Best Super Garbage Day Podcasts (2025)

1
Super Garbage Day - Episode 89: The Legendary Axe (Turbografx-16) 44:52

Play Pause

8d ago44:52

44:52

Let me AXE you a question: have you ever played a Turbografx-16 in the flesh? If so, perhaps you have adventured with this red-headed hunk of a warrior as he traverses monkey pits to rescue some woman named "Flare". Make sense? Super Garbage Day Discord Super Garbage Day Patreon B-Ross's Twitch Stream Vanfernal's Retro Stream Show Super Garbage Day…

1
The Goo In Your Home Could Help Science Address Climate Change 18:21

4h ago18:21

18:21

We live in a world filled with microbes—they’re inside our bodies, in soil, in deep sea hydrothermal vents, and in your window AC unit. Some microbiologists are hopeful that finding more of these tiny organisms could help us address the climate crisis. Joining Host Flora Lichtman to talk about how are microbiologists James Henriksen and Lisa Stein.…

1
How Do GLP-1 Drugs Override Our Biology? 18:43

1d ago18:43

18:43

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic have dominated headlines over the past couple of years. When writing his new book, Diet, Drugs and Dopamine: The New Science of Achieving a Healthy Weight, former FDA commissioner David Kessler wanted to unpack the science beyond those headlines. He also has a personal relationship with the subject, having taken GLP-1…

51
The Leap: Everything Else Is Boring 25:38

2d ago25:38

25:38

In both her life and her work, researcher Karmella Haynes has never followed the pack. Karmella explains why she created her own area of research at the intersection of synthetic biology and epigenetics. Emory colleague David Katz weighs in on the challenges Karmella faces in pioneering a new research field. Plus Karmella’s sister Sherrone Wallace …

1
The Seafaring Life Of ‘Modern-Day Captain Nemo,’ Robert Ballard 30:08

5d ago30:08

30:08

In excerpts of two conversations from the Science Friday archives (originally recorded in 2000 and 2009), oceanographer Robert Ballard joins Host Ira Flatow to discuss the 1985 expedition in which he discovered the wreck of the Titanic. He also emphasizes the value of combining the efforts of oceanographers, engineers, and social scientists to stud…

1
Understanding Sunscreen Ingredients And Which Ones You Need 18:38

6d ago18:38

18:38

Summer is here, which means it’s the season for soaking up the sun. But it’s important to do so responsibly, considering the strong link between sun exposure and skin cancer. There are a lot of sunscreens on the market, so Hosts Flora Lichtman and Ira Flatow join dermatologist Jonathan Ungar to discuss what ingredients to look for and how they work…

1
In ‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ Paleontology Is Still The Star 13:55

7d ago13:55

13:55

The latest Jurassic World movie, “Jurassic World Rebirth,” is out today. The movie stars Scarlett Johansson (“The Avengers”) and Mahershala Ali (“Moonlight”). Their characters make a dangerous journey to an island chock-full of dinosaurs to get their hands on some dino blood for a life-saving heart medicine. But unfortunately for them, and luckily …

1
What Does It Mean To Have A Chatbot Companion? 19:36

8d ago19:36

19:36

AI is not just for automating tasks or coming up with new recipe ideas. Increasingly, people are turning to AI chatbots for companionship. Roughly half a billion people worldwide have downloaded chatbots designed specifically to provide users with emotional and social support. And while these human-chatbot relationships might ease loneliness or sim…

1
The Leap: Mars? It Was A Miracle We Got To Florida 23:43

10d ago23:43

23:43

Geologist Steve Squyres risked his career and millions of dollars to get two rovers roaming on Mars. But the mission almost didn’t make it to the launch pad. Steve and NASA engineer Jennifer Trosper describe the many obstacles the team faced in getting Spirit and Opportunity ready, from ripped parachutes to fuzzy camera feeds, and the problem-solvi…

1
After Her Grants Got Cut, This Researcher Is Suing The NIH 13:07

12d ago13:07

13:07

Since January, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has made sweeping cuts to science. It's hard to keep track of how many research grants were canceled, but they add up to hundreds of millions—possibly billions—of dollars of research funding lost. Some scientists, like Dr. Katie Edwards, are taking the fight to the courts. Edwards studies inter…

1
New Telescope Captures The Cosmos In Groundbreaking Detail 12:38

14d ago12:38

12:38

The first images from the brand new Vera C. Rubin Observatory have finally been unveiled, and they show us the cosmos like never before. The camera captures so much detail that its first complete image contains about 10 million galaxies. Host Flora Lichtman talks with Dr. Federica Bianco about our dazzling new view of the night sky, how the camera …

1
How Scientists Made The First Gene-Editing Treatment For A Baby 18:56

15d ago18:56

18:56

Last month, scientists reported a historic first: they gave the first personalized gene-editing treatment to a baby who was born with a rare life-threatening genetic disorder. Before the treatment, his prognosis was grim. But after three doses, the baby’s health improved. So how does it work? What are the risks? And what could this breakthrough mea…

1
Ancient Bone Proteins May Offer Insight On Megafauna Extinction 19:23

16d ago19:23

19:23

Australia is known for its unusual animal life, from koalas to kangaroos. But once upon a time, the Australian landscape had even weirder fauna, like Palorchestes azael, a marsupial with immense claws and a small trunk. There was Protemnodon mamkurra, a massive, slow-moving, kangaroo-like creature. And Zygomaturus trilobus, a wombat the size of a h…

1
The Leap: You Do Realize… That’s Impossible 23:47

17d ago23:47

23:47

As a grad student, Suchitra Sebastian wasn’t sure she wanted to be a physicist. But when one of her experiments gave an unexpected result, she was hooked. Suchitra’s former PhD student Beng Sing Tan describes the late-night experiments that led to an “impossible” finding—a potentially new state of matter. Theoretical physicist Piers Coleman tells u…

1
What We’re Learning From The James Webb Space Telescope 17:47

19d ago17:47

17:47

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) started collecting data nearly three years ago, and it has already transformed our understanding of the universe. It has spotted the earliest galaxies ever seen, and, closer to home, captured auroras around Jupiter. So what’s the latest from the JWST? In this live broadcast, Hosts Flora Lichtman and Ira Flatow …

1
Super Garbage Day - Episode 88: Buck Bumble (N64) 57:27

19d ago57:27

57:27

Right about now, it's time to rock with the biggity Buck Bumble. Bum to the bum to the bum to the bass to the bum to the boom to the Bumble. Super Garbage Day Discord Super Garbage Day Patreon B-Ross's Twitch Stream Vanfernal's Retro Stream Show Super Garbage Day YouTube Donate a Game to My Master Quest! Support the show Show Links: https://linktr.…

1
How ‘Super Agers’ Stay Sharp And Active Longer Than Their Peers 30:49

21d ago30:49

30:49

Ever noticed how some people get to their 80s and 90s and continue to be healthy and active? They spend their days playing mahjong, driving to lunch, learning shuffle dancing, and practicing Portuguese. Those are “super agers,” seniors who stay fit well into old age. How do they do it? Is it luck or genetics? In this live broadcast, Hosts Flora Lic…

1
A Dino’s Last Dinner And Eavesdropping Birds 20:46

22d ago20:46

20:46

While there are a lot of dinosaur fossils, and a lot of plant fossils, the precise connection between the two has been something of a mystery. Now, researchers report that they’ve found what’s called a cololite, fossilized gut contents, in the remains of a sauropod—a massive, long-necked plant-eater. The dino’s last meal dates back 95 to 100 millio…

1
What Are The Best Practices For Prostate Cancer Screening? 18:46

23d ago18:46

18:46

Last month, former President Joe Biden announced that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The news sparked a larger conversation about what exactly the best practices are to screen for prostate cancer. Turns out, it’s more complicated than it might seem. Host Ira Flatow is joined by oncologist Matthew Cooperberg and st…

1
The Leap: Garbage In, Garbage Out 29:38

24d ago29:38

29:38

Biochemist Virginia Man-Yee Lee has spent a lifetime in the lab, figuring out what happens in the brains of people with neurodegenerative diseases. She’s made key discoveries about Parkinson's, ALS, and Alzheimer's.The secret to her success? Happiness. “If you're not happy, you don’t know what you’re capable of,” Lee says. Neurologist Ken Kosick re…

1
RFK Jr. Reshuffles CDC Vaccine Panel With Vaccine Skeptics 25:26

27d ago25:26

25:26

On Monday, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fired all 17 members of the panel that advises the CDC on who should get certain vaccines and when. Then on Thursday, he appointed eight new members, some of whom have been critical of vaccines in the past. So who exactly is new on the panel and how are medical experts reacting? Sophie Bushwick f…

1
What’s Next For China’s Space Program? 19:24

28d ago19:24

19:24

This week, China’s Tianwen-2 spacecraft sent back its first image from space. It’s headed to a rendezvous with the asteroid Kamoʻoalewa, one of Earth’s “quasi-moons,” where it will collect samples in 2026. The mission comes after several successful lunar missions, including a lunar rover and a sample return mission from the far side of the moon. Ho…

1
Super Garbage Day - Episode 87: Brave Fencer Musashi (PSX) 58:00

28d ago58:00

58:00

Grab both of your swords and get ready to explore the vast world of this beloved PlayStation action RPG. Brave Fencer Musashi has been considered by many to be one of the finest titles for the PS One, but is it..... really? Super Garbage Day Discord Super Garbage Day Patreon B-Ross's Twitch Stream Vanfernal's Retro Stream Show Caffe Pacori Coffee S…

1
036 –Ione Christensen's winding journey of life and career(s) in "The Yukon" ( Part 2 ) 57:17

28d ago57:17

57:17

As a young girl running her own dog team on a remote trap near her small village home of Fort Selkirk, Ione Christensen gleefully pioneered her adventures and experiences into a diverse skill set that would long serve her for the many career opportunities she joyfully accepted in her adult life. She subconsciously began working as a “leader” at a v…

1
The Ruin And Redemption Of The American Prairie 18:31

29d ago18:31

18:31

The prairie might just be the most underappreciated landscape in the United States. Beginning in the early 1800s, the majority of these grasslands were converted into big industrial farms. Now, some unaffectionately refer to it as “flyover country.” Host Ira Flatow talks with Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty, authors of Sea of Grass: The Conquest, …

1
Bedbugs Have Been Bugging Us Since Before Beds 18:48

30d ago18:48

18:48

Bedbug infestations are not just a modern problem—these pests have been with early human ancestors for 245,000 years, causing problems long before the invention of beds. Lindsay Miles, an entomologist at Virginia Tech, has found that changes in bedbug population size mirrored those of humans, proving they might be our first pest. Miles talks with H…

1
The Leap: A Scientist’s Quest To See Every Organism On Earth 25:55

1M ago25:55

25:55

Manu Prakash is many things—biologist, engineer, inventor, philosopher—but what he isn’t is conventional. Following his instincts has led Manu to his most ambitious project yet: mapping the whole tree of life, with the help of everyone on this planet. Step one: make a cheap microscope anyone can use. Foldscope co-inventor Jim Cybulski describes the…

1
Are We Prepared To Fight ‘The New Polio’? 25:17

1M ago25:17

25:17

A mysterious disease called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) has been appearing in emergency rooms for about a decade. The disease has caused otherwise healthy children to lose the ability to move their arms and legs, and some become completely paralyzed. AFM is caused by a virus that's a cousin of the polio virus, earning it the nickname "the new poli…

1
How Science Communication Can Step Up Amid Federal Cuts 18:21

1M ago18:21

18:21

It’s a precarious time for science in the United States. Federal funding is being slashed, career scientists are being laid off, and researchers are considering leaving to work abroad. On top of that, public trust in science and experts has declined. Besides acknowledging the federal attacks on science, a lot of scientists are also asking themselve…

1
10 Worst NFL Teams after OTAs & Best Defensive Free Agents! 34:45

1M ago34:45

34:45

Ha Kung Wong, Ryan Whitfield and Scott King of Football Garbage Time discuss the 10 WORST Teams in the NFL post-OTAs, best available defensive Free Agents, including Justin Simmons, Julian Blackmon, Asante Samuel Jr., Kyzir White, Za'Darius Smith & MORE! Come "Waste Time With Us!"™ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
How Cannibalistic Tadpoles Could Curb Invasive Cane Toads 18:49

1M ago18:49

18:49

South American cane toads were brought to Australia in 1935 to help eradicate native beetles that were destroying sugar cane crops. The toads didn’t care much for the beetles, but they did spread across the coast of Queensland and beyond, with no natural predators to stop them. Their own deadly toxin devastated local reptiles along the way, and the…

1
Turning The Binoculars On Birders 18:24

1M ago18:24

18:24

Birding is a hobby that attracts a very particular group of people: the kind who get up at sunrise, go into the woods, and wait for hours for a little tiny feathered friend to fly past. Author and illustrator Rosemary Mosco guides us into the world of birding with her new book, The Birding Dictionary. Plus, biologist Sara Lipshutz fills us in on th…

1
Super Garbage Day - Episode 86: Star Wars Episode I: Racer (Dreamcast) 1:05:00

1M ago1:05:00

1:05:00

Star Wars Episode I: Racer is a 1999 racing video game based on the podracing part from The Phantom Menace. Does this game hold up after 20 plus years and like, a million new star wars movies and games? Probably. Super Garbage Day Discord Super Garbage Day Patreon B-Ross's Twitch Stream Vanfernal's Retro Stream Show Support the show Show Links: htt…

1
The Leap: Be Bold Or Just Don't Do It 26:22

1M ago26:22

26:22

As a young plant scientist, Joanne Chory shook up the research establishment with her unconventional approach to figuring out how plants work. Her methods and success changed the field, and led her to her biggest project yet—tackling climate change, with the help of millions of plants. Colleagues Steve Kay, Detlef Weigel, and Jennifer Nemhauser des…

1
What Huge Cuts To NSF Funding Mean For Science 19:58

1M ago19:58

19:58

Grant funding by the National Science Foundation has been cut by more than half this year, bringing the foundation’s science funding to its lowest level in decades. Katrina Miller, who covers science for the New York Times, joins Host Flora Lichtman to unpack the cutbacks and discuss where the funding changes might lead. And, the FDA has cleared a …

1
What Happens When Air Traffic Control Systems Go Dark? 16:58

1M ago16:58

16:58

At the end of April, air traffic control radar surveillance and radio communication systems at Newark Liberty International Airport went dark for over a minute. A week and half later, radar went down again briefly. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since cut down the number of flights in and out of Newark. But, how does our air traffic …

1
OTAs, Power Rankings & Top Available Free Agents! 13:04

1M ago13:04

13:04

Ha Kung Wong and Ryan Whitfield of Football Garbage Time discuss interesting no-shows at OTAs, including James Cook, Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts, current Top 5 and Bottom 5 Off-Season Power Rankings, interesting available Free Agents, including Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, JK Dobbins and Aaron Rodgers & MORE! Come "Waste Time With Us!"™ Learn more a…

1
Could The NIH Plan For A ‘Universal Vaccine’ Really Work? 27:56

1M ago27:56

27:56

At the beginning of May, the National Institutes of Health, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, announced a plan to develop a universal vaccine platform. Think: a single shot for flu or COVID-19 that would last years, maybe a lifetime. The plan—called Generation Gold Standard—has a reported budget of $500 million, and a tight deadl…

1
The Leap: This Is Going To Kill Your Career 23:53

1M ago23:53

23:53

Betül Kaçar started her scientific career as a biochemist, working on an enzyme found in zebrafish. But then she found her calling: investigating some of the hardest questions in evolutionary biology by resurrecting ancient life forms. NASA administrator Melissa Kirven-Brooks recalls the fellowship application that put Betül on her radar. And evolu…

1
Super Garbage Day - Episode 85: Link - The Faces of Evil (CD-I) 47:34

1M ago47:34

47:34

You may have heard that this game is god-awful but, you may be very surprised (or not at all). Chosen from our producer pool and submitted by Akikan, this week we play an extreme black sheep game in the Legend of Zelda franchise, on the Phillips CD-I. Super Garbage Day Discord Super Garbage Day Patreon B-Ross's Twitch Stream Vanfernal's Retro Strea…

1
The Science Of That Big Stunt From The New ‘Mission: Impossible’ 19:02

2M ago19:02

19:02

The “Mission: Impossible” franchise is known for its big stunts, and the newest film is no exception. Producer Kathleen Davis talks to the film’s stunt coordinator, Wade Eastwood, about the science behind one big underwater scene. Plus, psychologist Kenneth Carter joins Host Flora Lichtman to talk about what makes high-adrenaline adventurers tick. …

1
Meet A Pioneer Of Modern Weather Prediction 18:51

2M ago18:51

18:51

Climate scientist Jagadish Shukla grew up in a small village in rural India, where people starved if the monsoon season didn’t bring rain. To help his village, he set out to become a scientist and discover a way to predict the seasons—an unthinkable idea at the time, in the 1960s and ‘70s. Shukla became a pioneer in modern weather forecasting, and …

1
Are Physical Buttons And Knobs Making A Comeback? 20:10

2M ago20:10

20:10

In recent years, digital touchscreens have replaced many of the buttons and knobs that control various functions in cars. But when Host Ira Flatow went shopping for a new car, he noticed that physical controls seemed to be making a comeback. But will the rise of technologies like voice recognition and automation make cars more button-centric, or le…

1
Scientists Identify Genes For Tomato And Eggplant Size 18:48

2M ago18:48

18:48

Tomatoes come in all kinds of colors, sizes, and flavors. But what’s going on at the genetic level? What makes a tomato red or yellow? Tiny or giant? Researchers are mapping the genomes of 22 varieties of nightshades—the family of plants that includes tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. They located the genes that control the size of tomatoes and eg…

1
Super Garbage Day - Episode 84: The Steel Empire (Genesis) 1:04:29

2M ago1:04:29

1:04:29

We’re taking to the 16-bit skies once again with a shmup on the Sega Genesis. This time, it’s a steampunk-themed adventure set in the early 1900s. Is this side-scrolling shooter a bullseye or just blowing smoke? Tune in to find out! Super Garbage Day Discord Super Garbage Day YouTube Super Garbage Day Patreon B-Ross's Twitch Stream Support the show…

1
The Leap: The Volcano Whisperer 28:26

2M ago28:26

28:26

As a teenager living in St. Vincent, Richie Robertson saw first-hand what a volcanic eruption did to life on the island. Forty years later, he was the scientist the community turned to when the same volcano roared back to life. Richie’s colleague, Stacey Edwards of the UWI Seismic Research Centre, explains how Richie earned the trust of the communi…

1
Super Garbage Day - Bonus: Celebrity Deathmatch VS ClayFighter 38:19

2M ago38:19

38:19

Surprise! It's a bonus episode! This time, Mr. Miller tackles the unfortunate task of playing and reviewing MTV’s Celebrity Deathmatch. He also dives into his thoughts on ClayFighter, explaining why he believes it's the far superior game. Clay-based chaos, nostalgic rants, cancelled celebrities and mild hot takes await! Super Garbage Day Discord Su…

1
Lesser Prairie Chicken May Lose Endangered Species Status 18:28

2M ago18:28

18:28

The lesser prairie chicken was granted endangered species status in 2023. Now the Department of the Interior is moving to revoke those protections. What can this bird known for its flamboyant courtship rituals tell us about the Trump administration’s approach to environmental policy and protections for endangered species? Host Flora Lichtman is joi…

1
Tracking The Hidden Dangers Of Fighting Fires 18:30

2M ago18:30

18:30

Firefighting is a career with an inherent cancer risk, but a full understanding of what those risks are has been elusive. An important registry designed to help understand the link between firefighters and cancer was taken offline on April 1 because of federal cuts, then restored six weeks later. Host Flora Lichtman discusses this with firefighter …

1
Identifying New Plants, And The Scientific Secrets Of Superfoods 29:59

2M ago29:59

29:59

What does it take to create and maintain one of the largest repositories of botanical information in the world? For starters, it can mean helicopter-ing into remote nooks of the Amazon, hiking through rough terrain, looking for strange fruits and flowers, and climbing trees to pluck specimens from the branches. Then there’s all the science required…