Best Work It Bird Studios Podcasts (2025)

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‘Underground Atlas’ Shows How Vulnerable Fungal Networks Are 18:34

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4m ago18:34

18:34

Fungal networks in the soil are arguably the basis of much of life on Earth, but they’re understudied and underappreciated in the conservation world. Scientists at the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) are trying to fix that. They just unveiled a global map of mycorrhizal fungal networks, which highlights how widespread they…

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Lithium May Have A Role In Causing—And Treating—Alzheimer’s 26:30

3d ago26:30

26:30

The mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s disease have eluded scientists for decades. But a new breakthrough points to lithium as a possible explanation—not only does it occur naturally in the brain, but a deficiency causes dementia in mice. This research is one of thousands of projects that have lost funding due to President Trump’s cuts to the National I…

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Are Cold Plunges Actually Good For You? 18:11

4d ago18:11

18:11

If social media and certain influential podcast hosts are to be believed, cold plunges can do everything from boosting your immune system to reducing inflammation to acting as an antidote for depression. But what does the science say? Joining Host Flora Lichtman to throw at least a few drops of cold water on this science of plunging is biologist Fr…

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A Nagasaki Survivor And Physician Recounts His Life's Work 18:58

5d ago18:58

18:58

Dr. Masao Tomonaga was only 2 years old when the United States bombed his home city of Nagasaki. He survived, and grew up to become a physician for other survivors, known as hibakusha. He also studied hematology, and his research on leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes was foundational for understanding how radiation affects the body. On the 80th…

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78: Liana & Connor On Justin Bieber's DMs, INSANE Pregnancy Cravings & Baby Name REVEAL? 1:25:42

1d ago1:25:42

1:25:42

This week Liana and Connor join DVG before the birth of baby #2! Sarah and Connor reveal their most unlikely celeb DM's, Liana's CRAZIEST pregnancy craving, Vlogging fails and will the backlash from the birth of Koazy affect their next baby name? Brand new podcast episodes available every TUESDAY! If you'd like to work with us, email the studio on …

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65 Genomes Expand Our Picture Of Human Genetics 18:22

3d ago18:22

18:22

The first complete draft of the human genome was published back in 2003. Since then, researchers have worked both to improve the accuracy of human genetic data, and to expand its diversity, looking at the genetics of people from many different backgrounds. Three genetics experts join Host Ira Flatow to talk about a recent close examination of the g…

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How The Moon Transformed Life On Earth 14:29

7d ago14:29

14:29

For almost their entire 4.5 billion-year existence, Earth and its moon have been galactic neighbors. And the moon isn’t just Earth’s tiny sidekick—their relationship is more like that of siblings, and they’re even cut from similar cosmic cloth. Without the moon, Earth and its inhabitants wouldn’t be what they are today: The climate would be more ex…

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Jesus Christ Taxi Driver "Take A Left On Electric Avenue" 40:16

6d ago40:16

40:16

Meet Jesus Christ Taxi Driver! We flagged down this Denver-based crew while on tour and had a hilarious chat. We talk about how this project came together (including the band’s notable name), lead singer Ian’s highly energetic & memorable stage antics, and the balance of day jobs & gigging. Plus they debuted a super groovy new song in the studio ca…

201
EPA Seeks To Revoke Scientific Basis For Greenhouse Gas Rules 24:51

10d ago24:51

24:51

This week the Trump administration indicated that it would seek to roll back a key EPA finding that allows the agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from things like cars and power plants. The 16-year-old rule, known as the “endangerment finding,” states that six greenhouse gases pose a threat to human health. Sophie Bushwick, news editor at …

251
You Can Whistle While You Work—But How Does A Whistle Work? 17:41

11d ago17:41

17:41

Whistling is a skill used to communicate over distances—a whistle can mean anything from “you’re cute” to “time to come home for dinner.” There’s a complex series of mechanisms in the mouth that need to come together to make a whistle. Hosts Ira Flatow and Flora Lichtman discuss all things whistling with professional musician and whistler Wanda Civ…

251
A Reptile’s Baffling Backfin And The Math Of Dashing Dinos 18:44

12d ago18:44

18:44

Paleontologists have identified an ancient reptile with a towering crest made not of skin, or scales, or feathers, or antler—but something else entirely. It’s some kind of integumentary outerwear we’ve never seen before. The small creature sporting the curious crest was named Mirasaura grauvogeli, and it lived during the Middle Triassic period, abo…

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77: Kaci & Grace Caused Mid-Flight BEEF, Birds And The Bees Chat & Joel’s Text DISASTER! 1:02:30

9d ago1:02:30

1:02:30

This week Sarah and Joel reveal their ridiculous notification totals , an accidental text and an inflight mishap all while they try to decipher sayings from around the world. Brand new podcast episodes available every TUESDAY! If you'd like to work with us, email the studio on [email protected] 🔊 Listen here: Spotify: https://ope…

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NASA Employees Protest Cuts In Formal Dissent Letter 13:02

9d ago13:02

13:02

The Trump administration has proposed cutting NASA’s budget by almost 25% and shutting down 19 currently operating science missions. On July 21, several hundred current and former employees of the space agency released an official letter of dissent, titled “The Voyager Declaration,” arguing against “rapid and wasteful changes which have undermined …

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Where Are We On The Science Of Menopause? 18:41

11d ago18:41

18:41

Menopause is having a moment. Celebrities like Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, and Michelle Obama have recently shared their personal menopause experiences. Menopause and perimenopause are showing up across social media and even in popular books. All this to say, menopause has finally gone mainstream. But, it wasn’t until about three decades ago that men…

351
EPA To Shut Down Scientific Research Arm 12:41

16d ago12:41

12:41

The EPA recently announced that it’s going to shut down its scientific research arm, called the Office of Research and Development. Since the agency was founded nearly 55 years ago, it’s had in-house scientists researching things like pollutants in our air and water, and the risks posed by toxic chemicals. That research informs the EPA’s guidelines…

401
Parker Solar Probe Captures Closest-Ever Images Of The Sun 18:01

17d ago18:01

18:01

In December, the Parker Solar Probe made history when it made the closest-ever approach to the sun by a spacecraft. As it whizzed by, a camera recorded incredibly detailed images, which show the sun’s surface, the flow of solar winds, and eruptions of magnetized balls of gas. Seeing this activity in such detail could help scientists understand sola…

401
Climate Change Is Upending The Home Insurance Market 18:30

18d ago18:30

18:30

You can’t get a mortgage without home insurance. But in some parts of the country, it’s becoming harder and harder to find a plan, as insurance companies drop homeowners and pull out of entire states, as flooding, wildfires, and storms become more frequent and intense. Host Flora Lichtman talks to reporters Jessica Meszaros and Rachel Cohen, who ha…

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What The Sigma Is Algospeak? 18:32

15d ago18:32

18:32

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. 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 Media is Transforming the Future…

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76: Grace’s BIG News, Ibiza Girls Trip GOSS & The ULTIMATE Dad Joke Duel 1:08:16

17d ago1:08:16

1:08:16

In today's episode Joel and Sarah discuss the viral Coldplay cheating scandal, Grace’s BIG news, what went down on Sarah’s girls trip and to round out the chaos? They enter into the ultimate battle of the ‘Dad Joke’ after a new study claims they’re good for your health. Brand new podcast episodes available every TUESDAY! If you'd like to work with …

451
How Millions Of Flies Can Help Stop The New World Screwworm 12:41

20d ago12:41

12:41

The New World screwworm has cattle ranchers, entomologists, and the federal government on edge. The pest was successfully eradicated from the US decades ago, but has recently been moving north from South America into Central America and Mexico, with concerns that it may cross the border into Texas. It’s notorious for laying eggs in the wounds of an…

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Why Is The Scopes Trial Still Relevant 100 Years Later? 18:22

21d ago18:22

18:22

In July 1925, the Scopes “Monkey” Trial captivated the nation. On its face, the case was relatively straightforward: A Tennessee biology teacher named John Scopes was accused of teaching human evolution to his students. At the time, that was against state law. Both sides enlisted the help of big name lawyers to represent them, and the case turned i…

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Clayton Ryan "BYOS: Bring Your Own Sardines" 52:26

23d ago52:26

52:26

Our next guest is Clayton Ryan & his band of merry travelers, Alek, Mitchell, Michael, & Paul. These Midwestern rockers artfully ride the line between country & emo, complete with top-tier vocal performances, catchy guitar riffs, and electrifying stage presence. We chat about Clayton’s extensive music education that led him to where he is now, the …

551
Why Don’t We Have A Vaccine For Lyme Disease? 18:36

24d ago18:36

18:36

It’s shaping up to be one of the worst tick years yet, and concerns about Lyme disease—which is transmitted through the bites of some species—are high. Aside from a short-lived vaccine released in the late 1990s, people have not had the opportunity to get vaccinated against Lyme disease. But if our dogs can get vaccinated, why can’t we? Host Flora …

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Is This PTSD Treatment Too Good To Be True? 12:41

22d ago12:41

12:41

About 7% of veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and that number can be closer to 30% for those who have served in a war zone. But PTSD has been treated pretty much the same way since the disorder was first recognized roughly four decades ago: Patients are instructed to revisit their trauma until the memory no longer creates a…

651
Is It Time For A New Model Of The Universe? 28:31

26d ago28:31

28:31

For decades, astronomers have been trying to nail down the value of the Hubble constant—a measure of how fast the universe is expanding. But some cosmologists say there’s evidence that the universe is expanding faster than physics can explain, and our current models of it might be broken. Hosts Flora Lichtman and Ira Flatow talk with Wendy Freedman…

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75: Joel CONFRONTS Childhood Bully & THERAPIST On A Family Holiday? 1:07:44

23d ago1:07:44

1:07:44

In today's episode Joel and Sarah discuss therapists on family holidays, Sarah's girls trip to Ibiza, the ultimate experiment they conducted on their kids and Joel makes a phone call to his childhood bully. Brand new podcast episodes available every TUESDAY! If you'd like to work with us, email the studio on [email protected] 🔊 L…

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Ep176 How to Build a Pro Tribute Band- Inside The Heart of Rock and Roll with Roger and Tony Langdon 1:28:43

23d ago1:28:43

1:28:43

In episode 176 of the Guitar Music Theory podcast, I talk with Roger and Tony Langdon, founders of The Heart of Rock and Roll—America’s #1 Huey Lewis tribute band. We dive into what it takes to run a high-level tribute act, including building a band, nailing the sound, preparing for gigs, and delivering a polished live show. The Heart of Rock and R…

651
How PFAS From A Military Base Has Sickened Nearby Residents 12:44

27d ago12:44

12:44

For decades, residents of the small city of Newburgh, New York, were unknowingly drinking water contaminated with toxic PFAS—also known as forever chemicals. The source turned out to be firefighting foam used on a nearby air base that had seeped into streams and creeks, and ultimately the city’s main drinking water reservoir. Now, Newburgh is one o…

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The Leap: And Then The Sub Went Silent 28:12

25d ago28:12

28:12

Oceanographer Victoria Orphan’s dream was coming true. She was sitting in the Alvin submersible, on one of its deepest science dives ever. But the trip was anything but smooth sailing. Victoria takes us inside the sub, where her dream turns nightmarish as things start to go wrong, and Alvin pilot Nick O’Sadcia works frantically to troubleshoot. Oce…

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How These Spiders At The Bottom Of The Sea Run On Methane 7:57

25d ago7:57

7:57

Researchers found a new sea spider with a giant nose, leg cannons, and—most remarkably—a novel way of surviving in the lightless, freezing environment miles below the sea surface. These oceanic arthropods are powered by methane that seeps out of the ocean floor. Biologist Shana Goffredi joins Host Flora Lichtman to tell us more about the discovery …

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As Disasters Escalate, What’s The Future Of FEMA? 19:19

1M ago19:19

19:19

President Trump has said that he wants to phase out FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and move responsibility for dealing with major disasters to the state level. Since its creation in 1979, the agency has played a key role in coordinating emergency response nationally. Host Ira Flatow talks with Samantha Montano, an emergency manageme…

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Spaghetti Science And Mouth Taping Myths 18:23

1M ago18:23

18:23

Most pasta is made from just two ingredients—flour and water. For decades this humble food has prompted physicists around the world to try to understand its mysterious properties and answer questions like: Why does a stick of spaghetti break into three pieces and not cleanly into two? And why is cacio e pepe so hard to perfect? The answers reveal m…

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The Goo In Your Home Could Help Science Address Climate Change 17:58

1M ago17:58

17:58

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.…

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74: Kaci & Grace Are HERE, Spilling The Marrakesh Brand Trip TEA and Q&A 1:02:54

1M ago1:02:54

1:02:54

This week Kaci & Grace join the pod to talk all things Marrakesh + a Q&A with YOUR questions and a cheeky game involving the girls Google Searches - Can they guess their top searches? Brand new podcast episodes available every TUESDAY! If you'd like to work with us, email the studio on [email protected] 🔊 Listen here: Spotify: ht…

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

1M 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…

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The Leap: Everything Else Is Boring 25:38

1M 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 …

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

1M 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…

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Mr. Softheart "I Know What You Did Last Album" 55:36

1M ago55:36

55:36

Meet Mr. Softheart, an Iowa-based 4-piece whose sound overdelivers on moody, synthy goodness – and they’re all a delight to chat with. We talk about how the project came together and the addition of their 4th member Halen, the inspiration behind their narrative songwriting style, the meaningful pursuit of art, favorite 80s & 90s thrillers, and all …

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Understanding Sunscreen Ingredients And Which Ones You Need 18:38

1M 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…

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In The Round D Tour - Blue Ox Music Festival 2025 Recap 34:03

1M ago34:03

34:03

In The Round took a D Tour to Blue Ox Music Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin! The lineup was stacked with names you know like Greensky Bluegrass, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Margo Price, and Molly Tuttle, who all absolutely crushed it of course, but we wanted to touch on a few others you may not know. We run through a few highlights from this fan…

1001
In ‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ Paleontology Is Still The Star 13:55

1M 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 …

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73: Manifesting SOPHIE'S Miracle, Joel’s SECRET Journal & Our Relationship COINCIDENCES 51:23

1M ago51:23

51:23

This week, Sarah and Joel dive into the wild coincidences in their relationship, the strangest nicknames they’ve heard, Grace's ALMOST failed driving test and the surprising discovery of one of Joel’s old journals. Inside, they uncover his manifestations which helped them navigate the toughest moments of Sophie’s childhood. Brand new podcast episod…

1001
What Does It Mean To Have A Chatbot Companion? 19:36

1M 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…

1051
The Leap: Mars? It Was A Miracle We Got To Florida 23:43

1M 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…

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

2M 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…

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New Telescope Captures The Cosmos In Groundbreaking Detail 12:38

2M 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 …

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

2M 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…

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72: Joel’s NUDE Mishap, Chloe's BRUTAL Honesty & Did We DOWNGRADE? 50:39

2M ago50:39

50:39

This week Sarah and Joel chat about their top tips for running a business, they put their relationship to the test to see how in sync they are AND dive into the comment section of their new house reveal. Brand new podcast episodes available every TUESDAY! If you'd like to work with us, email the studio on [email protected] 🔊 List…

1201
Ancient Bone Proteins May Offer Insight On Megafauna Extinction 19:23

2M 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…

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

2M 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…