Author: Ashley Hamer
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Poop (with Bryn Nelson, Ph.D.)
Grab your squatty potty and put your squeamishness aside: we're going elbow-deep into human waste with science journalist and author Bryn Nelson. This episode digs into the microbiome, probiotics, and fecal transplants. It uncovers the surprising benefits and uses of human waste, from healing autoimmune conditions to fertilizing crops, and even the ancient practice of collecting and selling 'night soil'. Also: how many synonyms for poop can Ashley stomach? Find out.
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Asexuality (with Canton Winer & Sarah Costello)
This week, we challenge the common perceptions of attraction and explore the complexities of asexuality. Sociology PhD candidate Canton Weiner shares invaluable insights from his research while Sarah Costello, co-host of the podcast "Sounds Fake, But Okay," opens up about her personal experience as a romantic asexual. We examine the split attraction model and shed light on various types of attraction, delve into the history of asexuality with pioneers like Magnus Hirschfeld and Alfred Kinsey, and discover how the rise of the internet has shaped the asexual community. This episode challenges misconceptions, explores the intersection of asexuality and other identities like race and gender, and highlights the need for increased understanding and acceptance within the LGBT community.
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Addiction (with Judy Grisel, Ph.D.)
Today we're diving into the world of addiction and drug use with Judy Grisel, a behavioral neuroscientist who's been down the road of addiction herself. We'll cover why humans are so drawn to altering our consciousness with chemicals, how addictive drugs affect our brains, and some common misconceptions about drug use. Plus, we'll explore the factors that contribute to addiction, like age, genetics, and even random chance.
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Butts (with Dr. Jeanne Bovet)
Why do we have such big butts? Why does society admire women's butts more than men's? And what does race have to do with all this?
Featuring Jeanne Bovet, senior lecturer at Northumbria University in Newcastle.
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Disability (with Emily Ladau)
It affects 1 billion people worldwide, so why is disability considered a niche issue? How can we make life easier for people with disabilities? And what does any of this have to do with As Seen on TV products?
Featuring Emily Ladau, disability rights activist and author of the new book, “Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally.”
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Depression (with Dr. Gerard Sanacora)
What is depression, really? Do antidepressants actually work? And how can ketamine and psilocybin possibly help?
Featuring Gerard Sanacora, director of the Yale Depression Research Program and Co-director of the Yale Interventional Psychiatry Service.
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Body Hair (with Rebecca Herzig)
Why do we remove our body hair? Why do humans have less hair than our primate cousins? And why was Darwin obsessed with beards?
Featuring Rebecca Herzig, author of "Plucked: A History of Hair Removal."
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Hormones (with Randi Hutter Epstein, M.D.)
They're complex, mysterious, and easy to blame for everything from unexplained symptoms to seemingly superhuman abilities. Find out how we discovered hormones, what they do inside of us, and who's really controlling who.
Featuring Randi Hutter Epstein author of "Aroused, the History of Hormones and How They Control Just About Everything."
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Critical Race Theory (with Janel George)
Are kids really learning critical race theory in class? What IS critical race theory, anyway? And why is it so uncomfortable to talk about race?
Featuring Janel George, associate professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center and founding director of the Racial Equity in Education Policy Clinic.
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Money (with Ted Klontz, Ph.D.)
Why is it impolite to talk about money? Why are many of us uncomfortable with our own money habits? And how do we change things?
Featuring Ted Klontz, Ph.D., director of the Financial Psychology Institute and associate professor of Practice and Financial Psychology at Creighton University.
