Obsidian: The Sharpest Rock on Earth (and in Surgery)
Send us a textSubscribe and unleash your inner science goblin. We see you. We respect it.In this third Volcano Minisode, Katy digs into one of the coolest things a volcano has ever made: obsidian—a rock so sharp it's been shaping human history for 30,000 years and is still used in modern surgery. 🔪🖤🌋 What exactly is obsidian and how is it formed? ⚡ How can lava turn into volcanic glass in a flash? 🩺 Why are obsidian scalpels sharper than steel—and still used today? 🛡 How did ancient people turn this into tools, weapons, and even mirrors?From Stone Age scrapers to eye surgery scalpels, obsidian proves that volcanoes don’t just destroy—they create tools that changed the course of human evolution.👉 This is episode 3 of 6 in our Volcano Minisodes series—bite-sized, bizarre, and bursting with molten-hot science facts.🎧 Listen now to discover why this rock deserves way more credit.Support the show🎉 Support us on Patreon to keep the episodes coming! 🪼🦤🧠 For more laughs, catch us on YouTube!
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The Hidden Caves Beneath Antarctica’s Volcanoes
Send us a textIn this second Volcano Minisode, Laura dives deep (literally) into one of Antarctica’s strangest secrets: how volcanic heat has carved out entire networks of hidden ice caves—warm, alien worlds tucked under the frozen surface. 🧊🔥🌋 Why does Antarctica have 18 volcanoes? 🌡 How can you go from -30°F outside to 70°F inside a cave? 🧬 What strange DNA have scientists discovered in these hidden spaces? 🚪 And could these caves hold more life—or ancient secrets—than we realize?From steaming caves to undiscovered species, it’s a chilling (and thrilling) glimpse into one of Earth's least understood frontiers.👉 This is episode 2 of 6 in our Volcano Minisodes series—bite-sized, bizarre, and bursting with molten-hot science facts.🎧 Listen to find out why you’ll never look at Antarctica the same way again.Support the show🎉 Support us on Patreon to keep the episodes coming! 🪼🦤🧠 For more laughs, catch us on YouTube!
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A Volcano Buried the World’s Largest Pyramid?!
Send us a textIn the first Volcano Minisode of our season break, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole uncover one of the wildest stories you've probably never heard: how an active volcano in Mexico accidentally buried—and preserved—the world’s largest pyramid. Yes, really.🌋 What is Popocatépetl, and why is it still puffing smoke? 🏛 How did the Great Pyramid of Cholula disappear beneath volcanic ash? 📜 What ancient secrets were hiding under a grassy hill with a church on top? 🔥 And how can something as destructive as a volcano also protect history?From drinking murals and five miles of hidden tunnels to short-stocky "unit pyramids" (you’ll get it), this minisode has all the chaos, science, and sarcasm you’ve come to expect.👉 This is episode 1 of 6 in our Volcano Minisodes series—bite-sized, bizarre, and bursting with molten-hot science facts.Support the show🎉 Support us on Patreon to keep the episodes coming! 🪼🦤🧠 For more laughs, catch us on YouTube!
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Volcanoes: Agents of Chaos or Planet Builders?
Send us a textSubscribe and unleash your inner science goblin. We see you. We respect it.In this Season 11 finale of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole blow the lid off volcanoes—literally and figuratively. From earth-shaking eruptions and blue lava to the creation of entirely new islands, this episode dives into the molten madness of how volcanoes destroy, preserve, and even give life.🌋 What exactly is a volcano? 🌎 Why do they erupt, and where can you find them? ⚡️ What’s up with volcanic lightning, blue lava, and weather eruptions? 🌱 And how do these fiery monsters build ecosystems in their wake?Plus, the duo kicks off a new miniseries: all things found in volcanoes—from fossilized creatures to ancient civilizations.👉 This episode is your launch point into that deep, explosive world. Support the show🎉 Support us on Patreon to keep the episodes coming! 🪼🦤🧠 For more laughs, catch us on YouTube!
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Cosmic Critters: The Chimp Who Survived Space—and Changed Everything
Send us a textIn this out-of-this-world episode of Wildly Curious, Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole tell the incredible—and deeply emotional—story of Ham the Chimp, the first hominid to survive spaceflight.🧠 How was Ham trained to perform tasks during a rocket launch? 🚀 What made his 1961 mission so important to Project Mercury? 💔 And what did it cost to send an intelligent animal into space?Ham wasn’t just a passenger—he was a pioneer who proved humans could survive and function in zero gravity. But his journey, from capture in the wild to high-speed spaceflight and life in a cage, raises profound questions about ethics, science, and the legacy of animal astronauts.Whether you're a space exploration buff, an animal lover, or just someone who appreciates the messy intersection of science and humanity, this final episode of Cosmic Critters is one you won’t forget.Support the show🎉 Support us on Patreon to keep the episodes coming! 🪼🦤🧠 For more laughs, catch us on YouTube!
Wildly Curious is a comedy podcast where science, nature, and curiosity collide. Hosted by Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole, two wildlife experts with a combined 25+ years of conservation education experience, the show dives into wild animal behaviors, unexpected scientific discoveries, and bizarre natural phenomena. With a knack for breaking down complex topics into fun and digestible insights, Katy and Laura make science accessible for all—while still offering fresh perspectives for seasoned science enthusiasts. Each episode blends humor with real-world science, taking listeners on an engaging journey filled with quirky facts and surprising revelations. Whether you're a curious beginner or a lifelong science lover, this podcast offers a perfect mix of laughs, learning, and the unexpected wonders of the natural world.
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