The Last Show with David Cooper

Foreign correspondent Tony Five in London, England reports on Birmingham's second annual fake New Year's Eve celebration. 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. Business school professor Toby Stuart highlights how scientists who use AI tools are publishing more papers than ever before. Senior lecturer in education Sarah Jefferson answers whether kids should at least do a little bit of school work over the holidays. Professor in business administration Michael Haselhuhn reveals how some men downplay climate change risks to avoid appearing feminine. Leisure, hospitality, and tourism researcher Lori Hoy describes how the 'pawprint economy' is booming, and how it offers huge opportunities for tourism. Retail analyst ⁠Bruce Winder⁠ chats about Instacart ending an AI pricing test that charged shoppers different amounts for the same items. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:25) Tony Five (10:00) Carmi Levy pt. 1 (20:00) Carmi Levy pt. 2 (30:00) Toby Stuart (39:50) Sarah Jefferson (49:50) Michael Haselhuhn (59:50) Lori Hoy (1:09:50) Bruce Winder (1:19:07) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UK-based foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ reports on the following delightfully ridiculous stories: British baker's criticism of Mexican 'ugly' bread triggers social media outrage⁠; and Flight unable to make final stop after stowaway rat leaves passengers squirming⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toronto-based comedian ⁠Natalie Norman⁠ joins the show to chat about why she hasn't been on the program in a while, Jewish Christmas, and what happened when she lost her best friend: her television. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vancouver-based tattoo artist ⁠Taylor Menzies⁠ explains why ⁠for every tattoo of a stuffed animal she does, she'll donate one to charity⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Therapist ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Laurel van der Toorn⁠⁠⁠ and David take a scientific approach to New Year's resolutions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UK-based foreign correspondent Tony Five reports on the following delightfully ridiculous stories: British baker's criticism of Mexican 'ugly' bread triggers social media outrage; and Flight unable to make final stop after stowaway rat leaves passengers squirming. Therapist ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Laurel van der Toorn⁠⁠ and David take a scientific approach to New Year's resolutions. 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. Vancouver-based tattoo artist Taylor Menzies explains why for every tattoo of a stuffed animal she does, she'll donate one to charity. Toronto-based comedian Natalie Norman joins the show to chat about why she hasn't been on the program in a while, Jewish Christmas, and what happened when she lost her best friend: her television. Professor of criminology ⁠Adam Lankford⁠ reveals how ⁠the thought processes of cheaters closely resemble those of criminals⁠. Psychology researcher ⁠Nina Dours⁠ shares details of ⁠her study on household labor dynamics for women partnered with women vs. women partnered with men⁠. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:15) Tony Five (10:00) Laurel van der Toorn (20:00) McKell Jorgensen-Wells & Miranda (30:00) Taylor Menzies (39:50) Natalie Norman pt. 1 (49:50) Natalie Norman pt. 2 (59:50) Adam Lankford (1:09:50) Nina Dours (1:19:12) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David covers the stigma of teledildonics with experimental psychology researcher ⁠Madison Williams⁠ who reveals ⁠the reverse sexual double standard in sextech use⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ kinda, sorta hosts the show and covers a ⁠$400K lobster heist⁠. David and Tony define the made-up holiday In Betwixt'mas. Tony goes over celebrities who you wouldn't think are related. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lecturer in social psychology ⁠Mariel Marcano-Olivier⁠ shares ⁠why romantic couples are more likely to be diagnosed with the same mental health conditions⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlie Keil⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠The Cinema Studies Institute⁠ ⁠explains why people aren't going out to watch movies anymore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clinical psychology researcher ⁠James Zech⁠ describes how ⁠LSD use is linked to lower odds of alcohol use disorder⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Therapy Thursdays On a Wednesday (On A Monday), David tells social worker ⁠Gary Direnfeld⁠ about his fool-proof way to succeed at New Year's resolutions. Gary talks about how best to go about your January divorce (should you be unfortunate enough to have one). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent Tony Five kinda, sorta hosts the opening of the show by covering a $400K lobster heist. David and Tony define the made-up holiday In Betwixt'mas, which ends up being a recurring theme throughout the show. Lecturer in social psychology Mariel Marcano-Olivier shares why romantic couples are more likely to be diagnosed with the same mental health conditions. On Therapy Thursdays On a Wednesday (On A Monday), David tells social worker Gary Direnfeld about his fool-proof way to succeed at New Year's resolutions. Gary talks about how best to go about your January divorce (should you be unfortunate enough to have one). Then, it's the stigma of teledildonics with experimental psychology researcher Madison Williams who reveals the reverse sexual double standard in sextech use. Charlie Keil⁠ from ⁠The Cinema Studies Institute⁠ explains why people aren't going out to watch movies anymore. Clinical psychology researcher James Zech describes how LSD use is linked to lower odds of alcohol use disorder. Tony Five returns to go over celebrities who you wouldn't think are related. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:19) Tony Five pt. 1 (10:00) Mariel Marcano-Olivier (20:00) Gary Direnfeld pt. 1 (30:00) Gary Direnfeld pt. 2 (39:50) Madison Williams (49:50) Charlie Keil (59:50) James Zech (1:09:50) Tony Five pt. 2 (1:18:55) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor of criminology ⁠Adam Lankford⁠ reveals how ⁠the thought processes of cheaters closely resemble those of criminals⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Much to David's dismay, sex and relationships psychotherapist ⁠⁠Gigi Engle⁠⁠ breaks down the finer points of having a sexy Santa kink. Pre-order Gigi's book Kink Curious here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychology researcher ⁠Nina Dours⁠ shares details of ⁠her study on household labor dynamics for women partnered with women vs. women partnered with men⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vet ⁠Dr. Cliff Redford⁠ goes over the top 2025 stories as rated by veterinarians. Listen to Cliff's podcast Vet Life here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ reports live from the Vatican's 2025 Jubilee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychiatry professor ⁠Steven Marwaha⁠ explains how ⁠laughing gas may offer rapid relief for treatment-resistant depression⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Much to David's dismay, sex and relationships psychotherapist ⁠Gigi Engle⁠ breaks down the finer points of having a sexy Santa kink. (Pre-order Gigi's book Kink Curious here.) Professor of criminology Adam Lankford reveals how the thought processes of cheaters closely resemble those of criminals. Psychiatry professor Steven Marwaha explains how laughing gas may offer rapid relief for treatment-resistant depression. Foreign correspondent Tony Five reports live from the Vatican's 2025 Jubilee. Psychology researcher Nina Dours shares details of her study on household labor dynamics for women partnered with women vs. women partnered with men. Vet Dr. Cliff Redford goes over the top 2025 stories as rated by veterinarians. (⁠Listen to Cliff's podcast Vet Life here⁠⁠⁠⁠.) Economist ⁠Moshe Lander⁠ tackles some 'am I the a-hole?' dilemmas. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:51) Gigi Engle (10:00) Adam Lankford (20:00) Steven Marwaha (30:00) Tony Five (39:50) Nina Dours (49:50) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 1 (59:50) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 2 (1:09:50) Moshe Lander (1:19:07) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Five⁠ from London, England reports on ⁠a woman kicked by a camel during a Christmas performance⁠. Motivated by ⁠fundraising for Australia's Bondi hero⁠, Tony discusses heroic acts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Five from London, England reports on a woman kicked by a camel during a Christmas performance. Motivated by fundraising for Australia's Bondi hero, Tony discusses heroic acts. Charlie Keil from The Cinema Studies Institute explains how the Oscars are moving to Youtube. Political science researcher Wilson Merrell reveals how people who show off luxury vacations come off better than those who show off material possessions. Professor Esme Fuller-Thomson shares how parental divorce is linked to higher stroke risk in older adults. Professor of information science, marketing, and psychology ⁠⁠David Rand⁠⁠ explains ⁠⁠how AI chatbots can effectively sway voters in either direction⁠⁠. David is joined by ⁠Brian Stever⁠, ⁠Jeremie Saunders⁠, and ⁠Taylor MacGillivary⁠ – hosts of the ⁠podcast Sickboy⁠ – to discuss how to find humor in even the darkest stories. Social sciences researcher Roman Althans answers whether there is a 'beauty is beastly' effect in German elections. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:21) Tony Five (10:00) Charlie Keil (20:00) Wilson Merrell (30:00) Esme Fuller-Thomson (39:50) Dave Rand (49:50) Sickboy Podcast pt. 1 (59:50) Sickboy Podcast pt. 2 (1:09:50) Roman Althans (1:17:45) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behavioral economist ⁠Kate Whitman⁠ reveals ⁠how to get survey participants to be more honest about morally questionable behavior by asking about good deeds first⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neurologist ⁠Dr. Kenneth Lee⁠ explains what happens to your brain as the days get shorter and sleep quality lowers and stress levels rise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Veterinarian ⁠Dr. Cliff Redford⁠ warns of potential holiday issues for your pets (read: avoid tinsel). Cliff covers the following veterinary medicine stories: Canine parvo preventative gets full USDA approval⁠; and New study finds combined therapy promising for feline infectious peritonitis⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Motivated by ⁠Dawn O'Porter getting an absurd tattoo in tribute to her husband Chris O'Dowd⁠, foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ and David discuss regrettable tattoos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On It's Time For Technology Time, tech analyst ⁠Carmi Levy⁠ covers: The Oscars will exclusively air on YouTube starting in 2029⁠; Merriam-Webster's word of the year delivers a dismissive verdict on junk AI content⁠; The future of long-term data storage is clear and will last 14 billion years⁠; and Age verification causes problems for social media in Australia⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Motivated by Dawn O'Porter getting an absurd tattoo in tribute to her husband Chris O'Dowd, foreign correspondent Tony Five and David discuss regrettable tattoos. Behavioral economist Kate Whitman reveals how to get survey participants to be more honest about morally questionable behavior by asking about good deeds first. Neurologist Dr. Kenneth Lee explains what happens to your brain as the days get shorter and sleep quality lowers and stress levels rise. On It's Time For Technology Time, tech analyst Carmi Levy covers: The Oscars will exclusively air on YouTube starting in 2029; Merriam-Webster's word of the year delivers a dismissive verdict on junk AI content; The future of long-term data storage is clear and will last 14 billion years; and Age verification causes problems for social media in Australia. Veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford warns of potential holiday issues for your pets (read: avoid tinsel). Cliff covers the following veterinary medicine stories: Canine parvo preventative gets full USDA approval; and New study finds combined therapy promising for feline infectious peritonitis. Economics professor ⁠⁠⁠Dr. Eric Kam⁠ gives his opinion on two 'am I the a-hole?' dilemmas. (No, don't pitch in to buy your boss a present.) Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:26) Tony Five (10:00) Kate Whitman (20:00) Dr. Kenneth Lee (30:00) Carmi Levy pt. 1 (39:50) Carmi Levy pt. 2 (49:50) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 1 (59:50) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 2 (1:09:50) Dr. Eric Kam (1:19:19) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

York University professor ⁠Jesse Rogerson⁠⁠ joins the program for science news covering: Count someone's blinks to know if they're truly listening⁠; A new study reveals whether working from home is good for you⁠; and Polar bears may be evolving to survive in a warmer world⁠. Jesse answers a listener question about fish oil. Got a general science question for the show? Leave a voicemail at ⁠⁠1-888-505-6644⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor of addiction intervention ⁠Matthijs Blankers⁠ and drug monitoring and addiction expert ⁠Ruben van Beek⁠ shares details of ⁠their study into the three-day drop in mental well-being after MDMA use⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Law professor ⁠Adam Hofri-Winogradow⁠ gives surprisingly serious answers to ⁠farcical holiday legal dilemmas⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marketing professor ⁠Bryce Pyrah⁠ answers ⁠whether or not companies should use slang in their marketing⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday, therapist and social worker ⁠Gary Direnfeld⁠ discusses how to handle family turbulence during the holidays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

York University professor Jesse Rogerson⁠ joins the program for science news covering: Count someone's blinks to know if they're truly listening; A new study reveals whether working from home is good for you; and Polar bears may be evolving to survive in a warmer world. Jesse answers a listener question about fish oil. (Got a general science question for the show? Leave a voicemail at ⁠1-888-505-6644⁠.) Law professor Adam Hofri-Winogradow gives surprisingly serious answers to farcical holiday legal dilemmas. Marketing professor Bryce Pyrah answers whether or not companies should use slang in their marketing. On Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday, therapist and social worker Gary Direnfeld discusses how to handle family turbulence during the holidays. Professor of addiction intervention Matthijs Blankers and drug monitoring and addiction expert Ruben van Beek shares details of their study into the three-day drop in mental well-being after MDMA use. Foreign correspondent Tony Five brings up his favorite scientific finding of the year: poop doping. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:18) Jesse Rogerson pt. 1 (10:00) Jesse Rogerson pt. 2 (20:00) Adam Hofri-Winogradow (30:00) Bryce Pyrah (39:50) Gary Direnfeld pt. 1 (49:50) Gary Direnfeld pt. 2 (59:50) Matthijs Blankers & Ruben van Beek (1:09:50) Tony Five (1:18:57) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author ⁠Cory Doctorow⁠ tells us how and why the Internet is getting worse – through a bleak process he calls ensh*ttification – and says what we can do about it. Check out Cory's book of the same name here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Addictions counselor ⁠⁠Yonah Budd⁠⁠ and David discuss how to deal with the discomfort of dating without alcohol. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychology researcher ⁠Carmen Surariu⁠ explains how ⁠online sharing can push us apart, but also when it's authentic it can bring us together⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Future-of-work reporter ⁠Tim Paradis⁠ ⁠welcomes us all to the golden age of employee monitoring⁠, and it's as dystopian as it sounds! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Future-of-work reporter Tim Paradis welcomes us all to the golden age of employee monitoring, and it's as dystopian as it sounds! Author Cory Doctorow tells us how and why the Internet is getting worse – through a bleak process he calls ensh*ttification – and says what we can do about it. (Check out Cory's book of the same name here.) Psychology researcher Carmen Surariu explains how online sharing can push us apart, but also when it's authentic it can bring us together. Addictions counselor ⁠Yonah Budd⁠ and David discuss how to deal with the discomfort of dating without alcohol. Lighting technology researcher Jae Yong Suk and human-building interaction researcher Dongwoo (Jason) Yeom reveal that lighting strongly influences people's experience while listening to music. PhD researcher in sociology ⁠Elise 't Hoen⁠ explains that ⁠singlehood isn't a static state, but an evolving personal journey⁠. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:27) Tim Paradis (10:00) Cory Doctorow pt. 1 (20:00) Cory Doctorow pt. 2 (30:00) Carmen Surariu (39:50) Yonah Budd pt. 1 (49:50) Yonah Budd pt. 2 (59:50) Jae Yong Suk & Dongwoo Yeom (1:09:50) Elise d' Hoen (1:18:42) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David and foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ are joined by resident doctor in psychiatry Nikolaos Statharakos to discuss ⁠his research into the neurobiology of grief⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lecturer in criminology and sociology ⁠Chris Waugh⁠ explains ⁠how metal bands maximize the emotional punch of their music⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychology professor ⁠Jamie Ward⁠ describes ⁠what synesthesia is, and how it's more frequent in musicians⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Associate professor of psychology ⁠Amie Gordon⁠ reveals that ⁠political differences predict lower romantic relationship quality⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social psychologist ⁠⁠Lucia O'Sullivan⁠⁠ shares details of her studies on ⁠mate poaching⁠ and ⁠'sugar' arrangements⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The show opens with economist ⁠Moshe Lander, who questions whether it was wise that a 20 year-old lottery winner decided against a $1M lump sum, instead opting for a lifetime of weekly $1000 payments. Associate professor of psychology Amie Gordon reveals that political differences predict lower romantic relationship quality. Social psychologist ⁠Lucia O'Sullivan⁠ shares details of her studies on mate poaching and 'sugar' arrangements. Psychology professor Jamie Ward describes what synesthesia is, and how it's more frequent in musicians. Lecturer in criminology and sociology Chris Waugh explains how metal bands maximize the emotional punch of their music. David and foreign correspondent Tony Five are joined by resident doctor in psychiatry Nikolaos Statharakos to discuss his research into the neurobiology of grief. Instructor at the University of Guelph-Humber Nitin Deckha goes over how Gen Z are burning out at work more than any other generation. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:16) Mosher Lander (10:00) Amie Gordon (20:00) Lucia O'Sullivan pt. 1 (30:00) Lucia O'Sullivan pt. 2 (39:50) Jamie Ward (49:50) Chris Waugh (59:50) Nikolaos Statharakos & Tony Five (1:09:50) Nitin Deckha (1:19:07) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Biomed professor ⁠Dr. Josh Kellogg⁠ warns how ⁠the growing fad of legally gray mushroom edibles is leading to poison control center calls and emergency room visits⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices