
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

Nov 28, 2022 • 1h 2min
668: Brain Buckets, Doppelgänger DNA, & Lucy Laughter
Susie watched the Barney (as in the purple dinosaur) documentary and it was a shockingly sad story. We discuss the backlash towards the wholesome content and the effect it all had on its creator and her family. We discuss the science behind when you officially become an adult and the reasons why it's not simply biology, but rather a combination of life experiences and brain development. Hear why music gives us the chills. Susie offers some "old gossip" about Lucy and Desi and their hit show, I Love Lucy, and the reason why Lucy might get too much credit. We learn about a collection of 10,000 human brains and the ethical questions about what we can do with them. Plus, we hear why everybody has a doppelganger, and you might want to find yours.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/668-669Join 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/braincandypodSusie's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/susie_meisterSarah's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ImSarahRiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 21, 2022 • 1h 2min
667: Chicken Binge, Miracle Mermaids, & Persuasion
Hear why Susie's "powder room" is very funny and Sarah's is NSFW. We discuss the implosion of Twitter and the weird devotion of Elon Musk's "musketeers." We need a new assessment of Nick Cannon because that man is not ok. Sarah offers some exciting news about young inventors and shares the amazing things young girls are developing in STEM. Sarah is very annoyed about a man who ate a rotisserie chicken every day for 40 days, and her reasoning is that it's not that hard to eat that much chicken. We learn about "persuasion fatique," which we as a society are all dealing with as politics become more polarized. And we hear about a group of mermaids (!!!) that saved a drowning man, and this is not just Sarah's usual fan fiction! Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/667Join 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/braincandypodSusie's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/susie_meisterSarah's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ImSarahRiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 17, 2022 • 1h 1min
666: Satanic Panic, Falwell's Fall, & Stuttering
Today is finally our demonic episode featuring the number of the beast 666! We are so excited to discuss the evils of the Satanic Panic. We learn where the panic started, why Sarah's parents were into all the devilishness, and why Susie now can't listen to Pink Floyd as a result. We hear about Anton LaVey, who started the Church of Satan and the allegations lodged at innocent people about rituals and occult affiliation. We also learn how the panic never really ended, but just morphed into Pizzagate and other conspiracy theories still around today. Susie explains why Jerry Falwell Sr. was in on it, and now his heir is in hot water over a poolboy, threesomes, and a whole lot of hypocrisy. We find out why people have different manners today and we are disclosing a lot of private info about ourselves, and we hear why that has good and bad effects on culture. Plus, we hear about a video on stuttering that made Susie realize how we all need to learn how to be better listeners.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/665-666Join 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/braincandypodSusie's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/susie_meisterSarah's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ImSarahRiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 14, 2022 • 1h 1min
665: Childlore, Toilet Destruction, & Penis Preoccupation
We're fresh off our reunion in Chicago, so we discuss our trip, the fun we had with our Brainiacs, and the comedy show in which Susie performed. Sarah is getting us all nostalgic about our childhood by discussing the games kids play, their enduring appeal generation after generation, and what makes them so fun. We learn how the games kids play and things that interest them are consistent, catchy, and kid-created. We learn why men are constantly touching their junk, and we debate whether it's instinctual or cultural. We hear why nose-picking might be way worse for you than we thought. Sarah explains how Japan's oldest toilet endured a fate far worse than just a bad poo situation when the man charged with guarding it ended up causing its demise. Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/665-666Join 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/braincandypodSusie's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/susie_meisterSarah's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ImSarahRiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 10, 2022 • 1h 1min
664: Trapper Keeper, Reality Show Hell, & Candy Cigarettes
Susie has a new enemy and we're all very excited about it. We are less excited about her husband's recent health scare, and Susie has some tips for you if you're in a similar situation. We discuss the Tree of Life documentary about the Jewish synagogue shooting, and why it was a tribute instead of a "true crime" trope. We hear about the man who invented the Trapper Keeper and why it became a cultural touchstone. Susie discusses a Japanese reality tv show that made us thankful we were on the Challenge instead. We reminisce about candy cigarettes and hear about the shocking statistic about kids who ate (smoked?) them. Plus, Sarah reveals a scandalous detail about her parents that blows Susie's mind. Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/663-664Join 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/braincandypodSusie's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/susie_meisterSarah's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ImSarahRiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 7, 2022 • 59min
663: Shrinking, Slapping, and Swearing
We begin with a warning to candy manufacturers--we're on to you and your smaller fun size candy bars and treats. Who do you think you're fooling? This isn't our first rodeo. We learn about a bird who flew so long that we are starting to think birds are superheroes. Sarah teaches us about humming, which aside from being annoying, it turns out can improve your health in a million ways. We discuss a new sport called slap fighting that is ridiculous and Susie thinks Sarah would be good at it. And we find out why swearing is actually amazing, and provides a lot of benefits to us. So fuck you, Linda. Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/663-664Join 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/braincandypodSusie's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/susie_meisterSarah's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ImSarahRiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nov 3, 2022 • 1h 2min
662: Boomers, Groomers, & Rumors
Susie is mad at one of her favorite authors, so she rants about his boomer views. We discuss a documentary about competitive dog groomers, and Susie explains why she thinks they're similar to professional athletes. We hear some "old gossip" about Jayne Mansfield, and learn why her death saved lives. We debate a New York Times Op-Ed that said therapy isn't for everyone, and going doesn't mean you're necessarily a good person. Susie wants to know if any of Sarah's therapy clients have ever been combative (and it's probably because Susie sounds like she wants to punch her therapist, which doesn't seem like a healthy attitude. lol). We discuss the fishermen who loaded their fish with weights to cheat in a contest, and we discuss people who *ahem* cheat and then want to "take the money and run." Plus, Susie discusses the rise in online "cults" and why the culture right now makes conspiracy theories more appealing. Listen out for this week's Old Gossip™ segment and let us know your favorite celebrity stories from the archives. Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/661-662Join 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/braincandypodSusie's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/susie_meisterSarah's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ImSarahRiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 31, 2022 • 1h 1min
661: Pavlov Exposed, Gamer Identity, & Online Harassment
Happy Halloween, Brainiacs! Today we're getting spoooooky. We hear why the story of Pavlov, his dogs, and that damn bell are not at all accurate, and we've been living a lie. We hear why "gamer identity" makes them more prone to bigotry and radicalization. Plus, Sarah explains what it's like to be harassed online, how it makes you see people differently overall, and why it's way more common than we realized. And she offers specific techniques for dealing with the feeling that the whole (online) world is against you. And in honor of Halloween, Susie tries to talk Sarah into dying her hair black again. Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/661-662Join 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/braincandypodSusie's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/susie_meisterSarah's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ImSarahRiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 27, 2022 • 1h 3min
660: Facts of Life, Lottery Losers, & Purse Mystery
Susie is worked up today! First she insisted on delving into some "old gossip" about Frank Sinatra that blew Sarah's mind. Susie's also mad at Spotify and Sarah is offended. We discuss a documentary about a murder on a submarine that gave Susie literal nightmares. We hear what it's really like to go on Jeopardy! and it might not be as good as you'd think. We debate whether free, crowdsourced info like Wikipedia is beneficial or problematic, and why the truth can be expensive. Susie explains why book sales are so mysterious and scholars aren't able to access the info. We hear about a poker scandal that has us fuming, the history of purses, and Sarah admits to having something very witchy in her bag.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/659-660Join 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/braincandypodSusie's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/susie_meisterSarah's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ImSarahRiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oct 24, 2022 • 58min
659: Old People Smell, Fish on Drugs, & Mosquito Bites
Sarah has the giggles when she tries to fall asleep, so today we hear why you think things are funnier at bedtime. We discuss "old people smell," and learn why different age groups have different odors and whether it's hygiene, hormones, or just the smell of death. Sarah finds out why fish in certain rivers are hopped up on drugs and why it's affecting fish populations. We discuss the practice of putting ashes of a loved one in your tattoos and we revisit the skin preservation and framing trend. Finally, we hear whether certain people are prone to getting bit by mosquitoes and what factors influence their attraction to you. Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/659-660Join 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 Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/braincandypodSusie's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/susie_meisterSarah's Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ImSarahRiceSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.