Stuff Mom Never Told You

What is the history of ear and body piercing? How does the underground sexual culture of piercing work? What does Alicia Silverstone have to do with the popularization of belly button piercing? Join Cristen and Caroline as they explore body piercing. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do men complain more about being sick? Do women have stronger immune systems? Who takes the most sick days? Join Cristen and Caroline as they explore the facts -- and fiction -- surrounding popular opinions on gender and illness. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who were flappers? Were flappers feminists? In this episode, Caroline and Cristen take a closer look at the iconic women known as flappers, touching on everything from Zelda Fitzgerald to flapper fashion. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the second part of this series, Cristen and Caroline explore the differences between comprehensive and abstinence-only sex ed. Does abstinence-only sex ed work? How is sex ed handled at home? Listen in for the answers to these questions and more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sex education is controversial in U.S. schools, but how did it begin? In this episode, Caroline and Cristen delve into the history of U.S. sex education, tracing the emergence of abstinence-only sex education and the federal cost of these programs. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How have women's roles in spy film and TV changed over time? Join Cristen and Caroline as they take a look back at the history of the spy genre and famous fictional female spies. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today Oprah Winfrey is one of the world's most famous people, but how did she get her start? In this episode, Cristen and Caroline look at Oprah's impact by the numbers, along with the controversy and criticism Oprah has encountered during her career. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the difference between stress and anxiety? Why are women diagnosed with clinical anxiety twice as often as men? Join Caroline and Cristen as they take a look at how men and women's brains process stress and anxiety differently. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several years ago, a study from Northwestern University argued that male bisexuality doesn't exist. Strangely enough, a new study from the same university contradicted the first. Is there a social stigma adding to the controversy? Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are pheromones, exactly? Do they affect levels of attraction in humans? Listen in as Caroline and Cristen explore the science behind pheromone myths, and why pheromones don't work for humans. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Almost everyone has a breakup song -- but why? In this episode, Cristen and Caroline explain how we process emotional rejection as physical pain and why music has an analgesic effect. Tune in to learn more (including which breakup songs may be the best). Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite folk wisdom, stress doesn't gray your hair. In this episode, Caroline and Cristen explain why you should blame gray hair on your parents, genes and health. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where did drag originate? Where does it fit within the queer community? Join Cristen and Caroline as they explore the history of drag -- along with the stories of some notable drag queens -- in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Believe it or not, romance novels are the best-selling fiction genre. Join Cristen and Caroline as they explore the common romance novel heroes, heroines and themes, ultimately asking what romance novels tell us about female arousal. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most commonly transmitted sexually-transmitted disease, and researchers have noted a rise in HPV-related cancers. Is the HPV vaccine safe and effective? Listen in to learn more about HPV. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do slasher films glorify sex and violence toward women? What is the "final girl" archetype, and what can we learn from other slasher film tropes? Join Caroline and Cristen as they delve into the evolution of the slasher film genre. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are women the new misogynists on fall TV? Has the portrayal of women on television improved? Join Cristen and Caroline as they explore the state of women in front of -- and behind -- the camera. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first Playboy Club opened in 1960. Waitresses called "bunnies" earned up to $1,000 per week, and the club aimed for a certain cachet. Yet when Gloria Steinem went undercover as a bunny she called it deplorable. So what happened? Tune in to find out. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cristen and Caroline investigate the pros and cons of masturbation from a health and wellness perspective. Does it threaten relationships? What happens when masturbation provokes jealousy in relationships? Tune in to find out. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Masturbation can be a sensitive subject, and many people are uncomfortable asking questions about the practice. For example: Do men masturbate more than women? Is there an evolutionary explanation for masturbation? Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More people are delaying or avoiding marriage, and also raising children outside of wedlock. Are single people penalized? Join Cristen and Caroline as they look at the statistics and explain why single women over 25 are the most stigmatized. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Researchers have reached conflicting findings about the potential health impacts of soy phytoestrogens, including the relationship between soy, breast cancer and testosterone. But what does it all mean? Join Cristen and Caroline to learn more about soy. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are pickup artists, exactly? In this podcast, Caroline and Cristen explore the practices, tactics and theories behind pickup artistry. Tune in to learn more about the pros and cons of pickup artistry. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People have been talking about vaginas with teeth for ages, and folktales about vagina dentata can be found across the globe. But why? Join Caroline and Cristen as they explore the psychology behind vagina dentata, castration anxiety and more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why haven't males evolved to not have nipples? Many newborns lactate "witches milk" soon after birth. Can men lactate? Listen in as Cristen and Caroline tackle these questions and more in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Child pageants started in Britain with the May Queen Festival. Before child beauty pageants, baby parades were all the rage. Are beauty pageants unhealthy for child contestants? Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dancing boys perform at weddings across Afghanistan, but their dances are only part of their occupation. Bacha bazi, or "boy play," is a form of sexual slavery. Join Cristen and Caroline as they explore the effects bacha bazi has on Afghan society. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pregnancy tests have a colorful history tracing back to 1350 BC -- and, as you might imagine, the methods have varied greatly over the centuries. In this episode, Caroline and Cristen look at the history of pregnancy tests. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do men have Adam's apples? What determines the pitch of your voice? What deepens men's voices? Tune in as Caroline and Cristen get to the bottom of what makes your voice sound the way it does -- and what it says about you -- in this episode. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Child marriage usually occurs in poor, rural communities. The brides are often betrothed to older men, sometimes even before they're born. In this episode, Caroline and Cristen explore the social and economic roots of this practice. Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Studies show men are just as intuitive as women, so why does folklore disagree? Does women's intuition really exist? Do women have higher emotional intelligence? Join Caroline and Cristen as they take a closer look at the nature of intuition. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a previous episode, Cristen and Caroline focused on how height affects men. This episode explores the research on women and height -- and, unfortunately, it's not all good news. Tune in to learn more about how height can affect women. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are men taller than women? Are taller men more attractive? Do tall people make more money? Join Caroline and Cristen as they tackle some of the recurring questions surrounding height, gender and society. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Madams who ran brothels in the West were some of the wealthiest in the U.S., and running a brothel gave Victorian era women financial independence and social clout. Join Caroline and Cristen to learn more about notable madams. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

P.T. Barnum popularized freak shows in the U.S. The most popular freaks were those with disabilities who could perform everyday tasks. Tune in to learn more about the relationship between female freaks, beauty pageant contestants and striptease dancers. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So what is a mermaid, exactly, and where do all the mermaid legends come from? Join Caroline and Cristen as they delve into mermaid mythology from around the world, alleged mermaid sightings and more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How will male birth control work? It might not be a hypothetical question for much longer. Join Caroline and Cristen as they explore the current research and latest breakthroughs in male birth control, including how it differs from female birth control. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Historically advertised as a sanitary process, douching has become increasingly controversial. In this episode, Caroline and Cristen take a closer look at the facts surrounding douching -- and why it isn't as near as healthy as some might believe. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rebounding has a negative stigma, but could they be good for you? Perhaps! Psychologists say rebounding could be especially good for attachment personality types, and there may be an odd correlation between cheating and rebounding. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cowboys are an iconic part of American history, but what about cowgirls? In this episode, Caroline and Cristen hit the history books to discover the stories of real-life cowgirls. Tune in to learn whether cowgirls got the boot from history. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's no secret that most cultures have fairly defined cultural roles assigned to each gender. This is especially apparent in the dating scene, where men are often assumed to be the aggressive party. But why? Tune in to learn more about dating and society. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria Woodhull was the first woman to own a Wall Street firm, speak before Congress and run for president. However, her press wasn't always positive and suffragists of the time distanced themselves from her. Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Kennedy announced the lunar missions, several women hoped to make the trip. The women of Mercury 13 excelled at physical testing yet weren't allowed to work at NASA. Why? Tune in as Molly and Cristen explore the lives and work of female astronauts. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most acts of terrorism are carried out by men, but more and more women are becoming suicide bombers. Join Cristen and Molly as they explore the causes of this trend, why women commit to these causes and how their reasons may differ from those of men. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do women spend so much time and money removing the hair down there? Is it because of men, the media, or personal preference? Join Molly and Cristen as they travel back in time to find out women's preferences for pubic hair removal through history. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A French obstetrician believes that men in the delivery room hinder their partner's laboring process. Is it possible that men don't need or want to be there? Join Cristen and Molly to learn more about dads in delivery rooms. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Studies show that people often rank faces that resemble their parents as more attractive than other faces. Is this creepy, or can we pick up on clues about who will make a good parent by relying on our own parents as guides? Listen in to find out. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While some mothers throw away extra breast milk, there are tons of other options. Breast milk banks test donors and sell bottled milk to hospitals. Other women prefer to donate it to someone in their community or sell it on the web. Tune in to learn more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's tons of research about how your name will affect your destiny. Some studies suggests your name is linked to your grades, your criminal record and your earning potential. Tune in to learn about what your name might mean for your future. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many cultures believe that a hymen is proof of virginity, but is it true? The hymen's not a piece of skin that covers the entire vaginal opening, and some women are born without one. Join Molly and Cristen as they discuss hymen myths and facts. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.