Stuff To Blow Your Mind
2,469 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★ - 5.5K ratingsDeep 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.
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Episodes
From the Vault: Where do numbers come from?
July 23, 2022 10:01 - 57 minutes - 52.8 MBJoin Robert and Joe as they continue their discussion on numeracy and the origins of numerals on Stuff to Blow Your Mind. (originally published 6/17/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: Fruit of Paradise
July 22, 2022 10:01 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBIt's time for a little arthouse Adam and Eve! In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1970 experimental Czech film "Fruit of Paradise.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dethroned Emperor: The Fall of Valerian, Part 2
July 21, 2022 15:08 - 50 minutes - 46.6 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe travel back to the third century CE to discuss the Battle of Edessa, in which the Sasanian Empire not only defeated the Roman army but also took its Emperor as a prisoner of war. How did the emperor’s capture impact the already crisis-ridden Roman Empire, and how was Valerian’s fall possibly mythologized by Christian historians? Find out… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Artifact Revisited: Sharur the Talking Mace
July 20, 2022 10:01 - 4 minutes - 3.88 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Artifact, Robert discusses Sharur, the talking mace from Sumerian mythology… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dethroned Emperor: The Fall of Valerian, Part 1
July 19, 2022 14:26 - 48 minutes - 44.8 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe travel back to the third century CE to discuss the Battle of Edessa, in which the Sasanian Empire not only defeated the Roman army but also took its Emperor as a prisoner of war. How did the emperor’s capture impact the already crisis-ridden Roman Empire, and how was Valerian’s fall possibly mythologized by Christian historians? Find out… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Beans and Babel
July 18, 2022 10:01 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MBOnce 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 Numeracy
July 16, 2022 10:01 - 54 minutes - 49.5 MBWhat are numbers and where does our number sense come from? Is numeracy an innate part of our biology, or is it a cultural invention? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the origins of numbers. (originally published 6/15/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: Horror Rises From the Tomb
July 15, 2022 10:01 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBThere’s no keeping THIS occult power couple down! In today’s episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, watch as Spanish horror icons Paul Naschy and Helga Liné spice things up across the centuries in 1973’s “Horror Rises From the Tomb.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Skybridge, Part 2
July 14, 2022 15:00 - 50 minutes - 46 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the architectural element known as the skyway or skybridge – typically an enclosed bridge connecting the upper stories of two buildings or skyscrapers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact: Cave Mimicry in Dungeons and Dragons
July 14, 2022 14:38 - 5 minutes - 4.72 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses cave environment mimicry by monsters in Dungeons and Dragons… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Skybridge, Part 1
July 12, 2022 13:20 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the architectural element known as the skyway or skybridge – typically an enclosed bridge connecting the upper stories of two buildings or skyscrapers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: AI Tales and Horror Hosts of Yore
July 11, 2022 13:16 - 26 minutes - 24 MBOnce 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: Reconsider the Bean, Part 2
July 09, 2022 10:01 - 1 hour - 65.9 MBWhat are beans? Do they contain the souls of the dead? Can they be used to drive demons from the household? How important are they in the human diet? In this classic Stuff to Blow Your Mind two-parter, Robert and Joe discuss a variety of magical ideas and scientific facts associated with legumes. (originally published 5/13/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: Blade
July 08, 2022 13:33 - 1 hour - 86.4 MBThis week on Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe consider a weird mainstream movie that basically paved the way for the Marvel Cinematic Universe with wall-to-wall exploding vampires. Yes, Wesley Snipes puts all blood drinkers on notice in 1998’s “Blade.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Lesser of Two Crab Claws, Part 3
July 07, 2022 10:01 - 43 minutes - 40 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss biological asymmetry in the natural world – including various examples of organisms in which side A doesn’t quite match up with side B. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact: The Owlbear
July 06, 2022 10:01 - 5 minutes - 5.24 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the owlbear of Dungeons & Dragons... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Creative Writing Machines, with Mike Sharples
July 05, 2022 10:01 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MBWill computers one day write the great American novel? What will the future of human/machine creative collaboration look like – and what came before now? In this episode of the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast, educational technologist Mike Sharples discusses the book “Story Machines - How Computers Have Become Creative Writers.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Morbius Saves Christmas
July 04, 2022 10:01 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBOnce 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: Reconsider the Bean, Part 1
July 02, 2022 10:01 - 44 minutes - 40.5 MBWhat are beans? Do they contain the souls of the dead? Can they be used to drive demons from the household? How important are they in the human diet? In this Stuff to Blow Your Mind two-parter, Robert and Joe discuss a variety of magical ideas and scientific facts associated with legumes. (originally published 5/11/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: Scream and Scream Again
July 01, 2022 15:55 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe dive into a movie billed as "triple distilled horror as powerful as a vat of boiling acid!" Yes, it’s the 1970 Amicus sci-fi conspiracy film “Scream and Scream Again” featuring horror icons Vincent Price, Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Lesser of Two Crab Claws, Part 2
June 30, 2022 13:59 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss biological asymmetry in the natural world – including various examples of organisms in which side A doesn’t quite match up with side B. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Smart Talks with IBM: Building Trustworthy AI: A Holistic Approach
June 29, 2022 10:01 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBAdvocating for artificial intelligence to be built and deployed ethically is no longer just a compliance issue but more of a business imperative. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell takes on this topic with Dr. Laurie Santos, host of The Happiness Lab, and Phaedra Boinodiris, Trust in AI Practice Leader within IBM Consulting. Phaedra’s team at IBM is creatively tackling the global need to build trustworthy AI by approaching the challenge holistically, implementing desig...
The Lesser of Two Crab Claws, Part 1
June 28, 2022 13:31 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss biological asymmetry in the natural world – including various examples of organisms in which side A doesn’t quite match up with side B. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Legend of a Mind
June 27, 2022 10:01 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MBOnce 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: Star Wars Alien Necropsy, Part 2
June 25, 2022 10:01 - 1 hour - 63 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, venture into a galaxy far, far away while also considering the science and biology of our home world. Join Robert and Joe as they break down six fantastic alien species from the Star Wars universe. (Originally published 5/6/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: Battle Beyond the Stars
June 24, 2022 10:01 - 1 hour - 74.7 MBIt’s time to venture into the world of “Star Wars” knock-offs once more, this time with 1980’s “Battle Beyond the Stars!” Join Rob and Joe as they revel in this wonky space opera featuring a number of b-movie mainstays and future stars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Red Leviathan, with Ryan Tucker Jones
June 23, 2022 10:01 - 40 minutes - 37 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Ryan Tucker Jones, author of the new book “Red Leviathan: The Secret History of Soviet Whaling.” Jones discusses the horrific impact of 20th century whaling, the Soviet Union’s place in whaling history and the efforts of scientists and activists to stop the practice – including scientists within the Soviet Union. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monsterfact: The Jiang Shi
June 22, 2022 10:01 - 4 minutes - 4.3 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the Jiang Shi or hopping vampire of Chinese folklore… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Of Humans and Squids, with Martin Wallen
June 21, 2022 10:01 - 1 hour - 71.2 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Martin Wallen about his 2021 book “Squid,” which covers the history of humanity’s scientific, folkloric and literary interest in cephalopods – from Aristotle’s understanding of the creatures to their treatment in weird fiction of the 20th and 21st centuries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Turtle Talk
June 20, 2022 10:01 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBOnce more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail. Plus this time Seth pops in to chat with Robert about TMNT video games... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: Star Wars Alien Necropsy, Part 1
June 18, 2022 13:32 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, venture into a galaxy far, far away while also considering the science and biology of our home world. Join Robert and Joe as they break down six fantastic alien species from the Star Wars universe. (Originally published 5/4/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: A Chinese Ghost Story
June 17, 2022 10:01 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1987 Hong Kong supernatural romance comedy “A Chinese Ghost Story,” featuring screaming skulls, a seductive ghost and an evil tree demon. It’s a cult classic! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Cauldron, Part 4
June 16, 2022 10:01 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBOn a mundane level, a cauldron is nothing more than a great cooking pot, but it takes on supernatural dimensions in various myths and legends. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the history of cauldrons and their links to tales of witchcraft, rebirth and the mandate of heaven. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact: Mud Monsters Attack
June 15, 2022 10:01 - 4 minutes - 3.88 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses a couple of different mud monsters from global traditions… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Cauldron, Part 3
June 14, 2022 10:01 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBOn a mundane level, a cauldron is nothing more than a great cooking pot, but it takes on supernatural dimensions in various myths and legends. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the history of cauldrons and their links to tales of witchcraft, rebirth and the mandate of heaven. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Fire Burn and Caldron Bubble
June 13, 2022 13:20 - 22 minutes - 20.5 MBOnce 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: Pacific Navigation, Part 3
June 11, 2022 10:01 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBThe original discoverers of the Polynesian Islands traversed a vast ocean, bringing civilization to islands untouched by human activity. How did they do it? In this classic Stuff to Blow Your Mind two-parter, Robert and Joe discuss the sheer scale of the Pacific Ocean and environmental navigation. (originally published 7/13/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind: Trancers II
June 10, 2022 10:01 - 1 hour - 80.6 MBIt’s sequel time once more on Weirdhouse Cinema! Join Rob and Joe as they jump right into Charles Band’s 1991 sequel to Trancers, starring Tim Thomerson, Helen Hunt and the always villainous Richard Lynch. Jack Deth contends with psychic zombies, various wives and the not-so-rigorous rules of time travel. (originally published 5/21/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: Pacific Navigation, Part 2
June 09, 2022 10:01 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBThe original discoverers of the Polynesian Islands traversed a vast ocean, bringing civilization to islands untouched by human activity. How did they do it? In this classic Stuff to Blow Your Mind two-parter, Robert and Joe discuss the sheer scale of the Pacific Ocean and environmental navigation. (originally published 7/8/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Artifact Redux: Pants of the Necromancer
June 08, 2022 10:01 - 3 minutes - 3.67 MBIn this classic episode of STBYM’s The Artifact, Robert discusses the so-called necro-pants... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: Pacific Navigation, Part 1
June 07, 2022 10:01 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MBThe original discoverers of the Polynesian Islands traversed a vast ocean, bringing civilization to islands untouched by human activity. How did they do it? In this classic Stuff to Blow Your Mind two-parter, Robert and Joe discuss the sheer scale of the Pacific Ocean and environmental navigation. (originally published 7/7/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Summer Break
June 06, 2022 10:01 - 1 minute - 1.41 MBWe have some great classics for you to listen to while the show is on summer break! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: Punish the Machine, Part 2
June 04, 2022 10:01 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBWhat will we do when robots and artificial intelligences break the law? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the issue of robot moral and legal agency. (originally published 4/15/21) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind: Zaat
June 03, 2022 10:01 - 1 hour - 77.4 MBThis time on Weirdhouse Cinema, we consider the Florida Movie par excellence: 1971’s “Zaat,” also known as “The Blood Waters of Dr. Z.” Prepare to stalk and skulk through the sargassum in this suitably swampy creature feature. (originally published 4/30/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Invention of the Telegraph
June 02, 2022 10:01 - 50 minutes - 46.4 MBThe telegraph revolutionized long-distance communication and paved the way for our interconnected information age. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the invention of the telegraph. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Smart Talks with IBM: Home Lending Pal: Disrupting the Mortgage Industry with Cloud and AI
June 01, 2022 10:01 - 32 minutes - 30 MBHistorically, there have been cultural biases that have complicated the home buying process and made home ownership difficult. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm takes on this subject with Jacob Goldstein, host of What’s Your Problem?, and Bryan Young and Steven Better, the co-founders of Home Lending Pal. These two visionaries are using IBM technology including AI, blockchain and cloud to create a home loan process that’s more transparent, secure, and equitable. This is a paid...
From the Vault: The Sargasso Sea
May 31, 2022 10:01 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the sargassum seaweed and the many strange and amazing organisms that call it home. (originally published 4/29/2021) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Cyclopean Stairs
May 30, 2022 10:01 - 21 minutes - 19.4 MBOnce 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.
New Smart Talks with IBM Season Coming Soon
May 29, 2022 10:01 - 2 minutes - 1.9 MBSmart Talks with IBM returns May 31. This season, host Malcolm Gladwell and a team of correspondents from Pushkin Industries meet with New Creators who are creatively applying technology in business to drive change. This is a paid advertisement from IBM. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: Punish the Machine, Part 1
May 28, 2022 10:01 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBWhat will we do when robots and artificial intelligences break the law? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the issue of robot moral and legal agency. (originally published 4/13/21) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.