Stuff Mom Never Told You
Episodes
Who was the first woman to run for president?
20 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Victoria Woodhull was the first woman to own a Wall Street firm, speak before Congress and run for president. However, her press wasn't always positiv...
Do female astronauts have the right stuff?
18 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
When Kennedy announced the lunar missions, several women hoped to make the trip. The women of Mercury 13 excelled at physical testing yet weren't allo...
Why do women become suicide bombers?
13 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Most acts of terrorism are carried out by men, but more and more women are becoming suicide bombers. Join Cristen and Molly as they explore the causes...
Why do women remove their hair down there?
11 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Why do women spend so much time and money removing the hair down there? Is it because of men, the media, or personal preference? Join Molly and Criste...
Should dads be in the delivery room?
06 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
A French obstetrician believes that men in the delivery room hinder their partner's laboring process. Is it possible that men don't need or want to be...
Do we marry our parents?
04 Jul 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Studies show that people often rank faces that resemble their parents as more attractive than other faces. Is this creepy, or can we pick up on clues ...
Should you sell or donate your breast milk?
29 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
While some mothers throw away extra breast milk, there are tons of other options. Breast milk banks test donors and sell bottled milk to hospitals. Ot...
Do baby names make a difference later in life?
27 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
There's tons of research about how your name will affect your destiny. Some studies suggests your name is linked to your grades, your criminal record ...
Should we care about hymens?
22 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Many cultures believe that a hymen is proof of virginity, but is it true? The hymen's not a piece of skin that covers the entire vaginal opening, and ...
Is there a link between semen and happiness?
20 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Could semen serve as an anti-depressant in some women? A study found that women who never used condoms rated themselves as happier than women who used...
Why don't men wear makeup?
15 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Historically, men have always worn makeup. But now, wearing makeup is seen as effeminate. Is it possible that more men will wear makeup in the future,...
Yeast Infections: A Conversation
13 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Three out of four women will have a yeast infection in her lifetime, experiencing a range of unpleasant symptoms. But while you may be tempted to head...
Why is skin lightening such a big business?
08 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Pale-skinned people often desire a nice, healthy tan, even though tanning can bring health risks. Yet in some other cultures, this ideal is reversed. ...
Is sexting good or bad for relationships?
06 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
There are tons of stories about the horrors of sexting. But what role does sexting play in consenting, adult relationships? Join Molly and Cristen as ...
Why are more people enslaved than ever before?
01 Jun 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Experts claim that there are more slaves today than at any other point in history. Human trafficking has two major components: sex trafficking and lab...
When did sun tanning become popular?
30 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
As people across the hemisphere gear up for summer, Molly and Cristen take a look at the practice of tanning: When did it become popular, and why do p...
This Just In: Where are the women news anchors?
25 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
For years, there was a stereotype that women couldn't effectively deliver the news. Yet today women are all over newscasts. However, Katie Couric is l...
The Inside Scoop on Lady Reporters
23 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Is there a gender divide in journalism? Not really - from stunt reporters, sobs sisters, Eleanor's girls and other names, lady reporters have been aro...
How can you not know you are pregnant?
18 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
We've all seen those news stories where a woman goes nine months without realizing she's pregnant. It happens more often than you might think - but ho...
Is love at first sight possible?
16 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Familiar to any fan of classic romance stories, love at first sight is a common theme loved by some and, well, contemptuously dismissed by others. But...
How did women pedal their way to emancipation?
11 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Susan B. Anthony once said the bicycle deserved all of the credit for women's emancipation. Women had to fight restrictive clothing and stereotypes to...
Skygirls, Stewards and Flight Attendants
04 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
In 1930, the first stewardess was hired. Stewardesses had to be young, unmarried and within certain height and weight guidelines. To get rid of these ...
Are soap operas underrated in TV history?
02 May 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It's no secret that some people think soap operas are just junky TV for housewives. But is that true? Join Cristen and Molly as they trace the history...
Decoding the Mystery of Female Spies
27 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
When people think of spies, they often picture men like James Bond. Yet throughout history women have also had careers as spies. Listen in to learn mo...
Are Godmothers taking over the Mafia?
25 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Breaking the glass ceiling in organized crime may not be anything to celebrate, but it's making headlines all the same. In this episode, Molly and Cri...
Do men and women doctor differently?
20 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Ever since women started becoming doctors, studies have scrutinized genders and doctoring styles. Women may spend more time with patients and communic...
What's the difference between a doula and a midwife?
18 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Midwives and doulas are often present at natural childbirth. But what do these people actually do? Join Cristen and Molly as they explain the differen...
Do women make better bosses?
13 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Surveys show that women may possess more of the skills necessary to be a good boss, so why do employees prefer male bosses? Tune in as Molly and Crist...
Why is nursing women's work?
11 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
When we think of nurses, we think of women. Male nurses are considered anomalies and are often the butt of jokes in pop culture. But why? Tune in as M...
Live at SXSW: Polyamory
06 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Polyamory -- the practice of having intimate relationships with more than one person -- is more common than some might assume. But how does this pract...
Were women tricked into smoking?
04 Apr 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Before the 1920s, it was considered unseemly for women to smoke. However, as cigarette makers realized they were missing half of the potential market,...
Royal Wedding Extravaganza Spectacular
30 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Why are so many people fascinated by royal weddings? In this episode, Cristen and Molly explore the allure of royal weddings: Is the draw of this spec...
Am I carrying my own twin?
28 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Researchers believe that one in eight pregnancies involve twin fetuses -- so why do only one in eighty pregnancies actually result in the birth of twi...
Does it cost more to be a woman?
23 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It's no secret that women tend to pay more for haircuts, but that's only one of the products and services that are more expensive for women. So how do...
What's the point of kegels?
21 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
When Dr. Arnold Kegel noticed a high frequency of urinary incontinence in women after they had given birth, he designed the Kegel exercise. Join Molly...
When did beer become a boy's drink?
16 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Nowadays, beer is widely considered to be a boy's drink -- but this wasn't always the case. Listen in as Molly and Cristen recount the history of beer...
A Tip of the Habit to Nuns
14 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
There's no denying that nuns are iconic. Unfortunately, they're all stereotyped in modern culture. In this episode, Molly and Cristen cut past the ste...
Should women take vitamins?
09 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
People spend 20 billion dollars a year on health supplements like multivitamins -- but do they actually work? Join Molly and Cristen as they explore t...
A Politics-Free Abortion Podcast
07 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Abortions are tremendously controversial -- but how do they actually work? In this episode, Cristen and Molly cut past the politics to give you the fa...
Inside the Minds of Hoarders with Dr. Rebecca Beaton
02 Mar 2011
Contributed by Lukas
According to the Mayo clinic, hoarding is an excessive collection of items along with the inability to discard them. But what exactly makes a person a...
SMNTY's 2nd Annual Oscar After Party
28 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Following up on last year's episode, Cristen and Molly take a look at the female directors, actors and other professionals contending for an Academy A...
Arrr there female pirates?
23 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
When people think of pirates, their minds often turn to legendary brigands such as Bluebeard -- but piracy wasn't restricted to males. Join Molly and ...
What's the buzz on vibrators?
21 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
According to a recent study, around half of American adults use a vibrator on a regular basis -- yet the devices remain controversial. In this episode...
Do women run colder than men?
16 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Women tend to have warmer core temperatures than men -- but why? In this episode, Molly and Cristen examine the science behind this mysterious discrep...
Where did the kiss come from?
14 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The first image of a kiss dates back to ancient India -- but where did the concept of kissing originate? More importantly, why do we do it today? Tune...
What's your sign, baby?
09 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by an article about recent changes to the zodiac, Cristen and Molly examine the use of horoscopes in modern society. Tune in to learn more ab...
Where do hot flashes come from?
07 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The hot flash is one of the most infamous symbols of menopause, and it's no laughing matter. But what exactly is a hot flash, and what causes it? In t...
Are corsets all that bad?
02 Feb 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Throughout history, opinions of corsets have fluctuated. Some have called the corset the Western version of foot binding, while others think the corse...
Do men and women dream differently?
31 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The results are in: It appears that men and women tend to report different types of dreams more frequently than others. But what do these results mean...
What is objectum sexuality?
26 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Is it possible to become romantically involved with sound equipment, monuments or other objects? Yes, actually. In this episode, Cristen and Molly exp...
Do men lie more than women?
24 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Lies are a surprisingly prevalent part of human society, and deception serves a certain social purpose. But does a person's gender determine how much ...
Do men and women surf the web differently?
19 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
What do you look for when you browse online? Do you think that you might approach the web differently if you had a different gender? Listen in as Cris...
Let's Rewrite the Book on Librarians
17 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Over the years pop culture has created several stereotypes of librarians, creating an image of bespectacled spinsters. How do these stereotypes compar...
Can you have an orgasm during childbirth?
12 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
20/20 aired a documentary about the orgasmic experiences some women have while giving birth. But how does it happen, and why? Join Molly and Cristen a...
Do men and women donate money differently?
10 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone wants to make the world a better place -- but do men and women go about it differently? In this episode, Molly and Cristen take a closer look...
Is the seven-year itch real?
05 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Could it be true that monogamous couples get an urge to cheat approximately every seven years? In this episode, Molly and Cristen explore the origin o...
200th Episode Extravaganza
03 Jan 2011
Contributed by Lukas
It's official: Stuff Mom Never Told You has hit the 200-episode mark! To celebrate this momentous occasion, Molly and Cristen give listeners a behind-...
The Thick and Thin of Eyebrows
29 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
These days, it's very common for women to shape their eyebrows as part of their beauty regimen, but when did this practice start? And why? Molly and C...
What's the child-free movement?
28 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Molly and Cristen take a closer look at the child-free movement. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwor...
Is it better to give than receive?
22 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Gift-giving is a common human tradition, especially around holidays and birthdays. But who benefits most: the giver, or the receiver? In this episode,...
What is the morning-after pill?
20 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
The morning-after pill is a controversial form of emergency contraception that's often misunderstood. In this listener-inspired episode, Molly and Cri...
Does the G-spot exist?
15 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
These days, the Grafenberg spot, or G-spot, is a heated topic. Does this vaginal pleasure spot really exist? Do all women have one? Molly and Cristen ...
Are there no good female playwrights?
13 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In general, female playwrights are less likely to have their plays produced than their male counterparts. But why? In this episode, Molly and Cristen ...
Why do so many women have TMJ?
08 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Temporomandibular joint disorder is a term for various disorders that affect the jaw and seem to affect more women than men. In this episode, Molly an...
Why do women feel so guilty about nannies?
06 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Today's professional women sometimes rely on nannies to help them out in the domestic sphere, yet many of them seem to feel guilty about it. Why? In t...
Are humans meant to be monogamous?
01 Dec 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Monogamy is often touted as the cultural ideal for human partners, but are we really cut out for it? Molly and Cristen take a look at social and sexua...
Can you get rid of cellulite?
29 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
We all know what cellulite is, but have you ever wondered where that dreaded dimpled skin comes from? And why it affects women more than men? In this ...
Female Superheroes, Part Two
24 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In part two of their series, Molly and Cristen take a look at some famous female superheroes, starting with the most iconic female comic book characte...
Female Superheroes, Part One
22 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In comic books, females are often portrayed as victims and sex symbols and tend to play second fiddle to male characters. In this episode, Molly and C...
Are women drinking more?
17 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Some studies have found that the number of women who identify as heavy drinkers has risen, while the number of light drinkers has declined. Male drink...
Why do girls love horses?
15 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Little girls and women seem to have an affinity for horses. But why? In this episode, Molly and Cristen discuss a variety of theories about why girls ...
Do sisters make you happier?
10 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Multiple studies indicate that people with sisters seem to be happier than people with brothers -- but what does this mean, and could it be true? Join...
Inside the Minds of Lady Killers with Candice DeLong
08 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Are female killers different from male killers? What motivates women to murder? In this episode, Molly and Cristen interview former FBI criminal profi...
A History of Home Ec
03 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Molly and Cristen explore the surprisingly feminist origins and history of Home Economics, an academic discipline that's often referr...
What is asexuality?
01 Nov 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Although asexuality in other organisms is well-understood, human asexuality is more of a mystery to us. Is asexuality a disorder, or an orientation? M...
Sexy Halloween Costumes, Why?
27 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
These days, "sexy" female costumes for women are all the rage, but has this trend gone too far? And is it demeaning to women or empowering? In this Ha...
Motorcycles: Not Just for Boys
25 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Today the number of female motorcyclists is increasing, but it's not the first time in history that women have driven motorcycles. In this episode, Mo...
When did women start shaving their legs?
20 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
These days, many women shave their legs on a regular basis and don't give it a second thought. But where did this shaving trend originate? It all star...
Why do adults still get acne?
18 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Acne is typically associated with teenagers and puberty, but unfortunately, it doesn't always go away with age. In this episode, Molly and Cristen tal...
Why do women carry handbags?
13 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
These days, a majority of modern women carry a handbag of some sort. Why are purses so popular with women? And why are they so expensive? In this epis...
Why do women smell like onions and men like cheese?
11 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to body odor, we all smell a little different. But are there distinct gender differences? In this episode, Molly and Cristen discuss how...
Do gal pals sync up periods?
06 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
There's a commonly held belief that women's periods synchronize when they spend a lot of time together. This popular theory has a scientific basis, bu...
5 Iconic Cosmetics
04 Oct 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Molly and Cristen list five of the most iconic cosmetics in the history of modern makeup. Learn more about your ad-choices at https:...
Why is Scandinavia so great for women?
29 Sep 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Scandinavian countries are reportedly tops when it comes to gender equality. Why? In this episode, Molly and Cristen examine the factors that contribu...
A Tribute to our Favorite Dolls, Non-Barbie Edition
27 Sep 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Molly and Cristen take a nostalgic trip down memory lane as they pay tribute to three beloved (non-Barbie) dolls from their childhood...
Does celibacy have any health benefits?
22 Sep 2010
Contributed by Lukas
A recent trend has seen young people -- especially women -- choosing to be celibate for non-religious reasons. But why? In this episode, Molly and Cri...
Should chivalry die?
20 Sep 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Chivalry was originally the code of behavior for medieval knights; today, the term is synonymous with courteous male behavior towards women. But is mo...
Do men lose weight faster than women?
15 Sep 2010
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to shedding pounds, men have an advantage: They lose weight faster and more easily than women do. Why? In this episode, Molly and Criste...
What is ecofeminism?
13 Sep 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Ecofeminism is a movement that combines feminist and ecological concerns. In this episode, Molly and Cristen discuss the history, goals, movements, co...
Are female magicians an illusion?
08 Sep 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Historically, most stage magicians have been men -- and there's still a gender imbalance in the profession today. Why? What's the deal with women and ...
Why don't boys play the harp?
06 Sep 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Molly and Cristen examine the gendering of musical instruments, from the lack of male harpists to the gender politics of lutes, in this episode. Lear...
Do smart men have better sperm?
01 Sep 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Some recent studies have suggested a positive correlation between semen quality and intelligence. But do smart men really have better sperm? In this e...
Seven Signs of Subliminal Ovulation
30 Aug 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Other mammals signal that they're fertile in obvious ways, but human females seem to advertise in more subtle ways. In this episode, Molly and Cristen...
To diaper or not to diaper?
25 Aug 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Diapers would seem to be an indispensable necessity for new babies, but some people argue that they're wasteful and unnecessary. In this episode, Moll...
This is Your Brain on a Breakup
23 Aug 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Molly and Cristen discuss why breaking up with romantic partners is universally painful -- and offer some consolation to sufferers --...
Do pretty people make more money?
18 Aug 2010
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Molly and Cristen talk about the "beauty premium" and how physical attractiveness can be advantageous (and lucrative) in the workplac...
What is polycystic ovary syndrome?
16 Aug 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a metabolic disorder that creates hormone imbalances in women's bodies. Molly and Cristen discuss PCOS research, definiti...
Are men attracted to small feet?
11 Aug 2010
Contributed by Lukas
According to stereotypes, men find women with small feet more attractive than large-footed ladies. Is there any science to back up that claim? Molly a...
Who are the Guerrilla Girls?
09 Aug 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Guerrilla Girls is a group of female artists/activists whose mission is to expose discrimination in the art world. In this episode, Molly and Cristen ...
What is a rape kit?
04 Aug 2010
Contributed by Lukas
Rapes kits are used to collect forensic evidence from rape victims. In this episode, Molly and Cristen discuss the contents of rape kits, rape kit tes...