Episodes

  • Birding for Beginners in a Changing World
    May 7 2025

    Birdwatching has taken off as a hobby in recent years, and for good reason! Birds are vital members of our planet’s ecosystems and are major bioindicators when it comes to understanding how climate change is affecting different environments. Joining host Dr. Samantha Yammine today are two passionate birders who use science to understand bird behavior and how we can better support our friends in the sky. Corina Newsome is a wildlife biologist and one of the co-founders of Black Birders Week. She speaks on the importance of birding as it relates to accessibility and environmental justice. Then, senior producer Teresa Carey is joined by Miyoko Chu from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to discuss window collisions and what birds can tell us about the climate. Finally, Sam reads a question from a listener and explains the sociological phenomenon of collective effervescence.

    Link to Show Notes HERE

    Follow Curiosity Weekly on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Dr. Samantha Yammine — for free! Still curious? Get science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    34 mins
  • Will AI Replace Scientists?
    Apr 30 2025

    The tasks that AI is able to perform has grown exponentially over the years but there are a few things AI still struggles with, like accurately mimicking scientific methodology. Dr. James Zou joins host Dr. Samantha Yammine today to discuss recent updates in AI’s ability to play the role of scientist. He is an associate professor of Biomedical Data Science at Stanford University where he created a research lab of AI scientists. Sam also investigates the ins and outs of lab-grown meat and how MDMA is being used to treat PTSD.

    Link to Show Notes HERE

    Follow Curiosity Weekly on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Dr. Samantha Yammine — for free! Still curious? Get science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    22 mins
  • Indigenous Climate Solutions, Virus Thaw, AI Brain Implant
    Apr 23 2025

    When tackling solutions to climate change, we tend to focus on westernized approaches rather than listening to Indigenous Peoples about the best ways to protect our earth. So, today, just in time for Earth Day, Dr. Samantha Yammine speaks with Dr. Myrle Ballard about natural resource and environmental management from Indigenous perspectives. Then, Sam gets into a new AI-powered brain implant that was able to translate thought into speech and how thawing permafrost in the arctic has the potential to release ancient viruses.

    Link to Show Notes HERE

    Follow Curiosity Weekly on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Dr. Samantha Yammine — for free! Still curious? Get science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    18 mins
  • Iceberg Ahead, Microbiome Map, Non-Alcoholic Wine
    Apr 16 2025

    Icebergs are natural behemoths, littered across the ocean. They are both subjects of awe and fear among sailors so today, Dr. Samantha Yammine discusses the ins and outs of these ginormous monoliths with an experienced sailor and iceberg admirer, producer Teresa Carey. Then, Sam speaks to Dr. Beth Culp, a lead author on a recent study that maps out your gut’s microbiome. After that, Sam asks the question we’ve all been thinking about: what’s the science behind non-alcoholic wine?

    If you're curious about a new theory on what happened to the Titanic, tune into Expedition Files on Wednesday, April 16 at 9pm Eastern on Discovery.

    Link to Show Notes HERE

    Follow Curiosity Weekly on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Dr. Samantha Yammine — for free! Still curious? Get science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    28 mins
  • Fungal Zombies, Audible Enclaves, mRNA Vaccines
    Apr 9 2025

    Fungal parasites like the ones shown in The Last of Us might not be starting up a zombie apocalypse anytime soon but that doesn’t mean they’re not causing trouble in other ways. Host Dr. Samantha Yammine speaks with Dr. Carolyn Elya, a mycologist specializing in fungi’s unique ability to take over the brains of insects. They discuss how that compares with the fungal zombies in the show and whether concerns over fungal influence on our brains are legitimate. Sam also explores how researchers were recently able to bend soundwaves creating what they call, “Audible Enclaves.” Then, Sam answers the age-old question: how do mRNA vaccines really work?

    Tune into the second season of The Last of Us, premiering April 13th on Max.

    Link to Show Notes HERE

    Follow Curiosity Weekly on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Dr. Samantha Yammine — for free! Still curious? Get science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    27 mins
  • Adolescent Turtles, Measles, Lab-Grown Diamonds
    Apr 2 2025

    We’re all about answering questions here at Curiosity Weekly. Questions like: where do baby sea turtles actually go when they waddle from their cozy beach nest into the ocean? Host Dr. Samantha Yammine explores the mysteries of adolescent sea turtles before bringing on our special guest, Jessica Malaty Rivera, to answer even more questions, this time about the recent uptick in measles cases in the U.S. and common misconceptions about the MMR vaccine. Finally, is there really a difference between diamonds from the earth and ones grown in a lab? Listen in to find out!

    Link to Show Notes HERE.

    Follow Curiosity Weekly on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Dr. Samantha Yammine — for free! Still curious? Get science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    23 mins
  • Flower Trade, Climate Tech, Aquafaba
    Mar 26 2025

    Spring has officially sprung! The birds are chirping, the bees are buzzing and flowers are blooming. But, have you ever wondered the journey that flowers take from the soil to your vase at home? Today on Curiosity Weekly, author Amy Stewart joins Dr. Samantha Yammine to chat about the global flower trade. Sam is also joined by producer Teresa Carey for a climate tech showdown, where Teresa tries to stump Sam and the listeners with some of the wildest ideas in climate tech. Then, you’ll learn about the secret ingredient hidden in your can of chickpeas that’s changing the way we make vegan food.

    Link to Show Notes HERE

    Follow Curiosity Weekly on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Dr. Samantha Yammine — for free! Still curious? Get science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    33 mins
  • Women In Science & The Future of Male Contraception
    Mar 19 2025

    It’s Women’s History Month and to celebrate we have Katie Hafner on Curiosity Weekly to discuss the history of women in STEM and ways we can highlight their contributions today. Then, Sam looks into the Wooly Devil, aka the first new plant genus found in a national park in almost 50 years. Finally, Sam and producer Teresa Carey talk about what to know regarding male contraception.

    Link to Show Notes HERE.

    Follow Curiosity Weekly on your favorite podcast app to get smarter with Dr. Samantha Yammine — for free! Still curious? Get science shows, nature documentaries, and more real-life entertainment on discovery+! Go to https://discoveryplus.com/curiosity to start your 7-day free trial. discovery+ is currently only available for US subscribers.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    29 mins