RUFSM

On August 19th, we participated in the 5th annual KCRW 24 Hour Radio Race. We got the theme at 10 AM on Saturday and we had until 10 AM Sunday to decide on a subject, research that subject, and record, edit and produce a 4 minute radio ready segment on that subject. This is what we came up with. We hope you enjoy it!

This week Apryl and Rachael talk to doula Ruth Lundsten (Apryl's mom) and learn about birth coaches, midwives, labor and new research about the biological bonds between mothers and babies. In a total RUFSM moment, they also learn what doctors aren't taught about the birth process. What they found out will probably astound you, too.

Ready for another dose of random facts? We are, too. This week Rachael and Apryl share their latest favorite obsessions. Apryl gives the low-down on a new species of shark that has an amazing super power. And Rachael introduces us to the longest song ever composed, which is being played right now. Plus, you get to hear her play one of John Cage's greatest hits.

We're not gonna lie, we love a heist story. Movies like the Thomas Crown affair and How to Steal a Million Dollars paint a picture of mystery and romance around the world of art crimes. Is it really filled with as much intrigue and such ridiculously beautiful people, though? We reached out to Dr. Noah Charney, leading expert in art crime, to find out what the world of art heists is really like.

Mary Shelley was Goth as f*ck. There's no disputing that. But did you know that she was a heroine in her own right? How about the fact that she was daughter to the incredible Feminist Philosopher Mary Wollstonecraft? This week we speak with Charlotte Gordon, author of Romantic Outlaws about the parallel lives of The Marys.

Before there were Deadheads or Trekkies, there were Wagnerites. Maybe the first fanboys, Wagnerites are diehards for the (often controversial) German opera composer Richard Wagner. This week Apryl and Rachael talk to Tano Sokolow, whose dad was a raging Wagnerite and passed on his love of the composer -- and opera -- to his family.

Grandmother Ayahuasca has the power to change lives and we got to talk to two people who have had front row seats to this power. As a result of her own personal experience, our first guest, Dr. Rachel Harris, was inspired to research how this plant medicine was being used in North America. Her findings were spectacular and she shares them with us. Our second guest, Chelsea Lockwood, talks with us about how ayahuasca helped with her depression and Grandmother Ayahuasca's foretelling of an illness that was yet to come.

This week Apryl and Rachael head out to Yucca Valley and Landers, near Joshua Tree, to find out the history of a super gigante rock, a building that was built to save humanity (or travel through time (or both)). They learn who built the odd structure and share a mind-blowing experience — taking a dip into a sound bath. Come along for the ride!

Please note: We include a clip of sound bath audio in this episode. The use of crystal bowls in sound baths have been known to create binaural beats. While binaural beats have been shown to reduce anxiety in pro-op for surgery, they can also have a hypnotic effect and may cause seizures for people with epilepsy or certain heart conditions. If you have either of these conditions, please consult a doctor before listening to the sound bath audio or skip past that section.

There's a saying that goes "When in Rome, do as the Romans do," but this week we learned that when in Ancient Rome, you may want to think twice.  In a fun and fascinating True or False session with Dr. E.Del Chrol, we found out about some of the stranger things happened in Ancient Rome. Let's just say things got weird back in the day.

In the final installation of our series on Psychedelics, we talk with Thomas B. Roberts, Ph.D. about the future of psychedelics. We learn about transpersonal therapy and mindbody states along with the exciting new concepts of mindapps and ideagens.