Explore every episode of the podcast Stuff To Blow Your Mind

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Michael Denis Higgins, Professor Emeritus of Earth Science at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi and author of the new book “The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: Science, Engineering and Technology.” What was the Colossus of Rhodes, why did it impress the ancient Hellenistic world and how might we recreate it in the modern world? (Originally published 07/27/2023)

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In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss Ridley Scott’s dark fairy tale “Legend,” starring Tom Cruise, Mia Sara and Tim Curry.

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Once more, it's time for a dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...

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In a rapidly evolving AI landscape, open-source models can further accelerate the pace of progress and help expand access to all. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell sits down with Mo Duffy, Software Engineering Manager at Red Hat. 

They discuss InstructLab and the benefits of open-source technology, such as flexible deployment and the ability to enhance transparency, as well as the power of partnerships and collaboration. Mo explains how a community-based approach is essential for developing genuinely open-source AI. 

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 ibm.com/smarttalks

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In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the mysteries and marvels of oar-powered galleys and warships in the ancient Mediterranean world. How many oars did they depend on? How many rowers and how many levels of rowers? And what are we to make of Ptolemy IV Philopator’s 40-oar Tessarakonteres? Find out… 

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What happens when a solar conjunction allows all ant species to unite against their enemies? Find out as Rob and Joe discuss the delightfully weird 1974 film “Phase IV.” (originally published 01/28/2022) 

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The interaction between oil and water has fascinated us since ancient times, and it has factored into practices as diverse as divination rituals and attempts to calm turbulent waters at sea with storm oil. In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the effect of oil on troubled waters. (Originally published 08/03/2023, Part 2 of 2)

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In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe take a street gang odyssey across New York City with 1979’s “The Warriors.” 

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In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the mysteries and marvels of oar-powered galleys and warships in the ancient Mediterranean world. How many oars did they depend on? How many rowers and how many levels of rowers? And what are we to make of Ptolemy IV Philopator’s 40-oar Tessarakonteres? Find out… 

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In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert shares his thoughts on the latest film in the “Alien” Franchise. This episode contains spoilers. 

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In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the mysteries and marvels of oar-powered galleys and warships in the ancient Mediterranean world. How many oars did they depend on? How many rowers and how many levels of rowers? And what are we to make of Ptolemy IV Philopator’s 40-oar Tessarakonteres? Find out… 

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In this Weirdhouse Cinema classic, Rob and Joe watch on as world’s grumpiest detective Rutger Hauer investigates a series of monstrous murders in the climate change-ravaged future of 2008. It features Kim Cattrall, a great monster, flooded tunnels and a fun cast of character actors. (originally published 3/5/2021)

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The interaction between oil and water has fascinated us since ancient times, and it has factored into practices as diverse as divination rituals and attempts to calm turbulent waters at sea with storm oil. In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the effect of oil on troubled waters. (Originally published 07/20/2023, Part 1 of 2)

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In this Weirdhouse Cinema two-parter, Rob and Joe enter the arena to discuss the 1995 video game adaptation “Mortal Kombat,” directed by Paul W. S. Anderson and featuring show favorite Christopher Lambert as Lord Rayden. 

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In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the curious biology of North America’s horned lizard – especially their ability to squirt blood from their eyes – as well as some culture and history surrounding their existence. 

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In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the perfect organism. 

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As AI technology progresses, its impact on our daily lives—including how we consume our favorite sports— will grow alongside it. In this episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Jacob Goldstein, host of Pushkin’s own What’s Your Problem?, sat down with Brian Ryerson, Senior Director of Digital Strategy at the US Tennis Association. They discuss the impact of data on the fan experience, the role that storytelling plays in sports, and how AI has unlocked innovative features, such as AI Commentary and Match Reports.

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://ibm.com/smarttalks

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In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the curious biology of North America’s horned lizard – especially their ability to squirt blood from their eyes – as well as some culture and history surrounding their existence. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe venture into the weird, wild world of Coffin Joe with the 1967 Brazilian horror film “This Night I'll Possess Your Corpse.” (originally published 08/25/2023)

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What exactly is mud? Where does it occur and how does it factor into animal behaviors and human activities? In this classic four-part Stuff to Blow Your Mind exploration, Rob and Joe immerse themselves in the mysteries of mud. (originally published 07/18/2023)

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In this Weirdhouse Cinema two-parter, Rob and Joe enter the arena to discuss the 1995 video game adaptation “Mortal Kombat,” directed by Paul W. S. Anderson and featuring show favorite Christopher Lambert as Lord Rayden. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the facehugger from the “Alien” universe… 

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In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the history, science and legend of the ninja or shinobi. Feudal Japan’s espionage specialists might not have resembled the characters in your favorite action movie, but they’ve become fictionalized staples of global popular culture while keeping to the shadows of history. 

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What has five fingers and is an absolute beast? A disembodied crawling hand, of course! In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1946 horror film “The Beast With Five Fingers” starring Peter Lorre. (originally published 02/04/2022)

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What exactly is mud? Where does it occur and how does it factor into animal behaviors and human activities? In this classic four-part Stuff to Blow Your Mind exploration, Rob and Joe immerse themselves in the mysteries of mud. (originally published 07/13/2023)

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In this 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. 

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In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the history, science and legend of the ninja or shinobi. Feudal Japan’s espionage specialists might not have resembled the characters in your favorite action movie, but they’ve become fictionalized staples of global popular culture while keeping to the shadows of history. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the xenomorph egg or ovomorph from the Alien universe… 

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In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the history, science and legend of the ninja or shinobi. Feudal Japan’s espionage specialists might not have resembled the characters in your favorite action movie, but they’ve become fictionalized staples of global popular culture while keeping to the shadows of history. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Weirdhouse Cinema Rewind, Rob and Joe return to the wild world of Taiwanese 80s cinema, this time with “Child of Peach.” It’s a frantic, action-packed fairytale full of demons, glowing peaches and magic children. (originally published 03/17/2023)

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What exactly is mud? Where does it occur and how does it factor into animal behaviors and human activities? In this classic four-part Stuff to Blow Your Mind exploration, Rob and Joe immerse themselves in the mysteries of mud. (originally published 07/11/2023)

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In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe dive back into the colorful filmography of Mario Bava for a rare peplum horror movie. It’s 1961’s “Hercules in the Haunted World,” starring Reg Park, Christopher Lee and Leonora Ruffo.

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In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the history, science and legend of the ninja or shinobi. Feudal Japan’s espionage specialists might not have resembled the characters in your favorite action movie, but they’ve become fictionalized staples of global popular culture while keeping to the shadows of history.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the deadly neomorphs of the “Alien” universe… 

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In this 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. 

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In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1981 Ray Harryhausen stop-motion epic “Clash of the Titans,” which also happens to star a bunch of notable human actors as well. (originally published 03/10/2023)

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What exactly is mud? Where does it occur and how does it factor into animal behaviors and human activities? In this classic four-part Stuff to Blow Your Mind exploration, Rob and Joe immerse themselves in the mysteries of mud. (originally published 07/06/2023)

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In this 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.” 

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In this 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. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the so-called Trilobite and Deacon creatures from the “Alien” universe… 

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Major breakthroughs in artificial intelligence research often reshape the design and utility of Al in both business and society. In this special rebroadcast episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Goldstein explore the conceptual underpinnings of modern Al with Dr. David Cox, VP of Al models at IBM Research. They talk foundation models, self-supervised machine learning, and the practical applications of Al and data platforms like watsonx in business and technology.

When we first aired this episode last year, the concept of foundation models was just beginning to capture our attention. Since then, this technology has evolved and redefined the boundaries of what's possible. Businesses are becoming more savvy about selecting the right models and understanding how they can drive revenue and efficiency.

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 ibm.com/smarttalks

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In this 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.” 

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On this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the world of Spanish horror with another Paul Naschy movie: 1981’s “Night of the Werewolf.” This time, Naschy’s tragic werewolf character Count Waldemar Daninsky goes up against vampire Countess Elizabeth Báthory! (originally published 07/14/2023)

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Long before such things were possible, our ancestors envisioned artificial heads that were capable of speech. In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the journey from ancient tales of artifice and wizardry to the early breakthroughs in speech synthesis technology. (originally published 06/29/2023)

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In this 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! 

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In this 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. 

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In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the deadly alien pathogen Agent A0-3959X.91–15 from the “Alien” universe.

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In this 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. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once more, it's time for a weekly dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.