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Oh Gross! — Science
Oh Gross!

Don’t let the “ick” factor hold you back—we get to the bottom of life’s toughest and grossest moments, so nothing is off-limits or unspeakable. So if you are tired of asking awkward questions on Social Media or spiraling down a misinformation Doctor Google rabbit hole, welcome to the Oh Gross! Community.
Ever wonder how many times the average person gets bitten by a spider? Or what to do about germs on a plane? We pull back the curtain on life’s most unnerving mysteries by having real conversations with science to takeaways—that help you face the “ick” with clarity (and maybe a laugh). So don’t worry about that fuzz on your fruit in the fridge or panic about what to put in your “Bug Out Bag” for emergencies. We do the research so you can skip the stress—and get the answers you didn’t know you needed. Each episode Kara, Jennie and Molly dive into a squeamish or scary subject, blending expert-driven interviews, practical tips, and plenty of personal stories and wit to help you handle whatever life (or your leftovers) throw your way. We explain the science, delve into the history, and debunk the misinformation so you can tackle life’s sticky realities with confidence. No topic is too taboo—and yes, we’ll even tell you how many times you’re likely being bitten by spiders in a year.
In each episode, journalist and crime expert Kara Kurcz investigates the questions you’ve always wanted to ask, scientist Jennie Wickham breaks down the methodology behind the answers, and pop culture guru Molly Lucas shares relatable anecdotes that make even the gross stuff easier to digest. Together, these three friends make sure listeners walk away informed, intrigued, and ready for whatever creepy-crawly scenario comes their way because knowledge is the best antidote to “gross.”
Tune in to Oh Gross—we’rer here to make life’s messy moments more manageable.

Copyright: © All rights reserved. 2024

Latest Episodes:

2026 Trailer Feb 11, 2026

Show notes

Oh Gross! is back with a new season. This is where the questions people avoid actually get answered.

Real conversations. Real experts.

No topic is off-limits, because the things we’re most uncomfortable asking about are usually the things we need to understand the most.

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Gas Station Heroin: The Kratom Crisis Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Kratom is sold as a “natural” sleep aid, mood booster, and pain reliever—sometimes right next to energy drinks at gas stations—yet there is no consistent regulation, no standard dosing, and deeply conflicting information online about how safe it really is. In part one of this two-part Oh Gross! special, Kara and Jennie unpack the fast-growing world of kratom and its synthetic offshoots like 7-OH, exploring how an herbal tree from Southeast Asia turned into an unregulated high‑concentration supplement linked to overdoses, heart issues, and breathing suppression, especially when mixed with alcohol.

You’ll hear the heartbreaking story of Hunter, an otherwise healthy 18‑year‑old who took kratom he believed was safe—recommended by a registered nurse and marketed like a harmless alternative to ibuprofen—and never woke up. His mom, surgical technologist Randy Baker‑Mead, walks us through the night he died, the shock of a toxicology report showing only kratom in his system, and her fight to warn other families and push for stronger laws after learning teens can still buy kratom in some states like an energy drink. Kara and Jennie also break down what we do know so far: how kratom interacts with brain receptors in ways similar to opioids, why state laws are all over the map, and why health officials in places like California are now issuing public warnings after a cluster of deaths tied to synthetic kratom products mixed with alcohol.

This episode does not offer medical advice or tell you what to think about kratom; instead, it opens up the conversation parents, teens, and anyone considering “natural” supplements need to be having about risk, regulation, and the myth that “herbal” automatically means safe.

If you or someone you love is struggling with substance use, you can call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1‑800‑662‑HELP (4357) for free, confidential, 24/7 support and treatment referrals. Tune in now, and don’t forget to follow or subscribe so you don’t miss part two with kratom researcher Dr. Christopher McCurdy, who will dig into what the science actually shows.

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Oh Gross! 2025 Highlights Trailer Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

In preparation for our 2026 season premiere, we assembled a recap from the 2025 season episodes. Also catch up on any of our amazing episodes you missed!

Stay tuned for the 2026 premiere with an amazing lineup of expert guests and investigative episodes. As always we are your news source for weird science, taboo health topics, misinformation & crisis blunders. We uncover the ‘gross’ truth with humor and facts by asking what others won’t.

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REPLAY: Behind the Lens: Inside Stories from Reporter Kerry Sanders Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

In the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, Oh Gross! revisits our conversation with Kerry Sanders in this replay of Behind the Lens: Stories & Tips from Reporter Kerry Sanders. As communities reflect on how quickly a crisis can unfold—and how long the impact can last—this episode explores what happens when preparation, travel, and real-time reporting collide. An Emmy and Peabody Award–winning journalist and longtime NBC News correspondent, Kerry shares practical, often-overlooked advice for staying safe when traveling or navigating unfamiliar environments, especially as natural disasters and emergencies can happen anywhere. From simple habits like screenshotting maps before losing service to positioning your car for a fast exit, these small decisions can make a critical difference when things go wrong. Kerry also reflects on reporting through life-threatening situations, including Hurricane Andrew, offering a firsthand look at how journalists operate when they are not just covering a crisis, but living inside it. The conversation examines how social media has reshaped emergency reporting, amplifying both life-saving information and dangerous misinformation, and why discernment matters more than ever. This re-release serves as a reminder that preparedness is not only for journalists or first responders. Whether you are traveling, consuming breaking news, or supporting your community during a crisis, being informed, adaptable, and intentional can help protect lives, including your own. If you missed this conversation the first time, or are returning with a fresh perspective, Part 2 reinforces a simple truth: reliable information and basic preparedness go hand in hand, long before the emergency begins.

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REPLAY OF WEBBY NOMINATION - L.A. Fires Crisis Mode: Avoiding Misinformation with Kerry Sanders Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

On the one-year anniversary of the Los Angeles fires, Oh Gross! host Kara Kurcz and Molly revisits a conversation that feels just as urgent today as it did when it first aired.

For Kara, interviewing Kerry Sanders was a full-circle moment. The conversation offered rare insight into how the world’s most experienced crisis journalists prepare long before disaster strikes, and how the public can take simple, practical steps to be more prepared in everyday life.

Kerry Sanders, a veteran NBC News correspondent with more than 32 years in the field, has reported from 65 countries, all 7 continents, and every U.S. state, covering hundreds of natural disasters. In this Webby-nominated episode, Kara and Kerry move beyond headlines to talk about what real crisis preparedness looks like when the cameras are off.

They discuss evacuation planning, what actually belongs in a go-bag, and how families can assess risk based on where they live. Kerry also reflects on his coverage of Hurricane Andrew and Hurricane Katrina, sharing lessons that remain relevant long after a crisis ends.

The episode also examines the challenge of misinformation during emergencies, including how crises can be reported without causing panic and how audiences can identify trustworthy information in an age of instant, unverified updates.

This re-release is intentional. As a new year begins, the episode serves as a reminder that crisis preparedness should be part of an annual routine, not something we only think about during a disaster. Whether you are listening for the first time or returning to this conversation, the takeaway is clear: preparedness starts long before the emergency begins.

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Hygiene's Dirty History: Urine MouthWash & More Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Oh Gross, Jennie plays: a rapid-fire game with Kara that takes listeners through the grossest hygiene habits in human history.

From ancient civilizations swimming in sewage, to Romans sharing communal butt sponges,—nothing is off the table. The hosts dig into why bathing was once considered dangerous, how urine became mouthwash, where June weddings really came from, and how humanity somehow got cleaner… then dirtier… then cleaner again.

If you love history and discovering just how gross “the good old days” really were, this episode is for you.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Follow @ItsOhGross on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Learn more at OhGross.com

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Gross Holiday Gifts Your Kids Will Love | LIVE REPLAY Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

It’s our favorite episode of the year...The Gross Holiday Gifts Your Kids Will Love holiday special!After surviving a cursed live-stream launch (including a demonic mic test), Kara and Jennie reveal the weirdest, grossest, and most internet-obsessed gifts of the season.

From National Geographic’s “Weird But True” facts (yes, including a flying inflatable poop sculpture) to TikTok-famous mystery dumpling stress toys that smell alarmingly like Sharpies, nothing is safe.Jennie brings Walmart’s ooey-gooey squeezy cheese fries, Kara unveils Archie the Blobfish (a stress toy with stain warnings and emotional needs), and Jennie wins the night with a Fuggler toy that farts. Add Costco holiday cocktails, a surprise designer handbag giveaway, and real-life mom chaos breaking into the live show.

Watch or listen now. Just… don’t sniff the dumplings too long.00:00 Live-stream chaos & demon mic test
03:00 Costco holiday cocktails
05:10 Holiday handbag giveaway
07:00 Weird science & flying poop sculpture
11:00 TikTok dumpling stress toys
23:00 Ooey-gooey cheese fries
27:30 Gremlins throwback Fuggler
28:30 Archie the Blobfish
30:30 Real-life mom chaos

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Eyelash Mites & The Supermodel Who Never Blinked Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

If you thought your biggest lash problem was clumpy mascara… buckle up. Because today, the Oh Gross! crew uncovers the horrifying-but-also-hilarious truth that tiny microscopic spiders basically live rent-free on your face. Yes. Right now. As you read this.

Kara, Jennie, and Molly kick things off with the viral eyelash-mite headlines… but things really take a turn when Kara calls her celebrity lash artist Jayron, who drops an unforgettable story about a very famous supermodel. This mystery icon kept her eyes wide open for four straight hours—Clockwork Orange–style—scrolling Instagram while getting her lashes done. No blinking. No breaks. Full horror-movie energy. And then Jayron casually adds, “Oh yeah, everyone has mites,” sending the girls into a total meltdown.

Then ophthalmologist Dr. Allen Yeroushalmi joins to deliver the real science: • Nearly 100% of people are colonized by age 70 • Crusty lash buildup can include dead skin, mite shells, and yes… mite poop • Mites can worsen dry eye, blepharitis, styes, and contact lens irritation • Cleaning your lashes gently—not aggressively—is key

Come laugh, cringe, and rethink your entire nighttime routine. And maybe… don’t Google Demodex before bed.

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The Chicken Story You Can’t Unhear Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

This week, we’re serving up a throwback that ruined us the first time around—and is even more necessary before Thanksgiving kitchen chaos begins. Kara, Molly, and Jennie sit down with food-safety expert Katie Defour to unpack the deli fried chicken horror story that will haunt you (and maybe save your holiday meal).

From “Poppin’ Chicken” gone wrong to raw-poultry splash zones, bacteria that refuses to die, cutting board crimes, leftover myths, and cheese-board red flags, the girls break down the real kitchen mistakes people make every holiday season.

If you’ve ever reheated turkey, bought grocery-store fried chicken, or ignored that mysterious puddle in your fridge… this episode will change how you cook forever. Inspired by Kitchen Nightmares and fueled by real science—with plenty of Oh Gross! chaos in between—this is the guide you actually need before Thanksgiving.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro + the viral “Poppin’ Chicken” story that breaks the internet
02:02 – The Great Leftovers Debate: Rice vs. Potatoes (and why one can kill you)
05:06 – Meet Katie Defour, Food Safety Expert
12:06 – Cheese Board Rules: What’s safe and what’s a biohazard
26:00 – Deli & Dining Red Flags: Listeria, nasty ice bins, slimy lunch meat
37:38 – Raw Chicken Horror Stories & the “Poppin’ Chicken” deep dive
41:19 – Cutting Boards: The disgusting truth + how to actually clean them
52:30 – Final takeaways & your kitchen will never be the same

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Tom Morris Jr. Talks Live PD, AMW, and Self-Defense Laws (Live Replay) Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

Kara Kurcz reunites with Tom Morris Jr. for a live Oh Gross! episode packed with behind-the-scenes stories from America’s Most Wanted and Live PD. They break down the myths around self-defense, why the laws vary so widely state to state, and why talking openly about safety matters now more than ever. #livepd #crimetv #ohgrosspodcast

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