What do you think about when you eat? When Bill Nye eats, he thinks about the science behind every bite. Expert eater and host of the Sporkful Dan Pashman joins us to talk about food and give his eater perspective to caller questions, including from Nicole who wants to know whether adding salt to water really makes it boiler faster, and from Derek who wonders what is it about ketchup that makes it a non-Newtonian fluid. Plus, Dan gives his hot take on Evan’s question— what will be the next food fad?

You can listen to ad-free new episodes of Science Rules!, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com and use promo code ‘SCIENCE.'

This episode is sponsored by WGU (www.wgu.edu/sciencerules), Honeybook (www.honeybook.com code: SCIENCERULES), Progressive Insurance (www.progressive.com), and DoorDash (code: SCIENCERULES).

To be scientifically literate, you first have to be literate. That’s why loving reading is so important and why LeVar Burton is here to take your questions! Matthew calls in to ask why he can’t remember anything without a story, Karina wonders how she can make reading feel less like a chore, and Giusseppe asks if listening to audiobooks is like cheating. LeVar will answer those questions and remind us that it’s reading and stories that make us human.

You can listen to ad-free new episodes of Science Rules!, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com and use promo code ‘SCIENCE.'

To understand our role in the universe, we have to explore the cosmos. Astrophysicist and author Dr. Janna Levin guides us in exploring the origins of the cosmos, black holes, string theory, and more! Plus, Dr. Levin answers a question from Hailey, who asks how we can measure a constantly-expanding universe, and from Victoria who’s been wondering if we’re living a holographic universe.

You can listen to ad-free new episodes of Science Rules!, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com and use promo code ‘SCIENCE.'

Language, especially English, has a lot of rules. We tackle how and why those rules apply to English with Copy Chief at Random House Benjamin Dreyer, who reminds us that while rules are important, we have to change our minds about some rules. We hear from a few callers, including Allyson who wants to know why the classic "i before e" rule barely applies. Plus, two of this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee "Octochamps" tell us how they made it twenty rounds without one misspelling.

You can listen to ad-free new episodes of Science Rules!, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com and use promo code ‘SCIENCE'.

This episode is sponsored by Progressive Insurance (www.progressive.com), Honeybook (www.honeybook.com code: SCIENCERULES), and MagellanTV (www.magellantv.com/sciencerules).

Nuclear weapons should be important to all of us because we've got to figure out how to not use them, and how to protect them. Caller Valentina wonders how a generation inundated with information can prioritize nukes as an issue, while caller Larry suggests that maybe the answer to this world problem is as simple as blasting them all into space. Science historian and nuclear weapons expert Dr. Alex Wellerstein joins us to talk history, address those concerns, and more.

You can listen to ad-free new episodes of Science Rules!, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com and use promo code ‘SCIENCE.

This episode is sponsored by Progressive Insurance (www.progressive.com), KiwiCo (www.kiwico.com/SCIENCERULES), and Turo.

Consider this episode of Science Rules! a user manual for how you think, feel and remember, as we explore the nature of consciousness with neuroscientist Dr. Heather Berlin.

This episode is sponsored by Progressive Insurance (www.progressive.com), ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/SCIENCERULES), The Great Courses Plus (www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/SCIENCERULES). and Turo.

You've probably heard someone say, "She takes after her father." But what does that really mean? How do we inherit certain traits and characteristics? Writer Carl Zimmer joins us to answer your calls about what heredity means, how it plays out, and whether you should consider taking a DNA test. His book, She Has Her Mother's Laugh, is now available in paperback.

This episode is sponsored by Turo, KiwiCo (www.kiwico.com/SCIENCERULES), and MagellanTV (www.magellantv.com/sciencerules).

Maybe you've heard drinking coffee will keep you alive longer, that antioxidants will slow down the aging process, or that jogging will add 10 years to your life. But is there really a secret to living longer? Whatever the secret is, we're talking about the latest research with Dr. Nir Barzilai. He joins us to discuss his research on human lifespan and longevity, and to take your calls about the mysteries of aging!

This episode is sponsored by The Great Courses Plus (www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/SCIENCERULES), MagellanTV (www.magellantv.com/sciencerules), and KiwiCo (www.kiwico.com/SCIENCERULES).

Antibiotics have changed the world and helped keep us healthy. But, the use of broad spectrum drugs have had some serious consequences. Bacteria and disease expert Dr. Peg Riley has some big ideas about bacteria and how to deal with these consequences. She's also here to set the record straight about how often you should be washing your hands and just how safe vaccines are.

In a world of fake news and real warming, Bill Nye is back to assure you science is for everyone! Along with his co-host Corey S. Powell and Ologies host, humorist and science correspondent Alie Ward, Bill takes your questions about everything from declining insect populations to how to be a dad who combats climate change.

This episode is sponsored by ZipRecruiter (www.ziprecruiter.com/SCIENCERULES).