Carly York joins the show to talk about the most heroic rats you'll ever meet. Plus, Sara Kiley talks about some drunk monkeys, and Rachel gets into sharks' toothy foreheads.
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 a ... Show More
Sep 24
Skateboard Archeology, Dire Wolf Bones, The Great Fear
Annalee Newitz joins the show to talk all about how 18th century gossip spread like an actual infectious disease. Plus, Laura delves into how dire wolf bones could help our modern pups, and Rachel talks about the archaeologists who are studying more modern stuff, like skate parks ... Show More
54m 44s
Sep 10
Airborne Butt Cam, Snake Panic, Oops! All Cloacas
Sarah Gailey joins the show to discuss why one scientist put the cutest little monocles on a bunch of chameleons. (And also to talk about their new book, Spread Me, out now wherever you buy books!) Plus, Rachel talks about the great Missouri snake panic, and Lauren talks about an ... Show More
1h 2m
Aug 27
Thank Your Local Horse, OG Canners, Busting Bird Gender Norms
Nathan H. Lents joins the show to discuss why some birds are extra loud in bed, along with his new book: The Sexual Evolution: How 500 Million Years of Sex, Gender and Mating Shape Modern Relationships. Plus, Sara Kiley explains how horses are used to create snake anti-venom, and ... Show More
1h 1m
Mar 2025
PRETTY CURIOUS | JVN Talks Weightloss Transformation Posts And Trust Issues
This week, we’re diving into what’s going on in your world, news that SLAYS, and the news that makes us go “Orrr Norr!” Plus! Thirsty and celebratory IG posts, hot takes on betrayals of trust, and stick around to the end for our Hot Bitch Of The Week!
Follow us on Instagram @Curi ... Show More
32m 53s
Mar 2025
PRETTY CURIOUS | Oscars 2025, the Censure of Rep. Al Green, and the Decreasing Butterfly Population
Queens, we have so much to catch up on! This week on Pretty Curious, JVN and senior producer Chris are going all in on current events, the Oscars, and debriefing from last week’s Getting Curious on being your authentic self at work - MUCH vulnerability. Buckle up, babes—this epis ... Show More
39m 56s
Aug 2024
Bonus: Fun Fact or Fake Factoid?! A Chemistry and Trivia Showdown
In this bonus game edition of 'Chemistry For Your Life', host Melissa, co-host Jam, and guest Claire embark on an entertaining journey of debunking or verifying popular 'fun facts' submitted by their listeners. The game, titled 'Fun Fact or Fake Factoid', involves dissecting quir ... Show More
28m 6s
Sep 19
Algorithmic Social Media Is Driving New Slang
From viral slang such as “skibidi” to the rise of so-called brain rot, linguist and content creator Adam Aleksic, aka the “Etymology Nerd,” and associate editor Allison Parshall, who covers the mind and brain, unpack how social media and algorithms are reshaping the way we commun ... Show More
26m 55s
Feb 2025
PRETTY CURIOUS | JVN Goes Blonde, BTS at The View, and NYC with the Fab 5 - Let’s Get Into It!
JVN tackles the age old question: do blondes have more fun? On this episode of Pretty Curious, Jonathan Van Ness and producer Chris McClure spill the tea on JVN’s latest glow-up: going blonde. They chat about the chaotic history of Snapchat filters, the art of cheering on your fr ... Show More
35m 23s
Aug 27
A Girl-Chat Special: The Summer I Turned Pretty
In this week’s episode, Tay is joined by Keaton Milburn, Natasha Bure, and Sheila Mohebpour for a girl-chat special all about The Summer I Turned Pretty! They dive into the ultimate debate of Team Jeremiah vs. Team Conrad, share their favorite and least favorite moments from the ... Show More
1h 16m
Aug 2024
More Happier: The Fun of an Unexpected Gift, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, and Herding the Cats During Holidays
We talk about the happiness that comes from getting a gift we don’t expect, and we discuss some quality screen time. We also consider the question: Does every family need a holiday-tradition-enforcer?Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.comFollow on social media:@GretchenRubin on ... Show More
22m 56s
Aug 22
Could Peanut Allergies Be Cured?
Peanut allergies have surged dramatically in recent decades, and scientists are still working to understand why. In this episode, journalist Maryn Mckenna, who recently authored an article on the subject, and host Rachel Feltman explore the latest research on causes, treatments a ... Show More
20m 29s
Feb 2025
159: Sadism, Sex Potions, & Deer Musk?? History’s Most Disturbing Aphrodisiacs
Hi friends, happy Wednesday! Since ancient times, people have sought out aphrodisiacs—those mysterious foods, herbs, and even animal parts thought to ignite desire, spark passion, and awaken romance. But do these so-called love enhancers really work? Are they based on science or ... Show More
45m 47s