Why We Do What We Do

This is our 100th mini! So, we spend the mini talking about the number 100! Things that humans, make, some facts about non-human animals... and human animals. A random smorgasbord of things about 100. Enjoy!

Become our 100th patron by signing up 99 friends and then joining yourself. www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Links and References: 

1. https://lionel-kesztenbaum.site.ined.fr/en/everything_about_population/demographic-facts-sheets/focus-on/the-inexorable-rise-of-centenarians-and-supercentenarians#:~:text=Until%20the%20mid%2D20th%20century,in%202070%20(Blanpain%202023).
2. https://www.bu.edu/articles/2022/why-do-people-live-to-100-and-how/#:~:text=Takeaways,to%20much%20later%20in%20life.
3. https://www.nathab.com/blog/animals-that-live-to-100 
4. https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2021/12/29/7-longest-living-ocean-animals/ 
5. https://www.threads.com/@podcastingbusinessschool/post/DTquU6vDgF7/only-of-podcasters-make-it-to-episodes-this-is-unfortunate-because-your-first 
6. https://www.theigc.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/Yeo%20Thompson%20et%20al.%20Working%20Paper%20September%202024_0.pdf 
7. https://qz.com/994937/on-average-it-now-takes-at-least-four-different-writers-to-craft-a-hit-pop-song 
8. https://www.billboard.com/lists/every-artist-with-100-hot-100-chart-hits-drake-taylor-swift/ 
9. https://blogs.baylor.edu/soe/2019/08/08/fun-facts-about-the-number-100-08-08-2019/ 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Why We Do What We Do goes back to the movies! Last week, we reviewed Disney + Pixar's Inside Out, so we are taking on the sequel. In many ways, this film exceeds its predacessor in the way it portrays psychological functions, and in some ways it detracts. Either way, it is a fantastic film. We once again critique some of the portrayals of psychological processes and also praise the beautifully constructed metaphors. Let us know what you thought about the movies or our reactions to the movies.

Recommendations

• Abraham: Wingspan: Americas Expansion (https://stonemaiergames.com/games/wingspan/wingspan-americas-expansion/)
• Shane: The Help (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454029/)

Holidays (3/4/2026):

• Brain Injury Awareness Day
• Courageous Follower Day
• Discover What Your Name Means Day
• Equal Pay Day
• Global Day of the Engineer
• March Forth Do Something Day
• National Dance the Waltz Day
• National Grammar Day
• National Pound Cake Day
• National Snack Day
• Old Inauguration Day
• World Obesity Day
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Week
• Endometriosis Week
• National Cheerleading Week
• National Dental Assistants Recognition Week
• National Ghostwriters Week

Links and References: 

1. https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-ec9f9fa3-fbae-4a25-b722-12c3b8ab0ef4
2. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/making-the-whole-beautiful/202406/insights-on-inside-out-2 
3. https://www.psychiatrypodcast.com/psychiatry-psychotherapy-podcast/episode-225-inside-out-2-adolescent-emotions-psychology-analysis 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Humans love to play. Some of us are willing to be more immersed in that play than others. Those who live for the immersion will often dress up for their character and stage elaborate scenarios with other players. They call this Live Action Role Playing, or LARPing. We discuss a brief history, what it is, and why people do it. Tell us your LARP stories!

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Links and References: 

1. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Larping
2. https://www.goerie.com/story/entertainment/arts/2022/06/02/larping-community-erie-fantasy-live-action-role-playing-game-escapism-players-society-creative-sca/65354683007/

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Why We Do What We Do goes to the movies! A couple of movies have directly taken on representing the inner world of our behavior, and we finally decided that we'd weigh in on these movies. So, we summarize the film and describe what they get wrong and what they get right. Join us in a fun trip to the movies. Let us know what you think about our commentary on the film.

Recommendations

• Abraham: Greatfull Gardens (https://www.greatfullgardens.com/)
• Shane: JD Salinger - Nine Stories (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4009.Nine_Stories)

Holidays (2/25/2026):

• Inconvenience Yourself Day
• Let’s All Eat Right Day
• National Chocolate Covered Nuts Day
• National Pistol Patent Day
• Pink Shirt Day
• Quiet Day
• Rubber Ducky Day
• American Council on Education
• Bird Health Awareness Week
• National Chip Week (UK)
• National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
• National Invasive Species Awareness Week

Links and References: 

1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/
2. https://www.traitify.com/blog/the-psychology-of-inside-out
3. https://vcresearch.berkeley.edu/news/psychologists-talk-about-science-emotions-inside-out
4. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-colors-of-contemporary-psychiatry/202403/pixars-inside-out-and-plutchiks-theory-of

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot! This 5-second two-player game to settle disputes began in ancient China and quickly spread throughout the world. Some research has also attempted to use game theory to understand decisions in this game and were surprised by the results, but we weren't! You'll see why. 

Join our supporters' club: www.patreon.com/wwdwwpodcast

Links and References: 

1. https://www.annarahmanan.com/the-history-of-rock-paper-scissors-game
2. https://www.playworks.org/game-library/ro-sham-bo-or-rock-paper-scissors/
3. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00107514.2015.1026556

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Not to be confused with Neutron Imaging, which is also sometimes called N Rays, N-Rays were a scientific discovery at the turn of the 1900s that promised a bright future for humanity... except that that didn't really exist. In the flurry of ground-breaking discoveries around radiation, N-Rays emerged as the elusive new-kid-on-the-block that could only be seen out of the corner of your eye in an extremely dark room. Red flag. But, science quickly correct course as science does and this phenomeon died out. It stands as a cautionary tale about human bias and a triumphant demonstration of the self-correcting nature of science. 

Recommendations

• Abraham: The ‘Burbs (season 1; https://www.peacocktv.com/stream-tv/the-burbs)
• Shane: Converge - Love Is Not Enough  (https://www.epitaph.com/news/article/converge-release-long-awaited-new-lp-love-is-not-enough)

Holidays (2/18/2026):

• Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day
• Crab-Stuffed Flounder Day
• Drink Wine Day
• Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
• National Battery Day
• National Hate Florida Day
• Pluto Day
• Thumb Appreciation Day
• Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Staff Education Week
• Build a Better Trade Show Image Week
• Love Teaching Week
• National Condom Week
• National Date Week (Fruit)
• National Green Week
• National Pancake Week
• Ramadan

Links and References: 

1. https://www.aps.org/archives/publications/apsnews/200708/history.cfm
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N-ray
3. https://www.aps.org/apsnews/2007/08/robert-wood-debunks-nrays 
4. https://www.phoenixneutronimaging.com/insights-and-updates/n-rays-vs-n-rays-will-the-real-n-ray-please-stand-up
5. https://www.wired.com/2014/09/fantastically-wrong-n-rays/ 
6. https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/what-is-radiation#:~:text=Radiation%20is%20energy%20that%20can%20be%20described,and%20science**%20Nuclear%20techniques%20and%20materials%20production 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Shining red lights on our bodies is all the rage in the "wellness" space. Red lights are purported to do a hole host of incredible things, which raised our skeptical hackles. We discuss what red lights are, what they do, and where we think this trend is going. 

Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Links and References: 

1. https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/red-flags-for-red-light-therapy/
2. https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/02/red-light-therapy-skin-hair-medical-clinics.html
3. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13643-025-02902-3

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

In a departure from our standard episode format, Abraham will profile three people and see if Shane can guess who they are. You can play along! Send us in your guesses by emailing us or post them to us on social media. 

Recommendations

• Abraham: The Naked Gun (2025) https://www.paramountplus.com/movies/video/61gdvpY7mURqcXbL67yYKiiQzEuRQZwW/ 
• Shane: Pet Semetary by Stephen King (https://stephenking.com/works/novel/pet-sematary.html)

Holidays (2/11/2026):

• Be Electrific Day
• Daytona Pole Day
• Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day
• Get Out Your Guitar Day
• Grandmother Achievement Day
• International Day of Women & Girls in Science
• Make a Friend’s Day
• National Inventor’s Day
• National Make a Friend Day
• National Shut-In Visitation Day
• Peppermint Patty Day
• Promise Day
• White T-Shirt Day
• World Day of the Sick
• Celebration of Love Week

Links and References: 

1. https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-complex-legacy-of-saddam-hussein 
2. https://youtu.be/aD7-VRqR_d0?si=5umLrI1o5b0-kcTN
3. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/saddam-hussein-rise-and-fall-of-a-strongman-idUSL30809867/ 
4. https://www.aei.org/articles/kim-jong-il-road-to-ruin/
5. https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/keeping-kim-how-north-koreas-regime-stays-power
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Dj8G72pUgc 
7. https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/how-did-adolf-hitler-happen
8. https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-nazi-rise-to-power
9. https://www.annefrank.org/en/anne-frank/go-in-depth/germany-1933-democracy-dictatorship/
10. https://www.history.com/articles/adolf-hitler 

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Do cat's only meow at humans? What does their meowing mean? We once again spend a mini reviewing the interesting feline behavior of meowing. Yes, they mostly only meow at humans. No, humans aren't great an interpreting their meows. But, we'll explain in more detail in the episode. Are you good at understanding your cat?

Get ad free episodes and support the show: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast.com

Links and References: 

1. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/12/2390
2. https://www.hartz.com/truth-or-myth-cats-only-meow-to-humans/
3. https://mrfrs.org/ask-a-vet-with-dr-sam-cats-only-meow-at-humans/
4. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/meowing-and-yowling

https://bioacoustics.stackexchange.com/questions/997/is-it-true-that-cats-dont-really-meow-at-each-other-but-rather-at-humans-as-a

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast

Once again, we find ourselves in distressing and troubled times. Those of us inspired to action have taken to the streets in peaceful demonstrations and protests around the country. When we do this, we undertake a certain amount of risk. So, we have put together a list of strategies to keep in mind to protest safely in a episode originally published in 2020. In this nostalgia release, we add new information about how to protect yourself legally with ICE detaining and murdering American civilians and attacking people who aren't white. We may have forgotten to mention a strategy to take a photocopy of your ID with you (not your real ID), so consider that an additional tidbit. Good luck and god speed!

Recommendations

• Abraham: Reese’s Plant-Based Peanut Butter Cups (www.hersheyland.com/products/reeses-plant-based-oat-chocolate-confection-and-peanut-butter-cups-1-4-oz.html) 
• Shane: Go to live sporting events
• Bonus Recommendation: Consider donating money to immigration defense organizations that support legal fees, legislative action, and direct support for families. 
  • https://wearecasa.org/policy-agenda/immigration/abolishice/
  • https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/donate/
• Second Bonus Recommendation: Abolish ICE

Holidays (2/4/2026):

• Global School Play Day
• Homemade Soup Day
• I Heart Horror Day
• International Day of Human Fraternity
• Liberace Day
• National Create a Vacuum Day
• National Girls and Women in Sports Day
• National Hemp Day
• National Signing Day
• National Stuffed Mushroom Day
• National Thank a Mailman Day
• National Wicker Day
• Quacker Day
• Sweater Day
• Torture Abolition Day
• African Heritage & Health Week
• Burn Awareness Week

Links and References: 

1. https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter/
2. https://www.nilc.org/resources/immigrant-participation-in-protests-rights/
3. https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/carr/publications/35-rule-how-small-minority-can-change-world
4. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/how-peaceful-protest-by-just-3-5-percent-of-americans-could-force-major-policy-changes-from-the-trump-administration/
5. https://www.yesmagazine.org/social-justice/2021/06/15/world-changing-protests-you-should-know-about

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/why-we-do-what-we-do--3419521/support.

Support our podcast: www.patreon.com/wwdwwdpodcast