Here's How I Think This Works

In our latest “Is That a Fact?” mini-pod, we debate whether your hair and nails continue to grow for several days after death. Rational argument on both sides eventually decays into insult and ad hominem, until the internet mercifully supplies the correct answer.

On Episode 17 of Here’s How I Think This Works, we get morbid and talk about Death. Our guest expert is Judy Melinek, forensic pathologist and author of “Working Stiff: Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner.” We’ll get into the gory details of what happens after you die, from organ donation, to autopsies, to alternative ways to dispose of a corpse.

On Episode 16 of Here’s How I Think This Works, we discuss Mormon Missionaries. Where do they come from? Where do they go? What’s with the black ties and bicycles, and the holy underwear? At the half way mark, we check in with Jenn Knight and Elise Hahl, authors of “Do Not Attempt in Heels: Mission Stories and Advice from Sisters Who’ve Been There.” They’ll correct our mistakes, and explain what they’re doing here, since women obviously can’t be Mormon Missionaries.

On Episode 15 of Here’s How I Think This Works, we discuss Laughter — why people laugh, why laughter is contagious, and what the health benefits may be. At the halfway mark, we bring on laughter therapist and laughter yoga instructor (yes, that’s a thing) Nira Berry to give her expert opinion on our speculation, and walk us through some laughter exercises that definitely were not deeply, deeply uncomfortable for all of us.

On Episode 14 of Here’s How I Think This Works, we talk to veterans Matthew Wheeler (Army) and Jeremiah McCloud (Marines) about their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. We discuss their decisions to enlist and their expectations of service, the day-to-day of deployment, their combat experience, and the challenges of fighting an insurgency. We conclude with a discussion of the importance—both for veterans and for civilians—of open communication and honest dialogue.

On our first “Is That a Fact?” short, we ask: does searing meat help seal in the juices? Ryan and Jay argue the pros and cons, tempers flare, mothers are insulted, and the internet declares a winner.

On Episode 13 of Here’s How I Think This Works, for the first time, Eric and Adam take on a topic they actually know something about: podcasting. We share what we learned from our first year of podcasting, announce some exciting changes to the format for future episodes, and run through the various rumors circulating online about the mysterious disappearance of our former co-host, Cameron. We close out the episode with a discussion of some of our favorite moments from year one.

On episode 12 of Here’s How I Think This Works, we cap off our second season with a tribute to our co-host Cameron, congratulating him on his first marriage. This collection of classic clips and un-released gems captures the essence of Cameron. That’s why it smells like books and meat. Enjoy — we’ll be back soon to kick of Season 3.

On episode 11 of Here’s How I Think This Works, we discuss phobias — what distinguishes a phobia from a fear, how phobias develop, and how phobias are treated, including several potential breakthrough therapies based on a fundamental misunderstanding of basic scientific principles. Then we bring on Corrie Ackland, Clinical Director and the principal Clinical Psychologist at the Sydney Phobia Clinic in Sydney Australia, where “exposure therapy” is just another name for “life.”

On episode 10 of Here’s How I Think This Works, we answer all your burning questions about sunscreen. How does it work? What is it made of? What else can we do with it, physically, ethically, and legally? It’s a long overdue critical examination of something we regularly rub into our skin without a moment’s thought. After the hosts share their half-baked theories, our expert guest, sun screen entrepreneur Rachel Justis, explains how different sunscreen products work, and why her company doesn’t just replace all their active ingredients with chlorophyll.