The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

Latest Episodes:

Bette Midler and the Salamander, How Marathon Swimmers Pee, D+D is Good for Your Brain Jul 30, 2025

Show notes

The wonderful Ryan Mandelbaum is BACK to discuss their latest animalian interest: salamanders in New York City! Laura also explains how peeing while swimming a marathon is shockingly complicated, and Rachel gets into why Dungeons and Dragons is therapeutic for your noggin.

Go check out Ryan's newsletter! https://ryanmandelbirder.substack.com/

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow our team on Twitter

Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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The Bone Collector, Threads of God, Cloacal Chamber Jul 16, 2025

Show notes

Scientific illustrator and Twitch streamer Liz Clayton Fuller (ipaintbirbs) joins the show once more to talk all things cloaca -- and why some birds lack them. Plus, Jess hops behind the mic to talk about the world's rarest pasta, and Rachel dives into carnivorous caterpillars that sound like WWE wrestlers.

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow our team on Twitter

Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A New Green, THIS IS MY EVEREST, Chickens Influencing Cats Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

Actor and creator of the Brat Apple Dance, Kelley Heyer, joins the show! The squad talks about a BRAND NEW green color, cheating at climbing Mt. Everest, and a sneaky trick to make cats less allergenic.

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow our team on Twitter

Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Thanks to our sponsors!

Go to ⁠https://Quince.com/weirdest⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 -day returns.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Horny Bugs, Women are Stronger Than Men, Evil Monkey Backpack Trends Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Casey Johnston joins the show this week to talk about how women are truly and actually stronger than men (all of which she details in her new book!). Plus, Laura talks about promiscuous fruit flies, and Rachel talks about capuchin monkey's version of a Labubu.

Get Casey's book here! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/casey-johnston/a-physical-education/9781538773253/

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠

Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠⁠⁠

Link to Balint's Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/sciants_streams ⁠⁠⁠

Follow our team on Twitter

Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠

Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠⁠⁠

Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Go to https://LIQUIDIV.COM and get 20% off your first order with code WEIRDEST at checkout.

Go to https://Quince.com/weirdest for free shipping on your order and365 -day returns.

Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/WEIRDEST to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Masochistic Trees, Lean Mean Sex Machines, Ancient Doodles Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian joins the show to talk about horny eels. Plus, Sara Kiley explains the tree that loves getting struck by lightning, and Rachel goes into detail about kids passing notes in ancient times.

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠⁠!

⁠⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠⁠

Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠

Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠

Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠⁠

Link to Balint's Twitch: ⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/sciants_streams ⁠⁠

Follow our team on Twitter

Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠

Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠⁠

Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠⁠

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to ⁠⁠https://Quince.com/weirdest⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to ⁠⁠https://www.Zocdoc.com/WEIRDEST⁠⁠ to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Piss Current, Mucking Up Space, a Cocky Legend May 21, 2025

Show notes

Divya Anantharaman aka Gotham Taxidermy joins the show to talk about a bird with a very big personality. Plus, Rachel talks about a whale conveyor belt, and Lauren dishes dirt on the ISS (literally).

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠!

⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠

Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠

Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠

Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠

Link to Balint's Twitch: ⁠https://www.twitch.tv/sciants_streams ⁠

Follow our team on Twitter

Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠

Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠

Popular Science: ⁠⁠www.twitter.com/PopSci⁠⁠

Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to ⁠⁠https://www.liquid-iv.com/⁠⁠ and use code WEIRDEST at checkout.
Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to ⁠⁠https://Quince.com/weirdest⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Open your account in 2 minutes at ⁠https://chime.com/WEIRDEST⁠. Chime. Feels like progress.
No matter how you say it, don’t overpay for it. Shop data plans at ⁠https://MINTMOBILE.com/weirdest⁠
Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to ⁠⁠https://www.Zocdoc.com/WEIRDEST⁠⁠ to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Time Balls, Bug Culture, Traffic Mimes May 07, 2025

Show notes

Balint Kacsoh of SciAnts_Streams joins the show today to talk about how flies have their own sort of culture. Plus, Jess hops behind the mic to discuss mimes mocking traffic offenders, and Rachel divulges the story of London's legendary timekeepers.

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠Facebook group⁠ or ⁠tweet at us⁠!

⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠

Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠

Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠

Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠

Link to Balint's Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/sciants_streams

Follow our team on Twitter

Rachel Feltman: ⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠

Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠

Popular Science: ⁠www.twitter.com/PopSci⁠

Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Open your account in 2 minutes at https://chime.com/WEIRDEST. Chime. Feels like progress.
Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to ⁠https://Quince.com/weirdest⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
No matter how you say it, don’t overpay for it. Shop data plans at https://MINTMOBILE.com/weirdest
Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to ⁠https://www.liquid-iv.com/⁠ and use code WEIRDEST at checkout.

Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to ⁠https://www.Zocdoc.com/WEIRDEST⁠ to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rat Sommeliers, Pneumatic Tube Flirting, Why Periods Hurt Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

Kate Downey joins the show to explain how little we actually know about why periods hurt so dang bad. Plus, Rachel divulges how to flirt using tubes, and Laura talks about the cutest, sweetest little rat sommeliers.

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!

Click here to learn more about all of our stories!

Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman

Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman

Link to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn

Follow our team on Twitter

Rachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman

Produced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy

Popular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSci

Theme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to https://www.liquid-iv.com/ and use code WEIRDEST at checkout.
Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/weirdest for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.Zocdoc.com/WEIRDEST to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Poison King, the Seismic DONK, Contagious Peeing Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

Trace Dominguez joins the show to explain just how inconceivable building up an immunity to iocane powder (or other poisons) is. Sara Kiley also discusses unidentified seismic objects, and Rachel talks about how peeing together transcends species.

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!

Click here to learn more about all of our stories!

Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman

Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman

Link to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn

Follow our team on Twitter

Rachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman

Produced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy

Popular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSci

Theme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Get Started today at https://chime.com/WEIRDEST. Chime. Feels like progress.
Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/weirdest for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.Zocdoc.com/WEIRDEST to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Space Squirrels, the Most Beautiful Youth, Glass Brains Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

John Green joins the show to talk about how Everything is Tuberculosis -- which is coincidentally the name of his new book. Plus, Lauren talks about sending squirrels into space, and Rachel explains how brains can (very rarely) turn to glass.

Check out John's new book: https://everythingistb.com/

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!

Click here to learn more about all of our stories!

Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman

Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman

Link to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn

Follow our team on Twitter

Rachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman

Produced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy

Popular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSci

Theme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ

Thanks to our Sponsors!

Get an additional 20% OFF the @honeylove Holiday sale by going to https://honeylove.com/WEIRDEST #honeylovepod
If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at https://MINTMOBILE.com/weirdest
Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/weirdest for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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