A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life.
Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life!
In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating.
If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.
The podcast Chemistry For Your Life is created by Melissa and Jam, Bleav. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Ask a Chemist #64
Melissa and Jam delve into intriguing chemistry questions posed by their listeners. They explore whether all salts are salty, the chemistry of gunshot residue and fingerprinting, and the reactions between chemicals and sound waves. Special guest Maison, Melissa's husband, joins to discuss sourdough starter cultures and answer sourdough-related queries. The episode concludes with insightful comments from their Chemmunity members and reassurances about their well-being amid late-night recordings.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:45 First Listener Question: Gunshot Residue and Fingerprinting
02:46 Is All Salt Salty?
15:28 Chemistry and Sound Waves
18:28 Sourdough Questions Begin
21:32 Sourdough Myths: Stainless Steel Debate
23:36 Acidity and Metal Reactions
27:47 Sourdough and Gluten-Free Misconceptions
29:40 Starting a Sourdough Business
31:22 Sourdough Starter Names and Maintenance
33:39 Maison's Sourdough Journey
42:06 Late Night Recording Concerns
44:41 Community Shoutouts and Closing Remarks
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#205
Jam and Melissa discuss the complexities and consequences of recent executive orders surrounding science funding. Melissa provides insight into how these changes impact university research, faculty positions, and broader society. The duo also highlights the historical context and importance of DEI in academia, emphasizing the broader implications of funding uncertainties on current and future science initiatives.
00:00 Introduction and Special Occasions
00:20 Current Issues in Science Funding
01:10 Host Background and Experience
02:19 Impact of Executive Orders on Science
04:21 Broader Impacts and DEI in Grants
14:03 Indirect Costs and University Funding
16:44 Trickle-Down Effects on Academia
27:03 Importance of DEI Initiatives
40:16 Conclusion and Further Reading
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#047 Rebroadcast
This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of rust. What even is it? Where does it come from? Is it bad? Is it reversible? Let's get into it.
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#114 Rebroadcast
Tums, alka seltzer, and other antacids: they're simple, they've been around for a long time, but they're a tried and true method for helping our stomachs. But how do they work? What's the chemistry behind these unsung heroes?
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#204
In this episode Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating biochemistry behind sourdough bread. They explore the role of microorganisms, including different strains of yeast and bacteria, in the fermentation process. The discussion covers how these organisms contribute to the unique flavors and textures of sourdough, and addresses common questions from listeners about its health benefits, the impact of tap water, and the variability of sourdough starters. The episode combines scientific insights with personal anecdotes about sourdough baking, shedding light on why this bread is so special and why it has gained popularity.
00:00 Introduction to Sourdough Curiosities
00:50 Meet the Hosts and Episode Inspiration
01:16 Listener Questions and Sourdough Popularity
02:48 The Science Behind Sourdough
03:18 Microorganisms in Bread Making
03:43 The Role of Yeast and Fermentation
07:33 Sourdough Starters and Fermentation Process
13:02 The Symbiotic Relationship in Sourdough
16:00 Recap and Listener Questions
20:18 The Art and Chemistry of Sourdough
22:02 Challenges and Rewards of Sourdough Baking
24:46 Sourdough Microbiome and Health Benefits
31:24 Impact of Water on Sourdough
32:55 Sourdough Preservation and Final Thoughts
36:39 Community Engagement and Support
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Ask a Chemist #64
In this bonus edition of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam tackle intriguing questions from listeners. They delve into why some people hiccup when eating carrots, the fascinating uses of poinsettias in food packaging, the role of benzene as a carcinogen, and the controversies surrounding hydrogen-rich water bottles. Additionally, they explain how catalysts work and respond to various chemistry-related inquiries from their engaged audience.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:10 Why Do People Hiccup When They Eat Carrots?
06:18 The Dangers of Benzene in Dry Shampoo
08:07 Understanding Catalysts in Chemical Reactions
12:04 Debunking the Hydrogen Rich Water Cup
20:26 Supercritical Water and Viewer Comments
24:59 Poinsettias and pH Indicators
26:42 Conclusion and Listener Acknowledgements
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#203
In this episode, Jam recounts a humorous yet enlightening story of accidentally taking a dog-sized dose of Benadryl and the sleepy consequences that followed. Melissa, a chemist, dives deep into the chemistry of antihistamines, explaining the difference between first-generation (drowsy) and second-generation (non-drowsy) antihistamines. The episode covers the role of histamine in the body's allergic reactions and how different antihistamines interact with histamine receptors. Melissa elucidates the chemical structures of these medicines and how their polarity affects their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, ultimately influencing whether they cause drowsiness.
00:00 A Benadryl Mishap
02:12 Understanding Antihistamines
03:28 The Science Behind Benadryl
04:55 How Antihistamines Work
10:41 Non-Drowsy Antihistamines
18:29 Personal Allergy Experiences
27:52 Allergy Medication Preferences
35:11 Supporting the Show
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Question and Response 63
In this episode Melissa and Jam embark on an 'Ask a Chemist' segment, delving into the ethics surrounding the field of chemistry and addressing listener questions. They discuss managing discussions on the dark side of chemistry, why certain chemicals emit characteristic colors in the flame test, and share personal experiences regarding the toughest classes in their educational journeys. The episode also features listener interactions about nostalgic glow-in-the-dark items and anecdotes about the complexities and joys of studying and practicing chemistry. Join them for an engaging exploration of the ethical dimensions of chemistry and the field's fascinating nuances.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:15 Addressing the Ethics of Chemistry
07:29 Fun Chemistry Questions
09:03 Personal Stories and Hardest Classes
18:39 Nostalgic Glow-in-the-Dark Items
21:54 Community Engagement and Closing Remarks
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#202
Melissa and Jam dive into a fun and educational holiday-themed activity using poinsettia plants. They explore the chemistry behind these festive plants, specifically focusing on anthocyanins, which are pigments that give the leaves their red color and act as pH indicators. The episode includes a hands-on experiment that listeners can try at home to visualize how different household items can change the color of poinsettia leaves. Perfect for a holiday break activity that educates and entertains both kids and adults.
00:00 Introduction to Holiday Activities
00:24 The Poinsettia Plant: A Festive Icon
01:21 Chemistry Behind Poinsettias
02:35 Historical and Cultural Significance
04:36 Anthocyanins and Plant Pigments
07:54 Understanding Light Absorption
11:47 Interactive Chemistry Lesson
18:52 Exploring the Fascinating World of Light and Color
19:50 Understanding the Science Behind Color Perception
22:10 Fun Science Experiments with Kids
22:56 Making Poinsettia Tea: A Step-by-Step Guide
24:37 Creating Homemade pH Paper
26:14 Testing Household Items for Acidity and Basicity
27:42 Interactive Chemistry Activities for All Ages
37:09 Wrapping Up: Chemistry Fun for the Holidays
References from this episode:
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#075 Rebroadcast
Happy holidays, we hope you have a wonderful season whatever you celebrate! We've got a holiday related episode for you: LEDs. Well I guess we use them all year round, but they get an extra spotlight this time of year. What are they? How do they work? How are they different from other lights? Let's find out!
References from this episode
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#201
Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry behind air dusters. They explore the components inside these cans, and how the physical properties of these chemicals can lead to rapid evaporation, cold burns, and potential hazards. Listeners will learn about the processes of pressure and boiling, the potential dangers of misuse, and how these air dusters work to clean keyboards and other surfaces. The episode is inspired by listener questions and personal anecdotes, making the complex chemistry accessible and engaging.
00:00 Introduction and Initial Curiosity
01:10 Chemistry of Air Dusters
01:35 Listener Questions and Real-Life Examples
04:47 Chemistry Lessons: Gas and Liquid States
06:23 Pressure and Temperature Effects
14:13 Explaining the Air Duster Mechanism
23:02 Understanding Gas Molecules and Boiling
23:45 Potential Dangers of Compressed Air
24:46 Chemical Burns and Frostbite
25:49 Substance Abuse Concerns
29:14 Safe Alternatives for Cleaning Keyboards
31:43 Summary and Chemistry Recap
37:47 Final Thoughts and Recommendations
43:11 Supporting the Show and Closing Remarks
References from this episode:
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Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 12 (Rebroadcast)
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we combine chocolate and gum. Yep, you read that right. And yes, it's a little gross.
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#200
In this episode Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating world of chewing gum. They start by discussing awkward combinations of food and gum, leading to an exploration of what gum is made of. The conversation covers the basics of gum composition, including the roles of sugar, flavor, and especially the gum base, which itself is made of polymers. They explain why gum doesn't dissolve in saliva and how flavors are eventually lost as they are absorbed by saliva. The hosts also talk about the environmental impact of gum and spotlight an innovative company that recycles used gum into new products. The episode is filled with personal anecdotes related to gum, enhancing the scientific discussion with engaging memories.
00:00 The Gum and Chocolate Dilemma
00:40 The Mystery of Natural vs. Unnatural Gum
01:07 Mint Preferences and Gum Curiosities
02:22 Introduction to the Chemistry of Gum
03:31 Podcast Introduction and Community Shoutouts
05:54 Teaching Experiences and Family Connections
08:50 Deep Dive into Gum Chemistry
22:13 The Science Behind Gum Flavor
23:08 Sugar-Free Gum and Flavor Retention
23:42 The Role of Chemists in Gum Production
24:37 Explaining Gum Chemistry
26:18 The Structure and Properties of Gum
29:47 Natural vs. Synthetic Gum
31:50 Recycling Gum: Gumdrop Limited
34:34 Gum in Our Digestive System
36:35 Gum-Related Memories
44:30 Conclusion and Listener Questions
References from this episode:
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Question and Response 62
In this special bonus episode of Chemistry for Your Life, Melissa and Jam dive into listener-submitted questions, covering everything from the rarity of crystals and the chemistry of sourdough to the science behind melting ice on roads in Canada. Along the way, they explore fun tangents about nostalgic movies, glow-in-the-dark nostalgia, and much more. It’s an eclectic mix of chemistry, pop culture, and community interaction!
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★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★
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#199
In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry behind the popular belief that eating carrots improves night vision. They take a deep dive into the scientific processes, including how beta carotene from carrots is converted into vitamin A, then into rhodopsin, and how this helps with night vision. They also discuss the historical context of this belief, dating back to World War II propaganda, and expand their discussion to include other fall foods rich in beta carotene, such as pumpkins and sweet potatoes. The episode also touches on fun facts, personal anecdotes, and a special shout-out to a new community member.
00:00 Introduction to the Fun Chemistry Topic
00:17 The Carrot Myth and World War II Propaganda
01:19 Matching Outfits and Personal Stories
06:36 Shoutout to New Community Member
07:14 The Science Behind Carrots and Vision
26:22 Vitamin A and Night Vision
27:47 Explaining the Chemistry of Beta Carotene
29:07 The Process of Beta Carotene Conversion
30:27 Understanding Rhodopsin Formation
31:07 The Role of Vitamin A in Vision
41:29 Fun Facts and Fall Foods
48:56 Supporting the Podcast and Community
50:11 Acknowledging Supporters and Conclusion
References from this episode:
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
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#055 Rebroadcast
Ever notice that honey crystalizes? Isn't that like super weird? Why does it do that? This week, Melissa and Jam risk getting stuck in this question.
References from this episode
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#198
In this special Halloween episode Melissa and Jam explore the spooky yet fascinating world of glow-in-the-dark chemistry. The discussion delves into nostalgic aspects of Halloween, focusing particularly on phosphorescence and the forbidden transitions that cause electrons to glow. The chemistry behind these glowing phenomena is explained with engaging analogies, making complex concepts more accessible. They also share their favorite glow-in-the-dark items from childhood, connecting science with personal memories. The episode is a fun and informative dive into the eerie light of glow-in-the-dark materials.
00:00 Spooky Halloween Introduction
00:42 The Science of Glow in the Dark
05:07 Understanding Electron Excitation
16:10 The Forbidden Transition
20:25 Exploring Electron Excitation
21:41 Forbidden Transitions and Rare Materials
22:21 Space Analogies and Electron Behavior
24:35 Creative Analogies for Electron States
26:02 Recap and Detailed Explanation
33:06 Glow-in-the-Dark Nostalgia
39:24 Listener Engagement and Support
References from this episode:
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
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Question and Response 61
New College-Style Sweatshirt! And Spooky Chemistry Shirts Are Back!
In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam address a variety of intriguing listener questions. They cover topics such as the chemical processes behind self-tanners and why early formulations could result in uneven appearances, the unique properties and phase changes of dry ice, and the complexities surrounding high fructose corn syrup. The discussion spans the importance of physical chemistry, the societal pressures linked to beauty standards, and the exfoliating benefits of chemical peels. Positive feedback from viewers is acknowledged, and the hosts encourage further engagement via questions and Patreon membership.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
00:35 Welcome to Chemistry for Your Life
01:26 Listener Questions: Tanning and Self-Tanning
06:54 Chemistry Behind Self-Tanners
08:09 More Listener Questions: Self-Tanner Reactions
11:13 The Smell of Self-Tanners
12:09 Scariest Chemistry Class
12:36 Understanding Small Particle Physics
13:33 Physical Chemistry and Thermodynamics
14:41 Chemical Peels Explained
15:34 Is Fructose Bad for You?
16:29 The Science of Dry Ice Sublimation
22:09 Listener Questions and Comments
24:15 Supporting the Show and Community Shoutouts
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#196
New College-Style Sweatshirt! And Spooky Chemistry Shirts Are Back!
Melissa and Jam explore the fascinating chemistry behind self tanners. They take listeners on a journey from the discovery of the key sugar in self tanners in the 1960s by Dr. Eva Wittgenstein to the present-day scientific understanding. The episode delves into the Maillard reactions, typically known for browning food, explaining in simple terms how similar reactions color the skin when self tanners are used. Additionally, the hosts discuss the molecular structure of carbohydrates, the generation of free radicals, and the temporary UV sensitivity following self-tanner application. Interactive elements like pop quizzes and listener shout-outs keep the discussion engaging and educational, while also touching on recent studies and encouraging community support. The episode is a blend of fun facts, thorough biochemistry, and practical advice for achieving a safe, sun-kissed look.
00:00 Introduction to Tanning and Self-Tanners
00:41 The Chemistry Behind Self-Tanners
03:14 History and Discovery of Self-Tanners
04:34 The Maillard Reaction Explained
13:17 Debate on the Maillard Reaction in Self-Tanners
24:40 Application and Effects of Self-Tanners
28:15 The Importance of Sunscreen
28:55 Fun Facts About Tanning
30:06 Pop Quiz Time!
31:15 Rewards and Treats
31:57 Dr. Pepper Shake Discussion
34:22 Quiz Results and Reflections
41:11 Listener Questions and Bonus Episode Tease
42:22 Merchandise Shoutout and Closing Remarks
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
#048 Rebroadcast
New College-Style Sweatshirt!
And the Ghost Halloween Design is Back!
This week, Melissa and Jam dive into spiciness. What is it? Is it a flavor? Is it a feeling? Is it both? Is it more? Why can some people handle more than others? Does spiciness have any benefits?
References from this episode
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#196
Melissa and Jam delve into the science behind ibuprofen, exploring why it takes around 30 minutes to work. The discussion covers the chemistry of ibuprofen, including the concept of chiral molecules and enantiomers—molecules with mirror-image forms—highlighting how only one form of ibuprofen works effectively. The episode explains why both forms are included in the medication due to production challenges and discusses recent findings about ibuprofen's potential in cancer treatment. Additionally, the show features various fun facts about ibuprofen, aspirin comparisons, environmentally friendly production methods, and more.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
05:07 Chemistry Lesson: Handedness of Molecules
17:52 Ibuprofen's Chiral Nature and Its Effects
19:15 The Racemic Mixture of Ibuprofen
24:06 The Wastefulness of Chemistry
24:29 Challenges of Purifying Enantiomers
25:16 Economic and Environmental Considerations
26:28 Understanding Ibuprofen's Handedness
27:26 The Debate on Enantiomer Separation
34:45 Fun Facts About Ibuprofen
39:55 Green Chemistry and Ibuprofen
45:42 Community and Closing Remarks
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
Question and Response #60
In this episode of 'Ask a Chemist' on the Chemistry for Your Life podcast, hosts Melissa and Jam tackle a diverse range of fun and fascinating chemistry questions. Topics include the differences between oxygen in water and air, the properties of jello, the mystery behind glitter, and the impact of pasteurization on milk safety. The episode also addresses more complex inquiries such as infrared spectroscopy and the oxidative stability of whole grain flour.
00:00 Introduction to Ask a Chemist
02:39 The Pasteurization Question
08:51 What Makes Jello Jello?
10:06 Oxygen in Water vs. Air
12:40 The Mystery of Glitter
15:46 Infrared Spectroscopy and Northern Lights
18:29 Oxidation in Flour
22:17 Collagen and Muscle Building
26:06 Listener Reviews and Closing Remarks
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
#195
In this episode of Chemistry For Your Life, hosts Melissa and Jam delve into the science behind ibuprofen, a common pain reliever. They discuss the role of prostaglandins in inflammation, how ibuprofen inhibits the cox enzyme to reduce pain, and the body's natural immune response. They also share personal anecdotes about meeting listeners, their favorite types of ibuprofen, and explore plans for future episodes about other pain relievers.
00:00 Introduction and Personal Anecdote
01:00 Meet the Hosts
01:11 Exciting Announcements
02:46 Listener Shoutout
05:41 Understanding Pain and Inflammation
06:48 The Role of Prostaglandins
14:38 How Ibuprofen Works
18:15 Personal Experiences with Pain
21:16 Preview of Next Episode
22:10 Understanding Pain and Inflammation
23:07 The Role of Prostaglandins
24:50 Enzymes and Their Functions
27:11 How Ibuprofen Works
35:11 Personal Experiences with Ibuprofen
40:42 Supporting the Show and Final Thoughts
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
#060
Chances are you've heard the word "fluoride" said in reference to your teeth. At the dentists office, on your bottle of mouthwash, maybe you've heard it's in tap water? But what is it, what's so special about it, and how does it help our teeth? Does it make them whiter, stronger, or what? Let's find out.
References from this episode
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#194
In this episode of Chemistry for Your Life, Melissa and Jam delve into the chemistry behind modern dental fillings. They explore how dentists use a combination of organic monomers and inorganic fillers to address cavities and the role of light-activated photoinitiators in hardening these materials. Melissa also shares her personal experiences and recent achievements, introduces new community members, and compares amusing dental scenes in pop culture.
00:00 Introduction and Dentist Experiences
00:38 Chemistry in Everyday Life
02:11 Community Updates and Announcements
04:44 Understanding Dental Fillings
08:39 The Science Behind Polymerization
19:08 The Role of Light in Dental Fillings
26:01 The Reaction Begins
26:22 Mixing Dental Materials
27:47 Personal Dental Experiences
30:51 Understanding Polymerization
35:42 Photo Initiators and Family Tangents
43:12 Pop Culture Dentist Moments
48:35 Wrapping Up and Community Shoutouts
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
Question and Response #59
Reddit's Chemistry Questions Answered In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam dive into Reddit to answer chemistry-related questions. They explore why ice in a fizzy drink causes more fizz, how stainless steel removes onion smells from hands, when to email professors for recommendation letters, and discuss a controversial prank by an organic chemistry professor. The hosts provide insightful and engaging explanations while also sharing personal anecdotes and practical advice for students.
00:00 Introduction to Reddit Chemistry Questions
00:55 Why Does Ice Make Fizzy Drinks Fizz More?
03:09 How Does Stainless Steel Remove Onion Smell?
06:53 When to Email Professors About Recommendation Letters
10:19 Am I the Jerk for Pranking My Students?
23:06 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
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#193
In this episode of Chemistry for Your Life, hosts Melissa and Jam delve into the chemistry of milk, focusing on the differences between raw and pasteurized milk. They discuss the processes of pasteurization and homogenization, how they affect the nutritional content of milk, and answer listener questions about raw milk's spoilage, nutritional values, and bacteria. The episode also highlights important safety considerations associated with consuming raw milk and addresses common misconceptions. The hosts also shout out their Patreon supporters and encourage others to join their community.
00:00 Introduction to Milk and Pasteurization
00:53 Listener Questions and Raw Milk Discussion
01:53 Shoutout to Patreon Member Scott B
02:38 Deep Dive into Pasteurization
05:29 Chemistry Lesson: Proteins and Pasteurization
22:27 Heating Milk at Home
23:30 Raw Milk: Myths and Facts
25:02 Pasteurization and Nutritional Content
29:22 Risks of Drinking Raw Milk
32:21 Homogenization Explained
38:18 Milk Hot Takes and Fun Facts
43:14 Conclusion and Community Shoutouts
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
#071 Rebroadcast
It's time to crack into one of life's great mysteries: eggs. So what happens when we cook them?! How do they go from clear goo to white jiggle? This is a question we received long ago, and with topics this serious, we don't yoke around. So we waited until we could bring in an eggsperienced egg chef, Jason Cress, to figure out this topic with us. In Jam's opinion, Jason's insight on the topic of eggs just can't be beat. We know many of you guys may be busy with some (hopefully safe) version of Thanksgiving, but despite the holiday we couldn't pass on the chance to shell out another episode for you guys, especially for our friends around the world, who are just experiencing a regular ol' Thursday today. Well without further ado, let's ap-poach this mystery together.
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
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In this bonus game edition of 'Chemistry For Your Life', host Melissa, co-host Jam, and guest Claire embark on an entertaining journey of debunking or verifying popular 'fun facts' submitted by their listeners. The game, titled 'Fun Fact or Fake Factoid', involves dissecting quirky trivia ranging from the pollination of tomatoes to the weight of all ants versus humans, and the smell of old books. The episode blends humor, friendly competition, and scientific inquiry, including surprising personal anecdotes and genuine compliments. Special thanks are given to the show's Patreon supporters who contributed the intriguing facts for this episode.
00:00 Introduction and Game Setup
03:32 First Fun Fact: Tomato Pollination
07:15 Second Fun Fact: Ants vs. Humans
11:52 Third Fun Fact: The Smell of Old Books
13:49 The Smell of Old Books Explained
14:47 Vanilla and Dopamine Connection
15:26 Fun Fact: Glacial Ice and Freshwater
18:34 Longest Word Typed with Left Hand
22:12 The Egg Inside Your Grandma
25:13 Wrapping Up and Thank Yous
References from this episode:
We want to give a VERY special thanks to Claire for sharing her knowledge with us and for her most pleasant company!
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
Question and Response 58
In this bonus episode of Chemistry For Your Life, hosts Melissa and Jam are joined by Claire, an expert in pharmacology and neuroscience, to discuss the inner workings of antidepressants and answer additional questions from the previous episode. Claire shares her grad school experiences, highlighting the challenges and unique aspects of her biomedical sciences PhD program. They also delve into the complexities of drug side effects, withdrawal symptoms, and whether Adderall is addictive, offering nuanced insights throughout. The episode concludes with each sharing fun facts that live rent-free in their heads and an engaging community-inspired segment.
00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview
01:36 Meet Claire: Grad School Experiences
03:10 Navigating Grad School Challenges
05:26 The Importance of Support Systems
06:25 Exploring Pharmacology and Neuroscience
09:52 Fun with Tattoos and Science
11:40 Understanding Drug Side Effects
17:00 Withdrawal Symptoms Explained
18:44 No Parents Allowed
19:19 Is Adderall Addictive?
19:53 Dopamine and ADHD
21:38 Adderall's Effects on the Body
28:32 Fun Facts and Listener Contributions
35:30 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements
References from this episode:
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
#192
In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam introduce special guest Claire Caballero, a pharmacology and neuroscience PhD student, to discuss how antidepressants work. Claire explains the role of neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA in mental health, the mechanisms of various antidepressants such as SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and touches on the effects and side effects of drugs like Wellbutrin. The episode provides an insightful look at the chemistry and neuroscience behind how these medications help manage depression and anxiety.
00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement
00:52 Meet Claire: Our Expert in Pharmacology and Neuroscience
01:32 Understanding Pharmacology and Neurotransmission
05:16 The Role of Neurotransmitters in Anxiety and Depression
14:16 Deep Dive into Neurotransmitters: GABA, Dopamine, and Serotonin
17:10 Exploring the Mechanisms of Depression and Anxiety
22:21 Ready to Learn About Antidepressant Drugs?
33:20 Understanding SSRIs and Their Uses
34:14 How SSRIs Work in the Brain
36:23 Challenges and Side Effects of SSRIs
43:08 Exploring Tricyclic Antidepressants
48:35 Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors: The First Antidepressants
54:59 Benzodiazepines: Uses and Risks
01:00:01 Other Notable Drugs: Bupropion and Beta Blockers
01:05:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
References from this episode:
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
#191
In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam delve into captivating and practical fun facts about vitamin C. They discuss the recommended daily intake, its role in preventing scurvy, the surprising regulations on food labels, and the common foods that are rich in vitamin C. Furthermore, they explore its use as a preservative and potential benefits in skincare, emphasizing the essential need for a varied diet to maintain optimal health. They also share personal anecdotes and considerations for supplementing vitamin C through diet and topical applications.
00:00 Introduction to Fun Facts About Vitamin C
01:12 Daily Vitamin C Requirements and Deficiency
02:30 Vitamin C in Foods and Supplements
03:16 Personal Vitamin C Intake Stories
06:54 High Vitamin C Foods
12:49 Vitamin C Needs for Different Lifestyles
15:12 Challenges in Vitamin C Research
15:58 Vitamin C as a Preservative
17:09 Topical Application of Vitamin C
18:07 Vitamin C and Wound Healing
19:10 Vitamin C in Skincare
20:38 Vitamin C Supplements: Do You Need Them?
22:56 Personal Experiences with Vitamin C
25:46 Favorite Vitamins and Their Impact
27:57 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts on Vitamins
29:00 Credits and Acknowledgements
References from this episode:
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#035 Rebroadcast
Do you like apples? Ever wonder why they turn brown when you cut them? This week, Melissa and Jam explore this very question. What's going on in these apples? Where does the brown come from? Is it a good or bad thing? Does it taste different? Is the brown actually apple tears from the pain of being cut? And how do you like them apples?
References from this episode
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#190
In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam delve into the role of vitamin C in the immune system and examine whether taking mega doses of the vitamin can help with common colds. Melissa, a seasoned chemist, explains the chemistry behind oxidation, reduction, and free radicals, and how vitamin C's properties make it crucial for immune function. The discussion also covers historical context, including Linus Pauling's theories, and recent scientific findings on vitamin C's effectiveness. Throughout the episode, Melissa and Jam use analogies and discuss various studies while also previewing future episodes on vitamin C's other benefits and common questions.
00:00 Introduction to Vitamin C and Collagen
00:57 Meet the Hosts: Melissa and Jim
01:43 Podcast Background and Corrections
04:01 Vitamin C Part Two: Immune System and Megadoses
07:56 Chemistry Lesson: Oxidation and Reduction
15:57 Vitamin C's Role in the Immune System
22:18 The Bat Signal Analogy
23:51 Vitamin C and Immune Cells
24:27 Oxidative Stress and Damage
27:02 Vitamin C Deficiency and Cold Symptoms
28:24 Vitamin C and Physical Stress
33:12 Elderberry and Cold Symptoms
36:08 Upcoming Vitamin C Topics
37:14 Summer Plans and Wrap-Up
References from this episode:
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Question and Response 57
In this bonus episode of 'Chemistry For Your Life,' hosts Melissa Collini and Jam Robinson answer listener-submitted questions about various chemistry topics. They discuss the distinction between 'chemical' and 'natural' smells, plant poisons, and the mechanisms behind face scrubs and soaps. The episode also features insights from a listener working in the beauty industry and addresses the challenges of avoiding fast food in the context of food deserts. Additionally, the hosts express gratitude for their supportive listeners and patrons.
00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:58 Listener Questions: Chemical Smells
06:02 Insights from the Beauty Industry
08:33 Plant Poisons and Refrigerants
12:01 Face Scrubs and Soap Science
14:33 Fast Food and Food Deserts
19:46 Listener Shoutouts and Reviews
22:31 Conclusion and Thank Yous
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#189
In this episode, Melissa and Jam delve into the crucial role of Vitamin C in the body, focusing on its importance for collagen production. They discuss how collagen, a key structural protein found in tendons, cartilage, bones, teeth, skin, and blood vessels, relies on Vitamin C to form strong, functional structures. The conversation explores the process of how Vitamin C enables enzymes to add essential alcohol groups to collagen strands, allowing them to twist into strong triple helices, which then form a robust matrix in the body. The hosts also touch upon the connection between Vitamin C deficiency and scurvy, and tease further exploration of Vitamin C's role in the immune system and as a preservative in future episodes. The episode is dedicated to new community member Jesse, and acknowledges listener Nicole B. for inspiring the topic.
00:00 Introduction to Vitamin C Myths
00:13 Exploring Vitamin C in Skincare and Food Preservation
00:32 Vitamin C and Pets: A Curious Case
00:45 Diving into Scurvy and Vitamin C
01:28 Podcast Introduction and Dedication
01:38 Special Announcements and Episode Structure
06:02 The Chemistry of Collagen
10:27 Understanding Collagen Structure
13:30 The Role of Intermolecular Forces
18:02 Connecting Vitamin C to Collagen Formation
19:57 The Role of Hydroxylase in Collagen Formation
20:42 Vitamin C: The Essential Co-Factor
23:10 The Consequences of Vitamin C Deficiency
23:31 Debating Collagen Supplements
32:50 The Historical Struggle with Scurvy
37:53 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
References from this episode:
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
#099 Rebroadcast
In this special re-release episode, Melissa and Jam dive deep into the world of Vitamin A (retinol) and its role in anti-aging skincare. They revisit a popular episode that explores whether anti-aging products genuinely work. The hosts break down the scientific functions of the skin, the impact of UV radiation, and the importance of sunscreen. They also discuss how retinoids (vitamin A) can help repair and maintain the skin's structure, backed by peer-reviewed studies. This episode is a blend of chemistry, practical skincare tips, and personal anecdotes.
00:00 Introduction to Vitamin A and Anti-Aging
00:10 Revisiting the Anti-Aging Episode
00:36 Personal Reflections on Skincare
02:06 Acknowledging Influences and Inspirations
04:57 Understanding Skin and Aging
07:55 The Role of Fibroblasts and Proteins
10:55 Impact of UV Rays on Skin Aging
14:10 Importance of Sunscreen
15:56 Retinoids: The Gold Standard in Anti-Aging
19:50 Retinoid Study Results
20:31 Retinoids: The Antidote to Sun Damage
21:34 The Importance of Sunscreen
23:45 Understanding Skin Structure
26:08 How Retinoids Work
29:44 Fun Facts and Warnings About Retinoids
34:02 Personal Stories and Reflections
38:33 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
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#188
In this episode, hosts Melissa and Jam dive into the basics of vitamins. They discuss the origins of vitamins, why they are labeled with letters, and the difference between water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. The episode also touches on the history of vitamin regulation, the necessity of supplementing vitamins, and the impact of diet on vitamin intake. Finally, they challenge listeners to assess the variety of plant-based foods they consume in a week to promote a healthier diet.
00:00 Introduction to Vitamins
00:27 What Are Vitamins?
01:40 Types of Vitamins: Water Soluble vs Fat Soluble
07:10 Sources of Vitamins
10:19 The History and Naming of Vitamins
20:16 The Importance of Vitamins and Supplements
24:51 Optimal Vitamin Intake
25:10 The Role of Multivitamins
26:04 Diet Trends and Nutrient Deficiency
28:39 Understanding Vitamins
31:14 Fat-Soluble vs. Water-Soluble Vitamins
32:50 The Importance of Dietary Variety
36:57 Personal Diet Challenges
43:07 Engage with Us!
References from this episode:
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
Question and Response 56
In this bonus edition of Chemistry for Your Life, hosts Melissa and Jam engage with their listeners by answering a variety of chemistry-related questions and addressing listener comments and reviews. They read and discuss both positive and constructive reviews, and provide important updates about joining a network for the podcast. They also talk about the introduction of advertisements, the benefits of becoming a patron for an ad-free experience, and some behind-the-scenes improvements to enhance the show. The episode includes shout-outs to long-time listeners and special mentions of devoted classes and followers. Key discussions cover effective materials for hot baths, making water drinkable in emergencies, and the process of making yogurt, among other chemistry inquiries. The show wraps up with a reminder about the importance of engaging in scientific and political processes to promote environmental safety.
00:00 Introduction and Listener Questions Teaser
00:49 Podcast Reviews: The Good, The Bad, and The Funny
02:31 Sponsorships and Exciting Updates
07:37 Shoutouts and Special Mentions
11:02 Chemistry Q&A: From Yogurt to Water Safety
20:02 Fun Chemistry Facts and Final Thoughts
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#187
This episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' delves into the fascinating world of gray hair, exploring its chemistry and biological processes. Hosts Melissa and Jam share personal anecdotes about encountering gray hair before diving into a detailed explanation of how hair turns gray. They discuss the roles of melanin, melanocytes, and enzymes like tyrosinase in hair pigmentation, and how an imbalance in hydrogen peroxide levels within hair follicles can lead to gray hair. Additionally, the episode touches on the impact of genetics and the possible effects of stress and cigarette smoking on graying. They wrap up with some fun discussions on making pizzas and interacting with their community of listeners.
00:00 Opening Banter: Discovering Gray Hair
00:26 Diving Into the Science of Gray Hair
01:22 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts
02:49 Exploring the Chemistry of Hair Color
03:26 Understanding Melanin and Hair Pigmentation
07:07 The Process of Hair Coloration
09:59 Unraveling the Mystery of Gray Hair
11:27 A Deep Dive into the Molecular Mechanisms
19:18 Explaining the Gray Hair Phenomenon with an Analogy
26:28 Diving into Project Blueprint: A Self-Experimentation Journey
27:05 The Science of Reversing Gray Hair: An In-Depth Look
32:38 Exploring the Impact of Stress and Smoking on Hair Color
36:02 The Fascinating World of Hair Under a Microscope
39:59 Sharing Personal Stories and Tips for Outdoor Adventures
44:29 A Culinary Adventure: Making the Perfect Pizza
50:51 Supporting Chemistry Education: A Call to Action
References from this episode:
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
#030 Rebroadcast
Melissa and Jam continue to sniff out the chemistry of smell, focusing this week on bad smells. Why are we so good at smelling bad smells? Why do they haunt us at night? Why are some bad smells so strong and long lasting, while many great smells are subtle and temporary. What’s in a smell? "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." I think that quote applies here right?
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
#186
In this episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' hosts Melissa and Jam explore the common notion that elderly people have a distinct smell. They delve into the scientific basis behind this observation, discussing the role of volatile organic compounds, fatty acids on our skin, and how these compounds can change with age. The episode features discussions on different studies that have attempted to identify specific compounds associated with 'old people smell' and debates their findings. It also touches upon cultural and dietary influences on body odor, the impact of hygiene practices, and the psychological aspects of scent perception. Additionally, the hosts reflect on the influence of other environmental factors like hospital scents on our perception of 'old people smell.' The episode concludes with a light-hearted discussion on favorite smells, emphasizing the complexity and variability of human olfactory experiences.
00:00 Introduction to the Mystery of the Elderly Scent
00:41 Diving Into the Science: What Causes the Elderly Scent?
01:25 Community Shoutout and Listener Contributions
03:48 Exploring the Chemistry of Skin and Aging
07:37 Scientific Studies and the Debate Over Elderly Scent
15:17 Cultural Factors and the Universality of Elderly Scent
21:29 Concluding Thoughts on the Science of Scent and Aging
23:22 Exploring the Science of Smell and Age
23:54 Perceptions and Variables in Smell Research
24:42 Personal Anecdotes and Smell Associations
26:24 Consumer Products and Their Influence on Smell
29:05 The Debate Over Persimmon Soap
32:00 Skepticism Towards Marketing Claims
35:09 Favorite Smells and Personal Memories
References from this Episode
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Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 55
In this bonus episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life,' hosts Melissa and Jam deviate from their usual format of answering listener questions to engage with the Reddit community instead. They delve into various chemistry-related topics, starting with a Reddit user's struggle to understand moles in chemistry, which Melissa, a chemist, explains in simple terms. They also discuss the social dynamics and difficulties of explaining complex scientific concepts to non-experts, exemplified through a Reddit story about a PhD student oversharing her research at a family gathering. The episode also covers the merits and sacrifices involved in pursuing a PhD, focusing on whether it's worthwhile for those aiming to become professors. Throughout, the hosts emphasize the importance of effective communication in science and the challenges of balancing personal aspirations with academic pursuits.
00:00 Introduction to Reddit Edition: Chemistry Q&A
01:09 Exploring the Concept of Moles in Chemistry
06:02 Navigating Family Dynamics: The PhD Dilemma
15:12 Is Pursuing a PhD Worth It? Insights and Reflections
22:40 Wrapping Up and Future Plans for Reddit Q&A Sessions
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#185
Let's make dirt. Or is it dirt? I don't know, well, can you dig it? We've all heard of compost, maybe you compost, maybe your friend does, maybe they talk about it a lot. But how does it work? Why can we compost some things, but not others? And why can't we just put compostable stuff into the trash can, won't it break down in the landfill? Let's find out!!
References from this Episode
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#082 Rebroadcast
Wow sunglasses sure are cool. What's the coolest thing about them? Is it how cool they make us look and feel? Or is it the chemistry inside them? We'll let you decide, but we think you'll be surprised to find out how significant a role chemistry plays in the making of your shades.
References from this episode
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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#184
That's right, the Northern Lights aren't just cool CGI after all. They're real, but what are they? Why do they occur? And how are they chemistry? Let's find out!
References from this Episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 54
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about dissolving, purple shampoo, coal ash, and petroleum waste.
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#183
We're adding another chapter to the PFAS series! There's new information from the FDA that we've got to talk about,. It's about the PFAS that coat food wrappers. What does it mean? Is it good news? Is it enough? Let's talk about it!
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#081 Rebroadcast
The sun. It's nice, it's warm, it helps things grow, it helps us see, it helps us exist in the first place. But it's also a massive burning molten ball of radiation and ultraviolet rays. So how does our mysterious yellow friend fade the poor items we leave outside? Let's find out. Don't hurt us, yellow friend.
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#182
There's an eclipse coming to the US in April! Which means we'll all be getting that reminder to NOT LOOK AT THE ECLIPSE WITHOUT PROPER EYE PROTECTION. But why is that? At the molecular level, what happens to our eyes if we look at the eclipse? And how does eye protection prevent damage to our eyes? Let's find out!
References from this Episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 53
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about purple shampoo, salt on icy roads, msg, and more!
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Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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#181
Have you heard about Vitamin D? Has someone ever told you that you need it and it's really important? Have you ever wondered why? And have you ever wondered what the heck THE SUN has to do with Vitamin D? Well rise and shine it's time to finally get to the bottom of this.
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#085 Rebroadcast
Well here in Texas, we just suffered through an intense freeze. And many a plant became a casualty of the cold, but why? What's going on at the molecular level that causes freezing temperatures to be bad for many plants? And is talking about this even chemistry? Let's find out.
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#180
Depending on where you live, you may use Fahrenheit or Celsius to measure temperature, but how did these measurements come about, why are they different, and seriously, who is Kelvin?
References from this Episode
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 52
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about metals, kombucha, learning styles, condiments, and more!
Reference from this episode:
Thanks to our monthly supportersCheck out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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#179
Over the past few years infrared thermometers have started being EVERYWHERE. So as we've cracked open the conversation on thermometers we've got to find out, how do infrared thermometers work? How are they different from other kinds?
References from this Episode
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
#074
This time of year, it's a common occurrence, something so common that we might not even wonder about it anymore. But really, why do we see our breath in the air when it's cold? We see steam from cooking things and boiling water, but our breath isn't that hot, so why do we see it? What does temperature have to do with it? Let's find out.
References from this episode
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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#178
Thermometers tell us what temperature something is. But how do the thermometers know what the temperature is? Who tells the thermometers? Or rather, how do thermometers accurately gauge what the temperature is, consistently, in high heat and super cold? Let's find out.
References from this Episode
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 51
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about PFAS/forever chemicals, the periodic table, chemistry and engineering, and more!
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Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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#177
Yogurt, sometimes known as thick milk. But what is it really? What happens at the molecular level, how does it become yogurt? And while we're at it, what is sour cream? Let's talk about these dairy substances.
References from this Episode
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#104 Rebroadcast
Seriously what the heck is cheese? It's a question we've all wondered, but most of us only ever know that it's from milk—but what else? How do we turn milk into cheese? What's going on at the chemical level? And why do cheeses taste different from each other? Let's find out.
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#176
We're in the portion of the year where cinnamon finds its way into many things we eat and drink: our pies, our tea, our coffee, our wassail, our candles, etc. But what is cinnamon really? What's going on with it at the molecular level? What makes it unique? Let's find out
References from this Episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 50
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions about mosquitos, kombucha, coated cookware, and more!
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Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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#175
MSG! The ingredient many of us reference but few of us know anything about. What is it? Why does it make things taste so good? What's in it? Is it bad for us? If not, why does everyone think it is?
References from this Episode
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#016 Rebroadcast
This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of onion tears, the emotional reaction we all have, against our will, when cutting onions. Grab some tissues, this one's gonna burn.
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#174
For many folks in the US, today is a day where we eat Turkey! And many times the factoid/rumor makes the rounds that eating turkey makes you sleepy... but does it? Let's get into it, and fair warning, it's not as simple as you think.
References from this Episode
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Bonus Episode: Chemmunity Style
For this month's bonus episode we don't have questions, so we're recording an episode in the style of our secret supporter-only podcast. Check it out and enjoy an extra episode.
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#173
What is freeze-drying? How can something be both frozen and dried? How does it differ from just freezing, or just drying? And is it just for astronauts? Let's get into it!
References from this Episode
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!Thanks to our monthly supporters
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#020 Rebroadcast
This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of water and intermolecular forces. Why does it form into droplets? Why can you fill a glass of water just above the rim and it not spill over? How are some things water proof or water resistant?
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#172
What is freeze-drying? How can something be both frozen and dried? How does it differ from just freezing, or just drying? And is it just for astronauts? Let's get into it!
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 49
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to your comments and questions all about PFAS aka Forever Chemicals!
References
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#171
What ways do you like to learn? Have you ever thought that you're more of a visual learner? Or what about an auditory learner? Why do you think that? What if we told you that whatever way you prefer to learn, might not actually make a notable difference in your learning. It's a touchy topic with some spicy science. Let's get into it!
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#003 Rebroadcast
Melissa and Jam discuss margarine and what the heck it is, and how it's different from butter, and if it is actually made in the "country" in a "crock" or not.
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#170
So is there any hope of destroying forever chemicals? Once we've made these super resilient molecules, can we finally figure out how to unmake them? And if so, how? Well the good news is yes, they can be destroyed, and the methods are fascinating.
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 48
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about shoes, freeze-drying, water filters, botox, and more!
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#169
Time for some action. This week on our "forever chemicals" aka PFAS series, get ready to talk about what we can do about PFAS. Can we get rid of them? Can we filter them? Destroy them? Once and for all? Let's find out.
References from this Episode
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#045 Rebroadcast
The continuation of the unexpected cookware chemistry saga: cast iron. This week, Melissa and Jam discuss multiple aspects of cast iron chemistry. What is cast iron? Why do some people love it so much? How does it work? Is it better than other cookware? If you haven't listened to our two teflon "prequel" episodes, click here!
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#168
Continuing our series on "forever chemicals" aka PFAS, we explore how we got into this situation. Where did PFAS come from? Why were they made? Were there any signs of PFAS being a problem early on? Let's investigate.
References from this Episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 47
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about silicone, coffee, pizza stones, hotdogs, and more!
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#167
Have you heard of "forever" chemicals? Or PFAS, or PFOAS, or Teflon, or a bunch of other associated names and labels? Or have you ever used nonstick cookware, or a modern rain coat, or the countless other items that use PFAS today? Well if you couldn't tell by the questions, it's almost certain that you have interacted with PFAS in your life. What are they? Why are they everywhere? Is it a big deal? Let's get into it.
References from this Episode
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#041
Ok! So now that you know how teflon works (see last week's episode if you missed it), now it's time to discuss the equally important question: is it safe to use?? Are there any potential side-effects to using it? Can scratching teflon cause it to have an affect on our food, or even worse, on us? If there are potential dangers to teflon, is there any way to avoid them? Help! This week, Melissa and Jam delve into this topic, and tiptoe through the allegations to give you some things to consider when choosing you next pots and pans.
References from this episode
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#166
At some point, silicone snuck onto the scene and found its way into many of our kitchens. It seems kinda like rubber, kinda like plastic, but somehow different. But how? Is silicone better, worse, or just different? What's going on at the molecular level, and can that tell us why silicone started replacing many kitchen utensils?
References from this Episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 46
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about rubber, cold brew coffee, crystals, greenhouse gases, and more.
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#165
Fiber. Dietary Fiber. Fiber optic internet. We all probably know that fiber is good for you, good for digestion etc. But why? Also what is fiber really? Why do some foods have it and others don't? Is it actually helpful for digestion? If so, why? Let's find out!
References from this episode
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
#087 Rebroadcast
Jams, jellies, preserves, marmalade. So many kinds of fruit spreads, but how are they made? How do they go from fruit to gooey spread? How are they delicious? What the chemistry here, and how has it been going on long before we understood it?
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#164
Something some common and useful in our everyday lives, from gloves to toy balls, what even is rubber? What makes it rubber, and what makes it different and unique from other substances? Also, where does it come from? Let's find out.
References from this episode
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 45
This month we have a special bonus episode. To celebrate reaching 1,000,000 downloads, we hung out with a bunch of podcast listeners on YouTube Live and answered questions and had a blast. Check it out if you missed it!
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#163
We've talked about mosquitos many times around here, why they bite us, how they find us, how to prevent them from biting us, etc. One thing that's struck us is that research about some of those big questions is ongoing and always evolving. And we just came across some super new research about why mosquitos bite some people more than others, you won't want to miss this!
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#052 Rebroadcast
This week, Melissa and Jam continue the topic of mosquitos (If you missed last week's, listen to it first). It's time to answer the age-old, every-summer question. Why do some people get bitten by mosquitos more than other people? Or maybe, does this really happen in the first place? If so why? What factors do mosquitos look for, compare, and choose by? Let's get to the bottom of this.
References from this episode
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 44
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about butter, popcorn, vinegar and baking soda, being a dad, and more!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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#162
Here's another summer topic, if you live in a somewhat warmer climate area, you've undoubtedly notice that cars can get insanely hot during the summer. We live in Texas, and cars can get so hot that it's dangerous. What the heck is going on there? We all know this to be the case, but why exactly? Let's talk about it.
References from this episode
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
#026 Rebroadcast
This week, Melissa and Jam discuss part of an often requested topic: carbonation. Does it have a taste? Like why does carbonated water taste different than flat water? And what is carbonation in the first place? Does it give you unusually long life? How is it so refreshing? We answer some of those questions.
References from this episode
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
#161
Summer's here, blockbusters are coming out, people will be headed to the movies, and nothing goes better with a movie... than popcorn. At least that's how we feel around here. But what even is popcorn? Are the kernels just like regular corn? How do they pop to become popcorn? What even is the stuff we're eating? Can someone please tell me what's going on?? Let's dig in.
References from this episode
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 43
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about coffee in thermoses, yeast, intermolecular forces, plastic wrap, and more!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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#160
Recently we talked about how butter is made from cream, but how is whipped cream made from cream? What is whipping? How does whip cream get foamy and stay foamy? What's happening at the molecular level? Let's find out.
References from this episode
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
#004 Rebroadcast
This week Melissa and Jam talk about some of the possible unexpected results of hydrogenation, including trans fats.
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#159
Can you spread it? Can you melt it? Can you bake with it? Can you cook things with it? You butter believe it! But what is butter? Or rather, whatter is butter? How do we turn cream into butter, and what is happening at the molecular level? Let's find out.
References from this episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 42
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about freezing point depression, super-heated water, what salt does to yeast, video games, and more!
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Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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#158
Gemstones come in all sorts of colors, but how do they get them? Are different stones super different at the molecular level? How do these different colors happen naturally? And how can those colors be replicated in lab-made gemstones? Let's get into it.
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supportersCheck out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
#073 Rebroadcast
Well if you haven't experienced silver tarnish yourself, then you've almost certainly heard people complain about it. Can anything last? These sparkly treasures we collect and cherish, are they but temporary sparkles, doomed to a fate of tarnish? Or is there a way out? Also what is tarnish? Thankfully in this case, these philosophical questions actually have a chemistry explanation. So let's get into it.
References from this episode
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Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
#157
Part Two: When smoke alarms aren't beeping at us to replace their batteries, they are sitting, watching, waiting for the perfect moment, waiting for smoke to happen so they can alert us that a fire may be happening. But how on earth do they detect the presence of smoke? How do they only react to smoke and nothing else? What is going on inside of our little circular, protective friends? Let's find out.
References from this episode
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 41
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about glass cookware, freezing point depression, digesting cucumbers, pasta staining Tupperware, hotdogs being sandwiches, and more!
References from this episode:
Thanks to our monthly supportersCheck out our website at chemforyourlife.com
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#156
When smoke alarms aren't beeping at us to replace their batteries, they are sitting, watching, waiting for the perfect moment, waiting for smoke to happen so they can alert us that a fire may be happening. But how on earth do they detect the presence of smoke? How do they only react to smoke and nothing else? What is going on inside of our little circular, protective friends? Let's find out.
References from this episode
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
#009 Rebroadcast
Baking powder? Baking soda? I mean they're both white powders with the word "baking" in it. How different could they be? Well, one can cause miniature kitchen volcanos and the other does what? Listen this week as Melissa and Jam talk about acids, bases, baking soda, baking powder, and how they can make all the difference in your busy life as a single parent of three.
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#155
So baking soda, do you bake it? Can you drink it? What's the deal? And specifically for the purposes of this episode, how does it eliminate odors? You may have heard of the idea of placing baking soda in your fridge to eliminate lingering odors, does that work? If so how? Let's bake this soda.
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supportersCheck out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 40
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about smells, candles, vinegar, milk, macromolecules, and more!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
#154
When you're young in science class, you probably learned the phrase "freezing point," but is that even a thing? Is there a specific temperature at which things go from liquid to solid? Spoiler alert: Melissa thinks that's actually a huge misunderstanding about states of matter and how substances go from liquid to solid. So what's really going on? Let's get into it.
References from this episode
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Thanks to our monthly supporters
#033 Rebroadcast
That's right, we are sort of talking about coffee this week. Or rather, how to keep it hot. Nowadays we all have some version of a thermos for our coffee, tea, water, or what-have-you. Today Melissa and Jam try to get to the bottom of how those work. How do they keep things hot and cold? What's between the two layers (or whatever) and how is it so good at insulating? Is it a vacuum? Can someone please tell me what the heck is going on?
References from this episode
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#153
Whether you're a frequent customer of the dry cleaner or not, you've probably wondered, "why is it called dry cleaning? How could it be dry?" So let's get into it. What is dry cleaning? Why is it called dry? What are they using to clean our clothes? Does it actually work? Let's find out!
References from this episode
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
We love using Transistor to host our podcast -> Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 39
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about fero fluids, semi permanent tattoos, ketchup, least favorite pastas, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
We love using Transistor to host our podcast -> Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#152
Well we've just finished that time of the year, the time when some of us bring pine trees into our homes to hang out with us for a few weeks. Sounds fine right? Nothing risky, it's just a tree right? Unless maybe that tree secretly has a notable similarity to jet fuel. Then maybe it could have a chance of being a problem.
References from this episode
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#023 Rebroadcast
This week, Melissa and Jam explore the wintery chemistry of snowflakes. How do they form? How are they all unique? How do they look so gosh darn cool? Why don’t we see them here in Texas very much?
References from this episode
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#151
If you drink coffee, then you know that it starts to taste super different as it goes from hot to cold. Is it just the change in temperature that makes it seem like it tastes different? Or is there a little more chemistry going on? Let's find out.
References from this episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 38
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about amino acids, chemistry puns, salt preservation, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
We love using Transistor to host our podcast -> Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#150
Peppermints. They seem innocent enough right? But if that's the case, then what common thread do they share with cigarettes? Don't worry, it's not an inherently bad connection. The common ingredient is one simple thing, menthol. Let's talk about it.
References from this episode
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#017 Rebroadcast
This week Melissa and Jam explore some of the chemistry behind cooking. What happens when you sear a steak? What's going on when you toast toast? Why do so many foods turn golden-brown when cooking? Let's dig in.
References from this episode
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#149
Gluten. Public enemy number one. If you're gluten intolerant that is. But what is gluten? Why is it in bread? What does it do in bread? Let's find out.
References from this episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 37
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about regulation of scented products, being a parent and getting a PhD, condiments as non-newtonian fluids, adhesive removers, and more!
References from this Episode
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#148
How can mosquitoes sense us? And do they prefer some people over others? This is a question we've pursued across several episodes of the podcast in the past, but now there's some brand new research that addresses this question! Let's check it out together.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#051 Rebroadcast
This week, Melissa and Jam begin a multi-faceted topic: mosquitos. Now of course mosquitos are insects, so studying them would mostly fall into biology. But there's a lot of chemistry here too. The first question, why do mosquitos bite humans at all? How do they find us, and why do they want to bother us? And perhaps more importantly, how is it related to chemistry? Let's find out.
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#147
Maybe you've experienced them yourself, maybe you've just heard of them, but trick candles are real, they are chemistry, they are kinda dangerous, and they are mean. Let's get into it.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 36
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about raw garlic burns, Bella Hadid's dress, carbon monoxide poisoning, and more!
References from this Episode
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#146
When we are sick and super congested, many of us go to the store to pick up a decongestant. But what if some decongestants DON'T EVEN WORK, like at all? Wouldn't that be frustrating? Well we're sorry to say, it's true. Some "decongestants" are essentially ineffective against congestion? Why? Why are they even sold? Why are they even called decongestants then? Let's talk about this big mess.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#013 Rebroadcast
This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of not being burned by the big, ominous, flaming ball of radioactive insanity that lights up our skies each day. Did you know that to some people, radiation burns are no big deal? ¯_(ツ)_/¯ It's actually a very big deal and the sun is constantly trying to kill us all. Save yourselves.
References from this episode
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#145
Today we're talking about the most toxic substance known to humans, and yet it also happens to be a substance that many people willingly inject into their bodies. It's Botox! Why is it so toxic to humans, and how did we come to the decision to inject it into out bodies, and why doesn't it hurt us?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 35
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about pressure, eicosane, clouds, chemistry analogies, coffee, and baking.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#144
Cars are complicated, there's lots of parts that do lots of things most of us will probably never understand it all. Well we can at least tackle one of those mysteries today. You've probably heard of something called a catalytic converter, right? And you've probably heard that it's important. Well that's true! But why? What does it do, why is it essential, and how does it do it? It's actually very very cool tbh.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#057 Rebroadcast
So we all know what we think of when we hear the word "alcohol," but what if that's not really the whole picture? There's actually many kinds of alcohol, most of which we cannot drink. So what's up with all those alcohols? What makes them different? What makes them similar enough to all be called alcohol? Let's find out.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#143
For many of us, gasoline is just another everyday thing. It's essential, but we don't give it much thought. But how does it work? What is it made up of? Why are there different "grades" or "types" of gasoline? Let's start it up.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 34
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about nail polish, tattoos, viscosity, humidity, life updates, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#142
So a couple weeks ago we talked about how tattoos are permanent. But what if you don't want your tattoo to be permanent any more? You won't get any judgement from us. So how can tattoo removal work, when tattoos are designed specifically to stay in our skin indefinitely? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#012 Rebroadcast
This week Melissa and Jam continue in the category of "sticky" things by exploring how geckos stick to walls. How do they do it? Is it magic? Is it like spider-man? Is it intermolecular forces?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#141
Tattoos go back centuries across many cultures, and yet their chemistry is still an absolute mystery to most of us. How do tattoos work? What is the ink made of? How does the ink stay in our skin indefinitely? Why don't our bodies get rid of it? Let's do this.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 33
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam do something a little different. Because they're needing to record quite a bit ahead of time, this Q&R couldn't be about episodes that haven't come out yet, so they recorded a long-awaited sequel to their ice-breaker questions episode from last year.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#140
Ice is water right? It's just that it's solid. So why does it float in liquid water? And also why does water expand when it freezes, when typically things contract when they freeze? These are things we are used to observing daily, but they actually are a little strange, and we bet the answer will surprise you.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#025 Rebroadcast
This week, Melissa, Jam, and very special guest Renee Collini (Melissa's sister and climate scientist) delve into the important topic of sea-level rise. What causes it to rise? What affect will it have on the world? How should we feel about it? Is there anything us regular folk can do?
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#139
The crazy, insane, scary, fascinating world of volcanoes is fully of chemistry! What is lava/magma? Why do some volcanoes ooze and others erupt? What causes the magma to start rising to the surface? Let's get into this hot topic?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#002
Many of us have been in a situation where we are near a body of water (lake, ocean, pool etc), and you may have noticed that no matter what the temperature is outside, the water and the land can feel like super different temperatures, like the sand being hot and the ocean being cold. Why is that? Well it's because of something called specific heat, and we're going to talk about it right now.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#138
Wind is everywhere, we've all experienced it: soft breezes, strong gusts, cold fronts, warm fronts. But what is wind? What starts it? Where does it come from, and where does it go? And who am I to blow against the wind?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 32
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about CO2 and mosquitos, sand, light scattering, cooking eggs, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#137
Lightning is something we're all used to. It's always just been an odd part of life. But think for a second, what even is it? It's just electricity, hanging out in the sky?? Why? What causes it? What makes it move from cloud to cloud? Or from cloud to earth? Let's get into this asap.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#024 Rebroadcast
This week, Melissa and Jam explore three very different, but related, light phenomena. We'll discuss situations when light can be bent, slowed down, and even broken. It's gonna be lit.
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#136
Clouds. So fluffy. So wispy. So mysterious. What are they really? Why do they look white? How do they hold so much water for so long? Why do they float?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 31
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about shampoo, microplastics, misunderstood chemicals, sports teams, ADHD medications, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#135
Well guess what, Melissa is a PhD Doctor now! And you know what that means? She gets to tell us more details about the research she did to get her PhD. Listen to hear what Melissa found as she dove deep into the question "Why do people hate organic chemistry?" for the past few years.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#021 Rebroadcast
This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of solar energy. How do we capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity? Is it as super insanely cool as it seems? Are we living in the future already?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#134
Well newsflash, the brain is complicated. And a surprising amount of what's going on in our brains is chemistry. But what about ADHD? What's happening in the chemistry of someone's brain who has ADHD, and then what happens when ADHD medication is introduced? Let's find the heck out!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 30
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about lobsters, crying, lightning, colored fire, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#133
Have you ever wondered what tears are? If not, is it because you think you already know? Chances are, you don't actually know what tears are! It's probably more complex than you'd expect. Grab some tissues, let's get into it!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#029 Rebroadcast
What's that smell? This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of smell. Now a lot of smell science has to do with our physiology and neurology. We'll talk some about that, but the chemistry has to do with the actual smells in the air. What are they? How do they get into the air? How can we detect them with our noses and brains? Why does rain have a smell, and why does it smell good? Let's find out.
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#132
When you think of lobsters, you probably always imagine them being red. But they're only actually red after they die, or more specifically, after we cook them. Why? Is it because being cooked is really embarrassing? That's what I thought too but the real explanation is more complicated and very chemical. Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 29
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about soda bubbles, mentos, raisins, sunscreen, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#131
We've all shaken up a carbonated drink, either accidentally or on purpose, so we all know what happens. But why? Why does simply shaking it agitate the carbonation so much? And why do shaken sodas overflow the can so much?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#034 Rebroadcast
This week, Melissa and Jam explore the oldest question in the book. But we're not going to answer it. Just kidding. Why the HECK is the sky blue? And also why are there times that it isn't? Sunrise? Sunset? Nightime? Sky, what are your mysteries? Tell us your secrets. Hide not your face from me.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 28
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about greek myth analogies, hydrogen peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, alkaline water, coffee, sitcoms, and more!
References
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#130
For many people, hydrogen peroxide has been an essential first aid tool. Should it be? And before we answer that question, what even is hydrogen peroxide? How does it work? Why does it bubble? How does it clean wounds?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#031 Rebroadcast
How does bleach bleach stuff? Oh and also, what even is color? This week Melissa and Jam investigate these questions. What's the molecular makeup of color and then how does bleach alter that? How does bleach have enough power to ruin that hoodie you just bought? How could you have been foolish enough to handle bleach while wearing your new hoodie?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#129
Are you sitting down? Because we've got some news for you. Those blue jeans you own, they weren't actually dyed blue. They were dyed YELLOW. That doesn't make any sense right? Well it might, if you listen to this episode.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 27
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about stretching molecules, stigmas around organic chemistry, drinking higher pH (alkaline) water, cool chemistry jobs, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#128
If you know what pop rocks are, then this episode will answer one of the greatest mysteries of your childhood. And if you've never heard of pop rocks, then you'll still be just as fascinated to hear how they work. How do those little candies seem to pop in your mouth? And how are they not dangerous? Why aren't they already popping in the bag? Or can they pop under any other circumstances? Let's find out!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#022 Rebroadcast
This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of antioxidants. What are they? Is it just magical stuff they put in sport drinks and workout supplements? Can you find it in snake oil?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#127
If you've ever had acne, you've probably tried some creams or washes with "benzoyl peroxide" somewhere on the label. How is it that this specific ingredient is helpful for fighting acne? What is happening at the molecular level when we apply some benzoyl peroxide to our acne? Let's find out!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 26
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about fluoride, decaf coffee, dissolving gasses, careers in chemistry, witnessing moments from history, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#126
Coffee Part 3! So we all know coffee has caffeine in it. But what if you want your coffee... without the caffeine? Is that as impossible as wanting to have your cake and eat it too? Thankfully no, we all know decaffeinated coffee exists. But how in the actual HECK do they get the caffeine out? Well, there's multiple ways and they are all fascinating. Check it out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#059 Rebroadcast
Ok so, caffeine. Some of us live on the stuff, and others of us want nothing to do with it. There's a lot of things caffeine can do to our bodies, but of course the number one question, is how does it keep the sleepiness away? Let's get into it. And we may find out a few other things caffeine does along the way.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#125
Well you've probably been there. It's the first significantly cold day of the season, and you turn your car on and the tire pressure light comes on. This is an annual problem for many of us, and we probably don't even really think about why it happens. I mean we all know it happens when it's cold, but what's happening at the molecular level to make our tire pressure low when it's cold? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 25
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about antacids, imposter syndrome, ice expanding, blood in pool water, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#124
Coffee Part 2! So before we brew coffee, it gets roasted. What is roasting you might ask? Well it's pretty much the stage where all the magic is happening, everything that turns a little fruit seed into a delicious drink. Grab a cup of coffee, and listen to find out what chemistry processes created it.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#065 Rebroadcast
It's Fall! You know why they call Fall Fall? Well because the leaves fall. But before that, the leaves change color. Why do they do that? How? Is there any sort of function to it? Do the different colors mean anything? Let's dive into this overdue, colorful topic.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#123
The long overdue cracking open of the door into the chemistry of coffee! First, the chemistry of what happens when you brew coffee. Check it out!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#122
What makes someone a chemist? At what point does someone become one? Is it a defined line or is it a blurry one? Melissa shares some thoughts, as well as the thoughts of two of her chemistry colleagues.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#121
This week we have a very special guest, Vianet Garza (LPC). She's going to talk us through something that's common in chemistry, science, and likely every other profession under the sun: imposter syndrome.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#120
This week we received an interesting email about BPA from listener and retired chemistry teacher Danny. Let's get into it.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Rebroadcast #015
This week Melissa and Jam explore a Halloween-themed topic, perfectly-timed for the fact that our episode air date happened to land on Halloween exactly! Can you change the color of fire using only chemistry, safety, personal protection equipment, and no magic? Listen to find out. And check us out on any of our social media accounts to see the experiment take place!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#119
It's time to break some ice.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#118
Are you an avid baker? Melissa's baking discovery may be as revolutionary for you as it was for her.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#116
Let's hear more about sugar from the perspective of biochemist, Caibe Alves.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#116
Does vanilla come from beaver butts?
Our merch store is open until October 21! -> http://bonfire.com/store/chemforyourlife/
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#115
Well we've all had vanilla. And if you have a tongue then you probably like it. But the question we've all wondered each time we're baking something is probably something like, "what is imitation vanilla?" and "how do they make it?" and "how is it so much cheaper?" and "do you think anyone would notice if I use it instead?" Let's look into it.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#114
Tums, alka seltzer, and other antacids: they're simple, they've been around for a long time, but they're a tried and true method for helping our stomachs. But how do they work? What's the chemistry behind these unsung heroes?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 24
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about breathalyzers, high fructose corn syrup, candles, airbags, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#113
What if BPA was in something more ordinary and everywhere than a water bottle? Something seemingly innocent and inconspicuous? Like a receipt? Wouldn't that just be a cherry on top of a sad sundae.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#112
Every time you buy a plastic water bottle or something, you probably see a sticker that says "BPA free." Pretty good news right? I mean who knows? But what is BPA? And why did we need to get rid of it? And what did we replace it with? And is the problem really solved? Let's just say, don't get too attached to your water bottle.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#111
How can machines tell how much alcohol is in our blood, simply from checking our breath? Is it magic, or is it chemistry? I think you know the answer to that. But let's get into the details.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#110
We've all heard about it. And most likely you've heard that it's in danger. But what is the ozone layer in the first place? And once we learn that, how about figuring out why it's in danger? Ok let's do it.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 23
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about sugar, high fructose corn syrup, weed killer, water's cleaning ability, tips about college, Jam's name, making money from podcasts, and bucket lists!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#109
Well it's no secret. Some people like to make the relaxing, refreshing environment of a pool into a toilet. It's a problem that's probably existed just as long as pools have. But even before urine enters the picture, modern pools are already chemically complex. So what happens when urine joins the party? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#108
It's got high fructose, it's somehow from corn, and it's in syrup form. What's not to like? Well maybe a lot. Or maybe not. Is it worse than sugar? Is it the same? Let's find out!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#107
By now you've already probably experienced the magic of magic erasers. But what IS the magic? How does it erase what other things cannot? And if you don't know what magic erasers are, you'll be impressed.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#106
Candles are simple enough right? Probably nothing crazy going on right? Wrong. Where does all the wax go? And how does the wick just keep on burning so long? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 15
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see how to light a candle without touching the flame to the wick.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#105
Batteries. The mysterious little cylinders that have powered our essentials and fun for decades. How in the world do they work? What's the chemistry that's going on inside, and how does it power our electronics? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 22
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about dyes, onions, soaps, candies, eggs, salt lamps, cheese, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#104
Seriously what the heck is cheese? It's a question we've all wondered, but most of us only ever know that it's from milk—but what else? How do we turn milk into cheese? What's going on at the chemical level? And why do cheeses taste different from each other? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#103
What do roosters' combs and cows' eyeballs have that our skin needs? Let's add another chapter to the chemistry of skin care. Today we explore a special and unusual acid that has some surprising and unique abilities when used in skincare applications.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#102
Well there's more to sunscreen than we thought. Like some super recent not so great info, about something called benzene. This is another example of the unfortunate dark side of chemistry. Check it out and make sure to check the list of safe sunscreens in the references below!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 14
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see how to make the internet popular concoction called elephant's toothpaste.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#101
Ok we all get it, they save our lives, and they aren't just a really good Radiohead song. But HOW? Most of us never even need to experience airbags, which is great. But for those of us who do, how do they do their very important job so perfectly and impressively? There's more to airbags than you'd expect, unless you're a chemist and already know this stuff in which case you might not be impressed and that's sad.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 21
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about bug bites, histamine, jellyfish, hair, coffee, and Harry Potter.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#100
For episode 100, it's time for a TEST. Jam has been learning chemistry every week for 100 weeks, but what does he know? What does he remember? Let's put it to the test. Follow along with us and see how many questions you get right!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#099
The ads are everywhere. Trying to convince us to buy something to prevent or undo the wrinkles and skin damage that comes with aging. But can those products really do anything for us? Is it even chemistry? Or is it all just a bunch of hooey? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#098
Could histamine and antihistamines do more than just affect our allergies? Actually yes. Today we discuss new and recent research in the world of histamine, and believe us, there's some really cool stuff.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 13
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we crack Lifesaver mints in the dark. Trust us, it should raise your eyebrows.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#097
Most of us know the feeling. But what are we actually experiencing when we experience allergies? How does being around plants and pollen make us all sniffly? Why does this beautiful season have such a dark side? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 20
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about color changing markers, electron energy level analogies, forensics, grass, chocolate, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#096
What's the chemistry of a jellyfish sting? Why do they feel so different from other stings? And what can we even do when we get stung? And what about the popular urine theory, does that help anything? Let's find out!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#095
Venus flytraps: The plants that have fascinated and freaked many of us out since we were kids. How do they do what they do? Most plants just kinda sit there and soak up water and sunlight, but not Venus flytraps. How do they sense flies? How do they trap them? How do they eat them? Oh also, is it chemistry? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#094
What is that iconic smell? The smell that screams spring and summer? The smell so distinct, and yet so mysterious. Why does freshly cut grass have that smell? Why is it so strong? Could it be chemistry?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#093 - Chocolate Part 3 of 3
Now it's time to dive into one of chocolate's biggest mysteries. Which, depending on where you live, has been something you've wondered for a long time, or you've never even known it was a mystery. Why is chocolate different in the United States? Is it on purpose? If so why? Is there a benefit? Is it because companies in the U.S. are cheapskates? Or is it because they're innovative? Let's find out!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 12
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we combine chocolate and gum. Yep, you read that right. And yes, it's a little gross.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#092 - Chocolate Part 2 of 3
You know how when you were a kid, you'd sometimes find some old, forgotten halloween chocolate? But the chocolate would look a little white, and if you risked eating it, it would taste weird? Well we're not ashamed to say we've experienced this even as adults, but this time we're taking a close look at this strange mystery. Why does it happen? How long does it take? Why does it affect both the look and the taste? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 19
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about leaves, labs you can do at home, electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, pancakes, easter candy, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#091 - Chocolate Part 1 of 3
Well you've probably never heard of chocolate, and you've almost certainly never eaten it. But if you had you might wonder, what the heck is this? How do they make it? And why does it taste so gosh darn good?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#090
It's of the most puzzling (and heartbreaking) mysteries. Why does cilantro taste so good to some of us, but taste so bad to others of us? Is it in our heads? Or is there a chemical explanation for it? If so, what is it? And can it be fixed?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#089
This question comes from a word-working listener of ours. Ebonized wood is a process that turns wood black... without burning it! But how? What's the chemistry behind it? Is it cool? Yes, yes it is cool.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 11
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we combine crayons, paper, and water.
Do you like and want more of these? Is there a way we could make them better? Let us know!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#088
Remember those markers that would magically change colors when you marked over them with the right marker? Well while it seems very magical, it's actually chemistry! What a surprise. So how does it work? What's going on at the molecular level? Is it still as cool as it seemed when we were kids? Yes.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 18
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about gunpowder, our wellbeing, food colors, hair colors, merch, and more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#087
Jams, jellies, preserves, marmalade. So many kinds of fruit spreads, but how are they made? How do they go from fruit to gooey spread? How are they delicious? What the chemistry here, and how has it been going on long before we understood it?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#086
We all know that maple syrup is one of Canada's most popular gifts to the world, but what really is it? Why do maple trees (and other trees) even have sap? And is there any chance that there's cool surprising chemistry things going on in there? Well you'll have to listen to find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#085
Well here in Texas, we just suffered through an intense freeze. And many a plant became a casualty of the cold, but why? What's going on at the molecular level that causes freezing temperatures to be bad for many plants? And is talking about this even chemistry? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#084
Wait, muscles are biology right? Well they're also chemistry. And guess what, muscle soreness and cramps are also chemistry. And believe it or not, the mystery of muscle soreness is much bigger than you might expect. Check it out!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 18
In this month's bonus episode, we share a special old Q&R that we've had in our back pocket for almost a year! Enjoy!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#083
This might be one of the best chances to both listen to AND experience chemistry at the same time. Grab a bath bomb, fill up the tub, and let's find out how these friendly bombs work. How do they fizz up? How do they suddenly smell? Where do the colors come from? Can they make bath scientifically better? Let's hop in.
Listen to As A Meter Of Fact, with Coserv!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 10
We have a very special guest this month, Stephanie Ryan Ph.D. aka @letslearnaboutscience (on Instagram)! Stephanie leads us through some cool experiments you can do at home using vinegar and baking soda.
Be sure to check Stephanie out on Instagram, and look for her book "Let's Learn About Chemistry" wherever you buy your books!
References
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#082
Wow sunglasses sure are cool. What's the coolest thing about them? Is it how cool they make us look and feel? Or is it the chemistry inside them? We'll let you decide, but we think you'll be surprised to find out how significant a role chemistry plays in the making of your shades.
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#081
The sun. It's nice, it's warm, it helps things grow, it helps us see, it helps us exist in the first place. But it's also a massive burning molten ball of radiation and ultraviolet rays. So how does our mysterious yellow friend fade the poor items we leave outside? Let's find out. Don't hurt us, yellow friend.
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#080
Dryer sheets. They smell good. They make our clothes soft. They get rid of static. But how? How is one little sheet allowed to solve that many problems? What are they made of? Are they bad or good or neither or both?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 9
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we combine salt, vinegar, and pennies?
Do you like and want more of these? Is there a way we could make them better? Let us know!
References
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#079
Glass. The more you look at it, the more clear it becomes that it holds some serious mysteries. So what really is glass? Is it a liquid? How is it different from typical solids? Does it flow and ooze over time? Is that why old windows are thicker at the bottom? Let's find out!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 17
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about salt, bread that tastes like bananas, sunscreen on fences, AND improvements to our chemistry analogies!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#078
It's one of life's most head-scratchy questions, and one of the most popular chemistry mysteries for youtubers. So let's get to the bottom of this crazy, shape-shifting substance, and finally find out why cornstarch and water do that thing!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#077
Who's doing what to our salt? What's iodine, do we need it, why, and how do they get it in there? This week Melissa and Jam dive head first into figurative iodized salt dunes. Let's take a closer look at the chemistry of something so everyday, we hardly even think about it.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#076
Happy New Years Eve! Let's all kiss 2020 a speedy (not speedy enough) goodbye and look at some beautiful exploding lights! And why not look at the chemistry in these things as well. How do fireworks work? How do they get up into the air? And most importantly, how do they explode in different colors and patterns? Let's find out! And thanks for being one of the great things about 2020, we love you guys!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 8
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we experiment with diapers, and the mysterious dust within them.
Do you like and want more of these? Is there a way we could make them better? Let us know!
References
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#075
Happy holidays, we hope you have a wonderful season whatever you celebrate! We've got a holiday related episode for you: LEDs. Well I guess we use them all year round, but they get an extra spotlight this time of year. What are they? How do they work? How are they different from other lights? Let's find out!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 16
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about enzymes that eat plastic, super glue on difference surfaces, diaper polymers, bleached celery, holiday movies, and more!
References
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#074
This time of year, it's a common occurrence, something so common that we might not even wonder about it anymore. But really, why do we see our breath in the air when it's cold? We see steam from cooking things and boiling water, but our breath isn't that hot, so why do we see it? What does temperature have to do with it? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#073
Well if you haven't experienced silver tarnish yourself, then you've almost certainly heard people complain about it. Can anything last? These sparkly treasures we collect and cherish, are they but temporary sparkles, doomed to a fate of tarnish? Or is there a way out? Also what is tarnish? Thankfully in this case, these philosophical questions actually have a chemistry explanation. So let's get into it.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#072
You know what they say, everyone's experienced odors, and 99.99% of all odors smell. We have room sprays, candles, air fresheners, etc. But how can we absorb or eliminate bad smells? Can chemistry do it? How? Let's find out!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 7
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we cut up different colors of leaves, put them in alcohol, mash them up, and soak a coffee filter in them.
Do you like and want more of these? Is there a way we could make them better? Let us know!
References
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#071
It's time to crack into one of life's great mysteries: eggs. So what happens when we cook them?! How do they go from clear goo to white jiggle? This is a question we received long ago, and with topics this serious, we don't yoke around. So we waiting until we could bring in an eggsperienced egg chef, Jason Cress, to figure out this topic with us. In Jam's opinion, Jason's insight on the topic of eggs just can't be beat. We know many of you guys may be busy with some (hopefully safe) version of Thanksgiving, but despite the holiday we couldn't pass on the chance to shell out another episode for you guys, especially for our friends around the world, who are just experiencing a regular ol' Thursday today. Well without further ado, let's ap-poach this mystery together.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 15
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about equilibrium, recycling on a large scale, why leaves fall off, sound effects, and Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#070
Ok parents. It's time to explore the chemistry of something we rely on every hour of every day: diapers. What the heck is going on inside there? How do they absorb SO much? Is it magic? Well, settle in and get ready to soak up some chemistry, let's get to the bottom of this mystery. Let's hope it doesn't get messy.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#069
There's this stuff, you've probably heard of it, that you can put on 10-20 specific places on your body, and it stays there, and it can be different colors. That's right, it's nail polish! What is nail polish? It sticks, but it's obviously not just glue right? It's colorful, but it's clearly not just paint right? What chemistry is going on in nail polish? How is it strong and long lasting? How does it dry so quickly? So many questions, let's get into it!
PS. Some of you fellas may be thinking this won't interest you, but we'll bet the chemistry is more interesting than you'd expect!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#068
This week we issue a correction, joining other science publications issuing the same correction. That's kind of an obvious answer to the question of "Is science always right?" So in this episode we explore that question, as well as what happens when science isn't right. And why that's NOT a bad thing.
NEW MERCH AVAILABLE NOW <- only until November 30!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#067
Guess what time of year it is. It's spooky time! One thing we see a lot of during this time of year, is things that glow. And you better believe that's chemistry. So how do glowsticks glow? How does bending the glowsticks start that process? What's mixing with what, and seriously how the heck does it glow? Let's find out.
NEW MERCH AVAILABLE NOW <- only until November 30!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 6
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we blend up red cabbage and water, and mix it with six different substances.
References
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#066
This week we take a teeny tiny step into the vast, intimidating sea of essential oils. Not to worry, we're sticking to the chemistry. And we're exploring one of the smelliest, purply-est ones. Firstly, what is lavender oil? And how do we get it out of the lavender plant? And what does it do? And can I put it on my meatball sub?
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 14
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about buying renewable items, missed puns, polymers, spilling hot water, superglue, the future of the podcast, and much more!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#065
It's Fall! You know why they call Fall Fall? Well because the leaves fall. But before that, the leaves change color. Why do they do that? How? Is there any sort of function to it? Do the different colors mean anything? Let's dive into this overdue, colorful topic.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#064
Part 3 of 3 on plastic! This week we look to the future. Is there hope to overcome our piles of plastic? What new ways of recycling are coming down the pike? What are those sneaky chemists up to? Can we make better kinds of plastic, or better ways to reuse it? Let's find out. And let's try to stay positive.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#063
This is part 2 of 3 on plastic, so check out last week's episode if you haven't yet! This week, Melissa and Jam dive into one of the weightiest questions of our day. Is plastic even really recyclable? If so, how is it done? Is it really better than just making new plastic? Is it worth all the trouble of rinsing and sorting our recycling? Is recycling effective enough to lead us toward a cleaner future? Let's try our best to find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 5
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we combine glue, water, and borax!
References
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#062
Think about it for a second, plastic is everywhere. What plastic things are around you right now? What plastic things do you use everyday? This week, Melissa and Jam dive right into the proverbial (and sort of literal) ball pit. What even is plastic? What is it made of? How is it made? How are there so many different kinds? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 13
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about gasoline, super glue, smells, books, and a continuation of last month's movie discussion!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#061
Be honest. Have you ever glued yourself with super glue? Everyone should accidentally make that mistake at least once, so you can literally feel the impressive stickiness of super glue. Well today, you can learn about the chemistry within super glue, without putting any fingers or other body parts at risk! Let's do this.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#060
Chances are you've heard the word "fluoride" said in reference to your teeth. At the dentists office, on your bottle of mouthwash, maybe you've heard it's in tap water? But what is it, what's so special about it, and how does it help our teeth? Does it make them whiter, stronger, or what? Let's find out.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#059
Ok so, caffeine. Some of us live on the stuff, and others of us want nothing to do with it. There's a lot of things caffeine can do to our bodies, but of course the number one question, is how does it keep the sleepiness away? Let's get into it. And we may find out a few other things caffeine does along the way.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 4
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we combine honey, corn syrup, dish soap, water, oil, and alcohol.
Do you like and want more of these? Is there a way we could make them better? Let us know!
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#058
Fruit. You eat it too early? It tastes bland and tart. You eat it too late? And it's rotten. You eat it when it's ripe? It's perfect, sweet, and juicy. What makes fruit ripen? How is it that supermarkets and suppliers can control when fruit ripens, or keep it from ripening too early? What's telling what to ripen when? And how? Let's talk about it.
How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 12
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about mosquito repellents, mosquitos and blood type, mosquito saliva, organic chemistry, and some of our favorite movies!
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife. Email us at [email protected] And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/Thanks to our monthly supporters
#057
So we all know what we think of when we hear the word "alcohol," but what if that's not really the whole picture? There's actually many kinds of alcohol, most of which we cannot drink. So what's up with all those alcohols? What makes them different? What makes them similar enough to all be called alcohol? Let's find out.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#056
Seriously. What is fire? This week Melissa and Jam hop out of the frying pan. What are those warm orange wisps? We all sort of know what fire is but also, do we? It's hot, it can be good, it can be bad. But why does it look like that? And what really IS it? Let's try to find out
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#055
Ever notice that honey crystalizes? Isn't that like super weird? Why does it do that? This week, Melissa and Jam risk getting stuck in this question.
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#054
This week, Melissa and Jam close out the mosquitos series with part 4 (If you missed the previous three, go check them out). What does the future look like for humans and mosquitos? Can we finally achieve peace? What are scientists working on, ways to make us invisible to mosquitos, or ways to kill them all? Or can things even get better at all? Let's find out. Scientists, we're counting on you, don't let us down.
Chemistry For Your Life Merch is here for a limited time!
Want to help keep our show going? Want some stylish, exclusive CFYL merch at the same time? Pick up a shirt, a tank, or a mug, and help keep our show going for another year!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 3
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we combine milk, food coloring, and dish soap. Let's do chemistry together!
Do you like and want more of these? Is there a way we could make them better? Let us know!
Chemistry For Your Life Merch is here for a limited time!
Want to help keep our show going? Want some stylish, exclusive CFYL merch at the same time? Pick up a shirt, a tank, or a mug, and help keep our show going for another year!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#053
This week, Melissa and Jam continue to part 3 on the topic of mosquitos (If you missed the previous two, go check them out). What is DEET? What part does it play in repelling mosquitos? How do repellants repel mosquitos in the first place? Is it just straight witchcraft? Let's do it.
Chemistry For Your Life Merch is here for a limited time!
Want to help keep our show going? Want some stylish, exclusive CFYL merch at the same time? Pick up a shirt, a tank, or a mug, and help keep our show going for another year!
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 11
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about carbonation, color-changing dyes, spiciness, rain, babies, merch, and more!
Snag some limited Chemistry For Your Life merch!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#052
This week, Melissa and Jam continue the topic of mosquitos (If you missed last week's, listen to it first). It's time to answer the age-old, every-summer question. Why do some people get bitten by mosquitos more than other people? Or maybe, does this really happen in the first place? If so why? What factors do mosquitos look for, compare, and choose by? Let's get to the bottom of this.
Chemistry For Your Life Merch is here for a limited time!
Want to help keep our show going? Want some stylish, exclusive CFYL merch at the same time? Pick up a shirt, a tank, or a mug, and help keep our show going for another year!
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#051
This week, Melissa and Jam begin a multi-faceted topic: mosquitos. Now of course mosquitos are insects, so studying them would mostly fall into biology. But there's a lot of chemistry here too. The first question, why do mosquitos bite humans at all? How do they find us, and why do they want to bother us? And perhaps more importantly, how is it related to chemistry? Let's find out.
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#050
This week, Melissa and Jam once again look under the armpits of society, this time to explore sweat. Is it cool? Well does it keep us cool? How? At what cost? Is there more to sweat than meets the eye? Can you drink it? Grab your sweat bands and let's hit the track Paulie Bleeker.
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 2
Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see what happens when we combine markers, coffee filters, and water. Let's do chemistry!
Do you like and want more of these? Is there a way we could make them better? Let us know!
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#049
This week, Melissa and Jam question the whole system of food. Or rather, the way we calculate food: calories. What are they? Where'd the come from? How are they calculated? Is it a good system for measuring food? What does it actually measure? Can we calculate calories in food at home? Let's dig in.
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
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#048
This week, Melissa and Jam dive into spiciness. What is it? Is it a flavor? Is it a feeling? Is it both? Is it more? Why can some people handle more than others? Does spiciness have any benefits?
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 10
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about cast iron routines, dyes, activating almonds, and inspirations behind their respective interests.
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife. Email us at [email protected] And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#047
A somewhat natural chemical topic following cast iron: rust. This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of rust. What even is it? Where does it come from? Is it bad? Is it reversible? Let's get into it.
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
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#045
The continuation of the unexpected cookware chemistry saga: cast iron. This week, Melissa and Jam discuss multiple aspects of cast iron chemistry. What is cast iron? Why do some people love it so much? How does it work? Is it better than other cookware? If you haven't listened to our two teflon "prequel" episodes, click here!
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
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Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 1
What's this, another bonus episode? It's something new we're test driving! A short little extra bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, the experiment is how to turn some simple household items into a sort of cool, colorful lava lamp! Let us know what you think of this type of episode. Do you like and want more of these? Is there a way we could make them better? Let us know!
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife. Email us at [email protected] And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/Thanks to our monthly supporters
#044
You know what we're talking about. That spectacular fizzy geyser. This week, Melissa and Jam explore what makes diet coke and mentos go crazy together. Is it love? Is it hate? Is it chemistry? Why diet coke specifically? Or more importantly, why mentos? Let's get into it.
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 9
In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about sunlight bleaching, weird feeling soap, sweat and smells, popcorn, and more!
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife. Email us at [email protected] And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#043
You know how you have that one mug that changes colors when you put hot coffee in it? Let's talk about that. This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of color changing items. Or rather, a specific item, a Mister Rogers mug Jam's wife has. How do items like this change color? How can heat cause changes like that? And how can it happen over and over again? Also why?
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#042
What's that smell? Is it us? Is it you? We hope it's neither, thanks to deodorants and antiperspirants. This week, Melissa and Jam delve into the chemistry of this everyday important substance. What are the differences between deodorant and antiperspirant? How do they work in the first place? Does one work better? Is one better for us? Be kind to one another, wear deodorant.
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#041
Ok! So now that you know how teflon works (see last week's episode if you missed it), now it's time to discuss the equally important question: is it safe to use?? Are there any potential side-effects to using it? Can scratching teflon cause it to have an affect on our food, or even worse, on us? If there are potential dangers to teflon, is there any way to avoid them? Help! This week, Melissa and Jam delve into this topic, and tiptoe through the allegations to give you some things to consider when choosing you next pots and pans.
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 8
In his month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about carrots, pigments, quinones, thermoses, and unscientific theories about why the sky is blue.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#040
Who you calling sticky? This week, Melissa and Jam open up another two-part series about nonstick pans, aka teflon. What keeps food from sticking to them? How did scientists figure out how to create it? How can something that doesn't stick to anything be coated on the bottom of a pan? Are there any potential downsides to teflon? Let's get nonsticky.
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
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#039
Part two on the chemistry of helium! Now to the question you've all been wondering, how does helium change your voice? This week, Melissa and Jam explore this mystery, which begs a lot of other questions. What even is the human voice? What's it made up of? And how does just introducing a gas like helium affect it at all? Let's find out together!
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
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Don't worry, you didn't click on the wrong podcast. This week Melissa was a guest on another "for your life" podcast: Podcast For Your Life, Jam's original podcast with his friend Jason Cress. So we thought we'd share this crossover as a bonus for this week! Listen to hear, Jason, Jam, and Melissa attempt to get to the bottom of what is and is not a book. Read more about Podcast For Your Life below.
#092 Books for your life
Books: The Crossover. This latest nugget bridges 2 podcasts from the same "for your life" universe. We're honored to have Melissa Collini, host of Chemistry For Your Life, join us this episode for a page-turning episode about books. The plot thickens and the twist is pretty twisty.
You can suggest a topic for us to cover on Podcast For Your Life on Instagram or email [email protected]
Check out our website here: podforyourlife.transistor.fm
Thanks for listening!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#038
Helium is all fun and games right? High voice, super funny, no worries right? Or is there a serious shortage of helium? This week, Melissa and Jam answer this question. But we can't stop there. This is part one of two episodes about helium.
We're proud to partner with MEL Science. Check out their home chemistry experiment sets here: bit.ly/melchem
References from this episode
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#037
It's the lesson we've all had to learn the hard way. The pain our mouths feel when we take a treacherous swig of the post-brush poison. This week, Melissa and Jam delve into all of our childhoods to figure out the chemistry of this infamous mixture. Why does it taste so bad? Who's fault is it, the toothpaste or the orange juice? Also while we're at it, why is it called toothpaste? Nevermind, I'm not sure we'll be able to get to the bottom of that part.
References from this episode
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#036
Ok so we've known for awhile how soap works in a general use sense, like how it cleans dishes (see episode 1). But these weird times call for a deeper look at soap. How can it kill a virus? Or more importantly, how can it kill a little, wretched, mischievous virus like COVID-19? Like really, how? How is it that we can use soap to both get spaghetti sauce off a plate, and kill a dangerous virus? We're always told to wash our hands well, and that it's important, but if you think about it for a second, it's crazy that we put something on our hands, and rub them together under water, and then we're good to go. Right? Let's get into it.
References from this episode
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#035
Do you like apples? Ever wonder why they turn brown when you cut them? This week, Melissa and Jam explore this very question. What's going on in these apples? Where does the brown come from? Is it a good or bad thing? Does it taste different? Is the brown actually apple tears from the pain of being cut?
References from this episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 7
In his month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about methane, bad smells, bleach, computers seeing colors, crystal formation, and more!.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#034
This week, Melissa and Jam explore the oldest question in the book. But we're not going to answer it. Just kidding. Why the HECK is the sky blue? And also why are there times that it isn't? Sunrise? Sunset? Nightime? Sky, what are your mysteries? Tell us your secrets. Hide not your face from me.
References from this episode
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#033
That's right, we are sort of talking about coffee this week. Or rather, how to keep it hot. Nowadays we all have some version of a thermos for our coffee, tea, water, or what-have-you. Today Melissa and Jam try to get to the bottom of how those work. How do they keep things hot and cold? What's between the two layers (or whatever) and how is it so good at insulating? Is it a vacuum? Can someone please tell me what the heck is going on?
References from this episode
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#032
This week, Melissa and Jam investigate reusable hand warmers. How do they get hot? Where does the heat even come from? How do reusable ones even work? Is it real? How can heat just come out of nowhere like that?
References from this episode
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#031
How does bleach bleach stuff? Oh and also, what even is color? This week Melissa and Jam investigate these questions. What's the molecular makeup of color and then how does bleach alter that? How does bleach have enough power to ruin that hoodie you just bought? How could you have been foolish enough to handle bleach while wearing your new hoodie?
References from this episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 6
In his month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about cold/cool, water temperature's effect on boats, vapor pressure, smells, hair, and how this podcast even got started.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#030
Melissa and Jam continue to sniff out the chemistry of smell, focusing this week on bad smells. Why are we so good at smelling bad smells? Why do they haunt us at night? Why are some bad smells so strong and long lasting, while many great smells are subtle and temporary. What’s in a smell? "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." I think that quote applies here right?
References from this episode
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#029
What's that smell? This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of smell. Now a lot of smell science has to do with our physiology and neurology. We'll talk some about that, but the chemistry has to do with the actual smells in the air. What are they? How do they get into the air? How can we detect them with our noses and brains? Why does rain have a smell, and why does it smell good? Let's find out.
References from this episode
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#028
This week, Melissa and Jam travel even further down the rabbit hole of hair chemistry. How does our hair get damaged? How do we curl, straighten, and perm our hair? What's going on there at the molecular level? Let's find out!
References from this episode
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#027
This week, Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry of something that may not seem like chemistry at first: hair.
Curly hair to be specific. What makes hair curl? Also what is hair in the first place? Why can hair be so radically different? Alright curly girls, curly guys, and curly folks, let's find out.
References from this episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 5
In his month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about how to grow crystals, details about snowflake formation, a little tiny bit of discussion about blackholes, and more!
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#026
This week, Melissa and Jam discuss part of an often requested topic: carbonation. Does it have a taste? Like why does carbonated water taste different than flat water? And what is carbonation in the first place? Does it give you unusually long life? How is it so refreshing? We answer some of those questions.
This episode is sponsored by Thimble & Brush Co.
References from this episode
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#025
This week, Melissa, Jam, and very special guest Renee Collini (Melissa's sister and climate scientist) delve into the important topic of sea-level rise. What causes it to rise? What affect will it have on the world? How should we feel about it? Is there anything us regular folk can do?
This episode is sponsored by Thimble & Brush Co.
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#024
This week, Melissa and Jam explore three very different, but related, light phenomena. We'll discuss situations when light can be bent, slowed down, and even broken. It's gonna be lit.
References from this episode
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#023
This week, Melissa and Jam explore the wintery chemistry of snowflakes. How do they form? How are they all unique? How do they look so gosh darn cool? Why don’t we see them here in Texas very much?
References from this episode
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#022
This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of antioxidants. What are they? Is it just magical stuff they put in sport drinks and workout supplements? Can you find it in snake oil?
References from this episode
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Bonus Episode: Question and Response 4
Welcome to the new home for our Question and Response episodes! This week we respond to comments and questions about solar energy, artificial sweeteners, growing crystals, and more!
References
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife. Email us at [email protected] And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/Thanks to our monthly supporters
#021
This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of solar energy. How do we capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity? Is it as super insanely cool as it seems? Are we living in the future already?
References from this episode
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#020
This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of water and intermolecular forces. Why does it form into droplets? Why can you fill a glass of water just above the rim and it not spill over? How are some things water proof or water resistant?
References from this episode
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Question and Response #03
This week Melissa and Jam do the last Question and Response episode. We'll continue to do Questions and Responses every month, but after asking listeners for their preference, Q&Rs will now air as bonuses, rather than in place of a standard episode. Tune in this week as we tackle some fun questions about water in space, boiling water in a microwave, sugar on freezing roads (instead of salt), and using stainless steel to curb the smell of garlic.
References
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife. Email us at [email protected] And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/Thanks to our monthly supporters
#018
This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of aluminum foil. Why doesn’t it feel hot when we take it out of the oven? How does it cool down so quickly? We harken back to a previous episode about specific heat a few times in this episode, listen to that one by clicking here.
References from this episode
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#017
This week Melissa and Jam explore some of the chemistry behind cooking. What happens when you sear a steak? What's going on when you toast toast? Why do so many foods turn golden-brown when cooking? Let's dig in.
References from this episode
Thanks to our monthly supporters
#016
This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of onion tears, the emotional reaction we all have, against our will, when cutting onions. Grab some tissues, this one's gonna burn.
References from this episode
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#015
This week Melissa and Jam explore a Halloween-themed topic, perfectly-timed for the fact that our episode air date happened to land on Halloween exactly! Can you change the color of fire using only chemistry, safety, personal protection equipment, and no magic? Listen to find out. And check us out on any of our social media accounts to see the experiment take place!
References from this episode
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This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of artificial/alternative sweeteners. What are artificial sweeteners? How can something be sweet but not packed with calories? Are we cheating? Did we hack nature when we made them? Is nature going to get back at us some day? Are we doomed?
References from this episode
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This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of not being burned by the big, ominous, flaming ball of radioactive insanity that lights up our skies each day. Did you know that to some people, radiation burns are no big deal? ¯_(ツ)_/¯ It's actually a very big deal and the sun is constantly trying to kill us all. Save yourselves.
References from this episode
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This week Melissa and Jam continue in the category of "sticky" things by exploring how geckos stick to walls. How do they do it? Is it magic? Is it like spider-man? Is it intermolecular forces?
References from this episode
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In this episode, Melissa and Jam explore the complex, but highly familiar and relatable concept of stickiness. It started as a lighthearted question from the end of "Why didn't Jam's pot ever boil?" and turned into its own episode. How do some things stick together so well? Why do only some substances have that sticky feeling we all know and love? Grab some clorox wipes and jump into this sticky topic.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Question and Response #02
We've received even more questions! Melissa and Jam take more listener questions regarding topics from across the first 9 episodes, attempting to clarify some things and dive a little bit deeper. We talk about "magic shell," moving bonds, high altitudes, "types" of waves, the potential effect of microwaves on nutrition, and we even have a slight correction this time!
References from this episode
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Baking powder? Baking soda? I mean they're both white powders with the word "baking" in it. How different could they be? Well, one can cause miniature kitchen volcanos and the other does what? Listen this week as Melissa and Jam talk about acids, bases, baking soda, baking powder, and how they can make all the difference in your busy life as a single parent of three.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Remember that one time (in episode 6 "Why do we put lids on pots to boil water") when Jam had a situation where his big pot of water would never boil? And he (quite ironically) took a lot of heat for it? Well on this episode Melissa sets out to solve this mystery and hopefully redeem Jam's tarnished reputation with his family and the American people.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Melissa finally explains to Jam how microwaves work after making him wait for an entire week. What the heck is going on inside microwaves? How does it do it's thing and make our food tasty? Is it magic?
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Melissa and Jam discuss the curious habit of putting a lid on a pot in order to boil water. Does it help? Does it speed things up? If so, why?
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Question and Response #01
Melissa and Jam take listener questions regarding the topics from episodes 1 and 2, Soap and Specific Heat, attempting to clarify some things and dive a little bit deeper. They also answer some general questions about how the podcast is made and why Jam goes by Jam.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Continuing the conversation from last week's margarine episode, Melissa and Jam talk about some of the possible unexpected results of hydrogenation, including trans fats.
We also announce the winners of our t-shirt giveaway! Check that out at the end.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Melissa and Jam discuss margarine and what the heck it is, and how it's different from butter, and if it is actually made in the "country" in a "crock" or not.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Melissa and Jam discuss the difference of temperatures, aka specific heat.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Today Melissa and Jam talk about the chemistry of soap, and how it does its magical work.
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
Thanks to our monthly supporters
A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life.
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
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En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.
