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Modern wonder or box containing your worst nightmares? This week we explore everything that could go wrong in an elevator and why it doesn't. What would happen in an earthquake? Can you climb out the top like in Die Hard? Is there enough air when you're stuck? And, why do most elevators skip the 13th floor?

Mike gets some relief from Chris Smith, Vice President at Otis Elevator, and psychologist, Stuart Vyse.

Got questions? Email Mike at [email protected]

We're halfway to the "most wonderful time of the year." Where did common Christmas customs like lights, trees, and mistletoe come from? And, how has the representation of Santa changed over time?

Mike gets answers from Dr. Bruce David Forbes, Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at Morningside University and author of "Christmas: A Candid History," about our Christmas traditions.

Got questions? Email Mike at [email protected]

For sake of argument, let's just say aliens do exist... then, that begs the question, where are they? Why can you never find an alien when you need one?

Mike gets explanations and theories from Jim Al-Khalili, author and professor of theoretical physics at the University of Surrey, on both sides of the argument of whether or not aliens exist and if they do, where they might be hiding.

Got questions? Email Mike at [email protected]

Why are CVS receipts so long? Deidre Popovich, Assistant Professor of Marketing at Texas Tech, gives us the answer.

Why do we wear neckties? FIDM Museum Curator, Kevin Jones, provides history and context.

And more idioms, where do those common phrases come from? Jaye Padgett, Professor of Linguistics at UC Santa Cruz, is back to demystify a few of them. 

Got questions? Email Mike at [email protected]

The ability to slip out of a crowd undetected is the dream of many a person trying to escape a party early. Chameleons practically invented the Irish exit! How and why do certain species change their colors? 

Mike gets answers from Daniel Flynn, Senior Marketing Manager at the Oakland Zoo, and Senior Aquarist, Alex Lawlor, at the Aquarium of the Pacific. 

Got questions? Email Mike at [email protected]

Intuition looks and means something different to everybody. How can intuition be explained? Are gut feelings really in your gut? And, how do you know when to trust those feelings?

Mike gets answers from Professor Joel Pearson at the University of New South Wales and relationship coach and love expert, Joey Garcia.

Got questions? Email Mike at [email protected]

Ducklings are the unofficial mascot of Dawn brand dish soap. How did Dawn become synonymous with bird rescue? Why is it so effective? And, what's it like to be in the business of saving birds?

Mike gets answers from JD Bergeron and Kylie Clatterbuck at the International Bird Rescue. 

Got questions? Email Mike at [email protected]

We drink to relax, we drink to celebrate, and we drink to drown our sorrows...There's no end to the excuses we can find to drink. What's behind these intoxicating rituals? 

How long have we been going to bars? Why do we drink what we drink? And, is there a way to cure a hangover?

Mike gets answers from Adam Rogers, author of "Proof: The Science of Booze," and Dr. Nicole J. Van Groningen, Internal Medicine physician at Cedars-Sinai. 

Got questions? Email Mike at [email protected]

Jetlag. What is it? How can you lessen its effects? Dr. Vernon Williams, Director of the Center for Sports Neurology & Pain Medicine at Cedars-Sinai's Kerlan-Jobe Institute, and Captain Laura Einsetler explain.

10,000 steps a day. Where did that number come from? Do we really need that many? Dr. Thomas Hirai, director at the bariatric and metabolic health center at O'Connor Hospital in San Jose, and Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford with Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, settle the score on steps.

Idioms. Where do common phrases like "nose to the grindstone" and "hold your horses" come from? Jaye Padgett, Linguistics Professor at UC Santa Cruz, traces their histories.

Got questions? Email Mike at [email protected]

Chances are, as an adult, you haven't been asked to name your favorite dinosaur. What are our common misunderstandings about dinosaurs? Why do we think they all lived at the same time? And, how did the T. Rex become a fan favorite?

Mike puts questions to paleontologists at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County,  Dr. Luis Chiappe, SVP of Research and Collections, and Dr. Nathan Smith, Associate Curator of the Dinosaur Institute.

Got questions? Email Mike at [email protected]