Stuff To Blow Your Mind

So what exactly IS cotton candy and how does this curious confectionary concoction tie into other culinary traditions, including China’s Dragon’s beard candy? Find out in this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind. (originally published 1/30/2025) (part 1 of 2)

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In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the xenomorph queen from the “Alien” universe…

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In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the world of pretend play in childhood development and human consciousness. (part 5 of 5) (originally published 1/23/2025)

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In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1972 made-for-TV movie “Gargoyles,” starring Cornel Wilde, Jennifer Salt, Grayson Hall and Bernie Casey – with make-up effects by legendary Stan Winston. (originally published 2/28/2025)

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In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the world of pretend play in childhood development and human consciousness. (part 4 of 5) (originally published 1/21/2025)

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In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe celebrate January Giallo with a look at Italian horror master Dario Argento’s 1975 film “Deep Red,” starring David Hemmings and with an iconic score by Goblin.

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In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss anthropomorphic personifications of death in human culture. What do they mean? Where do they come from? Why and how are they gendered? Find out…

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NASA and IBM have developed advanced AI foundation models that analyze satellite data to reveal patterns across Earth and beyond. These tools are already driving real‑world impact, from helping Kenya plan the planting of 15 billion trees to enabling the UK to track harmful algae blooms. This collaboration provides strategic insights for climate action, environmental monitoring, and emergency response.

This is a paid advertisement from IBM. The conversations on this podcast don't necessarily represent IBM's positions, strategies or opinions.

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In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss anthropomorphic personifications of death in human culture. What do they mean? Where do they come from? Why and how are they gendered? Find out…

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In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1991 Japanese sci-fi monster film Zeiram, in which a futuristic bounty hunter from space must hunt down a deadly alien renegade with the help of two hapless electricians. (originally published 4/4/2022)

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In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the world of pretend play in childhood development and human consciousness. (part 3 of 5) (originally published 1/16/2025)

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In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the infamously trashy 1981 Italian zombie movie “Burial Ground,” directed by Andrea Bianchi and starring Karin Well, Mariangela Giordano and Peter Bark.

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In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss anthropomorphic personifications of death in human culture. What do they mean? Where do they come from? Why and how are they gendered? Find out…

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In this episode of the Monstrefact, Robert discusses the Neapolitan sprite known as Monaciello or the little monk...

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In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss anthropomorphic personifications of death in human culture. What do they mean? Where do they come from? Why and how are they gendered? Find out…

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In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the filmography of Spanish horror icon Paul Naschy with the 1973 thriller “Hunchback of the Morgue,” also starring Rosanna Yanni, María Elena Arpóna and Alberto Dalbés. (originally published 1/17/2025)

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In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the world of pretend play in childhood development and human consciousness. (originally published 1/9/2025)

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In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe tap into the January Giallo spirit of things with 1975’s “Footprints on the Moon,” a beautifully-shot surreal mystery starring Florinda Bolkan, Peter McEnery, Nicoletta Elmi and Klaus Kinski -- with cinematography by Oscar-winner Vittorio Storaro. (originally published 1/24/2025)

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Submitted for your approval: Given listener nostalgia for past TV marathons of The Twilight Zone, Robert and Joe devote this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind to the classic episode “The Rip Van Winkle Caper.” Join them as they break down some of the scientific, cultural and economic topics associated with it.

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In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the Silvesterkläuse, particularly the monstrous “ugly” versions that factor into Swiss New Year’s Eve traditions.

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Once more, it's time for a dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...

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In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe return to the wild world of lucha libre with the 1967 Mexican science fiction film “Santo vs. the Martian Invasion,” starring El Santo himself alongside Wolf Ruvinskis and Maura Monti. (originally published 1/10/2025)

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In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe explore the world of pretend play in childhood development and human consciousness. (originally published 1/7/2025)

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In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss 1980’s “Battle Beyond the Stars" and revel in this wonky space opera featuring a number of b-movie mainstays and future stars. (originally published 06/24/2022)

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In today’s classic holiday episode, Rob and Joe once more turn their minds to Christmas trees – but not the ones you’ll find in living rooms and department stores. No, for these Christmas trees, they’ll be considering natural organisms in the watery depths of Earths’ oceans… (originally 12/12/2024)

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In this special Christmas Eve transmission, Dr. Anton Jessup reflects on the nature of holiday conquest and what victory actually looks like…

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In this classic holiday episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the history and invention of the eggnog, how it became such an iconic holiday beverage and some curious historic goblets associated with the consumption of this rich, milky draught. (originally published 12/15/2022)

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In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss 1977’s “Blue Sunshine,” directed by Jeff Lieberman and starring Zalman King. It’s a twisted tale of post-60s anxiety, hippie disillusionment and sensationalized media treatments of psychedelics. It’s also technically a Christmas movie, so strap in… (originally published 12/20/2024)

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In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe return to the world of squirrels and their curious carnivorous ways… (originally published 1/2/2025)

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In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1984 science fiction comedy horror film”Night of the Comet,” directed by Thom Eberhardt and starring Catherine Mary Stewart, Kelli Maroney and Robert Beltran.

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In this special holiday episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the science of bad christmas gift giving – and receiving.

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In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the monstrous Afanc of Welsh tradition… (originaly published 12/4/2024)

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In this two-part series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the science of blubber and some of the ideas surrounding cetacean insulation.

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In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, guest-host David Striepe of the Talkin' Tofu podcast returns to chat with Rob about the 1987 miniaturization film “Innerspace,” directed by Joe Dante and starring Dennis Quaid, Martin Short and Meg Ryan. (originally published 1/3/2025)

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In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe dig into the powerful resonance of the fireplace and hearthstone in human culture, psychology and myth. (part 2 of 2, originally published 12/19/2024)

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In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss 1985’s “Santa Claus: The Movie,” starring Dudley Moore as an elf, John Lithgow as a scheming tycoon and David Huddleston – the Big Lebowski himself – as Santa.

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In this two-part series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the science of blubber and some of the ideas surrounding cetacean insulation.

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In this holiday episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the diminutive tomtars of Swedish holiday tradition…

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In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the use of firescreens, polescreens and related technologies that shielded the eyes from the glow, heat or desolation of the hearth.

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In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss 1976’s “Rock'n'Roll Wolf,” also known as “Mama.” It’s a Romanian–Soviet–French co-production and a live-action adaptation of the Brothers Grimm tale “The Wolf and the Seven Young Goats.” (originally published 12/13/2024)

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In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe dig into the powerful resonance of the fireplace and hearthstone in human culture, psychology and myth. (part 1 of 2, originally published 12/17/2024)

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In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe welcome the holidays in – on Krampusnacht – with the 1995 holiday horror film “The Day of the Beast,” directed by Álex de la Iglesia and starring Álex Angulo, Armando De Razza and Santiago Segura.

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In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the science, culture and mythology of licking. (part 3 of 3)

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In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the legendary shapeshifter of French and Creole Louisiana known as the Rougarou…

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Once more, it's time for a dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...

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In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1980 grindhouse mainstay “Shogun Assassin,” a western release compiled from the first two “Lone Wolf and Cub” films by Kenji Misumi, highlighting its sizzling action with added electronic score and captivating narration. (originally published 12/6/2024)

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In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe continue their look at sacred trees of the world with a look at lightning-struck trees in European traditions, as well as the sacred rowan tree. (originally published 12/10/2024)

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In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1999 shark film “Deep Blue Sea” in which super-smart sharks run wild in a sea base. (originally published 07/30/2021)

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In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe celebrate such monstrous dishes as the Cockentrice, the Turducken and other historic culinary indulgences – as well related monsters that you might accidentally order at a medieval feast. Bon appétit! (originally published 11/21/2024)

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In this classic episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses the mermaid Hortus as described and illustrated in the book “Dr. C. Lillefisk's Sirenology” by Jana Heidersdorf. (originally published 1/15/2025)

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