Stuff To Blow Your Mind
Episodes
Invention Playlist 3: Board Games, Part 2
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Board games have only grown in variety and complexity in recent decades, but just how far back in time do these curious physical simulations go? In th...
Invention Playlist 3: Board Games, Part 1
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Board games have only grown in variety and complexity in recent decades, but just how far back in time do these curious physical simulations go? In th...
Invention Playlist 3: The Atlatl Spear Thrower
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The spear is a truly ancient human technology, but this preceded one of humanity’s oldest mechanical inventions: the atlatl or spear thrower. In thi...
Invention Playlist 3: The Condom
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Condoms are an important part of human health and medicine, but where did this invention come from? Robert and Joe explore in this episode of Inventio...
Invention Playlist 3: Air Conditioning, Part 3
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Air conditioning has had a profound impact on modern life -- and in more ways than you might realize. In this trio of Invention episodes, Robert and J...
Invention Playlist 3: Air Conditioning, Part 2
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Air conditioning has had a profound impact on modern life -- and in more ways than you might realize. In this trio of Invention episodes, Robert and J...
Invention Playlist 3: Air Conditioning, Part 1
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Air conditioning has had a profound impact on modern life -- and in more ways than you might realize. In this trio of Invention episodes, Robert and J...
Invention Playlist 3: Bread/Toast/Toasters
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who invented toast? Who then went on to invent the toaster? In this episode of Invention, Robert and Joe chase the origins of bread transformed throug...
Invention Playlist 3: Ketchup
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You love it. You put it on everything. But where does ketchup come from? In this episode of Invention, Robert and Joe explore the mysterious origins o...
Invention Playlist 3: Beachbum Berry on the Mai Tai
08 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Mai Tai isn’t only the most famous Tiki cocktail, it’s one of the most well known cocktails on the planet. But where does it come from? Who in...
Pointing, Part 2
07 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why is pointing such a central part of human communication? How does it relate to culture, technology and our relationship to non-human animals? In th...
Pointing, Part 1
05 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why is pointing such a central part of human communication? How does it relate to culture, technology and our relationship to non-human animals? In th...
From the Vault: The Sacred Mountain, Part 1
02 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why do sacred mountains exist in so many cultures and myths? To what extent could high altitude conditions contribute to the way our mind processes th...
Invention Playlist II: Bubble Wrap
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Robert and Joe explore the origins and impact of bubble wrap... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudi...
Invention Playlist II: Toilets, Part 2
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Robert and Joe explore the origins and impact of the toilet... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio...
Invention Playlist II: Toilets, Part 1
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Robert and Joe explore the origins and impact of the toilet... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio...
Invention Playlist II: Braille
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Robert and Joe explore the origins and impact of braille... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.co...
Invention Playlist II: Walls
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Robert and Joe explore the origins and impact of walls... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/...
Invention Playlist II: The Wheel, Part 2
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Robert and Joe explore the origins and impact of the wheel... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio....
Invention Playlist II: The Wheel, Part 1
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Robert and Joe explore the origins and impact of the wheel... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio....
Invention Playlist II: Roads
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Robert and Joe explore the origins and impact of roads... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/...
Invention Playlist II: The Saxophone
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Robert and Joe explore the origins and impact of the saxophone... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystu...
Invention Playlist II: Toothpaste
01 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Robert and Joe explore the origins and impact of toothpaste... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio...
The Head of Medusa, Part 2
30 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We all know snake-haired Medusa, the gorgon of Greek myth whose very gaze turns mortals and titans alike to stone. But where does this iconic monster ...
The Head of Medusa, Part 1
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We all know snake-haired Medusa, the gorgon of Greek myth whose very gaze turns mortals and titans alike to stone. But where does this iconic monster ...
From the Vault: Flatus Ex Machina, Part 2
25 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why is it so hilarious when robots and artificial intelligence fail? What does it reveal about comedy itself and our technological anxiety? Robert Lam...
STBYM Halftober Monsterfest Playlist, Episode 10: Giant Spider Meal
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
At least giant spiders are not trying to eat us. Right? Right? Let's close out Halftober Monsterfest with 2016's episode about what it would be like t...
STBYM Halftober Monsterfest Playlist, Episode 8: Demon in the Halls of Sleep
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Halftober Monsterfest is about to get even weirder. Explore the basics of incubus and succubus myths, a few international variants and the possible bi...
STBYM Halftober Monsterfest Playlist, Episode 9: Mindflayers
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Demogorgon wasn't enough for you? Fine. Here's our 2016 episode on Dungeons and Dragons' fantastic mindflayer monster and how it matches up with the n...
STBYM Halftober Monsterfest Playlist, Episode 7: Carnivorous Plants
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Halftober Monsterfest continues with Stuff to Blow Your Mind's 2016 episode about carnivorous plants in nature and myth. Learn more about your ad-cho...
STBYM Halftober Monsterfest Playlist, Episode 6: A Game of Werewolf
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a werewolf? You have to tell me if you're a werewolf. It's the law. Up next on the Halftober Monsterfest Playlist is the 2017 episode "A Game ...
STBYM Halftober Monsterfest Playlist, Episode 4: Killer's Mask
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The most recent Friday the 13th holiday was kind of a bummer, so let's play catch-up with this 2018 episode about masked killers in reality, fiction a...
STBYM Halftober Monsterfest Playlist, Episode 5: Cambrian Monsters
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's go back to 2017. Heck, let's go back 500 million years to the monster-haunted waters of the Cambrian period. Halftoberfest now. Learn more abou...
STBYM Halftober Monsterfest Playlist, Episode 3: The Curse
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is a curse and how does the concept factor into the human experience? The playlist continues with this 2018 Halloween episode from Robert and Joe...
STBYM Halftober Monsterfest Playlist, Episode 1: Blood Type Drinker
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Halloween in March? It's happening. Here's our episode "I Drink Your Blood Type" from 2019. Drink up. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www...
STBYM Halftober Monsterfest Playlist, Episode 2: Demogorgon
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Haftober Monsterfest continues with Robert and Joe's 2019 discussion on the origins of Dungeons and Dragons’ ultimate demon lord, the interdimension...
Astronomical Suffering and the Terran Diaspora
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For many futurists, the long term survival of humanity depends on its ability to become a true interplanetary and even interstellar species. But what ...
The Invention of Soap
20 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We’re all probably using a lot more soap these days, but… what is it exactly? How does it work? Who invented it and how has it changed the world? ...
From the Vault: Flatus Ex Machina, Part 1
18 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why is it so hilarious when robots and artificial intelligence fail? What does it reveal about comedy itself and our technological anxiety? Robert Lam...
Invention Playlist: The X-Ray
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the Invention podcast ends, discussions of techno-history become part of STBYM again. So let's explore some past episodes of Robert and Joe's other...
Invention Playlist: The Telescope
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the Invention podcast ends, discussions of techno-history become part of STBYM again. So let's explore some past episodes of Robert and Joe's other...
Invention Playlist: The Motion Picture, Part 3
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the Invention podcast ends, discussions of techno-history become part of STBYM again. So let's explore some past episodes of Robert and Joe's other...
Invention Playlist: A Motion Picture Mystery
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the Invention podcast ends, discussions of techno-history become part of STBYM again. So let's explore some past episodes of Robert and Joe's other...
Invention Playlist: The Motion Picture, Part 2
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the Invention podcast ends, discussions of techno-history become part of STBYM again. So let's explore some past episodes of Robert and Joe's other...
Invention Playlist: The Motion Picture, Part 1
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the Invention podcast ends, discussions of techno-history become part of STBYM again. So let's explore some past episodes of Robert and Joe's other...
Invention Playlist: The Camera, Part 3
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the Invention podcast ends, discussions of techno-history become part of STBYM again. So let's explore some past episodes of Robert and Joe's other...
Invention Playlist: The Camera, Part 2
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the Invention podcast ends, discussions of techno-history become part of STBYM again. So let's explore some past episodes of Robert and Joe's other...
Invention Playlist: The Camera, Part 1
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the Invention podcast ends, discussions of techno-history become part of STBYM again. So let's explore some past episodes of Robert and Joe's other...
Invention Playlist: The Camera Obscura
17 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the Invention podcast ends, discussions of techno-history become part of STBYM again. So let's explore some past episodes of Robert and Joe's other...
Brian Greene on the End of Time
16 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Theoretical Physicist Brian Greene’s new book “Until the End of Time” contemplates the entirety of human history and the known universe in a sin...
Daniel Whiteson on Space Itself
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What exactly is space? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, physicist Daniel Whiteson, co-host of the podcast Daniel and Jorge Explain the Univ...
From the Vault: M.I.B. or N.I.B.?
11 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Belief in UFOs is very much like a religion. It can fulfill the same purpose in an individual's life, give them a community of believers and provide g...
Matinee Science Playlist, Part 7: ‘The Tingler’
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ladies and gentlemen, just a word of warning. If any of you are not convinced that you have a tingler of your own, the next time you're frightened in ...
Matinee Science Playlist, Part 6: ‘Silent Running’
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It calls back a time when there were flowers all over the Earth... and there were valleys. And there were plains of tall green grass that you could li...
Matinee Science Playlist, Part 9: ‘Bandersnatch’
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
If you listen closely, you can hear the numbers. There's a cosmic flowchart that dictates where you can and where you can't go. I've given you the kno...
Matinee Science Playlist, Part 5: Science of Thulsa Doom, Part 2
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Contemplate this on the tree of woe. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
Matinee Science Playlist, Part 10: ‘The Fly’
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You're afraid to dive into the plasma pool, aren't you? You're afraid to be destroyed and recreated, aren't you? Learn more about your ad-choices at ...
Matinee Science Playlist, Part 8: ‘Hellraiser’
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
I thought I'd gone to the limits. I hadn't. The Cenobites gave me an experience beyond limits. Pain and pleasure, indivisible. Learn more about your ...
Matinee Science Playlist, Part 4: Science of Thulsa Doom, Part 1
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Now they will know why they are afraid of the dark. Now they learn why they fear the night. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpod...
Matinee Science Playlist, Part 2: ‘The Dark Crystal’
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
End, begin, all the same. Big change. Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omny...
Matinee Science Playlist, Part 3: ‘Highlander 2’
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Most people have a full measure of life... and most people just watch it slowly drip away. But if you can summon it all up... at one time... in one pl...
Matinee Science Playlist, Part 1: ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dave, I can see you're really upset about this. I honestly think you ought to sit down calmly, take a stress pill, and think things over. Learn more ...
The Bone Palace, Part 2
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From an imagined palace constructed out of bone to the curious ways in which animals and humans use bone for tools and construction materials, take a ...
The Bone Palace, Part 1
07 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From an imagined palace constructed out of bone to the curious ways in which animals and humans use bone for tools and construction materials, take a ...
From the Vault: Bugs Under The Skin
04 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like there are bugs crawling around in your body? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick explore alleged ...
Realms of Myth Playlist, Part 10: Chinese Immortality
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Explore tales and traditions from Taoist sorcery, alchemy and Chinese folktales. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork...
Realms of Myth Playlist, Part 9: Wound Mouth of the Undying Hydra
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From myth to biology, the hydra hungers and grows. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listene...
Realms of Myth Playlist, Part 8: Unicorns of the Mythic World
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the power and symbolism of the unicorn. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener ...
Realms of Myth Playlist, Part 7: The Trident
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is the meaning of Poseidon's divine weapon? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener ...
Realms of Myth Playlist, Part 6: The Slayer
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who is the slayer and why is this figure so important to our ancient and modern myths? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastn...
Realms of Myth Playlist, Part 5: Demon Eaters and Possessed Tools
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Meet the demon slayer Zhōng Kuí and follow a procession of spirits across the sea to Japan. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartp...
Realms of Myth Playlist, Part 4: Bones of the Plumed Serpent
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Venture into the world of Quetzalcoatl. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for priva...
Realms of Myth Playlist, Part 3: Talos
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Get to know everyone's favorite ancient bronze age robot. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/...
Realms of Myth Playlist, Part 2: The Myth-Fleshed Fossil
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Explore the place where geology and mythology converge. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/li...
Realms of Myth Playlist, Part 1: Unraveling the Mythic
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is mythology and why is it so important? Find out... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/...
Déjà vu, Anxiety and Dreams, Part 2
02 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is déjà vu and how does it relate to dreams and anxiety? Robert and Joe discuss what is known about this curious anomaly of memory on Stuff to ...
Déjà vu, Anxiety and Dreams
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is déjà vu and how does it relate to dreams and anxiety? Robert and Joe discuss what is known about this curious anomaly of memory on Stuff to ...
From the Vault: The Lost Daughters of Aten, Part 2
28 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Pluto may not be a planet, but it definitely exists. Not every case is so clear. The history of near-Earth astronomy contains many cases of bodies tha...
Interview Interlude Playlist, Part 10: Dr. Jeff Hoffman
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about life beyond Earth's magnetosphere. Here's our 2018 chat with astronaut Dr. Jeff Hoffman. Learn more about your ad-choices at https:/...
Interview Interlude Playlist, Part 9: Carl Zimmer
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about heredity. Here's our 2018 chat with acclaimed science writer Carl Zimmer about his book “She Has Her Mother's Laugh: The Powers, Pe...
Interview Interlude Playlist, Part 8: Marah Hardt
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about the love life of coral with "Sex in the Sea" author Dr. Marah J. Hardt. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcas...
Interview Interlude Playlist, Part 7: R. Scott Bakker
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about alien philosophy. Here's our 2017 chat with Canadian author R. Scott Bakker, discussing his dark fantasy novels as well as his paper ...
Interview Interlude Playlist, Part 6: Mary Roach
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about penis transplants. Here's our 2016 chat with author Mary Roach, who devotes two chapters of her book "Grunt: The Curious Science of H...
Interview Interlude Playlist, Part 5: Mark Mandica
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about salamanders. Here's our 2018 chat with Mark Mandica, executive director of The Amphibian Foundation. Learn more about your ad-choice...
Interview Interlude Playlist, Part 4: Gene Kritsky
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about ancient Egyptian bee keeping. Here's our 2016 chat with "The Tears of Re" author entomologist Gene Kritsky. Learn more about your ad...
Interview Interlude Playlist, Part 3: Thomas S. Mullaney
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about the Chinese typewriter. Here's our 2018 chat with Thomas S. Mullaney about his book “The Chinese Typewriter: A History.” Learn m...
Interview Interlude Playlist, Part 2: Brian Greene, Max Tegmark and Barbara J. King
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about string theory, super AI and animal emotions. Here are our 2018 World Science Festival interviews with physicist Brian Greene, physici...
Interview Interlude Playlist, Part 1: Diva Amon
27 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Let's talk about deep sea ecology and conservation. Here's our 2019 chat with deep sea marine biologist Diva Amon. Learn more about your ad-choices a...
Twilight of the Moa
26 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Moa of New Zealand were among the weirdest birds to ever live, and their history is full of evolutionary wonder, interspecies conflict, tragedy an...
Rise of the Moa
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Moa of New Zealand were among the weirdest birds to ever live, and their history is full of evolutionary wonder, interspecies conflict, tragedy an...
From the Vault: The Lost Daughters of Aten, Part 1
21 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Pluto may not be a planet, but it definitely exists. Not every case is so clear. The history of near-Earth astronomy contains many cases of bodies tha...
Space Between: A STBYM Update Episode
19 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe catch you up to date on the podcast’s production schedule and generally check in with lis...
Invertebrate Emotions, Part 2
17 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Humans are feeling creatures, constantly awash in a sea of emotion. We struggle to understand the waters that suffuse us, but what about other denizen...
From the Vault: Gáe Bulg
14 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Irish myth tells of a spear so deadly, that its deployment is certain death. Forged from the bones of sea monsters, the Gáe Bulg would send barbs thr...
Invertebrate Emotions, Part 1
12 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Humans are feeling creatures, constantly awash in a sea of emotion. We struggle to understand the waters that suffuse us, but what about other denizen...
Biology of the Hobbit
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Not to question the wisdom of Gandalf the Grey, but a hobbit might seem like a poor choice for a continent-sprawling journey to rid the world of evil....
From the Vault: The Dark Crystal
07 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time for another movie-themed episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and this time Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick are bound for the world of Thra in...
Autogenics
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From a self-hypnosis practice rooted in early 20th century psychiatry to the Nazi persecution of homosexuals, Robert and Joe discuss autogenics traini...
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
03 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
As the world reacts to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Robert and Joe devote an episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind to cover what’s currentl...
From the Vault: Split Brain, Part 2
29 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our brains are composed of two hemispheres, but in what ways are they truly separate? In which ways are they one? In this bisected Stuff to Blow Your ...