Topical Island

What do you think when you hear the word etiquette? Is it all about learning which fork to use with dessert and the quest to find a husband? This week we explore the history of good manners and how they translate in today's world. Follow us on instagram: @topical__islandSources used in today's episode:https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/10/08/lessons-from-the-last-swiss-finishing-schoolhttps://www.noozhawk.com/article/john_daly_etiquette_origins_20140812#:~:text=Today's%20etiquette%20began%20in%20the,in%20the%201600s%20and%201700s.&text=One%20piece%20of%20advice%20was,wrong%20ways%20to%20do%20it.https://emilypost.com/about/emily-posthttps://www.missmanners.com/about-miss-manners/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finishing_schoolhttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Emily-Posthttps://www.countryliving.com/entertaining/a29265924/modern-etiquette-rules

Are you sure about that? On December 6, 1917, Halifax suffered major devastation from the explosion of a ship in its harbour. This week, let us fill in the gaps of one of Canada's 'Heritage Minutes'.Sources:https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosionhttps://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-great-halifax-explosionhttps://www.britannica.com/event/Halifax-explosionhttps://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/establishing-blame-in-the-halifax-explosionhttps://darkpoutine.com/

You've heard of Atlantis and Pompeii? Well, let me tell you about a bustling metropolis that was mysteriously abandoned and completely forgotten, leaving nothing but a 100 foot mound and a massive mystery! Today we venture to the lost city of Cahokia.Follow us on instagram: @topical__islandSources used in today's episode:https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2016/aug/17/lost-cities-8-mystery-ahokia-illinois-mississippians-native-americans-vanishhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cahokia#Mound_72https://cahokiamounds.org/

Hundreds of years after they were sentenced to death, thousands of "witches" might be pardoned. You've heard of the Salem Witch Trials, but find out why witch hunts have been reported all over the world. Join us as we dig in to this Island Hopper-inspired topic. Follow us on InstaGram: @topical__islandSources used in today's episode:https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/19/executed-witches-scotland-pardons-witchcraft-act/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/26/catalonia-expected-to-pardon-up-to-1000-people-accused-of-witchcraft https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/salem-witch-trials https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch-hunt https://www.witchesofscotland.com/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scotland-considers-pardon-for-thousands-of-accused-witches-180979316/ https://hyperallergic.com/332222/first-known-depiction-witch-broomstick/ https://www.barcelona-metropolitan.com/features/history/they-were-not-witches-they-were-women/

Don't forget to hydrate, but not too much...In this episode we discuss exactly what happens when you don't get enough water as well as the dangers of over-hydration. How far would you go for a chance to win a Wii gaming console?Follow us on InstaGram: @Topical__IslandSources used in today's episode:https://bigthink.com/health/gruesome-death-macabre-science-dehydration/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/strange-but-true-drinking-too-much-water-can-kill/#:~:text=%22Rapid%20and%20severe%20hyponatremia%20causes,Hospital%20and%20Harvard%20Medical%20Schoolhttps://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16614865How I drank urine and bat blood to survive - BBC News

As some more old school hobbies are becoming ‘hip' again, there is a resurgence of mushroom foraging. As this hobby takes off, some of the tales and folklore surrounding mushrooms are coming out of the woodwork and they may explain some of our modern day traditions. This weeks episode starts with a confessional and ends with the way in which some tattoo artists are making a difference to make the world a better place.Follow Us on Instagram: @topical__islandSources referenced in today's episode:https://medium.com/@mustaphahitani/santa-was-a-magic-mushroom-d3065b05e76fhttps://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna50263554https://mygrowingtraditions.com/blogs/news/15902748-the-gluckspilz-lucky-mushroom-traditionhttps://www.livescience.com/42077-8-ways-mushrooms-explain-santa.html

In this week's very special episode we recount our and some listeners' brushes with celebrity! Stayed tuned as they include a recent Governor General Award recipient, a famous athlete and find out who Cait shared a hot tub with!

When you're feeling lonely or sad, do you rely on happy memories for a mood boost? Is it healthy to reminisce about the good ol' days? This week we're talking about nostalgia, a concept with a surprisingly rich (and fittingly bittersweet) history. Follow us on instagram @topical__islandSources used in today's episode:https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/09/science/what-is-nostalgia-good-for-quite-a-bit-research-shows.htmlhttps://thewalrus.ca/why-nostalgia-is-our-new-normal/https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/nostalgiahttps://www.marketingweek.com/power-nostalgia-building-brands/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nostalgiahttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nostalgiahttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/surprising-role-of-nostalgia-during-coronavirus-pandemic?cmpid=int_org%3Dngp%3A%3Aint_mc%3Dwebsite%3A%3Aint_src%3Dngp%3A%3Aint_cmp%3Damp%3A%3Aint_add%3Damp_readtherest&loggedin=true

"I want it clearly understood: no thugs, racketeers or punks are going to be allowed to intimidate you as long as I am mayor of the City of New York.”Find out what led the Mayor of NYC to proclaim this to a group of produce merchants at the Bronx Market in 1935 in this week's episode. Sources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Monroe#1944%E2%80%931948:_Modeling_and_first_film_roleshttps://medium.californiasun.co/when-marilyn-monroe-reigned-as-californias-artichoke-queen-3017ce58c1a5https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/strange-mafia-historieshttp://www.foodpassages.com/jottings-by-joel/jottings/the-artichoke-wars/http://www.kitchenproject.com/history/Artichoke/

At the end of the second world war many women gave up the work they had taken on during wartime outside of the home and were looking for ways to supplement their income. This era was also the advent of polypropylene. Today we explore how these two topics were married together by the iconic Tupperware party! Trust us as we explore this fascinating story and end the episode with a fish car.Follow Us on Instagram: @topical__islandSources used in today's episode:https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/classroom/fact-sheets/womenhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/story-brownie-wise-ingenious-marketer-behind-tupperware-party-180968658/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/tupperware-1950s/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/tupperware-work/https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/wwii-women.html

The full moon is a mysterious thing and experts are divided on the impact it has on our lives. Many tales have been debunked, but why does the moon elicit similar themes across history, time and space? Listen until the end of the episode for our own little piece of kismet.Follow us on Instagram: @topical__islandSources used into today's episode:https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2021/12/31/when-is-the-next-full-moon-your-ultimate-guide-to-2022s-full-moons-super-moons-new-moons-and-black-moons/?sh=7a930914203chttps://www.bustle.com/articles/194759-11-weird-things-that-happen-during-a-full-moon-according-to-sciencehttps://www.farmersalmanac.com/full-moons-people-crazy-12157https://www.livescience.com/1617-strange-happen-full-moon.htmlhttps://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/do-full-moons-and-supermoons-really-influence-people-and-animals-2/433601https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2016/10/24/dear-science-does-a-full-moon-really-change-human-behavior/https://my-moon.org/research/http://www.northernc.on.ca/indigenous/moontime/https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7531/full-moon-harness-the-energy-make-it-work-for-you.htmlhttps://theconsciousclub.com/articles/2019/10/15/full-moon-rituals-around-the-world-harness-the-power-of-the-moonhttps://yucatantoday.com/maya-secrets-moon/?lang=enhttps://www.discovermagazine.com/mind/why-do-we-still-believe-in-lunacy-during-a-full-moonhttps://www.hinduwebsite.com/symbolism/symbols/moon.asp...

Why on earth would Cait wager that you, yes you listener, have likely pressed your lips to those of a Parisian who died by drowning in the 1800s?! Find out as we kick off season 2 of Topical Island.Follow us on Instagram: @topical__islandSources:https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/theres-a-good-chance-youve-made-out-with-a-drowning-victim-from-the-1800s/The Worshipper of the Image by Richard Le Gallienne - Free Ebook (gutenberg.org)How a Dead Girl in Paris Ended Up With The Most-Kissed Lips in History (sciencealert.com)

The rise is of the ‘influencer” on social media is well known but can be traced back to ancient Rome. This week in our last episode of 2021 we dig into the world of the influencer - How much do they make? What are the rules? Are we influencing right now??Sources used in this episode:https://www.forbes.com/sites/brittanychambers/2021/10/07/influencer-jalisa-vaughn-jefferson-shares-how-she-secured-more-than-800k-in-sponsorships/?sh=5ca04de254a8https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/12/02/influencer-marketing-and-ftc-regulations/?sh=67c8e0e01566https://www.businessinsider.com/influencer-marketing-report?r=DE&IR=T

Sure, we love Bay Days and HBC reward points. But did you know that the Hudson's Bay Company (and its 350 year history) is a pivotal reason why western Canada isn't the northwestern USA? We talk pioneers and point blankets in this episode of Topical Island. AND didn't make it on the top 40 under 40 list? Set your sights on top 7 over 70!Follow Us on Instagram: @topical__islandSources used in today's episode:https://www.canadiangeographic.ca/article/untold-story-hudsons-bay-companyhttps://www.hbcheritage.ca/history/company-stories/a-brief-history-of-hbchttps://www.macleans.ca/culture/books/how-the-hudsons-bay-company-shaped-canadas-history-and-its-borders/https://top7over70.com/

The perfect time to die might sound like the title of a James Bond film, but this week we discuss just that! Did you know that the average human life expectancy has doubled in just 10 generations? This week we explore the pros, cons, risks & more around extending human life.Sources used in today's episode:https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/there-s-no-law-in-biology-that-says-living-things-need-to-age-keith-mcarthur-on-anti-aging-research-1.6191061 https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnnosta/2013/02/03/the-first-person-to-live-to-150-has-already-been-born-revisited/?sh=8fa32d559b94https://www.verywellhealth.com/longevity-throughout-history-2224054https://www.avenuecalgary.com/top-40-under-40/2021/

This week we delve into some formerly top secret CIA Files that have been declassified. Join us as we DIVE into the weird and wacky world of the Office of Research and Development in the 1960s and their animal partners. Project OXYGAS attempted to use some very clever mammals to deliver weapons packages, spy on the enemy and Censored.Follow us on Instagram: @topical__islandSources used in this episode:https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/collection/animal-partnershttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-49692534https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/poppy-crosswalk-in-chestermere-alta-unveiled-at-official-event-1.5636418

Dr. Stephen Covey famously said: “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” Who among us hasn't had that moment? This week, the ladies discuss this topic and become increasingly hyper-aware of not talking over each other. Follow Us on InstaGram: @topical__islandSources used in today's episode:https://www.lifehack.org/597203/90-of-people-are-poor-listeners-are-you-the-remaining-10https://www.google.com/amp/s/hbr.org/amp/2016/07/what-great-listeners-actually-dohttps://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-neuroscience-of-everybody-favorite-topic-themselves/https://healthland.time.com/2012/05/08/why-we-overshare-the-brain-likes-it/https://janeadsheadgrant.com/10-ways-to-tell-if-youre-a-good-listener/ https://www.fastcompany.com/3042863/new-research-shows-were-all-bad-listeners-who-think-we-work-too-much https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/play-your-way-sane/202108/were-worse-listening-we-realize

Are you competitive? Would others say differently?This week we're talking about what drives people to compete and at what point does friendly competition cross into an unhealthy compulsion.

Have your ever had your brain tingle during a haircut? This tingling sensation is called the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response and it may give you a sense of peace and calm. Join us as we delve into ASMR and the millions of fans it has. And stay with us as we talk about the happiest news - the Rett Run!Follow us on Instagram @topical__islandSources used in today's episode:https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2013/12/how-to-have-a-brain-orgasm/282356/https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/what-is-asmr-youtube-samsung-a4034291.htmlhttps://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/06/180621101334.htm#:~:text=In%20the%20first%20study%20of,who%20do%20not%20experience%20ASMR.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/11/24/women-saved-from-toronto-attack-by-unlikely-hero-doo-doo-the-clown/

These days, terrifying news stories are a dime a dozen. But back in 2016, the Killer Clown Panic terrified many. Maybe not Julie, but many were quite panicked. Join us as we delve into this mysterious era in our recent history. Follow us on Instagram: topical__islandSources used in today's episode:https://www.vox.com/culture/2016/10/12/13122196/clown-panic-hoax-history https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/killer-clowns-inside-the-terrifying-hoax-sweeping-america-129505/ https://www.theverge.com/2016/10/7/13191788/clown-attack-threats-2016-panic-hoax-debunked https://www.todayville.com/sylvan-lake-clown-chasing-incident-a-hoax/ https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/10/health/history-of-clown-hoaxes/index.html https://time.com/4518456/scary-clown-sighting-attack-craze https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1915195/what-is-the-killer-clown-hoax/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/out-the-ooze/201610/why-clowns-creep-us-out https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/oct/31/the-great-clown-panic-of-2016-a-volatile-mix-of-fear-and-contagion

"The party has just begun!" yelled the bank robber, firing shots into the air...This week, Cait tells us the origin story of the physiological phenomenon that we now know of as Stockholm Syndrome.Follow us on Instagram: @topical__islandSources used in this week's episode:https://www.history.com/news/stockholm-syndromehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/six-day-hostage-standoff-gave-rise-stockholm-syndrome-180964537/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndromePodcast: My favourite murder – episode 197

In this week's episode, we explore the history of the Cesarean Section. From Julius Cesar to the fascinating tale of Dr. James Barry we try to take a global perspective at a surgery many of us take for granted.Sources cited in this weeks Episode:https://face2faceafrica.com/article/how-this-african-kingdom-performed-its-first-cesarean-section-in-1879http://www.neonatology.org/pdf/cesarean.pdfhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Barry_(surgeon)https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/cesarean/part1.htmlhttps://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/12362-primogeniturehttps://era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/30961

Two people fall madly in love, get married and live happily ever after. That's how it's always been, right? This week, Kristin digs in to the history of marriage. We ask the question, in a historical context, what does love have to do, have to do with it.Then, Julie's still riding high on some heart-warming Olympic highlights. Follow us on Instagram: @topical__islandSources used in the episode:https://www. theweek.com/articles/528746/origins-marriage%3famphttps://www.livescience.com/37777-history-of-marriage.htmlhttps://www.sociologyguide.com/marriage-family-kinship/Types-of-marriages.phphttps://medium.com/@stevenmoretti/the-strange-history-of-marrying-for-love-28e48d5b4ae7https://www.thecut.com/2017/12/6-new-things-researchers-learned-about-single-people-in-2017.htmlhttps://www.bl.uk/romantics-and-victorians/articles/gender-roles-in-the-19th-centuryhttps://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/me-you-us/201407/the-trouble-modern-marriagehttps://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/07/case-against-marriage/591973/

Have you ever given a gift with fears that it may cause the recipient a slow and painful death? This week we're talking about botulism, a toxin produced by bacteria that can thrive in a canned food environment if prepared incorrectly. Find out what the most potent toxin on earth has to do with beauty routines today.Also, if Kristin had scripted her good news story for a movie, it wouldn't have been believable.We're back with a bang and you do not want to miss a second of this episode!Follow us on Instagram: @topical__islandSources used in this episode:https://thispodcastwillkillyou.com/2020/04/14/episode-48-botulism-why-are-you-the-way-you-are/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botulismhttps://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/eye-and-vision-conditions/strabismus?sso=yhttps://www.nytimes.com/1982/04/28/garden/the-history-of-botulism.html

In this very special episode we share Ghost Stories. This content may not be appropriate for all listeners. For those brave enough to join us get ready to get the chills!!

What bings people together? What leads to insightful conversation? What spurred the Lloyd's of London to start insuring marine vessels? What beverage replaced the breakfast beer? What lengthens your life?? Coffee of course!Sources used in today's Episode:https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/04/02/father-son-and-holy-roast-how-coffee-became-christians-acceptable-vice/https://www.ncausa.org/about-coffee/history-of-coffeehttps://www.laweekly.com/the-history-of-booze-for-breakfast-7-morning-drinks/https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-reasons-why-the-right-amount-of-coffee-is-good-for-you

Positive thinking. We know it, we love it. But is there such thing as too much positivity? This week we discuss the dangers of toxic positivity, and how you can't always make your problems go away with a gratitude journal.We top off the discussion with Julie's happy moment of the week - and it left one of us quite tickled!Sources used in today's episode:https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-toxic-positivity-5093958https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/toxic-positivity-during-the-pandemic#What-is-toxic-positivity?https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/positive-thinking-overviewhttps://www.stephanieattwater.com/advanced-class/2019/3/7/toxic-positivity-and-the-law-of-attractionhttps://www.thedailypositive.com/toxic-positivity-vs-healthy-positivitywww.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/nurturing-self-compassion/202002/the-power-and-shame-women-s-anger%3famphttps://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210302-tragic-optimism-the-antidote-to-toxic-positivitywww.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/rethink-your-way-the-good-life/202102/the-difference-between-hopeful-optimism-and-toxic%3famphttps://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/jason-sudeikis-addresses-olivia-wilde-split-for-1st-time/

Today, Cait delves into the history of being buried alive. Although it may seem an irrational fear some of these stories may inspire you to get a bell or trumpet on your coffin! And stick with us as we delve into the secret world of nude beaches here in Calgary.Sources Referenced in today's episode:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_coffinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premature_burialhttps://historycollection.com/buried-alive-common-victorian-era-doctors-used-10-methods-prevent/https://burialsandbeyond.com/2019/03/27/buried-alive-a-short-history-of-premature-burial-and-safety-coffins/https://historycollection.com/buried-alive-common-victorian-era-doctors-used-10-methods-prevent/

The international standard for measurement was introduced in Canada in the 1970s…and by the 80s had divided a nation. In today's episode we explore the Canadian conversion from imperial to metric and the partisan fighting it caused. We are talking the 'Freedom to Measure Movement'.Sources used in today's episode:https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/1982-canadians-rebel-against-metric-systemhttps://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/metric-conversion#:~:text=feet%20and%20inches).-,Background,pounds%2C%20gallons%2C%20etc.)&text=Beginning%20with%20a%20White%20Paper,a%20metric%20system%20of%20measurements. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrication_in_Canadahttps://www.nytimes.com/1983/07/30/us/jet-s-fuel-ran-out-after-metric-conversion-errors.htmlhttps://www.zmescience.com/other/map-of-countries-officially-not-using-the-metric-system/https://www.quora.com/Why-did-Canada-switch-to-the-metric-systemhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4B-skiH9ak

This week Kristin brings us our most divisive topic yet: The Morning Routine.Sources used in today's episode:https://thepowerofwhenquiz.com/https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/12/morning-routines/602788/https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2018/05/30/the-importance-of-establishing-a-morning-routine/?sh=5b7ff33b2c31https://www.huffpost.com/entry/morning-routines_b_8042428https://www.self.com/story/morning-routine-habitshttps://www.popsci.com/story/diy/create-perfect-morning-routine/https://www.healthline.com/health/chronotypewww.timesnownews.com/amp/health/article/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-look-at-your-phone-first-thing-in-the-morning/512627https://medium.com/personal-growth-lab/3-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-check-your-smartphone-within-1-hour-of-waking-up-6ccb1264ec74https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/personal-health-mastery/201708/what-hunter-gatherers-tell-us-about-natural-sleep-patternshttps://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/chronotypes

This week, Cait explores some of the more unsettling beauty trends throughout history. The lengths at which people would go to seem ludicrous in hindsight, but have we really come that far? Or does modern society just reaffirm the old adage “BEAUTY IS PAIN”

Online hoaxes, misidentification of bodies, and faking your own death can all lead to a premature obituary. Julie leads us through how this happens, some wild stories surrounding being "dead not dead" and how one premature obituary changed the course of history,Sources used in today's episode:https://www.history.com/news/did-a-premature-obituary-inspire-the-nobel-prizehttps://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/10/14/alfred-nobel-created-the-nobel-prize-as-a-false-obituary-declared-him-the-merchant-of-death/#:~:text=Alfred%20Nobel%20had%20the%20unpleasant,newspaper%20mistakenly%20published%20Alfreds%20obituary.&text=To%20Alfred%2C%20this%20obituary%20was%20a%20warninghttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Alfred-Nobelhttps://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/swedish-inventor-alfred-nobel-was-spurred-by-his-obituary-to-create-the-nobel-prize/news-story/c134de38fb4f3ebefef06b211b0527d5https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/16/french-broadcaster-apologises-after-killing-off-queen-and-pelehttps://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19650210&id=C00fAAAAIBAJ&pg=6932,2562925https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0824535020110108https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2018/09/14/la-man-misidentified-as-dead-found-safe/https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/08/10/489318279/social-security-data-errors-can-turn-people-into-the-living-deadhttps://archive.org/details/variety148-1942-12/page/n57/mode/2uphttps://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/shortcuts/2013/apr/19/george-soros-buried-alive-premature-obituaries

Did you know that ants don't have ears or that they can lift 10 to 50x their body weight? Did you know that ants can become zombies!? There are so many interesting facts about ants that we literally discuss none of the above in this week's podcast on the subject. Get ready to learn more about these fascinating creatures we see every day and find out if Julie has acquired a new hobby. https://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/ants-and-their-dead.phphttps://medium.com/@mike_mc/why-ant-keeping-might-be-your-next-hobby-f8909b80dc6chttps://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/secrets-superorganism https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vG-QZOTc5_Q https://www.quantamagazine.org/ants-build-complex-structures-with-a-few-simple-rules-20140409/ https://www.orkin.com/ants/hierarchy https://www.westernexterminator.com/ants/the-ant-colony-structure-and-roles/ https://www.terminix.com/blog/education/what-is-an-ant-colony/ https://www.natgeokids.com/nz/discover/animals/insects/ant-facts/ https://www.rentokil.com/us/blog/5-interesting-facts-ants/

Are you Superstitious? This week Cait hones in on why we are so afraid of the number 13. Could the unlucky origin of the number simply be the result of a clerical error? Find out just how much Friday the 13th impacts the economy and why you should carefully consider the number of guests at your next dinner party.Sources used in this episode:https://www.history.com/news/whats-so-unlucky-about-the-number-13https://bestlifeonline.com/thirteenth-floor/https://yourmileagemayvary.net/2021/01/16/the-real-reason-why-some-hotels-dont-have-a-13th-floor/#:~:text=Marriott%20Jr.,hotels%20skip%20the%2013th%20floor.https://www.insider.com/worst-things-friday-the-13th-2017-12#the-ku-klux-klans-first-grand-wizard-was-born-10http://educationupdate.com/alposamentier/2012/01/triskaidekaphobia.html#:~:text=Famous%20people%20have%20also%20been,also%20closely%20tied%20with%20Triskaidekaphobia.

Is diva behaviour acceptable? And what does it have to do with the opera? Join us as Julie takes us into to the world of the diva, both healthy and not so healthy. Sources used in this episode:https://www.crfashionbook.com/culture/a27764450/a-history-of-the-diva/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323550604578410522536037666https://www.marieclaire.com/celebrity/g15872900/absurd-celebrity-riders/

Gender reveal parties have been getting a lot of notoriety in the past few years - and not always in a good way! This week, we discuss the history of this relatively new phenomenon and take it a step further. Is gender reveal really the right name for it, and why do we insist that little girls wear pink?Sources used in today's episode:https://othersociologist.com/sociology-of-gender/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/when-did-girls-start-wearing-pink-1370097http://www.flyfishingdevon.co.uk/salmon/year3/psy364gender-nature-nurture/psy364gender-nature-nurture.htmhttps://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/12/15/guide-how-gender-neutral-language-is-developing-around-world/%3foutputType=amphttps://www.forbes.com/sites/kimelsesser/2020/07/08/how-to-use-gender-neutral-language-and-why-its-important-to-try/https://time.com/4327915/gender-neutral-pronouns/https://www.thesmujournal.ca/editor/normalizing-pronouns-why-cis-gendered-folks-should-use-personal-pronouns-too

This week, Cait unpacks the ritual of raising a glass before enjoying a drink. Have you ever wondered where the term "toast" comes from? Why is eye contact so important? What is the etiquette in order to avoid a water death? - wait...what?Join us and find out why Julie may now carry croutons on her person at all times and whether Kristin has lost faith in the Royal British Navy.Sources used for this Episode:https://www.farmersalmanac.com/why-do-we-say-cheers-30416https://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/22/messages/526.htmlhttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/drinking-alcohol-culturehttps://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/22/messages/527.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toast_(honor)https://www.reuters.com/article/us-etiquette-toasting-idUSBRE89L0N320121022

This week we explore where our used textiles go when donated. From “bend-over” markets to your new couch: that blazer you once loved may have ended up somewhere you didn't realize. We deep dive Goodwill's mission and Cait shares the story of the world's first speeding ticket!Sources used in this Episode:https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200710-why-clothes-are-so-hard-to-recyclehttps://www.rd.com/article/what-happens-used-clothing-donations/https://www.greenbiz.com/article/fashions-latest-trend-why-hm-other-big-brands-are-investing-garment-recyclinghttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/fake-clothing-drop-bins-use-your-charity-donations-make-profit-180951993/https://www.fastcompany.com/3059826/levis-made-the-first-ever-100-recycled-cotton-jeanshttps://www.goodwill.ab.ca/donate/

Most of us have heard of the 2018 false missile warning in Hawaii, but do you know what really happened? And what does it have to do with Jim Carrey? Kristin takes us through that traumatic day while Julie tells the tale of a cat that literally came back. Sources used in this episode: https://www.resolver.com/blog/hawaii-nuclear-missile-false-alert-2018/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hawaii-gov-david-ige-slow-correct-false-missile-alert-after-n840186https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/37416442/button-pusher-said-he-believed-missile-threat-was-real-is-living-in-utter-hell/https://www.gq.com/story/real-story-of-hawaiian-missile-crisishttps://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/01/pandemonium-and-rage-in-hawaii/550529/https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/22/politics/donald-trump-north-korea-insults-timeline/index.htmlhttps://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/1/30/16950494/hawaii-fcc-missile-emergency-alerthttps://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/30/technology/fcc-hawaii-missile-alert.htmlhttps://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/files/2018/01/20180113-NR-HI-EMA-statement-on-missile-launch-false-alarm.pdfhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/jim-carrey-recounts-being-hawaii-missile-false-alarm-1303541

In an age of being able to send a message at the push of a button, we can sometimes take for granted the ease at which we are able to communicate. But it hasn't always been so easy. This week Cait takes us into the world of some of history's unsung heroes. Although, what do the brave messengers of the past have to do with drug smuggling today?It's Julie's turn to share a peeve and Kristin gives us a real life example of why we should all be kind to strangers. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cher_Amihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homing_pigeon https://pigeonpedia.com/ https://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/1210-cher-ami-the-pigeon-that-saved-the-lost-battalion.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetoreception

Many of us grew up thinking the “Food Pyramid” was the healthy way to eat but was it? Today we explore the origins of the food pyramid, what it taught us to eat and what we think of it today. On today's episode: Cait shares a pet peeve, Kristin buys a candle and Julie gets duped by chip packaging.Sources Referenced in today's episode:https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/rebuilding-the-food-pyramid/#:~:text=After%201992%20more%20and%20more,complex%20carbohydrates%20good%20for%20you.https://archive.is/20150309055541/http://www.mersmak.kf.se/Toppmeny-startsida-/KFBibliotek/Kooperativ-kronika-startsida/Sok/KF-Kronika---Visa-artikel/?articleid=641http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/09/invented-food-pyramid/https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/diet/themes/pyramid.html

Everyone's talking about going green, but for some reason no one's talking about green burials. We're here to fill that gap. From The Wire, to compost, to IKEA - stick with us, this one's a ride. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @topical__island.Sources used in this Episode: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-s-new-prairie-sky-cemetery-delayed-until-2021-by-covid-19-supply-issues-1.5673042 https://www.avenuecalgary.com/city-life/the-afterlife-of-cemeteries-calgary/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-prairie-sky-cemetery-approved-1.5224546 https://www.calgary.ca/csps/parks/cemeteries/chinese-history.html https://spadeandthegrave.com/2018/05/24/curious-canadian-cemeteries-union-cemetery-calgary-alberta/ https://metrolondonguides.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/a-glossary-of-victorian-memorial-symbols-2/#:~:text=The%20first%20to%20die%20holds,Represents%20mortality%20or%20sudden%20death. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/22/smarter-living/green-funeral-burial-environment.html http://www.greenburialcanada.ca/ https://saltspringcemetery.ca/#greenburial https://globalnews.ca/news/5329686/human-composting-green-burial/ https://www.masshinitt.com/Blog/6301/irishwake/#:~:text=Irish%20wakes%20are%20a%20celebration,party%20to%20honor%20the%20deceased.&text=For%20this%20reason%2C%20the%20body,house%20to%20pay%20their%20respects. https://medium.com/su-taboo/death-and-american-society-why-do-we-fear-it-92db8aadd490

Do you have one? Should you? Where did the idea of uttering a word or phrase over and over again come from and what's the science behind how it might shape your reality? What do they have to do with an ultra runner going temporarily blind? This week we dive into all things mantra and maybe even divulge our own...

We're excited to bring you the first episode of Topical Island! The COVID-19 pandemic has us questioning many aspects of our day-to-day lives - one of them being our relationship with work. This week, Kristin does a deep dive into the structure of work, how we got to our current norms and what the future of work might look like. Articles and sites we referenced in todays episode:https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20201023-coronavirus-how-will-the-pandemic-change-the-way-we-work https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-work-organization-648000 https://thenewwayofworking.blog/2018/01/04/the-emergence-of-the-new-way-of-working/ https://youmatter.world/en/schedules-working-days-productivity/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642 https://www.inc.com/melanie-curtin/in-an-8-hour-day-the-average-worker-is-productive-for-this-many-hours.html https://hbr.org/2015/01/the-ideal-work-schedule-as-determined-by-circadian-rhythms https://www.changerecruitmentgroup.com/knowledge-centre/the-pros-and-cons-of-a-4-day-working-week For more find us on instagram at @Topical__Island