Learn about why people do things because they’re popular; how “Star Wars”-style holograms are becoming a reality; and, how you can avoid four productivity pitfalls and assess how productive you actually are.

Learn how to stay sane at work by taking a microvacation; an easy trick for building the best savings plan; and why sand is one of the most important materials in human civilization — and why we’re running out of it.

Learn about why officials in Idaho once dropped beavers from parachutes, how your romantic partner might be influencing your goals (and vice versa), and test your podcast knowledge with this month’s Curiosity Challenge trivia game.

Learn how dandelions taught researchers a new way of flying that was previously unknown to science. Then, learn how a happy marriage can make you physically healthier. You’ll also learn about curiosity in the workplace — and some of the unseen benefits of your own curiosity — from INSEAD Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour Spencer Harrison.

Learn about new research into whether you can change your personality; why historians are stumped over the history of the Ainu, Japan’s indigenous people; and why you jerk awake while you’re falling asleep.

Learn about the medical history of using leeches; potty training cows to help the environment; and the math behind eggs.

This time-saving method has nothing to do with farmers.

Learn about how the overview effect changes your perspective when you leave Earth; why the Calder Mercury Fountain in Barcelona pumps out pure liquid mercury; and, how researchers came up with a set of core beliefs that measure how you feel about the world.

Learn about psychedelics research in the 1950s; cold shower benefits; and an inaccurate stereotype about the only child.

Learn about whether bee venom therapy is safe; how people cleaned their teeth throughout history; and how you can use the Fogg Method to change your bad habits.

Learn about praising competitors; star stuff and gravity assists with the hosts of Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe; and the strange history rock paper scissors.

These two popular dinosaurs never crossed paths.

Learn about the mystery of how Tibetan monks seem to keep meditating after death; and a woolly mammoth that walked VERY far.

Learn about how sleep may have evolved before the brain; why airports keep birds of prey on staff; and what would happen if you stopped time.

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