Today we're talking about the most toxic substance known to humans, and yet it also happens to be a substance that many people willingly inject into their bodies. It's Botox! Why is it so toxic to humans, and how did we come to the decision to inject it into out bodies, and why doesn't it hurt us?
Jan 15
Does wool actually resist odor and bacteria?
#229 What makes wool an essential fabric for many people? Is lanolin truly antimicrobial, or is wool itself responsible for its famed properties? Join us as we unravel the complexities of wool and lanolin, diving into its chemical structure, historical anecdotes, and surprising a ... Show More
41m 9s
Jan 2
What is iodized salt? And why?
#077 Who's doing what to our salt? What's iodine, do we need it, why, and how do they get it in there? This week Melissa and Jam dive head first into figurative iodized salt dunes. Let's take a closer look at the chemistry of something so everyday, we hardly even think about it. ... Show More
37m 19s
May 2024
The Magic of Chemistry with Kate the Chemist
<p>What is chemistry? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice take fan questions on exothermic reactions, PFAS, ice cream, sugar, fire, and more with Kate Biberdorf, aka Kate the Chemist.</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: <b ... Show More
42m 58s
Feb 2024
Why We Get Depressed with Heather Berlin
<p>What is depression? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly break down the neuroscience behind major depression, its treatments, and the factors that contribute to this pervasive condition with neuroscientist Heather Berlin, PhD.</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Pat ... Show More
46m 53s
Sep 2022
651: Negative Reviews, Narcissist Conspiracy, & Cats Rule
<p>We discuss the negative review we got from a male listener, and share why he wasn't entirely wrong, but we're still mad. Sarah is literally falling apart after her slip-n-slide disaster, and she might have to avoid the powder this winter. We learn why narcissists are prone to ... Show More
59m 40s
Jan 2024
Krista K. Thomason, "Dancing with the Devil: Why Bad Feelings Make Life Good" (Oxford UP, 2023)
How could a good life include one with anger, or jealousy, or spite? In Dancing with the Devil: Why Bad Feelings Make Life Good (Oxford UP, 2023), Krista Thomason flips the script on popular ways of dealing with our emotions, including neo-Stoicism, mindfulness, and even the pros ... Show More
59m 31s