Stuff To Blow Your Mind artwork

Stuff To Blow Your Mind

2,394 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★ - 5.4K ratings

Deep in the back of your mind, you’ve always had the feeling that there’s something strange about reality. There is. Join Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick as they examine neurological quandaries, cosmic mysteries, evolutionary marvels and our transhuman future.

Life Sciences Science Natural Sciences science interview comedy standup business news books health politics entrepreneurship
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Animalia Stupendium: The Mantis Shrimp

January 31, 2024 20:15 - 6 minutes - 6.28 MB

Bored with dragons, the wizard Argomandanies turns his arcane attention to the fantastic fauna of the natural world. Welcome to Animalia Stupendium, a chronicle of Earth’s amazing biodiversity with all the enthusiasm of a fantasy monster book. In this episode, the wizard will consider the mighty mantis shrimp!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strange Ice, Part 1

January 30, 2024 21:06 - 46 minutes - 42.5 MB

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss a handful of novel ice formations and how scientists believe they form.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Mail: The Reflix

January 29, 2024 16:26 - 18 minutes - 17 MB

Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vault: Tea, Part 2

January 27, 2024 11:00 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MB

In this classic series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the history, mythology, culture and nature of tea. So start a kettle and prepare to listen with your favorite cup… (originally published 02/07/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weirdhouse Cinema: The Magic Sword

January 26, 2024 23:57 - 1 hour - 76.9 MB

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the filmography of Bert I. Gordon with his 1962 fantasy adventure “The Magic Sword,” starring Basil Rathbone, Estille Winwood and Gary Lockwood.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Nature of the Diamond, Part 4

January 25, 2024 21:29 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MB

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore various historical interpretations of the diamond, from divine tears to both a potent medicine and a deadly poison. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monstrefact: Ikuutayuuq, The One Who Drills

January 24, 2024 19:36 - 5 minutes - 4.72 MB

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the monstrous killer from Inuit traditions whose name translates to “One Who Drills.”  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Nature of the Diamond, Part 3

January 23, 2024 22:35 - 49 minutes - 45.3 MB

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore various historical interpretations of the diamond, from divine tears to both a potent medicine and a deadly poison. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Mail: Planet Earth

January 22, 2024 15:47 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MB

Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vault: Tea, Part 1

January 20, 2024 11:00 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MB

In this classic series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the history, mythology, culture and nature of tea. So start a kettle and prepare to listen with your favorite cup… (originally published 02/02/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weirdhouse Cinema: The Apple

January 19, 2024 22:15 - 1 hour - 92.1 MB

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1980 sci-fi disco/rock musical odyssey that is “The Apple,” starring Catherine Mary Stewart, Vladek Sheybal and Joss Ackland. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Nature of the Diamond, Part 2

January 18, 2024 23:46 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MB

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore various historical interpretations of the diamond, from divine tears to both a potent medicine and a deadly poison.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monstrefact: The Salamander

January 17, 2024 22:18 - 4 minutes - 4.41 MB

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the mythical salamander…  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Nature of the Diamond, Part 1

January 16, 2024 21:45 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MB

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore various historical interpretations of the diamond, from divine tears to both a potent medicine and a deadly poison.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Mail: Hungry Like The Wolf

January 15, 2024 11:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MB

Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vault: Horror Vacui, Part 4

January 13, 2024 11:00 - 50 minutes - 46.4 MB

Nature abhors a vacuum… and so do we? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the subject of horror vacui as it relates to philosophy, physics and the arts. (originally published 01/24/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weirdhouse Cinema: Gorgo

January 12, 2024 11:00 - 1 hour - 80.5 MB

Can London survive the bond between a giant monster and its young? In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1961 British kaiju film “Gorgo,” starring Bill Travers and William Sylvester. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Give ‘Em Shell: The Glorious Hermit Crab, Part 3

January 11, 2024 20:49 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MB

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe return once more to the world of crabs – specifically the industrious world of hermit crabs.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Artifact Redux: The Piñata

January 10, 2024 15:13 - 4 minutes - 4.3 MB

In this episode of STBYM’s The Artifact, Robert discusses the shrouded history of the piñata… (originally published 03/08/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Give ‘Em Shell: The Glorious Hermit Crab, Part 2

January 09, 2024 21:24 - 51 minutes - 47 MB

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe return once more to the world of crabs – specifically the industrious world of hermit crabs.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Mail: Union of the Snake

January 08, 2024 11:00 - 29 minutes - 27 MB

Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vault: Horror Vacui, Part 3

January 06, 2024 11:00 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MB

Nature abhors a vacuum… and so do we? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the subject of horror vacui as it relates to philosophy, physics and the arts. (originally published 01/19/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weirdhouse Cinema: A Bucket of Blood

January 05, 2024 11:00 - 1 hour - 67.6 MB

Hideous and eloquent! In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Seth Nicholas Johnson of Rusty Needle's Record Club returns to Weirdhouse Cinema to discuss Roger Corman's 1959 Beatnik horror comedy "A Bucket of Blood," starring Dick Miller. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Give ‘Em Shell: The Glorious Hermit Crab, Part 1

January 05, 2024 00:27 - 48 minutes - 44.7 MB

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe return once more to the world of crabs – specifically the industrious world of hermit crabs.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monstrefact: Marvel’s Swarm

January 03, 2024 11:00 - 3 minutes - 3.09 MB

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the supervillain Swarm from Marvel Comics…  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vault: Horror Vacui, Part 2

January 02, 2024 11:00 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MB

Nature abhors a vacuum… and so do we? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the subject of horror vacui as it relates to philosophy, physics and the arts. (originally published 01/17/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vault: Horror Vacui, Part 1

December 30, 2023 11:00 - 38 minutes - 35.7 MB

Nature abhors a vacuum… and so do we? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the subject of horror vacui as it relates to philosophy, physics and the arts. (originally published 01/17/2023)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weirdhouse Cinema: Gate II

December 29, 2023 16:19 - 1 hour - 95.3 MB

The Canadian gateway to Hell opens once more! In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, guest-host David Striepe of the Talkin' Tofu podcast returns to chat with Rob about 1990’s “Gate II” starring Louis Tripp and Pamela Adlon.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dawn of a Mindful Universe, with Marcelo Gleiser

December 28, 2023 14:26 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MB

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Templeton Award-winning author and theoretical physicist Marcelo Gleiser about his new book “The Dawn of a Mindful Universe: A Manifesto for Humanity's Future.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monstrefact Redux: The Four Guards of ‘Labyrinth’

December 27, 2023 15:37 - 5 minutes - 4.98 MB

In this classic episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the four guards from the 1986 film ‘Labyrinth” and their paradoxical relationship to the truth… (originally published 01/11/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vault: Humans Throwing Stuff

December 26, 2023 11:00 - 54 minutes - 50.1 MB

Focusing on the human animal, Robert and Joe continue their discussion of throwing ability and ponder how throwing ability may have impacted everything from language to ancient warfare. (originally published 01/12/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Anton Jessup's Holiday Seclusion

December 25, 2023 11:00 - 6 minutes - 6.14 MB

In this special Holiday edition of Listener Mail, Dr. Anton Jessup addresses his many Christmas enemies. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vault: Animals Throwing Stuff, Part 3

December 23, 2023 11:00 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MB

Ever longed to play a game of catch with an octopus or a chimpanzee? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss animal throwing ability. (originally published 01/10/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians

December 22, 2023 11:00 - 1 hour - 72.3 MB

In this holiday edition of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss 1964’s Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. Can Santa Claus teach the young of Mars how to be children again? (originally published 12/16/2022)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vault: Animals Throwing Stuff, Part 2

December 21, 2023 11:00 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MB

Ever longed to play a game of catch with an octopus or a chimpanzee? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss animal throwing ability. (originally published 01/04/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monstrefact Redux: The Hooden Horse of Kent

December 20, 2023 11:00 - 3 minutes - 3.66 MB

In this special holiday episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the Hoden or Hooden Horse of British winter ritual… (originally published 12/14/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vault: Animals Throwing Stuff, Part 1

December 19, 2023 11:00 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MB

Ever longed to play a game of catch with an octopus or a chimpanzee? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss animal throwing ability. (originally published 01/03/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Mail: Christmas at Tannhäuser Gate

December 18, 2023 11:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MB

Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vault: The 99% Invisible World, with Roman Mars

December 16, 2023 11:00 - 36 minutes - 33.5 MB

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Roman Mars, host of the podcast "99% Invisible" about design, podcasting and life in the created world. Plus, they discuss the 2020 book “The 99% Invisible City” by Mars and his co-author Kurt Kohlstedt. (originally published 01/31/2023)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Nutcracker

December 16, 2023 00:45 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MB

The decorative holiday nutcracker has become a staple of holiday decor and it also constitutes a specialized tool, so in this Christmas themed invention episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the gadget’s European history, its analogs in other cultures and the general history of humans and other animals cracking nuts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weirdhouse Cinema: Santa Claus (1959)

December 15, 2023 23:50 - 1 hour - 69.2 MB

In this special holiday episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1959 Mexican Christmas movie “Santa Claus,” also known as “Santa Claus vs. the Devil.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monstrefact: Of Knots and Monsters

December 13, 2023 21:56 - 3 minutes - 3.4 MB

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the relationship between knots and monsters…  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rat King

December 12, 2023 22:50 - 1 hour - 56.9 MB

The nightmare vision of black rats tangled by the tail continues to intrigue and revolt us, but what is its origin? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe venture into the sewers of history to seek answers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Mail: Crockett's Theme

December 11, 2023 11:00 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MB

Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the Vault: The Origins of Games Workshop, with Sir Ian Livingstone

December 09, 2023 11:00 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MB

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Sir Ian Livingstone, co-founder of Games Workshop and co-author of the Fighting Fantasy gamebook series with Steve Jackson, about their new book ““Dice Men: The Origin Story of Games Workshop.” (originally published 12/27/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weirdhouse Cinema: I Come in Peace

December 08, 2023 21:21 - 1 hour - 81.2 MB

Christmas is a time for comfort and joy, sure, but it’s also a time for holiday-themed action films and drug-dealing space giants. In this holiday episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1990 sci-fi film “I Come in Peace '' starring Dolph Lundgren, Brian Benben, Betsy Brantley and Matthias Hues.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sunken Lands, Part 4

December 07, 2023 22:42 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MB

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the world of lost islands and forgotten continents, in both actual geologic history and the mists of the human imagination.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Monstrefact Redux: Mumm-Ra

December 06, 2023 15:57 - 5 minutes - 5.14 MB

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses Mumm-Ra the Ever Living… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Sunken Lands, Part 3

December 05, 2023 20:55 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MB

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the world of lost islands and forgotten continents, in both actual geologic history and the mists of the human imagination.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Mail: Oh Mighty Krampus

December 04, 2023 11:00 - 26 minutes - 24.1 MB

Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guests

Mary Roach
4 Episodes
Carl Zimmer
3 Episodes
Marah Hardt
3 Episodes
Mark Mandica
3 Episodes
David Grinspoon
2 Episodes
Dietrich Stout
2 Episodes
Diva Amon
2 Episodes
Malcolm Gladwell
2 Episodes
Neil deGrasse Tyson
2 Episodes
Brian Greene
1 Episode
Carl Sagan
1 Episode
Colt Cabana
1 Episode
H.P. Lovecraft
1 Episode
Jeff Hoffman
1 Episode
R. Scott Bakker
1 Episode
Steven Johnson
1 Episode
William Beebe
1 Episode

Books

The Periodic Table
1 Episode