Live from the Poundstone Institute
Paula Poundstone is on a quest to gather all of the world's knowledge. Or, as she puts it, "to get less stupid, one topic at a time." Follow her search as she looks to scientists, researchers, and experts for evidence about everything from what music cats like to the fluid dynamics of spilling coffee. "Every week, we'll keep looking for knowledge," says Paula, "because we know we left it somewhere."
Episodes
Does Boardwalk Make You a Jerk?
Researchers learn that a game of Monopoly can turn a normal person into Gordon Gekko. Also, can a pissing contest create a great Physicist? And, the legendary Lily Tomlin takes the Poundstone Personality Psurvey.
14/10/17•36m 39s
Is Poochy Stealing the Covers?
This week, new research determines whether dogs sleep better on the floor, or in your giant new sleigh bed. Also, should you feel sorry for telling someone you're sorry? And, Visiting Scholar Ed Begley, Jr. peer reviews research that suggests an unlikely candidate for history's greatest environmentalist.
07/10/17•33m 6s
How Long Can You Dunk?
This week we find out if money can buy happiness and is there a science to Oreo dunking. Plus country music superstar Trisha Yearwood joins us to share her expertise on kissing.
30/09/17•32m 54s
What the BLEEP are you doing?
This week we talk to a researcher who has determined the key to happiness is talking to strangers on the subway. (We do not talk to him on the subway.) Also, we learn how curse words might make you stronger. All that plus filmmaker John Waters joins us to take our personality test.
16/09/17•34m 45s
Who Started the Super Soaker Arms Race?
This week, former NASA engineer Mark Rober invents the world's largest Super Soaker water gun, along with other projects that make him the Most Admired Man among 7-year-olds everywhere. Also, Comedian Kevin Nealon takes the Poundstone Personality Psurvey to find out what trail snack he'd be.
09/09/17•24m 23s
Our Test Tube Runneth Over: A Bonus Mini-Episode
Dick Cavett shares a great story about the legendary Jack Benny, while the Institute is closed for Freshman Orientation. We'll be back with a full new episode next week.
02/09/17•2m 31s
Am I Wishing For a Germ Bath?
This week, researchers measure how much bacteria is generated by blowing out birthday candles, handling restaurant menus, and double dipping chips. Also, why a banana may never smell the same again; and Girls Trip star Tiffany Haddish takes the Poundstone Personality Psurvey.
26/08/17•33m 4s
Are You a Boy or a Girl, Yertle?
This week, scientists discover a stimulating way to determine a turtle's gender. Also, an Eclipse Chaser helps prepare for this week's total solar eclipse, and Pixar Director Pete Docter takes the Poundstone Personality Psurvey.
19/08/17•34m 25s
Why Is Fluffy Looking At Me Like That?
This week, we talk to a scientist who does feline personality profiling--also known as purrsonality profiling--and we learn what big cats and small cats have in common. Plus: we talk to a man who's getting implanted with a microchip to make purchasing snacks easier. And comedian Tig Notaro joins us to take our personality test.
12/08/17•32m 37s
Can I Eat That?
We talk to a scientist who has determined once and for all if the Five Second Rule really works, and we discuss the latest findings on sexy scientists. Plus: the great David Sedaris joins us to take our personality test.
05/08/17•27m 38s
Do I Need A Bath?
We learn all about Forest Bathing, which is a real thing, and it could improve your health. Also, we learn why having a messy desk might be a sign of genius. Plus: Saturday Night Live legend Dana Carvey joins us to take our personality test (and to do some really great impressions).
29/07/17•34m 48s
How Long Are You Gonna Be In There?
We learn from a professor who actually teaches a class about identifying B.S., and we talk to a researcher who made a fascinating discovery about... pee. Plus: late night legend Jay Leno joins us to take our personality test.
22/07/17•35m 5s
Is That T-Rex Coming On To Me?
This week, a paleontologist tells us all about Tyrannosaurus sex, otherwise known as T-Sex. And we talk to a researcher who played Rush Limbaugh and Rachel Maddow to wild animals, for a very good scientific reason. Plus, former Daily Show correspondent and host of The Nightly Show Larry Wilmore drops by to take our patented personality test.
15/07/17•34m 14s
Does Science Think You're Pretty?
First episode ever! We ask a researcher if we're as pretty as we think we are, and we talk to a man who goes around swabbing surfers, for science. Plus, TV legend Dick Cavett takes our personality test. Spoiler alert: he passes.
08/07/17•35m 39s
Paula Poundstone's new show launches July 8
Paula Poundstone is on a quest to gather all of the world's knowledge. Or at least to get less stupid, one topic at a time. Follow her search as she looks to scientists, researchers, and experts for evidence about everything from what music cats like to the fluid dynamics of spilling coffee. Subscribe now.
18/05/17•3m 27s
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Heart UK