

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

Sep 16, 2025 • 1h 18min
Alien Comets & the Hunt for Earthlike Atmospheres
This episode of Curiosity Theory with Dr. Dakotah Tyler (@dr.starkid) and Justin Shaifer (@mr.fascinate) first covers the science of finding life: alien communication strategies, the idea of a galactic Goldilocks zone where intelligent life may arise, biosignature searches in small exoplanet atmospheres, and what scientists are learning from the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas currently in our solar system.Then we switch gears to talk about Meta and the ethics of AI after their disturbing internal ethics document leaked. Follow us on socials: @curiositytheorypod @dr.starkid @mr.fascinate Support us by subscribing to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CuriosityTheory

Sep 9, 2025 • 53min
Finding the Curiosity to Endure
This week on Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer open up about pressure, family, and resilience. Dakotah talks about his own mental health journey and how curiosity became a lifeline From personal stories to practical tools, to a mind-bending thought experiment about being a smaller species, this episode blends lived experience with curiosity and imagination.Follow us on socials: @curiositytheorypod @dr.starkid @mr.fascinate

Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 4min
Techno-Feudalism, Awkward Oligarchs, and... Talking Dolphins?
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer ask what happens when AI meets Dr. Doolittle. Could we actually talk to dolphins and other animals with machine learning? From animal communication to OpenAI’s for-profit turn, billion-dollar projects like Stargate, and the strange power games of modern oligarchs, we explore how technology, money, and ambition collide in shaping the future. Show your support - join our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/CuriosityTheory Follow us on socials: @curiositytheorypod @dr.starkid @mr.fascinate

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