Where did blimps come from, and why are we fascinated by them? Geneticist and blimp enthusiast, Dr. Alex Dainis, guides us through the history of these sky vessels, the science behind their design, and what it feels like to ride inside one. In our conversation, she shares what blimps reveal about the way we see the world around us and why they are still around today.

Mentioned on the show:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexdainis

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexDainisPhD/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexdainis

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/the-curious-history-and-science-of-blimps/

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at [email protected]

🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

What can archaeology bring to the classroom and beyond? Archaeologist and filmmaker, Marc Barkman-Astles, guides us through the workshops he runs across England and Wales, the challenges he's encountered, and some of the delightful moments along the way. In our conversation, we explore how public archaeology can help us connect with the world around us.

Mentioned on the show:

• Website: https://archaeosouptowers.wordpress.com/
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Archaeos0up
• Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@archaeos0up

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/what-archaeology-can-bring-to-the-classroom-and-beyond/🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan✉️ Get in touch at [email protected]

🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

Which deities did ancient people call upon when they needed help? Assyriologist and public educator, Megan Lewis, guides us through some of the surprising sources scholars use to understand the gods and goddesses people turned to in the past. In our conversation, she shares what these sources reveal about how both people and deities have changed over time and why their stories still feel surprisingly familiar today.

Mentioned on the show:

• Website: https://www.digitalhammurabi.com/
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalHammurabi

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/the-ancient-deities-people-called-upon

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at [email protected]

🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

What can ancient astrological handbooks tell us about the lives of women around 2000 years ago? Egyptologist, Dr. Lingxin Zhang, guides us through fragmented papyri, recycled temple documents, and what one woman did when she learned her family's fate. In our conversation, she shares what these texts reveal not only about the inner workings of the zodiac and astrosciences in Roman Egypt, but also aspects of our humanity.

Mentioned on the show:

• https://www.instagram.com/guancientegypt/

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/the-making-and-remaking-of-the-zodiac-in-roman-egypt

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at [email protected]

🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

What can we uncover about the past when we look at it in three dimensions? Archaeologist, Madeline Robinson, guides us through a shipwreck, ancient temples in Malta, and very tiny stone tools she has studied through 3D modelling. In our conversation, we explore what these methods reveal not only about the past, but also about who gets to access and engage with it.

Mentioned on the show:

• Malta Article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212054818300523
• Photogrammetry Book: https://sydneyuniversitypress.com/products/9781761540431
• Madeline’s Website: https://madeline7850.wixsite.com/madelinegprobinson

If you’re having any issue accessing Maddie’s publications, you can contact her directly - https://madeline7850.wixsite.com/madelinegprobinson/contact

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/what-3d-modelling-reveals-about-the-past/

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at [email protected]

🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

What can we learn when we look closely at temples that deviate from the “norm?" Archaeologist and Egyptologist Dr. Brooke Norton guides us through certain sacred spaces where we see a spectrum of ancient Egyptian and Canaanite traditions. In our conversation, we explore what these temples reveal not only about architecture and ritual, but also about the people behind them.

Mentioned on the show:

• Brooke’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookofbrooke
• Brooke’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-norton-54b2a73b/

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/when-egyptian-and-canaanite-temples-met

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at [email protected]

🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

What can we learn when we look at the physics of past textile techniques? Physicist, Dr. Sabetta Matsumoto, takes us inside the inner workings of an Egyptian knitted sock and other historical textile techniques, including embroidery and smocking. In our conversation, we explore what physics can reveal not only about the fabrics we create, but about the people behind them.

Mentioned on the show:

• Sabetta Talks Math: https://www.youtube.com/@sabettatalksmath/
• Research group website: https://research.gatech.edu/people/sabetta-matsumoto

📝 Full transcript: https://smitinathan.com/inside-the-physics-of-past-textile-techniques

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at [email protected]

🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

Mentioned on the show:

• https://www.historydaily.com/

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at [email protected]

🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

Mentioned on the show:

• Legends and Lectures full episode: https://youtu.be/3BNMMNliFiw?si=_H9eKZo3LlUW5at8
• Legends and Lectures podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhxPuNyz2_A9PvhtZ6y7w2EO9vSRVw5pU&si=qKOIIYNV6tpvrQVk

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at [email protected]

🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.

Sharing some quick year-end updates as we close out 2025!

🎁 Bonus content: https://patreon.com/smitinathan

✉️ Get in touch at [email protected]

🎙️ Curiosity Meets The Past is a podcast for curious minds who love learning about the past. Each episode features a 15-30 minute curated conversation with guests who reveal the layered stories behind objects, places, and people.