Posted on

Episode 43 – The Skin You’re In

In this episode, Lauren peels back the layers of your body’s largest organ. Get ready to talk connective tissues, injuries, bacteria, anthropodermic bibliopegy, and more! [Some parts not for the super-squeamish–but Julia sat through the whole recording session, so you are probably okay.] Later, enjoy* a quiz called “By the Skin of Your Teeth (Bible Trivia)”!

.

[* alternately, by “enjoy,” we mean “feel bad about forgetting everything you ever learned in CCD or bible study”]

.

.

.

[Music: 1) Hole, “Celebrity Skin,” 1998; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Posted on

Episode 42 – Rosalind F—in Franklin (and the Structure of DNA)

In our 42nd episode, Julia puts SCIENCE under a microscope to tell the story of chemist and x-ray crystallographer Rosalind Franklin, whose research was essential to the understanding of the structure of DNA. [Also, DNA– what is it???] Later, enjoy a quiz called “The Gee, Gnome Project”!

.

.

.

[Music: 1) Backing track: Lin-Manuel Miranda, The Decemberists, “Ben Franklin’s Song,” 2017 – Lyrics added by Julia N., 2018; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Posted on

Episode 41 – A Talented and Crotchety Old Man

In our 41st episode, Lauren introduces the timid, little-known, mild-mannered American author [and inventor!] Samuel Langhorne Clemens […although you may already be familiar with his nom de plume]. Later, enjoy a quiz called “A Barkeeper Entering the Kingdom of Heaven”!

.

.

.

[Music:  1) Tina Turner, “Proud Mary,” 1988; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Posted on

Episode 40 – Cry Me a River

In our 40th episode, Julia bends our ears and conveys the Global Rivers You Should Know [along with related sidebars] in this super-sized water-themed ep. [And Canadian Tourism Board, if you’re listening, we’re available.] Later, enjoy a quiz called “Rolling on a River”!

.

.

.

[Music:  1) Johann Strauss II, “The Blue Danube Waltz,” 1867; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Posted on

Episode 39 – The Dirty Thirties

In our 39th episode, Lauren blows us all away with details about the Dust Bowl [the droughts, erosion, and swirling soil storms of the prairie states in the 1930s] and how one of Cardi B’s favorite people helped to stabilize the region. Later, enjoy a quiz called “Dust to Dust”!

.

.

.

[Music: 1) Nanci Griffith, “This Old Town,” 1993; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Posted on

Episode 38 – Holiday in Mongolia

In our 38th episode, Julia conquers the topic of Genghis Khan and the Mongolian Empire in the 12th and 13th centuries. [Hold onto your yaks!] We debut a new segment dedicated to Real Funny Ladies– first up: the late, great Madeline Kahn. Later, enjoy a quiz called “Cons or KHAAAAAAAAAANs”!

.

.

.

[Music:  1) TALES, “The Doors of Khanbaliq,” 1999. Courtesy of TALES, CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Posted on

Episode 37 – These Plants Can Kill You

In our 37th episode, Lauren digs up some dirt on a variety of plants that will do some serious damage to the human body. [BTW, don’t eat a whole bag full of dried apricot kernels… and DEFINITELY don’t pick your own wild mushrooms.] Later, enjoy a quiz called “Poison Pen”!

.

.

.

[Music:  1) Bell Biv Devoe, “Poison,” 1990; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Posted on

Episode 36 – General-ly Speaking

In our 36th episode, Julia gives the marching orders and commands our attention as we learn about some Very Important Generals of the U.S. Army and the major battles, campaigns, and operations they led. Later, enjoy a quiz called “‘General’ Knowledge”!

.

.

.

[Music: 1) The United States Army Band – Pershing’s Own, “The Army Song (Band Only).” Courtesy of the United States Army Band; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Posted on

April 1 Special: Mister Information

Hello, and welcome to Mister Information– an offshoot trivia podcast for gents [and ladies] who kind of enjoy trivia but also sticking it to annoying teams at pub quiz.  In this very special episode, Steve and Josh fill in for your regular hostesses and discuss food science and trivia learned from Canada’s favorite actor-turned-rapper. Later, enjoy a quiz on Easter, Eggs, and Easter Eggs!

.

.

.

[Music: 1) Lonely Punk, “Easter Island,” 2016. Courtesy of Lonely Punk, CC-BY-SA 4.0 license;  2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]

Posted on

Episode 35 – Moms in Space: The Voyager Program

In our 35th episode, Lauren takes us into the great beyond with the Voyager Program and highlights the women who helped to interpret the incredible photos and data received from these two probes. […Go ahead and get your giggles out now in anticipation of all the times we say “Uranus.”] Later, enjoy a quiz called “Gold Records”!

.

.

.

[Music:  1) Daft Punk, “Voyager,” 2001; 2) Frau Holle, “Ascending Souls,” 2017. Courtesy of Frau Holle, CC BY-NC 3.0 license.]