Stuff To Blow Your Mind

From the Vault: The Fountain, Too Fast for Shadows

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why is a fountain in an urban environment so inviting and, at least to some extent, so calming? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Ro...

Listener Mail: Special Order 937

01 Jul 2024

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: Hooves, Part 2

29 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe consider the form and evolution of the horse hoof, as well as related adaptations. ...

Weirdhouse Cinema: Creature (1985)

28 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss William Malone’s 1985 “Alien” knock-off “Creature,” starring Stan Ivar, Wendy Scha...

Rise of the Cicadas, Part 4

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Rob and Joe explore the world of the periodical cicada, from their curious lifecycle to their mythological...

Smart Talks with IBM: AI & the Productivity Paradox

26 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a rapidly evolving world, we need to balance the fear surrounding AI and its role in the workplace with its potential to drive productivity growth....

Rise of the Cicadas, Part 3

25 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Rob and Joe explore the world of the periodical cicada, from their curious lifecycle to their mythological...

Listener Mail: Phaedra

24 Jun 2024

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: Hooves, Part 1

22 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe consider the form and evolution of the horse hoof, as well as related adaptations. ...

Weirdhouse Cinema: The Dungeonmaster

21 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the glorious world of 80s Charles Band productions with 1984’s “The Dungeonmaster,” ...

Rise of the Cicadas, Part 2

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Rob and Joe explore the world of the periodical cicada, from their curious lifecycle to their mythological...

New Season of Smart Talks with IBM Coming Soon

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Smart Talks with IBM returns with a new season on Tuesday, June 25th. This season, we’re diving back into the world of artificial intelligence, but ...

The Monsterfact Omnibus: Marvel Monsters 2

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special omnibus episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses Swarm, Puff Adder, Man-Thing and Colossus from the Marvel Comics univer...

From the Vault: Dreamfall into the Dark, Part 4

18 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The wonders and terrors of the dreaming mind do not always flee completely with the dawn. At certain times and places in history, it seems that dreams...

Listener Mail: Atem

17 Jun 2024

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: Dreamfall into the Dark, Part 3

15 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The wonders and terrors of the dreaming mind do not always flee completely with the dawn. At certain times and places in history, it seems that dreams...

Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind: The Neverending Story

14 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe venture into the 1984 fantasy film “The Neverending Story,” a generation-defining film b...

From the Vault: Dreamfall into the Dark, Part 2

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The wonders and terrors of the dreaming mind do not always flee completely with the dawn. At certain times and places in history, it seems that dreams...

The Monstrefact Omnibus: Star Trek

12 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special omnibus episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses four different creatures from the Star Trek universe: the Andorians, th...

From the Vault: Dreamfall into the Dark, Part 1

11 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The wonders and terrors of the dreaming mind do not always flee completely with the dawn. At certain times and places in history, it seems that dreams...

Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind: Seconds

10 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss John Frankenheimer's 1966 psychological horror film "Seconds," starring Rock Hudson,...

From the Vault: The Moons of Uranus, Part 3

08 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe continue their multi-year mission to discuss the various moons of our solar system ...

Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind: Planet of the Vampires

07 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss Mario Bava's hypnotic 1965 sci-fi horror movie "Planet of the Vampires." It has all ...

From the Vault: The Moons of Uranus, Part 2

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe continue their multi-year mission to discuss the various moons of our solar system ...

Animalia Stupendium Omnibus 1

05 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bored with dragons, the wizard Argomandanies turns his arcane attention to the fantastic fauna of the natural world. Welcome to Animalia Stupendium, a...

From the Vault: The Moons of Uranus, Part 1

04 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe continue their multi-year mission to discuss the various moons of our solar system ...

Listener Mail: Zeit

03 Jun 2024

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...

The Remarkable Beaver, Part 2

01 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beavers are incredible creatures and significant ecosystem manipulators, but they’ve also been subject to various written and illustrative inaccurac...

Weirdhouse Cinema: Black Lizard (1968)

31 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss Kinji Fukasaku’s weird 1968 super-criminal romp “Black Lizard,” starring Japanese drag...

Rise of the Cicadas, Part 1

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Rob and Joe explore the world of the periodical cicada, from their curious lifecycle to their mythological...

The Monstrefact: Marvel's Colossus

29 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses Colossus, the metal-skinned mutant from Marvel’s X-men…See omnystudio.com/listener ...

From the Vault: Inner Cosmos, with David Eagleman

28 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, neuroscientist and author David Eagleman drops by the show to discuss his new podcast series “In...

Listener Mail: Blush Response

27 May 2024

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 Remarkable Beaver, Part 1

25 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beavers are incredible creatures and significant ecosystem manipulators, but they’ve also been subject to various written and illustrative inaccurac...

Weirdhouse Cinema: Evil Brain from Outer Space

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1966 sci-fi adventure film “Evil Brain from Outer Space,” an American release edited...

The Parrotfish, Part 2

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the weird and wonderful parrotfish: changers of sex, poopers of sand and – if the...

The Monstrefact: The Horta of Star Trek

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the alien Horta of the Star Trek universe, a silicon-based organism. See omnystudio.co...

The Parrotfish, Part 1

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the weird and wonderful parrotfish: changers of sex, poopers of sand and – if the...

Listener Mail: When Twilight Falls On NGC 891

20 May 2024

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: A Game of Telephone, Part 2

18 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the so-called “telephone game,” in which a whispered message travels th...

Weirdhouse Cinema: House (1977)

17 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss one of the towering monoliths of Japanese weird cinema: Nobuhiko Obayashi’s “House” AK...

Meteoric Metal and Alien Iron, Part 3

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Before the dawn of the iron age, ancient humans had but one source of workable iron for their artifacts and weapons: meteorites. In this very-metal ep...

The Monstrefact: The Ceti Eels of Star Trek

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the Ceti eels of the Star Trek universe, a form of fictional brain parasite… See omn...

The Well-Connected Animal, with Lee Alan Dugatkin

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with evolutionary biologist and historian of science Lee Alan Dugatkin about his new book “...

Listener Mail: The Prophet's Song

13 May 2024

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: A Game of Telephone, Part 1

11 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the so-called “telephone game,” in which a whispered message travels th...

Weirdhouse Cinema: Psycho Beach Party

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob is joined by Seth Nicholas Johnson of Rusty Needle’s Record Club to discuss 2000’s “Psycho Beach Party...

Meteoric Metal and Alien Iron, Part 2

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Before the dawn of the iron age, ancient humans had but one source of workable iron for their artifacts and weapons: meteorites. In this very-metal ep...

The Monstrefact: The Tribbles of Star Trek

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the prolific and adorable tribbles of the Star Trek universe…See omnystudio.com/liste...

Meteoric Metal and Alien Iron, Part 1

07 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Before the dawn of the iron age, ancient humans had but one source of workable iron for their artifacts and weapons: meteorites. In this very-metal ep...

Listener Mail: Dirge for the Assassins

06 May 2024

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: Thar She Blows, Part 2

04 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the science of whale spout, as well as various misconceptions about just ho...

Weirdhouse Cinema: Highlander II, Part 2

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special two-part episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the original theatrical cut of Russell Mulcahy’s “Highlander II: The Qu...

From the Vault: Mutational Meltdown

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Asexual reproduction has its advantages, but organisms that depend too much on it also face potential extinction. In this classic episode of Stuff to ...

The Monstrefact: The Andorians of Star Trek

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the blue-skinned, antennae-equipped aliens of the Star Trek universe… See omnystudio...

Space Warfare, with Paul Szymanski

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with space strategies expert Paul Szymanski, co-author with Jerry Drew of the new book “The...

The Monstrefact Omnibus: Creatures of Myth and Legend

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, enjoy an assortment of six previously-published Monstrefact episodes concerning the mummy, knots...

From the Vault: Thar She Blows, Part 1

27 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the science of whale spout, as well as various misconceptions about just ho...

Weirdhouse Cinema: Highlander II, Part 1

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special two-part episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the original theatrical cut of Russell Mulcahy’s “Highlander II: The Qu...

The Very Dust, Part 5

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What exactly constitutes dust? What creatures thrive on it? How does it factor into our planet’s atmosphere? In this series of episodes from Stuff t...

Animalia Stupendium: The Common Kingfisher

24 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bored with dragons, the wizard Argomandanies turns his arcane attention to the fantastic fauna of the natural world. Welcome to Animalia Stupendium, a...

The Very Dust, Part 4: Mythology in Dust

23 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What exactly constitutes dust? What creatures thrive on it? How does it factor into our planet’s atmosphere? In this series of episodes from Stuff t...

Listener Mail: The Ripe Program

22 Apr 2024

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: Before You Could Remember, Part 3

20 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our personal memories only extend back so far in life, and before that, there is a void. Why don’t we remember our early childhood and what does it ...

Weirdhouse Cinema: On the Silver Globe

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1988 Polish science fiction film “On the Silver Globe,” directed by Andrzej Żuławs...

The Very Dust, Part 3

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What exactly constitutes dust? What creatures thrive on it? How does it factor into our planet’s atmosphere? In this series of episodes from Stuff t...

The Monstrefact: The Flight of Dragons

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses a curious proposed method of dragon flight proposed by author Peter Dickinson in the 19...

The Very Dust, Part 2

16 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What exactly constitutes dust? What creatures thrive on it? How does it factor into our planet’s atmosphere? In this series of episodes from Stuff t...

Listener Mail: Ephemerol

15 Apr 2024

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: Before You Could Remember, Part 2

13 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our personal memories only extend back so far in life, and before that, there is a void. Why don’t we remember our early childhood and what does it ...

Weirdhouse Cinema: Dragonslayer

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On the heels of Monday’s solar eclipse, Rob and Joe devote this week’s Weirdhouse Cinema episode to 1981’s “Dragonslayer.” The film features...

The Very Dust, Part 1

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What exactly constitutes dust? What creatures thrive on it? How does it factor into our planet’s atmosphere? In this series of episodes from Stuff t...

Smart Talks with IBM: The Power of Collaboration: How IBM Teams Up with Microsoft

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Entire industries are being reshaped around the new capabilities of generative AI. In this special bonus episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Tim Harford ...

In the Name of Osiris

09 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe follow up their two-part series on the Egyptian god Osiris with a look at various scientifi...

Listener Mail: Vale's Lonely Walk

08 Apr 2024

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: Before You Could Remember, Part 1

06 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Our personal memories only extend back so far in life, and before that, there is a void. Why don’t we remember our early childhood and what does it ...

Weirdhouse Cinema: Wolf Devil Woman

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1982 Taiwanese fantasy wuxia film Wolf Devil Woman, starring and directed by the amazing...

The Cult of Osiris, Part 2

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the Ancient Egyptian deity Osiris, an underworld fertility god and judge of the dea...

The Monstrefact: Marvel’s Man-Thing

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses Man-Thing from the world of Marvel Comics…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...

The Cult of Osiris, Part 1

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the Ancient Egyptian deity Osiris, an underworld fertility god and judge of the dea...

Listener Mail: Realm of Refraction

01 Apr 2024

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 Minimal Group Paradigm

30 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Humans obviously don’t have any difficulties finding division and tribalism, but just how little is required for factions to form? In this classic e...

Weirdhouse Cinema: Dr. Phibes Rises Again

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe dive back into the weird, wild world of Dr. Phibes with 1972’s “Dr. Phibes Rises Again,” starr...

Authenticity, Part 3

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the topic of authenticity. What is it? Why do we place such value on it? They discu...

Smart Talks with IBM: AI in Healthcare: How Generative AI Is Expanding Fertility Treatment

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As artificial intelligence progresses, healthcare providers are exploring how the technology can be used to offer personalized care at scale. In this ...

Asgardians: Odin, with George O'Connor

26 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with author and illustrator George O'Connor, creator of the popular Olympions graphic novel s...

Listener Mail: Trip the Light

25 Mar 2024

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: Washing of the Waters, Part 4

23 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The idea of healing via immersion in sacred or special waters dates back to prehistory, and it’s still alive and well in the modern world. In this c...

Weirdhouse Cinema: Dead Mountaineer's Hotel

22 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1979 Estonian sci-fi thriller “Dead Mountaineer’s Hotel,” based on the novel by Ar...

Authenticity, Part 2

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the topic of authenticity. What is it? Why do we place such value on it? They discu...

Animalia Stupendium: The Glass Frog

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bored with dragons, the wizard Argomandanies turns his arcane attention to the fantastic fauna of the natural world. Welcome to Animalia Stupendium, a...

Authenticity, Part 1

19 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the topic of authenticity. What is it? Why do we place such value on it? They discu...

Listener Mail: The Reflecting Chamber

18 Mar 2024

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: Washing of the Waters, Part 3

16 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The idea of healing via immersion in sacred or special waters dates back to prehistory, and it’s still alive and well in the modern world. In this c...

Weirdhouse Cinema: Dune (1984), Part 2

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this special two-part episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the planet of Arrakis in their discussion of David Lynch’s wild 1984 ad...

Life in the Hypogean World, Part 4

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We are creatures of the epigean world: the world of light on Earth’s surface. But there is another world – a world beneath the surface. In this ep...

The Artifact: Ornithopters of Dune

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of STBYM’s The Artifact, Robert discusses the ornithopters of Frank Herbert’s “Dune” and its cinematic adaptations… See omn...

Life in the Hypogean World, Part 3

12 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We are creatures of the epigean world: the world of light on Earth’s surface. But there is another world – a world beneath the surface. In this ep...

Listener Mail: Breathing the Pulse

11 Mar 2024

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: Washing of the Waters, Part 2

09 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The idea of healing via immersion in sacred or special waters dates back to prehistory, and it’s still alive and well in the modern world. In this c...