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PODCAST

Chemistry For Your Life

Melissa and Jam, Bleav

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

science chemistry

All Episodes

00:31:07

How does super glue glue things?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/06/18

#061Be 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. References from this episode Introduction to Polymers R.J. Young and P. A. Lovell http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/superglue/superglueh.htm

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00:33:13

How should technology and A.I. change chemistry...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/06/15

AI is everywhere in education right now, but is that the only technology chemistry educators should be thinking about?In this bonus BCCE preview episode, Melissa talks with Resa Kelly about technology in chemistry education, from visualizations and videos to flipped classrooms and AI. What do we actually want students to be able to do in a technology-rich world? How should that shape our teaching? And how can educators stay curious without feeling pressured to adopt every new tool that comes

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00:37:04

How realistic are crime shows about forensics? (with...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/06/11

CSI makes forensic science look fast, easy, and almost magical. But how much of that is actually true?This week we’re joined by forensic chemist and graduate student Nicki Stewart to answer your questions about forensic science. We talk about crime shows, fingerprints, toxicology, illicit drugs, and what really happens inside a forensic laboratory. Plus, Nicki shares what surprised her most when she worked in a real crime lab and why forensic science is often much slower (and more complicated) than

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01:10:03

What is BCCE and why are people so excited about it?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/06/08

What happens when the world’s largest gathering of chemistry educators decides to try something new?This summer we’re partnering with the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE) for a special series of Monday episodes. In this kickoff conversation, Melissa sits down with conference organizers to talk about the vision behind this year’s event, why community conversations are replacing traditional keynotes, and how chemistry educators are thinking about the future of teaching and learning

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00:35:02

How does a pencil eraser remove graphite?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/06/04

How can the same element make both pencil lead and diamonds?This week we wrap up our pencil chemistry mini-series by answering a surprisingly tricky question: how do erasers actually erase? Then we dive into one of chemistry’s coolest ideas. Graphite and diamond are both made entirely of carbon, but one is soft enough to write with and the other is the hardest natural material we know. What changed? The answer reveals something remarkable about chemistry, structure, and the hidden world of

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00:44:40

How do gemstones get their color?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/05/28

#158 RebroadcastGemstones 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 https://www.acs.org/education/students/highschool/chemistryclubs/activities/jewelry-science.html Thanks to our monthly supporters Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica

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00:46:46

How do pencils write on paper?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/05/21

Why does a pencil work so perfectly? Why does graphite leave marks on paper instead of just crumbling apart? And what do pancakes, honeycombs, geckos, and intermolecular forces have to do with any of it? This week we follow a simple pencil all the way down to carbon atoms, graphene sheets, and the weirdly satisfying chemistry that makes writing possible. Plus: final exam horror stories, missed alarms, and why reading the syllabus might save your GPA.Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast

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00:34:57

Ask a Chemist: What things should you never mix? (and...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/05/14

What happens when you mix bleach and ammonia? Why does perfume smell amazing on one person and weird on another? And why is getting a job so hard right now? This week we’re answering a huge batch of listener questions about chemistry, sunscreen, scents, books, careers, birds, and somehow even British accents. Plus, we accidentally brainstorm several new podcast ideas along the way.Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch

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00:48:16

How was kevlar accidentally invented?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/05/07

How do you turn a weird cloudy liquid into something stronger than steel? This week we’re telling the story of Kevlar: the chemistry breakthrough that led to bulletproof vests, firefighter gear, reinforced tires, and so much more. Along the way we talk polymers, hydrogen bonding, accidental discoveries, and the chemist who almost went to medical school instead.Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on

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00:39:14

Is there a helium shortage?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/04/30

#038 RebroadcastHelium 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. References from this episode Helium: Its Discovery and Applications – Locker We Discovered Helium 150 Years Ago. Are We Running Out? - Greshko Introductory Physics I - Brown Helium beer: prank or possible? - American Chemical Society Organic Chemistry, Edition 11 - Solomon Find us on Instagram, Twitter,

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00:38:26

How does reverse osmosis actually work?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/04/23

#236When a retired chemist wrote in… we had to explore to his great questions. How does reverse osmosis actually work? Should you put aluminum foil in your dishwasher? Why do mixed powders mysteriously un-mix themselves? This episode is full of clever questions, surprising chemistry, and very strong contributions from listener Vince! Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram,

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00:32:28

Ask a Chemist: Is That Pool Smell Actually Chlorine?...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/04/16

Question and Response #76You asked… so we answered. What do carbon chains have to do with Greek words? How do MRIs make “3D pixels”? Is that pool smell actually chlorine? And wait… are birds blue, or is that just a trick of the light? This episode is a rapid-fire round of your questions, and the chemistry behind them. Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and

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00:50:34

How do diapers change color when wet?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/04/09

#235You’ve seen it a hundred times… but how does it actually work? Why do diapers change color when they’re wet? What kind of chemistry is happening in there? And how does something as simple as pee trigger such a dramatic color shift? Let’s talk acids, bases, color, and one surprisingly deep piece of everyday science. Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and

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00:46:41

How do deodorant and antiperspirant work?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/04/03

#042What'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. References from this episode Individual and gender fingerprints in human body odour – Dustin J Penn, Elisabeth

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00:35:34

More bird chemistry?!

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/03/26

Birds… but chemistry.What does compost have to do with eggs? How are birds basically doing chemistry experiments to make their colors? Why would a bird eat dirt… or rub ants all over itself?? This episode is a grab bag of wild, fascinating bird facts that connect back to chemistry you already know. No quiz, just vibes. Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and

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00:37:20

What even is DEET?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/03/19

#053 RebroadcastThis week, Melissa and Jam revisit one of their fav episodes on the topic of mosquitos. 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. Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife References from this episode Staph

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00:40:00

How do birds fly? And how is chemistry involved?!

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/03/12

Birds fly all the time. We see it constantly. But how does it actually work? Is it just "Bernoulli’s" principle? Is the air pushing up? Are the wings pushing down? And what’s happening at the molecular level when a bird takes off? Let’s talk about feathers, airflow, collisions between air molecules, and why the way flight is usually explained might not actually be the whole story.Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at

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00:33:32

Fun Fact or Fake Factoid?! Game Rematch (with Claire...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/03/05

In this bonus episode, we host a rematch of our game “Fun Fact or Fake Factoid” with Claire and Jam, using stricter rules: each claim must be entirely true or false as worded, and the winner earns a treat. We test statements about pregnancy-related brain changes, koala fingerprints, bird body temperature, whether every fig contains a dead wasp, how egg markings form, woodpecker tongues wrapping around their skulls, unique parrot pigments, bald eagles’ ability to take off from the ground, black bear

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01:09:02

How do MRIs see inside our bodies, in 3D? (with...

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/02/27

MRIs are loud. They’re huge. They’re magnetic. But what are they actually doing? This week, we bring Claire back to help us connect the dots between NMR (yes, organic chem flashbacks) and MRI. How does a technique built on tiny hydrogen protons turn into a 3D image of your brain? How can it tell the difference between tissue and fluid? Why can’t you bring metal anywhere near the machine?We ask: • What are your protons doing inside an MRI? • How does “magnetic resonance” become an image? • Why does

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00:32:46

Is glass actually a liquid?

Chemistry For Your Life ·

2026/02/19

#079 RebroadcastGlass. 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! Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

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423 results

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