

Chemistry For Your Life
Melissa and Jam, Bleav
A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life.
Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life!
In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating.
If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.
Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life!
In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating.
If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 29, 2023 • 1h 11min
Bonus: 1,000,000 Downloads! - YouTube Live Replay
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 45
This month we have a special bonus episode. To celebrate reaching 1,000,000 downloads, we hung out with a bunch of podcast listeners on YouTube Live and answered questions and had a blast. Check it out if you missed it!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville
J0HNTR0Y
Jeannette Napoleon
Cullyn R
Erica Bee
Elizabeth P
Sarah Moar
Rachel Reina
Letila
Katrina Barnum-Huckins
Suzanne Phillips
Nelly Silva
Venus Rebholz
Lyn Stubblefield
Jacob Taber
Brian Kimball
Emerson Woodhall
Kristina Gotfredsen
Timothy Parker
Steven Boyles
Chris Skupien
Chelsea B
Bri McAllister
Avishai Barnoy
Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

Jun 22, 2023 • 43min
Why DO mosquitos bite some people more than others? (new research!)
A podcast discusses why mosquitoes bite some people more than others, highlighting ongoing research. The hosts use analogies and introduce the importance of understanding mosquito attraction. They explore a study conducted in a natural environment and discuss the factors that contribute to mosquito attraction, such as volatile organic compounds and diet. The podcast also touches on the process of scientific research and the hosts' thoughts on the TV show 'Succession'.

Jun 15, 2023 • 34min
Do mosquitos bite some people more than others?
In this podcast, the hosts discuss why some people get bitten by mosquitos more than others. They explore factors like volatile acids, lactic acid, carbon dioxide, body temperature, bacteria, and metabolic rate. They also discuss the relationship between allergy medicine and mosquito bites, as well as the complex factors that contribute to mosquito biting behavior. The hosts share their recent work accomplishments and motivation for future podcast discussions.

Jun 8, 2023 • 40min
Bonus: Why is butter yellow? (and other questions)
Topics discussed in this podcast include the effectiveness of baking soda and vinegar as cleaning agents, why butter is yellow and can sometimes lose its color when whipped, the debate of whether a hot dog is a sandwich or a taco, the confusion of numbering rooms and the classification of bonds, and advice for new fathers on supporting their partners and finding their roles as dads.

Jun 1, 2023 • 45min
What is the greenhouse effect?
Explore the reasons behind cars getting hot in summer and the environmental consequences. Learn about the greenhouse effect and its connection to cars. Discuss extreme heat and the danger of hot cars. Discover the use of reflectors for cars and the relationship between water and temperature. Explore the potential effects of UV light on the greenhouse effect. Reflect on gaining knowledge through the podcast and recent family events. Join the hosts in their recent date night and learn how to engage with the podcast and support the show.

May 25, 2023 • 31min
Why does carbonated water have a taste?
#026 Rebroadcast
This week, Melissa and Jam discuss part of an often requested topic: carbonation. Does it have a taste? Like why does carbonated water taste different than flat water? And what is carbonation in the first place? Does it give you unusually long life? How is it so refreshing? We answer some of those questions.
References from this episode
The Taste of Carbonation - Jayaram Chandrashekar, David Yarmolinsky, Lars von Buchholtz, Yuki Oka, William Sly, Nicholas J. P. Ryba, Charles S. Zuker
Scientists Discover Protein Receptor for Carbonation Taste - National Institutes of Health
Carbonation Has a Taste - Scientific American
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville
J0HNTR0Y
Jeannette Napoleon
Cullyn R
Erica Bee
Elizabeth P
Sarah Moar
Rachel Reina
Letila
Katrina Barnum-Huckins
Suzanne Phillips
Nelly Silva
Venus Rebholz
Lyn Stubblefield
Jacob Taber
Brian Kimball
Emerson Woodhall
Kristina Gotfredsen
Timothy Parker
Steven Boyles
Chris Skupien
Chelsea B
Bri McAllister
Avishai Barnoy
Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

May 18, 2023 • 52min
What is popcorn?
#161
Summer's here, blockbusters are coming out, people will be headed to the movies, and nothing goes better with a movie... than popcorn. At least that's how we feel around here. But what even is popcorn? Are the kernels just like regular corn? How do they pop to become popcorn? What even is the stuff we're eating? Can someone please tell me what's going on?? Let's dig in.
References from this episode
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/bm049220l
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0733521083800071
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.1098/rsif.2014.1247#d3e573
https://ag.purdue.edu/news/2020/02/whats-under-the-shell-of-this-popular-snack.html
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/explore-the-pop-in-popcorn
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/04/050415112829.htm
https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-popcorn
https://www.compoundchem.com/2017/01/19/popcorn/
https://royalsociety.org/blog/2015/02/the-science-of-popcorn/
https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/adventures-in-chemistry/secret-science-stuff/popcorn.html
https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/plant-science-at-the-dinner-table-popcorn
https://extension.wvu.edu/lawn-gardening-pests/gardening/wv-garden-guide/growing-popcorn-in-west-virginia
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville
J0HNTR0Y
Jeannette Napoleon
Cullyn R
Erica Bee
Elizabeth P
Sarah Moar
Rachel Reina
Letila
Katrina Barnum-Huckins
Suzanne Phillips
Nelly Silva
Venus Rebholz
Lyn Stubblefield
Jacob Taber
Brian Kimball
Emerson Woodhall
Kristina Gotfredsen
Timothy Parker
Steven Boyles
Chris Skupien
Chelsea B
Bri McAllister
Avishai Barnoy
Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

May 11, 2023 • 51min
Bonus: Can coffee get HOTTER in an insulated mug? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 43
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about coffee in thermoses, yeast, intermolecular forces, plastic wrap, and more!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville
J0HNTR0Y
Jeannette Napoleon
Cullyn R
Erica Bee
Elizabeth P
Sarah Moar
Rachel Reina
Letila
Katrina Barnum-Huckins
Suzanne Phillips
Nelly Silva
Venus Rebholz
Lyn Stubblefield
Jacob Taber
Brian Kimball
Emerson Woodhall
Kristina Gotfredsen
Timothy Parker
Steven Boyles
Chris Skupien
Chelsea B
Bri McAllister
Avishai Barnoy
Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

May 4, 2023 • 38min
What is whipped cream?
#160
Recently we talked about how butter is made from cream, but how is whipped cream made from cream? What is whipping? How does whip cream get foamy and stay foamy? What's happening at the molecular level? Let's find out.
References from this episode
The development of structure in whipped cream https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1130&context=foodmicrostructure
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781118881194.ch13#:~:text=A%20foam%20is%20a%20dispersion,the%20stability%20of%20the%20foam.
Development of a model whipped cream: Effects of emulsion droplet liquid/solid character and added hydrocolloid https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0268005X0700032X
https://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/answerline/2020/12/22/whipped-cream-tips-for-perfecting-by-stabilizing/
https://uwyoextension.org/uwnutrition/newsletters/stabilizing-whipped-cream/
Experimental Food Science (third edition) Milk and Milk Products
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville
J0HNTR0Y
Jeannette Napoleon
Cullyn R
Erica Bee
Elizabeth P
Sarah Moar
Rachel Reina
Letila
Katrina Barnum-Huckins
Suzanne Phillips
Nelly Silva
Venus Rebholz
Lyn Stubblefield
Jacob Taber
Brian Kimball
Emerson Woodhall
Kristina Gotfredsen
Timothy Parker
Steven Boyles
Chris Skupien
Chelsea B
Bri McAllister
Avishai Barnoy
Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

Apr 27, 2023 • 22min
What are trans fats and are they evil?
#004 Rebroadcast
This week Melissa and Jam talk about some of the possible unexpected results of hydrogenation, including trans fats.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville
J0HNTR0Y
Jeannette Napoleon
Cullyn R
Erica Bee
Elizabeth P
Sarah Moar
Rachel Reina
Letila
Katrina Barnum-Huckins
Suzanne Phillips
Nelly Silva
Venus Rebholz
Lyn Stubblefield
Jacob Taber
Brian Kimball
Emerson Woodhall
Kristina Gotfredsen
Timothy Parker
Steven Boyles
Chris Skupien
Chelsea B
Bri McAllister
Avishai Barnoy
Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.