Best Space Garbage Podcasts (2026)

1
How Do People Game the Lottery? 37:46

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8h ago37:46

37:46

From the Canadian professor who found patterns in scratch-off lottery tickets, to the Michigan couple that turned a lottery flaw into their retirement savings plan, to the strange reason you should hold onto any lottery ticket that has Herbert Hoover's face on it, Will and Mango look into the long history of lotteries... and the geniuses who've man…

1
‘The Kissing Bug’ And The Story Of A Neglected Disease 18:15

10h ago18:15

18:15

Growing up, Daisy Hernández was told that her aunt had become ill from eating a bad apple. She watched as her aunt became sicker and sicker, and didn’t learn until years later that she was living with Chagas disease. It affects around 8 million people, mostly across the Americas, and yet many of us have never heard of it. Hernandez’s book, The Kiss…

1
Are Raccoons On The Road To Domestication? 18:10

1d ago18:10

18:10

What does it mean to be a wild animal in a world dominated by humans? A recent study found that city-dwelling raccoons’ snouts are getting shorter—a sign of domestication. Another study on dark-eyed juncos living on a Los Angeles college campus found that their beaks changed shape during the COVID-19 lockdown, when there wasn’t as much food and tra…

1
The Community Group Rethinking LA's Approach To Wildfires 14:18

2d ago14:18

14:18

A year ago this week, the Eaton and Palisades fires broke out in Los Angeles, and ultimately became one of the most destructive urban fire events in recent history. Today we’ll hear about a community brigade that is taking firefighting into its own hands through a technique called “home hardening.” Journalist Adriana Cargill, host of the new podcas…

1
Venusology (VENUS) with Vicki Hansen 1:11:06

3d ago1:11:06

1:11:06

Gassy veils! Orange sunlight! Alien life? It’s the sole goddess of our solar system: Venus. And to tour us through her beauty is the charming and enthusiastic planetary geologist and Venusian expert Dr. Vickie Hansen, a Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute. In what is sure to become an instant classic, Vickie will delight you with ta…

1
Why Did the Inventor of Shopping Malls Hate Malls? 33:07

3d ago33:07

33:07

While no one is going to malls (or so it seems), everyone seems to be talking about them: the CDC is writing up reports on mall walkers, people are growing beards to get into the mall Santa game, and writers are waxing nostalgic about them. But what exactly were malls intended to be? Why did the inventor of the mall try to distance himself from his…

1
What Should Astronauts Do First When They Reach Mars? 17:55

3d ago17:55

17:55

When humans finally land on Mars, what should they do? A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine lays out the science objectives for a crewed Mars mission. Planetary scientist Lindy Elkins-Tanton, who co-chaired the report committee, joins Host Flora Lichtman to talk about the plans to send people to Mars. We’l…

1
#345 Fair Game - with Ellie Roscher 1:01:19

24h ago1:01:19

1:01:19

Natalia welcomes back author and artist and friend of the pod friend of God Ellie Roscher to talk about her new book: Fair Game: Trans Athletes and the Future of Sports. Book Ellie's Website Previous Ellie CC Episodes (SO MANY, but here are a few): Tiny Things The Embodied Path The Body Stories Embodiment as a Spiritual Practice Search Ellie Rosche…

1
Can The Rise In Solar Power Balance Out Clean Energy Cuts? 17:13

4d ago17:13

17:13

Since President Trump returned to office, his administration has been aggressive in rolling back clean energy initiatives. Trump’s “big beautiful bill” ended tax credits for solar panels and electric vehicles. And the EPA is moving to cancel $7 billion dollars in federal grants that were intended to help low- and middle-income families install sola…

1
9 High-Flying Facts About Skywriting! 25:45

7d ago25:45

25:45

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… an ad for cigarettes?! For the past 102 years, people have been using airplanes to turn exhaust into ads, political slogans, birthday greetings, and more. But where did this strangely brilliant idea come from? What kind of sorcery do pilots use to make it happen? And why is it at risk of becoming a lost art? This ep…

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Are Ultramarathoners Just Built Different? 17:31

7d ago17:31

17:31

‘Tis the season for exercise resolutions. For a select few, an ultramarathon—a race of 50, 100, or even more miles—may be on the table for 2026. But is there a limit to what our bodies can endure? And what makes ultramarathoners capable of these tremendous feats? Joining Host Flora Lichtman are sports medicine expert Brandee Waite and biological an…

1
Your Cells Are Always Building A Whole New You 18:04

8d ago18:04

18:04

In the last year, you’ve basically replaced your body weight in new cells. So yes, it’s a new year, new you. To ring in 2026, we’re talking about starting anew, and drawing inspiration from tiny worms that embody the ultimate growth mindset—they can regrow a whole body from just a tiny piece of their tail. In this festive episode, Host Flora Lichtm…

2
A Look Back At 2025 In Science, From Federal Cuts To Space Junk 15:51

9d ago15:51

15:51

This has been a busy year in science, from government budget cuts and policy changes affecting research, to the record rise of renewables, to the surge in AI, and everything in between. Science journalists Sophie Bushwick and Maggie Koerth join Host Ira Flatow to unpack some of the year’s top stories, and some you might have missed. Guests: Sophie …

1
Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) Part 2 Encore with How to ADHD, Black Girl Lost Keys, Jahla Osborne + more 1:37:09

9d ago1:37:09

1:37:09

Did Part 1 leave you informed and now you need a pep talk? Get ready for an absolute banger of an encore episode with 5 experts: René Brooks of BlackGirlLostKeys.com, TEDTalk speaker and How to ADHD YouTuber Jessica McCabe and neuroscientist Dr. Jahla Osborne of University of Michigan. What is it like to get diagnosed? How do you know which medicat…

1
Cake in Space, a Musical Mushroom, and a Very Lonely Snail 30:01

10d ago30:01

30:01

It’s the 44th annual Part-Time Genius Awards! We’re honoring the people—and creatures—behind the year’s best stories, including a fungus that plays keyboards, a rare snail looking for love, a very nerdy math holiday, an incredible invention for astronauts who enjoy baking, an experiment with Batman, and more. Grab your tuxedo and let’s send 2025 of…

1
How Death Metal Singers Make Their Extreme Vocalizations 13:42

10d ago13:42

13:42

Being able to belt out a tune like Adele or Pavarotti is not just about raw talent. The best singers in the world have to work on their technique—like how to control their breath and develop the stamina to hit note after note for a two-hour concert. But pop stars and opera singers aren’t the only vocalists who have figured out how to harness their …

1
What The Sigma Is Algospeak? 18:48

11d ago18:48

18:48

Gen Alpha slang can seem unintelligible to adults, but linguist and TikToker Adam Aleksic argues language development in the internet age is worth legitimate study. In a conversation from July, Adam talks to Host Flora Lichtman about how algorithms and social media are changing the way we speak, and discusses his new book, Algospeak: How Social Med…

1
9 Very Important Facts About Bears 15:08

14d ago15:08

15:08

Whether you're an amateur bear enthusiast or prepping for a bear convention, these are the bear facts you'll need! Will and Mango explore a Canadian bear jail, learn why Pizzlies are taking over the world, and discover why Paddington Bear was once the pride of Africa. This episode originally aired on May 3, 2018. Get your official Part-Time Genius …

1
Tangling With Entanglement And Other Big Ideas In Physics 35:55

14d ago35:55

35:55

What have we learned in recent years about black holes? Can entangled quantum particles really communicate faster than light? What’s the story behind Schrödinger’s Cat? And, in this weird liminal space between the holidays, what even IS time, really? Physicist Sean Carroll and Host Ira Flatow tackled those big questions and more at a recent event a…

1
The Science Of Thriving In Winter—By Embracing It 17:34

15d ago17:34

17:34

Health psychologist Dr. Kari Leibowitz traveled to some of the coldest, darkest places on earth to learn how people there don’t just survive, but thrive in winter. She says that one of the key ingredients is adopting a positive wintertime mindset by focusing on and celebrating the good parts of winter. In a conversation from January, Flora Lichtman…

1
A Neurologist Investigates His Own Musical Hallucinations 10:50

16d ago10:50

10:50

Imagine sitting at home and then all of a sudden you hear a men’s choir belting out “The Star Spangled Banner.” You check your phone, computer, radio. Nothing’s playing. You look outside, no one’s there. That’s what happened to neurologist Bruce Dobkin after he received a cochlear implant. He set out to learn everything he could about the condition…

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Attention-Deficit Neuropsychology (ADHD) Part 1 Encore with Russell Barkley 1:40:25

17d ago1:40:25

1:40:25

Focus. Productivity. Relationships. Distraction. Neurodiversity. How do you know if you have ADHD? How can you get others to understand your ADHD brain? What are your treatment options and how can they help? In this encore of our wildly popular Part 1 episode, we talk racing thoughts, brilliant brains and the causes and effects of Attention-Deficit…

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31 My Worst Christmas 15:26

13d ago15:26

15:26

Happy Holidays Aardvarkians! Welcome to "My Worst Christmas." No Hans Gruber did not take over my Christmas Party, I received my Christmas bonus this year, but I wouldn't mind a one-year subscription to the Jelly of the Month Club, and I didn't spend all my bonus on removing my son's tattoo and betting on Santa's Little Helper. My worst Christmas i…

1
From Business History: Thomas Edison and the Movie Murder Mystery 54:32

17d ago54:32

54:32

We’re sharing a preview of another podcast we think you’ll enjoy, Business History. Former Planet Money hosts Jacob Goldstein and Robert Smith examine the surprising stories of businesses big and small, bringing to life the greatest innovations, the boldest entrepreneurs and the craziest mavericks in the archives of commerce. They share why some co…

1
‘Prehistoric Planet’ Defrosts Strange Animals Of The Ice Age 17:56

17d ago17:56

17:56

Koalas with the bodies of lions. Elephants the size of your dog. Gigantic, 8-foot-tall sloths. These aren’t creatures found in science fiction: They walked our planet a million years ago, during the Ice Age. That’s the focus of the third season of the Apple TV series “Prehistoric Planet,” which uses the latest paleontology research and photorealist…

1
Holiday Loveline 2025 1:40:06

15d ago1:40:06

1:40:06

The ladies answer your burning love and sex questions just in time for the holidays!

1
#344 A Very Cafeteria Christmas 49:36

18d ago49:36

49:36

Emmy and Natalia create a little Christmas service video, for anyone who isn't quite feeling up to going into a church, for whatever reason. Special Musical Guests: Paul and Amy Koopman Patreon Email us questions or future episode suggestions Join us on the gram: @cafeteriachristianBy Cafeteria Christian

1
How Did Vaccine Policies Actually Change In 2025? 12:21

18d ago12:21

12:21

Since 1955, when Congress passed the Polio Vaccination Assistance Act, the federal government has been in the business of expanding access to vaccines. That is, until this year. 2025 has been filled with almost daily news stories about federal agencies, under the direction of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., casting doubts about vaccine safe…

1
Is Flavor Really All In Your Brain? 39:51

21d ago39:51

39:51

Believe it or not, heavier bowls, a pair of headphones, and an electronic lollipop can trick your mind grapes into making tasty food even tastier. But how? And why?! Plus, the legend of the PB-and-mayo sandwich, and one very cute pepper to avoid. Featuring Bob Holmes. This episode originally aired on June 30, 2017. Get your official Part-Time Geniu…

1
Why Astronomers Are Excited About Comet 3I/ATLAS’ Close Approach 18:33

21d ago18:33

18:33

This year, comet 3I/Atlas broke into our solar system, but also the zeitgeist. This dirty snowball is a visitor from another solar system, and it’s only the third interstellar object we’ve ever spotted. And today, it's closer to us than ever before—just 170 million miles away. Astronomy experts Stefanie Milam and Hakeem Oluseyi join Host Flora Lich…