Cool Stuff Daily

Cool Stuff Daily covers the most interesting and coolest stories in the world of science, progress, life-hacks, memes, exciting art, and hope. This is the antidote to depressing headlines. Smart stuff in podcast form. Cool news, as a service. Hosted by Reggie Risseeuw and Marques Pfaff.

Last refreshed: March 1st, 2026 at 2:33 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Fri. 05/22 - Is There Any Safe Way to Socialize IRL?

More on that study projecting 36,000 people could have been saved if the US had locked down sooner. How to safely socialize, if you choose to do so. Bots are spreading coronavirus conspiracy theories on Twitter. And, Pac-Man turns 40 today. The hottest new renewable resource on the moon: astronaut’s pee. The twenty-five-year-old skin care consultant fielding Elon Musk’s missed calls. And some recommended videos to watch this weekend. Links: Antimalarial drug touted by President Trump is linked t...

May 22, 2020•22 min

Thu. 05/21 - CDC Updates Guidelines on Touching Surfaces

The CDC updates their guidelines on the spread of the virus via surfaces. Is it safe to go swimming? How much of an effect does population density have on the spread of the disease? Plus, throwing cold water on that “NASA discovers a parallel universe” story. Some tips to improve your walking. And the most heartwarming YouTube channel to go viral in a long time. Links: Coronavirus 'does not spread easily' by touching surfaces or objects, CDC now says. But it still 'may be possible.' (USA Today) ...

May 21, 2020•22 min

Wed. 05/20 - How A.I. Can Help Us Develop a Vaccine More Quickly

U.S. states are all reopening in some fashion this week. How AI-powered biotech can speed up the vaccine development process. And COVID-19 patients are running their own surveys to show the true effects of the disease. Plus, a livestream from Stonehenge. Chuck E. Cheese’s new front. And a British man who has turned one hundred, gotten a book deal, topped the music charts, and been knighted all in the last two months. Links: Airlines see signs of higher demand but pandemic clouds outlook (CNBC) O...

May 20, 2020•19 min

Tue. 05/19 - Where Tests Abound, Why Aren't People Getting Them?

Testing is expanding in the US, but people aren’t showing up. More findings on people who test positive again after recovering. And "bumper tables" for social distancing. Plus, debunking misconceptions about the 1918 flu pandemic, why we might be seeing an animation renaissance, and is Etsy the new Grubhub? Links: Initial surge in news use around coronavirus in the UK has been followed by significant increase in news avoidance (Reuters Institute) Thinking of Buying a Bike? Get Ready for a Very L...

May 19, 2020•21 min

Mon. 05/18 - Phase One of Moderna's Vaccine Trial Looks Promising

Promising results from the Moderna vaccine trials. Brazil’s cases are mounting. How much of a difference it makes when everyone wears a mask. Plus, why you might be having trouble replying to texts recently, how climate change played a role in the evolution of rice, and the hottest new sport in town: marble racing. Links: State-by-state hospitalization rates (Scott Gottlieb, Twitter) Coalition of 116 countries back Australia's push for independent coronavirus inquiry (SBS News) TSA Prepares to S...

May 18, 2020•19 min

Fri. 05/15 - Have Birds Gotten Louder During Lockdown?

How far can respiratory droplets fall when we speak? What would a public health plan targeted towards the elderly look like? Some advice on combatting COVID-19 symptoms from someone in recovery. Plus, have birds gotten louder recently? Why did Michael Jordan agree to star in Space Jam? And a site to help you discover new-to-you music on Spotify. Links: Experiment shows human speech generates droplets that linger in the air for more than 8 minutes (Washington Post) Coronavirus: False claims viewe...

May 15, 2020•24 min

Thu. 05/14 - How To Beat COVID-19 and Save The Economy

Mental health concerns for children as the pandemic goes on. The seven things we can be doing to beat COVID-19 and save the economy. How our changed behavior has confused the algorithms. Why humans freak out when they get lost, and a new interactive Netflix special to enjoy while you stay home this weekend. Links: Coronavirus suppression: Expert recommendations to beat Covid-19 (Vox) Netflix’s first interactive sitcom: Good for laughs, deserves a better app (Ars Technica) Our weird behavior duri...

May 14, 2020•22 min

Wed. 05/13 - A Practical Guide to Avoiding COVID Risks

Los Angeles is considering extending their lockdown for three more months while other places begin reopening. A practical guide to avoiding COVID-19 risks. What the loss of smell and other neurological symptoms might mean for the relationship between coronavirus and the nervous system. Plus, a new online simulator from SpaceX, how to make cold brew in a french press, a comet to look out for tonight, and Guy Fieri and Bill Murray go head-to-head. Links: As coronavirus cases resurge, lockdowns rei...

May 13, 2020•20 min

Tue. 05/12 - Why You Still Can't Find Clorox Wipes

Many countries around the world take cautious steps toward reopening, but spikes of new daily cases are still popping up. Should people with mild cases of coronavirus be allowed to isolate at home? Why the passage of time feels so disorienting right now. And why Clorox wipes are still so tough to find. Plus, and the gene that causes South African bees to have “virgin births.” Links: Coronavirus tracked: has your country’s epidemic peaked? (Financial Times) Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and...

May 12, 2020•22 min

Mon. 05/11 - And Now For Some Good News

Numbers are looking relatively promising in a lot of places, but one incident has jeopardized South Korea. The FDA has approved the first antigen test, and what’s the difference between that and an antibody test? Why might a vaccine take so long to develop? Plus, the internet shares their favorite memories of Little Richard, how to cook murder hornets, using nanospacecraft to locate black holes, and how The Simpsons predicted 2020. Links: New case results charts FDA Grants Emergency-Use Status f...

May 11, 2020•25 min

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