468. Nap Time for Everyone!

For years, whale oil was used as lighting fuel, industrial lubricant, and the main ingredient in (yum!) margarine. Whale meat was also on a few menus. But today, demand for whale products is at a historic low. And yet some countries still have a whaling industry. We find out why. ... Show More

Whaling was, in the words of one scholar, “early capitalism unleashed on the high seas.” How did the U.S. come to dominate the whale market? Why did whale hunting die out here — and continue to grow elsewhere? And is that whale vomit in your perfume? (Part 1 of “Everything You Ne ... Show More

It’s a haphazard way of paying workers, and yet it keeps expanding. With federal tax policy shifting in a pro-tip direction, we revisit an episode from 2019 to find out why. SOURCES:John List, economist at the University of Chicago.Michael Lynn, professor of consumer behavior and ... Show More

Studies have repeatedly shown that human sleep quality is deteriorating year after year, for a number of reasons, including workaholic lifestyles and rising global temperatures.Daytime napping shouldn't be seen as a replacement for insufficient nighttime sleep, but there are a nu ... Show More

Ah, sweet sleep. From the quick catnap to the full drool-and-snore session, we humans cherish our sleepy time. But how much sleep is enough? Does everybody need the same amount? Does a person’s amount change as they age? Is it nap time yet? We asked sleep scientist Ketema Paul to ... Show More

Why do people need to sleep? How do we actually go to sleep? How does sleeping get rid of toxins in the brain? And how come when it's nighttime I don't want to go to sleep but when it's morning I don't want to wake up?! Those questions and more, all about sleep. We're joined by p ... Show More

We have some questions about sleep: It’s ok to stay up late, right? Is it possible to control your dreams? Do all animals sleep? Why do we need to sleep anyway? 

We’ve been hearing it for-ev-er: Get 8 hours of sleep. It’s been drilled into our heads for so long that we just accept it, right? But maybe we shouldn’t. Like, that’s a 1/3 of our day spent unconscious! Do we really need that much shut-eye? Would it be healthier to get less – or ... Show More

Ever elusive sleep! It’s like a unicorn we chase, endlessly when our children are young. Nobody wants to sleep except mom and dad! It becomes stressful and difficult making bedtime often unmanageable. What can we do? How can we help our families get more rest without using method ... Show More

If you like to take a short nap during the day you might be doing your brain a favor. According to a study published in the journal Sleep Health in June of 2023, people who have a genetic predisposition to napping regularly have larger brain volumes than those who don’t.This sugg ... Show More

Getting enough sleep helps you focus, retain information and helps to fortify your immune system. But when it comes to children, they aren't always thinking about these benefits. For parents and caretakers struggling to get their little ones to bed on time, here are tips on estab ... Show More

Last week, we covered your sleep during pregnancy - but what about sleep after baby? Namely, for your newborn? This week, Heidi and Emma are diving deep into all things newborn sleep. How much, how often, how to do it safely, and when and how to start making bedtime routines that ... Show More

Getting enough sleep helps you focus, retain information and helps to fortify your immune system. For parents and caretakers struggling to get their little ones to bed on time, here are tips on establishing healthy sleeping habits — that can benefit your entire family. Learn more ... Show More