This week we’re wrapping up Semester 5 in the lab.

Over the past year we’ve explored everything from bird flu and the microbiome to AI, addiction, air quality, and the psychology of Black Friday. We’ve talked about how systems—technological, biological, economic, and cultural—shape the way we live.

In this episode, Titi & Zakiya look back at some of the labs that surprised them the most and talk about the science stories they’re still watching right now. From AI governance to human behavior, the questions keep evolving.

The semester may be ending, but curiosity never stops!

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You’ve seen the headlines — Gen Z can’t read, attention spans are shot, we’re all getting dumber. But is any of that actually true? This week, Titi and Zakiya slow down and actually look at the research behind the literacy panic. From international assessments to the Nation’s Report Card, they break down what the data really says, why the drops we’re seeing aren’t just a “kids these days” problem, and what gets lost when we conflate reading scores with intelligence.

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We’re revisiting one of our most personal labs.

In this episode, we sit down with Ronald Young Jr., host of Wait For It, to unpack the complicated relationship many of us have with our bodies — and the ways we postpone our lives while we’re “waiting.”

Waiting to lose weight.
Waiting to look different.
Waiting to feel worthy.

We talk about how weight gets moralized, and how identity layers influence body image in ways we don’t always name.

And most importantly: what it means to stop waiting.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll start living when…,” this one’s for you.

Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody.

Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @DopeLabsPodcast and at DopeLabsPodcast.com

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Valentine’s Day used to be about cuffing season, double texting rules, and who’s paying for dinner. But the love landscape has shifted and it’s not just humans in the mix anymore.

People are forming emotional and romantic relationships with AI chatbots. So what’s actually happening here?

This week in the lab, Titi and Zakiya talk with Arelí Rocha about her work studying intimate relationships between humans and AI companions. Explore how language makes something feel alive, how online communities shape relationships, and whether AI is replacing human connection or just changing how we understand it.

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On Super Bowl Sunday, it can feel like sports are way beyond just watching!

This week in the lab, Zakiya and Titi are joined by Jess Bryant, senior editor for fantasy sports and betting at The Athletic, to break down how fantasy sports, sports betting, and prediction markets actually differ and where they quietly overlap. From statistical modeling and intuition to player boundaries, we explore what’s really shaping sports culture in the era of legalized betting

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Titi and Zakiya are joined by Hilary J. Allen, a professor who specializes in corporate law and financial regulation, to discuss the effects of FinTech on our everyday lives. Are these new methods of decentralization providing more opportunities, or accelerating financial inequity?

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In this lab, Titi and Zakiya pull back the curtain on the Grammys with music critic Sidney Madden. They break down how the Recording Academy works, who gets to vote, and why categories and nominees often feel disconnected from culture and fans.

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This lab examines two unfolding stories where science and power collide: Venezuela’s century-long oil history and why the United States is now deeply involved, and the recent ICE shootings in Minnesota amid an unprecedented immigration enforcement surge. Listen to learn how these events reveal a critical moment in history, where decisions about resources, authority, and security are reshaping trust at home and abroad.

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We usually think about viruses this time of year, but what about everything else floating around us?

In this lab, Titi and Zakiya sit down with environmental health scientist Dr. Cavin Ward-Caviness to break down what’s actually in the air we breathe. They cover everything from pollution and tiny particles to everyday indoor sources like cooking, candles, and fireplaces. 

Listen to learn how air quality affects the body beyond the lungs, why long-term exposure matters for inflammation and aging, and how awareness is the first step toward protecting our health.

Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com

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For our final lab in the New Years series, Titi & Zakiya want to learn all about the science behind habit formation. Dr. Wendy Wood, author of “Good Habits, Bad Habits,” tells us why bad habits are easier to make than good ones, and how to form new habits that stick. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com.

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