Mary Roach—author of incredible books like Gulp, Bonk, Spook, and most recently, Fuzz—joins the show this week! The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!
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Oct 7
On The Origin of Smooching, Mausoleum Madness, Chubby Cheetahs
Amanda Reed and Riley Black join the show to discuss the fat American cheetah, weird mausoleum culture, and where the heck kissing came from. The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ... Show More
1h 11m
Sep 23
Death by Trebuchet, Big Bird's Close Call, Dry Scooping Coffee
Shane Madej and Matt Real join the show from The Quizard's Pit! There's discussion of sending Big Bird to space (thank GOODNESS we didn't), a suspicious skeleton, and one writer who loved coffee a little too much. Check out The Quizard's Pit: https://www.youtube.com/@TheQuizardsP ... Show More
52m 56s
Sep 9
Hector the Tickle Robot, Eyeball Teeth, a Little Bit of ~Spice~ (and Neuroscience)
Author and food historian Priya Mani joins the show to talk about the neuroscience of spice. Plus, Laura explains why whales have teeth on their eyes (SERIOUSLY), and Rachel gets into why a tickle robot exists. The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Scienc ... Show More
1h 10m
Sep 2025
Human Technomorphology (SWAPPING OUT BODY PARTS) with Mary Roach
<p>Pigs with human kidneys. Iron lungs. Bionic prostheses. And bendable genitals. Mary Roach is here, and Alie is freaking out. Over the last two decades, this science icon has written seven New York Times bestsellers, including <i>Stiff</i>, <i>Bonk</i>, <i>Gulp</i>, and <i>Pack ... Show More
57m 48s
Sep 2025
Mary Roach on the Science of Swapping Human Parts
In this episode of Science Quickly, host Rachel Feltman explores the age-old quest to replace failing human body parts with science writer Mary Roach. From ancient surgery to modern medical marvels, Roach shares insights from her new book Replaceable You, revealing why replicatin ... Show More
11m 5s
Feb 2021
Molecular Biology (PROTEINS + SCIENCE COMMUNICATION) with Raven “The Science Maven” Baxter
<p>This one’s got it all: teeny tiny cellular factories, obscure trivia, historical gossip, sick beats, mitochondrial relevancy, viral popularity, a backstory that with charm you to death, sports cars, lab coats, smelly vats, Space Camp and mysteries of the brain. Raven The Scien ... Show More
1h 14m
Jun 2022
Nightmare on Science Street
Today, we’re sharing a collection of spooky science stories. You’ll hear about a nightmare in the ocean, a nightmare on land, and even a nightmare … IN YOUR MIND. We talk to scientists including marine biologist, Dr. Olga Shpak and malacologist Jaynee Kim. Find our transcript her ... Show More
42m 28s