Lauren and PJ Do Science

Its Cryptid Month here at Lauren and PJ Do Science! In this episode PJ (tries to) explore some of the folklore, science, and history behind cryptids like Bigfoot, Mothman, The Loch Ness Monster and more.

We try to figure out why cryptids form, how they appear all over the world, and what happens when science gets involved.

Oh also, its our first video episode!

www.laurenandpjdoscience.com

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#cryptids #Bigfoot #Yeti #Mothman #Thunderbird #cryptozoology #folklore #sciencepodcast #crypto <-- I really just want to confuse to Crypto bros.

Pop quiz, hotshot! How much science do you actually know?

This week on Lauren & PJ Do Science, we kick things off with Lauren's ongoing plumbing adventures, PJ's experience riding in a Waymo, and a discussion about why America could really use more rail transportation.

Then it's time for the main event.

Lauren puts PJ in the hot seat with a science pop quiz, covering a wide range of scientific topics to see just how much he remembers from years of hosting a science podcast. Some answers come easily. Others... not so much.

Play along as you listen, keep score if you're brave enough, and let us know your results in the comments!

🚍🔬 Visit our brand-new website:
laurenandpjdoscience.com

A huge thank you to The Free Website Guys for helping make the site a reality.

Follow Lauren & PJ Do Science for new episodes, shorts, science facts, and behind-the-scenes content:

If I asked you what a Big Blue Hole was, and you responded with anything involving "Smurfs," you'd be wrong.

In this episode of Lauren & PJ Do Science, Lauren takes us aboard a research expedition to explore mysterious underwater sinkholes known as blue holes. These deep ocean formations hold clues about marine ecosystems, ocean chemistry, and life beneath the waves.

Along the way, we talk about field research, collecting samples at sea, what scientists are searching for in these underwater environments, and why these giant holes are far more fascinating than their name suggests.

Meanwhile, PJ focuses on the truly important scientific questions:

Lauren's choice in men?

And are we going to need a bigger boat?

Join us for an ocean adventure filled with science, stories from the field, and the occasional Jaws reference.

🌊 Marine Science
🦈 Sharks
🔬 Field Research
⚓ Gulf of Mexico
🧪 Blue Hole Exploration

Last week algae cost taxpayers millions of dollars.

This week we're defending its honor.

Join us as we answer one of the weirdest science questions we've tackled so far: is algae actually a plant?

That simple question somehow sends us down a rabbit hole involving ancient bacteria, photosynthesis, Earth's first mass extinction, Snowball Earth, mitochondria, Mega Man, scuba diving in a lake that looked like pea soup, and why algae might be one of the most important living things on the planet.

We also spend a completely reasonable amount of time talking about Tim Curry, Dolly Parton, Peter Cullen, Transformers, Rocky Horror, Clue, and why this week felt especially rough if you grew up in the 80s and 90s.

You know. Science.

Come for the pop culture. Stay for the science.

Visit us at: laurenandpjdoscience.com

#SciencePodcast #Algae #Photosynthesis #Biology #Evolution #Microbiology #EnvironmentalScience #ClimateScience #ScienceCommunication #LaurenAndPJDoScience #Dinoflagellates #Cyanobacteria #PlantScience #OceanScience #STEM

What happens when you spend millions of dollars renovating the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. and end up with… a giant green algae bloom?

Lauren and PJ investigate the surprisingly bizarre saga of the Reflecting Pool, from the $15+ million renovation and the mysterious 250-foot gash to alleged vandalism, contractors, chemical treatments, and the eternal question: why does outdoor water keep trying to become its own ecosystem?

Then Dr. Lauren puts on her oceanographer hat and explains what algae actually are, why blooms happen, where all those nutrients come from, and why painting a giant shallow pool a darker color probably wasn't the best move.

Also: an extended and completely necessary discussion of Bluey, Bandit, scuba diving, Olympic canoeing, and whether Aquaman should be worried about brown algae.

Come for the algae. Stay for the chaos.

🧪 Listen now and stay curious!

Be sure to check out our socials! Links at laurenandpjdoscience.com

#LaurenAndPJDoScience #SciencePodcast #Algae #AlgaeBloom #MarineScience #Oceanography #EnvironmentalScience #ScienceCommunication #ReflectingPool #WashingtonDC #Ecology #Cyanobacteria #Podcast #STEM #ScienceIsCool

In this solo episode of Lauren & PJ Do Science, PJ takes a deep dive into the Large Hadron Collider: what it is, why it is buried underground, why parts of it are colder than outer space, and why it needs one of the best vacuums ever created.

The episode explores how particle collisions help scientists study the early universe, how the Higgs Boson was discovered, how CERN helped create the World Wide Web, and why the LHC is currently being upgraded for its next phase.

PJ also breaks down some of the internet’s favorite CERN conspiracy theories, including black holes, portals, alternate timelines, and the Mandela Effect, while separating the real science from the sci-fi version.

Website: https://laurenandpjdoscience.carrd.co/

#LaurenAndPJDoScience #SciencePodcast #LargeHadronCollider #LHC #CERN #HiggsBoson #ParticlePhysics #Physics #ScienceCommunication #WorldWideWeb #HighLuminosityLHC #STEM #ScienceEducation

🌊 From Blue Holes to Sea Shanties: Science on the High Seas! ⚓🔬

In this episode of Lauren & PJ Do Science, Dr. Lauren is alive! We have proof! And all I had to do was sacrifice a chicken!

But soon, she'll be off on another adventure on the high seas. We talk about life aboard a research vessel to the fascinating history of sea shanties, maritime traditions, ocean exploration, and plenty of hilarious tangents, this episode is packed with science, history, and the signature humor you've come to expect.

Join Lauren and PJ as they dive into:

• 🌊 Dr. Lauren's Blue Hole research adventure
• 🚢 What life is really like on a scientific research vessel
• 🎵 The surprising science and history behind sea shanties
• ⚓ Maritime traditions and life at sea
• 😂 Plenty of laughs, unexpected detours, and geeky fun along the way

If you love science podcasts, oceanography, marine biology, history, and conversations that make learning entertaining, this episode is for you!

🌐 Visit our website:
https://laurenandpjdoscience.carrd.co/

There you'll find links to all of our social media, podcast platforms, and everything Lauren & PJ Do Science!

👍 Enjoyed the episode?
Please Subscribe, leave us a review, and share the show with your friends, family, coworkers, and fellow science lovers. Every share helps us reach more curious minds and keeps independent science communication alive!

Thanks for listening—and remember, science is for everyone! 🔬❤️

#LaurenAndPJDoScience #SciencePodcast #BlueHole #MarineScience #Oceanography #SeaShanties #ResearchVessel #STEM #ScienceCommunication #Podcast #MarineBiology #History #Education #Science #OceanExploration #Learning #Curiosity #Geology #DeepSea #Explore

Everybody knows Benjamin Franklin flew a kite in a thunderstorm...or at least they think they do.

In this special Fourth of July solo episode, PJ dives into the fascinating (and often bizarre) scientific life of one of America's most influential Founding Fathers. Forget the sanitized history textbook version—this is the Benjamin Franklin who experimented with electricity, mapped the Gulf Stream, helped lay the groundwork for refrigeration, invented swim fins as a kid, redesigned fireplaces, wrote one of history's most infamous dating advice letters, and somehow found time to propose that science should solve the problem of smelly farts.

Along the way, we'll separate fact from fiction, bust a few Franklin myths, explore the science behind his greatest discoveries, and discuss why his biggest contribution may not have been any one invention at all—but a relentless curiosity that helped shape modern scientific thinking.

• The truth behind the famous kite experiment
• Why Franklin was technically wrong about electricity—but changed science anyway
• The invention that inspired the modern lightning rod
• How Franklin accidentally helped launch oceanography by mapping the Gulf Stream
• The experiment that foreshadowed modern refrigeration
• The Franklin Stove and the science of heat transfer
• Swim fins, bifocals, flexible catheters, and other lesser-known inventions
• Franklin's observations on lead poisoning decades before modern toxicology
• The mysterious Glass Armonica and why people thought it could drive you insane
• How Franklin became an international celebrity in France and helped secure American independence
• "Advice to a Friend on Choosing a Mistress" and Franklin's surprisingly modern views on aging and relationships
• "Fart Proudly" and the surprisingly real science behind why flatulence smells
• Why Benjamin Franklin may have invented the mindset of modern science more than any single invention

Whether you're a history buff, a science nerd, or just here for the fart jokes, this episode explores the remarkable life of a man who never stopped asking questions.

If you enjoyed the show, please consider following Lauren & PJ Do Science on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Leaving a rating and sharing the show with a friend is one of the best ways to help us grow.

Don't forget to visit our website! https://laurenandpjdoscience.carrd.co/

Part 2 of our Jellyfish journey is here! Learn about some different kids of jellyfish, what they have in common with a certain species of frog, why they might remind you of an ex, and of course, PJ's song.

Speaking of journeys, Lauren tells us about an adventure she'll be going on in a few weeks to study the big blue hole (spoiler, PJ was very wrong about what this was).

If you have any questions or want to see us cover any certain topics, let us know in the comments.

Also! We have a website now! You can pick your listening platform and find us on social media all in one neat, tidy, one stop shop: http://laurenandpjdoscience.carrd.com/

On this week's episode, Lauren and PJ undertake a Spongebob approved activity and go jellyfishing! Resident jellyfish enthusiast Dr. Lauren talks about the cute little gelatinous blobs, what they are, how they move, why they just might be aliens and much more.

We also discuss Lauren's seedy, degenerate past in Atlantic City, PJ's tragic dating history and why you shouldn't pee on people (without consent).

Leave a comment below with any questions you have or any topic you'd love us to tackle and don't forget to like and subscribe!

Companion playlist is live on Spotify! https://tinyurl.com/fke6bsb5