On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem, Lauren, Laura, and Ashlyn discuss medical scammers, grifters, and con-men, current, recent, and historical. Discussed on this episode: Malachi Love-Robinson, a modern-day Doogie Howser; James Graham, an 18th century Scottish sexologist; and Casey Means, a health grifter who also happens to be Trump’s pick for Surgeon General. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and socie...
Aug 11, 2025
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Lauren, Ashlyn, Laura, and Gem discuss some common misconceptions, focusing on cast iron cookware, Victorian corsetry, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, and the Canadian political system. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Corsets: Victorian Image of Pregnancy through Corsetry (Maryland Center for History and Culture) | Here’s How Corsets Deformed...
Jul 07, 2025
Originally published 17 September 2018. On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem, Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren discuss the history and future of patent medicine, from snake oil and Piso’s Cure for Consumption through Bovinine and bitters all the way to the Burzynski Clinic. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Note: Additional music in this episode by Kevin MacLeod , licensed under...
Jun 03, 2025
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Ashlyn is joined by Lauren, Laura, and Gem to discuss right-wing authoritarianism and how to fight it. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Fascism 101: Ur-Fascism (Umberto Eco, The Anarchist Library) | Fascism (Wikipedia) | Neo-fascism (Wikipedia) | Fascist symbolism (Wikipedia) | List of symbols designated by the Anti-Defamation League as hate symbols (Wikipedia...
May 05, 2025
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem is joined by Lauren, Ashlyn, and Laura to talk in some detail about Elon Musk’s misadventures, including his history with PayPal, the Hyperloop and the Boring Company, and some of the less savoury aspects of his family life. Not covered in detail here (as it’s been covered exhaustively elsewhere): Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink, OpenAI, Twitter, and Elon Musk’s history of making extremely wrong, extremely dangerous predictions. (See the...
Apr 14, 2025
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem, Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren talk scams and charlatans. On this episode: George Mickum’s fake Birkin Bags, the “Pig Butchering” romance scam that manages to make crypto even more fraudulent, useless “AI-powered” weapon scanners, and M. Lamar Keene’s run-ins with the “Psychic Mafia”. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. George Mickum’s Birkin Bags: The Hermès Bir...
Mar 17, 2025
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Laura, Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Ris discuss fasting from a personal, cultural, religious, and physiologic perspective. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Note: Apologies for the subpar audio quality on this episode: we had to record without some of our usual equipment. Links: From starvation to time-restricted eating: a review of fasting physiology (Internationa...
Feb 13, 2025
Originally published 14 January 2019. On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem, Lauren, Laura, and Ashlyn dive into three unscientific practices: flower remedies, feng shui, and iridology. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that delves into issues of science, critical thinking, and secular humanism. Flower Remedies: The Original Bach Flower Remedies Information and Sale (Directly from Nature) | Rescue Remedy is an effective all-natural stress, anxiety ...
Jan 20, 2025
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem, Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura detail the many scientific shortcomings of Trump’s pick to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Vaccines: Doctors worried RFK Jr. will tout vaccine-skeptic views after he is picked for HHS secretary (ABC News) | How Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Could Destroy One of ...
Dec 09, 2024
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Ashlyn relates her story of catching COVID-19 in Romania and asks the panel to evaluate the appropriateness of her treatment. Ashlyn was prescribed: Vitamin C 1000 mg PO daily Vitamin D 2000 IU PO daily Zinc 60 mg PO daily Paracetamol 500 mg PO TID Metamizole 500 mg PO TID Dexketoprofen 25 mg PO BID Quercetin 250–500 mg PO daily Melatonin 3–5 mg PO qHS Black radish syrup PRN Propolis throat spray PRN Famotidine 40 mg PO daily Moxiflox...
Nov 18, 2024
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem is joined by Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren to conclude their discussion of the situation in historic Palestine. Laura describes barriers to access food and water imposed by the government of Israel on both Gaza and the West Bank. Gem contrasts popular working definitions of antisemitism and examines claims that criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian liberation are antisemitic. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a pod...
Oct 07, 2024
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem is joined by Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura in the first part of a two part discussion of the history and current situation in historic Palestine. Gem provides an overview of the October 7th attacks and the Israeli military response, Ashlyn summarizes the history of settlement in the region, and Lauren addresses the question of apartheid in the West Bank. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersect...
Sep 09, 2024
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , the crew discusses common misconceptions: Gem corrects cardiac confusion, Ashlyn advocates for accommodations, and Lauren lambasts linguistic prescriptivism. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Heart Conditions: Cardiac Arrest (Johns Hopkins Medicine) | Heart Failure (Johns Hopkins Medicine) | Heart Attack (Johns Hopkins Medicine) Prescriptive Grammar: Definition...
Aug 05, 2024
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura discuss some summer-themed nonsense and Gem entertains the panel with an obscure patent that may just fix policing. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. NatPat: NATPAT Health and Wellness Patches Reflexology Sandals: Reflexology Research Doesn’t Put Its Best Foot Forward (McGill University) | Reflexology: panacea or placebo? (The Conversa...
Jul 08, 2024
Originally published 22 February 2021. On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Ashlyn, Laura, Gem, and Lauren discuss soup’s history as a religious conversion tool, the science of bone broth, and the discredited claim that bat soup was responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, then everyone attempts (and fails!) to define what, exactly, makes something a soup. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Souperism...
Jun 17, 2024
Originally published 13 January 2020. On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Laura leads Ashlyn, Lauren, and Gem in a discussion of the history and science of sandwiches, then everyone attempts (and fails!) to define what, exactly, makes something a sandwich. On this episode: Ashlyn maintains that open-faced sandwiches do not exist, Gem argues that soup in a bread bowl is in fact a sandwich, Ashlyn and Laura dispute whether pie qualifies as a casserole or a dumpling, and L...
Jun 03, 2024
On this special bonus episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Ashlyn Noble and Lauren Bailey share Gem’s valedictory address to the University of Manitoba Medicine Class of 2024 and discuss the fallout thereof. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Contact Us: Email | Twitter | Facebook Listen: Direct Link | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed http://media.blubrry.com/luee/winnipegskeptics.com/...
May 22, 2024
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem, Lauren, Ashlyn, and Laura discuss the impact of large language models and other forms of generative AI on culture and scientific endeavours. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Note: Content warning for discussion of disordered eating and self-harm from 36:30 to 38:30. AI Chatbots: Chatbot that offered bad advice for eating disorders taken down (NPR) | In 20...
May 13, 2024
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Laura talk about people who were disbelieved but were eventually vindicated. Topics include pilot David Steeves’ missing airplane, singer Sinéad O’Connor public denunciation of the Catholic Church, neurologist Stanley Prusiner’s discovery of prions, and neuropathologist Bennet Omalu’s findings of CTEs in NFL players. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of scienc...
Apr 08, 2024
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem, Ashlyn, Laura, and Lauren discuss the history of the show, comment on some of their favourite segments from episodes past, and finally get around to introducing themselves properly. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Gem’s Website: Gem Newman’s Writing | “Persistence of Vision” by Gem Newman | “Passepartout” by Gem Newman Ashlyn’s Website: Noble & Whims...
Mar 12, 2024
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Lauren, Ashlyn, Laura, and Gem discuss paranormal events and other mysteries that have recently been explained by science, including the Dyatlov Pass Incident, the Blood Rain of Kerala, the Bermuda Triangle, and how the Romans managed to make such excellent concrete. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. News: Alberta Medical Association pediatrics head condemns pr...
Feb 19, 2024
On this special bonus episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem Newman discusses the scientific evidence in favour of allowing trans youth to socially transition and the concrete steps that parents and teachers can take to support trans kids. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of transphobia, depression, and self-harm. References: Veale JF, Watson RJ, Peter...
Jan 22, 2024
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem, Ashlyn, Lauren, and Laura discuss sex and gender from a scientific and historical perspective, with a focus on the health and wellbeing of trans folks. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Content Warning: This episode includes discussions of transphobia, depression, and self-harm. The Gender Binary: Adventures in Time and Gender | Understanding Nonbinary Peo...
Jan 16, 2024
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem, Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and special guest Dave Bonwick discuss Eric Hovind’s “Night at the Creation Museum”, a short film promoting Young Earth Creationism: the view that the universe and everything in it was created by the Christian God a little over 6000 years ago. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Correction: Lauren knows “compy” is short for compsognath...
Dec 04, 2023
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , it’s another cryptid spectacular! Gem relates the story of the Mothman of West Virginia, Ashlyn tells the tale of a naturalist lost at sea, Lauren explains why driving while exhausted isn’t such a good idea, and Laura introduces everyone to the most pitiful cryptid of all. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Mothman: Point Pleasant Register, 1966-11-16 (Web Archi...
Nov 06, 2023
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Ashlyn, Lauren, Gem, and Laura are joined by LUEE editor Ris to discuss some of the ways science and society have changed in the last two decades. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Taste Buds: The Taste Map of the Tongue You Learned in School Is All Wrong (Smithsonian Magazine) | What Are Taste Buds? (Cleveland Clinic) | The Deliciously Surprising Science of Ta...
Oct 02, 2023
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and Gem continue their discussion of modern evangelical crusaders, with a focus on Billy Graham and Youth with a Mission. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Youth with a Mission (YWAM): YWAM King’s Kids Winnipeg (Youth with a Mission) | “YWAM is dangerous. I spent 12 years under the influence” (Cult Education Institute) | Spiritual Abuse a...
Sep 04, 2023
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem is joined by Ashlyn, Lauren, Laura, and returning guest Kyle Joseph to discuss Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell, some of the very worst televangelists. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Pat Robertson: Pat Robertson (Wikipedia) | The 700 Club (Wikipedia) | Robertson Allowed to Drop Libel Suit If Court Costs Paid (The Washington Post) | The Televangelist and t...
Jul 03, 2023
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem, Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren continue their discussion of products marketed to podcast listeners. On part two, Lauren does some composting with Lomi and Ashlyn discusses Noom’s approach to weight-loss. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. Ashlyn’s Website: Noble & Whimsical: Glass Memorials Lomi Composter: Lomi | Lomi Compost: Reviewing the Lomi Composter (E...
Jun 05, 2023
On this episode of Life, the Universe & Everything Else , Gem, Laura, Ashlyn, and Lauren discuss some of the products marketed to our listeners through ads on (other) podcasts. In part one, Gem subjects the panel to MUD\WTR and Laura tosses back some AG1 by Athletic Greens. Life, the Universe & Everything Else is a podcast that explores the intersection of science and society. MUD\WTR: I found it. The most annoying alternative food product on earth. (SFGate) | MUD\WTR Review: Healthier T...
May 08, 2023
