Wonder Cupboard
Wonder Cupboard asks what science is, how it works, and how it came to be. Elena Falco and Ian Bridgeman present a new topic on the history and philosophy of science every episode.
Episodes
August 1, 2020 • 55 mins
What's that burning smell? The BBQ or your shoulders? Elena and Ian delve into the history, and often dubious science, of sunbathing and find scouts, hats, and granola along the way. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
Mark as Played
June 30, 2020 • 56 mins
Is it me or is it hot in here? Elena and Ian try to keep their cool as they find out how A/C came to be, and the surprising ways it's changed our world. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
Mark as Played
June 4, 2020 • 74 mins
Ice, Ice, Baby. Not just lyrics from one of history’s great musicians, but also the topic of this episode. Elena and Ian take a cold, hard look at how chilling changed the world. Cool story, bro. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com...
Mark as Played
April 27, 2020 • 48 mins
Not THAT virus. Well, yes, that one too, but not specifically. All of them, actually. Elena and Ian take a look at life and times of these vivacious virions by asking what it means to be alive at all… If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboar...
Mark as Played
April 4, 2020 • 69 mins
Imagine a perfect rhino. Done it? Great. Keep it in mind while Elena and Ian are joined by the Level Up Human podcast's Simon Watt, to discuss what we're really doing when we look for beauty in nature. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wond...
Mark as Played
February 4, 2020 • 51 mins
Phwoar, that equation, huh? Look at the numbers on that! No scientist has ever said this, hopefully, so why are there so-called 'beautiful' theories? Elena and Ian peruse this polynomial pageant, joined by theoretical physicist Sabine Hossenfelder, author of 'Lost In Math' and science blog Backreaction. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it...
Mark as Played
December 26, 2019 • 23 mins
'Tis the season… for science and reason! Well, that's what the Victorians thought at least. Elena and Ian take a look at how science and Christmas became fashionable pals in the 19th Century. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard...
Mark as Played
December 1, 2019 • 50 mins
Vaccines are great, but not everyone agrees. Elena and Ian take a jab at finding out why and when we began our preoccupation with inoculation. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
Mark as Played
October 13, 2019 • 48 mins
What are they though? And where do they come from? Did someone invent them? Elena and Ian attempt to answer countless such questions in an episode critics are already rating Pi out of Planck. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard.com.
Mark as Played
October 13, 2019 • 38 mins
Elena and Ian look at the languages science speaks… and the difficulties of writing them down. Guest starring: Galileo, Newton and the Fairy Pitta. This episode was recorded in celebration of peer review week: the planet's premier 7-day festival of intra-field regulation.
Mark as Played
October 13, 2019 • 67 mins
And Round Earth. And Hollow Earth. And Treasure Chest Earth. Elena and Ian attempt to work out who thought the earth was shaped like what, and when. It's not as simple as you'd think. | Music credit: Tony Klarich / tonyklarich.com
Mark as Played
October 13, 2019 • 27 mins
Mamie and Kenneth Clark's work in psychology was instrumental in the fight to ban racial segregation in US schools. For Valentine's Day, Elena and Ian tell the story of one of their favourite scientific couples. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do th...
Mark as Played
October 13, 2019 • 59 mins
Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? A veritable landslide of such questions await you in this episode, which Elena and Ian wish to clarify is surprisingly, and almost entirely, Matrix-free™. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to get in touch with us, you can do that at wondercupboard...
Mark as Played
May 19, 2019 • 48 mins
When did scientists start wearing white coats? Why do doctors wear them too? And are they strictly necessary in toothpaste commercials? Elena and Ian don their most fashionable lab jackets to look at the life and times of science's iconic wardrobe. If you liked this episode, subscribing/following means you'll get the next one automatically. We'd love it if you could leave us a review on iTunes too. And if you want to ge...
Mark as Played
May 13, 2019 • 54 mins
Plants, eh? Phoar. Elena and Ian find out why botany became scandalously sexy for a whole century. Features two rude words and some extremely questionable poetry.
Mark as Played
May 13, 2019 • 69 mins
Elena and Ian find out how one man and his impressive finger sparked the genesis of hypnosis and psychotherapy. Some waterfowl were harmed in the making of this episode.
Mark as Played
March 22, 2018 • 42 mins
Elena and Ian take a look at why science works, before getting embroiled in a boxing/wrestling match between realists and instrumentalists. Typical.
Mark as Played
March 19, 2018 • 57 mins
Elena and Ian don their gowns, before rebelliously taking them off again, in order to discuss the life and times of Galileo Galilei: scientist, lover, and all-round renaissance man (literally).
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.
Anna Sale explores the big questions and hard choices that are often left out of polite conversation.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.
A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.