HeyJaredWhat The If?
Welcome to the show where we learn science by exploring the universe by pushing it... to the limit. A dangerous mix of Science & Fiction, hosted by Philip Shane & Matt Stanley
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 5
- Latest publication
- Sep 23, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 6, 2026
Latest episodes
Bugs The Size Of US! (opens the original)
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What the if bugs were the size of us? Imagine heading out with your morning coffee and holding the door for an ant who stands as tall as you do. In this episode we explore that fanciful scenario, and along the way you'll learn some really cool science about things like the giant insects that roamed the Earth about 300 million years ago, the math that limits how big an animal can grow, and the chemical language of ants. Come on in, and mind the antennae. —— When she's not studying zombie fungus a
Your Lab Partner Is A ROBOT! (opens the original)
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What the if all lab work were done by robots? Imagine strolling into the lab with your morning coffee to find that a tireless mechanical partner has already run your experiments overnight. In this episode we explore that fanciful scenario, and along the way you'll learn some really cool science about things like what goes into a Western blot, how researchers sift through thousands of drug candidates in search of a single winner, and which parts of the work a machine can truly be trusted with. Co
The MUSES Are Real - with Dr. Moiya McTier! (opens the original)
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What the if the muses were real? Astrophysicist and folklorist Moiya McTier, author of "Mothers of Invention," takes us into a world where nine Greek goddesses are still on the job, and one of them might be on your doorstep this morning. Brain scans of jazz musicians mid-improvisation, the strange history of the word genius, and why the ancients may have been right that your best ideas aren't entirely yours. Come find out which muse has your back. —— When she's not studying zombie fungus at Harv
Nobel Winners Sign SNEAKER Deals! (opens the original)
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What the if scientists were as famous as football stars? Picture packed bars, roaring crowds, and a physicist on the big screen getting absolutely destroyed by a rival's data. Come find out who wins. Inspired by "What People Get Wrong About Scientists" by Dava Sobel, Scientific American, June 16, 2026. —— When she's not studying zombie fungus at Harvard or helping us break the universe every week, our very own Gaby Paniccia writes science fiction. Her short story "The Automatic Grocery Store" is
The Milky Way Is ALIVE - With Dr. Moiya McTier! (opens the original)
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The whole crew is off on separate adventures this week, so we've unlocked the vault for an encore of one of our most popular episodes ever. Get ready to meet a galaxy ready to tell its own life story…. —— Our special guest this week is Dr. Moiya McTier, “Folklorist to the stars & Astrophysicist to the folks.” Dr. McTier is the host of the popular science podcast Exolore, and the author of the new book, The Milky Way: An Autobiography of Our Galaxy. She writes on her website: "I truly am my ances
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