In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the history, science and legend of the ninja or shinobi. Feudal Japan’s espionage specialists might not have resembled the characters in your favorite action movie, but they’ve become fictionalized staples of global popular culture while keeping to the shadows of history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the deadly neomorphs of the “Alien” universe…  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this two-parter from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the chemistry, space science and mythology of burning hair. So strap in for a discussion of everything from pirates and barbecue mishaps to Latin literature and science fiction.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1981 Ray Harryhausen stop-motion epic “Clash of the Titans,” which also happens to star a bunch of notable human actors as well. (originally published 03/10/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What exactly is mud? Where does it occur and how does it factor into animal behaviors and human activities? In this classic four-part Stuff to Blow Your Mind exploration, Rob and Joe immerse themselves in the mysteries of mud. (originally published 07/06/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1958 space horror film “It! The Terror from Beyond Space,” considered one of several key influences on the 1979 classic “Alien.”  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this two-parter from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the chemistry, space science and mythology of burning hair. So strap in for a discussion of everything from pirates and barbecue mishaps to Latin literature and science fiction.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the so-called Trilobite and Deacon creatures from the “Alien” universe…  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence research often reshape the design and utility of Al in both business and society. In this special rebroadcast episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Goldstein explore the conceptual underpinnings of modern Al with Dr. David Cox, VP of Al models at IBM Research. They talk foundation models, self-supervised machine learning, and the practical applications of Al and data platforms like watsonx in business and technology. When...

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with shark scientist Jasmin Graham about her new book “Sharks Don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist.”  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this classic 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! (originally published 07/14/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long before such things were possible, our ancestors envisioned artificial heads that were capable of speech. In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the journey from ancient tales of artifice and wizardry to the early breakthroughs in speech synthesis technology. (originally published 06/29/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1940 American horror film “The Devil Bat,” starring Bela Lugosi and Suzanne Kaaren. Watch out, because giant bats are coming for your aftershave!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss Japan’s beloved yuru-chara, corporate and governmental mascots that are undeniably cute but with deeper connections to other aspects of Japanese culture.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the deadly alien pathogen Agent A0-3959X.91–15 from the “Alien” universe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss Japan’s beloved yuru-chara, corporate and governmental mascots that are undeniably cute but with deeper connections to other aspects of Japanese culture.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once 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.

It is dark inside the human body, but not every denizen of the animal kingdom is such a closed book. In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss various creatures with transparent anatomical features and translucent bodies. (originally published 05/19/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe finally discuss a film that almost defies description: “Plan 9 From Outer Space.” Yes, it’s Ed Wood’s 1957 cinematic monolith featuring Bela Lugosi, Tor Johnson, Vampira and the Amazing Criswell! (originally published 08/05/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The trap is insidious. But of course it is. It was designed and executed… by ants? In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, the ant wars continue as Robert and Joe explore some of the possibility that a few formidable Formicidae species actually lay traps. (originally published 01/20/2022) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert kicks off a series devoted to the various creatures of the “Alien” universe with a look at the enigmatic Engineers…  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is a fountain in an urban environment so inviting and, at least to some extent, so calming? In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss human fountain culture and the seeming benefits of urban blue space. (originally published 05/25/2023) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once 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.

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe consider the form and evolution of the horse hoof, as well as related adaptations. (originally published 06/13/2023)  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.