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Taboo Science

Taboo Science

By: Ashley Hamer Pritchard
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About this listen

 Taboo Science is a podcast that answers the questions you're not allowed to ask. It's hosted by Ashley Hamer Pritchard, a science writer and podcaster. Every episode dives into a different societal taboo to understand the science that makes it tick, the reasons we don't talk about it, and the impact that has on society at large. Why don't we eat people? Why are my swear words different than my parents'? And what makes porn, porn? It's science class if science class had one of those anonymous question boxes. It's Taboo Science.Copyright Ashley Relationships Science Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Trans 101: Finding Healthcare That Won't Kill You

    Trans 101: Finding Healthcare That Won't Kill You
    Dec 11 2025
    Here's a wild statistic: nearly a quarter of trans people in the U.S. avoid going to the doctor specifically because they expect to be disrespected. And honestly? They're probably right. In this episode of Taboo Science, we're pulling back the curtain on a healthcare system that requires trans patients to prove they're "really trans," charges thousands of dollars for basic care, and somehow graduates doctors who've never learned how to treat trans bodies. You'll hear from sociologist stef shuster about the folklore of trans medicine that doctors still believe, psychologist Stephanie Budge about the critical difference between over-emphasizing and under-emphasizing gender in treatment, and comedian Max Gross about what it's like to be your own medical educator at every single appointment. This episode is not gonna make you like your insurance company, but I promise there's hope at the end.

    More from stef shuster:
    • Website: http://stefshuster.com/
    • Buy their book: https://nyupress.org/9781479899371/trans-medicine/
    More from Max Gross:
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxgotjokes/
    See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/trans-101-finding-healthcare-that-wont-kill-you/

    Connect with the show:
    • Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscience
    • Leave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscience
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience
    • Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/
    Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473
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    37 mins
  • RERUN - Asexuality: The Sexual Orientation Missing From Your Sex Ed

    RERUN - Asexuality: The Sexual Orientation Missing From Your Sex Ed
    Nov 27 2025
    It's Thanksgiving here in the US, so we're re-running one of the most popular Taboo Science episodes of all time. We'll be back in two weeks with an episode about trans healthcare access!

    In this episode, we challenge the common perceptions of attraction and explore the complexities of asexuality. Sociology PhD candidate Canton Weiner shares invaluable insights from his research while Sarah Costello, co-host of the podcast "Sounds Fake, But Okay," opens up about her personal experience being aro-ace, or aromantic asexual. We examine the split attraction model and shed light on various types of attraction, delve into the history of asexuality with pioneers like Magnus Hirschfeld and Alfred Kinsey, and discover how the rise of the internet has shaped the asexual community. This episode challenges misconceptions, explores the intersection of asexuality and other identities like race and gender, and highlights the need for increased understanding and acceptance within the LGBTQIA community.

    Check out Canton Winer's University of Irvine bio and his research.
    Listen to Sarah Costello's podcast Sounds Fake But Okay and pick up her new book, Sounds Fake but Okay: An Asexual and Aromantic Perspective on Love, Relationships, Sex, and Pretty Much Anything Else.

    See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/s3-e2-asexuality/


    Need music for a project? Use my Epidemic Sound referral link: https://share.epidemicsound.com/kbva2h

    Connect with the show:
    • Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscience
    • Leave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscience
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience
    • Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/
    Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473
    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Nonbinary 101: Beyond the Binary

    Nonbinary 101: Beyond the Binary
    Nov 13 2025
    What if the government declared you don't exist? In 2025, that's exactly what happened to nonbinary people—but they're not going anywhere. This episode breaks down what nonbinary actually means (hint: it's not "between man and woman"), why they/them pronouns are harder for our brains to process, and how some nonbinary people use hormones to craft their perfect gender recipe. With help from psychologist Dr. Em Matsuno and our sensitivity reader Newt Schottelkotte, we're exploring everything from microdosing testosterone to why misgendering is the default for nonbinary folks—along with the benefits to the journey of gender discovery. Whether you're nonbinary yourself, know someone who is, or are just trying to figure out how to not mess up someone's pronouns, this episode will help you understand what it means to make your own gender from scratch.
    More from Em Matsuno:
    • Empowerment Lab website: https://empowermentlab.wordpress.com/
    • Empowerment Lab on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerment_lab_asu
    More from Newt Schottelkotte:
    • Website: https://newtschottelkotte.com/
    See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/nonbinary-101-beyond-the-binary/

    Need music for a project? Use my Epidemic Sound referral link: https://share.epidemicsound.com/kbva2h

    Connect with the show:
    • Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscience
    • Leave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscience
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience
    • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience
    • Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/
    Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
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