Science with The Blunt Letters

In this episode of Science with The Blunt Letters , we investigate several scientists who have recently gone missing—cases now being pursued by the FBI. The surprising twist? Nearly all of them specialize in astrophysics or space-adjacent research. Micaela, Elle, and Jerbil sift through the facts and ask the big question: what’s really going on here? The hosts break down public records, reported t...

Join Elle Lectrick, Micaela Superstar, and Jerbil as they recount the shocking moment a peaceful chimp community split into rival groups and things went full-on nightmare mode in Gombe Stream National Park. With Jane Goodall and her team watching in absolute disbelief, the chimps launched raids, plotted ambushes, and generally acted like no one had prepared them for the concept of chill. Featuring...

On this fiery installment of the Science with The Blunt Letters, Micaela, Elle, and Jerbil take on the infamous Hot Sauce Challenge—ten sauces, zero shame, and absolutely no regard for their future digestive peace. As the heat levels rise, the trio tests every so-called remedy they can get their hands on (milk, bread, ice cream, prayer, etc.) while breaking down the science of capsaicin: why it bu...

In this episode, Elle, Micaela, and Jerbil dig into the messy legacy of Typhoid Mary—aka Mary Mallon—the woman history loves to blame. We break down how this poor cook got turned into America’s favorite disease scapegoat. We explore how sexism, classism, and science collided to ruin her reputation. Was she a menace, a martyr, or just really dedicated to peach ice cream and dangerously casual about...

Elle, Micaela, and their Googler Jerbil are back to geek out on poison — this time, the sneaky, silent assassin: arsenic. In this final chapter of their Poisoning Series, they uncover what arsenic actually is, where it’s hiding, and share some wild stories of accidental and intentional poisonings. From Napoleon’s rumored demise to Giulia Tofana’s deadly cosmetics and Scheele Green’s toxic legacy i...

In the second installment of The Blunt Letters Poisoning Series, Elle and Micaela dive into the strange and terrifying history of ergot poisoning. From contaminated rye bread in the Middle Ages to its possible connection with the Salem Witch Trials, ergot has been haunting humanity for centuries. We explore the science of the fungus Claviceps purpurea , how it causes convulsions, hallucinations, a...

We’re kicking off our brand-new Poisoning Series with one of humanity’s oldest toxic troublemakers: lead! From ancient Roman plumbing to 20th-century paint and gas, Elle and Micaela trace the wild history of lead poisoning and how it shaped the world around us. Along the way, we dive into The Young Poisoner’s Handbook and the work of forensic science pioneer Alexander Gettler, who helped crack som...

This week, the Blunt Letters crew dives into the funky, fizzy world of fermentation! From kombucha to kimchi, we explore how this ancient process transforms food, boosts gut health, and maybe even sharpens your mind. Along the way, we share strange facts, personal experiments, and why your microbes might just be your best friends. Tune in for laughs, learning, and a taste of the weird science behi...

Sarah Bartell is back on The Blunt Letters Podcast ! After making her mark as a rugged Naked and Afraid survivalist and off-grid homesteader, she’s returned to share eerie tales of unexplained encounters and give an inside look at her wolfdog rescue efforts. Get ready for a wild, haunting, and heartwarming episode with one of the most authentic voices in survival. *We will be updating the show not...

This week on The Blunt Letters , Micaela, Elle, and Jerbil dive headfirst into the surprisingly fascinating world of submarines ! What starts as a look at the tragic OceanGate disaster and the new Netflix documentary quickly turns into a deep-sea rabbit hole of science, history, and a whole lot of “Wait, submarines do what now?” From how these underwater beasts actually work to the wild ways human...

Dive deep with The Blunt Letters as Micaela, Elle, and Jerbil explore the strange and slippery secrets of the deep! From the eerie legends of Lake Baikal , the world’s largest (and weirdest) lake, to brine pools that act like underwater death traps, the crew takes you on a wild ride through Earth’s most mysterious waters. They chat about ancient sea monsters , underwater UFO sightings , and vanish...

This week on The Blunt Letters , Micaela, Elle, and Jerbil blast off into a science discovery roundup that’s as bizarre as it is brilliant! From the newly identified cat color dubbed "salty licorice" to invisible solar panels that turn windows into clean energy sources, the hosts explore cutting-edge discoveries that are changing how we see the world—literally. They marvel at scallops an...

In this mind-bending episode of The Blunt Letters , Micaela, Elle, and Jerbil dive deep into the dystopian, daring, and sometimes darkly funny science fiction world of director Bong Joon Ho . From the grimy class warfare aboard Snowpiercer to the genetically engineered heartbreak of Okja , the monstrous consequences of The Host , and the speculative intrigue of Mickey 17 , the gang dissects how Bo...

In this episode of The Blunt Letters Podcast, hosts Elle Lectrick and Micaela Superstar dive deep into Season 3 of Showtime’s Yellowjackets . They unravel the latest twists, share their wildest fan theories, and debate what’s real, what’s imagined, and who’s definitely not making it to the finale. With their signature blend of humor and insight, they predict what’s in store for the final two seaso...

In this episode of The Blunt Letters Podcast, fan-favorite guest Scientist Sarah returns to dish on the current state of science in today’s wild world. She gives us the lowdown on what’s happening in labs and headlines. We ask the burning questions—some smart, some silly—and get fascinating and fun answers. As always, Sarah brings the facts with a side of realness. Featuring original song "Science...

This week on Science with The Blunt Letters , Micaela Superstar and Elle Lectrick return with another delightfully disgusting installment of the Poop Chronicles ! Joined by special guest Jon B. from Naked and Afraid , the trio dives into the science, myths, and madness surrounding weaponized waste . It’s messy, it’s mind-blowing, and it’s scientifically legit (mostly). So grab your headphones and...

In this stellar episode of The Blunt Letters , hosts Elle Lectrick , Micaela Superstar , and Jerbil blast off into the world of sci-fi literature as they share their latest reads. From mind-bending narratives to speculative futures, they discuss the books fueling their days. But that's not all — the crew dives into the fascinating (and slightly unsettling) situation of astronauts still strande...

This week, we continue our deep dive into the surreal and seductive world of David Lynch, focusing on his mind-bending Los Angeles trilogy: Lost Highway , Mulholland Drive , and Inland Empire . We unravel body-swapping mysteries, Hollywood curses, and the undeniable power of a super sexy micro bang. Are we trapped in a dream? A nightmare? A never-ending audition? Who knows?! But one thing’s for su...

In this episode of the Blunt Letters Podcast , we pay tribute to the late David Lynch, a visionary who reshaped cinema and deeply influenced generations of artists, including our own Micaela. Lynch’s ability to tap into the subconscious through surreal storytelling, dreamlike imagery, and eerie sound design has profoundly shaped cinema. His work blurs the line between reality and dreams, evoking e...

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! We’re welcoming the new year with weird stories from our backyard, this episode is all about creepy California. We had a recent tsunami warning and it made us wonder, what should we do? Then we describe and discuss lesser-known cryptids from the golden state. Finally, what’s going on with Mt. Shasta? This volcanic mountain has been a hot bed for everything fro...

In this episode of The Blunt Letters , we launch with an eye-opening Space Update , diving into the fascinating conditions astronauts face aboard the International Space Station—from microgravity woes to cosmic living quirks. Then, we bring it back to Earth with a stylish spin, exploring three quintessential pieces of American fashion: the classic moto jacket, the timeless Chuck Taylor Converse sn...

This week on the Blunt Letters podcast we discuss the Earth’s changing climate, the steps scientists are taking to combat disasters, and how gophers helped Mt. Saint Helens bounce back after the famous eruption in 1980. Plus! We have another Space Update. Four people recently came back to Earth from the International Space Station, but not Willaims and Wilmore - the astronauts who were only suppos...

In the Animal Moon Rituals episode of The Blunt Letters podcast, Micaela and Elle dive into the fascinating lives of elephants, horseshoe crabs, fish, and coral. They explore the unique behaviors and ancient rituals these animals have influenced by lunar cycles. Elephants' complex social structures and emotional depth are discussed, along with the strange, age-old spawning practices of horseshoe c...

Welcome to another installment of the Poop Chronicles! Our guest Jon Bonesi joins us to talk about haunted toilets worldwide! We cover toilet hauntings from Japan, Europe and even our own local bathrooms. Get ready for a spooky poopy episode! Featuring the original song "Vampyre" by Micaela Superstar

Welcome back to another spooky season episode of The Blunt Letters podcast! This week we get into the science of reanimation. Mary Shelly based her Frankenstein story on “true events,” what were they and where are we now when it comes to restoring life to the dead? And, in light of the new Beetlejuice movie, we bring you a Let Me Tell You About This Movie all about Tim Burton’s new sequel and revi...