Best Space Garbage Podcasts (2025)

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What Did Teddy Roosevelt Do to Dr. Seuss?! 46:25

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1d ago46:25

46:25

Today Mango sits down with Erin McCarthy, editor-in-chief of Mental Floss, to talk about our 26th president, Teddy Roosevelt… from whether he really climbed a mountain out of spite, to how a seal inspired his fossil collection, to what made him so darn productive (hint: it helps to drink coffee from a mug the size of a bathtub). Plus, we get into j…

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Introducing: Health Stuff 2:21

4d ago2:21

2:21

Hi, Part-Time Genius listeners! We're excited to share with you a sneak peek at iHeartPodcasts' latest release, Health Stuff! Health Stuff: On Health Stuff, hosts Dr. Priyanka Wali and comedian Hari Kondabolu tackle all the health questions that keep you up at night with hilarity and humanity. Together, they demystify the flashy trends, and keep yo…

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9 Mustache Facts to Kick Off Movember! 11:47

5d ago11:47

11:47

From the super strange reason Burt Reynolds grew a mustache to why you need to invest in a mustache spoon, Will and Mango chat all things facial topiaries with their good pals Yves and Alex. Special thanks to @doodlynoted on Instagram, whose amazing sketchnotes of this episode made us want to listen to it again! This episode originally aired on Nov…

1
Exploring Alien Science with Daniel Whiteson! 38:54

8d ago38:54

38:54

What if aliens came to earth… and helped us unlock the mysteries of the universe? That’s the premise of our pal Daniel Whiteson’s new book, Do Aliens Speak Physics?, and today on the show he tells us how thinking through this wacky scenario can tell us a lot about ourselves, our science, and the boundaries of knowledge. Plus: Why sci-fi is just as …

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PTG Recommends: Origin Stories! 7:41

11d ago7:41

7:41

On today's Rec Center, Mango introduces listeners to his pal Matthew Shaer's brand new podcast Origin Stories. If you're someone who misses the Longform podcast, loves to learn about the craft of writing, or just want to hear more from your favorite author and filmmaker, Origin Stories is probably what you've been looking for. On today's episode, M…

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Improving access to child care in Waterloo Region 14:46

6d ago14:46

14:46

The federal government continues to work with provincial governments to fund more child care spaces across the country in an effort to reduce child care costs to $10 a day. On this episode of Your Region Pod, we’re going to look at the impact of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system (CWELCC) on families in Waterloo Region. So far, 3,…

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9 Spooky, Ooky Facts About Charles Addams 30:03

12d ago30:03

30:03

We all know the famous family—but what about the man behind them, lurking in the shadows? Mango and Gabe decided to celebrate Halloween by unearthing some weird, delightful, and weirdly delightful stories about cartoonist Charles Addams, from his childhood love of creeping around vacant houses to the unexpected way his TV show made tech history. Wa…

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Episode 62: Practical AI at Work: How Execs and Developers Can Actually Use LLMs 59:04

12d ago59:04

59:04

Many leaders are trapped between chasing ambitious, ill-defined AI projects and the paralysis of not knowing where to start. Dr. Randall Olson argues that the real opportunity isn't in moonshots, but in the "trillions of dollars of business value" available right now. As co-founder of Wyrd Studios, he bridges the gap between data science, AI engine…

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9 Halloween Facts to Stuff in Your Pillowcases! 10:13

15d ago10:13

10:13

In Iowa, you can't just show up on your neighbor's doorstep with a costume... kids have to work for the treats! Grab your pillowcase, bucket, or plastic pumpkin-shaped pail and join Will, Mango, and Gabe for a very sweet-and-spooky episode to get yourself excited for Halloween This episode originally aired on October 26, 2017. Got a question you’d …

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Being Curious for a Living with Josh & Chuck from Stuff You Should Know 45:30

20d ago45:30

45:30

We’re closing out this week of curiosity with our good pals Josh and Chuck (and super producer Jeri!) from Stuff You Should Know. It’s a wide-ranging, brain-tickling conversation that touches on everything from childhood obsessions to SYSK behind-the-scenes stories to the shocking truth about off-mic personas. Plus: Everyone tries to figure out whi…

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Are We Doomed to Lose Curiosity As We Age? 32:31

21d ago32:31

32:31

Today Will and Mango explore the science of curiosity at different ages: how school can help (or hurt) kids’ curiosity, why middle age may make you less curious, and what we know about babies’ curiosity, even though they can’t fill out questionnaires. Plus: A conversation with a researcher who made a surprising discovery about elderly people, and e…

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Can Pets Be Curious? How About Wild Chimps? 32:09

22d ago32:09

32:09

Today we’re taking a break from human curiosity and turning our attention to other animals. What makes hummingbirds explore different flowers? Are we to blame for rats’ curiosity? Are animals in the wild more or less curious than animals in captivity? And if you were a zebrafish, which would you find more interesting: a white shell or a purple cup?…

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Is Curiosity Dangerous? 31:14

23d ago31:14

31:14

Where did the saying “curiosity killed the cat” come from, and is it just a way for the rich and powerful to oppress everyone else? (Hint: yes.) Today on the show, Will and Mango take a look at curiosity’s checkered history: from the Middle Ages (when it was considered a threat to society) to the 17th century (when it became downright trendy) to to…

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What Does Curiosity Really Do To Our Brains? 35:10

24d ago35:10

35:10

Every day this week, we’re exploring a different aspect of curiosity—you know, the thing that makes you listen to this show. We’re starting off by discovering what happens in our brains when we experience curiosity, why some things make us curious and others don’t, how a lack of novelty can lead to pretty strange behavior, and how all of this ties …

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How Come Esperanto Never Took Off?! 30:45

27d ago30:45

30:45

Want to know which billionaire speaks Esperanto fluently? Or what country almost adopted Esperanto as its national language? Or why Hitler and Stalin were both afraid of Dr. Esperanto (actually Doktoro Esperanto)? Join Will and Mango as they dive into the incredible world of constructed languages and also discover why William Shatner isn't just the…

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Episode 61: The AI Agent Reliability Cliff: What Happens When Tools Fail in Production 28:04

28d ago28:04

28:04

Most AI teams find their multi-agent systems devolving into chaos, but ML Engineer Alex Strick van Linschoten argues they are ignoring the production reality. In this episode, he draws on insights from the LLM Ops Database (750+ real-world deployments then; now nearly 1,000!) to systematically measure and engineer constraint, turning unreliable pro…

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Can Pneumatic Tubes and Robot Sharks Solve Our Garbage Crisis? 38:59

30d ago38:59

38:59

Today Mango and producer Mary are talking trash! Discover how people used to deal with trash (hint: it involved thousands of feral pigs), and why garbology is an actual science that can teach us a lot about ourselves. Plus, we take a look at the most creative modern garbage disposal technologies, from underground tubes to robot sharks to giant anth…

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Why did Venus Flytraps Develop a Taste for Meat? 35:02

1M ago35:02

35:02

From plants that eat rats and frogs, to the strange reason bats curl up in pitcher plants, Will and Mango explore the eerie world of carnivorous plants. This episode originally aired on November 9, 2018. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think we should explore? Email [email protected] or leave us a message at (302) 405-5…

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The Mystery of the Missing Tintin Plays 34:06

1M ago34:06

34:06

By iHeartPodcasts and Kaleidoscope

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What’s the Best Day of the Week? 39:36

1M ago39:36

39:36

We all know which day Garfield hates. But what’s the best day to avoid a bank robbery? And when can you get the freshest sushi? And why are there seven days in a week, anyway? Will and Mango dive into your calendars, and emerge with some pretty surprising answers. Featuring author Melissa Heckscher. This episode originally aired on August 25, 2017.…

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Was Tintin a Real Person? 41:46

1M ago41:46

41:46

Millions of readers have been captivated by the adventures of Tintin, a swoopy-haired young journalist who races around the world with his little dog, Snowy. But it turns out the story behind the stories is just as interesting! Today Mango and Gabe bring you part one of our two-part dive into all things Tintin. We’ll meet the failed characters who …

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Episode 60: 10 Things I Hate About AI Evals with Hamel Husain 1:13:15

1M ago1:13:15

1:13:15

Most AI teams find "evals" frustrating, but ML Engineer Hamel Husain argues they’re just using the wrong playbook. In this episode, he lays out a data-centric approach to systematically measure and improve AI, turning unreliable prototypes into robust, production-ready systems. Drawing from his experience getting countless teams unstuck, Hamel expl…

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9 Facts to Get You in the Apple-Picking Mood 14:35

2M ago14:35

14:35

Which apple could also be a hair metal band? Why is New York City the Big Apple and not the New Orange? And how did Japanese farmers figure out the secret to the biggest, sweetest apples in the world? Grab a flannel shirt and a bag of fresh cider doughnuts, because today Will and Mango are taking you apple-fact picking! This episode originally aire…

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Episode 59: Patterns and Anti-Patterns For Building with AI 47:37

1M ago47:37

47:37

John Berryman (Arcturus Labs; early GitHub Copilot engineer; co-author of Relevant Search and Prompt Engineering for LLMs) has spent years figuring out what makes AI applications actually work in production. In this episode, he shares the “seven deadly sins” of LLM development — and the practical fixes that keep projects from stalling. From context…

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9 Sneaky Ways to Send a Message 31:14

2M ago31:14

31:14

There are lots of ways we could tell you about the art of secret messaging: we could waggle a blanket, grab a bucket of gallnuts and iron supplements, flutter our fans, or tattoo some information on a hapless intern’s scalp. But that’s pretty complicated, so Mango and Gabe made a podcast about it instead. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A r…

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Did Picasso Try to Steal the Mona Lisa? 30:31

2M ago30:31

30:31

How did the Mona Lisa get so famous? Why doesn't she have any eyebrows? And why was Picasso investigated for the painting's theft? Today, Will and Mango go deep on the mysterious beauty and discover what—and who!—is behind that sly smile. This episode originally aired on May 30, 2024. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbit hole you think …

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Why Is It So Hard to Get Rid of Lice?! 39:55

2M ago39:55

39:55

For a tiny insect, lice sure can cause big problems! Today Mango and producer Mary—both veterans of the head lice wars—dive into the ancient history of this itchy critter (including mummies with lice!), explore bizarre superstitions and home remedies you shouldn’t try (please don’t dunk your head in kerosene!), and finally, talk to some experts abo…

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Does Pizza Bring Out the Worst In People? 34:28

2M ago34:28

34:28

Everyone says money is the root of all evil... but are you 100% certain it isn’t pizza? Will and Mango take a deep dive into a shallow dish (more of a pan, really) to discuss pizza wars, mafia ties, and why the proper term for a pizza rat in Australia is a Charlie Cheese. Featuring Scott Weiner from Scott’s Pizza Tours. This episode originally aire…

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Episode 58: Building GenAI Systems That Make Business Decisions with Thomas Wiecki (PyMC Labs) 1:00:45

2M ago1:00:45

1:00:45

While most conversations about generative AI focus on chatbots, Thomas Wiecki (PyMC Labs, PyMC) has been building systems that help companies make actual business decisions. In this episode, he shares how Bayesian modeling and synthetic consumers can be combined with LLMs to simulate customer reactions, guide marketing spend, and support strategy. …

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What's the Worst Mascot of All Time? (And Who Invented Mascots, Anyway?) 32:01

2M ago32:01

32:01

Today Will and Mango are tipping their hats to the true MVPs of competitive sports: mascots! Find out how these costumed characters became a fixture of modern ballgames, and take a trip back to antiquity to meet the avian mascots of ancient Greece and Rome. Plus: the Muppet-y pedigree of the Philly Phanatic, the wacky world of Japanese civic mascot…

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Are There Benefits to Procrastinating? 27:49

2M ago27:49

27:49

Why do so many smart people procrastinate? Is there a link between extreme achievement and putting off your work? And should you behead a roadside statue of St. Expedite if you miss a deadline? Will and Mango chat with author Andrew Santella about his book SOON: An Overdue History of Procrastination, from Leonardo and Darwin to You and Me, to discu…

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A Hungry Fungus and the Epic Quest to Save Wet Books! 30:55

2M ago30:55

30:55

It’s the grand finale! Our last four greatest science ideas of the past 25 years include a very hungry super fungus, a chemical-free (but not dubstep-free) insect repellent, a poignant story of agricultural polymers and wet books, and a cure for sleep apnea that may require some negotiations with your neighbors. Check out the Zorbix website and You…

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Dancing Molecules and a Plywood Miracle! 24:59

2M ago24:59

24:59

It’s the home stretch! Buckle up for ideas 8 through 5, which include some magical molecules, a sea creature that helped reinvent plywood, a medical treatment with terrifying origins, and a discovery that practically upended the world of classical music. This episode originally aired on March 6, 2025. Got a question you’d like us to answer? A rabbi…

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Caffeinated Concrete and a Song About Particle Physics! 31:30

2M ago31:30

31:30

Today we’re covering ideas 13 through 9! These include a fascinating discovery about NASCAR and psychology, a clock that’s so accurate it’s reshaping our understanding of time, a tasty way to make concrete stronger (and more environmentally friendly), and some truly delightful revelations about dinosaurs. Plus: We explain particle physics through s…

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Self-Healing Glass and Virtual Dolphins! 31:19

2M ago31:19

31:19

The countdown continues with ideas 19 through 14, and today we’re talking virtual dolphins, a bike helmet you’ll actually want to wear, glass that un-breaks itself, unusual diet tips from the Amazon, personal germ clouds, and a high-tech approach to eating lobster. Check out Shucks Maine Lobster here! This episode originally aired on March 4, 2025.…

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Jetlagged Hamsters and the Smell of Space! 36:24

3M ago36:24

36:24

While we take a short break this week, we're revisiting our countdown of the 25 greatest science ideas of the past 25 years! It all kicks off right here with a breakthrough for jetlagged hamsters, a hot tub that’ll take you on a journey, a better ketchup bottle, a solution for one of the world’s most common tech annoyances, and some very bad news: …

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Episode 57: AI Agents and LLM Judges at Scale: Processing Millions of Documents (Without Breaking the Bank) 41:27

3M ago41:27

41:27

While many people talk about “agents,” Shreya Shankar (UC Berkeley) has been building the systems that make them reliable. In this episode, she shares how AI agents and LLM judges can be used to process millions of documents accurately and cheaply. Drawing from work on projects ranging from databases of police misconduct reports to large-scale cust…

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Why Does Rocking Put Babies to Sleep? 39:36

3M ago39:36

39:36

Babies! We’ve all been one, and some of us have them. But did you know that baby talk serves an important purpose? Or that babies can fake tears to get attention? Today Mango and producer Gabe dig into some big science about tiny humans. Plus: What are zusers and bofels? Only a well-rested baby can answer that! Check out Candy Is Dandy: The Candy R…

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What Are the Greatest Things We Didn't Know About Brazil? 34:51

3M ago34:51

34:51

When's the best time to surf the Amazon? Can Brazilian termites help you make a better pizza? And did you pay too much for that venomous snake? (Spoiler alert: You probably did.) Today Will and Mango are uncovering some little-known facts about the big, beautiful country of Brazil! This episode originally aired on March 1, 2019. Got a question you’…

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9 Head-Spinning Facts About Carousels 19:43

3M ago19:43

19:43

Grab your riding crop and hold on tight, because today we’re taking a spin through the history of merry-go-rounds! Why do British carousels rotate in the opposite direction from the rest? Which future U.S. president had a summer job sanding ponies? And what’s the connection between carousels and Eggo waffles? Saddle up your speakers, because Will a…

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SPECIAL: Mark Mothersbaugh x Beatie Wolfe on "Postcard Playbox" 33:18

3M ago33:18

33:18

Beatie Wolfe and Mark Mothersbaugh pull postcards from the tens of thousands they’ve received for their collective art demonstration ‘Postcards for Democracy’ and pair them with tracks of their choosing. Join this movement and potentially a future radio show by making and mailing your post art to 8760 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069. Alternat…

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Who Invented the Dunce Cap? (And Other Unusual School Supplies) 27:53

3M ago27:53

27:53

Why is there a bull on the Elmer's glue bottle? What did kids use to carry their books around before they had backpacks? And why does a giant cone tree get everyone excited about starting school in Germany? Will and Mango dig deep into their Trapper Keepers to bring you some stories you definitely didn't learn in school. This episode originally air…

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Episode 56: DeepMind Just Dropped Gemma 270M... And Here’s Why It Matters 45:40

3M ago45:40

45:40

While much of the AI world chases ever-larger models, Ravin Kumar (Google DeepMind) and his team build across the size spectrum, from billions of parameters down to this week’s release: Gemma 270M, the smallest member yet of the Gemma 3 open-weight family. At just 270 million parameters, a quarter the size of Gemma 1B, it’s designed for speed, effi…

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Episode 55: From Frittatas to Production LLMs: Breakfast at SciPy 38:08

3M ago38:08

38:08

Traditional software expects 100% passing tests. In LLM-powered systems, that’s not just unrealistic — it’s a feature, not a bug. Eric Ma leads research data science in Moderna’s data science and AI group, and over breakfast at SciPy we explored why AI products break the old rules, what skills different personas bring (and miss), and how to keep sy…

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9 Crazy Stories About Debt (Including when you could pay your rent in Eels?!) 27:34

3M ago27:34

27:34

What’s more fun than financial debt? Honestly, just about anything! But the team here has a knack for finding the silly side of any subject, and the history of people owing money to each other is no exception. Today, the guys share some out-of-the-box ideas for settling a debt, including paying your rent with a bunch of dead eels (looking at you, m…

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How to Build the Ultimate Theme Park! 43:29

3M ago43:29

43:29

If you want to build a theme park, there are some big questions to answer. Is it really a theme park, or is it an amusement park? (There’s a difference!) Also, how many Santa Clauses should you have? (Important.) And what do you need to do to be more eccentric than Walt Disney? (Start by picking a favorite juice, and then act irrationally when peop…

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How can you benefit from a roundabout? 10:48

3M ago10:48

10:48

With more than 40 across Waterloo Region, the Region is a leader in roundabouts in Canada. The Region's Transportation Services Director Mike Henderson says we've learned a lot in 25 years, and we continue to make improvements with a new pilot project set to begin this fall. In this episode of Your Region Pod, we chat with people on the street abou…

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9 Bonzer Tips for Traveling Across Australia 20:31

3M ago20:31

20:31

Summer may be winding down, but we’re not done traveling yet—so grab your SPF and join Will and Mango on a big trip across the world’s smallest continent! Want to know the secret to Aussie slang? Or why the country is littered with ghost towns? We cover all that and more, including the best place to spot a pod of orcas and the least sweltering time…

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Why Is It More Dangerous to Be a Park Ranger Than an FBI Agent? 36:07

3M ago36:07

36:07

Park rangers do so much more than just keeping Yogi Bear from stealing picnic baskets. Whether it’s outsmarting poachers, fending off the Klan, protecting tourists from gator attacks, or helping tiny endangered species make their way to sea, Will and Mango celebrate the heroes who keep our national parks running. This episode originally aired on Ap…

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A is for Abalone: marine biologist Dr Melissa Neuman⁠ 1:21:38

3M ago1:21:38

1:21:38

A is for Abalone: Beatie Wolfe interviews marine biologist and conservationist Dr Melissa Neuman about her upbring and work protecting conserving and restoring endangered white abalone, a key member of the kelp forest ecosystem in the US and Mexico, by reintroducing captive-bred white abalone into the wild. Orange Juice for the Ears with “musical w…