Love Potions - Is There Anything Close to Life?

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Narwalls are called the unicorns of the sea. Their tusks are just one big, long tooth that's grown through their lip. They use it to communicate with each other about the water they've been in. The name narwall derives from old norse for corpse,. Because of their blotchy gray skin, looked like a floating dead sailor. So always just embrace those mutations, you magical unicorns. Also, all those in favor of a future narwell episode, say, corpse tusk.

**UPDATE: since this episode was first released, J.K. Rowling has said and written some deeply transphobic sentiments and for this, Alie no longer stans nor supports her. So in listening to this episode, let's marvel at the -ologist herself and her love of Chemistry and remember that feminism is intersectional and trans women are women, and trans folks are welcome and beloved in the Ologies universe.**

PART 2: Your questions answered by Dr. Rebecca Lai, as a continuation of last week's foundational episode.

Accio: ALL YOUR DREAMS COMING TRUE. Whether you've never read the Harry Potter series -- or you have dogeared copies on your nightstand -- there's something for everyone in this 2-part episode dissecting the science of the spells in J.K. Rowling's books. Electrochemist and professor Dr. Rebecca Lai is a devoted fan who teaches a university course called "A Muggle’s Guide to Harry Potter’s Chemistry." Alie travels to her lab at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to chat about disappearing ink, gold nanoparticles, ancient alchemy, spells that burn your enemy's eyes, others that protect you from the elements, how writing a novel is like a scientific experiment and how to keep going in the face of stumbling blocks.

**Bonus: I managed not to swear, so you can listen with the kiddos in your life.

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Theme song by Nick Thorburn

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