Science with The Blunt Letters

In this episode of theBlunt Letters Podcast, we pay tribute to the late David Lynch, a visionary who reshaped cinema and deeply influenced generations of artists, including our own Micaela. Lynch’s ability to tap into the subconscious through surreal storytelling, dreamlike imagery, and eerie sound design has profoundly shaped cinema. His work blurs the line between reality and dreams, evoking emotions beyond words and redefining narrative structure in filmmaking. Join Micaela, Elle, and Jerbil as they explore his groundbreaking impact, from bringing the bizarre and uncanny into the mainstream to inspiring artists to embrace mystery and fearlessness in their work, in part one of this special tribute.

Featuring the original song "Paranormal Stoner" by Micaela Superstar

References:

Twin Peaks Day

Lost Highway - Mystery Man at Party

Uniform (Band)

Angelo Badalamenti

Nine Inch Nails and David Lynch

Wild at Heart Barry Gifford

S3 Ep 19: Twin Peaks and Conspiracy with Isaac Weishaupt

Severance (TV Show)

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! We’re welcoming the new year with weird stories from our backyard, this episode is all about creepy California. We had a recent tsunami warning and it made us wonder, what should we do? Then we describe and discuss lesser-known cryptids from the golden state. Finally, what’s going on with Mt. Shasta? This volcanic mountain has been a hot bed for everything from spiritual pilgramiges, to UFO sightings! Get to know this majestic California peak. 

Featuring Original Song “Quartz Portalz” by Micaela Superstar

References:

Mt ShastaResident Alien

How Would A Tsunami Affect the Bay Area? Scientists Weigh-in

Surfer Today “How to Survive a Tsunami”

Tsunami Reality Check

For centuries, Big Sur residents have seen 'Dark Watchers' in the mountains

The Fresno Nightcrawler

A Guide To California's Monsters And Mythical Creatures

Count of St. Germain

In this episode of The Blunt Letters, we launch with an eye-opening Space Update, diving into the fascinating conditions astronauts face aboard the International Space Station—from microgravity woes to cosmic living quirks. Then, we bring it back to Earth with a stylish spin, exploring three quintessential pieces of American fashion: the classic moto jacket, the timeless Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers, and the ever-cool Clubmaster sunglasses. Finally, we look to the future by discussing cutting-edge advances in sneaker technology and materials, including performance-enhancing designs. It’s a journey through space and style you won’t want to miss!

Featuring Original Song “Science Shuffle” by Micaela Superstar

Join our Patreon! Get the "What Are You Drinking?" cocktail recipe book and The Cryptid Cocktail Party recipe book when you join at the $5 level before 12/25/2024.

Don't forget to follow us on Insta, TikTok, Facebook, and Depop! Find everything at The Blunt Letters.com

References

NASA live feed

Astronaut Exercise

Bart Simpson Shoe

The Sandlot (1993)

Club Master glasses

Chuck Taylor Allstar Shoes

Perfecto Moto Jacket

Ramones Album cover

Asics Quantum Shoes

This week on the Blunt Letters podcast we discuss the Earth’s changing climate, the steps scientists are taking to combat disasters, and how gophers helped Mt. Saint Helens bounce back after the famous eruption in 1980. Plus! We have another Space Update. Four people recently came back to Earth from the International Space Station, but not Willaims and Wilmore - the astronauts who were only supposed to stay for a week, we’ll tell you why! 

Featuring the original song “Cat Madness” by Micaela Superstar

References:

Best Friends Podcast - The slap 

Good Hair (2009)

A SpaceX capsule just came back to Earth. Here’s why Boeing Starliner’s astronauts weren’t on it

NASA astronauts on readjusting to life on Earth: ‘It’s hard to sit’

Scientists Aim to Halt ‘Doomsday Glacier’ Collapse With a Giant Underwater Curtain

How gophers brought Mount St. Helens back to life in one day

In the Animal Moon Rituals episode of The Blunt Letters podcast, Micaela and Elle dive into the fascinating lives of elephants, horseshoe crabs, fish, and coral. They explore the unique behaviors and ancient rituals these animals have influenced by lunar cycles. Elephants' complex social structures and emotional depth are discussed, along with the strange, age-old spawning practices of horseshoe crabs. This episode blends science and comedy, celebrating animals' mysterious bond with lunar rhythms.

Featuring the original song “2 Moons are Better than 1” by Micaela Superstar

References:

They are very well aware of their agency': Elephant calf burial ritual discovered in India

Ronald Siegel

Moon worship: Pliny the Elder 

Lunar Cycle May Influence Elephants' Crop 'Raids'

The lunar cycle: effects on human and animal behavior and physiology

6 Wild Ways the Moon Affects Animals

Welcome to another installment of the Poop Chronicles! Our guest Jon Bonesi joins us to talk about haunted toilets worldwide! We cover toilet hauntings from Japan, Europe and even our own local bathrooms. Get ready for a spooky poopy episode!

Featuring the original song "Vampyre" by Micaela Superstar

Welcome back to another spooky season episode of The Blunt Letters podcast! This week we get into the science of reanimation. Mary Shelly based her Frankenstein story on “true events,” what were they and where are we now when it comes to restoring life to the dead? And, in light of the new Beetlejuice movie, we bring you a Let Me Tell You About This Movie all about Tim Burton’s new sequel and revisit our favorite sci-fi animation series from the ’90s: Beetlejuice, The Real Ghost Busters, and X-Men: The Animated Series. 

References

Is It Possible to Reanimate the Dead?

How scientists have reanimated cells from dead pigs

Scientists are Giving Dead Brains New Life. What Could Go Wrong?

Johann Konrad Dippel

Giovanni Aldini

Luigi Galvani

Beetlejuice (TV Series)

Ghostbusters (TV Series)

X-Men: The Animated Series

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

Mubi

Welcome to spooky season with The Blunt Letters! This week we sink our teeth into the science of vampires! Were there real bloodsuckers in history? Or were they misunderstood patients suffering from a rare disease? Plus, get our little-known vampire recommendations to watch this spooky season!

Featuring Original Song “ Vampyre” by Micaela Superstar

Join our Patreon! Get the "What Are You Drinking?" cocktail recipe book and The Cryptid Cocktail Party recipe book when you join at the $5 level before 12/25/2024.

Don't forget to follow us on Insta, TikTok, Facebook, and Depop! Plus check out The Blunt Letters pod for a science podcast that's irreverently nerdy! Listen wherever you listen to podcasts!

References:
Vampire

Vampires in America (2022)

Netflix will not air documentary of missing Ohio man that was allegedly sacrificed by vampire coven

Bunnicula

Near Dark (1987)

The Deluxe Transitive Vampire by Karen Elizabeth Gordon

Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

What We Do In The Shadows

The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius by Judd Winick

Blood and Water by Judd Winick

Truck Route Serial Killers

30 Days of Night (2007)

Thirst (2009)

Therese Raquin by Emile Zola 

Jerry and The Vampire

This week we dive into the sea to find out what lies deep beneath the ocean. The Titanic is still down there and a crew is again making a deep-sea pilgrimage to check out the wreck. Here at the BL, we’re still wondering why. Then, one of Micaela’s not-so irrational fears may soon be resolved as scientists discover a way to predict devastating rogue waves. And, do you know what the world’s biggest ocean is? What if we told you it was buried beneath the Earth's crust? Learn about the water-absorbing rock deep within the Earth’s mantle and its role in our future. 

Featuring Original Song “Math is Facts” by Micaela Superstar

Join our Patreon! Get 50 minizines, exclusive behind the scenes video, and more!

Don't forget to follow us on Insta, TikTok, Facebook, and Depop! Plus check out The Blunt Letters pod for a science podcast that's irreverently nerdy! Listen wherever you listen to podcasts!

References:

NASA says 'pulsing sound' inside Boeing Starliner has stopped, won't impact slated return

Section of Titanic Made Famous in Movie Collapses Onto Ocean Floor

Ships could predict freak waves before they happen

New Evidence for Oceans of Water Deep in the EarthDehydration melting at the top of the lower mantle

The green children of woolpit!!

Enslaved TV Mini-series (2020)

Welcome to The Blunt Letter’s Space Update Episode! Can you believe those astronauts are still stuck on the International Space Station? A quick 8-day mission has turned into a 2-month (and counting) endeavor. We’ll give you the details on how they’re living and who’s gonna save them. Then, citizen scientists have discovered an object that is moving so fast, that it may escape the Milky Way. And finally, “donuts” on one of Saturn's moons might hold the secret to a new water source.
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Featuring Original Song “Two Moons Are Better Than One” by Micaela Superstar

References:

The Boeing Starliner astronauts are cleaning toilets and rationing clothes while they're stranded in space

NASA's Plan B: Why SpaceX Could Finish Boeing’s Starliner Mission

Citizen scientists discover object soaring out of the galaxy

James Webb telescope: Icy moon Enceladus spews massive water plume

Don Jon

Joseph Gordon Levitt

Packing for Mars by Mary Roach

Blunt Letters Episode about the Cassini trip to Saturn

What is Solar Sailing?