

Dope Labs
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Dope Labs is a podcast hosted by best friends (and two of the dopest scientists you will ever meet), Titi and Zakiya. In each episode, they serve up scientific principles with a healthy dose of tea. From cuffing season to Cardi B, they’ll take what’s trending and put it under the microscope with the help of some very smart (and cool) scientific friends. At Dope Labs, we believe “science is for errybody” and our mission is to bring out the inner scientist in YOU.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 16, 2021 • 25min
Lab 042: Understanding HIV Part I
We’ve all been learning a LOT about vaccines this year, and it got us thinking, what about vaccine development for other viruses? Currently, almost 40 million people worldwide have HIV, and scientists have been working on a vaccine for four decades. In Part I of this two-part series, Titi and Zakiya talk to Dr. Christine Daniels, a cell biologist who works on developing novel vaccines for HIV, about the progress we’ve made so far, how the HIV virus is similar and different to SARS-CoV-2, and why designing an effective vaccine for HIV has proven so elusive. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 9, 2021 • 38min
Lab 041: Out of Control
Reproductive health has been in the news a lot lately, most recently with the Supreme Court hearing Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization last week. So in this Lab, we talk to Dr. Elizabeth Ruzzo, the founder of Adyn, all about birth control. It’s proven very effective at preventing pregnancy, as well as treatment for symptoms of some reproductive health issues like uterine fibroids and PMDD, but can come with some pretty nasty side effects. Birth control has not changed much since the 60's so we're talking about how scientists are using endocrinology and genetics to make more personalized medicine for individuals. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 2, 2021 • 29min
Lab 040: Money Moves
The holiday season is upon us and that means more online shopping but this doesn't mean that we have to put our accounts in the negative to get the things we need or the things we want. In this lab we talk to Natalia Brzezinski, head of strategy at Klarna, about how fintech can save our pockets. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 25, 2021 • 35min
Lab 039: Add to Cart
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up, and the holiday shopping season right around the corner, there’s going to be a lot of people clicking “Add to Cart” over the next few weeks. This year has been full of headlines about labor shortages, trucker strikes, and stalled cargo ships. In this crazy economic climate, how are companies managing to source, ship, and deliver goods? We’re talking to Christopher Mims, author of “Arriving Today,” on the complex choreography of getting products from the factory to your doorstep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 18, 2021 • 35min
Lab 038: So Anxious
The holiday season is here, and with that, comes a lot of anxiety. In her new book, “Good Anxiety: Harnessing the Power of the Most Misunderstood Emotion,” guest Dr. Wendy Suzuki traces the origins of anxiety, why it’s so prevalent today (spoiler alert: EVERYONE has it), and how to make it work for us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 11, 2021 • 44min
Lab 037: In Denial
Dope Labs is BACK and WEEKLY! And so much has happened since our last Lab, it’s hard to even know where to start. So we’re kicking off Semester 4 by talking about science denial with Dr. Gale Sinatra and Dr. Barbara Hofer. Their book, “Science Denial: Why it Happens and What to Do About It,” explores the psychological issues that keep folks from having a broad understanding of science. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nov 10, 2021 • 6min
Semester 4 Sneak Peek 👀
Semester 4 kicks off brand new, weekly episodes on November 11th. But we couldn’t wait that long to show you what we’ve got cooking! Here’s a little sneak peek. Don’t forget to follow us on Spotify! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 25, 2021 • 3min
Semester 4 is WEEKLY Starting November 11!
Hello, friend. It’s been a minute. We’ve missed you. But we have some exciting news! Dope Labs is back November 11th, with new episodes every Thursday. Follow us on Spotify so you don’t miss a beat! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dec 3, 2020 • 36min
Lab 036: Shoot Your Shot - A COVID Update
In the final Lab of Semester 3, Titi and Zakiya give a highly requested coronavirus update. They’ll highlight the advances in science and the public health plans with guests Dr. Rupali Limaye and Molly Sauer from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Read Titi and Zakiya’s editorial in Scientific American here: https://bit.ly/3mz060I Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 29, 2020 • 36min
Lab 034: Presently Futuristic
Like everyone else on the planet, Titi and Zakiya have been obsessing over Lovecraft Country. It’s the latest in what could be called a renaissance in Afrofuturism and Black horror, along with Watchmen, Get Out, and Black Panther. In Lab 034, they do a deep dive on all things Afrofuturism, and how to distinguish it from other popular genres like science fiction and horror with our guest Dr. Kinitra Brooks. Actor Levar Burton also drops in to give his perspective on the importance of developing diverse stories in media. For more info visit dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.