Episodes
Free file | Money and poltics
May 20, 2022
Episode 454. Topic: Free file. Theme: Money and politics. How have taxes evolved? How do some countries pay their taxes? How is it different in The United States? Why did some online tax filing companies come under fire in 2…
Citizens United | Money and poltics
May 18, 2022
Episode 453. Topic: Citizens United. Theme: Money and politics. How can corporations advertise on behalf of a political candidate? Why is this legal? How are documentary films involved? What are the consequences of saying co…
The gold standard | Money and politics
May 16, 2022
Episode 452. Topic: The gold standard. Theme: Money and politics. How does money work? What are the pros and cons of basing money in the value of gold or silver? Has the United States ever used the gold standard? How has it …
Hereditary hemochromatosis | Investigating myself
May 13, 2022
Episode 451. Investigating myself. Topic: Hereditary hemochromatosis. How much iron is in our blood? How do we get rid of iron? What genetic disorder results in a buildup of iron? Why are this disorder's symptoms and treatme…
Spinal fusion | Medical procedures
May 11, 2022
Episode 450. Topic: Spinal fusion. Theme: Medical procedures. Why are humans so prone to back pain? What are some common causes of age-related back pain? How can a spinal fusion alleviate pain? Is this common procedure effe…
Coronary artery bypass | Medical procedures
May 9, 2022
Episode 449. Topic: Coronary artery bypass. Theme: Medical procedures. What arteries supply the heart muscle with oxygenated blood? How do arteries become blocked? What happens when coronary arteries are blocked? How does a …
Caesarean section | Medical procedures
May 6, 2022
Episode 448. Topic: Caesarean section. Theme: Medical procedures. How old are caesarean sections? Where does this term come from? How often are they performed? Are there any downsides for babies or mothers who undergo this p…
Appendectomy | Medical procedures
May 5, 2022
Episode 447. Topic: Appendectomy. Theme: Medical procedures. What is the appendix? How did it evolve and what is its purpose? What is appendicitis and how can it be fatal? How is appendicitis treated? Are there downsides to …
Tonsillectomy | Medical procedures
May 2, 2022
Episode 446. Topic: Tonsillectomy. Theme: Medical procedures. What are the different types of tonsil? What do tonsils do? What is the history of tonsillectomies? Why was this procedure so common for the first half of the 20t…
Glycogen storage disease | Investigating myself
April 29, 2022
Episode 445. Investigating myself. Topic: Glycogen storage disease. What is glycogen? How do we make it and where do we store it? How do genetic diseases lead to issues storing glycogen? What are some examples? Do I carry an…
The Geneva Conventions | International law
April 27, 2022
Episode 444. Topic: The Geneva Conventions. Theme: International law. What inspired the Red Cross and the first (of four) Geneva Convention? What about the others? How has war changed throughout the centuries? How are the Ge…
International Waters | International law
April 25, 2022
Episode 443. Topic: International waters. Theme: International law. Who rules the oceans? How far do the laws of a country extend offshore? Why is gambling allowed on cruises? What happens if you commit a more serious crime …
The United Nations | International law
April 22, 2022
Episode 442. Topic: The United Nations. Theme: International law. When and why was the UN founded? How does the UN operate today? How many countries are members? What are some UN operations? How is the UN criticized? Twitter…
The World Health Organization | International law
April 20, 2022
Episode 441. Topic: The World Health Organization. Theme: International law. When and why was the WHO founded? What were its most significant accomplishments? What role does it play in today's society? What was its role in t…
The World Trade Organization | International law
April 18, 2022
Episode 440. Topic: The World Trade Organization. Theme: Advantages. How was the WTO founded? What are its goals today? What is an example case where the WTO might get involved? How is the WTO criticized? Has the WTO helped …
Lactase persistence | Investigating myself
April 1, 2022
Episode 439. Investigating myself. Topic: Lactase persistence. What is lactose intolerance? How can 35% of the human population digest lactose after infancy? Is this a form of natural selection? Can I digest lactose as an ad…
Acquired savant syndrome | Advantages
March 30, 2022
Episode 436. Topic: Acquired savant syndrome. Theme: Advantages. What is savant syndrome? Can someone have savant syndrome without being born with autism or another cognitive disability? What are some example cases? What can…
Your name | Advantages
March 28, 2022
Episode 437. Topic: Your name. Theme: Advantages. What does your first and last name convey? How is it hurtful when it comes to sexism, classism, and racism? Why is it useful to have a surname closer to the beginning of the …
Early language | Advantages
March 25, 2022
Episode 436. Topic: Early language. Theme: Advantages. What determines adult intelligence? What factors about household income affect language development in children? Is the claim about the 30 millions word gap true? How do…
Appearance | Advantages
March 23, 2022
Episode 435. Topic: Appearance. Theme: Advantages. How does height and facial attractiveness affect our implicit biases? What about waist to hip ratio in females? Are our initial perceptions right? Why does evolution create …
Buying human growth hormone | Advantages
March 21, 2022
Episode 436. Topic: Buying human growth hormone. Theme: Advantages. What determines our height? How does human growth hormone affect the body? How is human growth hormone used to treat diseases? Can you use human growth horm…
Covid-19 and Neanderthals | Investigating myself
March 18, 2022
Episode 433. Investigating myself. Topic: Covid-19 and Neanderthals. Do Neanderthals have anything to do with the current Covid-19 pandemic? It turns out genes inherited from Neanderthals influence the severity of Covid-19 s…
Virgin birth | Animal reproduction
March 16, 2022
Episode 432. Topic: Virgin birth. Theme: Animal reproduction. How can female sharks in captivity for years suddenly give birth? What is parthenogenesis and how does it work? Do other animals reproduce this way? Are human mal…
Mole salamander | Animal reproduction
March 14, 2022
Episode 431. Topic: Mole salamander. Theme: Animal reproduction. Can an animal evolve out the males of their species? How are some salamanders unisex? How can they maintain this form of reproduction without losing genetic di…