Episodes

May 25, 2021

Tue. 05/25 - Do Ovens Dream of Frozen Pizza?

The flavorful history of frozen pizza. We check in on how the pandemic continues to affect our dreams. And meet the dude actually taking advantage of Krispy Kreme’s free donut a day offer for vaccinated people.
May 24, 2021

Mon. 05/24 - Big Wind Energy & Tech-Savvy Lessons from the Amish

The latest floating wind farm technology and the part of the US that could make the biggest difference when it comes to offshore wind energy. What we can learn from the Amish about how we use technology.
May 21, 2021

Fri. 05/21 - The Cicadas Are Turning Into Dismembered, Zombie Sex Fiends

The Brood X cicadas have reemerged and are losing their butts due to a zombie-inducing fungus. Bald eagles are reemerging from the brink of extinction, causing a new trend in puppy fashion: incredibly punk spiky vests. And one of the best fictional bands, Mouse Rat, has reemerged from the Pit to pr…
May 20, 2021

Thu. 05/20 - How The Sun Could Spoil NASA's Trip Back to the Moon

Why the sun is about to get quite temperamental and how that could spell danger for NASA’s upcoming lunar mission. In other sun news, the case for turning airports into giant solar farms. And a website that will help make your Twitter timeline a bit more pleasant––if you’re okay with taking a rathe…
May 19, 2021

Wed. 05/19 - Is Carbon Neutral Gasoline Coming?

A promising method for producing carbon-neutral gasoline from, basically, thin air. The strange story of the very first ransomware attack. And the surprisingly long history of bizarre ice cream flavors.
May 18, 2021

Tue. 05/18 - Why Mammals Don't Have Neon or Iridescent Skin Like Other Animals

What’s next now that China has officially landed their first rover on Mars? How come us mammals don’t have bright, fluorescent plumage like birds or cool neon stripes like bugs? A panel of scientists weighs in. And the little-known detail that makes the real-life story of the Brontë sisters even mo…
May 17, 2021

Mon. 05/17 - The Historical Mix-Up That Led to COVID Aerosol Confusion

The microscopic error with major implications that seems to have delayed public health officials in acknowledging the aerosol transmission of COVID-19. Why Shrek continues to endure as a touchstone of internet culture and how it changed the game for animated films. And a quick look at two new video…
May 14, 2021

Fri. 05/14 - Using Nostalgia to Combat Boring Small Talk

What a new lawsuit against TikTok says about the rights of actors who lend their likeness to AI and similar projects. How nostalgia could help you make connections when you return to the office. And what is even the point of wasps?
May 13, 2021

Thu. 05/13 - I'll Have What She's Having: The Decline of Personalized Recommendations?

How Netflix’s new top ten lists actually work, some other features they’re testing out, and what their findings mean for the future of algorithmic recommendations. Plus, how drones are helping change what we thought we knew about great white sharks––in both good ways and bad.
May 12, 2021

Wed. 05/12 - How Epidemiologists Are Approaching Post-Vaccine Life

A look at how epidemiologists are approaching their personal returns to everyday life. How Denmark has quadrupled their cardiac arrest survival rate and whether the same system could be adopted in other nations. And a program that will make your website inaccessible to visitors every night, all in …
May 11, 2021

Tue. 05/11 - The Real Voice Behind Alexa

A new book digs into the origins of Amazon’s Alexa and allegedly reveals the woman who provided the voice for their original virtual assistant. A teenage wannabe influencer from France is set to be Italy’s next queen. Didn’t think Italy had royal leaders anymore? You’re right. And someone should te…
May 10, 2021

Mon. 05/10 - Got Wood? America's Mounting Lumber Problem

America is off candy. All we want is chicken wings and lumber. At least according to the market. A productivity hack that lets you celebrate your accomplishments instead of wallowing in frustration about your unfinished tasks. And space coins. I somehow have multiple stories about space coins for y…
May 7, 2021

Fri. 05/07 - No Shrooms on Mars, Just Misinformation

No, there is not evidence of mushrooms on Mars, and the story of how that misinformation spread yesterday goes even deeper than you may think. Part of the rocket China launched at the end of last month is hurtling uncontrollably back to Earth and no one exactly knows where it will land. And LEGO dr…
May 6, 2021

Thu. 05/06 - Is This Podcast Cheugy?

Are you cheugy? Am I cheugy? What the heck is cheugy? The more we post photos of ourselves online, the easier it is for AIs to recognize us. But what if there were a way for them to forget our faces? And a useful site that will tell you exactly how long you need to watch any TV show you want.
May 5, 2021

Wed. 05/05 - Professional Mermaids Are Taking Over

Company tries running Facebook ads that transparently point out how Facebook ads work. Facebook blocks the ads. Shocking! Mermaid diving––like free diving but while wearing a mermaid tail––is quickly becoming a real sport. Dunbar’s number says human brains can’t keep up with more than 150 casual fr…
May 4, 2021

Tue. 05/04 - The Closest to a Real Lightsaber We'll Probably Get

The physics of jumping to hyperspace, Disney teases their retractable lightsaber, and more Star Wars Day updates. Plus, in real space news: China launched the first module of the Chinese Space Station into orbit last week.
May 3, 2021

Mon. 05/03 - Can We Expand Human Life Spans?

Average human life expectancy doubled in the last century. Has it reached its cap or can we double it again? Some considerations. And NASA conducted a tabletop simulation of an asteroid impact last week, with… less than ideal results. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with tips on how to surviv…
April 30, 2021

Fri. 04/30 - Human Memes Are Taking Back What They’re Owed

People who accidentally became memes are using NFTs to regain a sense of ownership over their likenesses––and make some pretty nice chunks of change. Scotland could become the first “rewilding nation.” And another shortage report. This time: computer chips.
April 29, 2021

Thu. 04/29 - An AI Won a Crossword Tournament & the Olympics Gets Into eSports

How an AI, after failing for a decade, finally won the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. The Olympics are going virtual, but not how you’re probably thinking. And remembering Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins.
April 28, 2021

Wed. 04/28 - How To Fix Our Crappy Toilets & Secure Our Future

It’s time for a toilet revolution. No, I’m not just talking about bidets. Our wastewater systems are dangerously out of date, but sustainable innovations could be just around the u-bend. Plus, the future of contact lenses is bright––or not, if you’d prefer they block the sun. And Apple dropped a ve…
April 27, 2021

Tue. 04/27 - This Famous Actor's Mom Helped Save the Apollo 13 Astronauts

Why the story of aerospace engineer Judith Love Cohen, who helped rescue the Apollo 13 astronauts, is making the rounds again and why we should remember her name. A new ice cube tray-shaped retinal patch that could help restore vision. And the rattlesnake-like jumping worms invading the American mi…
April 26, 2021

Mon. 04/26 - The Battle of the Joshes

Dozens of people named Josh gathered in Nebraska over the weekend for a battle to crown the ultimate Josh. Who won and why the heck did this happen? I’ve got the details. The precursor to laugh tracks: professional applauders in 19th century France. And the Oscars saw many firsts last night, includ…
April 23, 2021

Fri. 04/23 - A McShake Up: The Battle Over McDonald's Ice Cream Machines

What do you call a collection of black holes? That’s not the tee-up for a punchline. Scientists are legitimately trying to decide what word to use. Plus, how Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs was based on Blackfoot principles that he got wrong. And how the problem of McDonald’s perpetually broken ice cre…
April 22, 2021

Thu. 04/22 - Your Grandma's Meme Stocks of the 1980s

NASA has generated oxygen on Mars. The story of the women retirees who hacked the stock market decades before GameStop and Wall Street Bets. And on the eve of his 404th death day, a look at what Shakespeare can teach us about living through pandemics.