FULL EPISODE: Stuffies In Space - February 13, 2026

It's news from outer space and professor Sarah Rugheimer covering: First evidence of a subsurface lava tube on Venus; and US astronaut to take her 3-year-old's cuddly rabbit into space. (⁠⁠⁠⁠Listen to Sarah's Audible Original Searching for Extraterrestrial Life here⁠⁠⁠⁠.) Experimental psychology researcher and flirting expert ⁠Braden Hall⁠ reveals how narcissistic students perceive student-professor flirting as less morally troubling. Marketing professor Dr. Ashley Hass – cofounder of the [Dis]connect Collective – discusses social media burnout and digital wellbeing. Based on his upcoming book Turning Away, author and English professor Benjamin Saltzman chats about the ancient gesture we sometimes do when someone is in need. Psychiatrist Carol Vidal goes over what data from 560,000 students reveals: a disturbing mental health shift after 2016. Comedian Natalie Norman and David wonder if Valentine's Day is overrated and talk about how they've spent (and will be spending) the day. The two cover the following offbeat news stories: British Airways passenger hands out drugged sweets to crew, 3 rushed to hospital; and Fast-food chain Raising Cane's files lawsuit as landlord tries to evict them for chicken smell. In advance of Valentine's Day, experimental psychology researcher ⁠⁠⁠⁠Madison Williams⁠⁠ and David discuss high-tech sex toy options for couples and single folks to try out for the occasion.

Segments:

• (00:00) Introduction
• (01:22) Sarah Rugheimer
• (10:00) Braden Hall
• (20:00) Dr. Ashley Hass
• (30:00) Benjamin Saltzman
• (39:50) Carol Vidal
• (49:50) Natalie Norman pt. 1
• (59:50) Natalie Norman pt. 2
• (1:09:50) Madison Williams
• (1:18:49) Sign-off

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