Science Comedy Paradox

This show looks at funny and innovative ways to communicate science. Science and comedy may seem like an odd pairing, but with the right approach they bond better than adenine and thymine. With almost a decade of stand-up experience, science comedian Kasha Patel highlights funny science shows, comedy research, and anything and everything that might make Marie Curie laugh. Join Kasha for new science jokes and insight about how to make the STEM field more accessible for everyone.

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Episodes

Can memes treat depression and anxiety?

Memes make us laugh, but they also help us feel better according to recent research. Kasha chats with meme researchers and experts to discuss how memes can affect our mental health. Relevant links: Exploratory study on the role of emotion regulation in perceived valence, humour, and beneficial use of depressive internet memes in depression: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-57953-4 Internet memes related to the COVID-19 pandemic as a potential coping mechanism for anxiety: https://doi.org/10.21...

May 11, 2021•24 min•Season 2Ep. 2

Benefits of Good-Natured Climate Comedy

Can comedy help prevent climate burnout? Host Kasha Patel speaks with a professor who may have some promising insights. Professor Beth Osnes, a theater and environmental professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, is a director of Inside the Greenhouse and helps creates funny climate change-related projects with students. In a 2019 study, Osnes and colleagues found that students involved in creating comedic sketches felt more hopeful and motivated to act on climate change. Rate us on iTunes...

May 03, 2021•27 min•Season 2Ep. 1

Cartoons and Climate Change

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, host Kasha Patel interviews a scientist who is using cartoons to combat misinformation about climate change. With over a decade of research into climate change communication, Dr. John Cook has learned how parallel thinking--basically using analogies--is an effective way to address the logic behind many climate change misconceptions. Cook has recently released his cartoon book called Cranky Uncle vs. Climate Change , which is available on his website...

Apr 30, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Wait, Wait, Earth Isn't Doomed. (Live comedy show)

You heard correctly, we attempted a non-depressing science comedy show about Earth's future! Join us as we adopt the style from the beloved NPR show, "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me!" and test your knowledge with a panel of the smartest – and funniest – conservation scientists and sustainability experts D.C. has to offer! Host Kasha Patel (NASA journalist by day, stand-up comedian by night!) will guide our guests and audience through a mine field of news, fake news, clearly made up stories not even ...

Apr 22, 2020•1 hr 22 min

Virtual Comedy During a Quarantine

During the quarantine, comedy shows moved to online video platforms like Instagram and Zoom. After performing in an Instagram live show, Kasha decides to explore the mechanics and science of what makes a good virtual comedy show.  She talks to a psychologist (Dr. Neil Martin), a comedian ( Blaire Postman ), and comedy club owners in New York City (Caveat) to investigate how much audience laughter affects a comedy show, what is the best medium for comedy, and the differences between performi...

Apr 09, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Coronavirus Comedy

Kasha explores the different ways people are joking about coronavirus and the purpose behind the jokes. She talks to the creators of one comedy project in New York City called, “Asians Strike Back: A Coronavirus Science and Comedy Show.” This interview was conducted on March 9th and details were current at the time but may have changed since. Asians Strike Back: A Coronavirus Comedy & Science Show was hosted by Kyle Marian (@kylemarian) and Esther Chen (@theestherchen). Select performances b...

Mar 16, 2020•43 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Scientist Comedy: How to make a scientist funnier

Kasha chats with comedian Chris Duffy about getting into science comedy, producing his live science comedy game show called "You're the Expert" and how he approaches writing jokes about scientific topics as a writer on HBO's Wyatt Cenac's Problem Areas. This episode provides pointers for improving your science communication skills as an interviewer or as a scientist. 

Mar 09, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1