Dope Labs

Bird flu is here, and it’s not just for birds. How concerned should we be? With bird flu spreading across continents, it’s time to understand what’s at stake. Dr. Maurice Pitesky, veterinarian and epidemiologist at UC Davis, breaks down the science behind avian influenza, how it spreads, and what we can do to stop it. Learn about the growing risks, from poultry to public health, and the urgent need for better surveillance and prevention. Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @DopeLabsPodcast and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve seen all the reels and comments about astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. They originally went to space for a short trip of ~10 days but ended up there for 9 months. But were they actually stuck? We asked Dr. Jordan Bimm, whose expertise is on US space exploration, to set the record straight. Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @DopeLabsPodcast and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Titi and Zakiya are back in the lab talking all about relationships with Yung Pueblo, author of How to Love Better. If you’re tired of the internet convos about who should text first, balloon popping, or when to go no contact with the love of your life, this is the episode for you. Put your lab coat on! Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @DopeLabsPodcast and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.  Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air date.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been a minute, but Titi and Zakiya are back for Semester 5 of Dope Labs. Tune in for what they’ve been up to and to learn about the new exciting topics we’re tackling. Grab your lab coats, because this new semester will be better than ever. We’re going to dissect love and break ups, the possibility of being abandoned in space, the latest news on bird flu, and much MUCH more. Make sure you tune in every Sunday starting March 9th to laugh and learn!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dope Labs is back March 9, 2025. A new year of episodes with your same old friends - Titi and Zakiya. Line up all your burning questions and get ready to put them under the microscope. Follow us so you don’t miss out when we talk about falling in love, the latest in AI, what’s REALLY happening in space, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second part of our season finale, Titi and Zakiya revisit more of their favorite labs from Semester 4 and hear updates on reproductive health, the economy, HBCU homecoming season, and more. Plus, we hear from some of you! You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at http://dopelabspodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The semester is nearly over, can you believe it? Titi and Zakiya revisit some of their favorite labs from semester 4 and hear updates on science denial, Monkeypox, the supply chain, cybersecurity, and more. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Real talk: Did it really happen if it’s not on social media? Do you even exist if you’re not on the feed? These days, it seems like everyone and their dog has an IG or a TikTok account. But this ability to constantly socialize online is still relatively new for society. This week, Titi and Zakiya ask how social media may impact our well-being, attention spans, and the ways in which we communicate with one another. Guest: Dr. Jeff Hancock. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it just us, or did everyone travel this summer? The pandemic restricted far-off vacations for a while, but people seem to be flying everywhere again. Some have even set up their remote work “offices” in paradise. But before you pack your beach bag, you might want to think about how your wanderlust affects the locals. This week, Titi and Zakiya learn all about coastal tourism, the larger tourism economy, and their effects on local communities and ecologies. Guest: Sarah Stodola. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lizzo has Yitty, Kim has Skims, and even our favorite influencers are doing ads for waist trainers on Instagram. Shapewear is in. These aren’t your great-great-granny’s corsets…things have changed. This week, Titi and Zakiya learn about the history of shapewear and how the trends are impacting societal beauty standards. Guest: Dr. Wendy Burns-Ardolino. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dope Labs will be back next week. In the meantime, here's one of our favorite Labs from the archives: Cuffing Season – Lab 001. In their very first lab ever, Titi and Zakiya dissect cuffing season using the sciences of biology, ethology, and ecology. What is it? How did it start? And how can we strategize the next time cuffing season rolls around? Guest: Dr. Paula Alejandra Trillo. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anyone else feel like everything is getting more expensive? That’s because it is. Inflation is driving up the cost of all our basic needs and lots of Americans are feeling the squeeze. This week, Titi and Zakiya are learning all about the current state of the U.S. economy. We’re unpacking everything from rising interest rates, to inflation, to why recessions are inevitable. Guest: Dr. Vanessa Perry. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We know friendship is important, but let’s be real – it gets harder to make new friends as we get older. In a follow up to What About Your Friends – Lab 026, Titi and Zakiya learn about romance in friendship, how people approach friendships differently, and how we can handle conflict with our besties. Guest: Dr. Marisa G. Franco. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you could go on a first-class trip to space…would you? Titi and Zakiya learn more about the history of space exploration and its origins, the rise of commercial space flights, and what we should consider as more people are going to space. Guest: Dr. Jordan Bimm. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monkeypox has been around for a long time. But with the recent increase in cases, the virus seems to be dominating our headlines and social feeds. Titi and Zakiya learn what Monkeypox is, how it got here, and why public health recommendations don’t always align with science. Guests: Dr. Angie Rasmussen and Kenyon Farrow. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at http://dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve all seen things blow up in the comments section on social media! And this week, we’re asking ‘how do you change someone’s mind’? We’re asking how we make up our mind, what happens when someone tries to change it, and why we see strong reactions when debating topics big and small. Guest: David McRaney. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at http://dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re talking all about the chemicals found in food packaging and how they impact our bodies and the environment. Guest: Justin Boucher. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re celebrating National Oyster Day! We’re talking all about shellfish aquaculture and how cultivating oysters fits into our economy, environment, and our changing climate. Guest: Dr. Bill Walton. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It feels like everyone is online these days, but is that really the case? In this lab, Titi and Zakiya discuss the state of internet access in the US, digital disparities in minoritized communities, and how algorithm bias affects us in real life. Guest: Dr. Nicol Turner-Lee. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are chips in every computing device out there, from refrigerators to smart phones to cars. They are vital to how our world runs – and right now, there's a shortage. Titi and Zakiya learn what’s behind the shortage and what’s being done to close the gap. Guest: Al Thompson. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nail art and nail styling has been trending in mainstream culture, and this week we’re talking all about it! This week, Titi and Zakiya are discussing the history and culture behind nails, the intimate relationship between nails techs and their clients, as well as some of the health, safety, and labor issues affecting the industry. Guest: Crystal Kayiza. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Watch See You Next Time: https://www.newyorker.com/video/watch/the-new-yorker-documentary-the-special-bonds-between-nail-artists-and-clients Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dope Labs will be back next week. In the meantime, here's one of our favorite Labs from the archives: The Cookout – Lab 012. There is nothing Zakiya loves more than having a cookout and Titi… loves to eat. Especially Z’s spiral cut hotdogs. So grab a drink, put on your cookout best, and get comfortable. We are taking you through taste, flavor, and the science behind the perfect bbq method. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Language is a huge part of culture, and this week we’re talking all about linguistics. We’re getting into the difference between accents and dialects, the linguistic history of Black American English, codeswitching, and more! Guest: Dr. John Baugh. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Black Music Month! This week, Titi and Zakiya are celebrating Black music and getting into its history, culture, and politics. We’re diving into the roots of hip hop and jazz and tracing how Black music and artists have been at the forefront of music and popular culture. Guests: Professors Mark Anthony Neal & 9th Wonder. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Juneteenth is around the corner, and we can’t wait to celebrate! In this lab, Titi & Zakiya get into the history of Juneteenth, the food traditions behind the holiday, and the power that food has to connect people across families, communities, and cultures. Guest: Nicole Taylor. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dope Labs will be back next week. In the meantime here's one of our favorite Labs from the archives, Lab 035, all about the science of celebration. In this Lab from November 2020, Titi and Zakiya dissect the sociology of celebration, talking about why we celebrate. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s June and it’s also Pride month! To celebrate, we’re passing the mic and hearing from you about the amazing work you all are doing in STEM: biology, astronomy, engineering, and more! Join us as we celebrate Pride in STEM. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Chess to Wordle, people have been playing games since the beginning of time. This week, Titi & Zakiya are talking all about games, gamification, and the meaning of life. Turns out games are for everyone! Guest: Dr. C. Thi Nguyen. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s mental health awareness month, and we’re hearing a lot of buzz surrounding self care and wellness. This week, we’re talking all about art therapy, and how using the materials and methods of art with a trained therapist can help us access our subconscious, process trauma, and learn new skills on the path to healing. Guest: Professor Juliet King. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, we learned that the US maternal healthcare system has some big gaps, despite being the biggest spender on maternal health. This week, we’re unpacking how we got here, some of the programs in place to support birthing people, and new policies that are expanding care and improving maternal health outcomes. Guest: Dr. Sarah Benatar. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mother’s Day is around the corner and Rihanna is glowing! We’re kicking off a two-part series all about maternal health. In part one, we’re getting into the current status of the maternal health care system in the US, whether it’s working, and what we can do to better support birthing people. Guest: Simmone Taitt. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Metals are everywhere. From iron to sodium, magnesium to calcium, metals are in our bodies and in the technology we use every day. In this week's Lab, we're doing a deep dive straight into the earth's crust to talk all about what metals are used for, why they're so important, and what plans are in place to preserve (or imitate) these limited natural resources. Guest: Dr. Kate Buettner. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gas prices are up and this got us thinking about all the different energy sources we rely on. In this Lab, Titi and Zakiya dive into the science, the history, and the potential of nuclear energy. Guest: Dr. Mareena Robinson Snowden. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spring has sprung, and we’ve been spending more time outside appreciating nature. In this lab, Titi and Zakiya are exploring biodiversity, conservation, and what steps humans can take to better coexist with animals and other living things. Guest: Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Things are not always as they seem, and our minds & bodies are no exception. This week Titi and Zakiya examine the mind-body connection with Dr. Suzanne O’Sullivan, author of It’s All in Your Head: True Stories of Imaginary Illness. We’re talking all about psychosomatic disorders, hypochondria, and the path to diagnosis. Guest: Dr. Suzanne O’Sullivan. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This lab was recorded as part of The Great Northern's 2022 festival in Minnesota, and Titi & Zakiya are COLD. This drives them to talk about all things winter weather, touching on snowflakes, microplastics, and volcanic winters. They ask why winter is usually so challenging… and how the North is embracing and inspiring action around it with skating ponds, thermaculture, climate conversations, and more. You can find more from Dope Labs at DopeLabsPodcast.com and The Great Northern at TheGreatNorthernFestival.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve heard a lot of myths around organ donation and transplantation. Turns out it’s a lot more complicated than matching blood types. In this lab, Titi and Zakiya dig into the science behind organ transplantation, donor matching, and some of the recent research and advancements going on in this field. Guest: Dr. Dave Lowe. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Inventing Anna to the Tinder Swindler, cybersecurity has been front and center in our collective consciousness. But what exactly is cybersecurity? In this Lab, Titi and Zakiya break down everything from cookies, to global ransomware attacks, and what we can do as users to keep our information safe. Guest: Christina Morillo. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re seeing a lot of teeth on our timelines – from veneers to DIY braces, teeth are everywhere! This week we’re taking a closer look at some of the recent trends and advancements in modern dentistry and the connections between our oral health and our overall health. Guest: Dr. Marcus Johnson. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we’re talking about sustainability in fashion. Last week (Lab 052) we talked about how much more we’re buying, but what happens to all that clothing when we’re done wearing it? What does it mean to be ethically sourced? Sustainable? Upcycled? Plus, the perils of greenwashing in clothing retail. Guest: Drew Heifetz. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shopping is easier to do than ever these days. In Lab 039: Add to Cart, we talked about what happens after you buy something with one click. Today, we start our two-part fashion series by talking about what happens BEFORE you buy. So much has changed since going to the mall was a social activity in the 90s (remember the mall?!!). In this Lab, and right on the heels of all the major fashion weeks, Titi and Zakiya talk about how we make decisions about what we buy, how retail has changed, and the state of fashion today, including the idea of ‘affordable luxury.’ Guest: Dr. Barbara Kahn. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Black History Month and we are celebrating by talking about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with special guest Xavier Jernigan! In this episode, Titi and Zakiya talk with X about community, mentorship, Homecoming, and what makes the HBCU experience so special. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2022 Winter Olympics are in full swing and we are glued to the TV (go Nathan Chen!). But it takes more than just discipline and guts to be an Olympic athlete - you’ve got to know your physics! In this episode, Titi and Zakiya talk to Dr. Sophia Nimphius about how athletes harness the power of physics to go for the gold in ski jumping, curling, luge, figure skating, and more. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our final lab in the New Years series, Titi & Zakiya want to learn all about the science behind habit formation. Dr. Wendy Wood, author of “Good Habits, Bad Habits,” tells us why bad habits are easier to make than good ones, and how to form new habits that stick. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have seen the custom supplement packs on IG and it looks like a lot of you are increasing your Vitamin C, but is that the BEST way to help our bodies? In the next installment of our New Year’s series, Titi and Zakiya talk to Dr. Alice Lichtenstein about vitamins, minerals, and supplements and how to make sure it all balances out! You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are continuing our wellness series and the next topic is at the root of our overall wellness, our immune systems. So we are diving into to all of the complexities of our super-powered systems. Titi & Zakiya talk with Dr. Payel Gupta about how the immune system works to keep us well. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We continue our two-part episode on Sleep with Dr. Giardin Jean-Louis, focusing on the environmental factors associated with poor sleep, different sleep disorders, and treatments and tips for getting a better night's sleep. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re kicking off our New Years series with a two-part episode on sleep, featuring renowned sleep expert Dr. Giardin Jean-Louis. We all know sleep is important, but WHY? In Part I, we’re diving into the health benefits of sleep, what it means to get “quality” sleep, and why certain people, especially communities of color, aren’t getting enough of it. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So much happened in 2021 that we didn’t get to talk about, so in this episode, Titi and Zakiya bring back a favorite tradition: the end of the year mixtape! From BBL’s to the metaverse, we’re breaking down all the science behind the year's biggest moments. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re continuing our conversation on the HIV vaccine with Dr. Christine Daniels. There was just too much for one Lab! This week, we’re shifting the lens from the science to the people, and talking about HIV, and a potential vaccine, in a cultural and anthropological context… because science does not happen in a vacuum! You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.