Facts Machine

Episode 74: Eeks! of Nature (ft. Jaida Elcock & Nic Comparato)

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode dedicated to "Spooky Animals", we were joined by shark expert Jaida Elcock and bat expert Nic Comparato for stories about spooky speci...

Episode 73: Starry Not Sorry (ft. Iman Behbehani, Kate Schmidt & Matthew Starr)

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

See our show THIS THURSDAY (12/19) in person in New York or streaming from wherever you are! In this Astrophysics-themed episode, we were joined by as...

Episode 72: Ballot Cleanser (ft. Dr. Lindsey Cormack PhD, Dr. Justin Williams PhD & Dr. Andrea Jones-Rooy PhD)

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this Political Science-themed episode, we were joined political scientist and author Dr. Lindsey Cormack PhD, historian and comedian Dr. Justin Wil...

Episode 71: The Feeding Is Mutual (ft. Dr. Kate Bredbenner, PhD & Hampton Humber)

17 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Come see our show THIS THURSDAY (9/19 7pm Eastern) in person in NYC or livestream from wherever you are! In this Symbiosis-themed episode, we were jo...

Episode 70: Our Wetter Nature (ft. Joshua Barber & Dr. Diana Li, PhD)

09 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this marine biology themed episode, we were joined by fish expert Joshua Barber and squid expert Dr. Diana Li, PhD for deep dives on the deep sea, ...

Episode 69: Burrows of NYC (ft. Dr. Casey Lardner, PhD, Dr. Valentina Alaasam, PhD, & Sam Corbin)

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For this show about urban animals, we were joined by guest scientists Dr. Casey Lardner, PhD & Dr. Valentina Alaasam, PhD (plus guest game-master ...

Episode 68: Know Your Earth (ft. Kristina Gustovich & Kasha Patel)

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Come see our show THIS THURSDAY (5/16) 7pm Eastern at Caveat in NYC or via livestream from wherever you are! For this Earth-themed show, we were join...

Episode 67: Piece of Mind (ft. Dr. Chloe Lopez-Lee, PhD & Dr. Devon Collins, PhD)

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We were joined by neuroscientists Dr. Chloe Lopez-Lee, PhD and Dr. Devon Collins, PhD for deep dives on the deepest recesses of our brains, comedy abo...

Episode 66: Hearts & Sciences (ft. Adam Rosenzweig & Dr. Paula Croxson, PhD)

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this love-themed episode, we were joined by two beloved science communicators, chemist Adam Rosenzweig & neuroscientist Dr. Paula Croxson for a...

Episode 65: Spacing Out (ft. Dr. Mark Popinchalk, PhD & Dr. Moiya McTier, PhD)

13 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we were joined by two out-of-this-world science communicators, astrophysicist and folklorist Dr. Moiya McTier, PhD & astronomer D...

Episode 64: Holi-daze (ft. Dr. Moiya McTier, PhD)

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Come to our live show THURSDAY 1/25 7PM at Caveat in NYC or via livestream from wherever you are! Tickets & show info: ⁠https://www.caveat.nyc/...

Episode 63: Taking A Brain Check (ft. Dr. Thiago Arzua, PhD & Dr. Paula Croxson, PhD)

19 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 62: Seas Get Degrees (ft. Jaida Elcock, Kyle Marian, & Dr. Diana Li, PhD)

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tickets for our Friday, 3/17 show "Taking A Brain Check" Welcome to Facts Marine! Noah was joined live at Caveat in NYC by guest marine biologis...

Episode 61: All You Need Is Lobe (ft. Leslie Sibener & Dr. Devon Collins, PhD)

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tickets for our Friday, 3/17 show "Taking A Brain Check" During NYC's Brain Awareness Week, Em and Noah (and Rob in spirit!) were joined live at Cavea...

Episode 60: The Whole Tooth & Nothing But The Tooth (ft. Jaida Elcock)

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tickets for our Friday, 3/17 show "Taking A Brain Check" Joined by special guest Jaida Elcock, shark scientist and grad student at MIT-WHOI, co-founde...

Episode 59: Dark Matters (ft. Dr. Moiya McTier, PhD) – Live at Caveat

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tickets for our Friday, 3/17 show "Taking A Brain Check" Live at Caveat in NYC, just days before Halloween, we were joined by folklorist to the stars,...

Episode 58: Food for Thought (ft. Kyle Marian) – Live At Caveat

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Science Friday engagement producer, comedian, and inclusive science communicator extraordinaire Kyle Marian joins us for a gastronomical live show at ...

Episode 57: Pigments of Our Imagination (ft. Dr. Latasha Wright, PhD)

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Accompanied by special guest Dr. Latasha Wright, chief scientific officer at BioBus and Rob’s bio-boss, we finally share all the facts we’ve been ...

Episode 56: The Nerds & The Bees (ft. Dr. Carly York, PhD)

20 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

 Our guest today is biology professor, science communicator, and co-owner of an animal sanctuary (!) Dr. Carly York, who joins us for a (lightly ...

Episode 55: The Extremo-Files (ft. Dr. André Pineda, PhD)

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

 Science comedian, neuroscience PhD, and “guardian of knowledge” Dr. André Pineda makes his second Facts Machine appearance on an episode in...

Episode 54: Now You're Speaking Our Language (ft. Dr. Andrea Jones-Rooy, PhD)

25 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we’re joined by data science professor, standup comedian, and circus performer, Dr. Andrea Jones-Rooy to articulate, communicate, enunciat...

Episode 53: Museum To Our Ears (ft. Dustin Growick)

27 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dino 101 host, science communicator, and dinosaur whisperer Dustin Growick is our guest for an episode NOT about dinosaurs (but don’t tell them, we’...

Episode 52: Stop, Communicate, and Listen (ft. Dr. Sarah McAnulty, PhD)

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Skype a Scientist founder, cephalopod expert, and all around kickass science communicator Dr. Sarah McAnulty joins the Facts Machinists for an episode...

Episode 51: This Is Your Brain On Brains (ft. Dr. Paula Croxson, PhD) – Live(streamed) at Caveat

30 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

 

Episode 50: Guest Who's Back? (ft. Moiya McTier, Anthony Antonelli, Rich Fisler, Diana Montano, and Sam Corbin)

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It's our third birthday and fiftieth episode! We're joined by some familiar voices for a special anniversary episode!

Episode 49: Bloopers, Outtakes, & Shenanigans II

02 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hi everyone!! COMING SOON: new episodes, new guests, new facts, same old puns! For now, please enjoy this episode of all the stuff that was too weird ...

Episode 48: Hea-venom Is A Place On Earth (ft. Anna Klompen)

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

🎶We don't think you're ready for these jellies🎶 We are joined by evolutionary biologist, venomologist, and jellyfish expert Anna Klompen for an ...

Episode 47: Tales From The Cryptologist (ft. Rae Richards)

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Guvf jrrx V yrnearq" gung erpbeqvat na rcvfbqr bs Snpgf Znpuvar pna ernyyl trg bhg bs unaq snfg. Jr yrnearq nobhg gur gjb Pnrfnef, gur Ebzna yrnqre N...

Episode 46: Uncharisma (ft. Marion Renault)

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we're joined by science journalist Marion Renault to swap facts on "uncharisma" in nature. Tune in for facts about the (wrongfully) o...

Episode 45: Our Fair Share (ft. Kristina Parsons)

14 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

*Editor’s note: We had some catastrophic audio failures in this one, especially during the quiz. We were remotely recording early in the pandemic, a...

Episode 44: The Iceland Cometh (ft. Moiya McTier)

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Everybody knows that old joke, "What did the astrophysicist say to the folklorist? We are the same person..." Maybe it's funnier in the original Icela...

Episode 43: BUGS (ft. Sam Corbin) -- Live(streamed) at Caveat

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Abandon hope, all ye who *ento* here! It's a broadly entomological arthropod-cast about bugs! In this episode, which we live-streamed on Caveat's YouT...

Episode 42: Paradigm-a-dozen (ft. Dr. André Pineda, PhD)

05 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Paradigms, they are a-changin’ in this week’s episode of Facts Machine! We’re joined by friend of the pod and scicomedian extraordinaire Dr. And...

Episode 41: Facts That Hold Water (ft. Dr. Jessica Noviello, PhD)

21 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

 H2OMG! This episode’s all about the universal solvent, 60% of the human body, and (when it’s feelin’ fancy) dihydrogen monoxide. We’re j...

Episode 40: The Spy Who Quizzed Me (Triv and Let Die)

07 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

 

Episode 39: 'Ew, Gross' Anatomy (Special Quiz Episode #3)

24 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

 This week Noah spills his guts in the finale of our three part anatomy quiz series! Guess along as Rob and Em try to distinguish real and made-u...

Episode 38: We've Got A Bone To Pick (Special Quiz Episode #2)

19 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Make no bones about it, in this second of three special anatomical quiz episodes, Rob tests Emily's and Noah's knowledge of his favorite organ, bones!...

Episode 37: Can't We All Just Get A Lung? (Special Quiz Episode #1)

10 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Don't hate, ventilate! In this first of three special anatomical quiz episodes, Emily tests Noah's and Rob's knowledge of her favorite organ, the lung...

Episode 36: Etymologies

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

 Facts Machine returns with an episode all about etymologies. Join us as we dig deep to discover our favorite word origins, root and stem! #proto...

Episode 35: A Science Séance (ft. Diana Montano) - Live at Caveat

29 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

 

Episode 34: Technobabble

15 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 33: Do Animals Still Suck?

02 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 32: Bloopers, Outtakes, & Shenanigans

20 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We're taking a break for a few weeks while we work on some *big plans*! In the meantime enjoy this episode of our unaired failures and musical interlu...

Episode 31: The Ass Files (We Are Not A Mules)

06 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

At long last, the Facts Machine episode theme you've all been waiting for -- Donkeys! Our equine friends have an incredible history, from being worshi...

Episode 30: Women's Issues & Man-Sized Tissues

23 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

 In this episode, we talk male show-vinism, tell the incredible story of an Irish pirate queen, and find out what female mice really want.

Episode 29: Fruits & Veggies

09 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This is a podcast about Pythagoras and beans, Oklahoma and the truth, and Princess Alice and her pet Spinach. Everything you think is a vegetable is a...

Episode 28: Famous Inventors, Overshadowed Inventions

25 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Don't you just hate it when people only want to talk about how you discovered universal gravitation, but not about your passion project, making propor...

Episode 27: This Week We Learned (at Science Friday Trivia)

11 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Emily, Rob, and Noah went to Science Friday’s science trivia night, and they won! They also learned some interesting facts that they have brought ba...

Episode 26: Sportsball!

28 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When Facts Machine does an episode about sports, somehow you leave with more information about the mysteriously accurate predictions of 19th century a...

Episode 25: The Periodic Table of Elements (ft. Rich Fisler) - Live at Caveat

14 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Live at Caveat in NYC, Noah, Emily, and Rob head back to class with their first ever guest host, chemistry teacher extraordinaire Rich Fisler! In this...

Episode 24: In Dog We Trust

30 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Facts Machine makes a PAWEDcast! Noah, Rob, and Emily learn all about dogs — the good boys and good girls who make life worth livin...

Episode 23: Hocus POTUS

16 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Hail to the Chief! It's an episode of Facts Machine all about U.S. presidents. Listen to find out why it's not safe to run for president in 2020, how ...

Episode 22: That Sh*t Cray

02 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

“More intellectual than I expected.” Our listeners should expect nothing less from an episode of Facts Machine all about poop! Would you believe t...

Episode 21: My Goodness, My Guinness

19 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Top of the morning to ya! In honor of St. Paddy’s day, we’re Dublin down on this week’s theme: Guinness! Listen to find out why nitrogen is “a...

Episode 20: Facts Machine ~After Dark~

05 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Facts Machine becomes FaXXX Machine as Emily, Rob, and Noah discuss facts of a more...intimate...nature. Get your mind in the gutter with o...

Episode 19: The Wild West

19 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Have your lassos, pistols, and...sarsaparilla (?) at the ready, because this week Facts Machine is comin' atcha with some Wild West facts! Tune in to ...

Episode 18: Only In New York

05 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

You can learn a lot in a New York minute, but you can learn even more in sixty! Facts Machine is back with an episode all about our hometown, the Big ...

Episode 17: Crime Immemorial

22 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It would be criminal to miss this episode of Facts Machine! Let us steal your attention with gritty tales of (surprisingly) true crime, featuring Ohio...

Episode 16: I'm With The Banned

08 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Noah, Emily and Rob are back with a BAN-tastic episode all about bans, censorship, and prohibitions! Listen to find out why Ray Bradbury should have g...

Episode 15: Have Yourself A Merry Little Podcast

11 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Podcast ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay! For Noah, Emily, and Rob have come to you to say: Remember facts like Ol’ Saint Nick was skinny ...

Episode 14: Blame It On The Alcohol

27 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Bottoms up! It's an episode of Facts Machine all about booze. Tune in to learn how John Chapman planted cider apple trees until he became known as Joh...

Episode 13: Take Me Out To The Ball Game

13 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Grab some peanuts and Cracker Jacks and get your glove out from under your mattress. The baseball season might be over, but it's opening day for Ameri...

Episode 12: Happy Halloween!

30 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Boo! Did we scare you? No? Well maybe our most recent episode will do the trick (or treat)! This week, Rob, Noah, and Emily explore the overuse of Fra...

Episode 11: The Reviews Are In...

16 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

"I was laughing for half of the episode, and thinking for the other half!", "As funny as 'Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!'", "I love Facts Machine, but ple...

Episode 10: Playing With Our Food

02 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Food fight!!! Grab a gluten-free communion wafer, a rotten tomato, or a cookie that thinks it's a cake, and get ready to throw them at Noah, Emily and...

Episode 9: Boring Conspiracy Theories

18 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

UFOs…chem trails…lizard people…Facts Machine? You’re not crazy (maybe); all the aforementioned things are sources of conspiracy theories! Hold...

Episode 8: Space

04 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

They say that that in space, no one can hear you scream…but since we host a podcast, we’re used to screaming fruitlessly into the void, so it’s ...

Episode 7: Unsung Heroes

21 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Some historical heroes are household names, whereas others fade into history, or worse, suffer the cruel fate of not even meriting a Wikipedia page. E...

Episode 6: Do Animals Suck?

07 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered whether some animals, despite the best efforts of the powerful pro-animal lobby to convince us otherwise (we’re looking at yo...

Episode 5: Where There's A Will...

24 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

What will you leave behind when you die? If you're lucky, you'll leave behind the Earth when your ashes are blasted into outer space! Alternatively, y...

Episode 4: The World Cup

10 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Want to learn lots of cool stuff about The World Cup, but don’t want to have to learn anything about soccer itself? Do we ever have a podcast for yo...

Episode 3: What's in a Name?

26 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Would a podcast by any other name sound as sweet? That's what Facts Machine is here to find out. In this episode, Rob, Noah, and Emily dish on their h...

Episode 2: Rise and Shine

27 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Facts Machine Trivia Podcast has returned for a *second* episode! Listen to find out how a one-eyed astronomer, anthropomorphic trains, and the countr...

Episode 1: The Olympics

13 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Facts Machine Trivia Podcast! Listen to find out how swimming hieroglyphics, hitchhiking, and the casting of T...