Curiosity Daily Podcast: Incompetent Boss Traits, a Backyard Volcano, and Meditation’s Lasting Brain Boost

Learn about the benefits of living near a volcano; different types of carbonated water; and how to procrastinate right.

Learn about how watching Spider-Man may reduce arachnophobia; how the biggest volcano eruption in history may have made one of the world’s most classic horror stories possible; and a 100-point plan to organize your day to get more done.

In this podcast, Cody Gough and Ashley Hamer discuss the following stories to help you get smarter and learn something new in just a few minutes:

Learn about an island “geomyth” that helped researchers solve an ancient mystery; and whether truth serum really works.

Iceland has an international reputation as a nation of ice and fire – majestic glaciers mixed with explosive volcanic activity.

Today, you’ll learn about a massively mysterious volcanic explosion that literally sent shockwaves around the world, how salty batteries are set to sweeten the competition in the energy storage industry, and how scientists have no idea why animals keep evolving into crabs.

Learn about the scientific reasons why people either love or hate horror movies; the surprising way life expectancy affects population growth; and, where you can catch the Orionids meteor shower this weekend.

These intelligent African giant pouched rats are helping humans save lives through search and rescue missions while wearing tiny backpacks.

Learn why scientists are worried about roommate drama in space and why your most important sense depends on the language you speak. Plus, Adler Planetarium’s Aubrey Henretty and Chris Bresky discuss The Aquarius Project, a teen-driven underwater ROV meteorite hunt led by experts from the Adler Planetarium, the Shedd Aquarium, The Field Museum, and NASA.

Learn about how archaeologists are solving a prehistoric poop problem; what leads people to be “cultural omnivores”; and an easy trick for telling stars and planets apart when you’re stargazing.