General
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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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Bodily Fluids (with Erika Engelhaupt)
Snot and pee and earwax, oh my! Why are we so full of gross substances? What do our fluids do for us? And is there really a chemical to catch people peeing in the pool?
Featuring Erika Engelhaupt, a science writer and editor and author of the new book “Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science."
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Eating Animals (with Dr. Melanie Joy)
Why do we treat some animals as food and others as family? Is animal agriculture really as bad as vegans say it is? And if I want to change things, is veganism my only option?
Featuring Melanie Joy, social psychologist, founding president of the NGO Beyond Carnism, and author of "Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows."
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Marriage (with Stephanie Coontz)
What was the original purpose of marriage? What's up with all those wedding traditions? And what makes a marriage last?
Featuring Stephanie Coontz, researcher and author of Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage.
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Dying (with Jennie Dear)
How will most of us die? How do our expectations of death go wrong? How can we all have a good death?
Featuring Jennie Dear, author of “What Does It Feel Like to Die?: Inspiring New Insights into the Experience of Dying."
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Childbirth (with Tina Cassidy)
Why do we keep early pregnancy a secret? How long have we been giving birth in hospitals? And why is childbirth so painful?
Today's guest is Tina Cassidy, author of the book “Birth: The Surprising History of How We Are Born.”
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Lying (with Judi Ketteler)
Is honesty really the best policy? What's the difference between a good lie and a bad lie? And how much do we lie to ourselves?
Today's guest is Judi Ketteler, author of the book “Would I Lie to You?: The Amazing Power of Being Honest in a World That Lies.”
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Infidelity (with Lucia O’Sullivan)
It's the #1 cause of breakup and divorce. What if we're approaching infidelity all wrong?
Today's guest is Lucia O'Sullivan, a social psychologist and professor in the department of psychology at the University of New Brunswick in Canada.