Titi and Zakiya reminisce about how Dope Labs came to be and talk to some of their favorite science communicators on social media. Raven the Science Maven, Lindsay Ejoh, and Dr. Andre Issacs share how they each used their platforms to bring science to the world. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with Dope Labs , Titi , and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to ...
Aug 10, 2025•38 min
Flash floods swamp Texas, Canadian wildfires choke the Midwest, Trump’s swollen ankles launch “Ankle-Gate,” and the UN warns 295 million people face acute food shortages. Titi and Zakiya unpack the science behind each headline — plus real-life tips to stay safe and informed. Floodplain by Tapí Story Links to support Gaza - This link provides several organizations and families in Gaza that you can support Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for ...
Aug 03, 2025•22 min
Why do some sounds feel like a personal attack while others just fade into the background? In this episode, Titi and Zakiya dive into the science of noise with journalist Chris Berdik, author of Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take It Back. They explore how noise impacts your sleep, stress, heart, and focus—even when you think you’re tuning it out. From the sonic fallout of gentrification to rogue scientists chasing deadly soundwaves, we’re unpacking the cultural, biological...
Jul 27, 2025•32 min
Overwhelmed by the explosion of new AI tools? Titi and Zakiya team up with creative tech expert Lauren deVane (a.k.a. the “AI Auntie”) to cut through the noise. They decode the most game-changing tools on the market, talk cognitive debt (are our brains getting lazier?), and ask what it means to stay creative in the age of ChatGPT, Gemini, NotebookLM, and more. Plus, learn how one wild AI turned scribbles into a whole podcast. Want to check out the AI tools we mentioned in this episode? Check out...
Jul 20, 2025•38 min
From your morning Lion’s Mane latte to zombie ants in The Last of Us —fungi are having a moment . In this episode of Dope Labs, Titi and Zakiya dig deep into the world of mushrooms with park ranger, data scientist, and mycology educator Darling Ngoh. They explore the underground networks keeping forests alive, the science behind cordyceps, and whether mushroom supplements are legit or just really good marketing. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and i...
Jul 13, 2025•31 min
Zakiya and Titi chat with Dr. Cicely Shillingford from Amika to break down the real science behind hair care. From personal hair wins (and fails) to the latest product innovations, they’re getting to the root of what it means to have “healthy hair.” What’s discussed: What’s actually happening on your scalp and with your hair at a microscopic level The truth about popular ingredients and buzzwords (sulfate-free, ceramides, dry shampoo & more) Cool new trends in hair care, like sustainable ing...
Jul 06, 2025•35 min
We’re in the middle of the summer celebration season. Whether it is Juneteenth, the 4th of July, or your family’s annual reunion, there are some elements of celebrating that never change. We pulled an oldie but a goodie - Lab 035: The Science of Celebration. This episode is a rerun, but the science is still fresh. Make sure to tag us in your photos @dopelabspodcast to show us how you celebrate! Stay up to date with Dope Labs , Titi , and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lem...
Jun 29, 2025•24 min
America has a problem! Beyoncé called it, and the data backs her up: more than 36 million older adults fall each year, often ending up in hospitals or nursing homes. MIT mechanical-engineering PhD student Roberto Bolli joins Dope Labs to unveil E-BAR, a compact robot that glides behind you, senses a stumble, then inflates airbags in just 250 milliseconds and lifts you with padded U-shaped arms. Titi and Zakiya dig into everything from real-world interviews to load-bearing math. They show how tec...
Jun 22, 2025•29 min
Harvard’s international students on the chopping block, NIH and CDC budgets slashed nearly in half, and entire datasets vanishing overnight. If it feels like a whirlwind, thats because it’s by design. This week Titi and Zakiya sit down with Dr. Chelsea Clinton to map the real-world fallout when science funding and student visas become political pawns. From the looming shortage of 86,000 physicians to foreign governments dangling big money to lure U.S. researchers abroad, we unpack why these move...
Jun 15, 2025•33 min
When Ryan Coogler’s blockbuster Sinners smashed the box office, Titi and Zakiya grabbed their popcorn and their microscopes. In this lab, they plunge into the film’s layered world with digital-storytelling scholar Dr. Imani Cheers , unpacking how four film formats, IMAX sound, and meticulous lighting turn a vampire tale into cinematic excellence that will stand the test of time . If you are looking for a way for a young person in your life to grow their communication skills look no further! SciC...
Jun 08, 2025•44 min
What shapes how we see ourselves? From the media we consume to the chairs we sit in, the world is full of cues that influence how we feel in our bodies. We explore how these cues get under the skin and share new research revealing how fat cells behave differently as we age, independent of diet or exercise. Titi and Zakiya sit down with Ronald Young Jr., host of Weight For It , to unpack the social, emotional, and biological weight we carry. It’s a reminder that health, biology, and self-worth do...
Jun 01, 2025•42 min
Is TSA keeping us safe or just stressed? Titi and Zakiya dig into the tech (and drama) behind airport security: from Real ID confusion to body scanning to biometrics for PreCheck and CLEAR. With help from No Such Thing podcast hosts Manny, Noah, and Devan, who recently did an amazing episode on TSA, they unpack the truth behind surveillance, bias, and why travel still feels like controlled chaos. Stay up to date with Dope Labs , Titi , and Zakiya on Instagram. Check out Devan, Manny, and Noah on...
May 25, 2025•50 min
TikTok says skip your student loans—but should you listen? Titi and Zakiya call in policy expert Colleen Campbell to cut through the chaos. From repayment plans to scams, wage garnishment, and what's left of forgiveness, we unpack what’s real , what’s myth , and what borrowers still deserve. Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @ DopeLabsPodcast and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Click this link fo...
May 18, 2025•43 min
We use AI every day from music recommendations to writing emails, but what’s the environmental price of all that convenience? This week in the lab, Titi and Zakiya are joined by Dr. Shaolei Ren, a researcher studying the water, energy, and public health costs of AI systems like ChatGPT. They break down the difference between AI and automation, explain what’s really happening when you submit a prompt, and explore how server farms are quietly shaping our climate future. Stay up to date with us on ...
May 11, 2025•28 min
Probiotic pillows? Postbiotic skincare? Yogurt in your hair?! This week in the lab, Titi and Zakiya dig into the world of probiotics, prebiotics, and the microbiome with gastroenterologist and professor Dr. Roshini Raj. From gut health to glowing skin, Dr. Raj helps us separate the science from the marketing and decode whether these trendy bacteria really live up to the hype. Spoiler: fiber is still queen. Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @ DopeLabsPodcast and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joini...
May 04, 2025•37 min
This week, we’re back with a grab bag of topics too good to leave behind! You gave us questions and we brought you answers. Titi and Zakiya cover everything from Cory Booker’s epic filibuster and Chappell Roan’s viral parenting comments to Benadryl and dementia, animal consciousness, and the Jurassic Park vibes of de-extinction science (hello, dire wolves 🐺). Plus, we get personal about lactation stigm a and the pressures on parents to “get it right.” Science, pop culture, and a healthy dose of...
Apr 27, 2025•32 min
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000—but it’s making headlines again. In this lab, we dig into why this highly contagious virus is resurfacing in places like West Texas. Plus, we talk about who’s most at risk, why public health experts are sounding the alarm, and how to separate medical fact from misinformation (yes, we’re looking at you, cod liver oil). Titi and Zakiya are joined by epidemiologist and public health expert Dr. Katelyn Jetelina to help break it all down. Stay up to...
Apr 20, 2025•29 min
Is it the beat? The instruments? The artist’s look? Or is genre just… vibes? This week in the lab, Titi and Zakiya are joined by Cole Cuchna, host of Dissect, to explore the psychology behind why our brains create categories, how we apply this to music, and the artists who bend and break genre rules. Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @ DopeLabsPodcast and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Click thi...
Apr 13, 2025•27 min
From smart rings to glucose monitors, wearable technology is everywhere. But how much is too much? Titi and Zakiya unpack the promise, the privacy risks, and the hype with Wall Street Journal tech writer, Christopher Mims. Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @ DopeLabsPodcast and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all ...
Apr 06, 2025•35 min
Kendrick came with bars, and Drake clapped back with a lawsuit. That was a move that looked pathetic, but it might’ve exposed the real cracks in the streaming game. This week, Titi and Zakiya ask big questions about streaming: Who really gets paid? Who controls the charts? And are bots & AI inflating the numbers? They’re joined by music industry expert Eric Drott to break down the hidden rules of streaming, the rise of click farms, and why owning your masters might be the real power move. Pl...
Mar 30, 2025•27 min
Bird flu is here, and it’s not just for birds. How concerned should we be? With bird flu spreading across continents, it’s time to understand what’s at stake. Dr. Maurice Pitesky, veterinarian and epidemiologist at UC Davis, breaks down the science behind avian influenza, how it spreads, and what we can do to stop it. Learn about the growing risks, from poultry to public health, and the urgent need for better surveillance and prevention. Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @ DopeLabsPodcast ...
Mar 23, 2025•33 min
We’ve seen all the reels and comments about astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. They originally went to space for a short trip of ~10 days but ended up there for 9 months. But were they actually stuck? We asked Dr. Jordan Bimm, whose expertise is on US space exploration, to set the record straight. Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @ DopeLabsPodcast and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Cli...
Mar 16, 2025•30 min
Titi and Zakiya are back in the lab talking all about relationships with Yung Pueblo, author of How to Love Better . If you’re tired of the internet convos about who should text first, balloon popping, or when to go no contact with the love of your life, this is the episode for you. Put your lab coat on! Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @ DopeLabsPodcast and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Click...
Mar 09, 2025•37 min
It’s been a minute, but Titi and Zakiya are back for Semester 5 of Dope Labs. Tune in for what they’ve been up to and to learn about the new exciting topics we’re tackling. Grab your lab coats, because this new semester will be better than ever. We’re going to dissect love and break ups, the possibility of being abandoned in space, the latest news on bird flu, and much MUCH more. Make sure you tune in every Sunday starting March 9th to laugh and learn! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...
Mar 02, 2025•2 min
Dope Labs is back March 9, 2025. A new year of episodes with your same old friends - Titi and Zakiya. Line up all your burning questions and get ready to put them under the microscope. Follow us so you don’t miss out when we talk about falling in love, the latest in AI, what’s REALLY happening in space, and more! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 13, 2025•2 min
In the second part of our season finale, Titi and Zakiya revisit more of their favorite labs from Semester 4 and hear updates on reproductive health, the economy, HBCU homecoming season, and more. Plus, we hear from some of you! You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at http://dopelabspodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 27, 2022•30 min•Season 4Ep. 48
The semester is nearly over, can you believe it? Titi and Zakiya revisit some of their favorite labs from semester 4 and hear updates on science denial, Monkeypox, the supply chain, cybersecurity, and more. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 20, 2022•27 min•Season 4Ep. 47
Real talk: Did it really happen if it’s not on social media? Do you even exist if you’re not on the feed? These days, it seems like everyone and their dog has an IG or a TikTok account. But this ability to constantly socialize online is still relatively new for society. This week, Titi and Zakiya ask how social media may impact our well-being, attention spans, and the ways in which we communicate with one another. Guest: Dr. Jeff Hancock. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets...
Oct 13, 2022•40 min•Season 4Ep. 46
Is it just us, or did everyone travel this summer? The pandemic restricted far-off vacations for a while, but people seem to be flying everywhere again. Some have even set up their remote work “offices” in paradise. But before you pack your beach bag, you might want to think about how your wanderlust affects the locals. This week, Titi and Zakiya learn all about coastal tourism, the larger tourism economy, and their effects on local communities and ecologies. Guest: Sarah Stodola. You can find m...
Oct 06, 2022•37 min•Season 4Ep. 45
Lizzo has Yitty, Kim has Skims, and even our favorite influencers are doing ads for waist trainers on Instagram. Shapewear is in. These aren’t your great-great-granny’s corsets…things have changed. This week, Titi and Zakiya learn about the history of shapewear and how the trends are impacting societal beauty standards. Guest: Dr. Wendy Burns-Ardolino. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices S...
Sep 29, 2022•36 min•Season 4Ep. 44
