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
Smart Talks with IBM: AI for Business: Multiplying the impact of AI
September 06, 2023 10:00 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBAs businesses adopt AI, a new era of problem-solving, innovation, and creative decision-making can be brought to scale. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Goldstein explore the future of AI in enterprise business AI for business with Kareem Yusuf, senior vice president of product management and growth for IBM software. They discuss the advent of foundation models, how AI can transform data storage and decision-making, and how next-generation AI platforms like...
From the Vault: The Paragraph, Part 1
September 05, 2023 14:58 - 41 minutes - 38.5 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the standard nugget of textual thought: the paragraph. (originally published 8/23/22) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Children of the Sun
September 04, 2023 10:00 - 20 minutes - 18.6 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.
New Season of Smart Talks with IBM Coming Soon
September 03, 2023 10:00 - 1 minute - 1.68 MBSmart Talks with IBM returns this September 5th. This season, host Malcolm Gladwell and a team of correspondents from Pushkin Industries explore how businesses can integrate AI into their workflows — to help them do exponentially more — drive real change, and thrive in this new era of AI. This is a paid advertisement from IBM. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: The Whistling, Part 4
September 02, 2023 10:00 - 56 minutes - 51.8 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the nature and history of human whistling – including the subject of whistled languages. (originally published 08/16/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Devil’s Men
September 01, 2023 17:59 - 1 hour - 84.6 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1976 Greek horror film “The Devil’s Men,” also known as “Land of the Minotaur.” Horror legends Donald Pleasence and Peter Cushing head-up the cast, but the electronic score by none other than Brian Eno certainly deserves attention. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Mind of Douglas Adams, with Kevin Jon Davies
August 31, 2023 18:25 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Kevin Jon Davies about his new book “The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams,” detailing the mind of the author who gave us “The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Artifact: The Hand of Glory
August 31, 2023 12:57 - 5 minutes - 5.39 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Artifact, Robert discusses the Hand of Glory from European occultism… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stickiness, Part 2
August 29, 2023 22:56 - 53 minutes - 49.1 MBWe encounter sticky surfaces and sticky substances everyday, but what exactly IS “stickiness?” In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the physical properties of stickiness and look at some very sticky examples from the natural world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: An Index of Metals
August 28, 2023 20:10 - 23 minutes - 21.5 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: The Whistling, Part 3
August 26, 2023 10:00 - 45 minutes - 42 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the nature and history of human whistling – including the subject of whistled languages. (originally published 08/09/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse
August 25, 2023 18:45 - 1 hour - 74.2 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe venture into the weird, wild world of Coffin Joe with the 1967 Brazilian horror film “This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stickiness, Part 1
August 24, 2023 21:38 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBWe encounter sticky surfaces and sticky substances everyday, but what exactly IS “stickiness?” In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the physical properties of stickiness and look at some very sticky examples from the natural world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact Omnibus: Chaos Daemons of Warhammer 40k
August 23, 2023 13:58 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBIn this special omnibus episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, enjoy all four episodes concerning the chaos daemons of Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 universe: Khorne, Tzeentch, Nurgle and Slaanesh. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From the Vault: The Null Ship
August 22, 2023 20:41 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBIn this classic episode of the Stuff to Blow Your Mind podcast, Robert and Joe discuss the history and principles of the vacuum airship or null ship. Will futuristic materials ever make this 17th century concept possible? (originally published 08/18/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Intergalactic Planetary
August 21, 2023 17:59 - 31 minutes - 29.1 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 Whistling, Part 2
August 19, 2023 10:00 - 57 minutes - 52.7 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the nature and history of human whistling – including the subject of whistled languages. (originally published 08/04/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Green Slime
August 18, 2023 20:31 - 1 hour - 76.5 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss 1968’s “The Green Slime,” a surprisingly procedural sci-fi film full of rubbery monsters, serious men, model rockets and more than a little bit of green slime. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dendera Lights and Ancient Egyptian Pseudohistory
August 17, 2023 22:09 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBIn recent episodes of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discussed low-resolution images that have provoked paranormal and fringe explanations, despite convincing and even conclusive expert analysis. In this episode, they continue this line of inquiry through a discussion of Ancient Egyptian pseudohistories and fringe ideas regarding modern technology in ancient inscriptions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact: DC Comics' Swamp Thing
August 16, 2023 16:08 - 6 minutes - 6.18 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses Swamp Thing from DC Comics… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Another Enigmatic Underwater Image
August 15, 2023 20:40 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MBIn the last episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discussed the so-called Eltanin Antenna and how it is at once an identified image of a deep sea organism and an icon of paranormal intrigue. In this episode, they continue this line of inquiry with another underwater image. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Chromakey Dreamcoat
August 14, 2023 18:30 - 28 minutes - 25.9 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 Whistling, Part 1
August 12, 2023 10:00 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the nature and history of human whistling – including the subject of whistled languages. (originally published 08/02/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Viewing
August 11, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 63.7 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss Panos Cosmatos’ “The Viewing,'' a delightfully psychotronic 2022 short film featured on Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities. There's no smoking in the Obelisk Chamber. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Eltanin Antenna
August 10, 2023 23:21 - 1 hour - 63.9 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow your Mind, Rob and Joe discuss the alleged Eltanin Antenna and the natural-world explanation for the image. What does this case and others like it reveal about our craving for extraordinary explanations of perplexing evidence? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact: DC Comics' Doomsday
August 09, 2023 21:56 - 4 minutes - 3.98 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses Doomsday, slayer of Superman… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Matter of Everything, with Suzie Sheehy
August 08, 2023 22:10 - 1 hour - 68.9 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Joe chats with physicist Suzie Sheehy, author of "The Matter of Everything: How Curiosity, Physics, and Improbable Experiments Changed the World." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: The Color of the Fire
August 07, 2023 19:30 - 23 minutes - 21.7 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: Of Humans and Squids, with Martin Wallen
August 05, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 72.1 MBIn this classic 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. (originally published 06/21/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Maze
August 04, 2023 21:23 - 1 hour - 74.5 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe venture into 1953’s “The Maze,” a 3-D haunted castle film with an incredibly weird twist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oil and Troubled Water, Part 2
August 03, 2023 21:50 - 45 minutes - 42 MBThe interaction between oil and water has fascinated us since ancient times, and it has factored into practices as diverse as divination rituals and attempts to calm turbulent waters at sea with storm oil. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the effect of oil on troubled waters. (Part 2 of 2) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact: DC Comics' Killer Croc
August 02, 2023 10:00 - 5 minutes - 5.07 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses one of the most monstrous characters from Batman’s rogues' gallery: Killer Croc… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Cave of Bones, with Lee Berger
August 01, 2023 19:14 - 44 minutes - 40.4 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with paleoanthropologist Lee Berger about his team’s amazing discoveries in South Africa's Rising Star cave system and previously unknown extinct species of hominin named Homo naledi. His new book is “Cave of Bones” and it’s also the subject of the Netflix documentary “Unknown: Cave of Bones.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: White Cyclosa
July 31, 2023 20:11 - 30 minutes - 27.6 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: Fantastic Numbers, with Antonio Padilla
July 29, 2023 10:00 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MBIn this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with theoretical physicist and cosmologist Professor Antonio Padilla, author of the new book "Fantastic Numbers and Where to Find Them." Strap in for big numbers, fantastic numbers, black holes and more. (originally published 07/28/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Weirdhouse Cinema: The Chronicles of Riddick
July 28, 2023 22:25 - 1 hour - 93.1 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the 21st century to discuss the 2004 space opera sequel “The Chronicles of Riddick,” starring Vin Diesel and a powerhouse supporting cast. It was a Flash Gordon for a new generation, even if they weren’t ready for it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Colossus of Rhodes, with Michael Denis Higgins
July 27, 2023 21:09 - 38 minutes - 35.5 MBIn this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Michael Denis Higgins, Professor Emeritus of Earth Science at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi and author of the new book “The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Science, Engineering and Technology.” What was the Colossus of Rhodes, why did it impress the ancient Hellenistic world and how might we recreate it in the modern world? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact: DC Comics’ Mister Mind
July 25, 2023 19:15 - 5 minutes - 5.02 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the Mister Mind, a Venusian supervillain mind-control worm from the pages of DC Comics… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: Aloysius Devadander Abercrombie
July 24, 2023 19:29 - 27 minutes - 24.9 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 Fall of Valerian, Part 2
July 22, 2023 10:00 - 51 minutes - 47 MBHistory. Science. Dethroned emperor. In this classic 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, what do scientists make of his alleged grisly fate and how was Valerian’s fall possibly mythologized by Christian historians? Find out… ...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
July 21, 2023 21:09 - 1 hour - 78.1 MBIn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss Hayao Miyazaki’s 1984 masterpiece “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” an environmental post-apocalyptic anime fantasy full of weird bugs, warring factions and terrifying, technological remnants of humanity’s greatest mistakes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oil and Troubled Water, Part 1
July 20, 2023 20:25 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBThe interaction between oil and water has fascinated us since ancient times, and it has factored into practices as diverse as divination rituals and attempts to calm turbulent waters at sea with storm oil. In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the effect of oil on troubled waters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact: Marvel’s Ulvar the Giant
July 19, 2023 10:00 - 5 minutes - 5.24 MBIn this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses Ulvar, a most peculiar giant from the Marvel Comics universe… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mud, Part 4
July 18, 2023 21:54 - 54 minutes - 49.7 MBWhat exactly is mud? Where does it occur and how does it factor into animal behaviors and human activities? In this multi-episode Stuff to Blow Your Mind exploration, Rob and Joe immerse themselves in the mysteries of mud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listener Mail: SquareHouse Cinema?
July 17, 2023 12:06 - 23 minutes - 21.2 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: The Fall of Valerian, Part 1
July 15, 2023 10:00 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBHistory. Science. Dethroned emperor. In this classic 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, what do scientists make of his alleged grisly fate and how was Valerian’s fall possibly mythologized by Christian historians? Find out… ...
Weirdhouse Cinema: Night of the Werewolf
July 14, 2023 19:41 - 1 hour - 79.6 MBOn this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the world of Spanish horror with another Paul Naschy movie: 1981’s “Night of the Werewolf.” This time, Naschy’s tragic werewolf character Count Waldemar Daninsky goes up against vampire Countess Elizabeth Báthory! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mud, Part 3
July 13, 2023 20:31 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBWhat exactly is mud? Where does it occur and how does it factor into animal behaviors and human activities? In this multi-episode Stuff to Blow Your Mind exploration, Rob and Joe immerse themselves in the mysteries of mud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Monstrefact Omnibus: The Tyranids of Warhammer 40K
July 12, 2023 18:04 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBIn this special episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, enjoy an overview of the alien Tyranids of Warhammer 40K, the Tyrannic Wars and the threat of the Genestealer Cults... See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mud, Part 2
July 11, 2023 20:51 - 55 minutes - 51 MBWhat exactly is mud? Where does it occur and how does it factor into animal behaviors and human activities? In this multi-episode Stuff to Blow Your Mind exploration, Rob and Joe immerse themselves in the mysteries of mud. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.