

The Brain Candy Podcast
Susie Meister PhD & Sarah Rice AMFT
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 23, 2025 • 55min
882: Online Troll, Feeling Water, & Licorice Poison
The world is on fire (literally and figuratively), but Sarah is showing how she can use her talents and skills to help those in need. We revel in the joy that is women's sports and wonder why some men are bothered by their existence. Sarah was trolled by a man online who criticized her snowboarding skills, and we hear what happened when she messaged him to try to change his mind about how he treats women. Sarah talks about a famous misogynist whose feelings about women might come from his own insecurities. We discuss the perils of being short in the dating world, but how men can overcome it with a little BDE. Sarah asks Susie to explain what water feels like, and we learn why that question is almost impossible to answer. We find out a shocking bit of animal trivia, but Susie questions the data. She also won't accept the number of trees there is on Earth, so maybe the problem is her inability to accept shocking information.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/4r20181aqeJoin 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:Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code BRAINCANDY15 at https://lumepodcast.com/BRAINCANDY15! #lumepodFor a limited time get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to https://www.hungryroot.com/BRAINCANDY and use code BRAINCANDYSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 20, 2025 • 1h 1min
881: Girls Gone Wild, Shrink-Wrapped Dinosaurs, & Ozempic Comedy
We check in on our New Year's resolutions and hear why Sarah's year is looking much better than last year. We discuss the new Girls Gone Wild documentary, the seeming sociopathy of Joe Francis, and why we as a society were ok with the series's exploitation of women. We explain how the techniques used by GGW to get women to comply remind us of some of our experiences on the Challenge. Sarah describes how much of what we know about how dinosaurs looked is probably inaccurate, some of our ideas about them are wrong, and we have so much more to learn about them. We learn how food affects women in terms of desire and their willingness to succumb to the advances of men. And Susie explains why she is happy that Ozempic and other drugs used for weight-loss are such a blessing to people, and how a comedy special opened her eyes to how they affect the people who use them in positive ways.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/4r20181aqeJoin 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:Visit https://cozyearth.com and use our exclusive 40% off code BRAINCANDYVisit https://www.carawayhome.com/BRAINCANDY you can take an additional 10% off your next purchaseGet an exclusive 20% off your first order at https://thrivecausemetics.com/BRAINCANDYSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 16, 2025 • 1h 5min
880: Lonely Bananas, Appreciate You, & Flat Earth Antarctica
Sarah's coming in hot with camp jokes this year. And Susie is pissed about the move from "appreciate it" to "appreciate you," and she wants to know who is behind the shift. Sarah explains why she is a full-fledged "ma'am" these days. Susie shares how a group of flat-earthers went to Antarctica, and most of them realized the error of their ways, but some of them want to "do their own research." We hear about "no-burp syndrome" and how botox is helping these people live a burp-filled life. We debate reincarnation, hear why Sarah thinks she was a Thai fisherman, and learn what is new in the science of the phenomenon. Plus, we discuss bananas that get separated from the bunch and why they're shunned by shoppers, and what scientists are doing to prevent waste.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week’s Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/little-miss-innocent-life-after-death-mysterious-wetnessJoin 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 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to https://www.liquid-iv.com and use code CANDY at checkout.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 13, 2025 • 1h 1min
879: Hairy Babies, Leaded Gas, & Air Travel Consultant
Sarah's fear of mysterious wetness might be solved thanks to a researcher who set out to determine what the heck is in those puddles on the subway. We learn about a case of mistaken labeling on medicine that made babies grow hair all over their bodies, and a bunch of other medical mishaps that sparked reform. Susie reveals how she unknowingly became friends with a murderer in real life, and how he was eventually caught. We find out why everyone born before 1996 is at a much higher risk for mental illness, dementia, and lower IQ due to exposure to an every day substance. Susie wants to become an air travel consultant so we can all have better flying experiences and we can avoid a revolt. Sarah shares how Disney is making people with physical disabilities stand in line while developmental disabilities still qualify for special accommodations. And we discuss the documentary about the kiss that changed soccer, and why we didn't realize how much more there was to the story behind the headline.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week’s Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/little-miss-innocent-life-after-death-mysterious-wetnessJoin 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:Go to https://paireyewear.com and use code BCP for 15% off your first pair. And support the show by mentioning that The Brain Candy Podcast sent you in your post-checkout survey!Visit https://cozyearth.com and use my exclusive 40% off code BRAINCANDYSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 4min
878: Telescope Scare, Spanish Scrabble, & Goose Mystery
Susie got an email about a class action settlement for a telescope she bought, but she was asked to answer a very spooky question about it and we have questions. We hear about the new Spanish Scrabble champion and how he was able to win despite not speaking the language, and why we hope he retires from competitive Scrabble. We discuss a goose that was born without feet, the adorable solution to his disability, and the shocking way he died. And we theorize who was responsible for his demise. We reminisce about Mike the Headless Chicken who lived for 18 months without a head, and how Susie could've forgotten about this unforgettable story. We learn about the man who skateboarded from coast-to-coast and find out why Sarah supports his unusual mode of transportation. We discuss a teacher who found a bat in her classroom and died after being bitten and contracting rabies. Plus, we he hear Old Gossip about Billie Holiday's tragic life and the women of color of that time who created amazing art, but had to suffer tragic circumstances regardless.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week’s Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/the-schedule-makers-splash-pads-skateboarding-across-americaJoin 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:Start a Ritual that’s backed by science, without the B.S. Ritual is offering 25% off your first month at https://ritual.com/braincandySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 6, 2025 • 59min
877: Beyonce, Bioluminescence, & Boneless Chicken Wings
Susie can't stop talking about Luigi Mangione and the stranger-than-fiction nature of his crime and his similarities to the Unabomber. Sarah explains why the HALT (hungry, angry, lonely, tired) acronym about needs should include a P for pain as well. We discuss the Billboard designation of Beyonce as the artist of the century, whether it's premature (since we're only 25 years into the century) and why they are putting entertainment over musicianship. We find out how scientists are engineering wood to have fungus that creates bioluminescence and how these properties could help with climate change. We discuss extreme sports among seniors and why the risk might be outweighed by the benefits. Sarah explains the differences among givers, takers, and people who offer "affordances" in conversation, and where we fit on the spectrum. Plus, we debate a lawsuit by a man who sued a restaurant for calling wings "boneless" after he nearly died from swallowing a bone, and why we're furious about the outcome.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week’s Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/the-schedule-makers-splash-pads-skateboarding-across-americaJoin 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 $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to https://nutrafol.com and enter the promo code BRAINCANDYThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit https://www.betterhelp.com/braincandy today to get 10% off your first month.Visit https://cozyearth.com and use my exclusive 40% off code BRAINCANDYSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jan 2, 2025 • 58min
876: Lisa Frank, Female Athletes, & Japanese Death Row
Happy New Year, Brainiacs! It's 2025 and Sarah is feeling alive and as usual she is optimistic about this year. Which means it will be a great year (or not! who knows!) We learn how listening to certain songs can reframe your memories and why you might prefer sad songs when you're feeling blue, but maybe you should resist the urge. We discuss Nick Cannon's recent narcissistic personality disorder diagnosis and how it's the least surprising diagnosis ever. We learn about the Glitter and Greed documentary about Lisa Frank, the woman and the business. And we consider why some of the best businesses, athletes, and artists are usually forged through cruel mentors, bosses, coaches and parents, and how we reconcile those things. Susie explains how menstrual cycles can affect athletes and make them more prone to injury, and how taking oral contraceptives has a dramatic effect on whether they get hurt. We hear about a man who was on death row longer than anyone else, and the fact that he was WRONGFULLY CONVICTED, and how it drove him insane.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/musical-memories-wrongfully-convicted-glitter-greedJoin 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:Visit https://cozyearth.com and use my exclusive 40% off code BRAINCANDY See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 23, 2024 • 59min
875: New Year Goals, Testosterone Aggression, & Swallowed by a Whale
We are reviewing our year and our successes and failures with our New Year's Resolutions, and we're sharing our intentions for next year. We learn about a study by Robert Sapolsky that argues that testosterone does not increase aggression, but instead emphasizes existing tendencies and encourages people to behave in socially encouraged ways that already exist. But we have questions and concerns about his conclusions and wonder why when male animals of all species hit puberty they behave in ways that are highly aggressive in contrast to their pre-pubescent selves. We also hear about a man who claims he became trapped in the mouth of a humpback whale, and we find out why this situation was not out of the ordinary for him.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/biology-of-humans-close-calls-2025-goalsJoin 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:Cancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to https://rocketmoney.com/braincandy today.For 50% off your first order, head to https://www.smalls.com/BRAINCANDY and use code BRAINCANDYGet $30 off the first box - PLUS a free item in every box - when you go to https://wildgrain.com/BRAINCANDYSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dec 19, 2024 • 1h 41min
874: Dating Apps, Auditory Magic, & Superman
🚨 Sarah is on the dating apps! 📢 And boy, does she have the scoop on what's going on with the dating community. We find out whether the full-blown lesbians are mingling with the dabblers, what the lesbian equivalent to the fish profile pic is, and whether she is getting a lot of bites (so to speak) from her suitors. It's a treat. Plus, we hear what's in her bio. Susie reveals the goods from Tinder's report on dating trends and she is not happy about it. We learn about a challenge created for magicians to create a magic trick that relies entirely on audio and the auditory illusion that is at the foundation of the winning trick. We discuss the Super/Man documentary about Christopher Reeve, how he is portrayed that may surprise people, and how he believed the accident was "necessary" to teach him life lessons. Susie describes the documentary about the 2004 tsunami, the horror of its destruction, and how they've improved the technology to prevent such a catastrophic loss of life in the future. We find out what surprising item is found at archeological sites of war. Plus, we interview Chimp Crazy's Tonia Haddix about her appearance in the film, what she regrets about her effort to smuggle Tonka away from PETA and the sanctuary, and what her life is like now that she is so famous.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/restaurant-calories-christopher-reeve-blind-magic-tricksJoin 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://www.factormeals.com/50braincandy and use code 50braincandy to get 50% off your first box 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.

Dec 16, 2024 • 1h 4min
873: Robot Pants, Matching Tattoos, & Free Velcro
Sarah went to see Wicked, and she wants a little commotion for her ability to not sing out loud in the theater during the film. We also got a pro-tip--never get a matching tattoo with someone. If you do, your relationship is cursed according to Sarah. We learn what robot pants are, how they could help people who are disabled and/or elderly, and how much they'll cost you. We debate the virtues of having calorie counts on restaurant menus. Sarah explains what happens to astronauts's cognition after they come back from space. And she explains how she changed her mind about people who have no desire to travel or go on adventures, and why she thinks they're more useful than she used to. We hear some of the inventions and discoveries that their creators chose not to patent, which led to innovation, societal benefits, and saved lives as a result.Listen to more podcasts like this: https://wavepodcastnetwork.comRead this week's Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/thebraincandypodcast/restaurant-calories-christopher-reeve-blind-magic-tricksJoin 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:Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @lumedeodorant and get 15% off with promo code BRAINCANDY15 at https://lumepodcast.com/BRAINCANDY15! #lumepodSave on the perfect gift by visiting https://auraframes.com to get $35-off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code BRAINCANDY at checkout. Get 20% off + 2 FREE pillows for all mattress orders at https://helixsleep.com/BRAINCANDYSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


