and sports arena. No word yet if Space Jam 3 will be shooting there. And how officials around the world have continued to suc…
Jan. 19, 2022

Wed. 01/19 - No Fries, Pricey Lumber, & Fake Soup

From french fries to snow plows, the global shortages continue. But are we starting to see the beginning of a whole new world for workers and the supply chain? Plus, you know what kind of soup you can never be short of? The kind that doesn’t exist. And, what’s going on with the 5G rollout at US air…
Jan. 18, 2022

Tue. 01/18 - tl;dr idk (and that's ok)

Choosing to remain in the dark; on the power of “deliberate ignorance.” Plus, AI that can make academic articles more comprehensible, and one site in particular that took off last week. And a new browser-based history game that I at least can’t stop playing.
Jan. 17, 2022

Mon. 01/17 - What's In a Name? From Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to MLK

The thought leaders who inspired Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plus, his childhood name change, what to make of his legacy, and more. Also today, what caused the massive volcanic eruption in Tonga over the weekend? And gather up your silver bullets, it’s a Full Wolf Moon tonight.
Jan. 14, 2022

Fri. 01/14 - The Internet's (and French Dressing's) Identity Crisis

What is slow internet and is it a thing we should still be striving towards? What about slow email? Plus, in some very pressing news, the US Food & Drug Administration has officially deregulated French dressing. And Welsh scientists have determined that masks make people look more attractive.
Jan. 13, 2022

Thu. 01/13 - Un-distilled Non-Whiskey & the King of No One

The growing market for non-alcoholic beers, and a new “undistilled non-whiskey” that’s arrived just in time for Dry January. Plus, the search for a new king of a tiny island. And, the debate over “ghost flights” is heating up in Europe.
Jan. 12, 2022

Wed. 01/12 - Go Ahead and Listen To This Episode at 1.5x Speed

The real physics of Wile E. Coyote’s 10 billion volt electromagnet. Plus, cannabis can prevent SARS CoV-2 from spreading. Technically. And does listening to this podcast at double speed decrease your comprehension?
Jan. 11, 2022

Tue. 01/11 - Wordle Wordle Everywhere

A human has received a genetically-altered pig’s heart in a transplant for the first time ever. Plus, China’s lunar lander found water on the moon. And a look into the origins and phenomenon of Wordle.
Jan. 10, 2022

Mon. 01/10 - Deep Space Tardigrades

Scientists are working on a plan to shoot tardigrades into interstellar space on lasers. Plus, the James Webb Space Telescope is so-far going better than anyone had dared to imagine. And alpaca’s favorite new year snack: Christmas trees.
Jan. 7, 2022

Fri. 01/07 - Boaty McBoatface and the Doomsday Glacier

How Boaty McBoatface is helping diagnose the severity of the situation at the Doomsday Glacier in Antarctica. Plus, it looks like solar shingles are finally actually a thing. And something to try this weekend––the Dutch practice of uitwaaien.
Jan. 6, 2022

Thu. 01/06 - 1922's Predictions for 2022 + FOVs (Fish-Operated Vehicles)

A look at predictions for today from a 1922 article in The New York Herald. Plus, move over self-driving cars, introducing fish-operated vehicles. And car commercials in France will soon require advertisers to tell people not to drive.
Jan. 5, 2022

Wed. 01/05 - The Climate Emergency: Reasons to Hope

Gravity as a possible solution to one major drawback of wind and solar power, and reasons to be cautiously optimistic about our prospects for the climate overall. Plus, the link between physical strength and mental health. And the CDC’s zombie preparedness guide.
Jan. 4, 2022

Tue. 01/04 - Time Capsules in a Confederate Statue & the History of the Future

The history and future of predicting the future. Plus, a new “open-source” COVID vaccine that could help way more people around the world get vaccinated. And, after taking down a statue of Robert E. Lee in Virginia, local experts found two time capsules inside its base.
Jan. 3, 2022

Mon. 01/03 - It's Raining Fish (Hallelujah)

A fresh argument for reclassifying Pluto as a full-fledged planet that would open the doors for way more planets than just the OG nine. Plus, it was raining fish in Texas last week. And if you’ve been trying to remember the title of a book you read as a kid, a new community on Instagram might be ab…
Dec. 29, 2021

Wed. 12/29 - Why Donuts Are Emblems of America (& some NYE traditions from around the globe)

A history of the humble donut as a symbol of American patriotism, and a circular source of joy world round. Plus, a round-up of New Year’s traditions from around the world––in case you’re looking for a little inspiration on this perhaps quieter-than-usual New Year’s Eve.
Dec. 28, 2021

Tue. 12/28 - Emojis As Folklore & Cows On Waterbeds

The argument for emojis as folklore, the top emojis of 2021, and why an emoji reference site is being archived in the Library of Congress. Plus, it turns out gray hair can return to its original color… sometimes, and temporarily. And, waterbeds didn’t fully go away after the early 90s. Their main c…
Dec. 28, 2021

Mon. 12/27 - I'm Disgusted

What is the real driver of all of humanity’s innovations, doctrines, and oddities? According to some psychologists, disgust. Plus, the surprisingly recent history of counting down to midnight on New Year’s Eve. And forget smell-o-vision, now there’s a TV you can taste.
Dec. 22, 2021

Wed. 12/22 - Rollerskating, The Holy Pooper, & X-Mas Carol Extortion: Traditions From Around the World & Days of Yore

A round-up of Christmas traditions from around the world and throughout time. Plus, the US Army is working on a vaccine that could protect against all COVID and SARS variants, including omicron. And there’s a cream cheese shortage so Kraft Heinz is bribing us not to make cheesecakes over the holida…
Dec. 21, 2021

Tue. 12/21 - Why the Webb Telescope Launch Is Freaking Out Astronomers

The James Webb Space Telescope is launching on Friday. Here’s what to expect, and why astronomers are so stressed out about it. Plus, Scotland may soon be issuing a three centuries overdue pardon to victims of its many witchcraft trials. And when the snowstorms come this season, your town might jus…
Dec. 20, 2021

Mon. 12/20 - Athletes' Supercharged Blood & Pro Santas On a Boat

How an athlete’s blood could boost cognitive function, potentially in non-athletic people. Plus, the origin and meanings of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” And, Christmas in July takes on a whole new meaning with cruises designed specifically for professional Santas.
Dec. 17, 2021

Fri. 12/17 - The Mystery of the Secret Library Hidden Inside a Library Book

How a librarian discovered a secret library within her library. Plus, some tips for unplugging more deeply when you’re on vacation. And the group of actual birds knocking Adele and Ed Sheeran off the top of the Australian music charts.
Dec. 16, 2021

Thu. 12/16 - DOOM BLOOM: Spotted Lanternfly-Tainted Honey

It turns out those pesky spotted lanternflies have changed the local honey in Pennsylvania, and it’s… kind of good? Plus, the FDA has approved eye drops that fix age-related vision problems. And one company is trying to prevent new staff turnover by letting them see what the job is really like usin…
Dec. 15, 2021

Wed. 12/15 - Are Floating Neighborhoods the Future?

A NASA spacecraft has just touched the sun for the first time in human history. Plus, are floating neighborhoods the future for coastal towns? And a look back at the origin of online reviews, and a question about their future.