Teach Me Something

Mental illness is a tricking subject and sometimes it presents in interesting ways. Have you ever suspected your behind is made of glass and sitting down could be dangerous? If so, you may be a medieval monarch. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another episode on parasites? Yes, that's right and this time we dive into some of the fascinating ways parasites alter the behaviour of their hosts. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monotremes (aka platypuses and echidnas) are very strange mammals. Today we explore their similarities to the rest of the mammals and how they differ; significantly more about how they differ. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I hope you like tangents as much as we do, because we have lots for you today. Not only will you learn about Vlad the Impaler but also such thrilling topics as the invention of the printing press and the meaning of the word suzerainty! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever heard of the Soviet scientist Trofim Lysenko? Well I hadn't either and now I'm questioning why not. His pseudo-scientific beliefs may seem amusing to us today but they caused the deaths of millions of people in the 20th century. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There have been hundreds of maritime disasters related to Canadian boats or on Canadian waters, so we have cherry picked a handful of the most interesting, extreme, and historically relevant to tell you about. From the sinking of the Edmond Fitzgerald to the Halifax explosion there is a lot to cover and the Titanic is only mentioned a couple times. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teac...

We finally finish our series on mosquitoes in exquisite and perhaps gross detail. We will fill you in on four parasitic diseases mosquitoes can give you and of course we will tell you how Pliny says you should treat them. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/teach-me-something . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you have mild flu-like symptoms, you probably don't have a debilitating mosquito-borne viral illness...but you might. Tune in to learn how mosquitoes have teamed up with birds to deliver a nasty variety of viruses to us humans. As a bonus, you can also find out which of these viruses apparently make good biological weapons (is there such a thing?). Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/t...

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.