OYLA Podcast

The sight of a frigate in full sail has inspired poets, painters, and dreamers for centuries. In this episode, we journey through the history of sails from the animal-hide wings of the north to the shimmering hemp and cotton of the age of exploration. You will learn how different sailing techniques, mast arrangements, and fabrics shaped trade, warfare, and cultural exchange. And of course, we will share the story of the clippers that raced the winds to bring fresh tea to London in record time. This episode was prepared with the help of AI, and the content is written by OYLA authors. For subscription, please visit: oyla.us, oyla.uk, oyla.au, oyla.eu, oyla.co.in to check it out!

We humans like to think we can predict everything—but randomness has other plans! From coin tosses and shuffled cards to computer-generated passwords and slot machines, chance is everywhere, and our brains are surprisingly bad at handling it. In this episode, we explore how randomness shapes games, data security, and even everyday life, and why finding patterns where none exist is just part of being human. Prepare to dive into the science of unpredictability and entropy in a way that's both fun and mind-bending.   This episode was prepared with the help of AI, and the content is written by OYLA authors. For subscription, please visit: oyla.us, oyla.uk, oyla.au, oyla.eu, oyla.co.in to check it out!

Think the sky is empty? Think again! Three-quarters of all species on Earth call the skies home, from acrobatic insects to soaring birds and stealthy bats. In this episode of OYLA Podcast, we uncover how flight evolved multiple times, the clever ways wings are built, and why mastering the air gives animals a major advantage. Learn about ancient evolutionary “gymnastics,” record-breaking migrations, and the secret life of nocturnal flyers. This episode was prepared with the help of AI, and the content is written by OYLA authors. For subscription, please visit: oyla.us, oyla.uk, oyla.au, oyla.eu, oyla.co.in to check it out!

Some of the greatest breakthroughs in history began with a twist of fate — and a mind ready to see the possibilities. In this episode, we explore accidental discoveries that reshaped the world, from Percy Spencer's melted candy bar that led to the microwave oven, to Wilhelm Röntgen's mysterious glowing screen that revealed X-rays. You'll also hear the surprising stories behind superglue, penicillin, and Teflon, and learn the fascinating science that makes them work. These moments of curiosity, skill, and serendipity prove that innovation often strikes when we least expect it — but only if we're prepared to notice. This episode was prepared with the help of AI, and the content is written by OYLA authors. For subscription, please visit: oyla.us, oyla.uk, oyla.au, oyla.eu, oyla.co.in to check it out!

Ever wondered how a Persian mathematician became one of the world's most celebrated poets? In this episode, we dive into the fascinating life of Omar Khayyam—a brilliant astronomer, mathematician, and perhaps a poet—whose discoveries shaped calendars, algebra, and even geometry centuries ahead of their time. From surviving nomadic invasions to impressing kings and leaving a mark on both science and literature, Khayyam's story is full of adventure, intellect, and a touch of mystery. Join us as we unravel the man behind the Rubáiyát and explore the legacy that still echoes today.   This episode was prepared with the help of AI, and the content is written by OYLA authors. For subscription, please visit: oyla.us, oyla.uk, oyla.au, oyla.eu, oyla.co.in to check it out!

Meet a living fossil with legs, teeth, and a 5-foot-long scaly body—our distant, finned relative from 385 million years ago! In this episode of OYLA Podcast, we dive into the extraordinary discovery of Latimeria, the coelacanth that shocked the scientific world in 1938 and gave us a glimpse of our ancient aquatic cousins. Learn how this deep-sea predator moves like a terrestrial animal, lives for over a century, and even carries its babies internally for 13 months! Adventure, science, and evolution collide in this story of a “zoological sensation of the 20th century.” This episode was prepared with the help of AI, and the content is written by OYLA authors. For subscription, please visit: oyla.us, oyla.uk, oyla.au, oyla.eu, oyla.co.in to check it out!

How can we tell what distant stars and planets are made of—without ever touching them? In this episode of the OYLA podcast, we explore the fascinating history and science of spectral analysis, from Newton's prism to the discovery of helium in the Sun. Learn how light reveals the secrets of the universe and how the Doppler effect revolutionized modern astronomy. A story of color, sound, and cosmic detective work! This episode was prepared with the help of AI, and the content is written by OYLA authors. For subscription, please visit: oyla.us, oyla.uk, oyla.au, oyla.eu, oyla.co.in to check it out!

In this episode, we dive into the powerful natural phenomenon known as a tsunami — massive ocean waves triggered by underwater earthquakes. You'll learn how these waves form, why they can travel thousands of miles, and what makes them so devastating when they reach the shore. We also explore the role of tsunami warning systems and how they help save lives. This episode was prepared with the help of AI, and the content is written by OYLA authors. For subscription, please visit: oyla.us, oyla.uk, oyla.au, oyla.eu, oyla.co.in to check it out!

In this episode, we explore the fascinating story behind one of the simplest yet most revolutionary tools in science: the Petri dish. From Robert Koch's groundbreaking work on anthrax and tuberculosis to Julius Petri's clever design, we trace how microbiology leapt forward thanks to these tiny glass plates. We'll also uncover how agar-agar jelly from a kitchen helped shape modern medicine. This episode was prepared with the help of AI, and the content is written by OYLA authors. For subscription, please visit: oyla.us, oyla.uk, oyla.au, oyla.eu, oyla.co.in to check it out!

This episode dives into the world of hydroponics—growing plants without soil using nutrient-rich water. From early experiments in the 1600s to today's high-tech greenhouses and even NASA's space farming plans, we explore how this method is transforming agriculture. Hydroponics uses less water, requires fewer pesticides, and allows crops to grow faster in places where traditional farming isn't possible. Discover how this innovative approach is reshaping the future of food. This episode was prepared with the help of AI, and the content is written by OYLA authors. For a subscription, go to: oyla.us, oyla.uk, oyla.au, oyla.eu or oyla.co.in to check it out!

They wore bells, told jokes, and made kings laugh — but the true history of jesters is full of surprises. From ancient Egypt to medieval Europe, this episode explores the serious side of these so-called fools: their talents, their struggles, and the unique place they held in royal courts. A fascinating and family-friendly look at the wit, courage, and complexity behind the jester's smile. This episode was prepared with the help of AI, and the content is written by OYLA authors. For a subscription, go to: oyla.us, oyla.uk, oyla.au, oyla.eu or oyla.co.in to check it out!

Have you ever heard of a town that started as a copyright trap and ended up on real maps? Welcome to the curious world of “paper towns”—fake streets, towns, and even mountain peaks added to maps to catch copycats. In this episode, we'll tell the true story of Agloe, a fictional hamlet in New York that became real (if only briefly), and explore other oddities like Argleton in England and Mount Richard in Colorado. But it's not just maps—dictionaries, encyclopedias, and even scientific papers hide invented entries too! Why would anyone do this? To protect their work—and sometimes, just for fun.   This episode was prepared with the help of AI, and the content is written by OYLA authors. For a subscription, go to: oyla.us, oyla.uk, oyla.au, or oyla.co.in to check it out!

What are snowflakes? Is it true that no two are alike? On the 28th of January, 1887, the town of Fort Keogh in Montana was experiencing unusually heavy snowfall. A ranch owner named Matt Coleman became a witness to this unique natural phenomenon. Amidst the falling snowflakes, one attracted his attention above all the rest: it was nearly 16 inches wide and 8 inches thick! Even today, it still holds the status of the largest snowflake ever recorded.  Such large flakes appear during warm winter weather. It is much colder up in the atmosphere, where snowflakes form. As they fall, they melt a little and stick together. If you catch one on your mitten, you can see that it actually consists of several different flakes. And each one is unique.  But how do we know that? Has someone examined every snowflake in the world and proved once and for all that no two of them are alike? Of course not! But that doesn't stop scientists from confidently stating there could never be two identical snowflakes. To understand why, we have to figure out what snowflakes are and how they appear.  Story told by Garrett Tucker. You can discover even more about science and the world around us in our magazine, so head over to oyla.us to check it out!

Living in a city is very different from living in a rural area. But did you know that even climate and weather can drastically change as you enter a big city? Temperature, wind, and humidity in an urban environment are not the same as outside of it. Why is that?  Story told by Garrett Tucker.  You can discover even more about science and the world around us in our magazine, so head over to oyla.us to check it out!

Toothy ichthyosaurs, giant plesiosaurs, flying pterosaurs... What beasts could possibly be more terrifying? For one woman who spent her life among these fossilized giants, the problems of poverty, gender inequality, and theft of her life's work proved to be much more ugly monsters than these.  Story told by Garrett Tucker.  You can discover even more about science and the world around us in our magazine, so head over to oyla.us to check it out!

The surgeon holds a scalpel, the archaeologist wields a pickaxe, the physicist can expose you to an electric shock, and the chemist possesses an entire set of tools in their laboratory. What does the philosopher have left? A metaphorical razor! And actually, this weapon is far more dangerous than it seems at first. Story told by Garrett Tucker.

What unites Newton's laws, the Penrose triangle, Gaussian elimination, the Pythagorean theorem, Halley's Comet, and the Fermi paradox? It should be obvious: they're all things named after their discoverers... or so it seems.   Story told by Garrett Tucker.

Have you heard of the young woman who managed to trick all of England? Two centuries ago, the daughter of a simple shoemaker became a sensation among local aristocrats and visiting travelers alike all thanks to her ingenuity, acting skills, and innate talent for linguistics. Story told by Garrett Tucker. 

“First, wash your hands, and then you may eat.” Sometimes this rule can be really annoying, but we have it for a reason. We wash our hands to minimize contact with pathogenic microorganisms. But imagine how people lived when they had no clue that microbes existed! And that was only a century and a half ago.  Story told by Garrett Tucker.

For decades, science fiction has captured our imaginations with terrifying plots of mind control and human subjugation. But who would have thought that the fungi that turned people into zombies in a popular game-turned-TV-series could be somewhat realistic? Parasitism and the manipulation of hosts are mechanisms not invented by science fiction writers but rather by... nature itself. There are numerous examples of one organism taking over the body and will of another. In this episode of the OYLA podcast, we will cover nature's most terrifying manipulators.    Story told by Garrett Tucker.  

"Why is it dark at night?" asked Lily and Emma, sitting by the campfire under the starry sky. This same question has been pondered by scientists around the world for centuries. Turns out this simple question is not that simple! You can discover even more about science and the world around us in our magazine, so head over to oyla.us to check it out!   

It was once considered a fancy dish and cost six times more than a serving of fresh noodles. The story of its dramatic decline in status — from a luxury item to a student's low-budget snack — is very curious indeed. Let's dive right in!  You can discover even more about science and the world around us in our magazine, so head over to oyla.us to check it out!   

Hey there! It's OYLA, your favorite science magazine for students, and we're excited to announce the launch of our new podcast series. Now you can read and listen to your favorite stories about math, space, biology, and history wherever you go.  Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss our latest episodes. You can discover even more about science and the world around us in our magazine, so head over to oyla.us to check it out!