Leigh Cowart, science reporter and author of Hurts So Good: The Science and Culture of Pain on Purpose, joins Weirdest Thing for the season finale!
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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Jul 1
Fallout Shelter Fads, The Library of Cocaine, Mosquito Nepobaby
Ben Bradford, host of the podcast Are We Doomed?, joins the show to talk about when buying fallout shelter goods was all the rage. Plus, Laura tells us how she's related to mosquito royalty, and Rachel explains why the Library of Congress is holding onto Freud's "friend's" cocain ... Show More
1h 6m
Jun 17
Creativity is Crumbling, Sarcophagus Juice Sourdough, Mycelium Mutual Aid
Pattie Gonia joins the show to talk about how secret networks of underground fungi are basically like nature's mutual aid. Plus, Moiya McTier returns to discuss creativity, why it might be crumbling, and how one measures it (spoiler: it is NOT easy). And Rachel explains how scien ... Show More
51m 26s
Jun 3
Marie Antoinette Wearing Braces, Secret Immortal Cells, Chasing the Tooth Worm
Hari Kondabolu and Priyanka Wali join the show to talk about cells taken secretly and unethically... but ended up changing human health forever. Then, Rachel divulges a plethora of facts about dental care of yesteryear, from how Marie Antoinette wore braces (yes, seriously), to h ... Show More
52m 40s
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
Sep 2024
Coming Up On Science Vs [VIDEO]
We will be BACK with brand-new episodes in just one week! Join us for pun-packed science romps on microplastics, social media, climate tipping points, narcissism, fiber, lucid dreaming — and a ton more. Fact you Sept. 12! Video production by Bobby Lord. Mix and sound design by Bo ... Show More
3m 1s
Feb 2022
S5 Ep379: Cool Science Rundown & The “Well to Hell"
<div>Kathleen’s putting her New Scientist membership to good use and bringing back Cool News Rundown: Science Edition! Then, Bethany tells the story behind her all-time favorite urban legend, the “Well to Hell” and the “screams” that came out of it. Plus, a crazy scary story from ... Show More
1h 9m
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