Jasmin Graham, a shark scientist and author of 'Sharks Don't Think,' dives into the fascinating world of hammerheads. She shares insights into their unique behaviors and evolutionary quirks. The conversation also explores why it’s perfectly normal to have crushes on fictional characters, particularly the villainous ones. Plus, discussions about the vital role vultures play in maintaining ecological health and the threats they face highlight the urgent need for conservation efforts. A mix of science, humor, and heartfelt passions awaits!

Andy "River" Peterson discusses the future of crustacean matriarchal overlords, sparking thoughts on aquatic governance. Amanda shares fascinating insights about mice that have developed a fear of men, raising questions about animal behavior. Rachel uncovers hidden cryptograms in a vintage silk dress, revealing secrets that intertwine fashion and history. The group humorously navigates through themes of gender dynamics in research and the ecological implications of invasive crayfish, blending science with curiosity and entertainment.

Jon Collins Black joins the show to talk treasure hunting. Plus, Laura explains why the color blue is very nuanced, and Rachel talks about local ants living in Manhattan.The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!Click here to learn more about all of our stories! Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltmanLink to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn--Follow our team on TwitterRachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltmanProduced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddyPopular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSciTheme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQThanks to our Sponsors! Get 20% OFF @honeylove by going to https://honeylove.com/WEIRDEST #honeylovepod This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at: https://BetterHelp.com/WEIRDEST Make your fall finances a little greener by working towards your financial goals with Chime! Open your account in just 2 minutes at https://Chime.com/WEIRDEST Chime. Feels like progress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Danielle Bainbridge delves into the chilling world of forbidden experiments, discussing the ethical dilemmas of language deprivation studies and their implications for human development. Sara Kiley brings a lighter touch, arguing that sometimes being annoying can be preferable to being deadly, offering surprising insights on human behavior. The conversation weaves through dark historical experiments and the nuances of social interaction, making for a captivating exploration of the bizarre sides of science and humanity.

Dropout TV's Lily Du and Grant O'Brien join the show, where Rachel quizzes them Dirty Laundry-style on all kinds of weird history.The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!Click here to learn more about all of our stories! Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltmanLink to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn--Follow our team on TwitterRachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltmanProduced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddyPopular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSciTheme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQThanks to our Sponsors! Right now, get 60% off at https://Babbel.com/WEIRDEST Get 20% OFF @honeylove by going to https://honeylove.com/WEIRDEST! #honeylovepod Keep track of what’s important with Tile. Visit https://Tile.com today and use code WEIRDEST to get 15% off all Tiles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Astrophysicist and folklorist Moiya McTier reveals that there are potentially too many galaxies for us to comprehend. Sara Kiley dives into the evolutionary history of ancient sharks and how climate changes shaped their adaptations. Rachel explains how ants act as mini surgeons, performing intricate procedures to help injured colony mates. Discover the surprising possibilities that ant saliva holds for future research and intriguing parallels between ancient and modern marine life amidst current climate challenges.

Rose Eveleth joins the show to talk about chromosome testing in the Olympics. Plus, Claire returns to talk elite tug-o-war, and Rachel talks about the leech that can fly.Listen to Rose's new show, Tested: https://link.chtbl.com/js0J2gTxThe Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!Click here to learn more about all of our stories! Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltmanLink to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn--Follow our team on TwitterRachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltmanProduced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddyPopular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSciTheme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQGet 20% OFF @honeylove by going to https://honeylove.com/WEIRDEST! #honeylovepodKeep track of what’s important with Tile. Visit https://Tile.com today and use code WEIRDEST to get 15% off all Tiles. Live it up this summer and make progress towards your financial goals with Chime. Open your account in minutes at https://www.chime.com/WEIRDEST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dr. Jessica Ware from the American Museum of Natural History joins the show to talk about the most perfectly shaped poo. Plus, Laura talks about being popular in the apocalypse, and Rachel explains why some Vikings and other folks had especially pointy heads.The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!Click here to learn more about all of our stories! Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltmanLink to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn--Follow our team on TwitterRachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltmanProduced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddyPopular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSciTheme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQThanks to our Sponsors! Right now, get 60% off at https://Babbel.com/WEIRDEST This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at https://BetterHelp.com/WEIRDEST Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Guest Owen Ever from A Field Guide to Gay Animals discusses homosexuality in giraffes. Topics include dramatic snake behaviors, impatient birds, and exploring queerness in nature. The episode also covers subway harassment prevention, male giraffe courtship rituals, and non-human animals using referential communication with syntax.

Annalee Newitz returns to the show to discuss the cutest little food delivery robots you've ever seen. Plus, Rachel talks self-medicating apes, and Amanda explains why we love our pets' stink and our lovers' smelly armpits.The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!Click here to learn more about all of our stories! Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltmanLink to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn--Follow our team on TwitterRachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltmanProduced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddyPopular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSciTheme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQThanks to our Sponsors! Right now, get 60% off at https://Babbel.com/WEIRDEST This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at https://BetterHelp.com/WEIRDEST Ask for Claritin-D at your local pharmacy counter. You don’t even need a prescription! Go to https://Claritin.com right now for a discount so you can Live Claritin Clear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices