Best Tom Lum Podcasts (2023)

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Let's Learn Everything!

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Submit Your Q&A Questions! 0:52

12h ago0:52

0:52

Submit your questions for our end of year Q&A episode at letslearneverything.com/question or in our discord!By Tom Lum

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Let's Learn Everything!

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52: Amy Westervelt, Carbon Capture, and the Cartoonishly Evil Atlas Network 1:11:52

8d ago1:11:52

1:11:52

Investigative journalist Amy Westervelt from Drilled asks us: what is carbon capture and is it good or bad or... complicated? What is the Atlas Network and why are they comically evil dark avengers of the climate world? And how do you go from recording a podcast in your car to creating an award winning podcast network? 🎤 See Tom perform comedy in B…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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51: Carcinization, The Animal Algorithm Mystery, and The Many Lemming Lies w/ Ellen Weatherford 1:50:36

24d ago1:50:36

1:50:36

Are we really all destined to turn into crabs? Why are there so many animal algorithms, and are they all legit? And just how many times have we been wrong about the lemming? Things we talk about: All the Crabs Caroline mentions The Big List of Animal Algorithms Boid Video Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! Timestamps: (00:00:00…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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49: Goosebumps, (Not) Alien Pyramids, and Nessie & Cryptids 1:55:41

1M ago1:55:41

1:55:41

Why do we get goosebumps when we hear nails on a chalkboard? Obviously aliens didn't make the pyramids, but how were they made and what does that teach us about humanity? And what's the story behind nessie and why the queer community loves cryptids? Things we talk about: Egyptian painting of using water to pull a statue Video of modern people pulli…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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50: The Ig Nobel Prize, The 2023 Ig Nobel Winners, and the Ig Nobel Peace Prize 2:05:58

2M ago2:05:58

2:05:58

For our 2nd anniversary and our 50th episode (which it definitely is, don't check) we cooperatively tackled a topic folks have been asking us to do for ages: The Ig Nobel Prize! Check out our new merch! Hats! Posters! Mugs! Images and Videos we talk about: The Levitating Frog Video The Best of Miss Sweetie Poo Ocean Mixing Anchovy Diagram The Grabb…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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48: Wikipedia w/ Annie Rauwerda, The First Boring Number, and Perpetual Stew 1:34:43

2M ago1:34:43

1:34:43

We all use Wikipedia, but how did it come to be? What's the first number to not have a Wikipedia page, and what does that say about math and humans? And what on Earth is Perpetual Stew? Follow Annie and Depths of Wikipedia on Instagam/Twitter/Tiktok! Images we talk about: Sloane's Gap nostalgia.wikipedia.com Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Jo…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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47: The Abyssopelagic Zone, The Crystal Healing Boom, and Time Capsules 1:59:50

3M ago1:59:50

1:59:50

What lies below the depths of the sea... and why should we stop being so afraid of it? Okay we know crystals can't heal you, but could they actually do... something? And why are time capsules more complicated than you'd think, and why should we love them anyway? Images/Videos we talk about: New Yorker Comic about the Deep Sea The Phantom Jellyfish …

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Let's Learn Everything!

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46: Lawn Loathing, Spelling Psammophile, and Guinness World Records 1:54:49

3M ago1:54:49

1:54:49

Why are lawns so bad, and what could we grow instead? How much can we learn from an esoteric word like Psammophile? And why is the Guinness Book of World Records wonderful and terrible at the same time? How complicated is trying to scientifically study gender? Why does it feel like water get discovered on Mars every other month? And what's so great…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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45: Superseded Science, why is TB Still a Thing, and the Radium Girls 1:54:45

3M ago1:54:45

1:54:45

What previous scientific theories would turn into the ones we know today, and what can they teach us? Why is Tuberculosis still a thing in the modern age? And who were the Radium girls, and what did they give us? Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: Oh Fuck Tom and Ella and Caroline, theory vs pseudoscience, …

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Let's Learn Everything!

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44: Katie Goldin & Alex Schmidt, Space Birds, and the Bison Emoji 🦬 59:39

4M ago59:39

59:39

Special guests Alex Schmidt and Katie Goldin from Secretly Incredibly Fascinating and Creature Feature answer: Have birds ever been to space? Why does Katie love birds so much? And how did Alex bring about the bison emoji to everyone's phones? Things we Talk About: The Quails in Space video we watched over and over The Club Winged Manakin's "Call" …

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Let's Learn Everything!

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43: Gravitational Waves, The Loneliest Animal, and Graffiti 1:50:14

4M ago1:50:14

1:50:14

How long have we been searching for Gravitational Waves? What is the loneliest animal, and what does it mean to be lonely? And what really makes graffiti... graffiti? Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! Timestamps: (00:00:00) Intro (00:04:26) Gravitational Waves (00:41:01) The Loneliest Animal (01:14:17) Graffiti (01:45:21) Outr…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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42: Gender Complexity, Mars Water Deja Vu, and Pigeons 1:42:20

5M ago1:42:20

1:42:20

How complicated is trying to scientifically study gender? Why does it feel like water get discovered on Mars every other month? And what's so great about these pigeons I see everywhere? Images we talk about: The Brain Gender Chart The Jacobin Pigeon The Pouter Pigeon Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! Timestamps: (00:00:00) Int…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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Best Of Everything! 1:32:08

5M ago1:32:08

1:32:08

It's our first Best Of episode! We sat down to listen to and talk about the topics YOU told us were your favorites! Temporal Illusions! Eurovision! Dodos, and so much more! Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: The handsome Dr. Ella Hubber, if a friend recommended this to you they’re amazing and didn’t start t…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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41: Eyevolution, Eliminating Mosquitos, and Bagged Milk w/ Sabrina Cruz 1:46:39

6M ago1:46:39

1:46:39

What are some of the wildest ways that eyes have evolved? What would happen if we got rid of all mosquitos, and how would we even do it? And how on Earth did some Canadians come to love bagged milk? Images we talk about: The Picture Tom had on his Dorm Wall The Sheep Video Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! Timestamps: (00:00:0…

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Blessed: Conversations on the Book of Revelation with Nancy Guthrie

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Themes in the Book of Revelation with Allister Lum Mow, Cameron Clausing, and Murray Smith, Hosts of the Down Under Theology Podcast 40:48

6M ago40:48

40:48

Nancy Guthrie talks with Allister Lum Mow, Cameron Clausing, and Murray Smith, hosts of the Down Under podcast from Christ College Sydney about significant biblical themes in the book of Revelation such as kingdom and worship and how the Bible’s central themes resolve in the final two chapters of Revelation. Nancy Guthrie is the author of Blessed: …

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Let's Learn Everything!

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40: Mitochondrial Eve, Climate Change CRISPR, and Telephone Music 1:50:47

6M ago1:50:47

1:50:47

Who is the most recent human we all share our DNA with? How can CRISPR be used to help the climate crisis? And what do telephones have to do with music? Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! Timestamps: (00:00:00) Intro (00:04:22) Mitochondrial Eve (00:39:21) Climate Change CRISPR (01:14:15) Telephone Music (01:47:15) Outro Images…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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Tom-nical Difficulties: Back in a Week! (And the week after that!) 2:25

6M ago2:25

2:25

Tom threw out his voice screaming about the new Zelda game (not actually) so we're delaying the next episode. But! We're not shifting the release schedule so the next episode will still come out the Thursday after! In the meantime, check out the episode of Veritasium that Tom researched and wrote! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMQbHMgK2rw…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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39: The Pill, The 2 Highest Points on Earth, and Period Products 1:53:11

7M ago1:53:11

1:53:11

What are the myths and facts around the hormonal birth control pill? Why are there two highest points on Earth, and does that teach us about our planet? And what are all the ways period products affect the world we live in? Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! Timestamps: (00:00:00) Intro (00:03:04) The Pill (00:52:01) The 2 High…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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38: Ellen Weatherford, Can Fish Drown, and Real Pokemon 1:21:48

7M ago1:21:48

1:21:48

Special guest Ellen Weatherford joins us to ask: just how interesting can water and fish be? And are there any pokemon inspired by strange but real animals? Check out Ellen's podcasts "Just the Zoo of Us" and "Spellbound and Gagged" Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: defining fish, “just be cool about it”, …

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Let's Learn Everything!

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37: Loving Toxicity, Future Warnings, and Better Burials 1:59:44

8M ago1:59:44

1:59:44

Is there more to learn than to fear from toxic animals? How would we warn future humans about present dangers? And what are better ways for us to be buried? Things we mention: WIPP Mock Up Images Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: This ant can kill 1 million elephants, haven’t found a venomous mushroom… yet…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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Technical Difficulties: Back Next Week! 2:27

8M ago2:27

2:27

Apologies all, Ella's computer kicked the bucket, so we'll be back next week with a fresh episode!By Tom Lum

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Let's Learn Everything!

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36: Scientific Language Models, The Smell of Space, and Forgotten Olympic Events 1:58:04

9M ago1:58:04

1:58:04

IT'S THE MAX FUN DRIVE!!! See our Game Night Livestream Monday March 27th at 5pm EST! Get cool drive rewards and listen to our special bonus episode! Can Large Language Models be used for good in scientific fields? Could space smell... good? And what olympic events have we tried, abandoned, and completely forgotten about? Things we mention: Compuls…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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Recast: Just The Zoo Of Us: Rats w/ Let's Learn Everything! 1:11:08

9M ago1:11:08

1:11:08

Today we're rebroadcasting our appearance on Just the Zoo of Us as we prepare for an episode coming NEXT week for the MaxFunDrive! On this episode we combine our shows formats to bring you a full Topic, Question, and misc, all about one of the most misunderstood, intelligent, and rascally animals: the rat! Join Tom at a MaxFunDrive Meetup! Support …

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Let's Learn Everything!

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35: Don't DeExtinct the Dodo, Humans vs Computers, and Art Forgery 2:02:11

9M ago2:02:11

2:02:11

Is it really possible to bring back the Dodo, and what even really happened in the first place? Are there any games left that humans can beat computers at, and why might that be okay? And what can art forgery tell us about art and the art world? Images/Videos we Mention: The TinkerToy Tic Tac Toe Computer The Rock Paper Scissors Robot Support us wi…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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34: The Replication Crisis, Human Senses, and Pride Flags 1:56:39

10M ago1:56:39

1:56:39

Is psychology doomed, or could the reproducibility crisis a good thing? How many senses do we really have? And what's the history behind all the pride flags you see? Check out: Maintenance Phase's Episode on Brian Wansink's Downfall Strange Aeons (on My Immortal Authors) Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: W…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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33: Immortality, Before Trees, and Emojis 💩 1:47:55

10M ago1:47:55

1:47:55

Is immortality possible in humans or other animals? What was on Earth before trees? And what can we learn from emoji?🤔 Things we talk about: The First Emoticons Kurita's Emojis Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: Halloween in January, stories of immortality, the epic of gilgamesh, MR BEAST GRANTS IMMORTALITY…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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32: The Ozone Success Story, Turning Heads, and Eurovision 1:52:00

11M ago1:52:00

1:52:00

What's the story of how we successfully saved the ozone? Why and how can owls turn their heads around, and who else can? And can Ella convert Tom to the wonder that is Eurovision? Listen to Ella's Full Eurovision Playlist Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: defining ozone, not wrong but not right, the ozone …

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Let's Learn Everything!

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31: End of Year Q&A 1:39:30

11M ago1:39:30

1:39:30

To round out the year we learn about the most interesting thing: each other! We talk about the process of researching and writing an episode, future sciences and science fiction, and laugh and cry reflecting on our favorite things from 2022. Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: our favorite topics, this is wh…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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30: The HaLearnDay Spectacular! 1:27:10

12M ago1:27:10

1:27:10

On a very special holiday episode, Tom, Caroline, and Ella give the gift of learning! We've wrapped up our favorite fun facts to give to each other, and even gotten a few presents from some special guests! Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: the the gin craze, no free gin advertisements, gin street and beer …

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Let's Learn Everything!

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29: What's in a Scientific Name, How Many Cells are in a Human, and What the British Museum Stole 1:52:09

1y ago1:52:09

1:52:09

What is the science of scientific naming, and could it actually be life saving? How many cells are in a human body, and why is it important to know? And how exactly did the British Museum... "acquire" all these artifacts? Watch Tom's PowerPoint Comedy Show! Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: what does tom s…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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28: Cerebral Organoids, Are Cats Liquids, and The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread 1:39:20

1y ago1:39:20

1:39:20

How can you study a brain without a brain? In what ways is a cat actually like a liquid? And why do we say The Greatest Thing Since Sliced Bread? Images we Discuss: Rat Brain Cats Sitting in Things Bread Crumbs --- Watch the SciShow Episode Ella Wrote! Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: brains are complex a…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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27: Zoologist Ash Campbell, Kleptoparasitism, and Australia's Best Animal 1:26:31

1y ago1:26:31

1:26:31

Today our guest Ashlen Campbell asks us: how do you stop a seagull from stealing your chips? And what can that teach us about the wild world of kleptoparasitism? Our Favorite Ash Videos: Erythrism, Blathers Exposed Ash's Kleptoparasitism List Ash's Follow Recommendations: @luccasbiohub @drkyliesoanes @zoe_kean_sci @sarawebbscience @astrokirsten Vis…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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26: Pain, Vampiric Animals, and Penny Dreadfuls 1:48:22

1y ago1:48:22

1:48:22

How do we define pain, and what animals can feel it? How similar are vampires to real vampiric animals? And what are penny dreadfuls and how were they actually... good? Visit our NEW MERCH STORE! Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: pain is bad, but pain is good, what animals can feel pain, if they can feel k…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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25: The Timeline of Timekeeping, Origins of Speech, and the Birthday of Birthdays 1:42:00

1y ago1:42:00

1:42:00

It's the show's birthday! And we're going to celebrate with LEARNING! How much do we really know about the history of keeping time? When did human speech first arise, and how would we even figure that out? And when did the concept of birthdays have its birthday? Visit our NEW MERCH STORE! Support us on Maximum Fun! Join our Discord! We also learn a…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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24: Self Experimentation, Amputation Archaeology, and Learning to Love PowerPoint 1:43:48

1y ago1:43:48

1:43:48

What are the pros and perils of self experimentation? What archaeological clues do we have to the first human amputation? And why should we actually learn to love PowerPoint? See Tom Perform PowerPoint Comedy on October 4th at Caveat NYC! (or stream it!) Go to Ella's Women in Science Photography Exhibition in London October 25th! Support us on Maxi…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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23: Plastic's Past, Imperfect Pitch, and the Dumb History of Generation Naming 1:46:46

1y ago1:46:46

1:46:46

What is the history of plastic, and what could the future hold? Why is perfect pitch, not so perfect, and do any animals have it? And how on Earth did we end up with these meaningless names for generations? Support us on Maximum Fun! Join our Discord! Catch Sidney Gish on Tour! We also learn about: what is plastic? plastics are an invasive species,…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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A Big Announcement...! 6:48

1y ago6:48

6:48

A very special announcement! Episodes we recommend for new listeners: 1: Time Illusions, Electric Bees, and Fakespeares 5: The History of Pregnancy Tests, The Middlest Size, and FanFiction 19: The Science of Gay, How Many Songs Fit in DNA, and Niche Sports Support us on Maximum Fun!By Tom Lum

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Let's Learn Everything!

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22: Magnetic Mysteries, The Real Trolley Problem, and Hitchbot 1:41:54

1+ y ago1:41:54

1:41:54

How do animals sense magnetic fields? Why was the first Trolley Problem written? And who was Hitchbot? Images we talk about: - Hitchbot with Santa Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: the first compasses, captain McDonalds, “epistemologically unacceptable”, magnetic bacteria, magnetic dip, pooping north, the …

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Let's Learn Everything!

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21: Paleontologist Evelyn Vollmer, Figuring out the Age of the Earth, and What Defines a Dinosaur 1:12:21

1+ y ago1:12:21

1:12:21

How old did Aristotle think the Earth was? What makes a dinosaur a dinosaur? And how did our guest get into paleontology? Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: getting started in paleontology, shooting lasers at fossils, artistotle thought the earth was infinitely old, getting the 6,000 number from bible famil…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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Test Ep 2: Bugs on Drugs, How Much Pi do we Need, and the Blackest Black 1:10:35

1+ y ago1:10:35

1:10:35

What happens when you gives bugs drugs? How many digits of pi do we actually need? And what is the drama behind the blackest black? Images we talk about: - Spider Webs on Various Drugs - Graph of Pi Approximations Across History - The Redemption of Vanity, MIT's Blackest Black Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn ab…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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20: The Math of Conspiracy Theories, Why is Pluto not a Planet, and Animal Art 1:46:08

1+ y ago1:46:08

1:46:08

If all these conspiracy theories were real, what are the statistical odds they'd be kept secret? Why did Pluto get demoted from planethood? And can animals make art? Images we talk about: - Pierre’s Brassau’s Art - Erased Dekooning Drawing - Sean Thomas’ “Case Study” - Monkey Selfie Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also le…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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19: The Science of Gay, How Many Songs Fit in DNA, and Niche Sports 1:57:45

1+ y ago1:57:45

1:57:45

What is the nuanced science behind homosexuality in animals and humans? Is there a single gay gene? No. No absolutely not. But how many songs could you fit into a gram of DNA, and why would you want to? And what are some of the most niche sports and why are they still so great? Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn a…

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Blessed: Conversations on the Book of Revelation with Nancy Guthrie

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Time, Symbolism, and Imagery in Revelation with Greg Beale 39:00

1+ y ago39:00

39:00

Nancy Guthrie and Greg Beale discuss the key uses of symbolism in Revelation and what its many messages mean for us today. Nancy Guthrie is the author of Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation. Subscribe to Crossway's newest podcast 'Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Jen Wilkin' here!…

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Blessed: Conversations on the Book of Revelation with Nancy Guthrie

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Revelation’s Message to Persecuted Believers with Karen Ellis 37:21

1+ y ago37:21

37:21

Nancy Guthrie talks with Karen Ellis about what it looks like for believers to patiently endure persecution. Nancy Guthrie is the author of Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation. Subscribe to Crossway's newest podcast 'Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Jen Wilkin' here!…

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Let's Learn Everything!

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18: Radiocarbon Revolution, Space Babies, and Nail Polish 1:57:44

1+ y ago1:57:44

1:57:44

You've probably heard of Carbon Dating, but how are Astronomy, Biology, and Nuclear Physics involved? What are the problems with having babies in space, and how many animals have had babies in space? (surprisingly more than you'd think!) And what is the history of nail polish, and more importantly, our relationship with painting nails? Videos we ta…

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Blessed: Conversations on the Book of Revelation with Nancy Guthrie

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Revelation’s Call to Courage and a Refusal to Compromise with Russell Moore 48:07

1+ y ago48:07

48:07

Nancy Guthrie and Russell Moore discuss themes presented in the letters to the churches found in Revelation 2–3, common questions about the beast and the mark of the beast, and how we can gain courage and hope from the book of Revelation. Nancy Guthrie is the author of Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation. Subscribe to Crossw…

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Blessed: Conversations on the Book of Revelation with Nancy Guthrie

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The Promised-Shaped Patterns that Resolve in Revelation with Jim Hamilton 40:02

1+ y ago40:02

40:02

Join Nancy Guthrie as she talks with pastor Jim Hamilton about how our expectations are shaped by the promises of God, and understanding those promises is the only way to understand the rest of the Bible. Nancy Guthrie is the author of Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation. Subscribe to Crossway's newest podcast 'Women of the …

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Let's Learn Everything!

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17: Cosmic Rays, Eye Colors, and the Most Disliked Instrument 1:25:21

1+ y ago1:25:21

1:25:21

What exactly are cosmic rays and how do they affect us? Why do humans have so many different eye colors? And why does everyone hate the triangle so much? Images we talk about: - The Sistrum - The Angel Battle of the Bands - The Triangle in the Painting Support us with a Max Fun Membership! Join our Discord! We also learn about: pions and tiny parti…

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Blessed: Conversations on the Book of Revelation with Nancy Guthrie

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The Organization of Revelation with Vern Poythress 47:47

1+ y ago47:47

47:47

Join Nancy Guthrie as she talks with scholar and author Vern Poythress about reading the book of Revelation not as a puzzle book to be figured out but as a picture book which should stir us up to be moved by Christ's rule and God's plan for history. Nancy Guthrie is the author of Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation. Subscrib…

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Blessed: Conversations on the Book of Revelation with Nancy Guthrie

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The Marriage Imagery of Revelation with Jonathan Gibson 40:14

1+ y ago40:14

40:14

Beneath the never-ending list of “to do’s” clamoring for our attention lies the fundamental choice to receive instruction and influence either from God or from fools. Will we listen to the voice of life or to the voices of death? Nancy Guthrie is the author of Blessed: Experiencing the Promise of the Book of Revelation. Subscribe to Crossway's newe…

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