Astrophysicist and folklorist Moiya McTier rejoins the show to talk about how there are too many galaxies out there. Plus, Sara Kiley talks about sharks of yore and Rachel explains how ants are becoming little mini surgeons.
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook g ... Show More
Jul 29
Boob Backwash, Nighttime Radio Secrets, 10 Toes Down on Tommy
Sarah Dern and Emma Gommetz join Rachel this week to talk a trio of extra weird things. We've got babies spitting backwash into the boob, radio's biggest op being literal "night", and a gender-bending squirrel beloved by military veterans named Tommy Tucker. The Weirdest Thing I ... Show More
55m 25s
Jul 15
The Greatest Con in Mushroom History, Secret Weapon: Normal Dogs, a Bee's Benis
Bee scientist Kit Prendergast joins the show to talk about... well... the birds and the bees. Plus, Rachel explains how portobello (portabella?) mushrooms are not exactly real. And Sara Kiley tells us how a spotted lanternfly's worst enemy could be a normal dog. The Weirdest Thin ... Show More
1h 17m
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
Feb 2022
Myrmecology (ANTS) Encore with Dr. Terry McGlynn
<p>You have ants. We all have ants, but do we KNOW ants? Get ready for cult-leader queens, bullet ant stings, kitchen pest hacks, the dynamics of a billion-sister megacolony. Dr. Terry McGlynn sits down to have a BIG discussion about itty-bitty creatures in this encore because I ... Show More
1h 23m
Dec 2022
Cosmic Queries – Astro-lore with Moiya McTier
<p>Is it time to update the constellations? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Matt Kirshen dive into astrophysics, folklore, and our ancient connection to the stars with astrophysicist Moiya McTier, Ph.D. </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this enti ... Show More
50m 4s
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
Apr 2024
Things We Don’t Understand (PART 2)
This week, the girls are back with their school caps on! They deep dive into some interesting topics they didn’t understand & explain it in ~valley girl~ terms. They talk about telescopes, how birds mate, dry cleaning, blimps, & more!Watch us on YouTube: WWS YouTube ChannelShop o ... Show More
1h 20m