B.S.: The STEM Podcast

With Artemis II being the first time in decades that humans have explored farther than Earth's orbit, it's safe to say that it is a feat in human space exploration and scientific discovery. This episode Gold and Ilyana explore the Artemis II mission and discuss the astronauts, the rocket, and most importantly, what we gain as a society and scientific community from this newest launch. List...

Rural communities in the United States have a healthcare crisis- the lack of specialists, funding, and resources have led to late stage interventions, worse health outcomes, and higher mortality rates for certain procedures and conditions. With the polarizing announcement that Alabama will be using telerobotic ultrasound systems to account for the fact that half of its counties don’t have a single...

Innovations that bring us closer to the future are incredibly fascinating but having some curiosity about what events from the past is one of the most natural human instincts. Archeology supports that curiosity by studying the material remains of past human life and activities. And be honest, who didn’t want to be an archeologist growing up?!  This episode we had on Steph the Archaeologist, to tak...

Uber's new flying cars have made waves in the media and plan to launch at the end of 2026. While this ushering of flying cars into the mainstream feels like science fiction, in this episode Ilyana and Gold  get down to the bottom of its design and place in the social sphere.  Listen To Us Anywhere:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Bf6Gk-SuKnWK0zI0i3M3Q   Contact Us: bspodcast79@gmail.c...

With groundbreaking medical advancements and the the rise of fatphobia and intolerance, GLP-1s feel like the awkward elephant in the room. This infamous medication has bounced around Super Bowl commercials and social media advertisements, leaving a trail of hot takes and misinformation. Today, Ilyana and Gold explain the real function of the drug and discuss the historical background of weight mar...

Love is in the air guys! And to celebrate, join us for our special Valentine's Day episode and our inaugural Love 201 episode! Gold and Ilyana will be discussing the neurochemistry behind love, its importance in our lives, and our hot takes on pop culture romance. Grab your friends, family, or a special someone ;) and tune in! Listen To Us Anywhere:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Bf6...

Welcome back! Ring in the new semester with Gold and Ilyana with a game to see how well they know each other. Join us while they test their friendship and their memory…is it giving besties or industry plants? Listen To Us Anywhere:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Bf6Gk-SuKnWK0zI0i3M3Q   Contact Us: bspodcast79@gmail.com   Music: William Pleasant Design: Matheus Lago Required Reading:...

Dementia is famously complicated and misunderstood. Due to the recent developments in research, the knowledge neuroscientists have gained on dementia has risen greatly, but public understanding has not grown as quickly. Today we have on Toby Curless, aka Toby the Neuroscientist on to discuss what dementia is, the neurological and social effects of dementia, and the current research and treatment o...

Food insecurity is an internationally pressing issue. As climate change continues to progress, headlines discussing failed harvests, natural disasters, and clean water shortages leave us concerned about the current and future impacts of climate change on food accessibility. Today we have Kfesteryga on to give clarity on the how climate change influences both food policy and accessibility. Katherin...

One of the most unique things about humans as species is our ability to communicate through language. Previously non-human primates have been thought to not have complex communication, however a new finding on the communication style of marmoset monkeys has us reevaluating that claim. Follow Gold and Ilyana as they discuss the new research on monkey communication! Listen To Us Anywhere:  YouTube:...

The last 6 months in the Department of Health and Human Services have been filled with misinformation, anti-scientific rhetoric, and a whole lot of confusion, the antithesis of their mission. Ever since RFK Jr. became secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, it has been in shambles. Who is the man behind the madness, and what does this mean for the future of public health? Follow...

In a society with an ever-growing market for data-tracking and personalized tech, concerns about privacy and the security of this information are incredibly high. Combining this with ongoing anxieties about the role of large corporations in the U.S. government, Oura Ring’s partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense has raised many eyebrows, especially considering the DOD’s association with Pa...

CRISPR Cas-9 is one of the biggest scientific breakthroughs to happen in our lifetime, and it has the capacity to completely revolutionize medical treatment options. Today we have on Dr. Cal Ur Science Pal on to help explain the fascinating mechanisms behind CRISPR and the ethical concerns that come with its introduction to the scientific community and the field of medicine.  Dr. Cal (dr.cal.ur.sc...

Humans are communal creatures and our desire to fit in and feel understood is why our species exists today. But how does this evolutionary urge impact our modern-day social interactions? In this episode we take a deep dive behind the sociology of microtrends and the roles of social media, capitalism, and marketing in their creation.  Listen To Us Anywhere:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel...

With over 50 years in the making, the male birth control pill is beginning to see some incredibly promising strides. This new non-hormonal male birth control is the first of its kind to reach human studies. Gold and Ilyana seek to answer their questions and yours about the science behind this novel medication and discuss its implications of it hitting the market.  Listen To Us Anywhere:  YouTube:...

B.S. is back, and even better! Ilyana and Gold discuss the new interesting things that are coming to Season 2, as well as some fun facts about scientific discovery. Syllabus Week will get you warmed up and excited for Season 2, with our first episode of the season dropping September 13 @ 9 EST! Listen To Us Anywhere:  YouTube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Bf6Gk-SuKnWK0zI0i3M3Q ⁠   Contact...

More than 100,000 people in the U.S. sit on an organ donor list awaiting life-saving transplants, with thousands dying each year before being able to receive a donor organ. These numbers grow massively when we consider the number of organs needed worldwide. With such a unique resource and limited supply, how would being able to create organs impact this medical crisis, numerous other health issues...

As beauty standards rise, and the pressure to assign importance to one’s physical characteristics strengthens, it’s no surprise that new ways have emerged to distinguish the haves from the have-nots, the beauty from the beasts. But is there a history behind these tactics, and as we emphasize looks in a persons’ worth, does it begin to spill into more dangerous places- how we view their character a...

Technological advancements may be the most pervasive force in the 21st century, and the historical unifier of sports is no exception. Athleticwear has evolved to make us faster, stronger, and more efficient in our game play, but are these supersuits turning us superhuman? In this episode of B.S., join us in discussing technodoping, athleticwear advancements, and how we navigate egalitarianism with...

Aesthetic: concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty. A concept constantly taking space in the youth’s photo dumps, Pinterest boards, and minds. While it's nice to be trendy, what are the results of a constant pressure to always have it put together? This episode we’ll be introducing a new series: The Kids Are Not Alright! We’ll be discussing issues that have been arising in Gen-Z, what...

Rising egg prices, worrying news headlines, and post-COVID scars have all drawn eyes towards H5N1, a virus currently on the rise in chicken, cattle, and even humans. To cull anxieties regarding the unknown, we’re prioritizing staying informed on what H5N1 is, and its impact on public health and the economy. In this episode of B.S., Gold and Ilyana demystify the current spiking strain of the avian...

This holiday season we’re bringing to you a special episode of B.S.: A Snow Day! In this episode we take a break from The Classroom and instead slip into cozy sweaters and even cozier conversations. Learn a little bit about winter science and mull over incredibly pressing questions about some of our favorite seasonal classics. Enjoy, well wishes, and we’ll see you guys next year!  Listen To Us Any...

Imagine explaining to your guests at dinner that the chicken on their plate never clucked, the beef never moo-ed, and the fish… never even swam? Well, that reality may be fast approaching, as cultivated meat AKA “lab-grown meat” continues to break barriers in getting regulatory approval in the West. However, this move of agriculture from bustling farms to bioreactors has aroused mixed reviews from...

From flexing your Lunchables in grade school to the annual Thanksgiving post-your-plate, it’s no surprise that Americans use food as a status symbol. But one has to wonder, what is the history behind this phenomenon and how has the recent spike in grocery prices altered our relationship with food? In this episode of B.S., Gold and Ilyana discuss the modern perception of food as a luxury and how it...

He has his mother's eyes... and his father's surgeon! In the era of endless hair transplant transformations, gym bros, and male influencers, follow us in our deep dive to figure out what's driving men to these newfound beauty standards, and how far they'll go to actually achieve them. With discussions on cosmetic tourism, a resurgence of testosterone use, double standards, and, unsurprisingly, Vin...