Dope Labs

Lab 032: Life Avalanche (Re-Air)

28 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

All the stress we are feeling in 2020 is leading to what feels like worldwide burnout. In Lab 032, Titi and Zakiya talk about what causes burnout, mos...

Show We’re Loving: Alive with Steve Burns

21 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hi! We're taking a quick break for the holidays and wanted to let you know about a new show we love. Alive with Steve Burns. There are a thousand podc...

Low-Stakes Love: Hallmark’s Holiday Comfort Movies - Lab 121

14 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why do Hallmark Christmas movies hit so hard when life feels complicated? We talk cozy psychology, evolving tropes, and which holiday movies are actua...

Remixed: The Unexpected Side of Science - Lab120

07 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Titi and Zakiya take listeners behind the scenes of their new planetarium film, Remixed: The Unexpected Side of Science. They share h...

Lab 018: Truth Pie (Re-Air)

30 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This episode originally aired November 21, 2019 With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Titi and Zakiya discuss the huge impact of European colonia...

The Psychology of Black Friday - lab 119

23 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Show Notes: Titi and Zakiya talk to behavioral economist Dr. Dan Ariely to unpack why Black Friday still pulls us in even when we swear we’re &l...

Inside the 2025 Economy - Lab 118

16 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Titi and Zakiya sit down with Dr. Darrell West from the Brookings Institution to unpack what’s really going on behind the economy and job number...

Allergies: What’s Real, What’s Hype, and What’s Making It Worse - Lab 117

09 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It feels like everyone’s sneezing, coughing, or cutting out gluten—but what’s really behind the allergy explosion? Titi and Zakiya d...

We Built This Internet (So We Can Fix It) - Lab 116

02 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Screen names with your graduation year are out; but Ring cams, smart fridges, and “accept all” cookies seems to be in. This lab is all abo...

Tenderheaded: Hair, History, and Healing with Michaela Angela Davis - Lab115

26 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Titi and Zakiya sit down with writer and image activist Michaela Angela Davis to talk about her book Tenderheaded and the tangled relationship between...

Scream With Me - Lab 114

19 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

 It’s spooky season and the Dope Labs crew LOVES a good horror film. From Rosemary’s Baby to Get Out, horror movies have always refle...

Falling For it: Brains Wired for Bias - Lab 113

12 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Jumping to conclusions, letting stories override statistics, and getting swept up in the crowd—turns out, we’re all wired for it. Titi and...

Addiction: A Chronic Condition - Lab 112

05 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve been told addiction is about bad choices or weak willpower. But the science says otherwise. Addiction is a chronic brain condition that re...

Period Brain: Rethinking Hormones, Cycles, and Everything In Between - Lab111

28 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Periods are more than just cramps and cravings. This week, Titi and Zakiya are joined by research psychologist and author of “Period Brain&rdquo...

Unpacking Pain - Lab 110

21 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why do some aches fade fast while others take over your life? This week we crack open the neuroscience of pain—how the brain goes from “in...

Health & Hype - Lab 109

14 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week Titi and Zakiya let the conversation flow as they catch up on the latest news, from shifting vaccine guidelines to the rise of the “Gr...

Lab 051: HBCUs Edition (Re-Air)

07 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's back to school season, so homecoming is around the corner. In this episode we are throwing back to our episode about Historically Black Colleges ...

Lab 047: All Immune Systems Go (Re-Air)

31 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The fall sniffles are back, COVID cases are climbing, mysterious one-day colds are making the rounds, and everyone’s talking about “boosti...

ARFID is More than Picky Eating - Lab 108

24 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are all picky eaters the same? Not quite. In this lab, Titi and Zakiya dig into Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), a serious and often...

Lines in the Sand: How Maps Shape Power, Borders, and Belonging - Lab 107

17 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Maps aren’t neutral. From redlining and colonial borders to Texas redistricting and ICE checkpoints, lines on a map are decisions—about wh...

From the Lab to the People: Why the Way We Talk About Science Matters - Lab 106

10 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Titi and Zakiya reminisce about how Dope Labs came to be and talk to some of their favorite science communicators on social media. Raven the Science M...

Floods, Fire & Hunger - Lab 105

03 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Flash floods swamp Texas, Canadian wildfires choke the Midwest, Trump’s swollen ankles launch “Ankle-Gate,” and the UN warns 295 mil...

LOUD: The Complex and Thin Line Between Sound and Noise - Lab 104

27 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why do some sounds feel like a personal attack while others just fade into the background? In this episode, Titi and Zakiya dive into the science of n...

Process Over Prompt: How to Use AI without Losing Your Spark

20 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

 Overwhelmed by the explosion of new AI tools? Titi and Zakiya team up with creative tech expert Lauren deVane (a.k.a. the “AI Auntie&rdquo...

Fungus Among Us: The Science and Hype Behind Mushrooms - Lab 102

13 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From your morning Lion’s Mane latte to zombie ants in The Last of Us—fungi are having a moment. In this episode of Dope Labs, Titi and Zak...

Scalp to Split Ends: Hair Care Demystified - Lab 101

06 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Zakiya and Titi chat with Dr. Cicely Shillingford from Amika to break down the real science behind hair care. From personal hair wins (and fails) to t...

The Science of Celebration - Lab 035

29 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’re in the middle of the summer celebration season. Whether it is Juneteenth, the 4th of July, or your family’s annual reunion, there ar...

The Robotic Future of Elder Care - Lab 100

22 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

America has a problem! Beyoncé called it, and the data backs her up: more than 36 million older adults fall each year, often ending up in hospi...

Brain Drain: Why Slashing Research Hurts Us All With Chelsea Clinton - Lab 099

15 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Harvard’s international students on the chopping block, NIH and CDC budgets slashed nearly in half, and entire datasets vanishing overnight. If ...

The Science of Sinners: Storytelling, Symbolism & Historical Horror

08 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster Sinners smashed the box office, Titi and Zakiya grabbed their popcorn and their microscopes. In this lab, they p...

Weight for It - Lab 097

01 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What shapes how we see ourselves? From the media we consume to the chairs we sit in, the world is full of cues that influence how we feel in our bodie...

TSA Checkpoint Chaos - Lab 096

25 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is TSA keeping us safe or just stressed? Titi and Zakiya dig into the tech (and drama) behind airport security: from Real ID confusion to body scannin...

Student Loan Whiplash - Lab 095

18 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

TikTok says skip your student loans—but should you listen? Titi and Zakiya call in policy expert Colleen Campbell to cut through the chaos. From...

AI’s environmental cost - Lab 094

11 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We use AI every day from music recommendations to writing emails, but what’s the environmental price of all that convenience? This week in the l...

Friendly Bacteria: Probiotics and Your Microbiome - Lab 093

04 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Probiotic pillows? Postbiotic skincare? Yogurt in your hair?! This week in the lab, Titi and Zakiya dig into the world of probiotics, prebiotics, and ...

Parenting, Pollen, & Prehistoric Comebacks - Lab 092

27 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we’re back with a grab bag of topics too good to leave behind! You gave us questions and we brought you answers. Titi and Zakiya cove...

The Return of Measles: What’s Fueling the 2025 Outbreak? - Lab 091

20 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000—but it’s making headlines again. In this lab, we dig into why this highly contagious v...

The Psychology of Genre - Lab 090

13 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is it the beat? The instruments? The artist’s look? Or is genre just… vibes? This week in the lab, Titi and Zakiya are joined by Cole Cuc...

Wearable Tech - Lab 089

06 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From smart rings to glucose monitors, wearable technology is everywhere. But how much is too much? Titi and Zakiya unpack the promise, the privacy ris...

Stream Wars: Bots & Beef - Lab 088

30 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Kendrick came with bars, and Drake clapped back with a lawsuit. That was a move that looked pathetic, but it might’ve exposed the real cracks in...

Bird Flu - Lab 087

23 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bird flu is here, and it’s not just for birds. How concerned should we be? With bird flu spreading across continents, it’s time to underst...

Too Much Space: Astronauts, NASA, SpaceX, Blue Origin, and the future of space technology - Lab 086

16 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve seen all the reels and comments about astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. They originally went to space for a short trip of ~10 da...

Loving Better with Yung Pueblo - Lab 085

09 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Titi and Zakiya are back in the lab talking all about relationships with Yung Pueblo, author of How to Love Better. If you’re tired of the inter...

Welcome Back to The Lab!

02 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been a minute, but Titi and Zakiya are back for Semester 5 of Dope Labs. Tune in for what they’ve been up to and to learn about the n...

Dope Labs is Back!

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dope Labs is back March 9, 2025. A new year of episodes with your same old friends - Titi and Zakiya. Line up all your burning questions and get ready...

Semester 4 Finale Part II – Lab 084

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the second part of our season finale, Titi and Zakiya revisit more of their favorite labs from Semester 4 and hear updates on reproductive health, ...

Semester 4 Finale Part I – Lab 083

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The semester is nearly over, can you believe it? Titi and Zakiya revisit some of their favorite labs from semester 4 and hear updates on science denia...

In Your Feed: Social Media – Lab 082

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Real talk: Did it really happen if it’s not on social media? Do you even exist if you’re not on the feed? These days, it seems like everyone and t...

Good Tourist, Bad Tourist: The Impacts of Tourism – Lab 081

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Is it just us, or did everyone travel this summer? The pandemic restricted far-off vacations for a while, but people seem to be flying everywhere agai...

Jiggly: Shapewear Then and Now – Lab 080

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Lizzo has Yitty, Kim has Skims, and even our favorite influencers are doing ads for waist trainers on Instagram. Shapewear is in. These aren’t you...

Dope Labs Archives: Cuffing Season

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dope Labs will be back next week. In the meantime, here's one of our favorite Labs from the archives: Cuffing Season – Lab 001. In their very first ...

The Current U.S. Economy: Recession, Inflation, and Interest Rates – Lab 079

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anyone else feel like everything is getting more expensive? That’s because it is. Inflation is driving up the cost of all our basic needs and lots o...

What About Your Friends Part II: Attachment Styles – Lab 078

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We know friendship is important, but let’s be real – it gets harder to make new friends as we get older. In a follow up to What About Your Friends...

Ticket Out of Town: Commercial Spaceflight – Lab 077

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you could go on a first-class trip to space…would you? Titi and Zakiya learn more about the history of space exploration and its origins, the ris...

Monkeypox: Fact vs Fiction — Lab 076

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Monkeypox has been around for a long time. But with the recent increase in cases, the virus seems to be dominating our headlines and social feeds. Tit...

Can You Change Someone’s Mind? – Lab 075

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all seen things blow up in the comments section on social media! And this week, we’re asking ‘how do you change someone’s mind’? We’...

Forever Chemicals: PFAs in Food Packaging – Lab 074

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re talking all about the chemicals found in food packaging and how they impact our bodies and the environment. Guest: Justin Boucher. Y...

Oysters & Aquaculture: On the Half Shell – Lab 073

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re celebrating National Oyster Day! We’re talking all about shellfish aquaculture and how cultivating oysters fits into our economy, ...

Mind the Digital Gap – Lab 072

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It feels like everyone is online these days, but is that really the case? In this lab, Titi and Zakiya discuss the state of internet access in the US,...

Semiconductor Chip Shortage – Lab 071

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

There are chips in every computing device out there, from refrigerators to smart phones to cars. They are vital to how our world runs – and right no...

Full Set: Nails – Lab 070

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nail art and nail styling has been trending in mainstream culture, and this week we’re talking all about it! This week, Titi and Zakiya are discussi...

Dope Labs Archives: The Cookout – Lab 012

07 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dope Labs will be back next week. In the meantime, here's one of our favorite Labs from the archives: The Cookout – Lab 012. There is nothing Zakiya...

Dialects, Accents, and Linguistic Dexterity – Lab 069

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Language is a huge part of culture, and this week we’re talking all about linguistics. We’re getting into the difference between accents and diale...

Black Music Month with Mark Anthony Neal & 9th Wonder – Lab 068

23 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Black Music Month! This week, Titi and Zakiya are celebrating Black music and getting into its history, culture, and politics. We’re diving i...

Celebrating Juneteenth Through Food – Lab 067

16 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Juneteenth is around the corner, and we can’t wait to celebrate! In this lab, Titi & Zakiya get into the history of Juneteenth, the food traditi...

Dope Labs Archives: The Science of Celebration - Lab 035

09 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dope Labs will be back next week. In the meantime here's one of our favorite Labs from the archives, Lab 035, all about the science of celebration. In...

Celebrating Pride in STEM – Lab 066

02 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s June and it’s also Pride month! To celebrate, we’re passing the mic and hearing from you about the amazing work you all are doing in STEM: ...

The Gamification of Life – Lab 065

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From Chess to Wordle, people have been playing games since the beginning of time. This week, Titi & Zakiya are talking all about games, gamificati...

Healing Through Art Therapy – Lab 064

19 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s mental health awareness month, and we’re hearing a lot of buzz surrounding self care and wellness. This week, we’re talking all about art t...

The Maternal Healthcare System Part II – Lab 063

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last week, we learned that the US maternal healthcare system has some big gaps, despite being the biggest spender on maternal health. This week, we’...

The Maternal Healthcare System Part I – Lab 062

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Mother’s Day is around the corner and Rihanna is glowing! We’re kicking off a two-part series all about maternal health. In part one, we’re gett...

Sodium, Iron, Magnesium, Nickel... Why Metals Are So Important – Lab 061

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Metals are everywhere. From iron to sodium, magnesium to calcium, metals are in our bodies and in the technology we use every day. In this week's Lab,...

Nuclear Energy: The Past, Present, and Future – Lab 060

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Gas prices are up and this got us thinking about all the different energy sources we rely on. In this Lab, Titi and Zakiya dive into the science, the ...

Biodiversity and Conservation: The Circle of Life – Lab 059

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Spring has sprung, and we’ve been spending more time outside appreciating nature. In this lab, Titi and Zakiya are exploring biodiversity, conservat...

Hypochondria, Psychosomatic Disorder, and Placebo Effect: Mind Over Matter – Lab 058

07 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Things are not always as they seem, and our minds & bodies are no exception. This week Titi and Zakiya examine the mind-body connection with Dr. S...

Volcanic Winters, Microplastics, and More: Live from the Great Northern – Lab 057

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This lab was recorded as part of The Great Northern's 2022 festival in Minnesota, and Titi & Zakiya are COLD. This drives them to talk about all t...

Lab 056: The Right Match: Organ Transplants

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve heard a lot of myths around organ donation and transplantation. Turns out it’s a lot more complicated than matching blood types. In this lab...

Lab 055: Don't Get Hacked

17 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

 From Inventing Anna to the Tinder Swindler, cybersecurity has been front and center in our collective consciousness. But what exactly is cybersecuri...

Lab 054: Say Ahhh

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re seeing a lot of teeth on our timelines – from veneers to DIY braces, teeth are everywhere! This week we’re taking a closer look at some of...

Lab 053: Unsustainable

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re talking about sustainability in fashion. Last week (Lab 052) we talked about how much more we’re buying, but what happens to all t...

Lab 052: Retail Apocalypse

24 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Shopping is easier to do than ever these days. In Lab 039: Add to Cart, we talked about what happens after you buy something with one click. Today, we...

Lab 051: BHM: HBCUs Edition

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Black History Month and we are celebrating by talking about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with special guest Xavier Jern...

Lab 050: Gold Medal Physics

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The 2022 Winter Olympics are in full swing and we are glued to the TV (go Nathan Chen!). But it takes more than just discipline and guts to be an Olym...

Lab 049: The Habit Equation

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For our final lab in the New Years series, Titi & Zakiya want to learn all about the science behind habit formation. Dr. Wendy Wood, author of “...

Lab 048: Your Daily Dose

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We have seen the custom supplement packs on IG and it looks like a lot of you are increasing your Vitamin C, but is that the BEST way to help our bodi...

Lab 047: All (Immune) Systems Go

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We are continuing our wellness series and the next topic is at the root of our overall wellness, our immune systems. So we are diving into to all of t...

Lab 046: Do Not Disturb Part II

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We continue our two-part episode on Sleep with Dr. Giardin Jean-Louis, focusing on the environmental factors associated with poor sleep, different sle...

Lab 045: Do Not Disturb Part I

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We’re kicking off our New Years series with a two-part episode on sleep, featuring renowned sleep expert Dr. Giardin Jean-Louis. We all know sleep i...

Lab 044: Our 2021 Mixtape

30 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

So much happened in 2021 that we didn’t get to talk about, so in this episode, Titi and Zakiya bring back a favorite tradition: the end of the year ...

Lab 043: Understanding HIV Part II

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’re continuing our conversation on the HIV vaccine with Dr. Christine Daniels. There was just too much for one Lab! This week, we’re shifting th...

Lab 042: Understanding HIV Part I

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We’ve all been learning a LOT about vaccines this year, and it got us thinking, what about vaccine development for other viruses? Currently, almost ...

Lab 041: Out of Control

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Reproductive health has been in the news a lot lately, most recently with the Supreme Court hearing Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization last...

Lab 040: Money Moves

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The holiday season is upon us and that means more online shopping but this doesn't mean that we have to put our accounts in the negative to get the th...

Lab 039: Add to Cart

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up, and the holiday shopping season right around the corner, there’s going to be a lot of people clicking ...

Lab 038: So Anxious

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The holiday season is here, and with that, comes a lot of anxiety. In her new book, “Good Anxiety: Harnessing the Power of the Most Misunderstood Em...

Lab 037: In Denial

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dope Labs is BACK and WEEKLY! And so much has happened since our last Lab, it’s hard to even know where to start. So we’re kicking off Semester 4 ...

Semester 4 Sneak Peek 👀

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Semester 4 kicks off brand new, weekly episodes on November 11th. But we couldn’t wait that long to show you what we’ve got cooking! Here’s a li...

Semester 4 is WEEKLY Starting November 11!

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hello, friend. It’s been a minute. We’ve missed you. But we have some exciting news! Dope Labs is back November 11th, with new episodes every Thur...

Lab 036: Shoot Your Shot - A COVID Update

03 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the final Lab of Semester 3, Titi and Zakiya give a highly requested coronavirus update. They’ll highlight the advances in science and the public...

Lab 034: Presently Futuristic

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Like everyone else on the planet, Titi and Zakiya have been obsessing over Lovecraft Country. It’s the latest in what could be called a renaissance ...