To find out next season's theme and be entered to win a $50 Amazon(?) gift card, fill out the Taboo Science listener survey here: https://bit.ly/43gcMAh Connect with the show: Leave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscience Newsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscienc e Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tabooscience Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/ Leave a review and rating here: ...
May 19, 2025•1 min
CRAMPED is an investigative podcast that answers the question "Why are so many people with uteruses in unexplained & untreated pain?" Listen to the entire season here: https://pod.link/1778101696
Mar 25, 2025•43 min
You requested and I delivered: I'm answering your Philias questions on the podcast. With the help of interviewer and podcast industry extraordinaire Arielle Nissenblatt, learn about the most controversial episodes, fascinating facts that didn't make it into the show, how I got people to talk about this stuff, and whether my mom listens (she absolutely does). Resources from Arielle: Earbuds Podcast Collective: https://earbuds.audio/ Twitter: https://x.com/arithisandthat Threads: https://www.threa...
Jul 25, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Ever wondered why some people have a thing for feet? In this final Philias episode, we're flying feet first into foot fetishes. Social psychologist Dr. Justin Lehmiller breaks down the origins of fetishes (and the truth to that "crossed wires in the brain" factoid), while writer and "Educatrix" Tina Horn gives us the lowdown on why feet can be such a turn-on. We also step into the cultural aspects of foot fascination and debunk some common misconceptions. Whether you're a foot fanatic yourself o...
Jul 11, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Spellbound and Gagged is a podcast about all things that fascinate, unsettle, and disgust. It's back from hiatus with an episode all about the sex cult NASA doesn't want you to know about. Subscribe here: https://episodes.fm/1653440593 In other news: Ashley is planning a final episode where she's interviewed all about how she makes Taboo Science, the most controversial episodes this season, and other exciting things. Do you have questions you want to hear answered? Email her at ashley@tabooscien...
Jul 04, 2024•40 min
Consider today's episode a sampler platter of unconventional kinks. We're talking exhibitionism, financial domination, wet and messy fun, fat fetishes, lactation fascination, golden showers, and even the fantasy world of vore. Don't worry, we're keeping it classy (well, as classy as you can when discussing people who get off on being peed on). Whether you're a seasoned kinkster or vanilla as they come, this episode is guaranteed to teach you something fascinating about human desire. Just don't b...
Jun 27, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 8
You've definitely wondered why some grown adults like to wear diapers—so let's get into it. In today's episode, we rip off the velcro to understand the world of of ABDL (Adult Baby/Diaper Lovers) and uncover the diverse desires and expressions within this often misunderstood community. From the psychological and emotional aspects to the truly prolific amount of gear options, we explore what draws people to this kink and how it can be a source of comfort, coping, and even healing. With the help o...
Jun 13, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Get ready to learn about the underground and frequently misunderstood world of zoophilia. With the help of paraphilia researcher Alexandra Zidenberg and hosts of the zoophile podcast Zooier Than Thou, we'll unravel what it really means to be attracted to animals. We'll learn what it is that attracts "zoos" to non-human animals, explore the hot-button issue of animal consent, wrestle with the ethics of bestiality, understand the incredible diversity within the zoophile community itself, and hear ...
May 30, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 6
"Cuck" is way more than an internet insult. In this episode of Taboo Science, we're stepping out and diving in to cuckolding, the real-life kink and lifestyle all about the thrill of your partner sleeping with someone else. Join us as we chat with clinical psychologist Dr. David Ley and popular cuckolding podcaster Venus Cuckoldress, who shed light on the psychological quirks and deep emotional connections in this often misunderstood practice. We're also breaking down how it all plays into the c...
May 16, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Fox News recoils at the idea of pup play—but we're looking closer. In this episode of Taboo Science, we dive into the fascinating subculture of humans who enjoy roleplaying as puppies. We'll explore the origins of this kink, from post-WWII leather culture to the rise of online pup communities, and learn what draws people to don a pup hood and bark. Kink researcher Dr. Liam Wignall and sex educator and pup play enthusiast Pup Amp share insights on the gear, the headspace, and the joys and challen...
May 02, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 4
The furry fandom gets a bad rap. But on this episode, we're digging beneath the stereotypes to uncover the truth about this misunderstood community. We'll chat with furry researcher Dr. Courtney Plante along with Riley Black, a science writer and a furry herself, to explore what the furry culture is really all about, from the artistry of fursuits to the appeal of fursonas. And yes, we'll go there—investigating whether being a furry is actually a fetish (spoiler alert: for most, it's not, but for...
Apr 18, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Whips, chains, and... legal pads? In this episode of Taboo Science, we dive deep into the world of BDSM to explore its long history, the science behind subspace, the submissive rich guy stereotype, and why aftercare is essential for everyone (even vanilla folks!). With help from paraphilia researcher Dr. Christian Joyal, the Ask a Sub podcast's Lina Dune, and the Loving BDSM podcast's Kayla Lords and John Brownstone, we're debunking misconceptions and shedding light on the reality of safe, conse...
Apr 04, 2024•38 min•Season 4Ep. 2
It's here! The premiere episode of Taboo Science's new miniseries "Philias": an exploration into the science of kinks and fetishes. In this 101 episode, we learn the difference between a kink, fetish, paraphilia, and paraphilic disorder; we'll take a tour of the many, many kinds of kink that exist; and we'll find out what scientists know about where these desires come from—and what they don't know. With insights from renowned paraphilia researcher Christian Joyal and pornstar/internet celebrity/...
Mar 21, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Philias is a new miniseries from Taboo Science about the quirky, colorful world of kinks and fetishes. The first episode drops on March 21 — hit the follow/subscribe button in your podcast app of choice to make sure you get it. Citation for the first sentence: https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2016.1139034 Connect with the show: Newsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscienc e Twitter: https://ww...
Mar 01, 2024•3 min
Think necrophilia is just creepy morticians and serial killers? Think again. With the help of psychologist Dr. Victoria Hartmann and neuroscientist Jens Foell, this rerun episode explores the wide spectrum of death and dying fetishes, from Disney movies to consensual roleplay. Dive into Dr. Hartmann’s research on members of online necrophilia communities, and examine how necrophilic acts after murders often aren’t sexually motivated. The conversation covers the fuzzy legal lines around necrophil...
Oct 26, 2023•32 min
Beauty and the Beast. Twilight. The Shape of Water. What do these stories have in common? Humans and monsters getting down and dirty. This episode explores the surprising psychology behind "monsterf*ckers" — people attracted to creatures like vampires, werewolves, and tentacled beasts. Hear from researcher Ella Gallego about her study on monstrous desire, which reveals how and why women and LGBTQ+ people are particularly entranced by these inhuman love interests. We’ll trace the history of monst...
Oct 19, 2023•41 min•Season 3Ep. 13
We've all heard the arguments against animal testing: it's cruel, it's unethical. But you may not know the dirty truth: it doesn't even work most of the time. This week on Taboo Science, we dive deep into the animal testing controversy. We talk to researchers and neuroscientists Dr. Katherine Roe and Dr. Emily Trunnell from PETA’s Science Advancement and Outreach Division about unethical experiments and flawed disease models. While scientists all over the world still rely on animal data, new tec...
Oct 05, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 12
We're back between episodes with a quick feed drop! Taboo Science will return next week. How to Do the Pot is a fun weekly show helping you dabble in weed — and feel confident about cannabis for health, well-being, and for fun! Episodes of How to Do the Pot share stories from women who have turned to cannabis for stress, sleep, pain relief, or better sex. If you’ve got questions that range from “what is good weed?” to “what is good weed for sex”, host Ellen Scanlon has you covered, along with kn...
Sep 28, 2023•23 min
The IQ test is supposed to be a measure of human intelligence. But is it? Today, we're joined by UC Berkeley professor Dr. Steven Piantadosi to understand why the diversity of human intellect can't be captured by a single number. We'll explore the history of IQ, from its innocent beginnings in French schools to its dark role in the eugenics movement. We'll understand why IQ testing is fallible, thanks to rising scores, the effects of motivation, and cultural bias, and learn about a test in the 1...
Sep 21, 2023•27 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Avoiding climate news? Do thoughts of the apocalypse keep you up at night? Feeling guilty about unsustainable habits? With climate change becoming a stark reality, more and more of us are grappling with anxiety over our planet's environmental crisis. Today, environmental psychologist Thomas Doherty sheds light on the emerging field of climate-conscious therapy — a response to this very real mental health impact. He explains how therapists are equipping themselves to counsel those struggling with...
Sep 07, 2023•27 min•Season 3Ep. 10
How much do we really know about depression? In this remastered episode, Gerard Sanacora, director of the Yale Depression Research Program and Co-director of the Yale Interventional Psychiatry Service, reveals that even doctors don't fully get the biological roots behind depression's mix of mental and physical woes. But that doesn't mean we don't have effective treatments — and those treatments are only getting better. For example, ketamine and psilocybin are being studied as unconventional trea...
Aug 24, 2023•30 min
Menstruation is so much more than a useless byproduct of the reproductive cycle — it's a dang biological miracle. With the help of Dr. Kate Clancy, a professor at the University of Illinois and author of Period: The Real Story of Menstruation, this episode dives deep into the misconceptions, stigmas, and hidden truths about menstruation. Uncover the true purpose of periods, debunk the idea of a 'normal' period, and explore how environmental factors and personal experiences can impact menstrual c...
Aug 10, 2023•37 min•Season 3Ep. 9
It's both a method of empowerment and a tool of control — but it sure is pretty! Today's episode delves into how makeup reflects and perpetuates society's conflicting views on femininity, with the help of historian Ilise S. Carter, author of The Red Menace: How Lipstick Changed the Face of American History. From its historical roots, like ancient Egyptian eyeliner and the opulent courtiers of Louis XIV, to the modern-day pressures women, POCs, and gender-nonconforming people face to adhere to im...
Jul 27, 2023•32 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Heterosexuality isn't what you think it is. In this episode, historian Hanne Blank Boyd flips the script on how we view sexual orientation, showing how the concept of "heterosexuality" has only existed for around 150 years. Hanne traces how modern capitalism led "heterosexual" to emerge as a term for normal, moral sexuality, allowing the middle class to prove their respectability. Even now, assuming heterosexuality as the default norm skews scientific research on sexuality. Being straight isn't ...
Jul 13, 2023•34 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Get ready to rethink everything you know about race. With the help of anthropologist Agustín Fuentes , this episode debunks the idea that race exists within our biology. We're unraveling racist stereotypes, explaining why race is nothing like dog breeds, delving into the devastating effects of race in health and medicine, and explaining why your 23andMe results aren't what you think. This episode isn't just about debunking misconceptions - it's about highlighting our shared humanity. Pick up Agu...
Jun 29, 2023•32 min•Season 3Ep. 6
What do the Pioneer 10 plaque and communal bathhouses of Renaissance Europe have in common? Today we're stripping down the complicated concept of nudity with Dr. Ruth Barcan , honorary associate professor at the University of Sydney in Australia. We'll explore the meanings, reactions, and laws surrounding nudity, from how art influenced our perception of nudity to the complex legalities of female toplessness in the US. Oh yeah, and we're getting deep into the nudism movement, which has an origin...
Jun 15, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Taboo Science will continue next week with a regularly scheduled episode, but I wanted to give a nod to Pride Month by sharing a podcast episode I love from the show Based on a True Story . Subscribe to Based on a True Story here: https://www.basedonatruestorypodcast.com/follow/
Jun 08, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Did you know lactation is older than the dinosaurs? Latch onto the mysteries of breastfeeding with help from lactation scientist Bridget McGann and Mamava co-founder Sascha Mayer in today's episode, which delves into the incredible components of breastmilk, the way that feeding itself influences a baby's development, the debate between breastfeeding versus formula feeding, and why workplace support for pumping can be the single thing that keeps a mother breastfeeding. Plus: why have we seen so m...
Jun 01, 2023•34 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Grab your squatty potty and put your squeamishness aside: we're going elbow-deep into human waste with science journalist and author Bryn Nelson . This episode digs into the microbiome, probiotics, and fecal transplants. It uncovers the surprising benefits and uses of human waste, from healing autoimmune conditions to fertilizing crops, and even the ancient practice of collecting and selling 'night soil'. Also: how many synonyms for poop can Ashley stomach? Find out. Pick up "Flush: The Remarkab...
May 18, 2023•38 min•Season 3Ep. 3
This week, we challenge the common perceptions of attraction and explore the complexities of asexuality. Sociology PhD candidate Canton Weiner shares invaluable insights from his research while Sarah Costello, co-host of the podcast "Sounds Fake, But Okay," opens up about her personal experience being aro-ace, or aromantic asexual. We examine the split attraction model and shed light on various types of attraction, delve into the history of asexuality with pioneers like Magnus Hirschfeld and Alf...
May 04, 2023•34 min•Season 3Ep. 2
