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The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

Popular Science
Goosebumps
Fight Or Flight Response
Rats
Ants
Popular Science
Cockroaches
Elephants
Silk
Science
Tuberculosis
Period Pain
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Nature
RL Stine
Autonomic Nervous System
Mushrooms
Elden Ring
Silk Dress Cryptogram
Climate Change
Vultures

At Popular Science, we report and write dozens of science and tech stories every week. And while a lot of the fun facts we stumble across make it into our articles, there are lots of other weird facts that we just keep around the office. So we figured, why not share those with you? Welcome to The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week. For advertising opportunities please email PodcastPartnerships@Stu... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes235Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceEducation

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Artwork for The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

Latest Episodes

Alexis Nikole joins the show to talk about the heinous etymology of the juneberry (if that's even it's real name...). Plus, Liz Clayton Fuller returns to explain how birds are behind Pantone, and Rachel details the ins and outs of Naked Mole Rat soci... more

Greg Jenner joins the show to unravel all of the secrets hidden in King Tut's undies. (Seriously. There are a lot.) Plus, Sara Kiley tells the story of the crusty white dog from Madagascar, and Rachel goes down a rabbit hole about only marrying someo... more

YouTube

Sarah Dern and Emma Gommetz join Rachel this week to talk a trio of extra weird things. We've got babies spitting backwash into the boob, radio's biggest op being literal "night", and a gender-bending squirrel beloved by military veterans named Tommy... more

YouTube

Bee scientist Kit Prendergast joins the show to talk about... well... the birds and the bees. Plus, Rachel explains how portobello (portabella?) mushrooms are not exactly real. And Sara Kiley tells us how a spotted lanternfly's worst enemy could be a... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Greg Jenner
Historian and host of Your Dead to Me
BBC comedy history show; author
Episode: Literal Love Languages, Royal Dog of Madagascar, King Tut’s Undies
Dr. Kit Prendergast
Bee scientist from Australia, also known as the Bee Babette
Australian bee research community
Episode: The Greatest Con in Mushroom History, Secret Weapon: Normal Dogs, a Bee's Benis
Ben Bradford
Host of Are We Doomed?
Are We Doomed? podcast
Episode: Fallout Shelter Fads, The Library of Cocaine, Mosquito Nepobaby
Pattie Gonia
Drag queen and environmentalist introduced as a guest on the episode
Independent/Drag Community
Episode: Creativity is Crumbling, Sarcophagus Juice Sourdough, Mycelium Mutual Aid
Hari Kondabolu
Stand-up comedian, writer and podcaster
Health Stuff (co-host)
Episode: Marie Antoinette Wearing Braces, Secret Immortal Cells, Chasing the Tooth Worm
Priyanka Wali
Internal medicine physician, obesity medicine specialist
Health Stuff (co-host)
Episode: Marie Antoinette Wearing Braces, Secret Immortal Cells, Chasing the Tooth Worm
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Author of The Edge of Space-Time, Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie
Pantheon/Cannon Gate
Episode: Cannibal Caribou, Charming Worms, Strawberry-Flavored Neutrinos
Josh Gondelman
Comedian, writer; frequent contributor on Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me; author of Make My Day
Make My Day, Desus and Mero (past work)
Episode: REVISITING Art Crime Doesn't Pay, Canines Cooking Meat, Eggs Gone Wrong
RL Stine
Author of the Goosebumps book series
Episode: Check it out: 'Ask Us Anything' from Popular Science. On this episode, GOOSEBUMPS

Hosts

Rachel Feltman
Co-host and science writer/editor with Popular Science; long-running host on the show, often guiding science-curiosity storytelling.
Jess Boddy
Co-host and audio engineer; frequent on-air contributor and host with strong production presence.
Adeph
Host who explains science topics and hosts segments; part of rotation.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 4.2k ratings
  • Content good ads are obnoxiously loud

    The content of these podcasts is always very informative and entertaining. But the ads in the program are very loud, way louder than the content. This is very irritating and downright dangerous when using earphones. Such is also obnoxiously low class

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    jbuttitta
    United Statesa month ago
  • revise the intro if you’re not gonna pick a winner

    Either just pick a winner, or revise the language in the intro. It’s frustrating to hear every. single. episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    allyxrenee
    United Statesa month ago
  • Please adjust guest volumes

    The volume difference between the host and guests is really jarring. Finding myself having to consistently adjust volume throughout the episode to hear everyone clearly, which the leads to the ads blasting in my ears. Facts are interesting but nothing very weird or new, usually facts someone into sciences will have heard already. Also interesting to have Pattie Gonia on when they are embroiled in a lawsuit with Patagonia.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Johzher
    United Statesa month ago
  • Interesting, but….

    The information is interesting, but the cackling laugh is so annoying I’m not sure I can keep listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    JBS(PA)
    United States3 months ago
  • Science and Politics are not the same

    Was enjoying this as a science and technology geek, even though the hosts and guests are blatantly politically biased. But when a recent guest used non-trinary neutrinos as an argument for gender identity, that was a bridge too far. Keep science separate from politics.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Spock’s Grandpa
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Quality can be variable with ad reads and pacing; some episodes feel brisk and snackable.
Hosts mix fun banter with solid facts, though some critics note occasional over-enthusiasm.
Guests bring depth and varied expertise, enriching the science coverage.
Engaging science storytelling with a witty, curious vibe.
Listeners appreciate the accessible deep-dives into odd, memorable facts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#28
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#57
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#78
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#146
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#150
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#51
Austria/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Boob Backwash, Nighttime Radio Secrets, 10 Toes Down on Tommy
Q: What is baby backwash and why does it matter scientifically?
Baby backwash refers to milk and saliva being drawn back into the nipple during suckling, which may influence the microbiome and antibody composition of the milk, implying a two-way exchange between baby and parent that can impact the baby's immunity.
Creativity is Crumbling, Sarcophagus Juice Sourdough, Mycelium Mutual Aid
Q: What is the core idea about creativity that the hosts want to convey beyond individual genius?
Creativity emerges from external sources, environmental conditions, collaboration, and the surrounding culture, rather than being a lone, innate talent that a person possesses in isolation.
Cannibal Caribou, Charming Worms, Strawberry-Flavored Neutrinos
Q: What does non-trinary mean in neutrinos?
Neutrinos change flavor as they travel, so they are not fixed into a single category; they oscillate among electron, muon, and tau flavors, which is why they're described as non-trinary.
Medical Butt Chugging, Ancient Ice Cream Pyramids, "The Thing" but Midwestern
Q: What are the implications of the new breathing methods using the rectum?
These methods could assist in emergency medical scenarios when traditional breathing techniques aren't available, potentially providing an alternative way to oxygenate blood without a ventilator.
Medical Butt Chugging, Ancient Ice Cream Pyramids, "The Thing" but Midwestern
Q: Can you tell us about your latest book?
My latest book, 'Replaceable You,' explores the adventures in human anatomy, covering the efforts to replace various body parts.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

What is The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show acts as a fast-moving, curiosity-driven science and history short-form podcast. Episodes weave together strange but accessible facts across biology, physics, history, and culture, often featuring guest scientists, writers, and storytellers who add depth and humor. It stands out for blending rigorous fact-checking with playful banter, broad topics, and memorable anecdotes, making complex ideas approachable for a general audience. Listeners typically enjoy quirky, evidence-based storytelling with a human-angle on science and historical oddities; the format and guest mix make it especially appealing to curious, science-minded adults who like a entertaining, information-packed listen.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week:

1. Ologies with Alie Ward
2. Science Vs
3. Unexplainable
4. Science Friday
5. Sidedoor

How many episodes of The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week are there?

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week launched 8 years ago and published 235 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week?

Recent guests on The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week include:

1. Greg Jenner
2. Dr. Kit Prendergast
3. Ben Bradford
4. Pattie Gonia
5. Hari Kondabolu
6. Priyanka Wali
7. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
8. Josh Gondelman

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