The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

By Popular Science

At Popular Science, we report and write dozens of science and tech stories every week. And while a lot of the fun facts we stumble across make it into our articles, there are lots of other weird facts... more

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FAQs about The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week:

How many episodes does The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week have?

The podcast currently has 209 episodes available.

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week episodes:

August 13, 2025 Medical Butt Chugging, Ancient Ice Cream Pyramids, "The Thing" but Midwestern
Mary Roach RETURNS to Weirdest Thing to share her new book, Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy! From this phenomenal new read, she discusses a section on breathing through your butt, a thing not only turtles can do, but also apparently humans. Plus, Rachel talks about the ancient (and DEADLY) origins of ice cream, and Lauren explains a strange, dark goop found on a research boat propeller in one of the great lakes. (Yes, we know it sounds like the premise of a new John Carpenter flick.)
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Go check out Mary Roach's new book, Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy! https://maryroach.net/replaceable.html
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Popular Science: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/PopSci⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Go to https://Quince.com/weirdest for free shipping on your order and three hundred and sixty-five -day returns.

Buy or sell your next car today with Car Gurus at https://cargurus.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
57min
July 30, 2025 Bette Midler and the Salamander, How Marathon Swimmers Pee, D+D is Good for Your Brain
The wonderful Ryan Mandelbaum is BACK to discuss their latest animalian interest: salamanders in New York City! Laura also explains how peeing while swimming a marathon is shockingly complicated, and Rachel gets into why Dungeons and Dragons is therapeutic for your noggin.
Go check out Ryan's newsletter!
https://ryanmandelbirder.substack.com/
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Popular Science: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/PopSci⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at https://MINTMOBILE.com/WEIRDEST

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
1h 6min
July 16, 2025 The Bone Collector, Threads of God, Cloacal Chamber
Scientific illustrator and Twitch streamer Liz Clayton Fuller (ipaintbirbs) joins the show once more to talk all things cloaca -- and why some birds lack them. Plus, Jess hops behind the mic to talk about the world's rarest pasta, and Rachel dives into carnivorous caterpillars that sound like WWE wrestlers.
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Popular Science: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/PopSci⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
50min
July 02, 2025 A New Green, THIS IS MY EVEREST, Chickens Influencing Cats
Actor and creator of the Brat Apple Dance, Kelley Heyer, joins the show! The squad talks about a BRAND NEW green color, cheating at climbing Mt. Everest, and a sneaky trick to make cats less allergenic.
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Popular Science: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/PopSci⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠⁠⁠
Thanks to our sponsors!
Go to ⁠https://Quince.com/weirdest⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365 -day returns.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
56min
June 18, 2025Horny Bugs, Women are Stronger Than Men, Evil Monkey Backpack Trends
Casey Johnston joins the show this week to talk about how women are truly and actually stronger than men (all of which she details in her new book!). Plus, Laura talks about promiscuous fruit flies, and Rachel talks about capuchin monkey's version of a Labubu.
Get Casey's book here! https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/casey-johnston/a-physical-education/9781538773253/
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠⁠⁠!
⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠⁠⁠
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠
Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠⁠⁠
Link to Balint's Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/sciants_streams ⁠⁠⁠
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠⁠
Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠⁠⁠
Popular Science: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/PopSci⁠⁠⁠⁠
Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠⁠⁠
Go to https://LIQUIDIV.COM and get 20% off your first order with code WEIRDEST at checkout.
Go to https://Quince.com/weirdest for free shipping on your order and365 -day returns.
Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://Zocdoc.com/WEIRDEST to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
49min
June 04, 2025Masochistic Trees, Lean Mean Sex Machines, Ancient Doodles
Patricia Ononiwu Kaishian joins the show to talk about horny eels. Plus, Sara Kiley explains the tree that loves getting struck by lightning, and Rachel goes into detail about kids passing notes in ancient times.
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠⁠!
⁠⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠⁠
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠
Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠⁠
Link to Balint's Twitch: ⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/sciants_streams ⁠⁠
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠⁠
Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠⁠
Popular Science: ⁠⁠⁠www.twitter.com/PopSci⁠⁠⁠
Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠⁠

Thanks to our Sponsors!
Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to ⁠⁠https://Quince.com/weirdest⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to ⁠⁠https://www.Zocdoc.com/WEIRDEST⁠⁠ to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
53min
May 21, 2025The Piss Current, Mucking Up Space, a Cocky Legend
Divya Anantharaman aka Gotham Taxidermy joins the show to talk about a bird with a very big personality. Plus, Rachel talks about a whale conveyor belt, and Lauren dishes dirt on the ISS (literally).
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠tweet at us⁠⁠!
⁠⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠⁠
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠⁠
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠
Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠⁠
Link to Balint's Twitch: ⁠https://www.twitch.tv/sciants_streams ⁠
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: ⁠⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠⁠
Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠⁠
Popular Science: ⁠⁠www.twitter.com/PopSci⁠⁠
Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠⁠

Thanks to our Sponsors!
Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to ⁠⁠https://www.liquid-iv.com/⁠⁠ and use code WEIRDEST at checkout.

Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to ⁠⁠https://Quince.com/weirdest⁠⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

Open your account in 2 minutes at ⁠https://chime.com/WEIRDEST⁠. Chime. Feels like progress.

No matter how you say it, don’t overpay for it. Shop data plans at ⁠https://MINTMOBILE.com/weirdest⁠

Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to ⁠⁠https://www.Zocdoc.com/WEIRDEST⁠⁠ to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
58min
May 07, 2025Time Balls, Bug Culture, Traffic Mimes
Balint Kacsoh of SciAnts_Streams joins the show today to talk about how flies have their own sort of culture. Plus, Jess hops behind the mic to discuss mimes mocking traffic offenders, and Rachel divulges the story of London's legendary timekeepers.
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠Facebook group⁠ or ⁠tweet at us⁠!
⁠Click here to learn more about all of our stories! ⁠
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: ⁠https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman⁠
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman⁠
Link to Jess' Twitch: ⁠https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn⁠
Link to Balint's Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/sciants_streams
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: ⁠www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman⁠
Produced by Jess Boddy: ⁠www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy⁠
Popular Science: ⁠www.twitter.com/PopSci⁠
Theme music by Billy Cadden: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ⁠

Thanks to our Sponsors!
Open your account in 2 minutes at https://chime.com/WEIRDEST. Chime. Feels like progress.

Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to ⁠https://Quince.com/weirdest⁠ for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.

No matter how you say it, don’t overpay for it. Shop data plans at https://MINTMOBILE.com/weirdest

Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to ⁠https://www.liquid-iv.com/⁠ and use code WEIRDEST at checkout.
Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to ⁠https://www.Zocdoc.com/WEIRDEST⁠ to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
47min
April 23, 2025Rat Sommeliers, Pneumatic Tube Flirting, Why Periods Hurt
Kate Downey joins the show to explain how little we actually know about why periods hurt so dang bad. Plus, Rachel divulges how to flirt using tubes, and Laura talks about the cutest, sweetest little rat sommeliers.

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!
Click here to learn more about all of our stories!
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman
Link to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman
Produced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy
Popular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSci
Theme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ

Thanks to our Sponsors!
Get 20% off your first order of Liquid I.V. when you go to https://www.liquid-iv.com/ and use code WEIRDEST at checkout.
Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/weirdest for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.Zocdoc.com/WEIRDEST to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
52min
April 09, 2025The Poison King, the Seismic DONK, Contagious Peeing
Trace Dominguez joins the show to explain just how inconceivable building up an immunity to iocane powder (or other poisons) is. Sara Kiley also discusses unidentified seismic objects, and Rachel talks about how peeing together transcends species.

The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our Facebook group or tweet at us!
Click here to learn more about all of our stories!
Links to Rachel's TikTok, Newsletter, Merch Store and More: https://linktr.ee/RachelFeltman
Rachel now has a Patreon, too! Follow her for exclusive bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/RachelFeltman
Link to Jess' Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jesscapricorn
--
Follow our team on Twitter
Rachel Feltman: www.twitter.com/RachelFeltman
Produced by Jess Boddy: www.twitter.com/JessicaBoddy
Popular Science: www.twitter.com/PopSci
Theme music by Billy Cadden: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6LqT4DCuAXlBzX8XlNy4Wq?si=5VF2r2XiQoGepRsMTBsDAQ

Thanks to our Sponsors!
Get Started today at https://chime.com/WEIRDEST. Chime. Feels like progress.
Give yourself the luxury you deserve with Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/weirdest for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.
Stop putting off those doctors appointments and go to https://www.Zocdoc.com/WEIRDEST to find and instantly book a top-rated doctor today.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
...more
53min

FAQs about The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week:

How many episodes does The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week have?

The podcast currently has 209 episodes available.

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