• The Super Soldier Update
    May 30 2025

    While it may sound like science fiction, human militaries throughout history have always sought for an edge over their enemies -- and, in this search, ethics quickly go out the window. In tonight's episode, Ben, Matt and Noel explore the latest updates in the creation of a modern "super soldier," from technological breakthroughs to designer drugs... and levels of genetic modification that may leave a soldier less human than before.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Listener Mail: Gas Station "Casinos," Cannabis, Cryptids, Airport Disasters and Missing Faberge Eggs
    May 29 2025

    Beuford breaks down the mechanics of gas station casinos. Josie explores the science of cannabis and oil-based products. Kangaroo fight updates. FrostyCold1 puts the guys on the strange case of missing Fabergé eggs. Fatigued and Flying explains the issues with air traffic controllers. All this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • The Bizarre World of Dream Experiments
    May 28 2025

    Multiple animals dream -- and, even now, people have little understanding of why dreaming occurs. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt explore the newest research in dream states... and, spoiler: they end up with more questions than answers.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Strange News: Regeneron Bought Your DNA, CA Birdpocalypse, AI Job Cuts, Free El Gato
    May 27 2025

    Roundup pesticides get a pass from Georgia. CrowdStrike joins the AI craze. A mysterious birdpocalypse in California. Regeneron buys the bankrupt 23andMe, prompting concerns over consumer's DNA. Free El Gato. All this and more in this week's strange news segment.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr
  • CLASSIC: The Wide World of Food Conspiracies
    May 27 2025

    Whether rich or poor, young or old, everyone on the planet has to eat. Government institutions monitor the safety, cleanliness and consistency of our favorite foods, but as with any global industry, there are more than a few skeletons in the collective closet of the food and beverage business. Join Ben and Matt as they dive down the gastronomic rabbit hole of food conspiracies in tonight's Classic episode.

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • What happens in a nuclear war?
    May 23 2025

    Since the US bombing of Japan in World War II, the world entire has remained terrified of nuclear weapons. Even as scientists and scholars spent decades warning about the existential threat posed by technology that can literally end civilization, countries across the planet raced -- and race still -- to gain this capability for themselves. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt ask: What actually happens in a large-scale nuclear war? (Spoiler, tune in for our upcoming episode: "What can I do to survive a nuclear war?"

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • Listener Mail: Dreaming Aloud, Beyond Time
    May 22 2025

    In this evening's weekly listener mail segment, "Ben," Matt and superproducer Tennessee Pal welcome in-depth explorations of dreams from a first-hand perspective. Join the gang as they suss out the tricky nature of linear time -- also, bonus points if you wrote to us earlier,

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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    49 mins
  • Can we really break physics?
    May 21 2025

    "Why does stuff happen? Can we predict it -- and if so, what do these predictions tell us?" Loosely described, the concept of "physics" is the First Science of human civilization. In tonight's episode, Ben and Matt explore recent discoveries that may well upend humanity's understanding of reality (also, spoiler: check out our upcoming episode on dreams).

    They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    1 hr and 9 mins