Stuff To Blow Your Mind

In this series of episodes from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the majestic manta ray. In this episode, learn all about their parasites, brains and cleaning stations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses a pair of creatures from Chilean folklore that may connect to observations of the manta ray…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this series of episodes from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the majestic manta ray. In this episode, learn all about manta ray reproduction and accounts of their pulling boats around by their anchors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the shameless 1989 “Aliens” knock-off “Shocking Dark,” directed by Bruno Mattei and written by “Troll 2” scribes Rossella Drudi and Claudio Fragasso. (originally published 8/2/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic two-parter from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the chemistry, space science and mythology of burning hair. So strap in for a discussion of everything from pirates and barbecue mishaps to Latin literature and science fiction. (originally published 7/18/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special July 4th episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1999 frontier cannibal horror film “Ravenous,” directed by Antonia Bird and starring Guy Pearce and Robert Carlyle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Sam Kean about his new book “Dinner with King Tut: How Rogue Archaeologists Are Re-creating the Sights, Sounds, Smells, and Tastes of Lost Civilizations.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses uses of the manta ray in Dungeons and Dragons, the fictional Ixitxachitls and what it all seems to reflect about humanity’s relationship to real-world manta rays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this series of episodes from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the majestic manta ray, from its biology and lifecycle to conservation issues and its portrayal in mythology, folk beliefs and even 1930s horror movies. Learn all about these strange and beautiful creatures and what’s being done to ensure their survival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1958 space horror film “It! The Terror from Beyond Space,” considered one of several key influences on the 1979 classic “Alien.” (originally published 7/19/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss Japan’s beloved yuru-chara, corporate and governmental mascots that are undeniably cute but with deeper connections to other aspects of Japanese culture. (originally published 7/11/2024) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the infamously wild 1988 Indonesian folk-horror mockbuster “Lady Terminator,” directed by Tjut Djalil and starring Barbara Anne Constable as the unstoppable machine gun-toting avatar of the South Sea Queen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Carleton University’s Roslyn Dakin about a new study into the biology and physics of high-stakes hummingbird flight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bored with dragons, the wizard Argomandanies turns his arcane attention to the fantastic fauna of the natural world. Welcome to Animalia Stupendium, a chronicle of Earth’s amazing biodiversity with all the enthusiasm of a fantasy monster book. In this episode, the wizard will consider the mighty Coconut Crab.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this invention-themed episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe build on last month's episode on ice skates with a discussion of their wheelbase spin off: the rollerskate!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1940 American horror film “The Devil Bat,” starring Bela Lugosi and Suzanne Kaaren. Watch out, because giant bats are coming for your aftershave! (originally published 7/12/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss Japan’s beloved yuru-chara, corporate and governmental mascots that are undeniably cute but with deeper connections to other aspects of Japanese culture. (originally published 7/9/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe dive into Akira Kurosawa’s gorgeous and surreal 1990 anthology film, "Dreams."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Tom Lathan, author of “Lost Wonders: 10 Tales of Extinction from the 21st Century.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses a curious proposed method of dragon flight proposed by author Peter Dickinson in the 1979 book “The Flight of Dragons.” (originally published 4/17/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once more, it's time for a dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss Kinji Fukasaku’s weird 1968 super-criminal romp “Black Lizard,” starring Japanese drag queen Akihiro Miwa, based on the novel by Edogawa Ranpo and the stage adapation by Yukio Mishima. (originally published 5/31/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with evolutionary biologist and historian of science Lee Alan Dugatkin about his new book “The Well-Connected Animal: Social Networks and the Wondrous Complexity of Animal Societies.” You'll learn about the complex social networks of vampire bats, dolphins, bees and more. (orignally published 5/14/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic two-part episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the original theatrical cut of Russell Mulcahy’s “Highlander II: The Quickening,” starring Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery and Michael Ironside. Long live the Zeist cut! (originally published 05/03/24)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this NEW episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Adam Weymouth, author of “Lone Wolf: Walking the Line Between Civilization and Wildness” about the European wolf, its recent comeback and the similarities between the human and lupine world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special omnibus edition of The Monstrefact, join Robert for all five episodes of his recent look at the werewolf of myth, legend and media – from prehistoric wolf interactions and the ancient world to modern media incarnations of lycanthropy. Draw blood…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with shark scientist Jasmin Graham about her new book “Sharks Don't Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist.” (originally published 7/16/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic two-part episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the original theatrical cut of Russell Mulcahy’s “Highlander II: The Quickening,” starring Christopher Lambert, Sean Connery and Michael Ironside. Long live the Zeist cut! (originally published 04/ 27/24)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on STBYM, we’re bringing you an episode on the Cosmos from a new podcast: Smart Girl Dumb Questions. In each episode, host Nayeema Raza asks simple questions to big thinkers. This one is with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. Nayeema asks him: what happened before the Big Bang? Would wormholes save us from ever going to the airport again? Do aliens exist? And, oh yes, are horoscopes real? If you like this episode of Smart Girl Dumb Questions, you can find more SGDQ with Mark Cuban on capitalism, Kenji Lopez on food science and 11 Year Olds on what kids do all day  here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before the dawn of the iron age, ancient humans had but one source of workable iron for their artifacts and weapons: meteorites. In this classic and very-metal episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss various examples of meteoric metal artifacts, including several precious sky-weapons of antiquity. (originally published 5/16/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic two-part episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the planet of Arrakis in their discussion of David Lynch’s wild 1984 adaptation of Frank Herbert’s legendary novel “Dune.” The sleeper must awaken. (originally published 3/15/24)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before the dawn of the iron age, ancient humans had but one source of workable iron for their artifacts and weapons: meteorites. In this classic and very-metal episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss various examples of meteoric metal artifacts, including several precious sky-weapons of antiquity. (originally published 5/9/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special omnibus edition of The Monstrefact, join Robert for a collection of past Monstrefact episodes about the Marvel Comics characters Man-Thing, Colossus, Puff Adder and Medusa.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before the dawn of the iron age, ancient humans had but one source of workable iron for their artifacts and weapons: meteorites. In this classic and very-metal episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss various examples of meteoric metal artifacts, including several precious sky-weapons of antiquity. (originally published 5/7/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic two-part episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the planet of Arrakis in their discussion of David Lynch’s wild 1984 adaptation of Frank Herbert’s legendary novel “Dune.” The sleeper must awaken. (originally published 03/08/24)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian, author of “Forest Euphoria: The Abounding Queerness of Nature” and Curator of Mycology at the New York State Museum. (originally published 4/9/25)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss 1958’s “The Crawling Eye” starring Forrest Tucker, Jennifer Jayne and Janet Munro.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this invention-themed episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the origins and physics of skating on ice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the giant Ohmu of Hayao Miyazaki’s 1984 masterpiece “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once more, it's time for a dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1969 Godzilla movie “All Monsters Attack,” which also centers around the friendship between Godzilla’s son Minilla and latchkey kid Ichiro. (originally published 2/17/23)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the weird and wonderful parrotfish: changers of sex, poopers of sand and – if the myths and legends are true – great friends and a parent of fishes. (originally published 5/23/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the wild world of kaiju with 1964’s “Mothra vs. Godzilla,” directed by Ishirō Honda.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the amazing social power of urine, especially as it relates to urine-based communication in the animal world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the legendary Kaiju Mothra…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Malcolm Gladwell visits Kennesaw State University to learn about Jiwoo, an AI Assistant that helps future teachers practice responsive teaching by simulating classroom interactions with students. Discover how AI can enhance teaching methods to prepare teachers for the classroom. This is a paid advertisement from IBM. The conversations on this podcast don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions. Visit us at https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/smart-talksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the amazing social power of urine, especially as it relates to urine-based communication in the animal world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss 1971’s “Godzilla vs. Hedorah,” also known as “Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster.” The king of all monsters tears it up with a pollution-powered alien kaiju. (originally published 07/16/2021)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smart Talks with IBM returns Tuesday, May 20th, and this season, we’re really shaking things up. Host Malcolm Gladwell will visit various companies to tell stories of how IBM clients are using artificial intelligence and data to transform the way they do business.  This is a paid advertisement from IBM.  Visit us at ibm.com/smarttalksSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the weird and wonderful parrotfish: changers of sex, poopers of sand and – if the myths and legends are true – great friends and a parent of fishes. (originally published 5/21/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.