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PODCAST

Taboo Science

Ashley Hamer Pritchard

Taboo Science is a podcast that answers the questions you"re not allowed to ask. It"s hosted by Ashley Hame 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 class had one of those anonymous question

science social sciences

All Episodes

32:00

Trans 101: Everything You Think You Know (But...

Taboo Science ·

2025/10/02

(00:00:00) Introduction: The "born in the wrong body" trope(00:02:37) Aaron Devor introduction (00:03:30) Riley Black introduction (00:04:16) Transgender definition and prevalence (00:06:12) Why are more young people trans? (00:08:16) Why are people trans in the first place? (00:12:14) "Egg cracks" (00:15:22) BREAK (00:15:37) Sex, gender, and gender expression (00:18:09) Hibby Thach introduction (00:19:57) Gender expression in cis people (00:21:11) Gender dysphoria (00:24:35) Medical transition:

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03:10

Housekeeping: Audience Survey Results + Taboo Science...

Taboo Science ·

2025/07/07

Still working on Season 5 (Trans Science!). In the meantime, go to https://patreon.com/tabooscience to support the show—and get updates and behind-the-scenes tidbits as I work.

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01:10

Announcement — Action Requested

Taboo Science ·

2025/05/19

To find out next season's theme and be entered to win a $50 Amazon(?) gift card, fill out the Taboo Science listener survey here: https://bit.ly/43gcMAhConnect with the show:Leave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscienceNewsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tabooscience Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/ Leave a review and rating here:

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42:40

Introducing: CRAMPED

Taboo Science ·

2025/03/25

CRAMPED is an investigative podcastthat answers the question "Why are so many people with uteruses in unexplained & untreated pain?"Listen to the entire season here: https://pod.link/1778101696

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29:00

Philias Bonus: The Q&A Episode

Taboo Science ·

2024/07/25

You requested and I delivered: I'm answering your Philias questions on the podcast. With the help of interviewer and podcast industry extraordinaire Arielle Nissenblatt, learn about the most controversial episodes, fascinating facts that didn't make it into the show, how I got people to talk about this stuff, and whether my mom listens (she absolutely does). Resources from Arielle:Earbuds Podcast Collective: https://earbuds.audio/ Twitter: https://x.com/arithisandthatThreads:

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36:21

Philias: Foot Fetishes Kick the Stigma

Taboo Science ·

2024/07/11

Ever wondered why some people have a thing for feet? In this final Philias episode, we're flying feet first into foot fetishes. Social psychologist Dr. Justin Lehmiller breaks down the origins of fetishes (and the truth to that "crossed wires in the brain" factoid), while writer and "Educatrix" Tina Horn gives us the lowdown on why feet can be such a turn-on. We also step into the cultural aspects of foot fascination and debunk some common misconceptions. Whether you're a foot fanatic yourself or

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39:59

Introducing: Spellbound and Gagged (Plus an...

Taboo Science ·

2024/07/04

Spellbound and Gagged is a podcast about all things that fascinate, unsettle, and disgust. It's back from hiatus with an episode all about the sex cult NASA doesn't want you to know about. Subscribe here: https://episodes.fm/1653440593In other news: Ashley is planning a final episode where she's interviewed all about how she makes Taboo Science, the most controversial episodes this season, and other exciting things. Do you have questions you want to hear answered? Email her at

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27:16

Philias: 7 Kinks That Push the Envelope

Taboo Science ·

2024/06/27

Consider today's episode a sampler platter of unconventional kinks. We're talking exhibitionism, financial domination, wet and messy fun, fat fetishes, lactation fascination, golden showers, and even the fantasy world of vore. Don't worry, we're keeping it classy (well, as classy as you can when discussing people who get off on being peed on). Whether you're a seasoned kinkster or vanilla as they come, this episode is guaranteed to teach you something fascinating about human desire. Just don't blame

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34:58

Philias: Diapers, Age Play, and the Psychology of ABDL

Taboo Science ·

2024/06/13

You've definitely wondered why some grown adults like to wear diapers—so let's get into it. In today's episode, we rip off the velcro to understand the world of of ABDL (Adult Baby/Diaper Lovers) and uncover the diverse desires and expressions within this often misunderstood community. From the psychological and emotional aspects to the truly prolific amount of gear options, we explore what draws people to this kink and how it can be a source of comfort, coping, and even healing. With the help of

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35:07

Philias: Zoophilia and the Hidden Community That's...

Taboo Science ·

2024/05/30

Get ready to learn about the underground and frequently misunderstood world of zoophilia. With the help of paraphilia researcher Alexandra Zidenberg and hosts of the zoophile podcast Zooier Than Thou, we'll unravel what it really means to be attracted to animals. We'll learn what it is that attracts "zoos" to non-human animals, explore the hot-button issue of animal consent, wrestle with the ethics of bestiality, understand the incredible diversity within the zoophile community itself, and hear

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35:01

Philias: Cuckolding Is More Than Just Cheating

Taboo Science ·

2024/05/16

"Cuck" is way more than an internet insult. In this episode of Taboo Science, we're stepping out and diving in to cuckolding, the real-life kink and lifestyle all about the thrill of your partner sleeping with someone else. Join us as we chat with clinical psychologist Dr. David Ley and popular cuckolding podcaster Venus Cuckoldress, who shed light on the psychological quirks and deep emotional connections in this often misunderstood practice. We're also breaking down how it all plays into the

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32:49

Philias: Why Pup Play Appeals to Grown Adults

Taboo Science ·

2024/05/02

Fox News recoils at the idea of pup play—but we're looking closer. In this episode of Taboo Science, we dive into the fascinating subculture of humans who enjoy roleplaying as puppies. We'll explore the origins of this kink, from post-WWII leather culture to the rise of online pup communities, and learn what draws people to don a pup hood and bark. Kink researcher Dr. Liam Wignall and sex educator and pup play enthusiast Pup Amp share insights on the gear, the headspace, and the joys and challenges

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35:17

Philias: Furry Isn't a Fetish (Most of the Time)

Taboo Science ·

2024/04/18

The furry fandom gets a bad rap. But on this episode, we're digging beneath the stereotypes to uncover the truth about this misunderstood community. We'll chat with furry researcher Dr. Courtney Plante along with Riley Black, a science writer and a furry herself, to explore what the furry culture is really all about, from the artistry of fursuits to the appeal of fursonas. And yes, we'll go there—investigating whether being a furry is actually a fetish (spoiler alert: for most, it's not, but for the

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37:41

Philias: Why Do People Like BDSM? ("It Was Like...

Taboo Science ·

2024/04/04

Whips, chains, and... legal pads? In this episode of Taboo Science, we dive deep into the world of BDSM to explore its long history, the science behind subspace, the submissive rich guy stereotype, and why aftercare is essential for everyone (even vanilla folks!). With help from paraphilia researcher Dr. Christian Joyal, the Ask a Sub podcast's Lina Dune, and the Loving BDSM podcast's Kayla Lords and John Brownstone, we're debunking misconceptions and shedding light on the reality of safe,

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32:29

Philias: How Many Kinks Exist? The Science of Kinks...

Taboo Science ·

2024/03/21

It's here! The premiere episode of Taboo Science's new miniseries "Philias": an exploration into the science of kinks and fetishes. In this 101 episode, we learn the difference between a kink, fetish, paraphilia, and paraphilic disorder; we'll take a tour of the many, many kinds of kink that exist; and we'll find out what scientists know about where these desires come from—and what they don't know. With insights from renowned paraphilia researcher Christian Joyal and pornstar/internet celebrity/kink

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03:01

Coming Soon: Philias from Taboo Science

Taboo Science ·

2024/03/01

Philias is a new miniseries from Taboo Science about the quirky, colorful world of kinks and fetishes. The first episode drops on March 21 — hit the follow/subscribe button in your podcast app of choice to make sure you get it. Citation for the first sentence: https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2016.1139034 Connect with the show:Newsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience Twitter:

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32:12

RERUN: Necrophilia (with Dr. Victoria Sullivan & Dr....

Taboo Science ·

2023/10/26

Think necrophilia is just creepy morticians and serial killers? Think again. With the help of psychologist Dr. Victoria Hartmann and neuroscientist Jens Foell, this rerun episode explores the wide spectrum of death and dying fetishes, from Disney movies to consensual roleplay. Dive into Dr. Hartmann’s research on members of online necrophilia communities, and examine how necrophilic acts after murders often aren’t sexually motivated. The conversation covers the fuzzy legal lines around necrophilia,

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40:30

Attraction to Monsters (with Ella Gallego)

Taboo Science ·

2023/10/19

Beauty and the Beast. Twilight. The Shape of Water. What do these stories have in common? Humans and monsters getting down and dirty. This episode explores the surprising psychology behind "monsterf*ckers" — people attracted to creatures like vampires, werewolves, and tentacled beasts. Hear from researcher Ella Gallego about her study on monstrous desire, which reveals how and why women and LGBTQ+ people are particularly entranced by these inhuman love interests. We’ll trace the history of monster

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37:55

Animal Testing (with Dr. Katherine Roe & Dr. Emily...

Taboo Science ·

2023/10/05

We've all heard the arguments against animal testing: it's cruel, it's unethical. But you may not know the dirty truth: it doesn't even work most of the time. This week on Taboo Science, we dive deep into the animal testing controversy. We talk to researchers and neuroscientists Dr. Katherine Roe and Dr. Emily Trunnell from PETA’s Science Advancement and Outreach Division about unethical experiments and flawed disease models. While scientists all over the world still rely on animal data, new

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22:44

Introducing: How to Do the Pot

Taboo Science ·

2023/09/28

We're back between episodes with a quick feed drop! Taboo Science will return next week.How to Do the Pot is a fun weekly show helping you dabble in weed — and feel confident about cannabis for health, well-being, and for fun!Episodes of How to Do the Pot share stories from women who have turned to cannabis for stress, sleep, pain relief, or better sex. If you’ve got questions that range from “what is good weed?” to “what is good weed for sex”,host Ellen Scanlon has you covered, along with

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