Hyperfixation Investigations

We finally have an episode where our favorite phrase “deep dive” is truly apropos! So join us as we deep dive the fascinating underwater world of whales. This group of animals technically includes dolphins and porpoises in addition to whales. Discover their forms of communication, diets, family structures and more!

Discussion Includes:

The Evolution of Whales

Communication & Friendship for Whales & Dolphins

The Diet of Whales: Teeth versus Baleen

Orcas! (Kara’s Fav)

Whales and Echolocation

Whales in Media

©️Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Nearly 70% of women in the U.S. use hair-coloring products ranging from bleach to permanent hair dye. Learn about the use of hair coloring in the ancient world and how a discovery in the 1800s brought about the hair dye we know of today. Discover the biochemistry of how different types of hair dye work, the economic strength of the industry, and more in this episode!

Discussion Includes:

Biochemistry of 4 Types of Hair Dye

History of Ancient Hair Dye

Modern Hair Dye from the 1800s to Today

Hair Dye & Health

Economics of the Hair Coloring subsection of the Cosmetics Industry

©Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

WARNING: EPISODE CONTAINS STAR WARS SPOILERS!

Travel to Naboo and Coruscant via starship as Josh outlines the factors leading to the fall of the Jedi Order throughout the Star Wars Franchise, including movies, television shows, and books. Fun facts include which politician’s name is used almost verbatim in the films and more!

Discussion Includes:

History & Function of the Jedi Order

Origins & Conflict with the Sith

The Jedi and the Galactic Republic

The Clone Wars

Nails in the Coffin: Jedi Order and Galactic Republic

The High Republic Era (Star Wars Books)

©️Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

It’s all in the Tea-Tails! After learning about the main types of tea and how tea plants are processed to create one of our favorite drinks, we’ll dive into the complex and often dark history of tea. The introduction of tea to the Western World is embroiled in colonization, smuggling, scandals, and wars. One of the main culprits behind all of this mayhem was the East India Company. Did you know the Opium trade and Opium Wars are closely tied to the tea trade?

Discussion Includes:

The Main Tea Plant

Types of Teas

Tea Processing Methods

The Colonization of Tea pre-East India Company

Tea Smuggling

Tea, Opium, and the East India Company

©️Wolf and Stag Productions LLC, 2025

We’re going nuts for our favorite tree rodents! Kara and Josh delve into the world of tree squirrels from the different species found in Illinois to their beneficial effect on their habitats! We love these cute little guys and we’re excited to bring a little bit more awareness to some of our most numerous animal neighbors.

Discussion Includes:

The four species of tree squirrels in IL

Urban studies of Fox and Grey Squirrels

Squirrel Appreciation Day

Squirrels as Forest/Habitat Gardeners

Squirrels as an Indicator Species

Spiritual Themes and Examples

Squirrels in Movies & TV

©️Wolf and Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Fly through the cosmos this week with Josh and Kara as they cycle through the births and deaths of various kinds of stars in our universe. Learn how stars have been classified over time and how some of our favorite telescopes (Hubble!) help scientists figure out how hot and old stars are across space. From the beautiful clouds of gas that are the “nurseries for stars” to black holes that form from the death of the largest stars, discover how the saying “we are all born of stardust” is true!

Discussion:

Nebulas & Protostars

Nuclear Fusion

Star Classification Systems

Supernovas, & Other Forms of Star Death

Red Dwarf Stars

©️Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Learn the bare-bones basics of reading your Natal Birth Chart for your Zodiac. Kara and Josh discuss the Big Three and how to break down Planets vs Signs vs Houses. For more in-depth lessons on this topic, check out Corinne Lane’s Lessons and consider the Chani app to find out the details and interpretations of your birth chart!

Explore the history of Western Zodiac Astrology with Kara and Josh! From Ancient Babylon, to Medieval Europe, to 20th-century Britain, to Modern USA, learn about the ebbs and flows of Zodiac Astrology. From a form of science to a pre-Enlightenment relic, to a modern phenomenon, the practice of astrology has long had cultural significance. Learn from an astronomical point of view, why your sign or birth chart is “wrong”. Listen as Kara (a practitioner) and Josh (a respectful skeptic) discuss astrology as a form of faith as well as a useful self-improvement tool.

Discussion:

Ancient to Modern History of Western Zodiac Astrology

How Astrology Aided Astronomy

Why Some Say your Sign is Incorrect

Modern Cultural Implications and the Virality of Astrology

Faith, Pseudo-psychology, and Disbelief

In honor of this month’s annual meteor shower, The Quadrantids, Josh and Kara explore some of Earth’s smaller and numerous neighbors: asteroids and comets. Learn what and where these Near Earth Objects (NEOs) are and how they turn into shooting stars! Finally, discover how an unofficial constellation named Earth’s annual December-January meteor shower: The Quadrantids.

Discussion:

Meteoroids vs Meteors vs Meteorites

Asteroids

Comets

Meteor Showers

The Quadrantids Meteor Shower

©️Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025