Foreign correspondent Tony Five reports on a British Columbia man charged with drunk driving while operating a children's Barbie Jeep at 5mph. David appeals to Tony not to let hearing horrible news weigh him down. On Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday, therapist and social worker Gary Direnfeld describes a conversation he had with his wife concerning bread – and how it could have gone very wrong. Gary and David discuss when being too nice of a parent goes bad. Human-robot interaction researcher Lauren Wright shares how robots could help kids conquer reading anxiety. Moral philosophy professor Pia Campeggiani reveals how students rate identical lectures differently based on their professor's gender. Economist Tom Lane and David debate how complete honesty on your resume might not always be the best policy. Population health researcher ⁠Dr. Anna Kenyon⁠ makes ⁠a science-backed case for doing nothing and shares how letting your mind wander can reset your brain⁠.

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UK-based Tony Five reports live from Croatia on the emotional support alligator that's no longer welcome at a Pennsylvania Walmart, and then David analyzes a dream Tony had. On Conspiracy Corner, Dr. Lee Kuhnle describes a few times when the CIA used sex, pornography, and sex dolls to run real-world operations. (⁠⁠⁠Check out Lee's podcast The Uncover Up here⁠⁠⁠.) Marshall Cunningham from University of Chicago's Divinity School discusses how religion comes into play with video game Grand Theft Auto. English professor Dr. Patrick Jagoda brings up how video games can be used for social good, and the role of them in higher education. (Patrick is helping organize the Year of Games at University of Chicago.) After that, it's reporter ⁠Matthew Alston⁠⁠ on the things that might make Gen Z quit a job. Psychology professor Dr. Yeeun Archer Lee goes over her research on how lonely, socially anxious people see benefit from small acts of kindness.

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The show opens with Vet Talk or Pet Talk with Dr. Cliff Redford discussing the following pet-related topics: What owning a cat does to your brain (and theirs); Diagnostic system developed for identifying ADHD-suspected dog; and Dog spots suitcases being packed, what he does next changes everything. Pop culture writer Callie Ahlgrim explains how weaponized incompetence is back, and that it's driving modern women out of their marriages. Gloria Kostadinova tells the story of the 95 year-old solo traveler she sat next to on an international flight who's now her pen pal, teaching her a lot about life. In the search for a hobby for foreign correspondent Tony Five, listener Lauren pitches hobby horsing. Urban innovation researcher Andrew Irvin tells David why it's time for a new orbital activity treaty governing the ever-increasing number of satellites. Marketing and behavioral science professor Dr. Yanwen Wang reveals how AI salespeople aren't better than humans... yet. Dr. Søren Dinesen Østergaard⁠ goes over ⁠his predictions about ChatGPT psychosis and what can be done now that cases of it have appeared⁠.

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Foreign correspondent Tony Five describes a lizard that gave birth without mating in the UK. Astrophysicist ⁠Dr. Jesse Rogerson⁠ answers David's questions about 3I/ATLAS, the interstellar comet moving through our solar system. Media and communications researcher M. Sebih Oruç explains why you should put down your phone and engage in boredom, and how philosophy can help with digital overload. Therapist Laurel van der Toorn outlines why parallel play is the ultimate couple skill. Sociology professor Brad Wilcox reveals that people are having less sex than ever. Psychiatrist Dr. Awais Aftab defines the "Rumpelstiltskin effect," that is the surprising power of simply receiving a diagnosis. Amanda Silberling from TechCrunch describes an unlikely lawsuit: Mark Zuckerberg vs. Mark Zuckerberg. Astrophysicist Dr. Rhiannon Udall tells David about the recent discovery of the loudest ever black hole.

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Foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ announces ⁠a new koala chlamydia vaccine⁠ (seriously) and then talks about how he was trapped in Boston on 9/11. Associate professor of psychology Dr. Anna Weinberg explains how students with overprotective parents are more vulnerable to anxiety during their transition to university. On It's Time For Technology Time, Carmi Levy covers: Majority of middle-income people not interested in using AI for financial advice; Apple's iPhone Air event; and Google admits the open web is in rapid decline. Research professor in applied science at William and Mary Dr. Joel S. Levine describes how fifty years ago NASA sent two spacecraft to search for life on Mars and how their findings are still discussed today. Cris Moore from the Santa Fe Institute questions whether courts can safeguard fairness when using AI. On Pop Cultured, Like Fungus, media personality Caitlin Green chats about filling in for David, the Banksy mural fiasco in the UK, and the cryptic child birth at Burning Man. (Listen to Caitlin on The Jann Arden Podcast here.) Professor of conspiracy studies Nathan Radke joins the program for Conspiracy Corner and considers what we can learn from the Reichstag fire. (Check out Nathan's podcast The Uncover Up here.)

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Things kick off with foreign correspondent Tony Five and the show's technical producer Adam Karch going over the recent Apple Event. Tony dispenses some hobby-based advice on Advice For Your Tomorrow's Self, Yesterday (AFY-TSY). Financial coach Michael Madden explains why he collects rent from his 6 year-old daughter every month. Then, it's social psychologist Kristina Castaneto on why reluctance to reach out to old friends is a common experience, but how reconnecting can pay off. Behavioral scientist Dr. Lucía Macchia reveals the shockingly strong link between loneliness and physical pain. On Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday, Gary Direnfeld welcomes David back from Burning Man, discusses David's recent sobriety milestone, and touches upon World Suicide Prevention Day. Journalist Kelli María Korducki outlines the rise of executive function coaches.

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Foreign correspondent Tony Five shares an odd dream. Dr. Cameron Piercy discusses how artificial intelligence loses out to humans in credibility during corporate crisis responses. On Pet Talk (or Vet Talk), Dr. Cliff Redford covers: An attorney offering free pet prenups; Social media linked to a rise in abandoned large dogs; and Unhinged pet sitter instructions. On Sex, Et Cetera, sexual health and consent educator Samantha Bitty brings up the cuffing pre-season. Social-environmental epidemiologist Mark Ferguson describes the problems with one third of children not playing outdoors after school. Event planner Rayven Crisafulli gives an overview of micro weddings.

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Host David Cooper returns from vacation at The Burning Man festival⁠ and discusses it with foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five. On ⁠Noah vs. The Unknown⁠, TV personality ⁠Noah Cappe⁠ and David chat about the strange Tunguska event. Future-of-work reporter ⁠Tim Paradis describes how applying for jobs has never been easier and why that's a problem. Senior economics reporter Juliana Kaplan shares how millennials and Gen Z in their first jobs out of college might actually tell the story of the economy. David celebrates his 6 years of sobriety from alcohol with addiction expert Yonah Budd. Psychology and AI researcher David Saeteros reveals the catch with AI's personality-reading powers. Sociology researcher Zosia Cooper explains that Gen Z is the most investment-savvy generation.

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Today's guests with fill-in host Caitlin Green:

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Tonight on The Last Show, Caitlin Green is in for David Cooper

🛋️ Therapist Gary Direnfeld — why actions speak louder than words in love, navigating tough breakups & managing back-to-school stress

🌍 Travel journalist & host Natalie Preddie — the rise of solo travel + tips for planning a trip for one

👟 Writer Michelle Cyca — what “obstacle parenting” is & how it can boost kids’ creativity and endurance

🎮 Philosopher Steph Rennick — why women feel guilty about gaming

💡 Assistant Professor Carolyn Baer — why confidence matters as much as skill, especially for kids

👩‍👧 Writer Jill Robbins — why she didn’t rush her kids into summer or after-school jobs

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