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PODCAST

Taboo Science

Ashley Hamer Pritchard

AMBIE NOMINATED FOR BEST INDIE PODCAST 2026 | Taboo Science is a podcast that answers the questions you"re not allowed to ask. It"s hosted by Ashley Hamer Pritchard, a science writer and podcaster. Every episode dives into a different societal taboo to understand the science that makes it tick, the reasons we don"t talk about it, and the impact that has on society at large. Why don"t we eat people? Why are my swear words different than my parents"? And what makes porn, porn? It"s science class if

science social sciences

All Episodes

01:02:59

Introducing: Based on a True Story

Taboo Science ·

2023/06/08

Taboo Science will continue next week with a regularly scheduled episode, but I wanted to give a nod to Pride Month by sharing a podcast episode I love from the show Based on a True Story. Subscribe to Based on a True Story here: https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/follow/

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34:23

Breastfeeding (with Bridget McGann & Sascha Mayer)

Taboo Science ·

2023/06/01

Did you know lactation is older than the dinosaurs? Latch onto the mysteries of breastfeeding with help from lactation scientist Bridget McGann and Mamava co-founder Sascha Mayer in today's episode, which delves into the incredible components of breastmilk, the way that feeding itself influences a baby's development, the debate between breastfeeding versus formula feeding, and why workplace support for pumping can be the single thing that keeps a mother breastfeeding. Plus: why have we seen so many

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38:22

Poop (with Bryn Nelson, Ph.D.)

Taboo Science ·

2023/05/18

Grab your squatty potty and put your squeamishness aside: we're going elbow-deep into human waste with science journalist and author Bryn Nelson. This episode digs into the microbiome, probiotics, and fecal transplants. It uncovers the surprising benefits and uses of human waste, from healing autoimmune conditions to fertilizing crops, and even the ancient practice of collecting and selling 'night soil'. Also: how many synonyms for poop can Ashley stomach? Find out.Pick up "Flush: The Remarkable

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34:57

Asexuality (with Canton Winer & Sarah Costello)

Taboo Science ·

2023/05/04

This week, we challenge the common perceptions of attraction and explore the complexities of asexuality. Sociology PhD candidate Canton Weiner shares invaluable insights from his research while Sarah Costello, co-host of the podcast "Sounds Fake, But Okay," opens up about her personal experience being aro-ace, or aromantic asexual. We examine the split attraction model and shed light on various types of attraction, delve into the history of asexuality with pioneers like Magnus Hirschfeld and Alfred

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31:25

Addiction (with Judy Grisel, Ph.D.)

Taboo Science ·

2023/04/20

Today we're diving into the world of addiction and drug use with Judy Grisel, a behavioral neuroscientist who's been down the road of addiction herself. We'll cover why humans are so drawn to altering our consciousness with chemicals, how addictive drugs affect our brains, and some common misconceptions about drug use. Plus, we'll explore the factors that contribute to addiction, like age, genetics, and even random chance.Judy Grisel's book is "Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of

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02:18

Season 3 Is Coming

Taboo Science ·

2023/03/09

The long wait is nearly over — Season 3 drops on 4/20.Taboo Science is a podcast that answers the questions you’re not allowed to ask. It’s hosted by Ashley Hamer, a science writer and podcaster. Every episode dives into a different societal taboo to understand the science that makes it tick, the reasons we don’t talk about it, and the impact that has on society at large. Why don’t we eat people? Why is it impolite to talk about money? And if drugs are so bad, how did addiction evolve? It’s science

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22:19

Butts (with Dr. Jeanne Bovet)

Taboo Science ·

2021/09/23

Why do we have such big butts? Why does society admire women's butts more than men's? And what does race have to do with all this? Featuring Dr. Jeanne Bovet, senior lecturer at Northumbria University in Newcastle. https://www.jeannebovet.com/ See citations and a transcript for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e12-butts/ Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter/ Follow Taboo Science: https://twitter.com/tabooscience

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31:10

Disability (with Emily Ladau)

Taboo Science ·

2021/09/09

It affects 1 billion people worldwide, so why is disability considered a niche issue? How can we make life easier for people with disabilities? And what does any of this have to do with As Seen on TV products? Featuring Emily Ladau, disability rights activist and author of the new book, “Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally.” Pick it up here: https://amzn.to/3heTUKF See citations and a transcript for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e11-disability/

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29:17

Depression (with Dr. Gerard Sanacora)

Taboo Science ·

2021/08/26

What is depression, really? Do antidepressants actually work? And how can ketamine and psilocybin possibly help? Featuring Gerard Sanacora, director of the Yale Depression Research Program and Co-director of the Yale Interventional Psychiatry Service. See citations for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e10-depression/ Subscribe to the BRAND NEW newsletter! https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter/ Follow Taboo Science: https://twitter.com/tabooscience

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34:49

Body Hair (with Rebecca Herzig)

Taboo Science ·

2021/08/12

Why do we remove our body hair? Why do humans have less hair than our primate cousins? And why was Darwin obsessed with beards? Featuring Rebecca Herzig, author of "Plucked: A History of Hair Removal." Pick it up here: https://amzn.to/3Csj819 See citations for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e9-body-hair/ Subscribe to the BRAND NEW newsletter! https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter/ Follow Taboo Science: https://twitter.com/tabooscience https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience/

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39:48

Hormones (with Randi Hutter Epstein, M.D.)

Taboo Science ·

2021/07/29

They're complex, mysterious, and easy to blame for everything from unexplained symptoms to seemingly superhuman abilities. Find out how we discovered hormones, what they do inside of us, and who's really controlling who. Featuring Randi Hutter Epstein author of "Aroused, the History of Hormones and How They Control Just About Everything." Pick it up here: https://amzn.to/3f93P3l See citations for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e8-hormones/ Follow Taboo Science:

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37:45

Critical Race Theory (with Janel George)

Taboo Science ·

2021/07/15

Are kids really learning critical race theory in class? What IS critical race theory, anyway? And why is it so uncomfortable to talk about race? Featuring Janel George, associate professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center and founding director of the Racial Equity in Education Policy Clinic. Click here to see citations for this episode! Follow Taboo Science on Twitter and Instagram. Visit tabooscience.show for more. Taboo Science is written and produced by Ashley Hamer. Theme music by

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35:24

Money (with Ted Klontz, Ph.D.)

Taboo Science ·

2021/07/01

Why is it impolite to talk about money? Why are many of us uncomfortable with our own money habits? And how do we change things? Featuring Ted Klontz, Ph.D., director of the Financial Psychology Institute and associate professor of Practice and Financial Psychology at Creighton University. See citations for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e6-money/ Follow Taboo Science: https://twitter.com/tabooscience https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience/ Visit tabooscience.show for more. Taboo

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39:50

Head Transplants (with Dr. Brandy Schillace)

Taboo Science ·

2021/06/17

Why don't we have head transplants? Why would someone need one? And how much of you is in your head — and how much is everywhere else? Featuring Dr. Brandy Schillace, author of the book “Mr. Humble and Dr. Butcher: A Monkey's Head, the Pope's Neuroscientist, and the Quest to Transplant the Soul.” Pick it up here: https://amzn.to/2TniY91 See citations for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e5-head-transplants/ Follow Taboo Science: https://twitter.com/tabooscience

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38:42

STIs (with Ina Park, MD)

Taboo Science ·

2021/06/03

How long have STIs been around? Why don't we have anything higher-tech than the condom? And when did we stop saying "STD," anyway? Featuring Ina Park, MD, associate professor at the UC San Francisco School of Medicine and author of the book "Strange Bedfellows: Adventures in the Science, History, and Surprising Secrets of STDs." Pick it up here: https://amzn.to/3uGrs8h See citations for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e4-stis/ Follow Taboo Science: https://twitter.com/tabooscience

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36:18

Bodily Fluids (with Erika Engelhaupt)

Taboo Science ·

2021/05/20

Snot and pee and earwax, oh my! Why are we so full of gross substances? What do our fluids do for us? And is there really a chemical to catch people peeing in the pool? Featuring Erika Engelhaupt, a science writer and editor and author of the new book “Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science." Find it here: https://amzn.to/3eUFxdw See citations for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e3-bodilyfluilds Follow Taboo Science: https://twitter.com/tabooscience

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39:28

Ageism (with Dr. Hannah Swift)

Taboo Science ·

2021/05/06

Why do we tease each other about getting old? Why don't you see 70-year-olds partying with 20-year-olds? What age is "old," anyway? Featuring Dr. Hannah Swift, a senior lecturer in Social and Organizational Psychology at the University of Kent in the UK. See citations for this episode: https://www.tabooscience.show/s2e2-ageism/ Follow Taboo Science: https://twitter.com/tabooscience https://www.facebook.com/tabooscience https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience/ Visit tabooscience.show for more.

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33:01

Eating Animals (with Dr. Melanie Joy)

Taboo Science ·

2021/04/22

Why do we treat some animals as food and others as family? Is animal agriculture really as bad as vegans say it is? And if I want to change things, is veganism my only option? Featuring Melanie Joy, social psychologist, founding president of the NGO Beyond Carnism, and author of "Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows." Click here to see citations for this episode! Follow Taboo Science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Suggest a taboo

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40:01

Marriage (with Stephanie Coontz)

Taboo Science ·

2021/03/25

What was the original purpose of marriage? What's up with all those wedding traditions? And what makes a marriage last? Featuring Stephanie Coontz, researcher and author of Marriage, a History: How Love Conquered Marriage. Click here to see citations for this episode! Follow Taboo Science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Suggest a taboo topic via ashley@tabooscience.show. Visit tabooscience.show for more. Taboo Science is written

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38:10

Dying (with Jennie Dear)

Taboo Science ·

2021/03/11

How will most of us die? How do our expectations of death go wrong? How can we all have a good death? Featuring Jennie Dear, author of “What Does It Feel Like to Die?: Inspiring New Insights into the Experience of Dying."Click here to see citations for this episode!Follow Taboo Science on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.Suggest a taboo topic via ashley@tabooscience.show.Visit tabooscience.show for more.Taboo Science is written and produced

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72 results

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