Piqued Podcast

Do you know how gasoline is made? Or what octane rating is and why it's actually pretty important? Are you curious why a small channel over 7000 miles away impacts the prices at our pumps? Join Trini and Monica as they explore the kind of crazy world of gasoline.

Sources:

Brain, M. (2000, April 1). How gasoline works. HowStuffWorks. https://science.howstuffworks.com/gasoline.htm

Casey, S. (2023, January 26). What is it – Fuel truck. Mansfield Energy. https://mansfield.energy/2023/01/26/what-is-it-fuel-truck/

Casey, S. (2023, February 1). What is it – Fuel terminal. Mansfield Energy. https://mansfield.energy/2023/02/01/what-is-it-fuel-terminal/

Farley, C., Funakoshi, M., Kongkunakornkul, P., Jayaram, K., Sen, S., & Webb, S. (2026, March 11). How the Strait of Hormuz closure affects global oil supply. Reuters.com. Retrieved March 13, 2026, from https://www.reuters.com/graphics/IRAN-CRISIS/OIL-LNG/mopaokxlypa/ 

Harper, D. (n.d.). Gasoline. In Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved March 12, 2026, from https://www.etymonline.com/word/gasoline

Lumley, G. (2023, November). Where does oil come from and how is it formed? BKV Energy. https://bkvenergy.com/learning-center/where-does-oil-come-from/

Natural gas (Wikipedia article). (2026, March 12). In Wikipedia. Retrieved March 12, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_gas

True Natural Gas. (2022, December 16). Fuel facts: The differences between natural gas and gas. True Natural Gas. https://www.truenaturalgas.com/blog/post/fuel-facts-the-differences-between-natural-gas-and-gas1 

U.S. Energy Information Administration. (n.d.). Where our gasoline comes from. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/gasoline/where-our-gasoline-comes-from.php

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Light crude oil. In Wikipedia. Retrieved March 13, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_crude_oil

Have you ever woken up from a dream and felt an intense emotion afterwards? Or wonder what your dream is trying to tell you? Join Trini and Monica as they explore the world of dreams, some possible explanations as to why they happen, and why research into dreams is actually incredibly hard to study.

Editor's note: we tried a new mic (we didn't like it) so the sound quality might be a little janky on this episode. Hopefully it won't interrupt listening too much! Back to our old faithful next week!

Do you know how bees really make honey? Or how they have very specific tasks that they only perform at certain stages of their lives. Join Trini and Monica as they take a deep dive into the world of honey bees.

If you like the show, please be sure to leave us a review wherever you get your podcasts - reviews help new listeners find our show!

Sources:

https://www.amentsoc.org/insects/glossary/terms/royal-jelly/#:~:text=Royal%20jelly%20is%20a%20substance,milk%2C%20often%20called%20royal%20jelly.

https://hannasbees.ie/royal-jelly-what-it-is-and-why-bees-make-it/  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeycomb

https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/initiatives-and-highlighted-programs/peoples-garden/importance-pollinators/honey-bees 

https://www.orkin.com/pests/stinging-pests/bees/honey-bees/honey-bee-life-span 

https://beebeewraps.com/blogs/news/how-do-bees-make-beeswax?srsltid=AfmBOoq6ne7WBqpeZSqUaBPww_t8zloPqck0aR0FgzhP9gixYM8LD_2b

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/honeybee-sting-kill-bee

https://www.honeyflow.com/blogs/beekeeping-basics/how-do-bees-make-honey?srsltid=AfmBOooY45_chdmqGElxrST8Vu7y2a62I1EreRv2grn2hfmm9VJerQ9d 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honey_bee#Pollination 

https://justbeehoney.co.uk/blogs/just-bee-honey-blog/is-beekeeping-cruel?srsltid=AfmBOoq6HYRtwrgjhXefhpqZ2kAv77VSP8hO7bk1rohtR6FwuOds4LCH 

https://www.nwf.org/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2021/June-July/Gardening/Honey-Bees 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3758027/ 

https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/manuka-honey-medicinal-uses 

https://www.clubhouse.ca/en-ca/articles/pasteurized-vs-unpasteurized-honey 

https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/bees-are-dying-at-an-alarming-rate

Our first grab bag! We took all the questions we've had over the past 20 episodes and answered them in a silly, all over the place romp! Find out how sharks actually retract their stomachs after they've emptied them, and if you can accidentally speak to hummingbird by hammering on the outside of your house.

If you like the show, please be sure to subscribe and leave a review; comments are a great way to introduce new listeners to our show!

Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9657402/#:~:text=Figure%202.&text=Glycemic%20response%20variables%20subtracted%20from,%E2%80%9C%C3%97%E2%80%9D%20represents%20the%20mean. . 

https://spiders.ucr.edu/deadly-banana-spider-or-not#:~:text=But%20the%20overall%20message%20here,misidentification%20and%20unwarranted%20media%20hyperbole. 

https://www.burkemuseum.org/collections-and-research/biology/arachnology-and-entomology/spider-myths/myth-spider-eggs-bananas 

https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/leonardo-da-vinci/the-mona-lisa 

https://www.straightdope.com/21343088/what-s-the-origin-of-yellow-bellied 

https://iere.org/why-are-aquariums-so-relaxing/#Diving_Deep_The_Psychological_Benefits

Content warning: adult language and themes of sexuality and romance are discussed in this episode.

Have you ever heard of a vinegar valentine? Did you know the stories of the saints the day was named after (and how they were probably adapted to suit the needs of the church to combat a Roman fertility festival?)? Did you know that Cupid started out as a stud before evolving into a chubby baby angel?

Join Trini and Monica as they have some fun exploring all things related to Valentine's Day.

Do you know what the first food marketed as a superfood was? Are commonly known superfoods really that much better for you or is it all a product of mass marketing?

Join Trini and Monica as they explore the world of superfoods, what makes them so necessary for a balanced diet, and how you can incorporate more to improve your overall health (and what the super foods can, and cannot, do for our bodies).

Sources:

Blerend, D. (2019, April 23). How We Turned Blueberries into Superfoods. Outside Online. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.outsideonline.com/health/nutrition/blueberries-superfood-benefits/ 

Briggs, B. (2015, October 28). Kale Tale: How a wild cabbage erupted into a trendy 'superfood'. Fred Hutch Cancer Center. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2015/10/how-kale-became-trendy-superfood.html 

Choline. (2026, January 5). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choline 

Cleveland Clinic (2021, December 22). Amino Acids - Benefits and Food Sources. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22243-amino-acids 

Cleveland Clinic (2021, December 27). Antioxidants: What They Do and Antioxidant-Rich Foods. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-do-antioxidants-do 

Essential Amino Acids. (2026, January 24). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_amino_acid 

Essential Fatty Acids. (2025, December 28). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_fatty_acid 

Everitt, L. (2012, March 23). The Chia Craze. BBC News. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17476690 

FoodStruct (n.d.). Spinach Raw vs. Kale Raw - In Depth Nutrition Comparison. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from https://foodstruct.com/compare/spinach-nutrition-vs-kale-nutrition 

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (n.d.). Superfoods or Superhype? The Nutrition Source. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/superfoods/ 

Hassan, D. (2013, July 13). Flaxseed - is it the new superfood? MSU Extension. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/flaxseed_is_it_the_new_superfood 

Hendley, J., & Fung, T., MD, RD, ScD (2025, March 4). Savoring the benefits of bone broth: Worth a Taste? Harvard Health. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/savoring-the-benefits-of-bone-broth-worth-a-taste 

Hendley, J., & Fung, T., MD, RD, ScD (2025, June 16). Avocados nutrition: Health benefits and easy recipes. Harvard Health. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/avocado-nutrition-health-benefits-and-easy-recipes 

McKenna, R. (n.d.). Nutritionally Speaking: Superfoods - what are they and why are they called 'super?'. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from https://soprissun.com/nutritionally-speaking-superfoods-what-are-they-and-why-are-they-called-super/ 

Misktas, C., RD, LD (2025, August 25). 10 Foods High In Flavonoids and Why You Need Them. WebMD. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-flavonoids 

Price Chopper (n.d.). The History of Avocados. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.pricechopper.com/blog/the-rise-of-avocados/ 

Restivo, J., & Fung, T., MD, RD, ScD (2024, February 21). Chia seed benefits: What you need to know. Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/chia-seed-benefits-what-you-need-to-know 

Shubrook, N. (2024, August 19). Top 5 health benefits of kale. Good Food. Retrieved February 2, 2026, from https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/health/nutrition/health-benefits-kale 

The Regents of the University of California, Davis Campus (2025, January 6). What Makes Superfood So Super? UC Davis. Retrieved February 1, 2026, from https://www.ucdavis.edu/food/news/what-makes-superfood-so-super 

Content Warning: This episode contains strong language and discussions of sexual abuse. Listener Discretion is advised.

If you or someone you know is experiencing or is a survivor of abuse, help is available. Contact the Sexual Abuse Hotline, RAINN, either at 800-656-HOPE or visit their website, https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/ for resources available in your area.

We covered the first three wives of Henry the VIII in our previous episode, but what do you know about Anna of Cleves, Katherine Howard, and Catherine Parr? Was Anna really ugly? Did Katherine H. actually seduce all those men? And exactly how cool is Henry's last wife?

Join Trini and Monica as they learn about the incredible successes and unbelievable tragedies surrounding the final three wives of Henry the VIII.

Sources:

Anne of Cleves. (2026, January 17). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_of_Cleves 

Borman, T. (n.d.). Anne of Cleves, The Great Survivor. Retrieved January 25, 2026, from https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/anne-of-cleves/ 

Borman, T. (n.d.). Catherine Howard. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/catherine-howard/ 

Borman, T. (n.d.). Katherine Parr: Scholar, Stepmother, Survivor. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/katherine-parr/ 

Borman, T. (2021, January 6). Was Anne of Cleves Henry VIII's Most Successful Queen? HistoryExtra. Retrieved January 25, 2026, from https://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/anne-of-cleves-henry-viii-successful-queen-fourth-wife-tracy-borman/ ved-anne-of-cl

Larson, R. L. (2016, July 10). The Letter that Saved Anne of Cleves' Life. Retrieved January 25, 2026, from https://tudorsdynasty.com/letter-saved-anne-of-cleves-life/ 

Mason, E. (2020, July 20). 11 Facts about Catherine Howards, fifth wife of Henry VIII. HistoryExtra. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/catherine-howard-facts-life-death-marriage-henry-viii-execution-ghost/ 

Sudeley Castle and Gardens (n.d.). 5 Fascinating Facts About the Queen Who Survived. Sudeley Castle. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://sudeleycastle.co.uk/news/5-fascinating-facts-about-the-queen-who-survived 

https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/catherine-howard/ 

Weir, A. (2000). The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Grove Press.

If you're interested in learning more about each queen and the history of the palaces in the UK, consider checking out The Royal Historical Palaces podcast.

How do octopus's suckers work? How do they change color so quickly? And what is the actual correct way to say octopus in the plural? Join Monica and Trini as they learn more about the most intelligent alien-like mollusks of the sea.

Sources:

Baker, H. (2022, May 11). How Do Octopuses Change Color. Live Science. Retrieved January 18, 2026, from https://www.livescience.com/how-do-octopuses-change-color 

Bradley, D. (2026, January 15). Are There Any Freshwater Octopuses? Aquarium Whisperer. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://aquariumwhisperer.com/are-there-any-freshwater-octopuses/ 

Bradley, D. (2024, February 28). Octopus Suction Cups: Everything You Need to Know. Retrieved January 18, 2026, from https://aquariumwhisperer.com/octopus-suction-cups/ 

Cephalopod Ink. (2025, November 25). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cephalopod_ink 

Cephalopod Limb. (2025, November 30). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cephalopod_limb 

D'Raven, K. M. (2024, September 5). The Octopus: A Multi-Cultural Symbol of Wisdom, Trickery and Resilience. Mysterious Times. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://mysterioustimes.co.uk/2024/09/05/the-octopus-a-multi-cultural-symbol-of-wisdom-trickery-and-resilience/ 

Encyclopedia Brittanica (2026, January 17). Octopus. Brittanica. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://www.britannica.com/animal/octopus-mollusk 

Higgs, E. (2023, October 10). Octopi, Octopodes or Octopuses? What's the Correct Plural for Octopus? Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://www.iflscience.com/octopi-octopodes-or-octopuses-whats-the-correct-plural-for-octopus-71050 

Horton, J. (n.d.). How Octopuses Work. How Stuff Works. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://animals.howstuffworks.com/marine-life/octopus.htm 

Jones, L. (n.d.). 'Underwater city' reveals mysterious octopus world. BBC Earth. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://www.bbcearth.com/news/underwater-city-reveals-mysterious-octopus-world 

Octopus. (2026, January 17). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octopus 

National Wildlife Federation (n.d.). Octopus. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Octopuses 

Nuwer, R., & Anderson, S. (2024, March 13). Ten Wild Facts about Octopuses: They Have Three Hearts, Big Brains and Blue Blood. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/ten-wild-facts-about-octopuses-they-have-three-hearts-big-brains-and-blue-blood-7625828/ 

Pester, P. (2025, February 12). Octopus: Facts about the 8-armed geniuses of the Sea. Live Science. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://www.livescience.com/55478-octopus-facts.html 

Quaglia, S. (2024, September 22). Octopus Facts | Molluscs. BBC Earth. Retrieved January 17, 2026, from https://www.bbcearth.com/factfiles/animals/molluscs/octopus 

Spider Zoon (2026, January 11). Octopus Lifecycle and Lifespan: Stages, Growth and Death. Animals. Retrieved January 18, 2026, from https://spiderzoon.com/animals/octopus-lifecycle-and-lifespan/

Content warning: Language and discussion of domestic violence. If you or anyone you know is in an unsafe relationship, or suffering from abuse, there is hope. Visit https://www.thehotline.org/ or https://www.findhelp.org/program/6376499712098304 now to find resources near you.

You've heard the rhyme (or the musical): Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived. But other than their tragic ends, what do you really know about the six wives of King Henry the Eighth? Join Trini and Monica as they explore the first three queens - Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour - and learn who they were and what they did with and without their famous husband.

Sources:

Anne Boleyn. (2026, January 5). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Boleyn 

Cartwright, M. (2020, April 21). Anne Boleyn. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 9, 2026, from https://www.worldhistory.org/Anne_Boleyn/ 

Cartwright, M. (2020, April 14). Catherine of Aragon. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 5, 2026 from https://www.worldhistory.org/Catherine_of_Aragon/

Catherine of Aragon. (2026, January 9). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_of_Aragon 

Encyclopedia Britannica (2026, January 2). Jane Seymour - Biography, Queen, Henry VIII & Facts. Britannica. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jane-Seymour 

Hearst Digital Media Organization (2021, May 21). Jane Seymour : Biography, Queen, Henry VIII & Facts. Biography.com. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://www.biography.com/royalty/jane-seymour 

Historic Royal Palaces (n.d.). Katherine of Aragon. Hampton Court Palace. Retrieved January 6, 2026 from https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/katherine-of-aragon/ 

Historic Royal Palaces (n.d.). Jane Seymour. Hampton Court Palace. Retrieved January 10, 2026, from https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/history-and-stories/jane-seymour/ 

History Skills (n.d.). Henry VIII's Jousting Incident. Retrieved January 9, 2026, from https://www.historyskills.com/classroom/year-8/henry-viii-jousting-accident/ 

Immediate Media Company, LTD (2024, March 19). Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's Second Wife: Life, Death, Surprising Facts. HistoryExtra. Retrieved January 9, 2026, from https://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/anne-boleyn-facts-elizabeth-henry-wife-birth-death/ 

Jane Seymour. (2026, January 6). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Seymour 

Ridgway, C. (2010, March 29). Anne Boleyn and the Reformation. The Anne Boleyn Files. Retrieved January 9, 2026, from https://www.theanneboleynfiles.com/anne-boleyn-and-the-reformation/ 

Tudor Hub (2025, July 20). Anne Boleyn - The Enigmatic Queen Who Changed England Forever. Retrieved January 8, 2026, from https://tudorhub.com/anne-boleyn-the-enigmatic-queen-who-changed-england-forever/ 

 Weir, Alison (3 May 2018). "Why did Jane Seymour Die in Childbed? Chapter 4: Final Stages". Tudor Times. Retrieved January 10, 2026 from https://tudortimes.co.uk/guest-articles/why-did-jane-seymour-die-in-childbed/final-stages 

Weir, A. (2000). The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Grove Press.

This week, Monica and Trini explore the origin of New Year's resolutions (spoiler: it's the church. Again.), why so many people fail at keeping their resolutions and what you might be able to do instead to make lasting change.

Sources:

BetterHelp (2025, December 20). New Year's Resolutions: Statistics and Evidence-based Strategies for Success. Better Health Editorial Team. Retrieved January 2, 2026, from https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/current-events/new-years-resolutions-statistics-and-evidence-based-strategies-for-success/ 

Davis, S. (2023, December 18). New Year's Resolutions Statistics. Forbes Health. Retrieved January 2, 2026, from https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-years-resolutions-statistics/ 

Derrick, A., PhD, & McClanahan, S., PhD (2025, December 28). Opting out of Resolution Culture: Healthier Goals for 2026. SpringSource. Retrieved January 3, 2026, from https://springsourcecenter.com/new-years-resolution-alternatives/ 

Janus. (2025, December 27). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus 

New Year's Resolution. (2026, January 1). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_resolution 

Segarra, M., & Schneider, C. M. (2025, January 6). Ready to take on a difficult goal? Here's how a buddy might help. GBH. Retrieved January 2, 2026, from https://www.wgbh.org/news/2025-01-15/ready-to-take-on-a-difficult-goal-heres-how-a-buddy-might-help 

Triesman, R. (2025, December 31). Where New Year's Resolutions come from. NPR. Retrieved January 1, 2026, from https://www.npr.org/2025/12/31/nx-s1-5649767/new-years-resolutions-history