ScienceStuff

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Ever wonder if your pet is lying to you, what's inside a black hole, or whether you'd survive being cryogenically frozen? With infectious curiosity, cartoonist and former roboticist Jorge Cham makes science fun and accessible as he answers your biggest questions on the ScienceStuff podcast.

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68 episodes
Updated May 15

Episodes68

Newest first

Sep 3, 2025 · 30 min
Happiness, Part 1: What Really Makes Us Happy?
Some say the pursuit of it defines our existence. But is there science behind it? Jorge talks to some happy experts about what really makes you happy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 27, 2025 · 36 min
Can You Stop a Hurricane?
They're huge, they're deadly, but are they unstoppable? Three experts take us inside a hurricane and reveal whether we could ever stop one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 20, 2025 · 30 min
Why Does the Universe Have a Speed Limit? (feat. Sean Carroll)
Can we go faster than light? Jorge goes into overdrive with two physicists to see if we can ever catch up to the fastest thing in the Universe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 13, 2025 · 30 min
Do Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated?
Eggcellent question! Jorge goes beyond the shell to find out why there's no consensus on whether to keep eggs cool or not. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Aug 6, 2025 · 29 min
Can We Predict Earthquakes?
Can animals, A.I. or signals in the sky tell us when the ground is going to tremble? Jorge shakes things up at an earthquake research center and experiences an earthquake in the process. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 30, 2025 · 28 min
Why Do We Have Five Fingers?
Is five a magic number? Why don't we have 3 fingers, or 7? Jorge gets the digits on this mystery with two evolution experts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 23, 2025 · 29 min
What is a Space Elevator?
Going up! Can an elevator take you all the way to space (and beyond)? Jorge talks to two scientists trying to make this happen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 16, 2025 · 31 min
Why Do Frogs Taste Like Chicken?
It's an old joke that lots of meats taste like chicken. But why is that? Jorge takes a bite out of this meaty topic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 9, 2025 · 29 min
Is There Anything Harder Than Diamonds?
What makes diamonds so hard? And could anything beat it? (The answer is yes.) Jorge gets the hard answers from physicist Jodie Bradby. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 2, 2025 · 34 min
Can We Terraform Mars?
Is it humanity's destiny to colonize Mars? Jorge talks to Martian experts to learn whether we can ever move to our sister planet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 25, 2025 · 31 min
What Makes Something Beautiful?
Is beauty in the eye of the beholder? Not according to science! Jorge takes on a beauty of a topic. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 18, 2025 · 32 min
Can We Regrow Body Parts?
Is the ability to regrow missing limbs hidden in our genes? Jorge talks to animal regeneration experts to find out what's been cut off. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 11, 2025 · 30 min
Do Animals Like Getting Drunk?
Which animals like to booze it up? Jorge takes a swig of science with animal expert Katie Goldin to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 4, 2025 · 31 min
What Is the Worst Place to Live in the Galaxy? (feat. Randall Munroe of XKCD)
Sure, there's a lot of space out there, but not all of it is prime real estate. Jorge answers questions about exoplanets for popular cartoonist Randall Munroe (XKCD). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 28, 2025 · 34 min
Why Can't Dogs Eat Chocolate?
Why do canines go cuckoo from cocoa? Jorge talks with veterinary toxicologists to find the real reason behind this animal health hazard. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 21, 2025 · 30 min
What's Inside a Black Hole?
What's hidden inside the most mysterious object in the Universe? Jorge gets sucked in with three astrophysicists to learn the truth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 14, 2025 · 34 min
Are We Living in a Simulation? (feat. Nick Bostrom)
Is your reality a lie? Jorge talks to a philosopher and a quantum scientist to learn if we're real or not. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
May 7, 2025 · 30 min
What Is It Like to Live (and Poop) in Space? (feat. Emily Calandrelli)
How does going to space change you? Jorge talks to several people who've been to space to find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 30, 2025 · 31 min
Is Food Coloring Really Bad for You?
Should artificial food dyes be banned? What does science say about this colorful topic? Jorge drinks the kool-aid with food and health scientists to learn the answer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 23, 2025 · 33 min
Is Hypnotism Real?
Look closer. You are getting sleepier and sleepier. But is it real science? Jorge interviews and gets mesmerized by two hypno-experts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ScienceStuff

Happiness, Part 1: What Really Makes Us Happy?

Can You Stop a Hurricane?

Why Does the Universe Have a Speed Limit? (feat. Sean Carroll)

Do Eggs Need to Be Refrigerated?

Can We Predict Earthquakes?

Why Do We Have Five Fingers?

What is a Space Elevator?

Why Do Frogs Taste Like Chicken?

Is There Anything Harder Than Diamonds?

Can We Terraform Mars?

What Makes Something Beautiful?

Can We Regrow Body Parts?

Do Animals Like Getting Drunk?

What Is the Worst Place to Live in the Galaxy? (feat. Randall Munroe of XKCD)

Why Can't Dogs Eat Chocolate?

What's Inside a Black Hole?

Are We Living in a Simulation? (feat. Nick Bostrom)

What Is It Like to Live (and Poop) in Space? (feat. Emily Calandrelli)

Is Food Coloring Really Bad for You?

Is Hypnotism Real?