Improbable Research - podcast cover

Improbable Research

Marc Abrahamswww.improbable.com
Research that makes people LAUGH, then THINK — research about anything and everything, from everywhere —research that's good or bad, important or trivial, valuable or worthless. Presented by Marc Abrahams, founder of the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Pocket-Sized: "Horse Calculus"

In this Pocket-Sized episode #1008, Marc Abrahams shows just a wee bit of unfamiliar research studies to Mason Porter . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For More. The research mentioned in this episode is featured in the special Mathematics issue (Vol. 16, #4) of the Annals of Improbable Research Magazine. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access to each podcast episode before it is made public. Seth Gliksman , Production Assistant...

May 16, 20208 min

Episode 210: “Famous Monks with Bad Breath”

Famous Monks with Bad Breath, Porn Research, Icky Cutesy Research Review, Missing Pieces Research Review, Amorous Ostriches and Exposure at Sea, and The Plastic Pink Flamingo. In episode #210, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Jean Berko Gleason , Melissa Franklin , and Richard Baguley . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For More. This episode was also aided and perhaps abetted by the folks at Archie McPhee, who host their own podcast called “ Less Talk, More Monkey ”....

May 13, 202053 min

Pocket-Sized: "Bereitschaftspotential"

In this Pocket-Sized episode #1007, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Jean Berko Gleason . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For More. The research mentioned in this episode is featured in the special Psychology issue (vol. 26, #1) of the Annals of Improbable Research magazine. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access to each podcast episode before it is made public. Seth Gliksman , Production Assistant...

May 09, 20209 min

Pocket-Sized: "Hot Sauce Aggression"

In this Pocket-Sized episode #1006, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Dany Adams . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For More. The research mentioned in this episode is featured in the special Ig: the Triumph of Miss Sweetie Poo issue (Vol. 7, #1) of the Annals of Improbable Research Magazine. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access to each podcast episode before it is made public. Seth Gliksman , Production Assistant...

May 06, 20209 min

Pocket-Sized: "Creepiness"

In this Pocket-Sized episode #1005, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Jean Berko Gleason . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For More. The research mentioned in this episode is featured in the special Psychology issue (vol. 26, #1) of the Annals of Improbable Research magazine. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access to each podcast episode before it is made public. Seth Gliksman , Production Assistant...

May 02, 202011 min

Episode 209: "Words for Food in Your Mouth"

Words for Food in Your Mouth, an Apple a Day, Eating the Shrew, an Epidemic of Penile Amputations, Reactions to Chicken Nuggets, Ig and Beyond, What Matters in NBA Games, Why Spaghetti, and What Your Gut Says Psychoanalytically. In episode #209, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Jean Berko Gleason , Chris Cotsapas , Kishore Hari , Bruce Petschek , and Ben Lillie . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For More. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access to ea...

Apr 29, 202049 min

Pocket-Sized: “Mask Wiggling”

In this Pocket-Sized episode #1004, Marc Abrahams shows just a wee bit of unfamiliar research studies to Mason Porter . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For More. The research mentioned in this episode is featured in the Mathematics Special Issue (Vol. 16, #4) of the Annals of Improbable Research Magazine. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access to each podcast episode before it is made public. Seth Gliksman , Production Assistant...

Apr 25, 20207 min

Pocket-Sized: “Dogs’ Favorite Garbage”

In this Pocket-Sized episode #1003, Marc Abrahams shows just a wee bit of unfamiliar research studies to Melissa Franklin . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For More. The research mentioned in this episode is featured in the Blushing Special Issue (Vol. 19, #2) of the Annals of Improbable Research Magazine. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access to each podcast episode before it is made public. Seth Gliksman , Production Assistant...

Apr 22, 202010 min

Pocket-Sized: "Food Allergies & Kissing"

In this Pocket-Sized episode #210, Marc Abrahams shows just a wee bit of unfamiliar research studies to Christina Agapakis . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For More. The research mentioned in this episode is featured in the Kissing Special Issue (Vol. 22, #4) of the Annals of Improbable Research Magazine. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access to each podcast episode before it is made public. Seth Gliksman , Production Assistant...

Apr 18, 202012 min

Episode 208: "Repetitive Physics of 'OM'"

Repetitive Physics of ‘OM’; Clever Contraptions to Capture Criminals; the Watch on the Loo; Glug-Glug of Ideal Bottles; Boys Will Be Boys; What Women Find More Disgusting than Men; Pseudostupidity; a Cat, a Cow, and a Bag; The Burgler and the Cheesy Toothmark; Chickens Prefer Beautiful People. In episode #208, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Jean Berko Gleason , Andrew Berry , Chris Cotsapas , Corky White , and Maggie Lettvin . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For M...

Apr 15, 202053 min

Pocket-Sized: “Cocker’s Arithmetick”

Cocker's Arithmetick : Being a Plain and Familiar Method Suitable to the Meanest Capacity for the Full Understanding of That Incomparable Art, As It Is Now Taught by the Ablest School-Masters in City and Country In this Pocket-Sized episode #1001, Marc Abrahams shows just a wee bit of unfamiliar research studies to Mason Porter . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For more. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access to each podcast episode before it is made public. Seth Gliksma...

Apr 12, 20206 min

Episode 207: "The Psychoanalysts's Nose"

The Psychoanalyst’s Nose, the Year of Lint, the Impact of Cold Wet Underwear, Boys Will Be Boys, the Pride of the Pride (of Lions), Hair (and Hare) Research, Social Dilemmas from the Not-So-Distant Past, Chewing on Knowledge, and Fold When Wet (If Naked Underwater). In episode #207, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Jean Berko Gleason , Chris Cotsapas , Andrew Berry , Robin Abrahams , and Nicole Sharp . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For More. Remember, our Patreon ...

Apr 01, 202055 min

Episode 206: "Flatulence in Dogs"

Flatulence in Dogs, the Real-Life Wizard of Oz, Triskadekaphobia When People Buy a House, Boys Will Be Boys, Why Your Doctor Should Smell, Soft is Hard, You Bastard, and Personal Space at the Beach. In episode #206, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Nicole Sharp , Robin Abrahams , Melissa Franklin , Chris Cotsapas , Jean Berko Gleason , Bill Hoston and Andrew Berry . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access to each podc...

Mar 18, 202050 min

Episode 205: "Color Preferences in the Insane"

Color Preference in the Insane, Can Consumers Recognize the Taste of their Favorite Beer?, Effect of Audience Boredom on the Power Hungry, You Never Sleep Alone, Improbable Medical Review, Extracting the Wrong Tooth, and Telephones for Animals. In episode #206, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Jean Berko Gleason , Chris Cotsapas , Maggie Lettvin , Richard Baguley , and Melissa Franklin . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For More. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most...

Mar 04, 202053 min

Episode 204: "The Longest Oath"

The Longest Oath, The Okajima/Fujinami Navel Lint Removal Invention, The Effect of Country Music on Suicide, Garlic in Men and Women, Artificial Fruit Processing, Improbable Medical Review, Clever Contraptions to Capture Crooks, and On What I Do Not Understand and Have Something to Say. In episode #204, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Robin Abrahams, Chris Cotsapas , Jean Berko Gleason , Andrew Berry , Nicole Sharp , Corky White , Richard Baguley , and Melissa Franklin . ...

Feb 19, 202050 min

Episode 203: "Who Can Touch Whom"

Who Can Touch Whom, Head on Brain in Brain, Gueguen and the Goad of Small Things, Clever Contraptions to Capture Crooks, some 2013 Ig Nobel Prize Winners, Fire-Eaters and Punk Rockers, and the Names of Bad Guys. In episode #203, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Jean Berko Gleason , Foster the Cat, Richard Baguley , Robin Abrahams , Andrew Berry , and Chris Cotsapas . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For More. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access t...

Feb 05, 202056 min

Episode 202: "Sneezing and a Full Stomach"

Sneezing on a Full Stomach, Mustache Wax, Red Hippo Sweat, The Impossible Expertise of Self-Perceived Expertise, some 2012 Ig Nobel Prize Winners, and Walking in the City. In episode #202, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Melissa Franklin , Richard Baguley , Robin Abrahams , Jean Berko Gleason , and Nicole Sharp . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For more. Remember, our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access to each podcast episode before it is made public. Bruce...

Jan 22, 202050 min

Episode 201: "Crunchiness Loss"

Crunchiness Lost, Clever Contraptions to Trap Crooks, Shoe-Throwing at Weddings, Untied Laces Across the World, Moving Violations of Washing Machines, Stool Pigeons, Clothes for Clothes Shopping, Tanning Beds, Frozen Mammoth Meat, and Neurological Damage from Praying. In episode #201, Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Jean Berko Gleason , Richard Baguley , Robin Abrahams , Bruce Petschek , and Chris Cotsapas . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For more. Remember, our P...

Jan 08, 202053 min

Episode 200: "Disgusting Sounds?"

Disgusting Sounds, Cello Scrotum, Hole Shapes, Headless Mannequins, Medical Oddities, Grateful Dead, Cool Noses, and Black Dress Temperatures. In episode #200 (the first episode in the new series!), Marc Abrahams shows some unfamiliar research studies to Jean Berko Gleason , Chris Cotsapas , Melissa Franklin , Robin Abrahams , and Richard Baguley . Dramatic readings and reactions ensue. For more. Remember that our Patreon donors, on most levels, get access to each podcast episode before it is ma...

Dec 25, 201949 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android