Curiosity Theory

By Dr. Dakotah Tyler & Justin ShaiferScience

Curiosity Theory episodes

April 30 Can We Outgrow Human Nature? | Maynard Okereke (hiphopscienceshow)
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer sit down with Maynard Okereke, also known as Hip Hop MD, for a deep conversation about the future of humanity, evolution, and the idea of starting a new civilization from scratch.
They explore how human behavior is shaped by evolution, whether traits like competition and greed can ever be removed, and what it would take to build a better society on a new planet. The discussion also dives into genetic engineering, space colonization, and the philosophical implications of immortality.
Along the way, they tackle big questions about identity, meaning, and whether humanity could ever outgrow its own nature.
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Hosted by Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer
Stay curious.
1 hr 19 min
April 23 Rethinking Human Uniqueness | Forrest Valkai
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer sit down with biologist Forrest Valkai, also known as the Renegade Science Teacher, to explore evolution, intelligence, and what it really means to be human.
They discuss how evolution shapes life on Earth, from whales evolving from land mammals to humans’ place within the broader tree of life. The conversation challenges the idea that humans are uniquely special, exploring intelligence, communication, and behavior across species.
They also dive into science communication, misinformation, and how we actually measure learning in the modern content landscape, along with deeper questions about culture, biology, and meaning.
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Hosted by Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer
Stay curious.
1 hr 36 min
April 03 Your Brain Is Making Decisions Without You | Dr. Melise Edwards
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer sit down with neuroscientist and evolutionary biologist Dr. Melise Edwards to explore the biology of behavior and the limits of human control.
They discuss how genetics and environment interact to shape conditions like autism and schizophrenia, the role of bias in medical diagnoses, and what evolutionary biology reveals about differences in aging and disease.
The conversation also dives into behavioral plasticity, sex differences in the brain, and whether free will actually exists, raising deeper questions about how much control we really have over who we become.
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Hosted by Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer
Stay curious.
1 hr 32 min
March 24 UFOs, Aliens, and What Science Actually Says | From First Principles Pod
In this collaboration episode of Curiosity Theory and From First Principles, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer join Lester Nare and Krishna Chaudry for a wide-ranging conversation about UFOs, science, and the future of knowledge.
They explore the reality of UAP sightings, what counts as scientific evidence, and how physics places constraints on extraordinary claims. The discussion also dives into how misinformation spreads, why the modern content ecosystem often rewards being wrong, and the role science communicators play in bridging the gap between research and the public.
The episode expands into emerging technologies like AI, genetic engineering, and the accelerating pace of discovery, raising deeper questions about how society keeps up with scientific progress.
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Hosted by Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer
Stay curious.
1 hr 42 min
March 17 Breaking Down Our Ryan Gosling Interview on Project Hail Mary
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer react to their interview with Ryan Gosling about Project Hail Mary and unpack the science, storytelling, and bigger themes behind the film.
They discuss what makes Rocky such an effective alien character, why collaboration sits at the heart of the story, how the movie handles space science, and why hopeful sci-fi can matter so much in the real world. Along the way, they also reflect on the interview itself and what stood out most from Gosling’s perspective on the film.
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Hosted by Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer
Stay curious.
56 min
March 16 Ryan Gosling on Curiosity, Aliens, and Project Hail Mary
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer sit down with Ryan Gosling to talk about the highly anticipated sci-fi film Project Hail Mary, based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel.
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Ryan shares what it was like bringing the story to life on screen, including acting alongside the alien character Rocky and exploring the film’s themes of curiosity, collaboration, and scientific discovery. The conversation touches on the role of science fiction in inspiring future scientists, the challenges of portraying space realistically on film, and how curiosity can transform fear into exploration.
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Hosted by Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer
Stay curious.
21 min
March 10 The Science Of Having That Dawg In You | Les Alfred
In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer sit down with Les Alfred, host of the podcast She’s So Lucky, to explore ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of self-actualization.
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Les shares her journey from wellness content creator to entrepreneur and media voice focused on personal growth, financial autonomy, and creative evolution. The conversation dives into the psychology of criticism, the importance of friction in personal development, and the difference between what audiences say they want versus what actually drives engagement.
They also discuss the pressures of visibility in the creator economy, the role of authenticity in building an audience, and Les’s concept of the “post-peak pivot”—the idea that long-term success often requires evolving beyond your most visible moment.
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Hosted by Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer
Stay curious.
1 hr 25 min
March 03 Curiosity Theory Live Q&A Episode 50!!!
Q&A Episode
1 hr 34 min
February 24 We Sent A Map Into Deep Space Just So THEY Would Know Where To Find Us
Welcome back to Curiosity Theory with Dr. Dakotah Tyler (@dr.starkid) and Justin Shaifer (@mr.fascinate).
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In this episode, we have a deep and personal conversation about how to navigate a world where AI can fake reality, viral headlines blur truth, and curiosity becomes your best defense. From eerily realistic AI party photos and pheromone studies to hidden oceans beneath Earth’s surface, extreme drilling limits, and an interstellar visitor passing through our solar system — this episode explores how to think clearly when the internet gets weird.
Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer riff on strange viral claims, the science (and limits) behind human pheromones, why a “hidden ocean” isn’t what it sounds like, what happens when you drill miles into Earth’s crust, how scientists capture light itself, and whether space-based AI data centers are actually practical. Along the way: Voyager’s journey beyond the heliosphere, pulsar maps meant for aliens, and the fascinating — but very non-alien — reality of 3I/Atlas.
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57 min
February 17 Failure, Death, Ghosts, and Two Trillion Galaxies
Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer start with spirit animals — a praying mantis and a green sea turtle — and from there the conversation goes everywhere it wants to. Prehistoric giant insects, the DART asteroid deflection mission, Edwin Hubble's discovery that Andromeda was never just a gas cloud, the psychology of failure and rejection, simulation theory, what happens when you die, Thomas Edison's rumored spirit phone, and Carl Sagan's fire-breathing garage dragon.

The thread running through all of it is what it means to keep building when the institutions aren't calling back, and what it means to stop letting a limited observer define what you are. Two trillion galaxies were always out there. We just couldn't see them yet.

Visit our Merch Store: https://www.curiositytheorypod.com/merch
Join our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/CuriosityTheory

Follow the show @curiositytheorypod

Hosted by Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer

Stay curious.
56 min

About Curiosity Theory

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A podcast about sharpening your curiosity through science, stories, and bold questions. With Astrophysicist Dr. Dakotah Tyler & STEM Educator Justin Shaifer.

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