The Last Show with David Cooper

History of science professor ⁠Marga Vicedo⁠ discusses ⁠the (mostly) positive impact of Mattel's new Autistic Barbie⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday, therapist and social worker ⁠Gary Direnfeld⁠ goes over the birthday blues and how to manage travel stress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For science news, professor Jesse Rogerson covers: An ancient wolf cub's last meal just rewrote the woolly rhino extinction story; Chimps reveal why teenagers are notorious for risky behaviors; and Record-breaking asteroid spins so fast it should tear itself apart. Jesse and David field a listener question about black holes that extends deep into the 'noodle-verse'. (Got a science question for The Last Show? Leave a voicemail at ⁠1-888-505-6644⁠.) History of science professor Marga Vicedo discusses the (mostly) positive impact of Mattel's new Autistic Barbie. For Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday, therapist and social worker Gary Direnfeld goes over the birthday blues and how to manage travel stress. Toronto-based comedian Natalie Norman gives a visual demonstration of red lipstick theory (it's hard to see on a podcast),and weighs in on one couple's bathroom-based 'Am I the A-hole?' dilemma. Physics and astronomy professor ⁠Daniel Oblak⁠ explains how ⁠we emit a visible light that vanishes when we die⁠. David has both Niagara Falls, Ontario mayor ⁠Jim Diodati⁠ and travel writer ⁠Emily Pogue⁠ on the show. David tries (and fails) to generate controversy, asking Emily to apologize directly to Jim for having ⁠written that her favorite side of Niagara Falls is the US one⁠. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:38) Jesse Rogerson pt. 1 (10:00) Jesse Rogerson pt. 2 (20:00) Marga Vicedo (30:00) Gary Direnfeld pt. 1 (39:50) Gary Direnfeld pt. 2 (49:50) Natalie Norman (59:50) Daniel Oblak (1:09:50) Mayor Jim Diodati & Emily Pogue (1:18:59) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marketing professor ⁠Freeman Wu⁠ shares details of ⁠his study suggesting taking photos at live events can come at a social cost⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Addictions counselor ⁠⁠⁠Yonah Budd⁠ and David chat about ⁠a 2025 report from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Conspiracy Corner, professor of conspiracy studies Nathan Radke gives an overview of ⁠the notorious doll Annabelle and its handler Dan Rivera⁠, as well as the haunted doll industry as a whole. Check out Nathan's show The Uncover Up Conspiracy Cast here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ from London, England and David discuss autonomous vehicles and ⁠the Waymo passenger who fled one after it drove on light rail tracks in Phoenix⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Educator and author ⁠Laura Danger⁠ describes weaponized incompetence, ⁠the unpaid job many women shoulder in relationships, and how to make things more fair⁠. Check out Laura's book No More Mediocre here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent Tony Five from London, England and David discuss autonomous vehicles and the Waymo passenger who fled one after it drove on light rail tracks in Phoenix. Marketing professor Freeman Wu shares details of his study suggesting taking photos at live events can come at a social cost. Educator and author Laura Danger describes weaponized incompetence, the unpaid job many women shoulder in relationships, and how to make things more fair. (Check out Laura's book No More Mediocre here.) For Conspiracy Corner, professor of conspiracy studies Nathan Radke gives an overview of the notorious doll Annabelle and its handler Dan Rivera, as well as the haunted doll industry as a whole. (Check out Nathan's show The Uncover Up Conspiracy Cast here.) Addictions counselor ⁠⁠Yonah Budd and David chat about a 2025 report from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Psychology researcher Gavin Vance reveals details of a study linking men's higher intelligence to fewer abusive relationship behaviors. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:35) Tony Five (10:00) Freeman Wu (20:00) Laura Danger pt. 1 (30:00) Laura Danger pt. 2 (39:50) Nathan Radke pt. 1 (49:50) Nathan Radke pt. 2 (59:50) Yonah Budd (1:09:50) Gavin Vance (1:19:13) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David has both Niagara Falls, Ontario mayor ⁠Jim Diodati⁠ and travel writer ⁠Emily Pogue⁠ on the show. David tries (and fails) to generate controversy, asking Emily to apologize directly to Jim for having ⁠written that her favorite side of Niagara Falls is the US one⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Media personality ⁠Caitlin Green⁠ goes over the ⁠2026 Golden Globes and its winners⁠, outfits, controversies, and more. Listen to Caitlin as co-host of The Jann Arden Podcast here⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UK-based foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ enthusiastically reports on ⁠London's No Trousers Tube Ride⁠ and ⁠the woman accused of swimming nude in her neighbor's pond/pool while 'trying to be a mermaid'⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Associate professor of public affairs ⁠Stephen Neely⁠ reveals that ⁠Gen Z reports very high anxiety levels as their screen time increases⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Organizational behavior professor ⁠Soo Min Toh⁠ explains ⁠why after a long day at work, you can go ahead and watch some TV⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UK-based foreign correspondent Tony Five enthusiastically reports on London's No Trousers Tube Ride and the woman accused of swimming nude in her neighbor's pond/pool while 'trying to be a mermaid'. David has both Niagara Falls, Ontario mayor Jim Diodati and travel writer Emily Pogue on the show. David tries (and fails) to generate controversy, asking Emily to apologize directly to Jim for having written that her favorite side of Niagara Falls is the US one. Organizational behavior professor Soo Min Toh explains why after a long day at work, you can go ahead and watch some TV. Media personality Caitlin Green goes over the 2026 Golden Globes and its winners, outfits, controversies, and more. (⁠Listen to Caitlin as co-host of The Jann Arden Podcast here⁠.) Associate professor of public affairs Stephen Neely reveals that Gen Z reports very high anxiety levels as their screen time increases. Business studies lecturer Nelly Liyanagamage proposes that board game Catan can make you a better strategist. Marketing professor Karen Anne Wallach shares how exclusionary ads can win over customers. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:43) Tony Five (10:00) Mayor Jim Diodati & Emily Pogue (20:00) Soo Min Toh (30:00) Caitlin Green pt. 1 (39:50) Caitlin Green pt. 2 (49:50) Stephen Neely (59:50) Nelly Liyanagamage (1:09:50) Karen Anne Wallach (1:19:07) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Physics and astronomy professor ⁠Daniel Oblak⁠ explains how ⁠we emit a visible light that vanishes when we die⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Timothy Schultz⁠ – host of podcast ⁠Lottery, Dreams, and Fortune⁠ – describes what it was really like to win a $28M lottery jackpot at age 21 while working at a gas station. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Communication professor ⁠Lindsay Duede⁠ details how ⁠adults with ADHD crave more relationship support but often feel shortchanged⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Hawkins⁠ from ⁠The Canberra School of Government⁠ proposes that ⁠we can learn economics from Star Trek⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Science writer ⁠Rachael Funnell⁠ gives the scoop on ⁠why our pets eat grass⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Astrobiologist ⁠Sarah Rugheimer⁠ covers space news with stories: Vera C. Rubin Observatory discovers enormous, record-breaking asteroid⁠; and Astronomers are on 'Cloud 9' with a new, starless gas cloud⁠. Find Sarah's Audible Original Searching for Extraterrestrial Life here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Experimental psychology researcher ⁠⁠⁠Madison Williams⁠ reveals ⁠how teledildonics are changing the way we have sex with Internet-enabled orgasms⁠. David has a weird fixation with Avatar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Astrobiologist Sarah Rugheimer covers space news with stories: Vera C. Rubin Observatory discovers enormous, record-breaking asteroid; and Astronomers are on 'Cloud 9' with a new, starless gas cloud. (⁠⁠⁠Find Sarah's Audible Original Searching for Extraterrestrial Life here⁠⁠⁠.) Physics and astronomy professor Daniel Oblak explains how we emit a visible light that vanishes when we die. Science writer Rachael Funnell gives the scoop on why our pets eat grass. John Hawkins from The Canberra School of Government proposes that we can learn economics from Star Trek. Experimental psychology researcher ⁠⁠Madison Williams reveals how teledildonics are changing the way we have sex with Internet-enabled orgasms. David has a weird fixation with Avatar. Timothy Schultz – host of podcast Lottery, Dreams, and Fortune – describes what it was really like to win a $28M lottery jackpot at age 21 while working at a gas station. Communication professor Lindsay Duede details how adults with ADHD crave more relationship support but often feel shortchanged. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:08) Sarah Rugheimer (10:00) Daniel Oblak (20:00) Rachael Funnell (30:00) John Hawkins (39:50) Madison Williams (49:50) Timothy Schultz pt. 1 (59:50) Timothy Schultz pt. 2 (1:09:50) Lindsay Duede (1:19:07) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On It's Time For Technology Time , tech analyst ⁠Carmi Levy⁠ covers: Scientists create robotic rabbits to fight invasive pythons in Florida⁠; OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health to connect with user medical records⁠; Cops forced to explain why AI generated police report said an officer transformed into a frog⁠; and What to expect from CES 2026, the annual show of all things tech⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Media personality ⁠Caitlin Green⁠ discusses ⁠Ashley French (Tisdale) speaking out against her toxic mom group⁠. Listen to Caitlin co-hosting The Jann Arden Podcast here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Vet Talk (or Pet Talk), veterinarian ⁠Dr. Cliff Redford⁠ reports on: Giraffe dies after being caught in habitat door at Toronto Zoo⁠; Are exotic animal cafes a cute trend or a welfare crisis?⁠; and These simple gestures could help older pets live longer and happier lives⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ covers ⁠the urban cowboy who rode his horse into Target in NYC⁠ and ⁠the 25 worst items pulled from people's behinds in 2025, according to the US government⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The show opens with It's Time For Technology Time and tech analyst Carmi Levy covers: Scientists create robotic rabbits to fight invasive pythons in Florida; OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health to connect with user medical records; Cops forced to explain why AI generated police report said an officer transformed into a frog; and What to expect from CES 2026, the annual show of all things tech. On Vet Talk (or Pet Talk), veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford reports on: Giraffe dies after being caught in habitat door at Toronto Zoo; Are exotic animal cafes a cute trend or a welfare crisis?; and These simple gestures could help older pets live longer and happier lives. Media personality Caitlin Green discusses Ashley French (Tisdale) speaking out against her toxic mom group. (Listen to Caitlin co-hosting The Jann Arden Podcast here.) Bioethics professor Kerry Bowman weighs in on whether we should be allowed to resurrect someone who died with an AI likeness. Entertainment lawyer David Zitzerman unpacks a former NFL player suing his ex-wife over her NSFW comments about their sex life. Foreign correspondent Tony Five covers the urban cowboy who rode his horse into Target in NYC and the 25 worst items pulled from people's behinds in 2025, according to the US government. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:31) Carmi Levy pt. 1 (10:00) Carmi Levy pt. 2 (20:00) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 1 (30:00) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 2 (39:50) Caitlin Green (49:50) Kerry Bowman (59:50) David Zitzerman (1:09:50) Tony Five (1:19:15) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Covering science news, professor ⁠Jesse Rogerson⁠ brings stories: Listening to music immediately after learning improves your memory⁠; 8-year study confirms star Betelgeuse is definitely not alone⁠; Tropical spiders make fearsome puppets for protection⁠; and Fish mouth filter removes 99% of microplastics from water waste⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Prince George, BC, comedian ⁠Alex Mackenzie⁠ shares his story of quitting a 6-figure job to pursue stand-up comedy. Alex is then joined by Tony Five for an odd game of 'Would you rather?'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Conspiracy Corner, political science professor Lee Kuhnle reveals some East Germany conspiracies, especially ones involving ⁠unlikely escapes to the West⁠. Check out Lee's podcast The Uncover Up here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent ⁠⁠Tony Five⁠⁠ and David chat about how to deal with troublesome news and discuss ⁠⁠the funeral held for NYC's iconic Metro card⁠⁠ (and ⁠Toronto's ⁠Conrad the raccoon⁠⁠.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Covering science news, professor Jesse Rogerson brings stories: Listening to music immediately after learning improves your memory; 8-year study confirms star Betelgeuse is definitely not alone; Tropical spiders make fearsome puppets for protection; and Fish mouth filter removes 99% of microplastics from water waste. Foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ and David chat about how to deal with troublesome news and discuss ⁠the funeral held for NYC's iconic Metro card⁠ (and Toronto's ⁠Conrad the raccoon⁠.) On Conspiracy Corner, political science professor Lee Kuhnle reveals some East Germany conspiracies, especially ones involving unlikely escapes to the West. (Check out Lee's podcast The Uncover Up here.) Economics professor Eric Kam and David rule on some odd 'Am I the a-hole?' scenarios. From Prince George, BC, comedian Alex Mackenzie shares his story of quitting a 6-figure job to pursue stand-up comedy. Alex is then joined by Tony Five for an odd game of 'Would you rather?'. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:22) Jesse Rogerson pt. 1 (10:00) Jesse Rogerson pt. 2 (20:00) Tony Five (30:00) Lee Kuhnle pt. 1 (39:50) Lee Kuhnle pt. 2 (49:50) Eric Kam (59:50) Alex Mackenzie (1:09:50) Alex Mackenzie & Tony Five (1:19:05) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Experimental psychology researcher ⁠Braden Hall⁠ reveals how ⁠dark personality traits are linked to flirting for personal gain⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

History lecturer ⁠Dr. Garritt (Chip) Van Dyk⁠ gives us the inside scoop: ⁠the 2,500-year history of ice-cream⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NYU Professor ⁠Panos Ipeirotis⁠ walks David through how he fought fire with fire, ⁠using AI oral exams to combat AI assignment submissions from students⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and psychotherapist ⁠Dr. Stephanie Sarkis⁠ proposes that ⁠time blindness could be responsible for some people being chronically late⁠. Find Dr. Sarkis's book Healing From Toxic Relationships here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ reports on ⁠the controversy surrounding a McDonald's McRib meat lawsuit⁠ and ⁠what psychology says about people who clean as they cook⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recreation and leisure studies professor ⁠Troy Glover⁠ suggests ⁠improving your social fitness as a New Year's resolution⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Animal welfare consultant ⁠Dr. Holly Molinaro⁠ explains how ⁠most people overestimate their ability to read their pets' emotions⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent Tony Five reports on the controversy surrounding a McDonald's McRib meat lawsuit and what psychology says about people who clean as they cook. Experimental psychology researcher Braden Hall reveals how dark personality traits are linked to flirting for personal gain. Animal welfare consultant Dr. Holly Molinaro explains how most people overestimate their ability to read their pets' emotions. Recreation and leisure studies professor Troy Glover suggests improving your social fitness as a New Year's resolution. Author and psychotherapist Dr. Stephanie Sarkis proposes that time blindness could be responsible for some people being chronically late. (Find Dr. Sarkis's book Healing From Toxic Relationships here.) NYU Professor Panos Ipeirotis walks David through how he fought fire with fire, using AI oral exams to combat AI assignment submissions from students. History lecturer Dr. Garritt (Chip) Van Dyk gives us the inside scoop: the 2,500-year history of ice-cream. Lecturer in social psychology ⁠Mariel Marcano-Olivier⁠ shares ⁠why romantic couples are more likely to be diagnosed with the same mental health conditions⁠. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:20) Tony Five (10:00) Braden Hall (20:00) Dr. Holly Molinaro (30:00) Troy Glover (39:50) Dr. Stephanie Sarkis (49:50) Panos Ipeirotis (59:50) Dr. Garritt Van Dyk (1:09:50) Mariel Marcano-Olivier (1:19:15) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Music researcher and lecturer ⁠Hussein Boon⁠ chats with David about the current state of AI voice synthesis, the ethics of its use, and the ⁠social issues around recreating female voices⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norwegian golf expert (probably) ⁠Tony Five⁠ reports on ⁠a bandit plaguing a golf course in Norway⁠ and the January blues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kurtis Smejkal – host of the podcast ⁠Three Angry Nerds⁠ – gives his nerdy 2026 predictions for TV, movies, technology, and video games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Management professor ⁠Madeline Kneeland⁠ explains how ⁠your workplace's next offsite can help you with your career⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Norwegian golf expert (probably) Tony Five reports on a bandit plaguing a golf course in Norway and the January blues. Management professor Madeline Kneeland explains how your workplace's next offsite can help you with your career. Music researcher and lecturer Hussein Boon chats with David about the current state of AI voice synthesis, the ethics of its use, and the social issues around recreating female voices. Professor of psychology Steve Joordens reasons about why people are spending less time than ever with friends. Kurtis Smejkal – host of the podcast Three Angry Nerds – gives his nerdy 2026 predictions for TV, movies, technology, and video games. Then, it's the stigma of teledildonics with experimental psychology researcher ⁠Madison Williams⁠ who reveals ⁠the reverse sexual double standard in sextech use⁠. Psychology researcher McKell Jorgensen-Wells is joined by David's partner Miranda (of all people) to go over ⁠the psychology map of romance in Taylor Swift's songs⁠. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:23) Tony Five (10:00) Madeline Kneeland (20:00) Hussein Boon pt. 1 (30:00) Hussein Boon pt. 2 (39:50) Steve Joordens (49:50) Kurtis Smejkal (59:50) Madison Williams (1:09:50) McKell Jorgensen-Wells & Miranda (1:19:24) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Business school professor ⁠Toby Stuart⁠ highlights how ⁠scientists who use AI tools are publishing more papers than ever before⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tech analyst ⁠Carmi Levy⁠ joins David for It's Time For Technology Time to cover: Robot taxis get stuck, and a secret army of humans comes to the rescue⁠; The US has officially banned new, foreign-made drone models⁠; IDC warns of major PC market downturn due to memory crunch⁠; and CES 2026: What to expect from tech's biggest conference⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senior lecturer in education ⁠Sarah Jefferson⁠ answers whether ⁠kids should at least do a little bit of school work over the holidays⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ in London, England reports on ⁠Birmingham's second annual fake New Year's Eve celebration⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices