Teach Me Something

We are doing a mosquitoes 101 lesson where we cover everything from bites to repellants to anatomy. You'll have to tune in to find out what Marlon Brando has to do with mosquitoes, and which soap will likely help keep you bite free. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we take a look at the similarities and differences in the mermaid myths found across many cultures through time and geography. Fishmen, merpeople, water spirits, and manatees can all be found here, as well as the ever present commentary of Pliny the Elder. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we learn about the meaning and history of this amazing Indigenous art form and cultural symbol. We also get a little off topic (as usual) and teach you about the Queen Charlotte Islands, the United States Revenue Cutters, and Potlatch ceremonies. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our third and final Henry VIII episode, joined by our special guest Warren, we are going to dive into Henry's medical history. We'll talk about his physical problems, like his obesity and painful, oozing leg ulcers. We'll talk about his mental problems like his sudden paranoia and mood swings. And we'll even talk about his lack of offspring (it's not always the woman's fault, though try tellin...

Come take a load off and join us for part 2 of 3 on King Henry VIII of England. Returning is special guest Warren to help us learn about the latter half of this monarch's life and its abrupt turn from being a generally likable fellow to ruthless tyrant with a thirst for beheadings. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...

Welcome to part 1 of 3 on King Henry VIII of England where we bring along special guest Warren in order to dive into the first half of the monarch's life. We discuss the political landscape of England leading up to Henry's rule, the importance of having the right number of male heirs, and how Henry was generally a really likeable fellow. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-someth...

In this episode we are going to explain astrology to you (probably very poorly). Then we are going to explain the history of medical astrology to you (hopefully less poorly). This was how medicine was done for a long, long time, and man, was it complicated! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us on this episode where we talk about animals who spend their lives serving a colony, completely foregoing having offspring of their own. We also discuss how such extreme altruism could have evolved. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of the History of Hygiene we explore humanity's battle with human waste. Find out out about London's infamous "Great Stench," the advent of public restrooms, and things that flush. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode we're going heavy into the physics of colours and exploring the age-old question of why the sky is blue. Also, why is the sky red, green, orange, white, yellow, or purple, for that matter? We'll also get into the philosophy of rainbow colours and teach you just how accurate an artist's colour perception can be. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted o...

Every great civilization in history controlled the production and trade of salt in their area. Join us on our 50th episode as we explore how salt has shaped our food, culture, and history. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we discuss bioluminescence and biofluorescence. Which animals glow? How do they do that? And most interestingly, how have researchers applied what we've learned to advance science and technology? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most "soap" today is actually detergent. Listen to this episode, the first part of the History of Hygiene series, to learn the difference between soap and detergent, the 5000 year history of soap, and how lamb theft lead to British tabloids making claims about French hygiene. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

Join us in this episode where we explore the history of Earth's magnetic field; how it has changed over time, why it exists, and times when it didn't exist. We also take a look at some animals that can sense the Earth's magnetic field, ponder how they might be able to do that, and what some of them do with that ability. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Ac...

We think parasites are cool and you should too! At least we hope you will by the end of this episode, where we talk all about Toxoplasma gondii and its effect on the brain. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode we are going to be talking about flood myths from different cultures around the world. Some are very different, but most are very similar. One thing is for sure: you're guaranteed to be both entertained and confused by these awesome flood stories. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode starts with Vikings, ends with the Dutch and we will try to not bore you with all the lineages along the way (sorry that everyone is named Mary). We dive into the misnamed Bayeux Tapestry to learn all about William the Conqueror, the last invader of England? Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There are quite a lot of lobster facts floating around the internet in meme form that seemed too crazy to be true, so we decided we should explore these claims with some (kind-of) in-depth research. Along the way though, we realized there were other groups of people who are very interested in lobster research. Tune in to find out why NASA and the Department of Homeland Security are so interested i...

You've almost definitely heard that there was a nuclear disaster at Chernobyl (or close to it, anyways). But how much do you really know about the nuclear disaster that shook the world in 1986? We realized we didn't have many of the details so we took a look at what happened, and most importantly, why it happened. Tune in to hear fascinating factoids like how a nuclear reactor works, how melanin p...

Join us as we debunk all sorts of animal myths. You probably know that most of them are myths, but this episode is packed full of all sorts of amazing animal facts to keep you entertained. How do vampire bats find their prey? How do chameleons change their skin colour? What is the fastest cellular process in the whole animal kingdom? Tune in to find out! Support this show http://supporter.acast.co...

The title of this episode really sums it up the best: "It simply isn't an adventure worth telling if there aren't any dragons." - J.R.R. Tolkien. We are simply going to talk about as many dragons, from as many cultures as possible. We'll do some comparing and contrasting and tell you as many dragon stories as we can in this supersized episode. Enjoy! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/te...

We have been silent for a few extra weeks and will be off air for a few more. To tide you over, here is a mini episode about the number 4 on sundials in the time of the Romans. Catch you again in about 5 weeks. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our second and final mummy episode, we are going to talk about Egyptian mummies. But that's not all that's in store for you this episode. We get into medical cannibalism, ancient construction materials and the four sons of Horus; we'll even tell you how much you'll need to pay if you want to be mummified when you die. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on A...

It seems wild that we are not going to discuss Egypt at all on this episode (ok maybe a few sentences, but that is it), but this episode is about mummies from around the world. We are going to talk about bog mummies, mummies from South America, and even people who tried to mummify themselves. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...

This episode is a deep dive into the mind of Roman naturalist (among other things), Pliny the Elder. He compiled the first encyclopedia, which was epically long, and chock-full of really wrong, really ridiculous "facts." Play along with us at home, and take your best shot at guessing what exactly you should do to treat a snakebite or cure your headache. And this episode we have our very first, ver...