The Last Show with David Cooper

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

Psychology professor ⁠Rachel Dinero⁠ describes how ⁠psychedelics may enhance emotional closeness and relationship satisfaction when used therapeutically⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clinical psychology researcher ⁠Sarafina Métellus⁠ cautions how ⁠jealousy fueled by social media can erode young couples' satisfaction with their relationships over time⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Motivated by her upcoming book ⁠Kink Curious⁠, sex and relationships psychotherapist ⁠Gigi Engle⁠ tells us how to safely explore our kinks without shame. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Astrobiologist ⁠⁠Dr. Sarah Rugheimer⁠⁠ explains how to observe ⁠the Geminid meteor shower this weekend⁠ – and tells David that comet 3I/ATLAS still isn't aliens. Check out Sarah's Audible Original Searching for Extraterrestrial Life here⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Five⁠ – our foreign correspondent – crashes into the show revealing new technology while reporting on the following stories: Florida man claims he 'teleported' into a stolen car⁠; and Hundreds of Canada goose deaths in Manitoba leave wildlife experts perplexed⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Therapist ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Laurel van der Toorn⁠⁠ unpacks how to deal with ⁠holiday regression: slipping back into old behaviors that resemble our younger selves⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Five – our foreign correspondent – crashes into the show revealing new technology while reporting on the following stories: Florida man claims he 'teleported' into a stolen car; and Hundreds of Canada goose deaths in Manitoba leave wildlife experts perplexed. Psychology professor Rachel Dinero describes how psychedelics may enhance emotional closeness and relationship satisfaction when used therapeutically. Therapist ⁠⁠⁠⁠Laurel van der Toorn⁠ unpacks how to deal with holiday regression: slipping back into old behaviors that resemble our younger selves. Astrobiologist ⁠Dr. Sarah Rugheimer⁠ explains how to observe the Geminid meteor shower this weekend – and tells David that comet 3I/ATLAS still isn't aliens. (⁠⁠Check out Sarah's Audible Original Searching for Extraterrestrial Life here⁠⁠.) 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. Motivated by her upcoming book Kink Curious, sex and relationships psychotherapist Gigi Engle tells us how to safely explore our kinks without shame. Clinical psychology researcher Sarafina Métellus cautions how jealousy fueled by social media can erode young couples' satisfaction with their relationships over time. Reporter Matt Alston ponders the AI slop of things to come. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:36) Tony Five (00:00) Rachel Dinero (00:00) Laurel van der Toorn (00:00) Dr. Sarah Rugheimer (39:50) Dr. Josh Kellogg (49:50) Gigi Engle (59:50) Sarafina Métellus (1:09:50) Matt Alston (1:19:07) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

University of Saskatchewan professor ⁠Ekaterina (Kate) Dadachova⁠ and lab manager Mackenzie Malo explain how ⁠a mysterious black fungus grows near Chernobyl that may eat radiation⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Pet Talk (or Vet Talk), veterinarian ⁠Dr. Cliff Redford⁠ talks about his recent trip to Jamaica, helping people with their animals after the devastation of hurricane Melissa. Cliff addresses ⁠the recent study showing that cats meow more at men⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ blasts into the show covering: Woman accused of placing googly eyes on sculpture to begin negotiating with prosecution⁠; and Person hospitalized after Pluribus TV ad on smart fridge triggers psychotic episode⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On It's Time For Technology Time, tech analyst ⁠Carmi Levy⁠ goes over the following stories: Woman hailed as hero for smashing man's Meta smart glasses on subway⁠; Operation Bluebird wants to relaunch 'Twitter,' says Musk abandoned the name and logo⁠; Waymo's robotaxi fleet is being recalled again, this time for failing to stop for school buses⁠; and Facebook and Instagram have a new hub to help get hijacked accounts back⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent Tony Five blasts into the show covering: Woman accused of placing googly eyes on sculpture to begin negotiating with prosecution; and Person hospitalized after Pluribus TV ad on smart fridge triggers psychotic episode. On It's Time For Technology Time, tech analyst Carmi Levy goes over the following stories: Woman hailed as hero for smashing man's Meta smart glasses on subway; Operation Bluebird wants to relaunch 'Twitter,' says Musk abandoned the name and logo; Waymo's robotaxi fleet is being recalled again, this time for failing to stop for school buses; and Facebook and Instagram have a new hub to help get hijacked accounts back. University of Saskatchewan professor Ekaterina (Kate) Dadachova and lab manager Mackenzie Malo explain how a mysterious black fungus grows near Chernobyl that may eat radiation. For Pet Talk (or Vet Talk), veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford talks about his recent trip to Jamaica, helping people with their animals after the devastation of hurricane Melissa. Cliff addresses the recent study showing that cats meow more at men. Comedian Annick Adelle chats about launching his podcast Stacking Chairs where he addresses creative struggles with (of all people) co-host David Cooper – yes, the very same. Psychology of education professor ⁠Neil Humphrey⁠ reveals that creative arts programs boost teen well-being, and drive economic gains. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:29) Tony Five (10:00) Carmi Levy pt. 1 (20:00) Carmi Levy pt. 2 (30:00) Ekaterina Dadachova & Mackenzie Malo (39:50) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 1 (49:50) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 2 (59:50) Annick Adelle (1:09:50) Neil Humphrey (1:19:13) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you thought with weapons that could destroy the world, there would've been only a small number of accidents over the years: You'd be wrong. On Conspiracy Corner, political science professor Dr. Lee Kuhnle unpacks the numerous accidents that have occurred with nuclear weapons. ⁠ Check out Lee's podcast The Uncover Up here⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday, therapist and social worker ⁠Gary Direnfeld⁠ is joined by David and foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ to have a frank discussion about grief and loss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Astrophysicist ⁠Jesse Rogerson⁠ joins us for science news with the following: Voyager 2 may have caught Uranus at a bad time, solving a 40-year mystery⁠; NASA spacecraft were vulnerable to hacking for 3 years, AI found and fixed the flaw in 4 days⁠; and Cats meow more than twice as much at men⁠. Jesse fields listener science questions. Got a general science question? Call in and record it at ⁠1-888-505-6644⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Editor at ⁠The Point⁠ and philosophy professor ⁠Anastasia Berg⁠ opines on ⁠why AI use is so bad for us⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Astrophysicist Jesse Rogerson joins us for science news with the following: Voyager 2 may have caught Uranus at a bad time, solving a 40-year mystery; NASA spacecraft were vulnerable to hacking for 3 years, AI found and fixed the flaw in 4 days; and Cats meow more than twice as much at men. Jesse fields listener science questions. (Got a general science question? Call in and record it at 1-888-505-6644!) Editor at The Point and philosophy professor Anastasia Berg opines on why AI use is so bad for us. Then, if you thought with weapons that could destroy the world, there would've been only a small number of accidents over the years: You'd be wrong. On Conspiracy Corner, political science professor Dr. Lee Kuhnle unpacks the numerous accidents that have occurred with nuclear weapons. ⁠(Check out Lee's podcast The Uncover Up here⁠.) For Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday, therapist and social worker Gary Direnfeld is joined by David and foreign correspondent Tony Five to have a frank discussion about grief and loss. Assistant professor of marketing Jin Ho Yun shares details of his study showing that learning via ChatGPT leads to shallower knowledge than using Google search. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:04) Jesse Rogerson pt. 1 (10:00) Jesse Rogerson pt. 2 (20:00) Anastasia Berg (30:00) Dr. Lee Kuhnle pt. 1 (39:50) Dr. Lee Kuhnle pt. 2 (49:50) Gary Direnfeld & Tony Five pt. 1 (59:50) Gary Direnfeld & Tony Five pt. 2 (1:09:50) Jin Ho Yun (1:19:16) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychotherapist ⁠Kat Kova⁠ walks us through ⁠how to support a partner experiencing a dip in sexual desire⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychology researcher ⁠Wim De Neys⁠ explains how he found that ⁠both humans and AI both rate deliberate thinkers as smarter than intuitive ones⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Milena Tsvetkova⁠ from The London School of Economics and Political Science describes how ⁠the visibility of wealth within a person's social circle changes their willingness to tax the rich⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychology professor ⁠Gizem Erdem⁠ highlights ⁠the role of family background and attachment style in shaping whether people romantically cheat⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychology professor ⁠Dr. Aiyana Willard⁠ reveals ⁠how mystical beliefs predict a meaningful life even without organized religion⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ gets personal and speaks about a recent loss, the grief he's currently going through, and how it's been affecting him in unexpected ways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Foreign correspondent Tony Five gets personal and speaks about a recent loss, the grief he's currently going through, and how it's been affecting him in unexpected ways. Psychotherapist Kat Kova walks us through how to support a partner experiencing a dip in sexual desire. Psychology researcher Wim De Neys explains how he found that both humans and AI both rate deliberate thinkers as smarter than intuitive ones. Psychology professor Dr. Aiyana Willard reveals how mystical beliefs predict a meaningful life even without organized religion. Milena Tsvetkova from The London School of Economics and Political Science describes how the visibility of wealth within a person's social circle changes their willingness to tax the rich. Psychology professor Gizem Erdem highlights the role of family background and attachment style in shaping whether people romantically cheat. Sleep neurologist Dr. Rachel Salas outlines what to do if you're struggling to stay awake in work meetings. Professional line-sitter Gigi Principe shares their experience in the profession of queuing. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:09) Tony Five (10:00) Kat Kova (20:00) Wim De Neys (30:00) Dr. Aiyana Willard (39:50) Milena Tsvetkova (49:50) Gizem Erdem (59:50) Dr. Rachel Salas (1:09:50) Gigi Principe (1:18:53) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor of information science, marketing, and psychology ⁠David Rand⁠ explains ⁠how AI chatbots can effectively sway voters in either direction⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For pop culture news, media personality ⁠Caitlin Green⁠ covers: Google's Year in Search for 2025⁠; Spotify Wrapped⁠; The Netflix series Sean Combs: The Reckoning and the Diddy and 50 Cent feud⁠; and who's the a-hole on Christmas⁠. Listen to Caitlin co-hosting The Jann Arden Podcast here⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor ⁠Mike Tipton⁠ from the ⁠Extreme Environments Laboratory⁠ reveals that ⁠despite ice baths booming in popularity, they come with health risks⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marketing professor ⁠Daniel Mirny⁠ discusses ⁠why we remember the source of an opinion better than the source of a fact⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UK-based 'papal lexicology correspondent' ⁠Tony Five⁠ – no that's not a real thing – reports on ⁠the Pope's Wordle secret⁠ and his future trip to the Vatican's 2025 Jubilee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Experimental psychology researcher ⁠Katya Kredl⁠ tells us to ⁠define our dating goals as a new study shows clarity matters for dating satisfaction⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

UK-based 'papal lexicology correspondent' Tony Five – no that's not a real thing – reports on the Pope's Wordle secret and his future trip to the Vatican's 2025 Jubilee. Professor of information science, marketing, and psychology David Rand explains how AI chatbots can effectively sway voters in either direction. Professor Mike Tipton from the Extreme Environments Laboratory reveals that despite ice baths booming in popularity, they come with health risks. Experimental psychology researcher Katya Kredl tells us to define our dating goals as a new study shows clarity matters for dating satisfaction. Marketing professor Daniel Mirny discusses why we remember the source of an opinion better than the source of a fact. For pop culture news, media personality Caitlin Green covers: Google's Year in Search for 2025; Spotify Wrapped; The Netflix series Sean Combs: The Reckoning and the Diddy and 50 Cent feud; and who's the a-hole on Christmas. (⁠⁠Listen to Caitlin co-hosting The Jann Arden Podcast here⁠⁠.) Psychology researcher Alex Yang shares how your child's mess might be a sign of sophisticated algorithmic thinking. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:33) Tony Five (10:00) David Rand (20:00) Mike Tipton (30:00) Katya Kredl (39:50) Daniel Mirny (49:50) Caitlin Green pt. 1 (59:50) Caitlin Green pt. 2 (1:09:50) Alex Yang (1:19:07) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychology professor ⁠⁠Amy Muise⁠⁠ declares the unthinkable: that ⁠⁠scheduling sex leads to increased desire and frequency of the act⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices