

Curiosity Theory
Dr. Dakotah Tyler & Justin Shaifer
A podcast about sharpening your curiosity through science, stories, and bold questions. With Astrophysicist Dr. Dakotah Tyler & STEM Educator Justin Shaifer.Support the podcast by buying the hosts a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/curiositytheorypod
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 12min
Strange Exoplanets, Believable Sci-Fi, and Humanity 10,000 Years in the Future
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer take on your questions. From exoplanets to the far future of humanity, to which sci-fi ideas are actually realistic, this conversation bounces across science, imagination, and curiosity at its best.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CuriosityTheoryFollow us on socials: @curiositytheorypod @dr.starkid @mr.fascinate

Aug 19, 2025 • 1h
Fascinating Frontiers (with minor setbacks): Justin's Sci-Fi Anthology
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler (@Dr.Starkid) and Justin Shaifer (@Mr.Fascinate) put Justin’s original sci-fi ideas under the microscope. They walk through first contact, gaseous life, hive minds, solar system sized parties, atmosphere engineering, uploaded ancestors, and the economics of a cloud afterlife. From physics to biology to society, we ask: what works, what doesn’t, and what could maybe happen one day?🎙 Hosted by Dr. Dakotah Tyler (@Dr.Starkid) Justin Shaifer (@Mr.Fascinate)Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CuriosityTheory📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @CuriosityTheoryPod 📱 Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @CuriosityTheoryPod

Aug 12, 2025 • 1h
Being 'Tough' Isn't Enough: A Men's Mental Health Toolkit
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer talk openly about the challenges men face when it comes to mental health. A lot of conversations about men’s mental health swing between two extremes. One says toughness is all you need. The other says toughness is the problem. The truth is more complex than that, because men are more complex than that. In this episode we explore building a real toolkit: discipline, vulnerability, purpose, movement, philosophy, and community, to meet life’s challenges with the right tool at the right time. Paper Links:Testosterone Paper:Not giving up: Testosterone promotes persistence against a stronger opponent - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306453021000883A Positive Affective Neuroendocrinology Approach to Reward and Behavioral Dysregulation - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4489099/Exercise and Depressions Paper:Effectiveness of physical activity interventions for improving depression, anxiety and distress: an overview of systematic reviews - https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/18/1203Analytical Rumination Hypothesis Paper:Testing the Analytical Rumination Hypothesis: Exploring the Longitudinal Effects of Problem Solving Analysis on Depression - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32714239/🎙 Hosted by: Dr. Dakotah Tyler (@Dr.Starkid) Justin Shaifer (@Mr.Fascinate)📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @CuriosityTheoryPod 📱 Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @CuriosityTheoryPod 🎧 Available on all major podcast platforms

Aug 8, 2025 • 1h 2min
Flipping the Script on "Toxic" Traits w/ Maynard
In this engaging conversation, Maynard Okereke, a science communicator known as @hiphopmd, dives deep into the intersection of culture and STEM. He explores the importance of embracing diverse perspectives in discussing toxic traits and self-care. The dialogue emphasizes nurturing curiosity in children and accepting uncertainty in personal journeys. Maynard also shares insights on consistency's role in success and recounts his experience on 'Shark Tank', highlighting the power of storytelling in entrepreneurship. A thought-provoking blend of science, identity, and ambition!

Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 7min
Astrology & Astronomy Were Married - Then Astronomy Filed For That D-I-V-O-R-C-E
Why does astrology still hold so much power in the age of science?In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler (@Dr.Starkid) and Justin Shaifer (@Mr.Fascinate) break down the surprising psychological and cultural forces behind astrology’s popularity. They unpack how it differs from astronomy, how belief systems spread through algorithms, and what science communicators can do to meet people where they are without compromising truth.Also featuring a conversation about Justin & Dakotah's zodiac signs🎧 Follow @CuriosityTheoryPod on Instagram & TikTok 📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @CuriosityTheoryPod 🔗 Referenced video: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6yYPNc8/

5 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 59min
Never Giving up Can Change Your Life: The Bounce Back Blueprint
Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer dive into the importance of curiosity and its role in overcoming life's challenges. They candidly share their journeys, from dealing with injuries and depression to achieving their dreams in astrophysics and entrepreneurship. The discussion touches on the bizarre world of online interactions and the struggle for authenticity in professional settings. Packed with humor and personal anecdotes, the conversation encourages listeners to rediscover their passions and resilience in the face of adversity.

Jul 22, 2025 • 52min
Exoplanets, Alien Life & Cosmic Odds
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer go deep into the science (and speculation) of alien life.They break down how we search for exoplanets, what biosignatures NASA is actually looking for, and why life doesn’t need to look anything like what we expect.From Venus to Alpha Centauri to unknown surprises, this episode is for anyone who’s ever looked up and wondered: are we the only ones out here?🎙 Hosted by: Dr. Dakotah Tyler (@Dr.Starkid) Justin Shaifer (@Mr.Fascinate)📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: @CuriosityTheoryPod 📱 Follow on Instagram & TikTok: @CuriosityTheoryPod 🎧 Stream on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get audio

Jul 15, 2025 • 47min
People Trust TikTok over PhDs: The Misinformation Nation
Delve into the murky waters of misinformation and the decline of science literacy. The hosts tackle the crisis of trust in experts, revealing how funding cuts impact researchers. Discover the tension on TikTok between engaging content and accurate science. Historical cases of mistrust underscore the exploitation in research, while navigating cosmic measurements brings skepticism into focus. Explore the vital role of critical thinking in assessing scientific claims amidst sensationalism, emphasizing the importance of understanding the scientific method.

Jul 8, 2025 • 1h 23min
Is Understanding AI the New Literacy?
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer break down the promises and pitfalls of artificial intelligence.From the tension between hype and reality to expert disagreements and a little solar physics just because, this is an honest, nuanced, and human conversation about a technology shaping everything.*In this episode Dakotah said there were 1 million automobile accident deaths in the US annually, but that is a global figure, not just the US*🎙 Hosted by: Dr. Dakotah Tyler (@Dr.Starkid) Justin Shaifer (@Mr.Fascinate)📱 Follow the show: @curiositytheorypod 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your audio. Check out the video component on YouTube!

Jul 1, 2025 • 57min
The Smartest People in the Room Might Be Telling Jokes w/ Manny
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer sit down with comedian Manny (@delamomanny) to talk about identity, creativity, and how much (or how little) people really change over time.They dig into ambition, self-esteem, neurodivergence, streaming culture, and the challenge of balancing hustle with staying grounded.🎙 Hosted by: Dr. Dakotah Tyler (@dr.starkid) Justin Shaifer (@mr.fascinate)👤 Guest: Manny (@delamomanny) 📱 Follow the show: @curiositytheorypod 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you get your audio.