
The Brain Candy Podcast
Laugh and learn with Susie Meister PhD & Sarah Rice MFT from MTV's The Challenge as they cover psychology, pop culture, human interest, and science, and make everything from The Kardashians to quantum physics accessible to all.
Latest episodes

May 20, 2024 • 1h 5min
814: Jerry Lee Lewis, Conjoined Twins, & Psychopath Kids
You spoke, we listened--you said you wanted more personal stories, so we're doing our best! Hear why Susie's eyeballs are mid and Sarah's on a tropical vacation. Susie talks about Jerry Lee Lewis, who is a rock-n-roll legend, but is highly problematic, and Sarah explains how we can love people for their best traits without condoning their sins. We get confirmation that body parts do correlate in size, so if you see a man with a big nose, just know it might mean a lot more. We discuss a set of conjoined twins who recently died, the reasons they didn't want to be separated, and how they lived day to day. We find out the traits of psychopath children, the shockingly young age it can be spotted, and the hope professionals have for their treatment.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/musicians-life-expectancy-hidden-pregnancy-shitthropoceneJoin our Candy Club, shop our merch, sign-up for our free newsletter, & more by visiting The Brain Candy Podcast website: https://www.thebraincandypodcast.comConnect with us on social media:BCP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastSusie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterSarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBCP on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodSponsors:Get an exclusive 10% off your first order at https://thrivecausemetics.com/BRAINCANDYTry AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first subscription at https://drinkag1.com/BRAINCANDYHead to https://laundrysauce.com/BRAINCANDY and use promo code BRAINCANDY at checkout for 15% off!Go to https://www.songfinch.com/BRAINCANDY and start your song – after you purchase, you’ll be prompted to add Spotify Streaming for your original song for FREE - a $50 value!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 16, 2024 • 1h 2min
813: Fears for Tears, Mona Lisa's Eyes, & Dementia Identity
Three cheers for lesbian weddings, and fingers crossed Sarah gets to have one someday. The Louvre is moving the Mona Lisa to the basement and now we want to know what the fuss is about her anyway. We debate whether Taylor Swift should use a private jet to fly or if she should fly commercial like the rest of us. Sarah wonders what the future of concerts is, and whether virtual reality could provide the same transcendence that in person events do. We learn what effect women's tears have on men and Susie successfully gets Sarah to cry about the movie Steel Magnolias. Susie describes a Pulitzer prize-winning article about dementia and the questions it raises about decision-making, identity, and autonomy for people who have it and their families. Plus, we try to figure out why urinary tract infections are so much worse for older folks.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/undercover-reporter-no-lift-policy-pole-vaultingJoin our Candy Club, shop our merch, sign-up for our free newsletter, & more by visiting The Brain Candy Podcast website: https://www.thebraincandypodcast.comConnect with us on social media:BCP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastSusie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterSarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBCP on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodSponsors:Head to https://moshlife.com/braincandy to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on your first 6-count Trial Pack.To get Naked Wines’ 6 bottle for $39.99 offer, head to https://nakedwines.com/BRAINCANDY and use code BRAINCANDY for both the code AND password.For 25% off your order, head to https://madrabbit.com/braincandy25 and use code BRAINCANDY25See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 13, 2024 • 1h 5min
812: Stuffed Animals, Charlie Chaplin, & Titanic Grit
Sarah has the Little League World Series fever, but really she just loves that they hug each other. Susie isn't so sure about all this touchy feely stuff, and is startled by the stats on the number of adults who sleep with stuffed animals. We revisit the story of a journalist who went undercover as a high school student, discuss why it's considered unethical, and debate whether it was valuable research. We hear about a Titanic survivor who continued a life of bravery, and Susie wonders why there seems to be less of that toughness now. We learn about Dan Rather's career in journalism, and how he is a symbol of a bygone era. We learn about senior living facilities' "no lift" policies, and the reasons they call 911 to deal with residents who fall instead of aiding them. We discuss the legacy of Charlie Chaplin and consider whether his "genius" is enough for us to overlook his cringey and questionable romantic partners and his bizarre perfectionism on set. Plus, we celebrate a pole vaulter who is making bank by breaking world records over and over again.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/undercover-reporter-no-lift-policy-pole-vaultingJoin our Candy Club, shop our merch, sign-up for our free newsletter, & more by visiting The Brain Candy Podcast website: https://www.thebraincandypodcast.comConnect with us on social media:BCP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastSusie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterSarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBCP on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodSponsors:The Brain Candy Podcast is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit https://www.betterhelp.com/braincandy today to get 10% off your first month!Visit https://www.carawayhome.com/braincandy you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase!Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code BRAINCANDY15 at https://lumedeodorant.com! #lumepodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 9, 2024 • 1h 4min
811: Schrodinger's Cat, Fake Vegetables, & Microfeminism
Sarah explains why latino families are happier about lending money and giving gifts to their family members, but Susie says cranky families are pretty fun too. Botanists want you to know there's no such thing as a vegetable despite literally everyone else agreeing there is. Susie wants plastic surgery and wants you to vote on what she should get next (even though she insists plastic surgery is "stupid"). A cat was shipped across the country in an Amazon box on accident, and we have several followup questions. We find out what the age is when you're officially old, and it's younger and older (???) than we thought. Sarah explains what microfeminism is and how you can stick it to the patriarchy in smalls ways all the time and make men squirm.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comJoin our Candy Club, shop our merch, sign-up for our free newsletter, & more by visiting The Brain Candy Podcast website: https://www.thebraincandypodcast.comConnect with us on social media:BCP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastSusie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterSarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBCP on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodSusie on X: https://www.x.com/susie_meisterSarah on X: https://www.x.com/ImSarahRiceSponsors:Get 20% OFF @honeylove by going to https://www.honeylove.com/BRAINCANDY! #honeylovepodGet an extended 30 day free trial when you go to https://www.dipseastories.com/BRAINCANDYHead to https://www.smalls.com/BRAINCANDY and use promo code BRAINCANDY at checkout for 50% off your first order PLUS free shipping! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 6, 2024 • 1h 2min
810: Hospital Beeps, North Korean Jeans, & Dog Hotels
We talk about the gallery employee who surreptitiously hung up his own art and got fired as a result. Susie makes a confession about The Jinx that has us questioning her mental acuity. We discuss a documentary where a young man travels to a remote island to convert the tribe to Christianity only to meet his death. We hear about the effect hospital machine beeps have on healthcare workers and their patients, and how changing the tone of the beeps can save lives. North Korea allows a BBC gardening show on their state TV, but they blur out the gardeners trousers, and it made our day. Sarah shares why she is upset about jorts, and Susie is talking about dogs again. We hear why dog owners pay a lot of money to leave their pets at luxury hotels designed for our canine family members.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comJoin our Candy Club, shop our merch, sign-up for our free newsletter, & more by visiting The Brain Candy Podcast website: https://www.thebraincandypodcast.comConnect with us on social media:BCP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastSusie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterSarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBCP on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodSusie on X: https://www.x.com/susie_meisterSarah on X: https://www.x.com/ImSarahRiceSponsors:Grab your Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier Sugar-Free in bulk nationwide at Costco or get 20% off your first order when you go to https://www.liquid-iv.com and use code CANDY at checkout!Get an exclusive 10% off your first order at https://thrivecausemetics.com/BRAINCANDYTry AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first subscription at https://drinkag1.com/BRAINCANDYCancel your unwanted subscriptions by going to https://rocketmoney.com/BRAINCANDYSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 2, 2024 • 1h
809: Disney Adults, B Movement, & Snoop Dogg's Promise
Sarah says we need to amend Marie Kondo's guide for decluttering by reminding people of the responsibilities of possession ownership. We hear why Inside Out 2 is committed to representing the interior lives of teenage girls and Sarah tries to claim she is not a full-blown Disney adult. We hear about Harrison Ford going full Indiana Jones when he rescued a boy who was stranded. Sarah describes the "B Movement" in South Korea where women are swearing off men, marriage, and parenthood in protest of poor treatment. Plus, Sarah busts out some Old Gossip about Dionne Warwick, who, as legend has it, changed rap and hip hop forever by convincing some male artists to change their lyrics.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/nude-cruise-famous-hero-inside-out-2Join our Candy Club, shop our merch, sign-up for our free newsletter, & more by visiting The Brain Candy Podcast website: https://www.thebraincandypodcast.comConnect with us on social media:BCP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastSusie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterSarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBCP on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodSusie on X: https://www.x.com/susie_meisterSarah on X: https://www.x.com/ImSarahRiceSponsors:Get 15% off @OakEssentials with the code BRAINCANDY15 at https://oakessentials.com/BRAINCANDY15. #oakessentialspartnerGo to https://www.songfinch.com/BRAINCANDY and start your song – after you purchase, you’ll be prompted to add Spotify Streaming for your original song for FREE - a $50 value!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 29, 2024 • 1h 3min
808: Orthotics, Bluey, & Space Junk
Sarah wants to get her groove back, so she got some brand new...custom, orthotic insoles. Ma'am wants to get her groove back sensibly, in comfortable, menopausal shoes. Susie talks about the new season of the Jinx, which chronicles the murder confession and conviction of real estate heir, Robert Durst, his origin story, and his downfall. And why the original docuseries changed True Crime documentaries forever. We debate whether the long-awaited and much hyped Bluey special did the viewers dirty by making a plotline that is more aspirational than reality based, and why parents are none too pleased. We learn about a nude cruise that is setting sail, but they do not want people getting the wrong idea, so they've listed rules about when to use a towel, take pics, and whether the buffet line will have people's privates dangling nearby. A metal object from the International Space Station hurdled toward Earth and smashed into a Florida home despite NASA believing space junk would burn up in the Earth's atmosphere. Susie describes the documentary about Hans Zimmer, movie score composer and cinematic musical legend (who composed the Interstellar score by the way).Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/nude-cruise-famous-hero-inside-out-2Join our Candy Club, shop our merch, sign-up for our free newsletter, & more by visiting The Brain Candy Podcast website: https://www.thebraincandypodcast.comConnect with us on social media:BCP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastSusie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterSarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBCP on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodSusie on X: https://www.x.com/susie_meisterSarah on X: https://www.x.com/ImSarahRiceSponsors:Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/BRAINCANDYGo to https://paireyewear.com and use code CANDY for 15% off your first pair!Get $20 off your purchase of the Hatch Restore and free shipping at https://www.hatch.co/BRAINCANDYSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 25, 2024 • 59min
807: Men Behaving Badly, Hip Hop Dance, & Art Heist
Sarah had an unusual live comedy experience at the Demetri Martin special taping, and it took her back to her Real World days. She claims she did badly in her hip hop dance class despite being in the "top 25% of dancers." We learn about Sarah's traumatic and morbid Coachella experience, and we can't believe she's never shared this story before. We are fuming about the men who thought they should destroy a national monument by pushing rocks that are millions of years old off a cliff. A company is marketing weight loss drugs to men, and the difference between the ways they market to women are fascinating. Sarah tells us how someone stole rare bird feathers from a natural history museum to make fancy fly fishing flies, and it is one of the biggest "heists" in history. But the real take away from this episode is that Susie should probably not have wine during recordings because she cannot (!) stop laughing.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/brozempic-feather-theft-empire-of-painJoin our Candy Club, shop our merch, sign-up for our free newsletter, & more by visiting The Brain Candy Podcast website: https://www.thebraincandypodcast.comConnect with us on social media:BCP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastSusie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterSarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBCP on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodSusie on X: https://www.x.com/susie_meisterSarah on X: https://www.x.com/ImSarahRiceSponsors:Get 20% off your first order when you go to https://www.liquid-iv.com and use code CANDY at checkout!To get Naked Wines’ 6 bottle for $39.99 offer, head to https://nakedwines.com/BRAINCANDY and use code BRAINCANDY for both the code AND password!Get 20% OFF @honeylove by going to https://honeylove.com/BRAINCANDY! #honeylovepodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 22, 2024 • 1h 3min
806: Cold Plunge, Good Grief, & Blair Witch Project
Susie wants Sarah to have a Costa Rican tropical getaway, and Sarah agrees, but she is also thinking of going fly fishing and doing cold plunges, so this could go downhill fast. We talk about Charles Shultz, the creator of Peanuts and Charlie Brown, and Susie had an ugly cry watching the documentary about him. We celebrate a man who has the world record for longest marathon time in history (which Susie believes she could top) and boo a man who did a half marathon barefoot on ice wearing next to nothing. He also has a world record for the longest plank, and we hate him. Susie is worked up about the people who made the Blair Witch Project getting a raw deal, and it reminds us of being a reality tv star, which is its own horror genre. Plus, we hear why song lyrics are getting simpler, more repetitive, and angrier, and we're sad about it.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/brozempic-feather-theft-empire-of-painJoin our Candy Club, shop our merch, sign-up for our free newsletter, & more by visiting The Brain Candy Podcast website: https://www.thebraincandypodcast.comConnect with us on social media:BCP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastSusie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterSarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBCP on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodSusie on X: https://www.x.com/susie_meisterSarah on X: https://www.x.com/ImSarahRiceSponsors:Get $30 off the first box - PLUS free Croissants in every box - when you go to https://wildgrain.com/BRAINCANDY to start your subscription!Get an exclusive 10% off your first order at https://thrivecausemetics.com/BRAINCANDYThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit https://www.betterhelp.com/BRAINCANDY today to get 10% off your first month!For 25% off your order, head to https://madrabbit.com/BRAINCANDY25 and use code BRAINCANDY25See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 18, 2024 • 1h 3min
805: Octopus Parents, Fun Town, & Music Ban
Sarah wants a dog and Susie thinks it's because Sarah prefers chaos. New York City is trying to curb their rat problem by giving them birth control, but we have some logistical questions. A little boy who is obsessed with octopuses (octopi?) convinced his parents to let him adopt one, but it turned out their little spineless adoptee was with child, well children, 50 of them, and now they have a real aquatic problem on their hands. Martin Short has a new career in politics, and we are very excited about it, but he also has a new, very famous girlfriend, and this is the Hollywood It Couple we've been waiting for. A fashion house created pants that makes it easier for women to take matter into their own hands, if you know what we mean, and Susie is mad as a hornet about it. Her prudish side is in full force along with her Larry David-esque frustrations toward the man who did full downward dog yoga at her airport gate. Plus, we hear why Chechnya banned ballads...Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/stick-obsession-martin-short-unlikely-petsJoin our Candy Club, shop our merch, sign-up for our free newsletter, & more by visiting The Brain Candy Podcast website: https://www.thebraincandypodcast.comConnect with us on social media:BCP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastSusie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterSarah's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBCP on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodSusie on X: https://www.x.com/susie_meisterSarah on X: https://www.x.com/ImSarahRiceSponsors:Visit https://www.carawayhome.com/BRAINCANDY to take advantage of this limited-time offer for 10% off your next purchase!Get 15% off LolaVie with the code BRAIN at https://www.lolavie.com/BRAIN #lolaviepodGet 15% off @OakEssentials with the code BRAINCANDY15 at https://oakessentials.com/BRAINCANDY15. #oakessentialspartnerGo to https://www.songfinch.com/BRAINCANDY and start your song – after you purchase, you’ll be prompted to add Spotify Streaming for your original song for FREE - a $50 value!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.