PodcastsScienceChemistry For Your Life

Chemistry For Your Life

Melissa and Jam, Bleav
Chemistry For Your Life
Latest episode

382 episodes

  • Chemistry For Your Life

    What makes ice slippery? (A surprising science mystery)

    12/2/2026 | 52 mins.
    #231

    Why is ice so slippery? Is it because of a layer of water on top, or is it something more complex? Join us as we dive into the chemistry behind icy surfaces, inspired by a curious 5-year-old's question. You'll hear about experimental findings, the special properties of water, and even some amusing snow day memories. Perfect for anyone who's ever wondered why ice makes us slip and slide!

    00:00 Experiencing Alaska in Texas

    00:24 The Chemistry of Ice and Snow

    01:42 Why is Ice Slippery?

    03:10 Listener Questions and Ice Skating Chemistry

    04:02 Debunking Ice Slipperiness Theories

    11:42 Water's Unique Properties

    17:43 Pressure and Melting Ice

    22:30 Scientific Findings on Ice Slipperiness

    24:12 Addressing Common Comments

    24:31 The Science of Ice Skating

    25:30 New Research on Ice

    26:37 Amorphous Solids and Ice

    37:09 Practical Implications of Ice Behavior

    41:12 Snow Day Memories

    49:14 Supporting the Show

    Support this podcast on Patreon

    Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

    References from the Episode:

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

    Amanda Raymond

    Emily Morrison

    Kyle McCray

    Justine

    Emily Hardy

    Ash

    Vince W

    Julie S.

    Heather Ragusa

    Autoclave

    Dorien VD

    Scott Beyer

    Jessie Reder

    J0HNTR0Y

    Jeannette Napoleon

    Cullyn R

    Erica Bee

    Elizabeth P

    Rachel Reina

    Letila

    Katrina Barnum-Huckins

    Suzanne Phillips

    Venus Rebholz

    Jacob Taber

    Brian Kimball

    Kristina Gotfredsen

    Timothy Parker

    Steven Boyles

    Chris Skupien

    Chelsea B

    Avishai Barnoy

    Hunter Reardon

    Support this podcast on Patreon
    Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
  • Chemistry For Your Life

    Reddit Chemistry: Why don't birds get shocked on power lines? (and other questions)

    05/2/2026 | 40 mins.
    Why can birds sit on electrical wires without getting shocked? What's the chemistry behind cake mix versus baking from scratch? Why do some materials create more fire than others? Melissa and Jam tackle these questions and more, drawn from curious listeners and the 'Explain Like I'm Five' subreddit, in this engaging episode of Chemistry for Your Life. Plus, find out how popular TV shows might be influencing career choices and explore the fascinating world of chemical reactions. Got a burning question? Tune in and satisfy your curiosity with Chemistry for Your Life!

    00:00 Introduction and Episode Inspiration

    01:25 Why Birds Don't Get Shocked on Electrical Wires

    06:57 The Science Behind Cake Mixes and Baking

    10:13 Why Some Materials Burn and Others Don't

    12:51 Why Hot Beverages Steam Below Boiling Point

    15:31 Am I the Jerk? - Discussing Career Choices

    18:45 Family Ties in Medicine

    19:17 Influence of TV Shows on Career Choices

    20:18 Realizations About Medical Careers

    22:09 Exploring Alternative Medical Careers

    23:46 Advice for Aspiring Medical Professionals

    26:05 Considering the Medical Field Despite Challenges

    36:02 Celebrating Academic Achievements

    38:00 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

    Support this podcast on Patreon

    Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

    References from the Episode:

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

    Amanda Raymond

    Emily Morrison

    Kyle McCray

    Justine

    Emily Hardy

    Ash

    Vince W

    Julie S.

    Heather Ragusa

    Autoclave

    Dorien VD

    Scott Beyer

    Jessie Reder

    J0HNTR0Y

    Jeannette Napoleon

    Cullyn R

    Erica Bee

    Elizabeth P

    Rachel Reina

    Letila

    Katrina Barnum-Huckins

    Suzanne Phillips

    Venus Rebholz

    Jacob Taber

    Brian Kimball

    Kristina Gotfredsen

    Timothy Parker

    Steven Boyles

    Chris Skupien

    Chelsea B

    Avishai Barnoy

    Hunter Reardon

    Support this podcast on Patreon
    Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
  • Chemistry For Your Life

    How do fans cool us off?

    29/1/2026 | 27 mins.
    #230

    Winter has us longing for warmer weather. BUT when it's a hot day how do fans keep us cool? Do fans actually lower the air temperature? What role does evaporative cooling play? Find out how the movement of air molecules around your body is the key to feeling cooler. Plus, discover some fascinating insights into energy distribution, the impact of fans on air conditioning, and even some fun personal anecdotes about staying cool in the Texas heat.

    00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

    00:44 The Science Behind Cooling with Fans

    01:27 Egg Analogy: Understanding Heat Transfer

    03:39 How Fans Actually Work

    10:47 The Role of Air Conditioners

    12:31 Understanding Air Cooling Mechanisms

    13:11 Insights from a Power Company

    13:45 The Science Behind Fans and Energy Efficiency

    16:28 Evaporative Cooling and Its Benefits

    17:21 Explaining the Concept Back

    21:37 Personal Experiences with Cooling

    24:12 Supporting the Show and Community

    27:08 A Funny Camp Counselor Story

    Support this podcast on Patreon

    Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

    References from the Episode:

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

    Amanda Raymond

    Emily Morrison

    Kyle McCray

    Justine

    Emily Hardy

    Ash

    Vince W

    Julie S.

    Heather Ragusa

    Autoclave

    Dorien VD

    Scott Beyer

    Jessie Reder

    J0HNTR0Y

    Jeannette Napoleon

    Cullyn R

    Erica Bee

    Elizabeth P

    Rachel Reina

    Letila

    Katrina Barnum-Huckins

    Suzanne Phillips

    Venus Rebholz

    Jacob Taber

    Brian Kimball

    Kristina Gotfredsen

    Timothy Parker

    Steven Boyles

    Chris Skupien

    Chelsea B

    Avishai Barnoy

    Hunter Reardon

    Support this podcast on Patreon
    Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
  • Chemistry For Your Life

    Why does orange juice taste bad after you brush your teeth?

    22/1/2026 | 28 mins.
    #037 Rebroadcast

    It's the lesson we've all had to learn the hard way. The pain our mouths feel when we take a treacherous swig of the post-brush poison. This week, Melissa and Jam delve into all of our childhoods to figure out the chemistry of this infamous mixture. Why does it taste so bad? Who's fault is it, the toothpaste or the orange juice? Also while we're at it, why is it called toothpaste? Nevermind, I'm not sure we'll be able to get to the bottom of that part.

    References from this episode

    Why Does Toothpaste Make Orange Juice Taste Bad? - American Chemical Society

    Why Does Orange Juice Taste So Bad After Brushing? - South Springs Dental Group

     
    Support this podcast on Patreon

    Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

     

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

    Amanda Raymond

    Emily Morrison

    Kyle McCray

    Justine

    Emily Hardy

    Ash

    Vince W

    Julie S.

    Heather Ragusa

    Autoclave

    Dorien VD

    Scott Beyer

    Jessie Reder

    J0HNTR0Y

    Jeannette Napoleon

    Cullyn R

    Erica Bee

    Elizabeth P

    Rachel Reina

    Letila

    Katrina Barnum-Huckins

    Suzanne Phillips

    Venus Rebholz

    Jacob Taber

    Brian Kimball

    Kristina Gotfredsen

    Timothy Parker

    Steven Boyles

    Chris Skupien

    Chelsea B

    Avishai Barnoy

    Hunter Reardon

    Support this podcast on Patreon
    Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

     

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
  • Chemistry For Your Life

    Does wool actually resist odor and bacteria?

    15/1/2026 | 41 mins.
    #229

    What makes wool an essential fabric for many people? Is lanolin truly antimicrobial, or is wool itself responsible for its famed properties? Join us as we unravel the complexities of wool and lanolin, diving into its chemical structure, historical anecdotes, and surprising anti-odor capabilities. Does wool really keep the bacteria at bay, or is there more to the story? Tune in and explore the chemistry behind this wonder fabric!

    00:00 Listener's Request: The Mystery of Lanolin

    01:08 Introduction to Chemistry for Your Life

    04:08 The Complex Chemistry of Wool

    11:33 Exploring Lanolin: Properties and Uses

    19:51 Exploring Lanolin in Wool

    19:59 Investigating Wool's Antimicrobial Properties

    20:54 Odor Reduction in Wool

    21:57 Scientific Explanations and Hypotheses

    24:46 Hydrophobic Properties of Wool

    26:46 Wool's Interaction with Bacteria

    31:04 Complexities of Wool Processing

    35:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    Support this podcast on Patreon

    Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

    References from the Episode:



    Thanks to our monthly supporters

    Amanda Raymond

    Emily Morrison

    Kyle McCray

    Justine

    Emily Hardy

    Ash

    Vince W

    Julie S.

    Heather Ragusa

    Autoclave

    Dorien VD

    Scott Beyer

    Jessie Reder

    J0HNTR0Y

    Jeannette Napoleon

    Cullyn R

    Erica Bee

    Elizabeth P

    Rachel Reina

    Letila

    Katrina Barnum-Huckins

    Suzanne Phillips

    Venus Rebholz

    Jacob Taber

    Brian Kimball

    Kristina Gotfredsen

    Timothy Parker

    Steven Boyles

    Chris Skupien

    Chelsea B

    Avishai Barnoy

    Hunter Reardon

    Support this podcast on Patreon
    Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

More Science podcasts

About Chemistry For Your Life

A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life. Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life! In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating. If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.
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