Wonder Cupboard asks what science is, how it works, and how it came to be. Elena Falco and Ian Bridgeman present a new topic on the history and philosophy of science every episode.
What's that burning smell? The BBQ or your shoulders? Elena and Ian delve into the history, and often dubious science, of sunbathing and find scouts, hats, and granola along the way. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
29 Jun 2020
017 – Air Conditioning
Is it me or is it hot in here? Elena and Ian try to keep their cool as they find out how A/C came to be, and the surprising ways it's changed our world. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
4 Jun 2020
016 – Ice
Ice, Ice, Baby. Not just lyrics from one of history’s great musicians, but also the topic of this episode. Elena and Ian take a cold, hard look at how chilling changed the world. Cool story, bro. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
27 Apr 2020
015 – Are Viruses Alive?
Not THAT virus. Well, yes, that one too, but not specifically. All of them, actually. Elena and Ian take a look at life and times of these vivacious virions by asking what it means to be alive at all… If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
4 Apr 2020
014 – Beauty Part 2 with Simon Watt
Imagine a perfect rhino. Done it? Great. Keep it in mind while Elena and Ian are joined by the Level Up Human podcast's Simon Watt, to discuss what we're really doing when we look for beauty in nature. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
4 Feb 2020
013 – Beauty Part 1 with Sabine Hossenfelder
Phwoar, that equation, huh? Look at the numbers on that! No scientist has ever said this, hopefully, so why are there so-called 'beautiful' theories? Elena and Ian peruse this polynomial pageant, joined by theoretical physicist Sabine Hossenfelder, author of 'Lost In Math' and science blog Backreaction. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
26 Dec 2019
012 – Merry Christmas
'Tis the season… for science and reason! Well, that's what the Victorians thought at least. Elena and Ian take a look at how science and Christmas became fashionable pals in the 19th Century. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
1 Dec 2019
011 – Vaccines and Power
Vaccines are great, but not everyone agrees. Elena and Ian take a jab at finding out why and when we began our preoccupation with inoculation. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
13 Oct 2019
010 – Do We Live in a Simulation?
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? A veritable landslide of such questions await you in this episode, which Elena and Ian wish to clarify is surprisingly, and almost entirely, Matrix-free™. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
19 May 2019
009 – Lab Coats
When did scientists start wearing white coats? Why do doctors wear them too? And are they strictly necessary in toothpaste commercials? Elena and Ian don their most fashionable lab jackets to look at the life and times of science's iconic wardrobe. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
14 Feb 2019
008 – Valentine's Special: Mamie & Kenneth
Mamie and Kenneth Clark's work in psychology was instrumental in the fight to ban racial segregation in US schools. For Valentine's Day, Elena and Ian tell the story of one of their favourite scientific couples. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
29 Jan 2019
007 – What Are Numbers?
What are they though? And where do they come from? Did someone invent them? Elena and Ian attempt to answer countless such questions in an episode critics are already rating Pi out of Planck. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
12 Dec 2018
006 – Mesmerism
Elena and Ian find out how one man and his impressive finger sparked the genesis of hypnosis and psychotherapy. Some waterfowl were harmed in the making of this episode.
11 Sept 2018
005 – What's the Language of Science?
Elena and Ian look at the languages science speaks… and the difficulties of writing them down. Guest starring: Galileo, Newton and the Fairy Pitta. This episode was recorded in celebration of peer review week: the planet's premier 7-day festival of intra-field regulation.
30 Aug 2018
004 – Flat Earth
And Round Earth. And Hollow Earth. And Treasure Chest Earth. Elena and Ian attempt to work out who thought the earth was shaped like what, and when. It's not as simple as you'd think. | Music credit: Tony Klarich / tonyklarich.com
15 Jul 2018
003 – Sexy Plants
Plants, eh? Phoar. Elena and Ian find out why botany became scandalously sexy for a whole century. Features two rude words and some extremely questionable poetry.
22 Mar 2018
002 – Why Does Science Work?
Elena and Ian take a look at why science works, before getting embroiled in a boxing/wrestling match between realists and instrumentalists. Typical.
19 Mar 2018
001 – Galileo
Elena and Ian don their gowns, before rebelliously taking them off again, in order to discuss the life and times of Galileo Galilei: scientist, lover, and all-round renaissance man (literally).
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