logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2023
26m 33s

Your creepy, crawly roommates

Vox
About this episode
Our houses are homes to hidden worlds of bugs. And the more ecologists explore those worlds, the more they realize that some of our tiny roommates actually have a lot to teach us.  For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show. Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.com We read ... Show More
Up next
Oct 26
How does creativity work?
You know that feeling when time and space melt away and new ideas seem to flow through you? Neuroscientist Heather Berlin explains what we know about how creative flow states might change the way the networks in our brains interact. Guest: Heather Berlin, author of The Fine Art o ... Show More
24m 53s
Oct 23
Spider Web 2.0
Spider silk can be stronger than steel by weight and tougher than Kevlar. Can scientists make their own? Guest: Greg Holland, professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at San Diego State University For show transcripts, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/unxtrans ... Show More
21m 40s
Oct 21
The wild orchid mystery
More than just beautiful flowers, wild orchids have been confounding scientists for years. Our friends at Sidedoor — a podcast from the Smithsonian — set out to find a rare specimen for themselves. Guest: ⁠Lizzie Peabody⁠, host of ⁠Sidedoor⁠ For show transcripts, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ... Show More
25m 55s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2018
Discover the Wildlife of Your Home
We're going on an indoor expedition to discover the species in our own home! You’ll never look at the bugs in your house the same way again. Ecologist and author Rob Dunn is our guide to exploring what he calls, “the unknown we wake up in every morning.” We’ll find out how many s ... Show More
17m 44s
Dec 2014
Dung Beetle Mania!
<p>Find out how and why dung beetles have been capitalizing on poop in a big way for 30 million years. Also, these little guys may be the world's tiniest astronomers. Robert and Julie reveal why.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastne ... Show More
28m 28s
Jul 2013
Insect Love Song
<p>Insect Love Song: The night is alive with insects. To our human ears their song is mere cacophony, but it's actually a vast web of communication signals. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Julie decode the Insect Internet for the meanings behind insect song ... Show More
24m 20s
Mar 2024
Life in the Hypogean World, Part 1
We are creatures of the epigean world: the world of light on Earth’s surface. But there is another world – a world beneath the surface. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe venture into the world of cave biology or biospeleology. See omnystudio.com/listener ... Show More
50m 26s
Mar 2024
Life in the Hypogean World, Part 3
We are creatures of the epigean world: the world of light on Earth’s surface. But there is another world – a world beneath the surface. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe venture into the world of cave biology or biospeleology. (part 3 of 4)See omnystudio. ... Show More
40m 39s
Mar 2024
Life in the Hypogean World, Part 2
We are creatures of the epigean world: the world of light on Earth’s surface. But there is another world – a world beneath the surface. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe venture into the world of cave biology or biospeleology. See omnystudio.com/listener ... Show More
43m 36s
Jan 2022
From the Vault: Funeral for a Bug
How do insects factor into our traditions of death -- and how do insects handle their own burials? Find out in this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind as Robert and Joe discuss ants, termites, Virgil, ancient civilizations, bees and more. (originally published 1/21/2021) ... Show More
59m 21s
Nov 2023
How Can Bugs Help Solve Murders?
It's a gross but very useful fact that some insects will eat deceased humans, because scientists can observe those insects to learn about where and when a person died. Learn about forensic entomology in this episode of BrainStuff, based on this article: https://science.howstuffwo ... Show More
7m 35s
Oct 2013
Secrets!
If you look a little closer, listen a little harder, you’ll notice the secret life of things all around you. Want to know about the secret lives of bees, crickets, coral — and your own backyard? Give a listen! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
25m 22s
Jan 2014
It's a Trap!
<p>It's a Trap: Humans aren't alone in their ability to craft a clever trap out of their surroundings. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Julie look to the insect and arachnid world for deadly examples.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href=" ... Show More
34m 21s
Listen to millions of songs and podcasts on Anghami