Why Are You Like This?

By Jaimi Ryan and Austin Williams

What's Why Are You Like This? about?

Two open-minded know-it-alls discuss human behavior, pseudoscience, real science, and esoteric nonsense in order to determine why people are the way that they are.

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Why Are You Like This? episodes:

02.16.2023
S10 Ep3: Necrophilia: Not Illegal in California
This week on the podcast, we’re digging into a topic we cannot believe we haven’t already covered… bringing some SPOOKTOBER energy to your February, we’re talking Necrophilia. We’ll get into what we know about the origins of the concern and…...
02.09.2023
S10 Ep2: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Hikikomori
In this week’s FUPDATE, we’re digging into a severe form of social withdrawal that the Japanese are calling Hikikomori. The term, mostly used to characterize adolescents and young adults, describes folks so withdrawn that they may become recluses in their...
02.02.2023
S10 Ep1: Neuroplasticity: Science’s Attempt to Manifest
This week on our SZN 10 PREMIERE (!), we’re looking to dust off the copy of The Secret we bought in 2005 as we talk Neuroplasticity and it’s *proximity* to manifesting. With all these TikTok’s saying that we can call...
01.27.2023
S9 Ep23: Horoscopes: February 2023
We’re back to consulting the stars, as we let you know exactly what your February WHOROSCOPES have in store. Who is set to have the best month ever, and who is gearing up for the worst!
12.29.2022
S9 Ep22: Horoscopes: January 2023
For the last time in 2022 we’re back to consulting the stars, as we let you know exactly what your January WHOROSCOPES have in store. Who is set to have the best month ever, and who is gearing up for...
12.22.2022
S9 Ep21: Left Behind: Recapping the Rapture
This week on the SZN FINALE (!) of the podcast, we’re watched the 2000 Christian cult classic, Running Out of Time, so you don’t have to. Based on a best selling 1990s novel, this story is full of loose ends...
12.15.2022
S9 Ep20: Capitalist Hellscape: Working More Than Medieval Peasants (No, Seriously. We are.)
This week on the podcast, Jaimi is hitting us with some hard truths. Sure we can understand as we mature and have more responsibilities, stressors, and the like that we have less free time. But does the working force actually...
12.09.2022
S9 Ep19: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Personal Narratives
On this week’s FUPDATE, we get into the business of the stories we tell ourselves. Just in time for the holidays, we’re reflecting on the narratives family members and friends seem to hold about us, how we can regress as...
12.01.2022
S9 Ep18: Erotic Asphyxiation: Cum Quick or Die Trying
TW: mentions of suicide and accidental death This week on the podcast, we’re back with another sexpisode as we discuss erotic and autoerotic asphyxiation. We’ll get into likely inaccurate statistics and the brain chemicals involved. What makes this pleasurable anyway? And...
11.24.2022
S9 Ep17: Horoscopes: December 2022
We’re back to consulting the stars, as we let you know exactly what your December WHOROSCOPES have in store. Who is set to have the best month ever, and who is gearing up for the worst!
11.17.2022
S9 Ep16: Haunted People Syndrome: What It Sounds Like
This week on the podcast, psychology and ghosts are having a bit of a crossover as we dig into Haunted People Syndrome. Here again to talk about the syndromes you didn’t know you were interested in as we discuss what...
11.10.2022
S9 Ep15: WHAT THE FUPDATE: FIRE, The New American Pipe Dream
On this week’s FUPDATE, we are talking all things FIRE. If you’re not familiar with the acronym you may still have heard a thing or two about Financial Independence, Retire Early— even if it was just on your social media...
11.03.2022
S9 Ep14: Emotional Intelligence: Another Reason We’re Retelling Reality TV
This week on the podcast, Austin retells us a heated confrontation from Bachelor in Paradise as we try to decide whether or not people really are “so evolved.” As we watch cast members on just about every Reality TV show...
10.27.2022
S9 Ep13: Horoscopes: November 2022
We’re back to consulting the stars, as we let you know exactly what your November WHOROSCOPES have in store. Who is set to have the best month ever, and who is gearing up for the worst!
10.20.2022
S9 Ep12: SPOOKTOBER: Zombies: Violent Historical Mystery
This week, as we continue SPOOKTOBER on the podcast, we do a deep dive into another monster. We’re talking all things Zombies as we dig into their historical origins. We’re spending plenty of time talking New Orleans and Voodoo as...
10.13.2022
S9 Ep11: SPOOKTOBER: WHAT THE FUPDATE: The Return of Home Depot’s Twelve Foot Skeleton
As SPOOKTOBER continues, this week we’re talking all about some festive lawn ornaments. Spooky SZN is upon us and a lot of neighbors are participating.
10.06.2022
S9 Ep10: SPOOKTOBER: Werewolves: Violent Historical Storytime
It’s the most wonderful time of the year again on the podcast, as we begin our favorite annual tradition of SPOOKTOBER. This season we’re getting into the history and origins of some classic and beloved Halloween monsters. Starting out we’re...
09.29.2022
S9 Ep9: Horoscopes: October 2022
We’re back to consulting the stars, as we let you know exactly what your October WHOROSCOPES have in store. Who is set to have the best month ever, and who is gearing up for the worst!
09.22.2022
S9 Ep8: Remote Viewing: Another Way to Work for the Government
This week on the podcast we’re dishing into yet another secret government project. We’ll recount the story of Joseph McMoneagle as he gets recruited to partake in a US Army project that centers itself on psychic abilities. We’re finding objects...
09.15.2022
S9 Ep7: Through Screens: Your Life Is Pokémon Go
This week on the podcast, Austin goes to the art museum and Jaimi, a person who has never played Pokémon Go, explains it. We’re talking all about experiencing life and art through our phone screens— and sometimes being forced to...
09.08.2022
S9 Ep6: WHAT THE FUPDATE: VR Sex
On this month’s FUPDATE, we’re digging into the very real possibilities of VR Sex. We’re talking all the technology, solo and partnered usage, and the possibility of hackers.
09.01.2022
S9 Ep5: Antarctica: A Birth Canal of Conspiracies (and Nazis)
We’re kicking off September with what could be yet another Dan Brown situation… Antarctica has seen plenty of peaceful multilateral research initiatives, with the Antarctic Teaty System in effect. The thing is, this agreement is set to expire in 2048...
08.25.2022
S9 Ep4: Horoscopes: September 2022
We’re back to consulting the stars, as we let you know exactly what your September WHOROSCOPES have in store. Who is set to have the best month ever, and who is gearing up for the worst!
08.18.2022
S9 Ep3: Voyeurism: Peep Holes, Toilet Cams and More
This week on the podcast, we’re looking in your windows as we talk all about voyeurism. How have reality television and porn played a part in our desires to see the sexual and intimate lives of others? We’ve got some...
08.11.2022
S9 Ep2: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Fetish USA
On this week’s FUPDATE, we are surfing Fetishes across the USA. Which State is Googling the most about Latex and Bondage? We’ve got the intel as we continue with our month-long special series: Augasm.
08.04.2022
S9 Ep1: Technosexuality: “Can You Make Love With Alexa?”
SZN 9! Wow, we are so excited to be back with you and perhaps starting a new tradition… as we have dubbed this month “Augasm” at Why Are You Like This? We’ve said it from the beginning— this is not...
07.28.2022
S8 Ep25: Horoscopes: August 2022
We’re back to consulting the stars, as we let you know exactly what your August WHOROSCOPES have in store. Who is set to have the best month ever, and who is gearing up for the worst!
07.15.2022
S8 Ep24: BEST OF: Cold Opens
Dear listeners! We are so excited to hit you with SZN 9 (!!!) in just a couple weeks, until then we take a stroll down memory lane as we revisit some of our best Cold Opens over the years…
06.30.2022
S8 Ep23: Horoscopes: July 2022
We’re back to consulting the stars, as we let you know exactly what your July WHOROSCOPES have in store. Who is set to have the best month ever, and who is gearing up for the worst!
06.23.2022
S8 Ep22: ‘A Courtship’ Recap: Pussy Gate
Ah, yes. This week on the podcast, we’re back to recapping documentaries about the puritanical choices some communities make about sex. If you were with us for “Purity Balls” this is one you don’t want to miss. Things escalate in...
06.16.2022
S8 Ep21: WHAT THE FUPDATE: 37% Rule
On this week’s FUPDATE, we’re offering you another math problem or algorithmic hack to solve your dating or house hunting problem… even more helpful if you are trying to date a house. Can math actually help us out in these...
06.09.2022
S8 Ep20: Renaissance Festival People: Hmm…
Of all the subcultures, this is the one that somehow allowed us to start with a conversation surrounding Jack Sparrow cosplay. We’ve got thoughts on grade school field trips, the adults living for “Ren Fair” culture, and what historians are...
06.02.2022
S8 Ep19: Unsolicited Advice: Big Missionary Energy
This week on the podcast, we’re digging into all the reasons we won’t listen to the band our friend suggested and yet can’t help telling said friend what movie they should be watching. It’s that itch that we feel when...
05.26.2022
S8 Ep18: Horoscopes: June 2022
We’re back to consulting the stars, as we let you know exactly what your June WHOROSCOPES have in store. Who is set to have the best month ever, and who is gearing up for the worst!
05.19.2022
S8 Ep17: Off the Grid: Real World Application of Discovery Plus
This week on the podcast, we’re going off the grid. We debunk some of our own thoughts about why people choose to go off grid and the what “off the grid” means to different folks. We’re talking trading child labor...
05.12.2022
S8 Ep16: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Unruly Behavior
Okay. So we’re in that part of the pandemic where it seems like adults throwing temper tantrums on airplanes and yelling about wearing masks literally anywhere is the norm, especially if we’re using our social media timelines to prove it....
05.05.2022
S8 Ep15: Truman Show Delusion: Everyone Is Watching
Ah yes, this week we’re discussing not only one of our favorite Jim Carey movies but also some interesting delusions that have been named for it. They say ‘art imitates life’ and perhaps so do delusions. Without the Truman Show...
04.28.2022
S8 Ep14: Horoscopes: May 2022
We’re back to consulting the stars, as we let you know exactly what your May WHOROSCOPES have in store. Who is set to have the best month ever, and who is gearing up for the worst!
04.21.2022
S8 Ep13: Ancient Aliens: A Little Accountability, Please
Ancient Aliens, eh? Did we do an episode on this already? We’ll, actually no… or at least not this one. This week on the podcast, we’re digging into the backstory of the cultural phenomenon and when exactly the History Channel...
04.14.2022
S8 Ep12: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Purple-Red Scale of Attraction
Ask and you shall receive this week… When we took a look at the work of somatic sexologist and sex educator Jaiya, featured in Sex, Love and goop, we were shook by a better scale to describe our own erotic...
04.07.2022
S8 Ep11: Time Slips: When Am I, Now?
This week on the podcast, Austin takes us down another TikTok inspired rabbit hole into the concept of Time Slips. These seemingly unintentional slips into the literal past have us asking a lot of questions. From plausibility of time travel...
03.31.2022
S8 Ep10: Horoscopes: April 2022
We’re back to consulting the stars, as we let you know exactly what your April WHOROSCOPES have in store. Who is set to have the best month ever, and who is gearing up for the worst!
03.24.2022
S8 Ep9: TGI Fridays: A Very Sexy Start
Would you believe us if we told you we were talking all about the sexy (yes!) origin story and history of TGI Fridays? If you’re not new here, this probably won’t surprise you… Where was a single gal to go...
03.17.2022
S8 Ep8: Uncanny Valley: Accidentally in Extreme Discomfort
This week on the podcast, we’re taking everyone’s favorite accidentally in love ogre and we’re doing so as we talk the accidental (?) horrors of the uncanny valley. We’re breaking down what it feels like to emphasize with different human-like...
03.10.2022
S8 Ep7: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Daylight Savings is a Messy Bitch
In preparation for the upcoming clock switch, on this month’s FUPDATE we’re taking all about Daylight Savings Time. She’s a real bitch for countless reasons, but we’re specifically talking some seasonal depression, circadian rhythm, and general biological mismatches. Why are...
03.03.2022
S8 Ep6: Cryopreservation: Pausing Death?
This week on the podcast it’s not all about Mark Walberg’s daily routine, but we certainly spend some time there… We’re going into the freezer on this one as we discuss Cryopreservation. Would we do it? A lot of famous...
02.27.2022
S8 Ep5: Horoscopes: March 2022
We’re back to consulting the stars, as we let you know exactly what your March WHOROSCOPES have in store. Who is set to have the best month ever, and who is gearing up for the worst!
02.17.2022
S8 Ep4: Goop-ing Again: The Erotic Blueprint
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again— this is not a sex podcast, except when it is. And today it is! Austin once again gets on the microphone to defend her love of Gwyneth Paltrow as we discuss...
02.10.2022
S8 Ep3: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Mardi Gras Hot Takes.
Feast or famine? It’s Lenten season and folks are doing all of the above. On this month’s FUPDATE, we dissect fasting for spiritual reasons and the binging that sounds the fast this time of year. Performative or a totally great...
02.03.2022
S8 Ep2: Dissociative Fugue: The Disappearance of Agatha Christie
We’re back with our first major episode of SZN 8! And how could we start with anything other than the tale of the original Gone Girl, Agatha Christie. Whether you’ve read her mystery novels or not, you’re going to be...

What's Why Are You Like This? about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Why Are You Like This? episodes:

S10 Ep3: Necrophilia: Not Illegal in California

S10 Ep2: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Hikikomori

S10 Ep1: Neuroplasticity: Science’s Attempt to Manifest

S9 Ep23: Horoscopes: February 2023

S9 Ep22: Horoscopes: January 2023

S9 Ep21: Left Behind: Recapping the Rapture

S9 Ep20: Capitalist Hellscape: Working More Than Medieval Peasants (No, Seriously. We are.)

S9 Ep19: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Personal Narratives

S9 Ep18: Erotic Asphyxiation: Cum Quick or Die Trying

S9 Ep17: Horoscopes: December 2022

S9 Ep16: Haunted People Syndrome: What It Sounds Like

S9 Ep15: WHAT THE FUPDATE: FIRE, The New American Pipe Dream

S9 Ep14: Emotional Intelligence: Another Reason We’re Retelling Reality TV

S9 Ep13: Horoscopes: November 2022

S9 Ep12: SPOOKTOBER: Zombies: Violent Historical Mystery

S9 Ep11: SPOOKTOBER: WHAT THE FUPDATE: The Return of Home Depot’s Twelve Foot Skeleton

S9 Ep10: SPOOKTOBER: Werewolves: Violent Historical Storytime

S9 Ep9: Horoscopes: October 2022

S9 Ep8: Remote Viewing: Another Way to Work for the Government

S9 Ep7: Through Screens: Your Life Is Pokémon Go

S9 Ep6: WHAT THE FUPDATE: VR Sex

S9 Ep5: Antarctica: A Birth Canal of Conspiracies (and Nazis)

S9 Ep4: Horoscopes: September 2022

S9 Ep3: Voyeurism: Peep Holes, Toilet Cams and More

S9 Ep2: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Fetish USA

S9 Ep1: Technosexuality: “Can You Make Love With Alexa?”

S8 Ep25: Horoscopes: August 2022

S8 Ep24: BEST OF: Cold Opens

S8 Ep23: Horoscopes: July 2022

S8 Ep22: ‘A Courtship’ Recap: Pussy Gate

S8 Ep21: WHAT THE FUPDATE: 37% Rule

S8 Ep20: Renaissance Festival People: Hmm…

S8 Ep19: Unsolicited Advice: Big Missionary Energy

S8 Ep18: Horoscopes: June 2022

S8 Ep17: Off the Grid: Real World Application of Discovery Plus

S8 Ep16: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Unruly Behavior

S8 Ep15: Truman Show Delusion: Everyone Is Watching

S8 Ep14: Horoscopes: May 2022

S8 Ep13: Ancient Aliens: A Little Accountability, Please

S8 Ep12: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Purple-Red Scale of Attraction

S8 Ep11: Time Slips: When Am I, Now?

S8 Ep10: Horoscopes: April 2022

S8 Ep9: TGI Fridays: A Very Sexy Start

S8 Ep8: Uncanny Valley: Accidentally in Extreme Discomfort

S8 Ep7: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Daylight Savings is a Messy Bitch

S8 Ep6: Cryopreservation: Pausing Death?

S8 Ep5: Horoscopes: March 2022

S8 Ep4: Goop-ing Again: The Erotic Blueprint

S8 Ep3: WHAT THE FUPDATE: Mardi Gras Hot Takes.

S8 Ep2: Dissociative Fugue: The Disappearance of Agatha Christie