Dope Labs

Flash floods swamp Texas, Canadian wildfires choke the Midwest, Trump’s swollen ankles launch “Ankle-Gate,” and the UN warns 295 million people face acute food shortages. Titi and Zakiya unpack the science behind each headline — plus real-life tips to stay safe and informed. Floodplain by Tapí Story Links to support Gaza - This link provides several organizations and families in Gaza that you can support  Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do some sounds feel like a personal attack while others just fade into the background? In this episode, Titi and Zakiya dive into the science of noise with journalist Chris Berdik, author of Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take It Back. They explore how noise impacts your sleep, stress, heart, and focus—even when you think you’re tuning it out. From the sonic fallout of gentrification to rogue scientists chasing deadly soundwaves, we’re unpacking the cultural, biological, and political power of noise. Spoiler: silence isn’t always the goal. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Overwhelmed by the explosion of new AI tools? Titi and Zakiya team up with creative tech expert Lauren deVane (a.k.a. the “AI Auntie”) to cut through the noise. They decode the most game-changing tools on the market, talk cognitive debt (are our brains getting lazier?), and ask what it means to stay creative in the age of ChatGPT, Gemini, NotebookLM, and more. Plus, learn how one wild AI turned scribbles into a whole podcast. Want to check out the AI tools we mentioned in this episode? Check out the notes for this lab. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From your morning Lion’s Mane latte to zombie ants in The Last of Us—fungi are having a moment. In this episode of Dope Labs, Titi and Zakiya dig deep into the world of mushrooms with park ranger, data scientist, and mycology educator Darling Ngoh. They explore the underground networks keeping forests alive, the science behind cordyceps, and whether mushroom supplements are legit or just really good marketing.  Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zakiya and Titi chat with Dr. Cicely Shillingford from Amika to break down the real science behind hair care. From personal hair wins (and fails) to the latest product innovations, they’re getting to the root of what it means to have “healthy hair.”  What’s discussed: What’s actually happening on your scalp and with your hair at a microscopic level  The truth about popular ingredients and buzzwords (sulfate-free, ceramides, dry shampoo & more)  Cool new trends in hair care, like sustainable ingredients and innovative hair tech Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re in the middle of the summer celebration season. Whether it is Juneteenth, the 4th of July, or your family’s annual reunion, there are some elements of celebrating that never change. We pulled an oldie but a goodie - Lab 035: The Science of Celebration. This episode is a rerun, but the science is still fresh. Make sure to tag us in your photos @dopelabspodcast to show us how you celebrate! Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roberto Bolli, a PhD student in mechanical engineering from MIT, is on a mission to revolutionize elder care with his innovative robot, E-Bar. This robotic marvel autonomously glides behind seniors, ready to catch them if they stumble, inflating airbags in a flash. The conversation dives into how E-Bar can enhance safety and independence for older adults, making aging in place more feasible while complementing human caregivers. Roberto also shares insights from user testing, emphasizing the balance between technological assistance and human touch.

Harvard’s international students on the chopping block, NIH and CDC budgets slashed nearly in half, and entire datasets vanishing overnight. If it feels like a whirlwind, thats because it’s by design. This week Titi and Zakiya sit down with Dr. Chelsea Clinton to map the real-world fallout when science funding and student visas become political pawns. From the looming shortage of 86,000 physicians to foreign governments dangling big money to lure U.S. researchers abroad, we unpack why these moves threaten innovation, public health, and even your pet’s food safety. But it’s not all doomscrolling: we break down practical ways communities can push back, protect local research, and keep facts louder than the chaos.  Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imani Cheers, an associate professor of digital storytelling at George Washington University, dives into the cinematic mastery of the blockbuster 'Sinners.' She and the hosts explore the film’s innovative use of IMAX and lighting, shaping the viewer's emotional experience. They discuss the historical narratives and societal themes embedded in horror, including the representation of Black women and diverse characters. Cheers also highlights the importance of storytelling in film, advocating for educational programs that empower youth to craft science-based narratives.

What shapes how we see ourselves? From the media we consume to the chairs we sit in, the world is full of cues that influence how we feel in our bodies. We explore how these cues get under the skin and share new research revealing how fat cells behave differently as we age, independent of diet or exercise.  Titi and Zakiya sit down with Ronald Young Jr., host of Weight For It, to unpack the social, emotional, and biological weight we carry. It’s a reminder that health, biology, and self-worth don’t fit neatly into a BMI chart. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @DopeLabsPodcast and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.