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The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

Popular Science
Popular Science
Cockroaches
Quicksand
Venus
Hippos
Peacocks
Tea In the UK
Jellyfish
Cheese
Chinstrap Penguins
Long COVID
Dung Beetles
Robotic Food Delivery
Cats
Animal Behaviors
Japanese Tit Communication
Australian Lungfish
Iron Maiden
Bird Milk
ADHD

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 monthlyEpisodes213Founded7 years ago
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EducationScience

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Latest Episodes

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Carly York joins the show to talk about the most heroic rats you'll ever meet. Plus, Sara Kiley talks about some drunk monkeys, and Rachel gets into sharks' toothy foreheads.

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Sh... more

Annalee Newitz joins the show to talk all about how 18th century gossip spread like an actual infectious disease. Plus, Laura delves into how dire wolf bones could help our modern pups, and Rachel talks about the archaeologists who are studying more... more

Sarah Gailey joins the show to discuss why one scientist put the cutest little monocles on a bunch of chameleons. (And also to talk about their new book, Spread Me, out now wherever you buy books!) Plus, Rachel talks about the great Missouri snake pa... more

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Recent Guests

Carly York
Animal physiologist and biology professor
Episode: Drunk Monkeys, Heroic Rats, Forehead Teeth
Annalee Newitz
Author of Automatic Noodle
Independent
Episode: Skateboard Archeology, Dire Wolf Bones, The Great Fear
Nathan Lents
Professor of Biology at John Jay College and author of The Sexual Evolution
John Jay College
Episode: Thank Your Local Horse, OG Canners, Busting Bird Gender Norms
Mary Roach
Author of 'Replaceable You.'
Episode: Medical Butt Chugging, Ancient Ice Cream Pyramids, "The Thing" but Midwestern
Casey Johnston
Writer and author covering tech, science, and health
Episode: Horny Bugs, Women are Stronger Than Men, Evil Monkey Backpack Trends
Patricia Kaishian
A scientist and mycologist, author of "Forest Euphoria"
Episode: Masochistic Trees, Lean Mean Sex Machines, Ancient Doodles
Jess Boddy
Guest co-host and Twitch Ambassador
Twitch
Episode: Time Balls, Bug Culture, Traffic Mimes
Kate Downey
Host of the podcast Cramped, discussing women's health and period pain
Episode: Rat Sommeliers, Pneumatic Tube Flirting, Why Periods Hurt
John Green
Author and online educator, promoting his new book about tuberculosis
Author
Episode: Space Squirrels, the Most Beautiful Youth, Glass Brains

Hosts

Rachel Feltman
Host and editor at Popular Science, known for her engaging discussions on curious scientific facts and their implications.
Sara Kiley Watson
Co-host, often contributing humor and insightful commentary on science-related topics alongside Rachel.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 4.1k ratings
  • Horrible

    The use of like umm and uhhh is crazy also so off topic and sexist (trying to say that women have it harder which is crazy because men have feelings to)

    It’s annoying.

    eagle.of.red.oaks is right the constant thing I’ve heard in my life is men are a holes women can be to

    My entire life I’ve been told that men are horrible and women only get molested which is crazy most guys don’t do that it’s a small population of men also women can be mean I know that from experience

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Zuko is the best
    United States12 days ago
  • i love this show

    so interesting and honestly soooooo funny

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Elizabethhaywood
    United States2 months ago
  • A Shame

    I feel like they lean more and more towards telling super Eurocentric versions of all of the things that they learn about. It starts to get really boring and becomes super clear that they are going onto Wikipedia and reading the first few sentences that seem somewhat interesting to them until a few too many names of foreigners come up and then they move on. I don’t know… I guess it works for the majority of people listening to them.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Well then not again
    United Arab Emirates2 months ago
  • Was hopeful

    A lot of their views are jammed into talking points. We are very aligned politically but just wanted science.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Radman45
    United States4 months ago
  • 10/10 podcast

    Love the show so so much! Best podcast to put on when multitasking

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Roxy Chandria
    Canada5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, it garners a strong community feeling, where listeners feel connected to the hosts and share common interests in quirky scientific knowledge.
Listeners appreciate the blend of humor and interesting facts, often highlighting how it makes complex science accessible and enjoyable.
Some critiques revolve around the presentation style, with a few listeners finding it overly silly at times, impacting their listening experience.
The podcast is praised for its diversity of topics, which keeps the content fresh and engaging week after week.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#23
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#45
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#49
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#195
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#145
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#158
Italy/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Thank Your Local Horse, OG Canners, Busting Bird Gender Norms
Q: What is the theme of your latest book?
The book focuses on sex and gender diversity in animals, emphasizing the often overlooked variations that exist.
Thank Your Local Horse, OG Canners, Busting Bird Gender Norms
Q: Would you tell our listeners a little bit about your background and your work?
Nathan discusses his role as a professor of biology and his focus on genetics and human evolutionary context.
Bette Midler and the Salamander, How Marathon Swimmers Pee, D+D is Good for Your Brain
Q: What is the significance of the dusky salamander's rediscovery in High Bridge Park?
It highlights the importance of habitat conservation and recovery efforts in urban areas.

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?

Exploring the intersection of curiosity and comedy, this podcast presents an engaging collection of bizarre and whimsical scientific facts alongside entertaining anecdotes about the oddities of life. Each episode showcases delightful conversations among knowledgeable hosts, delving into topics ranging from historical curiosities to unusual animal behaviors, fostering a sense of wonder and humor in the everyday life of science. Noteworthy for its educational content delivered with a light-hearted tone, it appeals to listeners who relish learning while being entertained, making them eager to discover more about the quirks of the natural world.

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

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1. Ologies with Alie Ward
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How many episodes of The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week are there?

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week launched 7 years ago and published 213 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. Carly York
2. Annalee Newitz
3. Nathan Lents
4. Mary Roach
5. Casey Johnston
6. Patricia Kaishian
7. Jess Boddy
8. Kate Downey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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