It's another physicode with Dr. Bryan Gillis! Bryan heard the food episode recently and wanted to chime in with a physics perspective on why your brain needs energy. Sure, there are obvious biological reasons, but also, speaking more universally, there's a reason why computing information requires energy. It involves entropy! Come learn about it!   Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? Apply here! Please please pretty please support the show on patreon! You get ad free episodes, early episodes, and other bonus content!

Dr. Dawn Fariello, a lecturer at Fordham University and expert in food systems, discusses the weaponization of sugar by food corporations. Topics include the addictive nature of sugar, its comparison to cocaine, and the manipulation tactics of food companies for profit.

Wisconsin politics and the concept of polarization are discussed with political science expert Joe Magestro. Controversies and political events in Wisconsin are explored, along with the influence of PACs on campaign financing. The involvement divide in American politics and the importance of recognizing bubbles are also highlighted.

The podcast explores the connection between attraction and immune system compatibility in relationships. It delves into the immune system's ability to handle challenges and advancements in vaccines. The chapters discuss genetics, the innate and adaptive immune system, and the impact of diversity on immune responses. The podcast also touches on transgender policies, COVID-19 immunity, and the role of genetic bottlenecks in evolution.

Dr. Elizabeth Deitch returns to discuss when and how to talk to kids about race, revealing interesting findings from two studies. The impact of media on children's understanding of race and gender is explored, along with the challenges of raising children in a gender-neutral manner. The importance of discussing race at a young age is emphasized, comparing approaches of black and white parents. The barriers and differences in discussing race with children and adults are discussed, highlighting the need for more resources for parents.

Discussion on Biden's climate legislation driving research and investment into clean energy, carbon capture, and more. Impact of electricity sector on global carbon emissions. Potential and challenges of carbon capture technologies. Limited fossil fuel resources and controversies surrounding extraction and emissions. Initiatives to reduce carbon footprint and implement carbon capture technologies. Corporate incentives, ESG, and the impact of Biden's climate legislation.

Dr. Steve Proper, an actual expert in the field of food allergies, teaches about medical science behind allergies. Discusses recent study that changed understanding of how food allergies are caused. Covers importance of expertise, history of epipens, experiences of parenting with food allergies, differences between asthma and allergic reactions, importance of early introduction of allergenic foods, impact of exposure on food allergies, oral immunotherapy as a treatment, and differences in practicing medicine as an allergist in Cincinnati vs Western Michigan.

Seriously Awful Movies 3, Good Will Hunting, was approximately 3 episodes worth of content. So, we thought it would be fun to put out some of that for everyone! Dr. Alan Smerbeck and returning SAMtacular guest Omar Najam join us as we explore the science (?) in Good Will Hunting. Is this how therapy actually works? Is Robin Williams even a therapist? Is this movie actually any good? Stormy also tells us about the actual disease Robin Williams died of, and how his case was a cautionary tale of why we shouldn't do armchair diagnosis. If you want to hear more of this SAM, head on over to patreon.com/seriouspod and pledge 2nd tier or above to snag access to these episodes, ad-free shows, and more!   Coming up VERY SOON: You can catch Omar on the brand new Dungeons and Dragons series DesiQuest! Their first episode premieres 11/14! Omar's annual 13 Days 13 Shorts project just wrapped up a couple of weeks ago. You can still see all of the submissions from folks around the world - and maybe get inspired to participate next year!   The Share Banned Books project is going strong! Huge kudos to Stormy (and you all!) for donating books and serving as librarians for your community's Little Library. Please check it out and contribute if you can!   Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? Apply here!

Special Education teacher Kelly Burke joins us to debunk the classic Andrew Wakefield vaccine study, but there's probably a whole lot that you don't know about it because holy crap this thing was shockingly terrible. It's especially insane that it had such an impact on the anti-vax movement when it was literally a pile of garbage in every way imaginable. Come learn more about truly one of the worst science thingies to ever thing.   Are you an expert in something and want to be on the show? Apply here! Please please pretty please support the show on patreon! You get ad free episodes, early episodes, and other bonus content!

Nicola Throp, a panelist at QED who specializes in covering all things Menopause, joins the show to talk about breaking the taboo surrounding menopause. The speakers discuss the financial impact of menopause on working women, the rejection of menopause as a protected characteristic in the UK, and the proposal for menopause leave. They also address the lack of awareness and challenging controversial issues surrounding menopause, the marketing tactics used to sell caffeine shampoo to menopausal women, and the importance of supporting menopausal women in the workplace.