Stuff To Blow Your Mind
Episodes
Listener Mail: The Moon in Silver Dreams
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: Ghosts of the Wind and Rain
15 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Strange presences walk the shore before the coming of the storm. Terrible forms move in its wake. In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, ...
Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind: Halloween III
14 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe ride the chariot of pumpkins as they discuss 1983's "Halloween III: Season of the Witch." (o...
From the Vault: The Holy Undead, Part 2
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We tend to relegate zombies and the walking dead to the infernal realm of demons, necromancers and the emptied charnel houses of Hell. So it might sur...
The Monstrefact Redux: The Boxenwolf
12 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the horror of the Boxenwolf…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: The Holy Undead, Part 1
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We tend to relegate zombies and the walking dead to the infernal realm of demons, necromancers and the emptied charnel houses of Hell. So it might sur...
Fall Break!
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're on fall break this week, but please enjoy some seasonal offerings from last year...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: Anthology of Horror, Volume 7
08 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Robert and Joe dive into the rich history of TV horror and sci-fi anthology series to focus on STBYM topics they might not otherwise get to discuss on...
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Return
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe dive into a little cattle mutilation-sploitation cinema with Greydon Clark’s 1980 film “The Retu...
The Cattle Mutilation Panic of the 1970s
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Strange lights and black helicopters in the night. Cattle found dead with blood or organs seemingly removed from strange incisions. Alien visitors in ...
The Artifact: Krueger's Claw
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of STBYM’s The Artifact, Robert discusses Freddy Kreuger’s infamous claw weapon and how it compares to the actual use of bladed ga...
Elfshot, Part 2
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
These lands are old and the elves who lived before us still watch and wait. Cross them, and you may feel the prick of their arrow. You’ll find no wo...
Listener Mail: Big Black Shape with Eyes of Fire
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: The Invention of the Mirror, Part 4
01 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Smoking pools of dark reflection. Propagator of uncanny doubles. Gateway to inverse kingdom. In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Rober...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Phantasm
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If this one doesn't scare you, you're already dead! Yes, in this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe venture into the cinematic mausoleum to dis...
Elfshot, Part 1
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
These lands are old and the elves who lived before us still watch and wait. Cross them, and you may feel the prick of their arrow. You’ll find no wo...
Smart Talks with IBM: The Future of Supply Chain: Building Sustainable and Transparent Businesses
28 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sustainable supply chains are good for the planet and good for business. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell takes on this topic...
The Invention of the Gimbal
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this invention-themed episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the ancient origins of the gimbal, its connections to Chinese ince...
Listener Mail: Loving You is Easy Because You're Crabs
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: The Invention of the Mirror, Part 3
24 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Smoking pools of dark reflection. Propagator of uncanny doubles. Gateway to inverse kingdom. In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Rober...
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Last Starfighter
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The year is 1984 and it’s time to save the galaxy… with arcade games. On this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, join Rob and Joe as they discuss “Th...
Incense, Part 2
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Humans have burned incense since ancient times for reasons that range from the practical to the divine. To aid in these rites, various cultures have c...
The Monstrefact: Incense for the Damned
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses incense and ghosts in Eastern traditions…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
Incense, Part 1
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Humans have burned incense since ancient times for reasons that range from the practical to the divine. To aid in these rites, various cultures have c...
Listener Mail: A Giallo is Born
19 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: The Invention of the Mirror, Part 2
17 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Smoking pools of dark reflection. Propagator of uncanny doubles. Gateway to inverse kingdom. In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Rober...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Extra Terrestrial Visitors
16 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more on Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe venture into the wild world of Spanish b-movie cinema with Juan Piquer Simón’s “Extra Terrestrial Vis...
The Nature of Fun, Part 3
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What exactly is "fun" and how does it differ from other concepts related to quality and experience? Robert and Joe explore the question in this episod...
The Monstrefact: Ocron
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses Ocron, the masked sorceress in Lucio Fulci’s 1983 film “Conquest.”See omnystudio....
The Nature of Fun, Part 2
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What exactly is "fun" and how does it differ from other concepts related to quality and experience? Robert and Joe explore the question in this episod...
Listener Mail: And The Gunslinger followed
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: The Invention of the Mirror, Part 1
10 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Smoking pools of dark reflection. Propagator of uncanny doubles. Gateway to inverse kingdom. In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Rober...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Devil Girl From Mars
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1954 Scottish sci-fi film “Devil Girl From Mars,” featuring a fashionable Martian queen, h...
The Nature of Fun, Part 1
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What exactly is "fun" and how does it differ from other concepts related to quality and experience? Robert and Joe explore the question in this episod...
The Monstrefact: Locksnakes of Thra
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the Locksnakes of “The Dark Crystal.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
The Invention of the Odometer
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You might not think your car’s odometer is that exciting, but it’s actually the modern incarnation of an ancient invention with roots in China and...
Listener Mail: Guaranteed to Work Perfectly for 1,000 Years
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: Regression to the Mean
03 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss regression to the mean, a phenomenon that occurs when a random sampling poi...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Conquest
02 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe continue their jaunt through 1980s fantasy with gore master Lucio Fulci’s 1983 film “Conquest.”...
From the Vault: Bill Schutt on the Heart
01 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Bill Schutt, author of "Pump: A Natural History of the Heart," about the evolution of th...
Smart Talks with IBM: The Mayflower Autonomous Ship: AI and Automation at Sea
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The world’s first autonomous vessel to cross the Atlantic Ocean is signaling a new era in maritime technology. In this episode of Smart Talks with I...
The Invention of Surgical Gloves
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this invention-themed episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the origin of surgical gloves, the differing concepts for their co...
Listener Mail: Beware the Wheelers
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: The Dog with the Burning Brand
27 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
From dogs in old paintings that look like dope smokers to Aztec psychopomps, what’s with all these fire dogs? In this classic episode of Stuff to Bl...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Krull
26 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe dive into another slice of 1980s big screen fantasy with 1983’s “Krull,” which pits a ragtag group o...
The Paragraph, Part 2
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the standard nugget of textual thought: the paragraph.See omnystudio.com/listener f...
The Artifact: The Boustrophedon
24 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of STBYM’s The Artifact, Robert discusses an ancient style of writing that involved reading left to right and right to left…See om...
The Paragraph, Part 1
23 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the standard nugget of textual thought: the paragraph.See omnystudio.com/listener f...
Listener Mail: And The Lord Did Grin
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: Whispers of the Speaking Sword
20 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Weapons capable of thought, speech and autonomous action appear throughout multiple myths and legends. In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your M...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Return to Oz
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe venture into the magical world of Oz – not the 1939 version, but the dark fantasy stylings of 1985...
The Null Ship
18 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast, Robert and Joe discuss the history and principles of the vacuum airship or null ship. Will fut...
The Monstrefact: The Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Whistling, Part 4
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the nature and history of human whistling – including the subject of whistled lan...
Listener Mail: A Whistle of Worth
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: Musical Frisson
13 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Joe is joined by producer and host of the Rusty Needle's Record Club podcast Seth Nicholas Johnson to talk...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Thrilling Bloody Sword
12 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1981 Taiwanese fantasy adventure “Thrilling Bloody Sword.” This relentlessly psychot...
From the Vault: "Fuzz" with Mary Roach
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe welcome acclaimed science writer Mary Roach back to the show to discuss her new book "Fuzz:...
The Monstrefact: Dreepy, a Pokémon
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the boomerang-headed Pokémon Dreepy, with some help from his son Sebastian.See omnystu...
The Whistling, Part 3
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the nature and history of human whistling – including the subject of whistled lan...
Listener Mail: Can you prove that it didn't happen?
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: Sea Turtles with Christine Figgener
06 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss sea turtle mysteries, biology, research and conservation with sea turtle researcher...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Plan 9 from Outer Space
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe finally discuss a film that almost defies description: “Plan 9 From Outer Space.” Yes, it’s Ed...
The Whistling, Part 2
04 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the nature and history of human whistling – including the subject of whistled lan...
The Monstrefact: The SPOILER from “NOPE”
03 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses something that happens in the 2022 Jordan Peele movie “NOPE” and there will be spoi...
The Whistling, Part 1
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the nature and history of human whistling – including the subject of whistled lan...
Listener Mail: Back to the Garden
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: The Plague of Mucus
30 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the organic substance that has been referred to in the scientific literatur...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Tarantula
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, this week on Weirdhouse Cinema, the 1955 film “Tarantula” takes to the hills. Join Rob and Joe as they discuss this atomic-age sci-fi thrille...
Fantastic Numbers, with Antonio Padilla
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with theoretical physicist and cosmologist Professor Antonio Padilla, author of the new book ...
Smart Talks with IBM: The Good Hacker: Hacking Businesses before Criminals Do
27 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The headlines tell us cyberattacks are a big, consistent threat to business data – and ours. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwe...
From the Vault: Creature of the Gear
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What is a gear and when did humans invent it? Plus, Rob and Joe discuss the only known creature to have gears in its anatomy. Plus hear about a couple...
Listener Mail: Warlocks in the Sky
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: Where do numbers come from?
23 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Robert and Joe as they continue their discussion on numeracy and the origins of numerals on Stuff to Blow Your Mind. (originally published 6/17/2...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Fruit of Paradise
22 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's time for a little arthouse Adam and Eve! In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1970 experimental Czech film "Fruit of Par...
Dethroned Emperor: The Fall of Valerian, Part 2
21 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe travel back to the third century CE to discuss the Battle of Edessa, in which the Sasanian ...
The Artifact Revisited: Sharur the Talking Mace
20 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of STBYM’s The Artifact, Robert discusses Sharur, the talking mace from Sumerian mythology…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...
Dethroned Emperor: The Fall of Valerian, Part 1
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe travel back to the third century CE to discuss the Battle of Edessa, in which the Sasanian ...
Listener Mail: Beans and Babel
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: The Origins of Numeracy
16 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What are numbers and where does our number sense come from? Is numeracy an innate part of our biology, or is it a cultural invention? In this classic ...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Horror Rises From the Tomb
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There’s no keeping THIS occult power couple down! In today’s episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, watch as Spanish horror icons Paul Naschy and Helga Lin...
The Skybridge, Part 2
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the architectural element known as the skyway or skybridge – typically an enclose...
The Monstrefact: Cave Mimicry in Dungeons and Dragons
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses cave environment mimicry by monsters in Dungeons and Dragons…See omnystudio.com/liste...
The Skybridge, Part 1
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the architectural element known as the skyway or skybridge – typically an enclose...
Listener Mail: AI Tales and Horror Hosts of Yore
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: Reconsider the Bean, Part 2
09 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What are beans? Do they contain the souls of the dead? Can they be used to drive demons from the household? How important are they in the human diet? ...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Blade
08 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe consider a weird mainstream movie that basically paved the way for the Marvel Cinematic Universe with wall...
The Lesser of Two Crab Claws, Part 3
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss biological asymmetry in the natural world – including various examples of organis...
The Monstrefact: The Owlbear
06 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the owlbear of Dungeons & Dragons...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...
Creative Writing Machines, with Mike Sharples
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Will computers one day write the great American novel? What will the future of human/machine creative collaboration look like – and what came before...
Listener Mail: Morbius Saves Christmas
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: Reconsider the Bean, Part 1
02 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What are beans? Do they contain the souls of the dead? Can they be used to drive demons from the household? How important are they in the human diet? ...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Scream and Scream Again
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe dive into a movie billed as "triple distilled horror as powerful as a vat of boiling acid!" Yes, it’...
The Lesser of Two Crab Claws, Part 2
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss biological asymmetry in the natural world – including various examples of organis...
Smart Talks with IBM: Building Trustworthy AI: A Holistic Approach
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Advocating for artificial intelligence to be built and deployed ethically is no longer just a compliance issue but more of a business imperative. In t...
The Lesser of Two Crab Claws, Part 1
28 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss biological asymmetry in the natural world – including various examples of organis...
Listener Mail: Legend of a Mind
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...
From the Vault: Star Wars Alien Necropsy, Part 2
25 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, venture into a galaxy far, far away while also considering the science and biology of our home wor...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Battle Beyond the Stars
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time to venture into the world of “Star Wars” knock-offs once more, this time with 1980’s “Battle Beyond the Stars!” Join Rob and Joe...
Red Leviathan, with Ryan Tucker Jones
23 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Ryan Tucker Jones, author of the new book “Red Leviathan: The Secret History of Soviet...