On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem is joined by Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren to conclude their discussion of the situation in historic Palestine. Laura describes barriers to access food and water imposed by the government of Israel on both Gaza and the West Bank. Gem contrasts popular working definitions of … Continue reading Episode 206: Palestine, Part 2 →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem is joined by Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura in the first part of a two part discussion of the history and current situation in historic Palestine. Gem provides an overview of the October 7th attacks and the Israeli military response, Ashlyn summarizes the history of … Continue reading Episode 205: Palestine, Part 1 →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, the crew discusses common misconceptions: Gem corrects cardiac confusion, Ashlyn advocates for accommodations, and Lauren lambasts linguistic prescriptivism. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Heart Conditions: Cardiac Arrest (Johns Hopkins Medicine) | Heart Failure … Continue reading Episode 204: More Misconceptions →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura discuss some summer-themed nonsense and Gem entertains the panel with an obscure patent that may just fix policing. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. NatPat: NATPAT Health and Wellness Patches … Continue reading Episode 203: Hot Bullsh*t Summer →

Originally published 22 February 2021. On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Laura, Gem, and Lauren discuss soup’s history as a religious conversion tool, the science of bone broth, and the discredited claim that bat soup was responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, then everyone attempts (and fails!) to define what, exactly, … Continue reading LUEE Rerun 165: SoupCast! →

Originally published 13 January 2020. On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Laura leads Ashlyn, Lauren, and Gem in a discussion of the history and science of sandwiches, then everyone attempts (and fails!) to define what, exactly, makes something a sandwich. On this episode: Ashlyn maintains that open-faced sandwiches do not exist, … Continue reading LUEE Rerun 152: SandwichCast! →

On this special bonus episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn Noble and Lauren Bailey share Gem’s valedictory address to the University of Manitoba Medicine Class of 2024 and discuss the fallout thereof. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Contact Us: Email … Continue reading Bonus: A Very Special Episode →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Lauren, Ashlyn, and Laura discuss the impact of large language models and other forms of generative AI on culture and scientific endeavours. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Note: Content warning for discussion … Continue reading Episode 202: Generative AI and Semantic Grey Goo →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Laura talk about people who were disbelieved but were eventually vindicated. Topics include pilot David Steeves’ missing airplane, singer Sinéad O’Connor public denunciation of the Catholic Church, neurologist Stanley Prusiner’s discovery of prions, and neuropathologist Bennet Omalu’s findings of CTEs in … Continue reading Episode 201: See, I told you so! →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Laura, and Lauren discuss the history of the show, comment on some of their favourite segments from episodes past, and finally get around to introducing themselves properly. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and … Continue reading Episode 200: Shades of Grey →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Lauren, Ashlyn, Laura, and Gem discuss paranormal events and other mysteries that have recently been explained by science, including the Dyatlov Pass Incident, the Blood Rain of Kerala, the Bermuda Triangle, and how the Romans managed to make such excellent concrete. Life, the Universe & … Continue reading Episode 199: Definitely Not a Yeti →

On this special bonus episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem Newman discusses the scientific evidence in favour of allowing trans youth to socially transition and the concrete steps that parents and teachers can take to support trans kids. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of … Continue reading Bonus Episode: Mental Health After Social Transition →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura discuss sex and gender from a scientific and historical perspective, with a focus on the health and wellbeing of trans folks. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Content Warning: … Continue reading Episode 198: The Gender Agenda (is to stay alive) →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and special guest Dave Bonwick discuss Eric Hovind’s “Night at the Creation Museum”, a short film promoting Young Earth Creationism: the view that the universe and everything in it was created by the Christian God a little over 6000 years ago. … Continue reading Episode 197: “Night at the Creation Museum” →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, it’s another cryptid spectacular! Gem relates the story of the Mothman of West Virginia, Ashlyn tells the tale of a naturalist lost at sea, Lauren explains why driving while exhausted isn’t such a good idea, and Laura introduces everyone to the most pitiful cryptid of … Continue reading Episode 196: Stellar’s Squonkman →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Laura are joined by Marissa McCool to discuss some of the ways science and society have changed in the last two decades. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Taste Buds: … Continue reading Episode 195: Pure Diplodocus Erasure →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and Gem continue their discussion of modern evangelical crusaders, with a focus on Billy Graham and Youth with a Mission. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Youth with a Mission: YWAM … Continue reading Episode 194: Even More Evangelicals! →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem is joined by Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and returning guest Kyle Joseph to discuss Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, some of the very worst televangelists. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Pat Robertson: Pat … Continue reading Episode 193: PRIDE (Pat Robertson is Dead, Everybody!) →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren continue their discussion of products marketed to podcast listeners. On part two, Lauren does some composting with Lomi and Ashlyn discusses Noom’s approach to weight-loss. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science … Continue reading Episode 192: Unsponsored Content, Part 2 →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren discuss some of the products marketed to our listeners through ads on (other) podcasts. In part one, Gem subjects the panel to MUD\WTR and Laura tosses back some AG1 by Athletic Greens. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a … Continue reading Episode 191: Unsponsored Content, Part 1 →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and Dave watch C Me Dance, 2009’s hit Christian film about a ballerina with cancer who gets magic powers. Then Gem answers some questions about AI. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science … Continue reading Episode 190: The Christ Touch →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Lauren, Ashlyn, Laura, and Gem are skeptical about historical claims large and small. Was there really a secret Roman emperor named Sponsianus? Did the Dutch really go wild for tulips in the seventeenth century? Are you in a black hole right now? Life, the Universe … Continue reading Episode 189: Calvinist Tulips and Super Enormous Black Holes →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Laura talk about more scams and scam artists, featuring a famous surgeon, a wine counterfeiter, a Canadian investment fund, and of course that Republican politician everyone’s talking about. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection … Continue reading Episode 188: The Pope’s Personal Physician →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Lauren, Ashlyn, and Laura discuss the most important news of the twelve months. Who died? What were tech companies up to? And most importantly: Who brought snacks? Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. … Continue reading Episode 187: Last Year’s News →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, it’s cancel or be cancelled! Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, Gem, and special guest Kyle Joseph discuss a few people who really deserve a good cancelling. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Wednesday Night Wallop Podcast: … Continue reading Episode 186: LUEE Gets Cancelled →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem subjects Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and Dave to a documentary of questionable quality. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Links: Sasquatch Unearthed: The Ridge – The Sinister Truth Revealed (YouTube) Contact Us: Email | … Continue reading Episode 185: They forgot to reveal the sinister truth! →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and Marissa test each other’s knowledge of creation myths, fall foods, historical clocks, anthropology, and medicine. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Creation Myths: Enuma Elish: The Oldest Written Creation … Continue reading Episode 184: Revenge of the Quiz Show! →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura discuss scientific advances that give them hope for the future, and Gem issues a correction. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. The HIV Vaccine: NIH launches clinical trial of three … Continue reading Episode 183: Hope (to replace every tree with a chest freezer) →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura give a primer on some astronomical pseudosciences, including astrology, the expanding Earth theory, the hollow Earth hypothesis, and the effects of the full moon on human health. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection … Continue reading Episode 182: He’s not a scientist, okay? →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn is joined by Lauren, Gem, and Laura to discuss the amazing hidden science behind common objects and phenomena, including coloured glass, toilets, foam, and placebos. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Coloured Glass: … Continue reading Episode 181: The Extraordinary Science of Everyday Things →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Marissa McCool leads Lauren, Ashlyn, Laura, and Gem on an exploration of ideas as “icebergs”, with layers of hidden secrets just below the surface. Topics of discussion include US cities, the sinking of the Titanic, artificial sweeteners, and the curse of the pharaohs. Life, the … Continue reading Episode 180: “Icebergs” →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Laura share things that they wish they had never learned. Warning: this episode contains parasites! Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. The Curse of Knowledge: Curse of knowledge (Wikipedia) | … Continue reading Episode 179: Cursed Knowledge →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem introduces the panel to Dr. Henry Cotton, a pioneer in the field of “psychiatric surgical bacteriology”, Lauren provides a biographical sketch of Magnus Hirschfeld and his Institute of Sex Research, Laura discusses the supposed health consequences of eating “fried foods”, and Ashlyn does a … Continue reading Episode 178: The Worst Tooth Fairy →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn and Gem are joined by Kennadie Chaudhary and Teale Phelps Bondaroff to discuss the AccessBC’s campaign for free contraception and some of the arguments made by critics of the campaign. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of … Continue reading Episode 177: Contraception Should Be Free →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Lauren, Ashlyn, Laura, and Gem discuss medical scams, including Miracle Mineral Solution, urine therapy (i.e., drinking your own pee), Trina Health’s dubious treatment for diabetes, and Dr. Zamboni’s Liberation Therapy for multiple sclerosis. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the … Continue reading Episode 176: 🎵 Dontcha put it in your mouth! 🎶 →

Life, the Universe & Everything Else is taking the month of January off, but here’s a little Something Nice to tide you over! Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Contact Us: Email | Twitter | Facebook Listen: Direct Link | Apple Podcasts | Google … Continue reading January Update →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Lauren, Ashlyn, and Laura talk scams and con artists: Gem reads from a novel that somehow topped the New York Times bestseller list without anyone ever buying it, Laura covers a gang of thieves trying to make an end-run around Canada’s maple syrup monopsony, … Continue reading Episode 175: Grifters, Scamps, and Thieves →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn introduces everyone to the most famous monster from West Virginia not named “Joe Manchin”, Lauren talks about colonialist brontosaurus-hunters, Gem reminds everyone of that time a used car salesman murdered Bigfoot, and Laura gives a low key defence of cryptozoology. Life, the Universe & … Continue reading Episode 174: The Assassination of Bigfoot by the Coward Rick Dyer →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem is joined by Ashlyn, Laura, and Lauren to talk about social contagion and unpack the sociological, psychological, and sometimes pseudoscientific history of “hysteria”. Topics include the Tanganyika laughter epidemic, the Dancing Plague of 1518, and the Seattle windshield pitting epidemic. Life, the Universe & … Continue reading Episode 173: Social Contagion and Psychogenic Illness →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Gem, Lauren, and Laura engage in a battle of wits over today’s most important scientific topics: eels, climate change, and… Jim Henson movies? Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Eels: Surprised Eel Historian, … Continue reading Episode 172: Quiz Show XP →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Laura is joined by Gem, Ashlyn, and Lauren to discuss Morgellons syndrome, adrenal fatigue, Wilson’s temperature syndrome, and candida overgrowth, four medical diagnoses with dubious supporting evidence. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Morgellons … Continue reading Episode 171: Dubious Diagnoses →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, and Lauren revisit Seaspiracy and discuss transnational organized crime in the international fisheries industry with returning guest Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Director of Research for Oceans Asia. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and … Continue reading Episode 170: Fish Crime! →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, and Lauren speak with Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff, the Research Coordinator for the BC Humanist Association, about his research into unconstitutional governmental prayer in Canada. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Links: … Continue reading Episode 169: Legislative Prayer →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and Gem watch the Netflix documentary Seaspiracy, and find that they have more to say about it than they expected! Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Additional Music: This episode includes … Continue reading Episode 168: “Seaspiracy” →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura swap tales from medical history, including the story of Ben Carson’s separation of the Binder twins, the legacy of Henrietta Lacks, and the “tainted blood scandal” that led to the formation of Canadian Blood Services. Life, the Universe & Everything … Continue reading Episode 167: Medical History →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Laura leads Ashlyn, Gem, and Lauren in a discussion of the wellness industry, including a brief detour into QAnon conspiracies, and together the panel tries to figure out what wellness even is, anyway. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the … Continue reading Episode 166: The Wellness Industry →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Laura, Gem, and Lauren discuss soup’s history as a religious conversion tool, the science of bone broth, and the discredited claim that bat soup was responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, then everyone attempts (and fails!) to define what, exactly, makes something a soup. Life, … Continue reading Episode 165: SoupCast! →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Laura leads the panel in a discussion of food aid, both foreign and domestic, and the ways in which the global pandemic has influenced the delivery of services. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. … Continue reading Episode 164: Food Aid →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Laura, Lauren, and Gem discuss people who push their bodies to the limit, including saturation divers, ultramarathoners, mountaineers, and stratospheric skydivers. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Additional Music: “Friends” by Dragon Sound, … Continue reading Episode 163: Limitless →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Laura leads the panel on a discussion of several nutrition myths that just won’t die. Topics include expiry dates, nightshades, and pink salt. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Expiry Dates: Expiration Dates Don’t … Continue reading Episode 162: Nutrition Myths →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Laura, and Lauren lead Gem on a whirlwind tour of various prophecies and prophets, including the caged prophet of St. Lambert’s Church, the Prophecy of the Popes, and blind soothsayer who supposedly predicted that Trump would get COVID-19. Life, the Universe & Everything Else … Continue reading Episode 161: Prophecy →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren discuss the plausibility of hauntings, then do a deep dive on the true (and not-so-true) stories behind the Amityville Horror and the Coventry University Ghost. Then Ashlyn brings the show home with her thoughts on why COVID quarantine seems to … Continue reading Episode 160: Hauntings →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem is joined by Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura to discuss the history of policing in Canada. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police: Historical events in RCMP-Indigenous relations (Royal Canadian … Continue reading Episode 159: Policing in Canada →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Gem, Laura, and Lauren discuss the history of several public health initiatives: handwashing, toothbrushing, and nutrient fortification of food. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Updated: During his segment, Gem mistakenly said “postpartum … Continue reading Episode 158: Public Health History →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem is joined by Ashlyn, Laura, Lauren, and special guest Ian James to discuss several famous UFO sightings that turned out (in large part) to be hoaxes. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Past … Continue reading Episode 157: UFPhonies →

With their usual trivia night cancelled due to COVID quarantine, on this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else Gem, Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren put together one of their own. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Computers: B (programming language) (Wikipedia) | C … Continue reading Episode 156: Wrath of the Quiz Show! →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Laura discuss the charlatans and snake oil salesmen trying to profit off of the COVID-19 pandemic. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Links: Researchers are tracking another pandemic, … Continue reading Episode 155: COVID Quacks →

Lauren hosts and Laura edits on this topsy-turvy episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else! The gang discusses New Religious Movements: Lauren relates their experience with Discordianism, Laura is over the moon for the Moonies, Gem expresses his disgust for the Internet’s own Cult of Kek, and Ashlyn provides a primer on Pastafarianism. Then … Continue reading Episode 154: New Religious Movements →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren are joined by Dave Bonwick to discuss The Game Changers, a Netflix documentary that advocates for the healthfulness of a vegan diet. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and … Continue reading Episode 153: “The Game Changers” →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Laura leads Ashlyn, Lauren, and Gem in a discussion of the history and science of sandwiches, then everyone attempts (and fails!) to define what, exactly, makes something a sandwich. On this episode: Ashlyn maintains that open-faced sandwiches do not exist, Gem argues that soup in … Continue reading Episode 152: SandwichCast! →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and Gem escape winter briefly to talk about summery things: sunscreen, butterflies, the summer solstice, and whether drinking hot tea can really cool you down. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, … Continue reading Episode 151: July at Christmas →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Lauren, Ashlyn, and Laura discuss the ongoing Holocene Extinction through the lens of four extinct species, and conservation through the lens of four endangered species. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular … Continue reading Episode 150: The Anthropocene Extinction →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn is joined by Gem, Laura, and Lauren to discuss skeptical paranormal challenges. After Ashlyn’s overview, Lauren introduces Abraham Kovoor’s challenge, Laura talks about Joseph Dunninger, and Gem covers Sanal Edamaruku’s Great Tantra Challenge. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves … Continue reading Episode 149: Paranormal Challenges →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem talks about Anthroposophic medicine and some of the weird myths it promotes, Lauren discusses medicalization, Laura busts some myths about food, and Ashlyn quizzes the panel about sexually transmitted infections. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of … Continue reading Episode 148: Medical Myths →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem presents Laura with a dozen or so of William Carpenter’s One Hundred Proofs That the Earth Is Not a Globe. She is… unconvinced. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Links: … Continue reading Bonus Episode: One Hundred Proofs →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and Gem get conspiratorial! Lauren gives everyone the rundown on QAnon, Laura presents three food-related conspiracies, and Ashlyn explains why the Denver Airport is full of weird (but probably not Satanic) art. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that … Continue reading Episode 147: More Conspiracies! →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn explains standardized testing in Canadian high schools, Lauren introduces the SAT and ACT, Gem rambles about the MCAT, and Laura asks some pointed questions about citizenship testing. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, … Continue reading Episode 146: Standardized Testing →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Laura watch the Netflix documentary “Behind the Curve”, which follows a group of “flerfers” out to prove that the Earth is flat. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular … Continue reading Episode 145: “Behind the Curve” →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem talks about Google’s search autocomplete feature, then Lauren, Ashlyn, Laura, and Gem answer twenty of the most popular questions suggested by Google. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Correction: When … Continue reading Episode 144: Twenty Questions →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn leads a discussion of culture in nonhuman animals. Laura discusses tool use, Lauren talks about crows, and Gem talks about the destructive effect humans have on chimpanzee culture. And everyone has bad opinions about sandwiches. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast … Continue reading Episode 143: Animal Culture →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Lauren, Ashlyn, and Laura discuss rare diseases and regulatory responses to them. Specific diseases discussed include diabetes insipidus, toxic shock syndrome, and the Cotard delusion. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular … Continue reading Episode 142: Rare Diseases →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, Laura, and special guest Dave compete to see who knows most about myths, riddles, hippos, and this very podcast! Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Beginnings and Endings: … Continue reading Episode 141: Return of the Quiz Show Show! →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Lauren, Laura, and Ashlyn dive into three unscientific practices: flower remedies, feng shui, and iridology. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Flower Remedies: The Original Bach Flower Remedies Information and … Continue reading Episode 140: Three Pseudosciences →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and Gem talk about several elements of the holiday consumer frenzy. Lauren tackles gift guides, Gem explains why corporations love gift cards, Ashlyn talks about holiday debt, and Laura ends the show with a discussion of some truly bizarre holiday products. Life, … Continue reading Episode 139: The Unnecessary Christmas Show →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura talk about the history and reliability of Wikipedia and its many controversies, then end the episode with some of our favourite Wikipedia finds. Also on this episode: Lauren and Gem disagree about punctuation, and Laura does a lot of yelling … Continue reading Episode 138: Wikipedia →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Laura discuss science fiction technologies that have become science fact, and Gem depresses the hell out of everyone. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Links: Power Glove … Continue reading Episode 137: Where’s My Jetpack? →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren discuss the history and future of patent medicine, from snake oil and Piso’s Cure for Consumption through Bovinine and bitters all the way to the Burzynski Clinic. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues … Continue reading Episode 136: Patent Medicine →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Gem, Laura, and Lauren put their personalities to the test, explore the history of the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator, and try to determine whether any of these personality tests are actually science-based. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues … Continue reading Episode 135: Personality Testing →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem is joined by Ashlyn, Laura, and Lauren to discuss the unfolding replication crisis in science, with a focus on several high profile psychological studies whose results have been called into question. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues … Continue reading Episode 134: Replication Crisis! →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Lauren explores the great hucksters of history with Laura and Ashlyn—and Gem’s back! Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Links: Radionics (Wikipedia) | Albert Abrams (Wikipedia) | The Untold Story of … Continue reading Episode 133: Notorious Hucksters →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Laura, and Lauren discuss and evaluate dubious “life hacks” they found online. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Links: 9 Crazy Body Hacks That Give You Superhuman Powers (Popular Science) … Continue reading Episode 132: Life Hacks →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn subjects Lauren, Laura, and Dave to “Mermaids: The Body Found”, a fake documentary that aired on Animal Plant and Discovery Channel in 2012, which combines discredited pseudoscience with stuff that the producers just made up. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast … Continue reading Episode 131: “Mermaids: The Body Found” →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren discuss three unusual nutritional devices: the Nima gluten sensor, the Vitastiq electroacupuncture vitamin sensor, and the SCiO pocket molecular scanner. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Links: … Continue reading Episode 130: Nutritional Devices →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura discuss some of the myths and scandals surrounding the Olympic Games. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Links: North Korea at the Olympics (Wikipedia) | Olympics and … Continue reading Episode 129: The Olympics →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Laura, and Lauren talk about real conspiracies and cover-ups perpetrated by corporations and the government. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Links: Lack of fluoride in Calgary drinking water … Continue reading Episode 128: Real Conspiracies →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn subjects Lauren, Gem, and Laura to a viewing of Kirk Cameron’s 2014 evangelical holiday film, Saving Christmas. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Links: Saving Christmas (Wikipedia) | Kirk Cameron … Continue reading Episode 127: Save Us from “Saving Christmas” →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Lauren, Laura, and Ashlyn take listener requests! The panel discusses trans fats, the gender pay gap, password security, and an exciting form of health pseudoscience called the physiospect. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical … Continue reading Episode 126: Trans Fats, the Pay Gap, Passwords, Physiospect →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, recorded live at SkeptiCamp, Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and Gem test their knowledge (and that of the audience) in a variety of scientific and pseudoscientific domains. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. … Continue reading Episode 125: Revenge of the Quiz Show Show! →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Laura, and Lauren discuss several important scientific, technological, and mathematical discoveries made in the ancient world. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Note: We experienced some technical difficulties near … Continue reading Episode 124: Ancient Discoveries →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn talks heresy with Laura, Gem, and Lauren. Heretics discussed include Hypatia of Alexandria, Roger Bacon, Baruch Spinoza, Charles Darwin, and Giordano Bruno. Also on this episode, Gem drones on about ancient writing materials and the sizes of various libraries for some reason. Life, the … Continue reading Episode 123: Heretics →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem discusses UFO sightings and claims of otherworldly visitation with Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. SkeptiCamp: If you’d like to present at SkeptiCamp, send an email … Continue reading Episode 122: UFOs →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Laura talk about yet another conspiracy film, and Gem closes out the episode with an Alex Jones–themed quiz. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Links: No more … Continue reading Episode 121: “Dreams from My Real Father” →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, and Gem discuss fad diets with host Laura Creek Newman, our resident Registered Dietitian. Topics covered in detail include the Paleo Diet, the Sweet Potato Diet, the Blood Type Diet, and The China Study. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program … Continue reading Episode 120: Fad Diets →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Laura, Gem, and Lauren talk about the history and practice of chiropractic medicine, then Ashlyn hosts a game of -ology A–Z! Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced by the Winnipeg Skeptics. Links: … Continue reading Episode 119: Chiropractic →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, and Lauren are joined by Mark Forkheim to talk about the sensory system and do some science along the way! Ashlyn, Lauren, and Gem try sensory isolation, and the episode features live experiments with sensory interference and a miracle fruit taste test. Life, … Continue reading Episode 118: The Senses →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Laura, Lauren, and Brendan discuss a few of the many myths and conspiracy theories endorsed by Donald Trump, and Brendan points out that a simple fact check isn’t enough. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific … Continue reading Episode 117: Trump →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Laura, Gem, and Lauren talk about how bad we are at assessing risk. Also on this episode: Do we get more risk averse as we get older? Is margarine going to kill you, or will a hippopotamus get you first? Will the world end … Continue reading Episode 116: Risk →

On the Life, the Universe & Everything Else Holiday Special, Brendan Curran-Johnson joins Gem, Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren to talk about charitable giving, including how an organization qualifies as a charity, how to maximize the good your contributions can do, and some of the questionable practices of the most popular charities. The episode concludes with … Continue reading Episode 115: Holiday Charity Special →

On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Laura review Ray Comfort’s new “documentary” with special guests Ash Burkowski and David Bonwick, and the panel bids farewell to evangelical cartoonist Jack Chick with a game of Jack or Fiction. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting … Continue reading Episode 114: Ray Comfort’s “Atheist Delusion” →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, we’re trying something completely different! Are rich people harvesting organs from clones? Did Hitler fake his own death (six times)? Are CIA remote viewers peering inside your mind? Join Ashlyn and Lauren as they watch “Unsealed: Conspiracy Files” to find out! Life, the Universe & … Continue reading Episode 113: “Unsealed: Conspiracy Files” →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, we discuss ancient astronauts and the space-alien pseudohistories of Erich von Däniken, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Raëlians. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced by the Winnipeg Skeptics. Correction: The Garden of Eden … Continue reading Episode 112: Did Aliens Build the Pyramids? →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and Gem discuss insect repellents, natural and artificial, historical and modern, and ask the question: “Do any of these natural bug sprays actually work?” The answer might surprise you! (Yes. The answer is “yes”.) Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a … Continue reading Episode 111: Insect Repellents →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Lauren, Ashlyn, and Laura discuss science’s rocky history with issues of race and talk about some racist pseudosciences that continue to masquerade as science today. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced by … Continue reading Episode 110: Science & Race →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Laura, Gem, and Lauren each prepare a quiz to test their fellow panelists’ knowledge in a variety of scientific and pseudoscientific domains. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced by the Winnipeg Skeptics. … Continue reading Episode 109: The Quiz Show Show! →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem hunts cryptids with Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren. Also on this episode: dubious advice, bad jokes, worse segues, and one very annoying pronunciation of the word “cryptozoology”! Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced … Continue reading Episode 108: Cryptozoology & Mythical Creatures →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Laura discuss strategies aimed at ending homelessness with returning guest Brendan Curran-Johnson. This episode also features an interview with Greta Christina and Alex Gabriel discussing The Orbit, a new blog network focusing on atheism and social justice. Life, the Universe & … Continue reading Episode 107: Solving Homelessness →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Lauren, Ashlyn, and Laura discuss the Ganzfeld Experiments, the Global Consciousness Project, Rupert Sheldrake, Daryl Bem, and a psychic dog, and then we finally find out exactly how psychic the panel is with a game of Psychic Fact or Psychic Fiction! Life, the Universe … Continue reading Episode 106: Parapsychology →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Lauren discusses mental health with Ashlyn, Gem, and Laura, with a focus on treatments and associated stigmas, current and historical. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced by the Winnipeg Skeptics. Links: History of … Continue reading Episode 105: Mental Health & Stigma →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem talks about intelligence in nonhuman animals with Ashlyn, Laura, and special guest Leslie Saunders. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced by the Winnipeg Skeptics. Links: Animal cognition (Wikipedia) | Cambridge Declaration on … Continue reading Episode 104: Animal Intelligence →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn is joined by Ian, Laura, Lauren, and Gem to talk about holiday celebrations around the world. This is also Ian’s last show! Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced by the Winnipeg Skeptics. … Continue reading Episode 103: Worldwide Winter →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem runs through several arguments for the existence of God with Ashlyn, Ian, and Laura, and the panel ponders whether it’s worth talking about religious arguments at all. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is … Continue reading Episode 102: Apologetics & Counter-apologetics →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn subjects Gem, Laura, Ian, and Dave to a viewing of “Trace Amounts”, a prominent anti-vaccine “documentary”. It is… not good. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced by the Winnipeg Skeptics. Note: After … Continue reading Episode 101: “Trace Amounts” →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem discusses silly pseudosciences and conspiracy theories with Ashlyn, Laura, Ian, and Lauren, then caps off the episode by interviewing panelists past and present about their favourite episodes, the future technologies they’re most excited about, and whether they’d rather live next door to Ray Comfort … Continue reading Episode 100: Silly Pseudoscience Special! →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn discusses the scientific (and sometimes pseudoscientific) underpinnings of several forensic investigation techniques with Laura, Gem, Ian, and Lauren. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced by the Winnipeg Skeptics. Links: The CSI effect … Continue reading Episode 99: Forensic Science →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Laura, Brendan, and Lauren discuss the criminal justice system, focusing on profiling, deception detection, changes in crime rates over time, and the prison abolition movement. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced … Continue reading Episode 98: Crime & Punishment →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn is joined by Laura, Ian, Lauren, and Gem to discuss some of the advantages and shortcomings of using labels to describe ourselves. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced by the Winnipeg Skeptics. … Continue reading Episode 97: Labels →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem, Ashlyn, Ian, and Laura discuss the conspiracy claim that the Apollo moon landings were faked by NASA. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced by the Winnipeg Skeptics. Links: Moon landing conspiracy theories … Continue reading Episode 96: The Moon Landing Conspiracy →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn is joined by Lauren, Laura, and Gem to discuss some common misconceptions (and maybe some that aren’t so common). Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and scientific skepticism that is produced by the Winnipeg Skeptics. Links: Misconceptions (xkcd) … Continue reading Episode 95: Common Misconceptions →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Gem is joined by Donna, Ashlyn, and Ian to talk about free will, determinism, and what it means to make a choice. Also on this episode, Donna sits down with August Berkshire of Minnesota Atheists to discuss the moral implications of a world without free … Continue reading Episode 94: Free Will →

In this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else, Ashlyn sits down with Lauren, Gem, and Laura to talk about some red flags to look out for when evaluating claims on social media and how nuance is impossible on the Internet. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a program promoting secular humanism and … Continue reading Episode 93: Skeptics and Social Media →