Learn about why pretending to be Batman can make kids work harder; how long a decapitated head remains conscious; and, the chemistry behind autumn’s color-changing leaves.

Learn about the worst year to be alive, according to at least one medieval historian; why you never hear about heart cancer; and why women prefer hotter showers than men do.

Physician James Hamblin, staff writer for The Atlantic, explains what would happen if you stopped showering — and other fun facts from the emerging science of the skin microbiome. Plus: are some trees really immortal?

Learn about how scientists measure the contagiousness and deadliness of diseases like coronavirus; the history of acedia, an emotion that is similar to (but distinct from) depression; and why it helps to do a “potty dance” when you really have to go to the bathroom.

Alan Alda talks to Curiosity Daily hosts Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer about how to be a better communicator by making human connections. Plus, learn about why oceans don’t sink into the Earth.

Learn about the man who invented the scientific method; the story of America’s first beach; and how many faces the average person can recognize.

Learn about why earthworms are only good for the planet if they’re in the right place; whether it’s better to read books or listen to them; and the story of Phineas Gage's freak accident from the 1800s that changed brain science forever.

Learn what the Perseverance Rover taught us about Mars’ Jezero Crater; and new exposure therapy using augmented reality.

Manage your stress with a perfect tune backed by science.

In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes:

Learn about where NASA’s new planet-hunting telescope is looking for life first; the number of places where people spend most of their time; and, the new “Light Triad” of personality traits.

Basically anywhere in space without a spacesuit would be catastrophic.

Learn about the story of a meteorite that crushed a 1980 Chevy Malibu; a few red flags for spotting psychopaths and narcissists; and how you can measure your level of passionate love.

Learn how to master the flame with one of these fires.

Learn about why birds are the only surviving dinosaurs. Then, we’ll talk to Alie Ward of the Ologies podcast about why we should all ask smart people stupid questions.