Divya Anantharaman, expert on the history of taxidermy dating back to Charles Darwin, discusses the remarkable journey of John Edmundstone, an enslaved person who became a skilled taxidermist. The podcast also explores the rarity of menopause in chimpanzees, the power of matriarchal societies, the tragic story of Johann DeWitt, historical balloon riots triggered by wealth disparity, and the current trend of rich people going to space to avoid such incidents.

Charlie McDonnell (aka coollike on Twitch) joins the show to talk about a very British energy scandal! Plus, producer Jess Boddy does a segment on if quicksand can really suck you down into the ground like it does in the movies, and Rachel explains how creatures can learn without brains.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=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: bit.ly/WeirdestThingILearnedThisWeek Check out Weirdest Thing on YouTube: bit.ly/WeirdestThingILearnedThisWeekYouTube If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: bit.ly/WeirdestThingILearnedThisWeek Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Laura Krantz discusses how talking to dolphins may help us communicate with aliens. Other topics include dead spider claw machines, the oldest fish ever, and the challenges of communicating with extraterrestrial life.

Sarah Gailey, an expert on the history of hippos in America, joins the podcast to discuss how hippos almost became extremely American. The hosts also delve into Miami officials performing vasectomies on peacocks to control their population and the ethical concerns around saving Einstein's brain.

PopSci's Laura Baisas discusses ancient tweezers and screams, Rachel explains leprosy past, present, and future, and Sara Kiley talks about tools and weapons made from space rocks. They delve into the mystery of ancient iron artifacts and explore the use of meteorites in construction. The podcast also addresses the increase in leprosy cases and dispels misconceptions about the disease. Additionally, they uncover Roman tweezers and ancient hair removal practices, discussing cultural reasons and comparing them to modern methods.

Scientific Illustrator and Twitch Partner Liz Clayton Fuller joins the podcast to talk about turkey vultures, their defensive puking mechanism, and why you should thank the next one you see. Plus, Rachel explains how a head of curly hair is actually scientifically cooler, and Purbita talks about Zambia's teen astronaut program.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 Link to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricornLink to Liz's Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/ipaintbirbs--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=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: bit.ly/WeirdestThingILearnedThisWeek Check out Weirdest Thing on YouTube: bit.ly/WeirdestThingILearnedThisWeekYouTube If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: bit.ly/WeirdestThingILearnedThisWeek Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Surviving an apocalypse while eating well, birds using spikes as barbecue skewers, sexing skeletons, and the collapse and rise of civilizations are among the interesting topics discussed in this episode.

Kasha Patel discusses Last of Us-like fungi spreading through wildfires, Rachel shares how bananas induce fear, and Sara Kiley talks about our buffest ancestor.

LIVE SHOW TICKETS: https://caveat.nyc/events/the-weirdest-thing-i-learned-this-week-8-24-2023The 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 Link 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=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: bit.ly/WeirdestThingILearnedThisWeek Check out Weirdest Thing on YouTube: bit.ly/WeirdestThingILearnedThisWeekYouTube If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, email, Tweet, or send this link to a friend: bit.ly/WeirdestThingILearnedThisWeek Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Stan, expert in the monkey selfie legal struggle, Amanda discussing how scientists got crows to stop pooping, and Rachel divulging details on crocodile dung birth control.