Hypothesis

By Ira McIntosh

Hypothesis is a podcast for academics and anyone who is curious. Join us each week as we discover new things and explore new ideas! Our host, Ira McIntosh, sits down with PhD students, Masters student... more

· Education

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FAQs about Hypothesis:

How many episodes does Hypothesis have?

The podcast currently has 52 episodes available.

Hypothesis episodes:

July 07, 2025 1. Blackgirl Autoethnography with Dr. Taylor Cummings
Welcome to the very first episode of Hypothesis! We are so glad you're here! Join us today as we talk to Dr. Taylor Cummings about using your own lived experiences as academic methodology, the value of stories to academia, and a whole lot more!
For the articles discussed in this episode, check out the Substack! www.iramcintosh.substack.com

You can follow Dr. Cummings on:
TikTok - @theselflovedoc
Instagram - @theselflovedoc and @join.thelab

You can follow us on:
TikTok - @thegayethnographer
Instagram - @hypothesispod and @iraamcintosh

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share with your friends!
If you'd like to submit a question to our guests, feel free to DM us on Instagram, email us at [email protected], or leave us a voice message at SpeakPipe.com/HypothesisPodcast!

Thank you for listening!
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1h 7min
July 02, 2025 Hypothesis Trailer!
Hello, Scholars!
I bet you think that the academic world is full of musty books, boring windowless rooms, and dull people speaking in hushed tones. I’m here to prove otherwise! My name is Ira McIntosh and my new podcast, Hypothesis, aims to demystify academia, encourage curiosity, and highlight researchers who are pursuing knowledge that will uplift humanity.
By interviewing guests who are deeply involved in higher education, Hypothesis will prove to our listeners that you can be inspired to continue learning, think critically about sourcing information, and broaden your educational horizons. Hypothesis will combat the current culture of misinformation by introducing you to some of the most exciting, interesting, and engaging new thinkers across a variety of fields from sociology and astrophysics to neuroscience and beyond!
Join us every Monday on all major podcast providers as we talk through intense subjects in ways you can understand! You don’t need the degrees my guests have in order to listen! Hypothesis is here to get to the bottom of academia and prove that even researchers are cool, too! Subscribe to Hypothesis on your favorite podcast app today and join in the academic conversation!

Follow our socials for all updates!
TikTok: @thegayethnographer
Instagram: @hypothesispod
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2min
November 15, 2021 Episode 29: Automatic actions?
In this episode, Alex & Julia tackle the hypothesis: Our actions are mostly driven by our subconscious. They talk changing habits, throwing milk, vegan slogans, and much more…

Numbers from Social Polls:
Total Number of Votes: 268. Agree = 71 % Disagree = 29 %

Contact Us:
Email us at [email protected]
Instagram: @hypothesispodcast
Twitter: @hypothesis_pod
Facebook: Hypothe-Sis Podcast
#hypothesispod

Resources/References:
Our subconscious mind may be smarter than we think: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20150217-how-smart-is-your-subconscious
Freudian slips: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20160706-what-freudian-slips-really-reveal-about-your-mind
Habit formation in the brain: https://neurosciencenews.com/habits-brain-15805/
Habits = behaviours performed without sensitivity to reward: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235215461730089X
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43min
October 24, 2021 Episode 28: Afternoon slump?
In this episode, Alex & Julia tackle the hypothesis: You can’t avoid the afternoon slump. They talk circadian rhythms, toilet naps, radio call-ins, and much more…

Numbers from Social Polls:
Total Number of Votes: 215. Agree = 63 % Disagree = 37 %

Contact Us:
Email us at [email protected]
Instagram: @hypothesispodcast
Twitter: @hypothesis_pod
Facebook: Hypothe-Sis Podcast
#hypothesispod

Resources/References:
Alertness and circadian rhythms: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6430172/
Work schedule determined by circadian rhythms: https://hbr.org/2015/01/the-ideal-work-schedule-as-determined-by-circadian-rhythms
The master clock in the brain: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/04/scientists-think-your-body-clock-was-set-before-you-were-born/361164/
Not everyone’s body clock is set for 9-5: https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2015/01/not-everyones-internal-clock-is-set-for-the-9-to-5/384398/
Circadian rhythm in a test tube: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2293101-circadian-clock-made-from-scratch-to-probe-how-biological-rhythms-work/
Delayed sleep phase disorder: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2293101-circadian-clock-made-from-scratch-to-probe-how-biological-rhythms-work/
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49min
October 17, 2021 Episode 27: Class act?
In this episode, Alex & Julia tackle the hypothesis: Class is a determining factor in success. They talk welfare cuts, biased systems, moist couture, and much more…

Numbers from Social Polls:
Total Number of Votes: 303. Agree = 94 % Disagree = 6 %
Contact Us:
Email us at [email protected]
Instagram: @hypothesispodcast
Twitter: @hypothesis_pod
Facebook: Hypothe-Sis Podcast
#hypothesispod

Resources/References:
Britain's current class system depends more on wealth than earnings: https://theconversation.com/why-britains-class-system-will-have-to-change-58188
Why class won’t go away: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/sep/27/why-class-wont-go-away
How social signals indicate socioeconomic group and strengthen group boundaries: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1745691616673192
Differences in reading emotions based on socioeconomic group: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/social-class-as-culture.html
How school systems are set up for middle and upper classes: https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjso.12251
The impacts of class on our psychology: https://digest.bps.org.uk/2018/05/15/class-is-still-written-into-our-psychology-working-class-folk-are-more-empathic-selfless-vigilant-and-fatalistic/
Health self-management ability more difficult in lower socioeconomic groups: https://digest.bps.org.uk/2018/05/15/class-is-still-written-into-our-psychology-working-class-folk-are-more-empathic-selfless-vigilant-and-fatalistic/
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49min
October 10, 2021 Episode 26: Dream come true?
In this episode, Alex & Julia tackle the hypothesis: Dreams predict the future. They talk teeth falling out, rat seals, Gabrielle, and much more…

Numbers from Social Polls:
Total Number of Votes: 208. Agree = 27 % Disagree = 73 %
Contact Us:
Email us at [email protected]
Instagram: @hypothesispodcast
Twitter: @hypothesis_pod
Facebook: Hypothe-Sis Podcast
#hypothesispod

Resources/References:
Some theories of why we have dreams: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/why-do-we-dream-what-are-dreams
Removing emotional response through dreams: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23931873-300-weve-started-to-uncover-the-true-purpose-of-dreams/
Fear response altered by fearful dreams: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-processes-in-the-brain-allow-you-to-remember-dreams/
What do dreams mean: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/04/dreams-what-do-they-mean/583216/
Importance of REM sleep for learning and memory: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg23731700-200-why-dreaming-is-vital-unlocking-the-power-of-rem-sleep/
Why we have recurring dreams? https://neurosciencenews.com/being-chased-losing-your-teeth-or-falling-down-what-science-says-about-recurring-dreams/
Future orientated dreams more frequent towards waking: https://neurosciencenews.com/dream-memory-event-anticipation-18614/
Overfitted brain hypothesis of dreams: https://neurosciencenews.com/strange-dream-ai-18425/
Why can’t remember some dreams: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-processes-in-the-brain-allow-you-to-remember-dreams/
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47min
October 03, 2021 Episode 25: Hitting the spot?
In this episode, Alex & Julia tackle the hypothesis: The purpose of sex is to orgasm. They talk feeling good, sexy fMRIs, bunny orgasm machines, and much more…

Numbers from Social Polls:
Total Number of Votes: 661 responded. Agree = 23 % Disagree = 77 %
Contact Us:
Email us at [email protected]
Instagram: @hypothesispodcast
Twitter: @hypothesis_pod
Facebook: Hypothe-Sis Podcast
#hypothesispod

Resources/References:
Summary of 4 phase model: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232318
Brain on orgasm: https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-what-happens-to-your-brain-when-you-orgasm
What science has revealed about orgasm in people with vaginas: https://www.newscientisct.com/article/dn17165-six-things-science-has-revealed-about-the-female-orgasm/
The difference between physiological and psychological aspect of orgasm: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41585-018-0142-6
Study looking at genetic element of orgasm: https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7481-genes-blamed-for-fickle-female-orgasm/
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48min
September 19, 2021 Episode 24: Lucky Charm?
In this episode, Alex & Julia tackle the hypothesis: Luck is all in the mind. They talk lottery tickets, lucky knicks, breaking falls, and much more…

Numbers from Social Polls:
Total Number of Votes: 123 responded. Agree = 49 % Disagree = 51 %
Contact Us:
Email us at [email protected]
Instagram: @hypothesispodcast
Twitter: @hypothesis_pod
Facebook: Hypothe-Sis Podcast
#hypothesispod

Resources/References:
Why are some people luckier than others: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/why-are-some-people-lucki_b_12458558
Rituals and routines in science: https://www.nature.com/articles/nj7679-261a
Luck plays a role in people's success: https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/the-role-of-luck-in-life-success-is-far-greater-than-we-realized/
is luck probability or psychology? https://www.popsci.com/luck-real/
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47min
September 05, 2021 Episode 23: App Addiction?
In this episode, Alex & Julia tackle the hypothesis: Social media is addictive. They talk dopamine, scroll holes, lurkers, and much more…

Numbers from Social Polls:
Total Number of Votes: 908 responded. Agree = 96 % Disagree = 4 %

Contact Us:
Email us at [email protected]
Instagram: @hypothesispodcast
Twitter: @hypothesis_pod
Facebook: Hypothe-Sis Podcast
#hypothesispod

Resources/References:
Why are brains like likes (blog by Julia with links in to resources): https://kwiklearning.com/kwik-tips/why-our-brains-like-likes-on-social-media/
...more
51min
August 29, 2021 Episode 22: Ghost busting?
In this episode, Alex & Julia tackle the hypothesis: Ghosts are real. They talk detection tools, ghost post, bright teeth, and much more…

Numbers from Social Polls:
Total Number of Votes: 149 responded. Agree = 42 % Disagree = 58 %
Contact Us:
Email us at [email protected]
Instagram: @hypothesispodcast
Twitter: @hypothesis_pod
Facebook: Hypothe-Sis Podcast
#hypothesispod

Resources/References:
Ghost detecting gadgets:
https://www.npr.org/2011/10/31/141868232/paranormal-technology-gadgets-for-ghost-tracking
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/11/the-broken-technology-of-ghost-hunting/506627/
Case study of hallucinations in PCA
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2077707/
Reasons for ghosts in brain
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/ghosts-real-science-hallucinations-bly-manor
https://www.nbcnews.com/healthmain/see-ghosts-there-may-be-medical-reason-1c9926902
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/6-possible-scientific-reasons-for-ghosts/
https://www.livescience.com/26697-are-ghosts-real.html
Using ghosts to predict disease symptoms
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210428140858.htm
Believe in ghosts poll
https://today.yougov.com/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2019/10/21/paranormal-beliefs-ghosts-demons-poll
...more
47min

FAQs about Hypothesis:

How many episodes does Hypothesis have?

The podcast currently has 52 episodes available.