Podcast Episodes

How does sweat cool us down?

Episode 50

#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 t…

Published on 2 months, 1 week ago

How does *color* film photography work??

Episode 216

In this continuation of our two-part series, Melissa and Jam dive into the intriguing chemistry behind color film and Polaroid photography. The episode picks up from the previous discussion on black …

Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago

Ask a Chemist: Is Baking Soda and Vinegar a Cleaning Myth? (And other questions)

Melissa and Jam tackle a variety of questions and corrections from their listeners. They dive into topics such as the effectiveness of baking soda and vinegar as cleaning agents, the science behind k…

Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago

What is the chemistry of film photography?

Episode 215

Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating chemistry behind film photography. They reminisce about their childhood experiences with analog cameras and discuss the shift to digital cameras. Melissa, a…

Published on 2 months, 4 weeks ago

What gives curly hair its curl?

Episode 27

#027 Rebroadcast
Originally Published January 23, 2020

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…

Published on 3 months ago

Are organic vegetables healthier for you?

Episode 214

Melissa and Jam dive into the definition and implications of organic foods. They explore what organic means according to USDA standards, dissect common misconceptions about pesticide use, and discuss…

Published on 3 months, 1 week ago

Ask a Chemist: Explain it like I'm five?

This episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' features Melissa and Jam tackling various chemistry questions sourced from the 'Explain Like I'm Five' subreddit. They aim to explain complex chemistry conce…

Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago

Is it safe to use weed killer (Roundup)?

Episode 213

Melissa and Jam discuss the multifaceted debate surrounding the use of the widely known weed killer, Roundup, specifically its active ingredient, glyphosate. Prompted by a listener's question, they e…

Published on 3 months, 3 weeks ago

Are we breathing recycled air on airplanes?

Episode 212

#212

Melissa and Jam explore the concept of ozone and its impact on air quality in airplanes. Melissa explains the chemical reaction of ozone, why it's significant in organic chemistry, and how it ca…

Published on 4 months ago

What is the ozone layer?

Episode 110

#110 Rebroadcast
Originally Published August 26, 2021

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 tha…

Published on 4 months, 1 week ago