Renowned science writer Carl Zimmer, prominent psychologist Erik Turkheimer, and expert in statistical genomics Andrea Ganna are among the guests on this fascinating podcast. They explore the debate around being born with a sexual orientation and its impact on LGBTQ+ rights. They discuss the historical context and scientific understanding of homosexuality, the influence of genetics, environment, and culture on sexual orientation, and the fluidity of sexuality over time. The podcast also delves into the use of the "born this way" narrative in court cases and its effect on public opinion. A thought-provoking and insightful discussion!

Former host Maddie Sofia and the current host dive into the world of nudibranchs, discussing their vibrant colors, unique abilities like photosynthesis, and how they borrow skills from other organisms. These sea slugs will amaze you with their incredible adaptations and symbiotic relationships.

Last week, Lauren Sommer talked with Short Wave about the dangerous combination of heat and humidity in the era of climate change and how the heat index can sometimes miss the mark in warning people how hot it will feel. That reminded us of producer Thomas Lu's conversation about relative humidity with Maddie Sofia. He digs into why some meteorologists say it's important to pay attention to dew point temperature and how moisture in the air and temperature influence the way our body "feels" when we're outside. (Encore)Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy