Bodies
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Menstruation (with Dr. Kate Clancy)
Menstruation is so much more than a useless byproduct of the reproductive cycle — it's a dang biological miracle. With the help of Dr. Kate Clancy, a professor at the University of Illinois and author of Period: The Real Story of Menstruation, this episode dives deep into the misconceptions, stigmas, and hidden truths about menstruation. Uncover the true purpose of periods, debunk the idea of a 'normal' period, and explore how environmental factors and personal experiences can impact menstrual cycles. We touch on premenstrual dysphoric disorder, PCOS, and endometriosis, along with the stigma associated with menstrual blood and why efforts to give menstrual products to girls in the global South are misguided. Also, retrograde menstruation. You've been warned.
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Nudity (with Ruth Barcan, Ph.D.)
What do the Pioneer 10 plaque and communal bathhouses of Renaissance Europe have in common? Today we're stripping down the complicated concept of nudity with Dr. Ruth Barcan, honorary associate professor at the University of Sydney in Australia. We'll explore the meanings, reactions, and laws surrounding nudity, from how art influenced our perception of nudity to the complex legalities of female toplessness in the US. Oh yeah, and we're getting deep into the nudism movement, which has an origin story you'll be telling people about at parties.
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Breastfeeding (with Bridget McGann & Sascha Mayer)
Did you know lactation is older than the dinosaurs? Latch onto the mysteries of breastfeeding with help from lactation scientist Bridget McGann and Mamava co-founder Sascha Mayer in today's episode, which delves into the incredible components of breastmilk, the way that feeding itself influences a baby's development, the debate between breastfeeding versus formula feeding, and why workplace support for pumping can be the single thing that keeps a mother breastfeeding. Plus: why have we seen so many boobs in bikinis and so few boobs feeding babies?
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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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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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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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Head Transplants (with Dr. Brandy Schillace)
Why don't we have head transplants? Why would someone need one? And how much of you is in your head — and how much is everywhere else?
Featuring Dr. Brandy Schillace, author of the book “Mr. Humble and Dr. Butcher: A Monkey's Head, the Pope's Neuroscientist, and the Quest to Transplant the Soul.”
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Penises (with Emily Willingham)
How does the human penis measure up to the rest of the animal kingdom? What can the shape of the penis tell us about human mating? And what is up with society's obsession with the penis?
Today's guest is Emily Willingham, science journalist and author of the book "Phallacy: Life Lessons from the Animal Penis."
