Shows / Chemistry For Your Life
Chemistry For Your Life
A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life. Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life! In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way…
Episodes
Chemistry For Your LifeHow can sunlight turn into electricity?
#021 Rebroadcast This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of solar energy. How do we capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity? Is it as…
Chemistry For Your LifeHow do ADHD and Adderall™ change the chemistry in our brains?
#134 Well newsflash, the brain is complicated. And a surprising amount of what's going on in our brains is chemistry. But what about ADHD? What's happening in…
Chemistry For Your LifeBonus: Animals have tears? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 30 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about lobsters, crying, lightning…
Chemistry For Your LifeIs crying chemistry? (the fascinating science of tears)
#133 Have you ever wondered what tears are? If not, is it because you think you already know? Chances are, you don't actually know what tears are! It's…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhy does rain smell?
#029 Rebroadcast What's that smell? This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of smell. Now a lot of smell science has to do with our physiology and…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhy do lobsters turn red? (when we cook them)
#132 When you think of lobsters, you probably always imagine them being red. But they're only actually red after they die, or more specifically, after we cook…
Chemistry For Your LifeBonus: What do sunscreen and paint have in common? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 29 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about soda bubbles, mentos, raisins…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhy do sodas explode? (when we shake them)
#131 We've all shaken up a carbonated drink, either accidentally or on purpose, so we all know what happens. But why? Why does simply shaking it agitate the…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhy is the sky blue?
#034 Rebroadcast This week, Melissa and Jam explore the oldest question in the book. But we're not going to answer it. Just kidding. Why the HECK is the sky…
Chemistry For Your LifeBonus: Chemistry and Greek myths? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 28 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about greek myth analogies, hydrogen…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhy do we use hydrogen peroxide? (and should we?)
#130 For many people, hydrogen peroxide has been an essential first aid tool. Should it be? And before we answer that question, what even is hydrogen peroxide?…
Chemistry For Your LifeHow does bleach remove color?
#031 Rebroadcast How does bleach bleach stuff? Oh and also, what even is color? This week Melissa and Jam investigate these questions. What's the molecular…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhy are blue jeans actually dyed yellow?
#129 Are you sitting down? Because we've got some news for you. Those blue jeans you own, they weren't actually dyed blue. They were dyed YELLOW. That doesn't…
Chemistry For Your LifeBonus: Is higher pH water better? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 27 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about stretching molecules, stigmas…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhy do Pop Rocks pop?
#128 If you know what pop rocks are, then this episode will answer one of the greatest mysteries of your childhood. And if you've never heard of pop rocks…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhat are antioxidants and are they even good for you?
#022 Rebroadcast This week, Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of antioxidants. What are they? Is it just magical stuff they put in sport drinks and workout…
Chemistry For Your LifeHow does Benzoyl Peroxide fight acne?
#127 If you've ever had acne, you've probably tried some creams or washes with "benzoyl peroxide" somewhere on the label. How is it that this specific…
Chemistry For Your LifeBonus: How do gasses dissolve in liquid? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 26 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about fluoride, decaf coffee…
Chemistry For Your LifeHow is coffee decaffeinated?
#126 Coffee Part 3! So we all know coffee has caffeine in it. But what if you want your coffee... without the caffeine? Is that as impossible as wanting to…
Chemistry For Your LifeHow does caffeine make you not sleepy?
#059 Rebroadcast Ok so, caffeine. Some of us live on the stuff, and others of us want nothing to do with it. There's a lot of things caffeine can do to our…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhy do tires go flat in the winter?
#125 Well you've probably been there. It's the first significantly cold day of the season, and you turn your car on and the tire pressure light comes on. This…
Chemistry For Your LifeBonus: Blood in pool water? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 25 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about antacids, imposter syndrome, ice…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhy do we roast coffee?
#124 Coffee Part 2! So before we brew coffee, it gets roasted. What is roasting you might ask? Well it's pretty much the stage where all the magic is…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhy do leaves change color in the fall?
#065 Rebroadcast It's Fall! You know why they call Fall Fall? Well because the leaves fall. But before that, the leaves change color. Why do they do that? How?…
Chemistry For Your LifeHow is brewing coffee chemistry?
#123 The long overdue cracking open of the door into the chemistry of coffee! First, the chemistry of what happens when you brew coffee. Check it out! How to…
Chemistry For Your LifeFall Mini 07 - Who is and isn't a chemist?
#122 What makes someone a chemist? At what point does someone become one? Is it a defined line or is it a blurry one? Melissa shares some thoughts, as well as…
Chemistry For Your LifeFall Mini 06 - What is imposter syndrome? (with Vianet Garza)
#121 This week we have a very special guest, Vianet Garza (LPC). She's going to talk us through something that's common in chemistry, science, and likely every…
Chemistry For Your LifeFall Mini 05 - Is BPA really that bad for you?
#120 This week we received an interesting email about BPA from listener and retired chemistry teacher Danny. Let's get into it. How to start a podcast. <-…
Chemistry For Your LifeGreen Fire?!
Rebroadcast #015 This week Melissa and Jam explore a Halloween-themed topic, perfectly-timed for the fact that our episode air date happened to land on…
Chemistry For Your LifeFall Mini 04 - Icebreakers
#119 It's time to break some ice. How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen! Find us on Instagram…
Chemistry For Your LifeFall Mini 03 - How chemistry revolutionized baking (For Melissa)
#118 Are you an avid baker? Melissa's baking discovery may be as revolutionary for you as it was for her. How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've…
Chemistry For Your LifeFall Mini 02 - The biochemistry of sugar?
#116 Let's hear more about sugar from the perspective of biochemist, Caibe Alves. How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you…
Chemistry For Your LifeFall Mini 01 - Vanilla and beaver butts?
#116 Does vanilla come from beaver butts? Our merch store is open until October 21! -> http://bonfire.com/store/chemforyourlife/ How to start a podcast. <-…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhat is vanilla? (and imitation vanilla?)
#115 Well we've all had vanilla. And if you have a tongue then you probably like it. But the question we've all wondered each time we're baking something is…
Chemistry For Your LifeHow do Tums make us feel better? (And why do they make us burp?)
#114 Tums, alka seltzer, and other antacids: they're simple, they've been around for a long time, but they're a tried and true method for helping our stomachs…
Chemistry For Your LifeBonus: Does elevation affect airbags? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 24 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about breathalyzers, high fructose…
Chemistry For Your LifeIs there BPA in my receipt? And is that bad?
#113 What if BPA was in something more ordinary and everywhere than a water bottle? Something seemingly innocent and inconspicuous? Like a receipt? Wouldn't…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhat does BPA free really mean?
#112 Every time you buy a plastic water bottle or something, you probably see a sticker that says "BPA free." Pretty good news right? I mean who knows? But…
Chemistry For Your LifeHow do breathalyzers detect alcohol?
#111 How can machines tell how much alcohol is in our blood, simply from checking our breath? Is it magic, or is it chemistry? I think you know the answer to…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhat is the ozone layer?
#110 We've all heard about it. And most likely you've heard that it's in danger. But what is the ozone layer in the first place? And once we learn that, how…
Chemistry For Your LifeBonus: How does weed killer not kill grass? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 23 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about sugar, high fructose corn syrup…
Chemistry For Your LifeHow much urine is in an olympic size swimming pool?
#109 Well it's no secret. Some people like to make the relaxing, refreshing environment of a pool into a toilet. It's a problem that's probably existed just as…
Chemistry For Your LifeIs high fructose corn syrup bad for you?
#108 It's got high fructose, it's somehow from corn, and it's in syrup form. What's not to like? Well maybe a lot. Or maybe not. Is it worse than sugar? Is it…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhat is in magic erasers? (and should you clean your teeth with them?)
#107 By now you've already probably experienced the magic of magic erasers. But what IS the magic? How does it erase what other things cannot? And if you don't…
Chemistry For Your LifeHow do candles burn? (and how do you light them with smoke?)
#106 Candles are simple enough right? Probably nothing crazy going on right? Wrong. Where does all the wax go? And how does the wick just keep on burning so…
- Chemistry For Your Life
Chemistry at Home: Candle Magic
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 15 Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see…
Chemistry For Your LifeHow do batteries power our electronics?
#105 Batteries. The mysterious little cylinders that have powered our essentials and fun for decades. How in the world do they work? What's the chemistry…
Chemistry For Your LifeBonus: How do candy colors not mix? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 22 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about dyes, onions, soaps, candies…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhat is cheese? And what does it have in common with soap?
#104 Seriously what the heck is cheese? It's a question we've all wondered, but most of us only ever know that it's from milk—but what else? How do we turn…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhat is hyaluronic acid and is it magical?
#103 What do roosters' combs and cows' eyeballs have that our skin needs? Let's add another chapter to the chemistry of skin care. Today we explore a special…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhat is benzene and why is it in my sunscreen?
#102 Well there's more to sunscreen than we thought. Like some super recent not so great info, about something called benzene. This is another example of the…
Chemistry For Your LifeChemistry at home: Elephant's Toothpaste
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 14 Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see…
Chemistry For Your LifeHow are airbags made of chemicals?
#101 Ok we all get it, they save our lives, and they aren't just a really good Radiohead song. But HOW? Most of us never even need to experience airbags, which…
Chemistry For Your LifeBonus: Why do bug bites itch? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 21 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about bug bites, histamine, jellyfish…
Chemistry For Your LifeCHEMISTRY QUIZ: Is Jam actually learning this stuff??
#100 For episode 100, it's time for a TEST. Jam has been learning chemistry every week for 100 weeks, but what does he know? What does he remember? Let's put…
Chemistry For Your LifeDo anti-aging products work?
#099 The ads are everywhere. Trying to convince us to buy something to prevent or undo the wrinkles and skin damage that comes with aging. But can those…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhat’s the future of antihistamines?
#098 Could histamine and antihistamines do more than just affect our allergies? Actually yes. Today we discuss new and recent research in the world of…
Chemistry For Your LifeChemistry at Home: Lifesavers in the Dark
Bonus Episode: Chemistry at Home 13 Here's another bonus episode dedicated to teaching a specific chemistry experiment you can do at home. This month, we see…
Chemistry For Your LifeWhy are seasonal allergies the worst?
#097 Most of us know the feeling. But what are we actually experiencing when we experience allergies? How does being around plants and pollen make us all…
- Chemistry For Your Life
Bonus: What color is grass at night? (and other questions)
Bonus Episode: Question and Response 20 In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about color changing markers, electron…