You're the Expert

Octopus Defenses

January 22, 2016 23:37 - 51 minutes - 94.9 MB

Dr. Jean Alupay is an octopus expert at USC. Comedians Scott Adsit (30 Rock), Emily Maya Mills (Parks and Rec), and Josh Sharp (CBS) try to guess what Dr. Alupay studies and learn the mysteries of the deep. Whether you're a human or a three-hearted boneless sea creature, this episode is for you. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Produced by Pretty Good Friends. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Nerdist Showroom in Los Angeles, CA.

Nuclear Power and Molten Salt

January 08, 2016 10:00 - 48 minutes - 89.4 MB

Eugene Mirman, Scott Adsit, and Maeve Higgins learn from Dr. Leslie Dewan, an MIT alum who developed a revolutionary new nuclear reactor that's powered by nuclear waste. It's environmentally friendly, cheaper than other reactors, and it can't meltdown. She's kind of a big deal. Along the way, we learn about the social life of nuclear engineers, why BP really needs some new recruiting videos, and Guy Fieri's cooking. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Produced by Pretty Good Friends.

Live at New York Super Week 2015

December 18, 2015 15:20 - 34 minutes - 62.8 MB

Live from the Bell House in Brooklyn, this is a special NYSW edition of the show. Dr. Melanie Stiassny, an ichthyologist at the American Museum of Natural History, teaches comedians Scott Adsit, Jo Firestone, and Josh Gondelman about the mysteries of the ocean (and what happens at a museum after hours). Hosted by Chris Duffy. Produced by Pretty Good Friends.

Super Massive Black Holes

November 20, 2015 17:04 - 32 minutes - 60.2 MB

What's inside of a black hole? How do you measure the universe? What was the first vegetable grown in space? We dive deep into these questions and more with Dr. Anca Constantin from James Madison University's Physics and Astronomy Department. Featuring comedians Maeve Higgins, Anna Drezen, and Nick Vatterott. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Produced by Pretty Good Friends.

Disco Clams

November 06, 2015 20:06 - 44 minutes - 81.2 MB

Live from the 2015 Bay Area Science Festival, this episode features UC Berkeley's Lindsey Dougherty, a marine biologist who studies disco clams, which light up underwater. Lindsey's trying to figure out why and how these clams act like underwater disco balls. Trying to guess what she studies and learning why it's important are comedians W. Kamau Bell (CNN's "United Shades of America), Kurt Braunohler (Comedy Central), and Emmy Blotnick (@Midnight). Hosted by Chris Duffy. Produced by Pretty G...

Bats, Vampires, and White Nose Syndrome

October 23, 2015 15:01 - 47 minutes - 86.9 MB

Nate Fuller studies bats. In this special Halloween show, we go deep into caves full of guano, get bitten by vampire bats, and hear about some extremely unusual first dates. Featuring comedians Jo Firestone, Josh Sharp, and Ken Reid. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Produced by Pretty Good Friends.

Beautiful Throats and Emotional Doctors

October 09, 2015 15:11 - 44 minutes - 81.2 MB

Harvard Medical School's Dr. Jo Shapiro joins us to talk about her work as a throat surgeon and the head of Brigham and Women's Hospital's Center for Professionalism and Peer Support. Panelists Eugene Mirman, Scott Adsit, and Jo Firestone learn about the beautiful anatomy of the throat, the emotional stress of being a doctor, and why it can be dangerous to eat steak at a Florida IHOP. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Produced by Pretty Good Friends.

Dictionaries & Phone Books at the Boston Book Festival 2015

September 20, 2015 18:29 - 49 minutes - 90.7 MB

Ammon Shea has read the entire Oxford English Dictionary and the phone book cover-to-cover and written books of his own about each. In this special book festival edition of the show, we cover exotic words, the most expensive phone book in the world, and how to use etymology as a pick up line. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Produced by Julie Smith Clem and Pretty Good Friends.

Outhouse Archaeology

August 28, 2015 22:09 - 39 minutes - 73.1 MB

Joseph Bagley is the official Boston City Archaeologist. He's in charge of preserving Boston's many historic sites, but his real passion is digging up outhouses and privies to discover what secrets they contain. Panelists Steve Almond, Myq Kaplan, and Bethany Van Delft try to get the dirt on Joe's research and learn about looting, chowder, and bowling ball based crimes. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Produced by Pretty Good Friends.

Inside a Dog's Brain

August 13, 2015 21:08 - 49 minutes - 89.8 MB

Dr. Alexandra Horowitz is the head of Barnard's Canine Cognition Lab. She's also our first ever repeat guest! She was so great the first time, we had to have her on again with our new format. Panelists Mara Wilson, H. Jon Benjamin, and Josh Gondelman try to guess what Alexandra studies and then interview her about her work. Learn the truth about alpha males, guilty dog faces, and what a dog sees in the mirror. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Produced by Pretty Good Friends.

Laughter, Sneezing, and Farting

July 30, 2015 16:17 - 49 minutes - 36.6 MB

Dr. Robert Provine is a neuroscientist who studies "curious behaviors" like sneezing, yawning, laughter, farting, and the hiccups. He teaches comedians Maeve Higgins, Seaton Smith, and Rachel Rosenthal about the science behind his studies and why comedy is so difficult to master. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Produced by Pretty Good Friends.

Biological Clocks

July 16, 2015 19:08 - 46 minutes - 34.6 MB

Using studies on fire ants and business school students, Dr. Krista Ingram (Colgate) tries to understand how our bodies keep track of time. Panelists Eugene Mirman (Bob's Burgers), Elna Baker (This American Life), and Scott Adsit (30 Rock) try to guess what Krista does and learn about jetlag, brain science, and what you can and cannot do to a dolphin. Recorded in front of a live audience at the Brattle Theater in Cambridge, MA for the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival. Hosted by Chris Duffy.

Forensic Archaeology (at the Philadelphia Science Festival)

May 29, 2015 02:20 - 44 minutes - 63.8 MB

From the Franklin Institute at the Philadelphia Science Festival, this episode is all about the real science behind shows like CSI. Kimberlee Sue Moran is a forensic archaeologist. She studies decomposing corpses, ancient fingerprints, and bomb blasts. Trying to guess about Kimberlee's work are panelists Wyatt Cenac, Zhubin Parang, and Jo Firestone. Hosted by Chris Duffy.

Robot-Human Teamwork

May 14, 2015 14:48 - 49 minutes - 71.4 MB

MIT's Dr. Julie Shah studies robot-human teamwork. Panelists John Hodgman, Wyatt Cenac, and Maeve Higgins get to the bottom of what Dr. Shah does all day and why her work matters. Will robots take over the world and kill us all? Will they write poetry and hitchhike across Canada? What should you name your robot butler? Listen to this episode to find out! This episode was a co-presentation of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival and the Cambridge Science Festival and was made possible with gener...

Deadly Mushrooms

May 01, 2015 18:46 - 46 minutes - 67.1 MB

Dr. Anne Pringle studies the deadliest mushrooms on Earth. Panelists Jo Firestone (Broad City), Charlie Hankin (Comedy Central), and Ken Reid (TV Guidance Counselor) try to guess what Dr. Pringle studies and understand her findings. This episode contains military nicknames, fungi larger than blue whales, and why it's probably not a great idea to eat a mushroom you find growing in the forest. Produced and hosted by Chris Duffy.

Bacteria of the NYC Subway System

April 02, 2015 21:35 - 48 minutes - 36.4 MB

Dr. Chris Mason recently completed the first large scale genetic study of the NYC subway system. What he found will blow your mind. Panelists Zhubin Parang (The Daily Show), Jo Firestone (Broad City), and Maeve Higgins (Fancy Vittles) try to guess what Dr. Mason studies all day and learn about his work. Hosted by Chris Duffy.

Immunology and Cloning

March 19, 2015 18:54 - 47 minutes - 110 MB

Dr. Hidde Ploegh is an immunologist at MIT’s Whitehead Institute. He uses alpaca DNA and cloned mice to try and tackle some of the most difficult diseases affecting humans today. This episode features panelists Wyatt Cenac, Jo Firestone, and Emmy Blotnick. Hosted by Chris Duffy.

Human Life Extension

March 06, 2015 17:39 - 48 minutes - 68.9 MB

Live from SF Sketchfest, we've got Dr. Cynthia Kenyon, a geneticist who discovered a technique to make mice live seven times as long as normal. She's currently working on the science of human life extension. Comedians Wyatt Cenac, Phoebe Robinson, and Nato Green try to guess what she studies and then learn about what she does in the lab all day. Hosted by Chris Duffy.

RNA Interference w/ Nobel Laureate Craig Mello

February 19, 2015 21:43 - 36 minutes - 86.2 MB

Dr. Craig Mello won the Nobel Prize in 2006 for his work on "RNA interference." In this episode, Dr. Mello explains what he actually discovered to comedians Myq Kaplan, Jo Firestone, and Anna Drezen. Recorded in front of a live audience at the EcoTarium in Worcester, MA with help from SciCafeWoo. Hosted by Chris Duffy.

The Neuroscience of Fear

February 05, 2015 23:57 - 38 minutes - 47.3 MB

Dr. Joseph LeDoux is the director of the Emotional Brain Institute at NYU. He's the author of several groundbreaking studies on fear and anxiety. In this episode, Dr. LeDoux teaches comedians Janeane Garofalo, Zhubin Parang, and Phoebe Robinson how our brains create emotion, how to conquer their fears, and why it's important to be really good at waterskiing if you live in Louisiana. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Coral Reefs and Conservation Biology

January 22, 2015 23:43 - 34 minutes - 42.8 MB

Dr. Joshua Drew, head of Columbia University’s Marine Conservation Biology program, joins us to talk about coral reefs, shark tooth swords, and what the book “JAWS” is really about. Featuring panelists Todd Barry, Julie Klausner, and Dave Hill. Hosted by Chris Duffy.

Sleep, Dreams, and Memory

January 08, 2015 19:19 - 38 minutes - 47 MB

Dr. Robert Stickgold is the head of Harvard's Center for Sleep and Cognition. In this episode, he tells comedians Myq Kaplan, Robert Woo, and Ken Reid about his groundbreaking work on how dreams can affect learning and memory. He also tells us about what happens when people with amnesia play Tetris. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Neanderthal Bones

December 10, 2014 21:25 - 41 minutes - 50.5 MB

Live from the Boston Comedy Festival! Harvard's Dr. Terrence Capellini tells us about the evolution of the human skeleton, how to spot a cave man, and why we all have "pelvic girdles." Featuring panelists Ted Alexandro, Myq Kaplan, and Jo Firestone. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick. With a musical interlude, "Caveman Mousetrap" from the album "Please Be Seated" by Micah Sherman and Myq Kaplan.

Turkey Locomotion

November 26, 2014 05:03 - 44 minutes - 54.3 MB

It's a special Thanksgiving episode with Brown University's Dr. Thomas Roberts. He's the world's leading expert on turkey locomotion. Listen as Dr. Roberts talks turkeys on a treadmill, robot legs, and Thanksgiving with Zhubin Parang (writer for The Daily Show), Myq Kaplan (Netflix's "Small, Dork, and Handsome") and Jo Firestone (Broad City). Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Marine Mammals and Dolphin Drugs

November 19, 2014 15:24 - 45 minutes - 54.7 MB

Live from the Bay Area Science Festival! Dr. Claire Simeone works at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA. She's the first scientist to study painkillers for dolphins and she helps comedians Myq Kaplan, Anna Drezen, and Nato Green learn all about her research on seals, whales, and other marine mammals. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick. This episode is sponsored by HotelTonight.

Science Outreach and Beauty Pageants

November 05, 2014 20:09 - 36 minutes - 53.1 MB

Dr. Erika Ebbel Angle is a leading science educator and biochemist. She's also the 2004 winner of the Miss Massachusetts pageant. In this episode, panelists Ken Reid, Christine Cuddy, and Kelly MacFarland try to guess what Erika does and then learn about her work expanding public understanding of science (and what it's like to be the only MIT grad to have ever competed in Miss America). Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Live at the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival

October 22, 2014 15:42 - 52 minutes - 62.5 MB

Dr. Katie Hinde is the head of Harvard's Comparative Lactation Lab. That's a real thing. Panelists Eugene Mirman (Bob's Burgers), Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show), and Sarah Vowell (This American Life) try to guess what Dr. Hinde studies and learn about her work. Don't miss this hilarious discussion of nurture, nutrition, and how to milk a bat. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Recorded at the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival in Brooklyn, NY. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Vocal Cords

October 09, 2014 16:30 - 55 minutes - 79 MB

Dr. Thomas Carroll (Tufts) is a voice doctor who takes care of famous singers and studies how to maintain a healthy voice. A panel of three hilarious comics tries to guess what Dr. Carroll studies and learns about vocal cords, voice boxes, and what's wrong with The Godfather. Featuring Myq Kaplan (Netflix's "Small, Dork, and Handsome"), Jo Firestone (Punderdome 3000), and Ken Reid (TV Guidance Counselor). Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Pigeon-Human Interactions

September 24, 2014 21:13 - 50 minutes - 71.9 MB

Dr. Colin Jerolmack (NYU) is a sociologist who studies pigeon-human interactions. He's traveled the world studying the ways that city dwellers interact with these ubiquitous birds. Comedians Anna Drezen, Emmy Blotnick, and Myq Kaplan learn about Colin's research, how pigeons attract a mate for life, and what lures some humans into the world of high-stakes pigeon races. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Stem Cells

August 27, 2014 17:37 - 53 minutes - 64.5 MB

Dr. Jonathan Garlick is one of the world's leading experts on stem cells. In this episode, Dr. Garlick teaches comedians Myq Kaplan, Zach Sherwin, and Anna Drezen about the science behind stem cells and their potential uses, what most people get wrong in the stem cell debate, and the grossest way to wallpaper a room. This episode even features a rap about dentistry! Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Natural Selection

August 13, 2014 16:18 - 40 minutes - 49.1 MB

Dr. Pardis Sabeti has been called "the rollerblading, rock star scientist of Harvard." She invented an important new technique for genetic sequencing and looking at natural selection. Her research might even help cure Ebola. Comedians Josh Gondelman, Anna Drezen, and Emmy Blotnick learn about her work, diplotypes, and the future of genetics. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Endangered Languages

July 31, 2014 00:27 - 47 minutes - 57 MB

Ross Perlin is the Assistant Director of the Endangered Language Alliance. He's a linguist who specializes in Yiddish and the languages of Southwest China. In this episode, he talks with host Chris Duffy about his work to save the world's languages. Comedians Christian Finnegan, Anna Drezen, and Rachel Rosenthal try to guess what Ross studies and learn how to speak Yiddish in the process. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Climate Change

July 16, 2014 17:56 - 38 minutes - 46.6 MB

Dr. Richard Primack (Boston University) has spent his career studying the effects of climate change on Walden Pond, comparing modern conditions to those Thoreau observed. Comedians Myq Kaplan, Ken Reid, and Lori Strauss try to guess what Richard studies and then learn about the similarities between climate skeptics and people confused by the television show LOST, the effects of an earlier spring, and the history of "Where's Waldo?" Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswic...

Exploding Whales

July 02, 2014 19:45 - 55 minutes - 66.3 MB

Dr. Joy Reidenberg, the world's leading expert on whale blowholes, explains the secrets of cetology to comedians Christian Finnegan (Comedy Central), Anna Drezen (MTVu), and Harrison Greenbaum (ABC). What causes a whale to explode? How can you avoid picnicing on an ancient whale burial ground? What's the grossest way to get your own row on a plane? You'll find out in this episode of You're the Expert. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Poisonous Toads

June 18, 2014 11:54 - 45 minutes - 33.9 MB

Comedians Maria Bamford, Jackie Kashian, and Myq Kaplan try to guess what professor Dr. Chris Tracy studies all day. Recorded in front of a live audience on the campus of California State University Fullerton, this episode answers age-old questions like : Can you drink a toad? What's the difference between a toad and a croissant? And how many toads should you bring to your next party? Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Big Data

June 04, 2014 19:20 - 52 minutes - 50.7 MB

Live from the 2014 Cambridge Science Festival at the MIT Museum, this special episode features Dr. Sam Madden, co-director of MIT's Big Data Initiative. Trying to guess about Dr. Madden's work are comedians Nikki Glaser, Myq Kaplan, and Lori Strauss. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical Direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Compulsivity and Impulsivity

May 07, 2014 12:17 - 42 minutes - 51.1 MB

Dr. Heather Berlin, a neuroscientist at Mt. Sinai, studies why we do the things that we do. Comedians Matt Koff (The Daily Show), Myq Kaplan (Comedy Central), and Rachel Rosenthal (North Coast) try to guess what Dr. Berlin studies and then learn about the neural basis of improvisation, what a sociopath looks like, and the downsides of owning an ice cream truck. Hosted by Chris Duffy and recorded in Brooklyn, NYC at Littlefield. Technical Production by Kevin Brunswick.

Granular Materials

April 16, 2014 13:06 - 49 minutes - 59.4 MB

Live from Caltech's campus in Pasadena, CA! This episode features Dr. Jose Andrade, a researcher who studies earthquakes and also works with NASA to understand the surface of Mars. Jose helps our comedians understand why the Mars rover is much more impressive than Bruno Mars, what happens during an earthquake, and why sand is way more complicated than you think. Featuring comedians Rory Scovel (TBS), Myq Kaplan (Comedy Central), and Anna Drezen (MTVu). Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direct...

Fish Noises

March 19, 2014 14:19 - 59 minutes - 71.5 MB

Dr. Phil Lobel, an ichthyologist at Boston University, studies the noises that fish make. He's also the most interesting man in the world. Hear about his battles with sharks, his discovery of a new "dinosaur," and his discoveries about the noises fish create while making love. Featuring comedians Myq Kaplan, Ken Reid, and Robert Woo. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical production by Kevin Brunswick.

Episodes