Super Awesome Science Show (SASS)
93 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago - ★★★★ - 15 ratingsOn Season 2 of The Super Awesome Science Show Jason Tetro explores the science behind Pandemics with the help of some of the brightest minds in science today. From vaccines to a potential second Wave of COVID we'll try and help you understand every aspect of what's going on and answer your science questions. Science made simple, that's what we're all about, Now with new episodes every single week.
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Episodes
Relevance in Education
September 02, 2019 04:00 - 31 minutesEducation is traditionally thought to be comprised of the three Rs – reading, writing, and arithmetic. But research has revealed that students can become better if they are able to see problems and questions in a particular social context. This is known as relevance. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore how relevance can be used to keep students creative and positive. Our first guest is Heidi Bertels at the College of Staten Island of the City University of New York. She has explor...
I Want To Ride My Bicycle
August 27, 2019 04:00 - 33 minutesOver the last few years, getting around by bicycle has surged in popularity. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore what has led to the increase and how we might be able to make Canada a cycling nation. We first talk with Meghan Winters at Simon Fraser University about the rise in biking across the country. She reveals some of the reasons behind the surge and why biking hasn’t become the most utilized form of transportation. Using examples of success stories in this country, she shares ...
Social Media
August 20, 2019 04:00 - 30 minutesHow long can you go without looking at one of your social media platforms? An hour? Two? More? Less? Social media has become an integral part in most of our lives although perhaps not for the better. On this week’s show, we’re going to look at some of the problems associated with social media and how you might be able to keep yourself safe from the potential harm to your mental health. We first talk with Stephanie Dailey. She is an assistant professor of communication studies at Texas State ...
The Merits of Mindfulness
August 13, 2019 04:00 - 32 minutesA decade ago, no one knew what mindfulness was other than a trait you were taught by your parents when it comes to others. But this traditional practice of self-improvement has gained significant attention in the medical community as it appears to help reduce anxiety. On this week’s show, we’re going to venture into the other benefits of mindfulness that may lead you to add this technique to your lifestyle. Our first guest is Adele Diamond. She is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Developme...
Water Worries
August 06, 2019 04:00 - 32 minutesAccess to clean and safe water is a human need and is a right. However, for over 2 billion people, this simply is not the case. What’s worse is that in countries that have enjoyed the luxury of treated water, there is a troubling trend. From boil water orders to breaks in the system to massive outbreaks, our water supply is at risk. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore why we should be worried about our water. We first talk with Natalie Hull, an assistant professor of civil, environme...
Mixology
July 30, 2019 04:00 - 33 minutesOn this week’s show, we’re going to explore the science behind making the perfect drink and whether this is another task that may be taken over by robots. We’ll also learn of one combination that really should never be done. We first talk with a mixologist who is working to change the entire realm of the science. He’s Jim Meehan and he owns Mixography, Inc. He has been involved in the mixology world for years and has developed into a powerhouse in the industry. He takes us through the his...
This Episode is the (arm)Pits!
July 23, 2019 04:00 - 33 minutesHow many times to you check your armpits a day? It’s a common practice for most because in our society, no one wants to have wetness or odour. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore the nature of those two traits and how those deodorants and anti-perspirants make be changing the way we smell. Our first guest is Jessica Gaby. She is postdoctoral scientist at Penn State University, and she has been studying the smell that emits from under our arms. But her research isn’t on chemistry, i...
Hotel Horrors
July 16, 2019 04:05 - 32 minutesEvery night, close to five million people spend the night away from home in accommodations, like hotels. With a number that large, there’s bound to be problems. Most of the time, they are easy to solve. On this week's Super Awesome Science Show, we’re going to look how a hotel stay may be a bane rather than a place for comfort. We first talk with John Catucci. He’s best known hosting Food Network Canada's You Gotta Eat Here! and his most recent series, Big Food Bucket List. He’s travelled ...
Bad Hair Days
July 09, 2019 04:00 - 35 minutesTake a look at the cosmetics section of any store and you’ll see the most populated and diverse area happens to be hair care. We have an obsession with having those great locks although for many, trying to get the perfect ‘do can be a frustrating struggle. On this week’s show, we take a closer look at the nature of our hair by starting off with an historical perspective. We speak with anthropology doctoral student Tina Lasisi who has been exploring how our hair came to be and why we may have...
Oh Canada! Celebrating Canada in Science
July 02, 2019 04:00 - 28 minutesThere’s little doubt Canada has the reputation of one of the best countries in the world. The same can be said about science in this nation. For over a century, Canadian scientists have been making discoveries that have changed the world. We’ve even had our fair share of Nobel Prize winners. Having a reputation in the scientific community is one thing but nothing beats having a voice on Parliament Hill and this week, we’re going to talk with Canada’s first ever Minister of Science, the Honou...
Lies
June 25, 2019 08:00 - 30 minutesHumans tend to communicate in a number of ways apart from verbal expression. We use our arms, our posture, and other gestures to convey what we’re thinking. But did you ever imagine that we may be able to code these movements so that we know what another person is feeling? Now add to that the subject of this classification isn’t our arms or the way we stand, it’s small movements of the face. Sounds almost impossible, right? Well, this does exist and on this week’s show, we’re devoting the en...
Ticked Off By Lyme
June 18, 2019 04:00 - 36 minutesIt seems every year we har about another disease that threatens our health. One of them happens to be a condition known as Lyme Disease. It’s cause by a bacterium known as Borrelia and it can have some pretty nasty symptoms including fever, fatigue, and joint pain. Worse, it may have the ability to stick around and cause people years of pains ranging from arthritis to neurological and even heart problems. As for how it’s spread, it comes from the bite of a tick. There’s been an explosion of c...
(Here Comes) The Sun
June 11, 2019 07:00 - 35 minutesWe’re getting close to summer and that means more sun and warmer temperatures. That also means a greater chance of skin damage due to that ultraviolet ray exposure. On this week’s show, we’re going to take a closer look at one of the most dire consequences of getting too much sun, skin cancer. To get a better idea of the risk, we have Jennifer Beecker, a cancer researcher with us to talk about this disease. We first get into the nature of skin and some of the issues with sun and skin includi...
Me, Myself, and A.I
June 04, 2019 04:00 - 35 minutesArtificial intelligence has become a natural part of our existence from voice recognition to making playlists to determining which driving route is the fastest. But AI still hasn’t become an integral part of our health. While AI does appear in some of our applications, such as those exercise apps on your smartphone, it has not yet been fully accepted as a replacement for doctors and nurses. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore how AI is involved in health and the pitfalls that prevent ...
Blind to natural beauty
May 28, 2019 08:00 - 29 minutesThe universe is an unending source of beauty but most of us in our daily lives tend to miss out on the wonders that exist. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore how we are blind to the beauty of the world around us and what we can do to improve our senses. We start off the show with Ziya Tong. She was the longtime host of Daily Planet and has written a book about our inability to see our universe. It’s entitled, The Reality Bubble: Blind Spots, Hidden Truths, And The Dangerous Illusion...
The World of BBQ
May 21, 2019 08:00 - 34 minutesSummer is here and for many of us, that means going outside and cooking in the great outdoors. Although there are many ways to prepare food in the open, nothing quite compares to barbecue. Today, we’re exploring the world of barbecue and learning that it’s much more than a technique for cuisine. It’s a distinct and unique societal culture. We start the show with Matt Basile. He’s the creator of the Toronto-based street food brand Fidel Gastro’s although you might best know him for his televi...
The Beneficial Bee
May 14, 2019 07:00 - 29 minutesFor most of us, the sight of a bee might bring about a sense of unease. But for those people who study these amazing creatures, they represent an integral part of our planet and our food supply. Today, we’re going to explore the benefits of bees and why we should learn to love them rather than fear them. Our first guest is Noah Wilson Rich, the CEO of Best Bees. He’s been researching bees for decades although over the last few years, he has found a love for urban beekeeping. We learn about h...
Science of Moms
May 07, 2019 04:00 - 34 minutesMother’s Day is approaching and today, we’re going to look at some of the science that makes mothers who they are and how we can support them every day of the year. We start off the show with one of Canada’s best-known personalities, Sangita Patel. She’s a Senior Entertainment Reporter for Entertainment Tonight Canada and the newest Canadian spokesperson for Cover Girl. She’s also a mother to two amazing daughters. We discuss the challenges of having a successful career in television and her...
For The Love of Dogs
April 30, 2019 13:44 - 34 minutesDogs are known as our best friends and on this week’s Super Awesome Science Show, we’re going to explore some of the science behind these loving, caring, and devoted members of our lives. We first talk with Tanya Kim. She is one of Canada’s best known journalists but she also is one of this country’s strongest dog and animal advocates. She’s also the companion of Miss Mabel, a Dogue de Bordeaux who has carved out a career as a model. We learn about the importance of Mabel in Tanya’s life and...
The Quantum Realm
April 23, 2019 04:00 - 31 minutesThere’s something about the term quantum physics that brings both intrigue and intimidation. We see quantum as the way of the future but also know it’s one of the most complex branches of science. On this week’s show, we’re going to dive into this mysterious world to demystify it and reveal how it’s part of our everyday lives. Our first guest is Tracey Forrest. She is the Program Director for Transformative Quantum Technologies at the University of Waterloo. We explore what makes quantum so ...
The Science of Spring Fever
April 16, 2019 04:00 - 33 minutesWe’ve all heard about Spring Fever although medically speaking, it’s not really an illness. Instead, it refers to a change in our behaviour that happens to align with the changing of the seasons. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore some of the science behind these changes to our ways and possibly offer some perspective on how to deal with the consequences. Our first guest may have a reason for the effects of spring fever. We are being exposed to more light. She is Dr. Kathryn Roeckle...
The Disease Detectives
April 09, 2019 04:00 - 34 minutesWhen we feel unwell, we seek out medical attention. However, figuring out what is wrong with us may not be as simple as a quick visit to the clinic. On this week’s show, we’re going to dive into the world of disease detectives known officially as diagnosis. Our first guest is probably the best person to discuss what diagnosis means to us. She is Lisa Sanders and she is an educator at Yale University. But she is better known as the author of the long running New York Times Series, Diagnosis, ...
The Plight of Parkinson's
April 02, 2019 04:00 - 30 minutesWe’re going to look at a disease that affects over ten million people worldwide and over 100,000 in Canada, Parkinson’s Disease. The movement disorder has been known for centuries and while we know the cause, we still have no cure. We first talk with someone who has Parkinson’s to learn more about the disease and how it affects those who suffer. He is Larry Gifford, the Program Director at CKNW in Vancouver. He’s also the host of the podcast, When Life Gives You Parkinson’s. We learn ab...
The Science Behind April Fools
March 26, 2019 04:00 - 30 minutesHave you ever been the target of an April Fools’ prank? Although you may not realize it, the effort that goes into these attempts at humour are nothing to laugh at. It takes time, research, and proper planning to make a prank or even a joke work. This week, we’re going to learn more about the mechanics and the needs for a good April Fools joke. Our first guest is Thomas Limoncelli. He’s a systems analyst and helps information technology companies succeed. He’s also a web-based April Fools’ m...
Science in Translation
March 19, 2019 04:00 - 35 minutesWhen you hear someone talk science, you might find it to be an entirely different language. In many ways it is. However, since science is important for decisions regarding health and the environment, scientists need to translate their world to the public. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore how this is being done and why the work of translators can help you avoid going to classes to learn science as a second language. Our first guest is Maureen Dobbins, a professor at McMaster Univer...
Separating Science from Nonsense
March 12, 2019 04:00 - 34 minutesNo matter where you look, there always seems to be someone trying to sell you a new way to improve your life, health, or environment. Unfortunately, many of these products, programs, and routines are not based in science. In some cases, the hawkers purposefully reject science in the hopes you may believe they have the right answers. Historically, these people have been called a variety of names but today, we tend to call them quacks. On this week’s show, we’re going to explore this anti-scie...
Superheroines of Science
March 05, 2019 05:00 - 36 minutesCan you name a female scientist? How about two? If you can’t, don’t worry. The recognition of female scientists is rather poor. But don’t worry because on this episode of the Super Awesome Science Show, we have got you covered. We’ll go through some of the most amazing contributions women have made to advancing our technology and making your lives better. We also are fortunate to welcome two of Canada’s greatest science superheroines to the show. Our first guest has been known for well over ...
Phaging out the Resistance
February 26, 2019 05:00 - 38 minutesThe rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria is a human health crisis. But few people appreciate the impact of this phenomenon on their lives. This week, we’re going to take a very personal look at what happens when someone gets a resistant infection and how a treatment from a century ago is making a comeback not just for our health but also our food supply. Our first guest is Dr. Tom Patterson. He’s a researcher at the University of California San Diego and the subject of the new book, The Per...
Evolving Rhythms
February 19, 2019 05:00 - 32 minutesDid you know there are over 2,500 genres of music? Most of them have evolved over only the last fifty years. The rise in diversity stems from two major factors, technology and societal change. On this week’s Super Awesome Science Show, we’re going to explore this golden moment in music history with one of Canada’s most notable experts on the topic. He’s Alan Cross, the host of The Ongoing History of New Music. We first explore the technology side by looking back at the moments that changed m...
What is Love?
February 12, 2019 05:00 - 36 minutesLove has been one of humanity’s greatest mysteries. For millennia, it has been the subject of art and social science. But over the last century, we have learned so much about the biology of this emotion and how it affects us. On this week’s episode of The Super Awesome Science Show, we’re going to devote the entire show to Dr. Helen Fisher, who has been a leader in deciphering the love code. Since 1975, she has been focused on understanding this emotion. Her research papers, books, and a rela...
Everything is awesome with LEGO
February 05, 2019 05:00 - 32 minutesFrom the moment LEGO was started in the 1930s, it has focused on bringing out the creative in a person while allowing them to play. Today, it is an international sensation but not just in the world of pastime entertainment. LEGO is being used a means to increase scientific knowledge and education. We talk with one of the leaders of the LEGO education movement, Dr. Chris Rogers at Tufts University. He explains how LEGO helps kids of all ages get a head start on science and engineering. He als...
SASS Introduces you to: Russia Rising
February 04, 2019 11:00 - 14 minutes“Russia Rising” is a new investigative podcast series hosted by Jeff Semple, the former Europe Bureau Chief for Global News. This series hopes to unravel the giant mystery behind Putin’s Russia with the help of those who know her best - Russian Trolls, Hackers, Putin Supporters, and even a former Russian K.G.B. agent. Join Jeff on the journey to unravel how Russia has gone from tenuous ally, to a potential global threat. Here’s a sneak peek from episode 2 of the series…. and while you’re l...
Sharing Stress
January 29, 2019 08:00 - 35 minutesHave you ever had a great day in which nothing can go wrong and then out of nowhere a stressed person enters the room and your good feelings are replaced with feelings of anxiety and nervousness? You’re not alone. We may not realize it but stress is contagious and on this week’s show, we find out how this happens. We first start with Dr. Stephanie Preston at the University of Michigan. She has studied how our compassion, known as empathy, can be a trigger for sharing someone else’s stress...
Coffee Beans and Genes
January 22, 2019 08:00 - 35 minutesCoffee is one of the world’s most beloved beverages. Long before it was made popular by the television show, Friends, it stood as the drink that brought people together. Ironically, it’s also one of the most hotly debated subjects when it comes to health and taste. On this week’s episode of the Super Awesome Science Show, we examine one of the reasons behind this lack of consensus. Genetics. We first look at how our own genetics can alter the way we taste coffee and how it affects our health...
GO GO KETO
January 15, 2019 08:00 - 41 minutesOn this week’s episode of The Super Awesome Science Show, we dig into the nature of the ketogenic diet, its history, and what good it can do for you. There are all sorts of diets but only a few have proven to be effective at helping you lose weight. One of the most popular options that also works is the ketogenic diet. It’s known as a fat buster as it helps to melt away unwanted fat while improving your metabolic health. We first start with Desiree Nielsen, a registered dietitian, auth...
Disturbed Sleep
January 08, 2019 08:00 - 31 minutesMost Canadians are getting enough sleep but statistics reveal the numbers are dropping and the quality of that rest continues to suffer. Figuring out how to improve our sleep patterns has led to a confusing environment filled with pharmaceuticals, natural health products, and even supplements of chemicals naturally found in our bodies. On this week’s episode of The Super Awesome Science Show, we crawl under the covers of sleep science to find out what may work best to help us get some rest. ...
New Year Rehabilitation
January 01, 2019 05:00 - 41 minutesHave you made a New Year’s Resolution? If so, how long do you think it’ll last? Most resolutions end up being a losing battle. On this week’s episode of The Super Awesome Science Show, we pledge to get to the bottom of why resolutions don’t work and how that isn’t too far off from someone trying to kick a habit. First, we talk with Dr. Lalatendu Acharya at Purdue University. He studies consumer behaviour in health ranging from eating habits to HIV spread. He tells us that the Holiday season...
Smells of the Season
December 25, 2018 05:00 - 38 minutesWe are all familiar with the sights and sounds of the Holiday Season. But what about the smells? They have an enormous impact on us and can influence how we celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. On this week’s episode of the Super Awesome Science Show, we stick our noses into the science of smelling, scientifically known as olfaction, and find out how certain scents can draw out attention, bring back memories, and even affect our buying behaviour. We first talk with Dr. Leslie Came...
The Blockchain Boon
December 18, 2018 08:00 - 35 minutesBlockchain has become the latest buzzword in tech but few of us understand what it is and how it relates to us. On this week’s episode of the Super Awesome Science Show, we invest in the topic of blockchain as we hope to decode its cryptic nature so we can all profit by knowing what it is and how it may change our lives. We start off with the basics with blockchain consultant, Olivia Lovenmark. She tells us a little bit more about the platform, explains what cryptocurrencies like bitcoin are...
Credence in Climate Change
December 11, 2018 08:00 - 35 minutesClimate change is real and is becoming more accepted by the day. But there continues to be debate about whether we are contributing to the problem or are just innocent bystanders in the process. While the arguments may appear to be heated between the two sides, a recent declaration may help to lower the volume. In a rather unprecedented move, the Vatican held a conference last year where they declared climate change to be caused in part by humans. They also called for action to reduce our ef...
Pandemic State Of Mind
December 04, 2018 05:00 - 36 minutesWhen you hear the word, pandemic, you might imagine an apocalyptic scenario in which our very existence is threatened. That might have been the case in the Middle Ages but today, pandemics are far less dangerous and more common than you think. The most recognized is flu as it is the only pandemic in recent times to affect our country. But there are others out there and they continue to spread under the radar. On this week’s episode of The Super Awesome Science Show, we take a look at pandem...
Pesty Eaters
November 27, 2018 08:00 - 30 minutesLocal exhibitions and fairs are known for their rides, games, and concerts. They are also known for introducing some pretty strange food items ranging from deep fried butter to 24 karat gold coated ice cream bars. Lately, there’s been a new kind of food to try in the form of insects. The idea of eating bugs may seem odd or macabre but these food choices are growing in popularity and have migrated from the midway to the grocery store. This movement is being led by The Goldin family, the owner...
Welcome to SASS
November 01, 2018 15:55 - 3 minutesJason Tetro, The Germ Guy, has been a researcher for decades. He has published scientific articles, hit conferences, and explored the natural world to uncover its hidden wonders. Now he's here to share those discoveries with you and a bit of SASS on the SUPER AWESOME SCIENCE SHOW! We're going to answer all your science questions. If it ends in “ology” we’ve got it covered – chemistry and physics too. We'll talk with experts, and share the vast knowledge that exists out there. We guarantee...