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PODCAST

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars

part of the Skywalking Network

From archeology to zoology, real-world science is everywhere in Star Wars! Every episode includes an interview with an expert discussing how Star Wars relates to their field of study. Explore the many ways science is represented in a galaxy far, far away with hosts Melissa Miller and James Floyd, both freelance writers for Star Wars Insider magazine. Part of the Skywalking Network

science

All Episodes

40:24

53: Urban Ecology with Sawyeurism

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2024/07/23

In this episode of Star Warsologies, we're joined by Sawyer Markham to talk about urban ecology! Known as @Sawyeurism online, our expert this month breaks down her love of delving into the science of Star Wars, just like hosts James and Melissa. Sawyer talks the effects of urbanization and climate change on reptiles and amphibians and also shares some of her science education fun facts, like the Hutts having pouches like marsupials and why the son of Hera and Kanan has green hair. Above all, we

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47:02

52: Marine Biology

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2024/06/29

In this episode of Star Warsologies, we're joined by Gabriel-Philip Santos to talk about marine biology! Star Warsologies dives deep into the marine biology of Star Wars. Think water planets like Mon Cala and Kamino. As Qui-Gon says, there's always a bigger fish! We answer such pressing questions as: Are those thicc thala-sirens evolutionarily viable? Are we all evolving into crabs? We did talk for a long time and yes, I did edit out some of Gabe's negative comments about porgs! Show Links:

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36:46

51: Car Culture in Star Wars

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2024/05/28

In this episode of Star Warsologies, we're joined by the curator of the San Diego Automotive Museum and chat about ships, speeders, and other vehicles in Star Wars! What does the state of the Millennium Falcon say about Han Solo, especially since we know it was much nicer when Lando owned it? Why is it important that the Imperial and Rebel are so distinct from each other? Maria Romano de León answers these questions and shares insights about vehicles and culture throughout Star Wars, including a

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41:15

50: Environmental Apocalypse

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2024/04/22

In this episode of Star Warsologies, we hear from an ornithologist about birds in Star Wars, along with invasive species and extinction events! Justin Hite joins us for this episode to chat about his career studying birds and the environmental chaos they put up with. We get into whether Rey was exposed to harmful chemicals during her years salvaging parts from downed Star Destroyers and of course all the devastation the Death Star wreaks. We also cover more cheerful topics like birds being tiny

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38:44

49: Empathy and Compassion

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2024/03/25

In this episode of Star Warsologies, we learn the difference between empathy, compassion, and sympathy and how each is represented in Star Wars! Professor Maureen Day shares her insights with James and Melissa about virtue ethics and vices, and their roles in our galaxy and in Star Wars. Can we forgive the atrocities of Vader and Kylo Ren knowing their backstory of complicated young me? What makes the Sith a good example of empathy? What's the best redemption arc in Star Wars? There's more

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50:22

48: Conflict Resolution in Star Wars

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2024/02/20

In this episode of Star Warsologies, conflict resolution experts weigh in on the wars, negotiations, and other conflicts in Star Wars! Jen Reynolds and Noam Ebner authored the book "Star Wars and Conflict Resolution: There Are Alternatives To Fighting" and speak with us about the lessons we can learn from Padme, Obi-Wan, and other characters who fight the good fight. From everything from hiring the Millennium Falcon to galactic wars, negotiations occur throughout the saga and mirror the real

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46:51

47: Anthropology in Alien Design

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2024/01/23

In this episode of Star Warsologies, an anatomy professor weighs in on the importance of designing aliens that make sense! Dr. Elizabeth Rega is an anatomy professor who consults on movies and video games to help creators add an element of realism to their projects. She worked on Mulan, The Emperor's New Groove, and even the Madden series. Melissa and James ask Elizabeth to speculate wildly about what we can tell about some of our favorite aliens based on the traits they share with humans. Is

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01:21:22

11: FasTEN Your Seat Belts, with science advisor...

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2024/01/08

It's the finale! Lisa and Melissa chat about the physics of the final franchise installment (for now). They're joined by Dr. Erin Macdonald, the science advisor for all the current Star Trek shows. Together, they answer important questions like, is a dam just a vertical road? Do bad guys make good shock absorbers in plummeting elevators? Just how much therapy has Jakob had since the last movie? Is Little B destined for a Nobel Prize in Physics? Will anything come of Little Nobody swiping right on

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59:28

10: F9: The Facts Saga, with Bobak Ferdowsi from NASA

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2023/12/28

Faaaaaaaacts in Spaaaaaace! Melissa and Lisa welcome NASA JPL systems engineer Bobak Ferdowsi (aka the Mohawk Guy!) to chat about the pros and cons of launching a Pontiac Fiero into space. But that's not the only physics nonsense in this movie - there's also magnets, mines, and more! As Bobak eloquently states, the science of Fast & Furious movies are like La Croix - there may not be any real science in the movie but it seems like the creators saw some science at one point or another. Learn more

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01:13:24

9: Hobbs & Shaw-ence, with experts in immunology and...

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2023/12/25

Does Brixton's heads-up display actually give him helpful information? Can you really hold a helicopter down with a tow truck? Our resident physicist Lisa weighs in on those questions and more. There's plenty of medical jargon in the spin-off movie Hobbs & Shaw, but it turns out the physics holds up for the most part! Melissa and Lisa also interview Joy Phillips and Parag Katira from San Diego State University about the virus, immunology, and biomedical devices that make up a huge part of the plot

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52:01

46: Science Advisors in Science Fiction LA Comic Con...

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2023/12/19

Melissa moderates this panel of scientists who consult on everything from books and video games to the MCU and Disney animation! Panelists include paleontologist Stuart Sumida (How To Train Your Dragon, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), registered nurse Toby Wareham (9-1-1: Lone Star, How To Get Away With Murder), physicist Clifford Johnson (Avengers: Infinity War, Paper Girls), biologist Elizabeth Rega (Strange World, The Lion King), and stem cell scientist Ron Coleman (Joe Ledger book

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01:05:41

45: The Science of Ahsoka panel at LA Comic Con

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2023/12/12

Melissa moderates this panel of Star Warsologies favorites! Sam Wynns and Gabe Santos share their critter knowledge when it comes to Loth cats and purgill! Lisa Will and Paul Wynns talk navigation from one galaxy to the next! And James brings us up to date with all the Star Wars lore sprinkled throughout the show. We had a great audience with tons of questions for us. Thanks to all those who came out! Follow Dr. Lisa Will and the Fleet Science Center on Instagram Follow Paul Wynns and Flex Air on

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54:25

8: Shift+F8 of the Furious, with a computer scientist

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2023/11/30

Melissa and Lisa talk about the (relatively) toned down physics nonsense in the 8th installment of the Fast & Furious franchise, Fate of the Furious. Lisa and Melissa are also joined by Bea Gandica, a computer scientist, to talk about all the hacking, ghost flights, and of course Cipher and the Gods Eye. Listen in to answers to important questions like: What does hacking look like in real life? Did Tej go to a coding boot camp at some point? Was the wrecking ball a good idea? Learn more about the

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01:07:00

7: Serious 7, with a psychologist

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2023/11/19

Melissa and Lisa break down the physics nonsense in Furious 7. Can you jump between skyscrapers in a car? What happens when you drop cars out of an airplane with only a parachute? Clinical psychologist Dr. Drea Letamendi joins for a discussion about grief and forgiveness. How important is found family? Should Dom be in therapy? How does Brian's ending help us process Paul Walker's death? Check out Dr. Drea's website! Follow her on Instagram! And listen to her podcast The Arkham Sessions. Read the

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51:41

44: Paleontology

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2023/11/17

James and Melissa chat about the megafauna of The Mandalorian with Dr. Stuart Sumida. Stuart is a paleontologist, a teacher, and a science consultant for movies, TV shows, and video games. He answers questions for us, including: Do mythosaurs use echolocation? How many Mandalorians would those raptor babies be able to eat in one sitting? Would riding on a horse-wolf actually be comfortable? Follow Stuart on Twitter! Hear Stuart's interview on NPR's Short Wave podcast Listen back to episode 22

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01:05:32

6: Fast & Curious 6, with a movie locations expert

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2023/10/20

Fast & Furious 6 gives us perhaps the most physics-defying hijinks of the franchise. Dom's leap of faith, him taking a bullet, and that epically long runway - there's a lot to discuss. Melissa and Lisa also chat with locations scout Kerry Patten, who worked on the movie. Hear from her about the logistics of filming a car chase in the streets of (not actually) London. Here's an article calculating just how long the runway would have to be. And writer Chris Morgan's response is fun too. Kerry shared

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53:05

43: Music and Melodies

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2023/10/17

Let's look at the music of Star Wars! So much of what we associate with the galaxy far, far away is connected to the soundtracks composed by John Williams. We take a look at the diagetic music of the films, from the cantina band tracks to the celebratory songs by Ewoks and Gungans. We also examine the common musical themes that John Williams built into the audio DNA of the saga, as well as musical pieces that may have influenced Williams in his composition. Our guest expert is Dr. Jason Giachetti,

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01:16:58

5: Facts Five, with city planning and visual effects...

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2023/10/08

Melissa and Lisa welcome two guest experts to cover Fast Five, the movie that really accelerates the franchise into greatness. Prison escapes, train heists, and a bank vault crashing through the streets of Rio make up the action, but the movie is also about family (of course) and reunites some of our favorite characters. A city planner and a visual effects artist who worked on Tokyo Drift join our podcast family in this high speed episode! Here's a great behind the scenes video about the practical

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58:22

4: Fast & Physics, with a medical doctor

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2023/09/26

Melissa and Lisa discuss Fast & Furious, the fourth movie in the Fast saga. The car chases and stakes are finally high! Letty's (maybe) dead! Dom is bulletproof! Lots to discuss. Melissa and Lisa also welcome Dr. Jackson Vane to the show to discuss medical issues throughout the franchise, including the most important question - how are these characters even still alive??! Check out Jackson's Hi Everybody! A Bad Medicine podcast including the episode about Hobbs & Shaw! And follow Jackson's podcast

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44:07

42: Blue Food Science

Star Warsologies: A Podcast About Science and Star Wars ·

2023/09/20

We chat blue food in Star Wars and here on Earth, where's it's not nearly as prevelant. Dr. Changqi Liu from San Diego State University shares his expertise about flowers, berries, and other foods. But does he know why blue raspberry flavoring exists? Cook up some blue noodles, pour yourself a glass of blue milk, and enjoy! More about butterfly pea flower lemonade! More about color-changing gin! Find out more about Changqi's research! Subscribe and never miss an episode of Star

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