Podcasts about creditsthis

This week, Julian explores whether animals can be allergic to humans, digging into all things histamine to find out if nature has ever collectively decided that people are, medically speaking, just too annoying to be around. Later, Trace investigates a deeply cursed question: how many holes do humans really have? Oh, and he also tackles the ACTUAL question of what it would be like if humans were born full of holes—think a walking, talking monstera plant, but flesh. Horrifying… and also quite unsanitary.QUESTIONSJulian: “Are there recorded cases of plants and animals being found to be allergic to humans?” from DavidTrace: “What if humans were born with lots of holes in us? Not wounds, but like a monstera leaf. Could we run faster? Swim? Would that solve anything?” from Dalla in the Bay AreaDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's silly idea you had, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? If you want an answer, no matter the question, tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

If we had a nickel for every time Julian answered a question involving pigeons, we'd have two nickels. Not that many, but weird that it's happened twice. This week, he investigates pigeon logistics, excreta coverage, and everything about the Great Wall of China, all fueled by the power of basic research and—horrifyingly—firsthand investigation. Meanwhile, Trace attempts to outsmart the cruel economics of holiday birthdays using special and general relativity, which was definitely the simplest and most reasonable way possible to solve this problem.QUESTIONSJulian: “How many days would it take a single pigeon to cover the Great Wall of China in excrement?” from JonathanTrace: “What kind of relativistic shenanigans would I need to pull in order to change my birthday by one month?” from RyanDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's silly idea you had, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? If you want an answer, no matter the question, tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

Hi fellow nerds! As many of you may know, Julian is back at school as an engineering student. As many of you may ALSO know, that's freakin' hard! So to give Julian a bit of a break, we're re-airing one of our favorite TAPE classics featuring friend-of-the-Absurd, Tom Scott. Please enjoy the episode as much as we do, and see you guys very soon with a brand new episode!

Is that a slogan for hair shampoo or fizzy drinks? Well, kick back, relax, and crack open a can—or, you know, be like us and choose from one of the many flat ones you forgot on your desk. Either way, if you're serious about your bubbles, Julian has a proposition for you: skip the middleman and suckle straight from the teat of the soda fountain. On the flip side, Trace embarks on a trek to the follicular frontier to discover how much hair you'd have to grow to actually lose weight. It's a hairy situation, but we're all about life hacks on this show!QUESTIONSJulian: “What would it take to pour a Coke without losing any of the carbonation?” from MacksTrace: “How much hair do I need to grow to lose weight?” from EmilieDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

This week, Trace digs into whether life could've ever gotten its start somewhere else—say, Mars, for example—quickly pointing out that our lovely planet's existence is already pretty insane on its own. Meanwhile, Julian takes a simple “why hot things glow red” question and follows it straight through Max Planck to the idea of whether the universe itself has a maximum possible temperature. Naturally, we end up circling the origin of everything like that isn't wildly overkill, and we somehow accidentally relive the Big Bang along the way.QUESTIONSJulian: “Is there a limit to how hot something can get?” from TylerTrace: “Could we be martians?” from WynDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

If you've been itching for a cross-country trip, you could just book a flight like a normal person… but where's the fun in that? This week, Julian (heroically) avoids talking about aviation and instead explores his second-favorite mode of transportation: a Mazda Miata outfitted with two Ferrari engines bolted to the sides. Yes, it has training wheels. No, that does not pass inspection. Meanwhile, Trace is busy figuring out if he can hang ten on a giant Detroit-style pepperoni pizza—which, shockingly, is *mostly* possible but, unshockingly, not very delicious.QUESTIONSJulian: “How fast would I have to go to coast from L.A. to New York?” from AlanTrace: “Is there any way that you could use a pizza, cooked or frozen, as a surfboard?” from ParkerDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

This week on the pod, Julian makes a groundbreaking discovery: contrary to popular belief, humans and squid are, in fact, very different animals. One species commonly needs glasses, and the other…sometimes may also need glasses? Meanwhile, Trace tries to figure out if sound could travel slower in the dark, and the answer is yes! As long as you're okay with being instantly vaporized.

This week, Trace turns a completely normal human behavior into a full-blown scientific investigation, uncovering how airflow, temperature, and mouth geometry can make you feel like you're secretly developing budget-tier superpowers. Meanwhile, Julian takes a bold step forward for both science and dairy by stress-testing the limits of cheese in a scenario it was never meant to survive. Along the way: thermodynamics, questionable engineering choices, and the realization that just because something can exist in a lava-like state doesn't mean it should.QUESTIONSJulian: “How much cheese could protect the space shuttle?” from AdamTrace: “Why is it when you breathe like hooo it's cold but when you breathe like haaaaa it's hot?” from TaterDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

GONOMAD TRAVEL PODCAST SHOW NOTESEpisode: MOSTAR, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA — A RESILIENT CITY OF HISTORY, DIVING FEATS & ADVENTUREIn this episode, we travel to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina — a city where beauty, bravery, and centuries of history meet on the stones of one of the world's most iconic bridges.Host Max Hartshorne takes listeners to the edge of the 79‑foot Stari Most, where divers have leapt into the emerald Neretva River for nearly 500 years, continuing a rite of passage that has become one of Europe's most thrilling spectacles.We explore the rebuilt 16th‑century Ottoman bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage site that stands today as a powerful symbol of resilience after its destruction in 1993 and painstaking reconstruction stone by stone. Walking across it, you can feel the weight of history beneath your feet — the smooth limestone worn by centuries of footsteps, conflict, and renewal.You'll meet the Mostarski Icarí, the legendary divers who wait patiently for crowds to gather before taking their breathtaking plunge. Their tradition, named after the myth of Icarus, is one of the most unforgettable experiences in the Balkans.Beyond the bridge, we wander through Mostar's artisan‑filled Old Town, where shopkeepers proudly share hand‑made treasures — from glass mosaics to repurposed bullet casings transformed into art. These pieces tell the story of a city that has endured hardship yet continues to create beauty.The episode also explores the adventures waiting just outside the city:Kravica Waterfall, a lush oasis 45 minutes from MostarPočitelj, a hilltop town of Ottoman architectureBlagaj Tekke, the cliff‑side dervish monastery perched above the turquoise spring of the Buna RiverMostar is more than a postcard‑perfect stop — it's a destination filled with meaning, memory, and a spirit that refuses to fade. Around every corner, visitors find reminders of resilience, creativity, and the enduring pride of its people.CREDITSThis episode was produced by Max Hartshorne. Special thanks to GoNOMAD writer Monique Evdokiou for her help with the script and her vivid reporting from Mostar.

DescriptionHi all! As I'm sure those of you with the patience to sit through the end credits know, the show is edited and produced by Kyle Sisk. Kyle is the glue holding this podcast together, taking the loose collection of pocket lint that makes up the brains of the two hosts and stitching it together into a beautiful audio tapestry. Without Kyle there truly would be no show. How do we know this? Because this week, we had no Kyle. Kyle came down with COVID and this man STILL tried to get an episode cut together in time for our regular upload. Ultimately we decided his recovery is more important than an arbitrary deadline for a silly show where we're probably going to be talking about dogs made of spaghetti or something, and so this week will be another of our old favorites. Please enjoy!In this episode, it's a battle of (nit)wits! Trace discovers the deadly truth about poison immunity while Julian figures out how to make the worst numbering system imaginable.QuestionsJulian: "Can you still do maths using a unary (base 1) numeral system?" from MasonTrace: "How long would it have taken Westley to build up his immunity to iocaine powder?" from TessaDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's silly idea you had, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? If you want an answer, no matter the question, tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

Hey all! This week, we're rebroadcasting a very memorable TAPE episode from last June to give ourselves a bit of a break: Julian's flight school classes started up again in full force and Trace is traveling back and forth to Brazil to visit his partner while they're undergoing their IVF journey. Don't you fret, though, because this episode contains ⚡️SHOCKING⚡️ and

We're in the beginning of spring bird migration here on the Gulf Coast, which means warblers, vireos, orioles, and thrushes coming through as they make their way up North. Around 2 billion birds make landfall along our coast from March to May after crossing the Gulf of Mexico. But even after the high-stakes crossing of open water, their next leg of the journey is no less perilous.In this episode, our friends from Up From Dust tell us a story about a phenomenon threatening birds on their long flights, and we learn how we can all do our part to help them on their journeys. To hear more from Up From Dust, click here. CREDITSThis episode of Sea Change Live was hosted by Eva Tesfaye. Our executive producer is Carlyle Calhoun. Sound design by Kurt Kohnen, and our theme music is by Jon Batiste. This episode was reported by Up From Dust Host Celia Llopis-Jepsen. Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. Sea Change is made possible with major support from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. WWNO's Coastal Desk is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Meraux Foundation, and the Greater New Orleans Foundation. 

What does a day in Bhutan actually sound like?In this immersive episode of the Winging It Travel Podcast, I take you through a full day exploring the Kingdom of Bhutan—from peaceful sunrise views over Thimphu to the powerful sounds of monks in morning ritual, vibrant Himalayan festivals, and unforgettable Bhutanese cuisine.You'll experience Bhutan through raw, unfiltered audio: chanting monks at Gangtey Monastery, sizzling local dishes, bustling festival energy, and the quiet calm of a sunset hike through the valleys.This is more than a travel episode—it's a sensory journey into one of the most unique and culturally rich countries in the world.If you're planning a Bhutan trip, curious about Bhutanese culture, or just want to escape through sound, this episode will transport you straight into the heart of the Himalayas.Expect monasteries, mountains, local food, art, culture, and real on-the-ground reactions throughout.Check out my previous Bhutan episodesEpisode 1 Interview with Ugyen Rinzin - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000743770563Episode 2 - IMMERSIVE Hiking to Tiger's Nest Monastery - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000744754502Episode 3 - Days 1-3 solo episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000745691316Episode 4 - Interview with a female monk - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000747763604Episode 5 - IMMERSIVE Day in Bhutan - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000748856300Episode 6 - Ama Om Homestay Interview - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000750963609Episode 7 - Days 4-7 solo episode - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000752831510Episode 8 - My Bhutan Travel Guide: Days 8-11 - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/winging-it-podcast/id1559489384?i=1000753952128

.... . .-.. .-.. --- / .- -. -.. / .-- . .-.. -.-. --- -- . / - --- / .- -. --- - .... . .-. / .-- .. .-.. -.. / . .--. .. ... --- -.. . / --- ..-. / - .... .- - .----. ... / .- -... ... ..- .-. -.. / .--. .-.. . .- ... . / . .-.. .- -... --- .-. .- - .In this episode, we learn that Julian will never be employed as a telegraph operator, but he might have a future as a Soviet janitor named Ivan who works at a nuclear research facility and collects spicy dead pigeons in his spare time. It's OK, the CIA left them for him, he's not weird. Meanwhile, Trace discovers that the world does not in fact revolve around himself… or anyone else, for that matter. If it did, Everyone Dies™ one way or another.LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DWARF 3 SMART TELESCOPEhttps://link.thatsabsurdshow.com/dwarfHere's Trace's photo of the Orion Nebula that made Julian even more jealous than before:https://www.instagram.com/p/DVgdBJ8jW3l/?igsh=MXR2cnp0MWJhcmU0aA==QUESTIONSJulian: "What is the best way to secretly communicate with another person in the same room?" from ArtTrace: "What if the world actually did revolve around a person?" from Swamp Goat & ChrisDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

This week, Trace takes a closer look at one of the boldest maneuvers in pirate cinema: whether a determined crowd could actually flip something the size of an aircraft carrier by running from one side to the other like in the documentary “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Meanwhile, Julian investigates the logistics of purchasing the Sun—who exactly you'd pay for it, what ownership might legally mean, and how tempting it would be to start charging the planet a small recurring fee for access to daylight.LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DWARF 3 SMART TELESCOPEhttps://link.thatsabsurdshow.com/dwarfHere's Trace's photo of the Orion Nebula that made Julian even more jealous than before:https://www.instagram.com/p/DVgdBJ8jW3l/?igsh=MXR2cnp0MWJhcmU0aA==QUESTIONSJulian: "Sun, how much?" from FrandorTrace: "How many people would it take to flip an average aircraft carrier?" from ArtDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

Sea Change travels to the Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, for a lively live panel discussion about the future of seafood. For more than a century, the Gulf seafood industry has shaped towns, cultures, and identities along the coast. Yet, if you talk to almost anyone who works on the water, they'll tell you the Gulf seafood story has changed more in the last 30 years than the hundred years before that. If you care about what's on your plate, what happens to this coast, or what kind of future we're leaving to the next generation of fishers and eaters, you're in the right place. CREDITSThis episode of Sea Change Live was hosted by Executive Producer Carlyle Calhoun. Eva Tesfaye edited the episode. Sound design by Kurt Kohnen. Live music performed by Grits and Greens.We'd like to thank the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Eagle Point Oyster Company, Holy Ground Oyster Company, Grits and Greens, and the panelists Ryan Bradley, Matthew Mayfield, Boyce Upholt, and Alex Perry. Sea Change is a WWNO and WRKF production. We are part of the NPR Podcast Network and distributed by PRX. Sea Change is made possible with major support from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. WWNO's Coastal Desk is supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Meraux Foundation, and the Greater New Orleans Foundation. 

This week, we're rewriting the rules of life, starting at the molecular level and ending 250 miles above Earth. Julian digs into what would happen if our genetic code were triple-stranded like the Time Lords from Doctor Who. Except, TNA does exist (just not the way you think), and triple-stranded DNA isn't possible… or is it? Meanwhile, all-star guest and fart-gun connoisseur Lieven Scheire phones a friend who casually happens to be a former ISS commander to figure out how long astronauts could survive if everyone on Earth vanished, breaking it down into the four things you have to consider: water, oxygen, fuel, and cannibalism—wait, sorry, food! We meant food…LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DWARF 3 SMART TELESCOPEhttps://link.thatsabsurdshow.com/dwarfHere's Trace's photo of the Orion Nebula that made Julian even more jealous than before:https://www.instagram.com/p/DVgdBJ8jW3l/?igsh=MXR2cnp0MWJhcmU0aA==QUESTIONSJulian: "What if our DNA was TNA?" from AubreyLieven: "How long could the astronauts on the ISS live if everyone on earth disappeared?" from 80hd-neumann on SpotifyDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

Send a textIn this episode, meet 20-year-old Nioka Bush who lives with Cerebral Palsy and is on the autistic spectrum. Nioka shares her experience growing up with her disability, going through the schooling system, the women who have helped shaped her and her advice for the next generation of women growing up with disabilities. This episode has been made in celebration of International Womens Day, which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the globe. We believe that stories lived experience is the best way for people to learn about disability and help take action. Information in this episodeBreakthru School Leaver Employment Supports https://breakthru.org.au/services/school-leaver-employment-supports/Nioka Bush Instagram https://www.instagram.com/niokabush/International Women's Day - https://www.internationalwomensday.com/CreditsThis episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.If you would like to email us with a podcast topic request email community@scia.org.au with the subject heading 'Podcast Topic Request'Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://scia.org.au/resource-hub/.

This week on the most serious, most dramatic podcast ever recorded, Trace finally takes Archimedes up on his little boast: “Give me a lever and I can move the world.” Bold claim from a man who's never seen a 1999 Toyota Corolla. Meanwhile, Julian enters the stickiest thought experiment imaginable—yep, even stickier than trying to eat a spoonful of peanut butter with absolutely nothing to wash it down.LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DWARF 3 SMART TELESCOPEhttps://link.thatsabsurdshow.com/dwarfTrace really loves it. Julian is jealous. Kyle is … well, he's Kyle.QUESTIONSJulian: "Is there anything that the worlds strongest adhesive does not stick to?" from StephenTrace: "Archimedes said, give me a lever and I can move the world. How long would the lever have to be?" from RossDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

This week, Julian—hoping to crown the true MVP of the animal kingdom—drafts the ultimate basketball beast, while Trace turns up the heat to find out whether we're actually sweating in hot showers and, more deliciously, how many workouts it would take to perfectly season an omelette with his own hard-earned salt.LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DWARF 3 SMART TELESCOPEhttps://link.thatsabsurdshow.com/dwarfTrace really loves it. Julian is jealous. Kyle is … well, he's Kyle.QUESTIONSJulian: "What animal would be the best playing ball?" from ErickTrace: "Are we sweating during hot showers?" from Terry & "How long do I have to exercise to perfectly season my omelette?" from MarcDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

In this emergency rerun episode, Trace's quest for answers takes him to a magical fantasy land of wizards, frozen keys, and bodily fluids. Meanwhile Julian discovers that there are about 3 degrees of separation between chickpeas and dynamite. Yes, really.P.S. Turns out pipes have strong opinions about podcasting schedules...mine burst.

Both Julian and Trace did ‘a journalism' this week! First, Julian learns that electricity is NOT magic (but will kill you) by calling a relative who makes lightning in a lab. Then, TracecalledaprofessorfromUCLAtoseehowmuchspacethatwouldsave.Turnsoutnotthatmuch. AlsoitmakesEVERYTHINGsomuchhardertoread.LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DWARF 3 SMART TELESCOPEhttps://link.thatsabsurdshow.com/dwarfTrace really loves it. Julian is jealous. Kyle is … well, he's Kyle.QUESTIONSJulian: "How much water does it take NOT to get electrocuted?" from StevenTrace: "How much paper would we save if we got rid of spaces and returns?" from GeraldDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

This week Julian hunts the medical mysteries behind the mystical unicorn horn, and Trace reads a loooooooot of government regulations looking to get tripped up by one tiny thing.QUESTIONSJulian: "How would we go about assessing the medical properties of unicorn horn?" from MattTrace: "How tall does an object have to be to be tripped over?" from BryannaDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

Anyone who's ever had to educate a talking donkey would know, onions have layers (just like ogres). But, just like in the story with the giant, green, scottish (?) ogre — it's important to remember the lessons behind the fables! Like the tortoise and the hare, which reminds us that even if the tortoise doesn't win the race, it'll outlive a rabbit by several decades. Take that RABBIT.QUESTIONSJulian: "At what distance race would a tortoise actually be likely to beat a hare?" from Patreon poll winner NickTrace: "What is the half-life of an onion? If it was hypothetically preserved could it radioactive decay? How long would it take?" from BynzyldyhydeditoximonothaixyprophineDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

This week Julian takes a pleasant trip down to his local Egyptian library and tries to save it from burning to the ground and dramatically altering the course of history. And returning guest host Ralph Crewe explores the solar system in the most macabre way possible!QUESTIONSJulian: "If the library of Alexandria was never destroyed, how technologically advanced would we actually be today?" - FinjanRalph: "What would happen to a dead human body on each planet in the solar system" - ChelseaDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

It's our first episode of the new year! Welcome to 2026! In this, wild episode Trace (recording from his parent's sun room) explores the chemistry and power of the lasagna battery. Then, Julian flies off the handle about helicopters as a gift for himself for his birthday (Happy Birthday, Julian!

Like Boromir said, "It is a gift! Let us use it against them!" The internet has been taken over by #lofi girls, so we commissioned an artist to turn Julian and Trace into our own #lofigirl for the holidays! (Is it a lofi girl? are we lofi guys? We're honestly not sure. Either way, we did it!!)We love you all! Thanks for making 2025 such an amazing year (for our little community) even though it was generally a terrible year for gestures broadly. Hope this can being a little light to your holiday season. Enjoy the wintery lofi beats interspersed with #holiday-themed fun facts! See you in 2026!QUESTIONSTrace:

Support your giving goals this holiday season! Go to GiveDirectly.org/Absurd and get a 100% match by Giving Multiplier! (Don't dilly-dally this match is only until the end of the year!)This episode aired around Easter, prompting us to ask: where does that weird Bunny get all the eggs? And why are there eggs in the first place? Guest Yasmin Khan (The Young Turks) has an answer. Meanwhile, Julian explores the word of bat-style crime fighting on a budget and Trace explores if living on Mars would make us super aggro!QUESTIONSJulian: "How can I be Batman on a Budget?" from Wyn (featuring Jasmine from Give Directly)Yasmin: "Where did the Easter Bunny get the eggs?" from Emily ATrace: "Would we all be more aggressive if we lived under a martian red sky?" from guest Yasmin KhanDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's silly idea you had, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? If you want an answer, no matter the question, tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

If your life had a soundtrack what would it be? Up-tempo action music? Epic orchestral swells? Romantic… xylophones? Are xylophones romantic? We don't know, we're podcasters, not EGOT-winning music producers of screen and stage. Maybe it's a good thing you can't hear what's in our heads… aside from on this show where we say everything in our heads, obviously. In this episode Trace explores what it might be like if the music in your head had a public feed. Meanwhile Julian tries to figure out what he couldn't do even if he had all the time in the world. Seriously, all of it.QUESTIONSJulian: "What can we NOT achieve with enough time?" from ShaneTrace: "What if you could hear someone else's life soundtrack?" from RebeccaDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

We did another live show!! I'm not sure how we convinced the Bay Area Science Festival that we are a legitimate podcast, but, hey, people actually showed up to watch the show in-person in San Francisco. We had an extremely tight window, and are famously (infamously?) long-winded, so in this episode special guest Dr Wallace Marshall ponders the nightmare of giant tardigrades, and Trace looks into the availability of gluttony… you know, for science.If you want to have our show on the road to you — send us an email at hello at thatsabsurdshow.com !QUESTIONSTrace: "At an all you can eat buffet, is there some point at which you can just keep eating as much more food as you want without gaining any additional weight or blood sugar or whatever?" from guest Dr. Marshall Wallace of UCSFMarshall: "What would happen if tardigrades were bigger?" from listener KristinaDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

Happy American Turkey Consumption Day!

If we say: Making whoopee. Polishing the broomstick. The pickle tickle. Shagging. Enjoying Taco Tuesday. Parking the beef bus in Tuna Town. Waxing the carrot. Boinking. Glazing donuts. Going downtown. … I think you get what we mean (right?)This week, special guest Danielle probes the terrible scenario where ‘Doing Taxes' was more like actually filing financial paperwork than going for a roll in the hay. Meanwhile, Trace gets stuck in some kind of time loop (no groundhogs were harmed in the answering of this question).In case the above wasn't clear: This episode definitely acknowledges the existence of sex.QUESTIONSTrace: "What's the maximum number of times you could have déjà vu in a row before you'd get stuck in some kind of time loop?" from Danielle BezalelDanielle: "What if “doing taxes" wasn't fun (didn't feel good)?” from Constant ListenerDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

You know what's passé? Chemical rockets. Powering a space ship by harnessing the expanding gasses of a controlled explosion and shooting off to parts unknown guided only by fire, math, and spite for the force of gravity? Yawn. What if instead you got like, 40 cyclists with thighs as big as tree trunks that just won't quit, stuck them on some stationary bikes, and used them to power your spaceship like it was a sci-fi trireme from the year 30,000? WOULD THAT SOLVE ANYTHING??? Trace is going to find out.Meanwhile Julian is very concerned with the structural integrity of some fairy-tale pig houses, because they aren't up to code and there's a storm a-comin'. And that storm's name is Wolf. Big Wolf. Big Bad Wolf.QUESTIONS THIS WEEKJulian: "How much wind and energy was the big bad wolf able to generate in the three little pigs?" from AdamTrace: "What's the most efficient way to extract energy from a human?" from LudvigDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary, Over my quaint and curious human egg, forgotten I should stretch my leg— While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door“Though thy egg be shorn and shaven, thou,” I said, “art sure no craven, Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from a non-avian shore— Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's ratetian shore!” Quoth the Raven “No birds no more.”QUESTIONSJulian: "What if humans laid eggs as opposed to live birth?" from MarcoMarco from the San Diego Zoo: “What if there were no birds, like ever?” from MeganTrace: "What if humans laid eggs as opposed to live birth?" from Marco

In this special HALLOWEEN EPISODE ⚡️ Julian and Trace wear out Kyle's lightning button ⚡️ and answer some SpoOOoOooOOOoky questions about ⚡️ dangerous animals ⚡️ vampires and in true Millennial fashion…⚡️ ⚡️ ⚡️ alcohol ⚡️QUESTIONSJulian: "If a vampire bit and fed off of a very drunk person, would the vampire then get drunk from the persons contaminated blood? If so, would this also work for other substances (like caffeine or THC)?" from KellyTrace: "What is the most dangerous animal to become sentient?" from MacksDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

ILLUMINATING WORLDVIEWS on The Art That Reclaims Us S1:4In this resounding end to our Illuminating Worldviews series, Ayana speaks with artists Dr. Aubyn O'Grady and Jackie Olson about collective art and creative processes. Aubyn and Jackie share about their work on The Willow Basket Project at the Yukon School of Visual Arts and explore the ways that art can root us in place, support mining reclamation work, and even build bridges with unlikely allies.Through this project, they invite dialogue between artists, miners, and community members, reimagining mined landscapes as spaces of regeneration and cultural reconnection. This episode serves as a homage to how creative work can support healing for the land and open new pathways of relationship and understanding. As we conclude this series, we sit in deep gratitude for the land that made this series possible and for all of the guests, community members, and team members with Illuminating Worldviews who brought it to life. This episode, and the series as whole, stand as a testament to the importance of this vital collective work.  Learn more at https://forthewild.world.CreditsThis series was produced thanks to the generous support of the team at Illuminating Worldviews, held by the RIVER collective and Northern Council for Global Cooperation.♫  The music from this episode is “After the Rain” by Cole Pulice courtesy of Leaving Records, “So Long Favorite” by Chaz Prymek, and “Spinning Sphere” by Lior Holzman.This episode was created by Ayana Young, Erica Ekrem, Julia Jackson, and Victoria Pham.Support the show

When can we all admit that we're all scrolling instagram while sitting on the toilet? When will we admit that foods with more surface area are just darn tastier? And when will we admit that … well we're still on the toilet because of constipation. Julian and Trace will cover all of this in this week's episode.Except the instagram thing, that's still a mystery to science because no one will admit it!! WHEN CAN WE ALL ADMIT THAT WE'RE AL—sounds of being stuffed into a truckQUESTIONSJulian: "What's the most impractical way to treat constipation" from Anonymous PooperTrace: "Why does the ‘surface area theory' work?" from BenDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

ILLUMINATING WORLDVIEWS on AI and Courting the Otherwise S1:3How might we face the end? Continuing our Illuminating Worldviews series, Vanessa Andreotti and Ayana delve into questions of what it means to live well during this fractured end of modernity. How can we best visualize the systems that have brought us to this point, and how might we bring ourselves out of them? Speaking to the complexity of birth and death in this moment, Vanessa sheds light on what she calls hospicing modernity – the act of bearing witness to a system that is unraveling. Vanessa and Ayana then explore the tools that may accompany us on our way towards existing differently. From efforts of grounding, to AI, to relationality, they consider how we may grow to think and move into the beyond. We have been conditioned to forget our belonging to Earth, to one another, to death itself. What thread might pull us back together? Learn more at https://forthewild.world.CreditsThis series was produced thanks to the generous support of the team at Illuminating Worldviews, held by the RIVER collective and Northern Council for Global Cooperation.The music from this episode is “After the Rain” and “In a Hidden Nook Between Worlds I” by Cole Pulice courtesy of Leaving Records and “I Believe in Being Ready” by Rising Appalachia.This episode was created by Ayana Young, Erica Ekrem, Julia Jackson, and Victoria Pham.Support the show

Locusts, Squirrels, and Birds OH MY! In this wild episode of the show, Julian drones on like the queen he is all about airplanes and bees. Then, Trace finds some fuzzy commandos to gnaw at infrastructure of New Jersey. Squirrel away this knowledge for a rainy day — as long as the locusts don't attack your airplane.QUESTIONSJulian: "How many bees would it take to Sully a plane?" from Zoe-- Wiki about Sully's plane: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_Airways_Flight_1549-- Images of locust strikes: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/plague-locusts-180975345/Trace: "How many squirrels would it take to invade New Jersey?" from Pheonix-- Squirrel with a Gun gameplay video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZj4Ft6ZklM-- Squirrel with a Gun trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mpnSSJwSRw-- Play Cyber Squirrel One and invade your own power station here: https://robidev.github.io/CyberSquirrelOne/Do you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

Continuing our Illuminating Worldviews series, we hear from X̱ʼunei Lance Twitchell in conversation with Guná Jensen exploring the vital work of Tlingít language revitalization. Together, they reflect on the deep emotional resonance of speaking in one's ancestral language, and how this practice opens an anti-colonial lens in which to see and feel the world. Set within the lands of the Yukon, this episode is a moving tribute to the power and significance of Indigenous language learning that honors the autonomy, expression, and sense of belonging it nurtures within the community. This episode includes an excerpt from the premiere of the powerful short film The River That Untangles One's Mind by Skaydu.û Jules, Guná Jensen, and X̱'unei Lance Twitchell, produced by Douglas Joe/Creative Crow Media. Learn more at https://forthewild.world.CreditsThis series was produced thanks to the generous support of the team at Illuminating Worldviews, held by the RIVER collective and Northern Council for Global Cooperation.The music from this episode is “After the Rain” by Cole Pulice courtesy of Leaving Records, “Apple with Honey” by Cory Feder, and “Oro” and “ Voces que Ven” by Palo-Mah.This episode was created by Ayana Young, Erica Ekrem, Julia Jackson, and Victoria Pham.Support the show

Dearest Listeners,We write from our recording studio's trenches. The air is thick and oppressive. The relentless heat tests our resolve. Our studios, once creative havens, now resemble the crannies of camels. The temperature rises each hour, and so do tempers. We are tired–Listeners—bone-tired, the kind that settles deep into one's soul. Yet we press forward, driven by our duty to document the absurd. Julian hasn't fared well; the heat has frayed his nerves, making him snap at small provocations. Sophie has started doing karaoke and wears strange accents. Trace is... indescribable. We all persist, for absurdity waits for no one, and neither shall we. Onward to the 100th And a Halfth.Your faithful servants of nonsense, warmed like croissants, but unbroken.QUESTIONSJulian: "Why glasses thick and contact lenses not thick?" from SaffTrace: "Would eating lab grown human meat be considered cannibalism?" from Ellen featuring Simone Giertz (Her own YouTube channel, Yetch Store, formerly, Queen of Shi*ty Robots)Trace: "Is there a universal geographic coordinate system for the human body? If so, where is the Prime Meridian located on the body? Is it even necessary to assign a name to every square centimeter of the body?" from Yusuke featuring Patrick Kelly (PatKellyTeaches on YouTube)Julian: "Would I be cold if I was covered in thermal paste?" from ShaneTrace: "How large would I need to be for noticeable lag in real life?" from Jori featuring Amy Shira Teitel (VintageSpace on YouTube, on Twitch theSpaceVixen)Do you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

Over the past months, For The Wild has journeyed to the Yukon in partnership with Illuminating Worldviews. Illuminating Worldviews is a space for examining the worldviews in which we find ourselves and to learn how they actively shape the material realities of our lives. This project, rooted and colored by the land of the Yukon invites questioning, examination, and future visioning centered in Indigenous ideology and the sentiment of journeying. In this conversation, Ayana is joined by Dr. Lee Brown and Elder Mark Wedge to discuss emotional competency and how we can regulate ourselves amidst all that this world brings. What does it mean to have a colonized heart? Is it to separate ourselves from our emotions? Touching upon the role of feeling in our overall wellbeing, they highlight how emotional regulation and connection are essential to the work of decolonization. This episode is a resounding testament to the healing that comes from embodiment and fully felt experience.Learn more at https://forthewild.world.CreditsThis series was produced thanks to the generous support of the team at Illuminating Worldviews, held by the RIVER collective and Northern Council for Global Cooperation. The music from this episode is “After the Rain” by Cole Pulice courtesy of Leaving Records, “Hyacinth and Apollo” by Carlisle Evans Peck, and “Marakaté” by Palo-Mah.This episode was created by Ayana Young, Erica Ekrem, Julia Jackson, and Victoria Pham.Support the show

WE DID IT. WE MADE 100 PODCAST EPISODES WITHOUT MISSING AN UPLOAD (almost).To celebrate Trace and Julian decided to do it big. How big? TEN WHOLE QUESTIONS BIG. SO BIG THEY HAD TO ASK THEIR FRIEND SOPHIE SHRAND TO HELP THEM OUT BIG. BIG ENOUGH TO.... BE... LIKE... REALLY LONG... BIG.You get the idea.We pulled out all the stops for this absolute marathon of an episode because we owed it to you all. You have made making each episode such a delight with your weird thoughts, running gags, and delightful dispositions. As just a couple of dudes riddled with ADHD and science nerdiness... what did we do to deserve you?! We're so grateful that y'all have showed up for this show week after week. Thank you.QUESTIONSJulian: "What if water ice sank?" from HunterTrace: “How much did Rapunzel's long hair weigh?” from Hal with Special Guest Kari Byron (Mythbusters, MythFits podcast)Sophie: “Likely way to die while walking my dog?” from LisaJulian “If a frog had a glass ass would it hop?” from CoyTrace: "How would the world be different if Zeppelins were the primary method of transportation?" from Hannah (yes, that Hannah) feat special guest Dr Alex Dainis (a.k.a. the “Blimp Lady”)Do you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

Tired of having to do all your evil deeds yourself? Well with this one simple organism and some ethically dubious genetic engineering you too could have your very own army of immortal minions! (Intelligence and number of eyes may vary). Julian explores what you might need to make these little favorites of moms everywhere. Then Trace explores a pool of saliva.... Just going to leave it at that.QUESTIONS:Julian: "If you were to create a Despicable Me Minion what living thing would you start with?" -AvaTrace: "Is it possible to drown people in saliva? " -MostaphaelDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

Want to make a nanoscale image of the Mona Lisa? Listener Kodiak does. All they have to do is learn a bit of quantum mechanics, some thermochemical nanolithography, and then tap the genius of ancient superbrain Leonardo da Vinci! EASY!! Scientists did it!! Even though you can't see it without a powerful microscope trust us that she is smirking even harder than usual.While Trace is poking around like Ant Man, Julian roleplays as Frozen's Elsa to see if he can extinguish fire with nothing but an icy blast. Spoiler alert: you may be better off with a magical mystical freeze ray.TRY YOUR HAND AT NANO ARTThanks to Prof. Babak Anasori for coming on the show and explaining nanoscale art to us.

The hip bone connected to the basalt rockThe femur bone connected to the lunar mariaThe foot bone connected to the gravitational equilibrium of the celestial bodies!That's the story of the bones… and… this episode?QUESTIONSTrace: "How easy would it be to break your bones if humans can fly?" from AnonymousJulian: "How big would the moon have to be to make you weightless?" from SunDo you have an absurd question? Maybe it's a silly idea that popped into your head, a shower thought about the nature of reality, or a ridiculous musing about your favorite food? Whatever your question, we want to answer it—tell us!HOW TO ASK A QUESTION

For our penultimate Heavyweight encore, we’re joined by Pen15 co-creator Anna Konkle to revisit last season’s junior high drama — #53: Leif.On Valentine’s Day in junior high, Leif was supposed to ask Kalila out. But he never did. Leif’s lack of action that day impacted Kalila’s life to come. And so seventeen years later, she wants to know: what happened.For more, head over to Pushkin+, where you can subscribe to hear an extended cut of Kalila’s conversation with Anna. CreditsThis episode was hosted and produced by senior producer Kalila Holt, along with Jonathan Goldstein and Phoebe Flanigan. The supervising producer is Stevie Lane. Production assistance from Mohini Madgavkar. Editorial guidance from Emily Condon. Special thanks to Max Green, Flora Lichtman, and Connor Sampson. In the IM recreation, Karina was played by Reagan Didier, and Leif was played by John Claassen — thanks to Greg Holt and Tony John for making that possible. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Katie Mullins, Florian Le Prisé, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we check back in with Joey to answer everyone’s burning question: does he still have a mullet?Years ago, Joey had a very bad day — all due to awkward misunderstandings. Jonathan and Gregor get involved to help him set things right.CreditsThis episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, Kalila Holt, Peter Bresnan, and Stevie Lane, with editing by Jorge Just and Alex Blumberg. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Flora Lichtman, PJ Vogt, Saidu Tejan-Thomas, Grace Hawkins, and Jackie Cohen. The show was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Bobby Lord, and Y La Bamba. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we check back in with Scott to find out what turns his life has taken since the original episode aired in 2019.When Scott was a heroin addict, he crossed a line he thought he would never cross. And he’s been trying to uncross it ever since.CreditsThis episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, Stevie Lane, Kalila Holt, and BA Parker, with editing by Jorge Just. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Alex Blumberg, Nathan Foster, Jacob Eppler, and Jackie Cohen. This episode was mixed by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson, Blue Dot Sessions, Michael Hearst, Michael Charles Smith, Podington Bear, Shadowlands, Stratus, Haley Shaw, and Bobby Lord. Our theme song is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we catch up with Jonathan's dad about the years since his appearance in our first ever episode — #1 Buzz. Buzz and Sheldon are brothers in their eighties who’ve been estranged for decades. Buzz visits Sheldon to see if there’s still a relationship left to salvage. CreditsThis episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, Wendy Dorr, Chris Neary, and Kalila Holt, with editing by Alex Blumberg and Peter Clowney. Special thanks to Caitlin Kenney, Starlee Kine, and Rachel Ward. The episode was mixed by Haley Shaw. Music by Christine Fellows and Haley Shaw. Our theme music is by The Weakerthans courtesy of Epitaph Records.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.