Chemistry For Your Life

By Melissa and Jam, Bleav

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Category: Chemistry

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Subscribers: 151
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 318

Description

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.

Episode Date
Ask a Chemist: Why are crystals rare? (and other questions)
Nov 21, 2024
Do carrots help us see better?
Nov 14, 2024
What makes honey crystallize?
Nov 07, 2024
How do things glow in the dark?
Oct 31, 2024
Ask a Chemist: Why do self-tanners smell weird? (and other questions)
Oct 24, 2024
How does spray tan stain our skin?
Oct 17, 2024
What makes jalapeños spicy, and what other crazy properties do they have?
Oct 10, 2024
Why does ibuprofen take so long to work?
Oct 03, 2024
Ask a Chemist: Does raw milk have more bacteria? (and other questions)
Sep 26, 2024
How do pain killers relieve pain?
Sep 19, 2024
Why do we use fluoride on our teeth?
Sep 12, 2024
What are dental fillings and how are they chemistry?
Sep 05, 2024
Ask a Chemist: Reddit's Chemistry Questions Answered
Aug 29, 2024
What is up with RAW milk?
Aug 22, 2024
What happens to eggs when we cook them? (with Jason Cress)
Aug 15, 2024
Bonus: Fun Fact or Fake Factoid?! A Chemistry and Trivia Showdown
Aug 08, 2024
Ask a Neuroscientist: Why is Adderall addictive to SOME people and not others? (and other questions)
Aug 01, 2024
How do anti-depressants work? (featuring Claire Caballero)
Jul 25, 2024
Vitamin C: Myths, Facts, and Daily Needs
Jul 18, 2024
Why do apples turn brown when we cut them?
Jul 11, 2024
Should we take Vitamin C when we're sick?
Jul 04, 2024
Ask a Chemist: Why do chemicals smell "chemically?" (And other questions)
Jun 27, 2024
How does Vitamin C keep our bodies from turning into mush?
Jun 20, 2024
Do anti-aging products work?
Jun 13, 2024
What even ARE vitamins? And do we actually need them?
Jun 06, 2024
Ask a Chemist: Why do you need yogurt to make yogurt? (And other questions)
May 30, 2024
Why does hair turn grey when we age?
May 23, 2024
Why do bad smells smell bad?
May 16, 2024
What is old people smell? And is the internet wrong about it?
May 09, 2024
Ask a Chemist: Reddit Edition!
May 02, 2024
Is compost dirt??
Apr 25, 2024
How do sunglasses protect our eyes?
Apr 18, 2024
What are the Northern Lights?
Apr 11, 2024
Ask a Chemist: Can you dissolve a liquid into a solid? (and other questions)
Apr 04, 2024
Did the FDA eliminate Forever Chemicals? (PFAS Part 5!)
Mar 28, 2024
Why do things fade in the sun?
Mar 21, 2024
What's the REAL reason we can't look at a solar eclipse?
Mar 14, 2024
Ask a Chemist: How does purple shampoo work, or does it? (and other questions)
Mar 07, 2024
What is Vitamin D? And what does it have to do with the sun?!
Feb 29, 2024
Why do plants die in freezing weather?
Feb 22, 2024
What's up with Fahrenheit, Celsius, and... Kelvin?
Feb 15, 2024
Ask a Chemist: Why do metals look metallic? (and other questions!)
Feb 08, 2024
How do infrared thermometers work?
Feb 01, 2024
How do we see our breath in the air?
Jan 25, 2024
Thermometers: what is the chemistry behind them?
Jan 18, 2024
Bonus: How do "forever chemicals" sneak into our clothes? (and other questions)
Jan 11, 2024
What is yogurt?
Jan 04, 2024
What is cheese? And what does it have in common with soap?
Dec 28, 2023
What even is cinnamon?
Dec 21, 2023
Bonus: What's the chemistry of kombucha? (and other questions)
Dec 14, 2023
What even is MSG? Is it bad for you?
Dec 07, 2023
Why do onions make you cry?
Nov 30, 2023
Why does(n't) turkey make you sleepy?
Nov 23, 2023
Bonus: Acronyms and Mom Memories (chemmunity style)
Nov 16, 2023
Why do we stir things to dissolve them?
Nov 09, 2023
Why does water form droplets?
Nov 02, 2023
What is freeze drying?
Oct 26, 2023
Bonus: Can geckos stick to teflon? (And other questions about PFAS)
Oct 19, 2023
Are learning styles real?
Oct 12, 2023
What is margarine? How is it different from butter?
Oct 05, 2023
Can forever chemicals be destroyed? (PFAS part 4)
Sep 28, 2023
Bonus: How does numbing cream work? (and other questions)
Sep 21, 2023
What can we do now about "forever chemicals?" (PFAS part 3)
Sep 14, 2023
Are cast iron pans as cool as people say?
Sep 07, 2023
The history of “forever chemicals,” how did we get here? (PFAS part 2)
Aug 31, 2023
Bonus: Why does coffee spoil faster than tea? (and other questions)
Aug 24, 2023
What are "forever" chemicals? (aka PFAs) And are they bad? (PFAS part 1)
Aug 17, 2023
Is it safe to use teflon pans?
Aug 10, 2023
What is silicone?
Aug 03, 2023
Bonus: Are my shoes chemistry? (and other questions)
Jul 27, 2023
What is dietary fiber?
Jul 20, 2023
What is jam? (and jelly and preserves etc.)
Jul 13, 2023
What is rubber?
Jul 06, 2023
Bonus: 1,000,000 Downloads! - YouTube Live Replay
Jun 29, 2023
Why DO mosquitos bite some people more than others? (new research!)
Jun 22, 2023
Do mosquitos bite some people more than others?
Jun 15, 2023
Bonus: Why is butter yellow? (and other questions)
Jun 08, 2023
What is the greenhouse effect?
Jun 01, 2023
Why does carbonated water have a taste?
May 25, 2023
What is popcorn?
May 18, 2023
Bonus: Can coffee get HOTTER in an insulated mug? (and other questions)
May 11, 2023
What is whipped cream?
May 04, 2023
What are trans fats and are they evil?
Apr 27, 2023
What is butter?
Apr 20, 2023
Bonus: How does lightning striking sand create glass? (and other questions)
Apr 13, 2023
How do gemstones get their color?
Apr 06, 2023
What is silver tarnish?
Mar 30, 2023
How do smoke alarms detect smoke? (part 2)
Mar 23, 2023
Bonus: Why do cucumbers upset people's stomachs? (and other questions)
Mar 16, 2023
How do smoke alarms detect smoke? (part 1)
Mar 09, 2023
Baking soda and baking powder: What's the difference?
Mar 02, 2023
How does baking soda eliminate odors?
Feb 23, 2023
Bonus: Are candles toxic? (and other questions)
Feb 16, 2023
Is freezing point *actually* real?
Feb 09, 2023
How do thermoses keep coffee hot?
Feb 02, 2023
Is "dry cleaning" actually dry?
Jan 26, 2023
Bonus: How do semi-permanent tattoos work?
Jan 19, 2023
What do pine trees and jet fuel have in common?
Jan 12, 2023
How do snowflakes form and look so cool?
Jan 05, 2023
What happens to coffee when it cools down?
Dec 29, 2022
Bonus: Why does tupperware stain from pasta? (and other questions)
Dec 22, 2022
What do peppermints and cigarettes have in common?
Dec 15, 2022
Why do foods turn brown when we cook them?
Dec 08, 2022
What is gluten?
Dec 01, 2022
Bonus: Is honey mustard a polymer? (and other questions)
Nov 24, 2022
How can mosquitos smell you? (new research!)
Nov 17, 2022
Why do mosquitos bite people?
Nov 10, 2022
How do trick candles reignite?
Nov 03, 2022
Bonus: How did Bella Hadid's spray-on dress work? (and other questions)
Oct 27, 2022
Do nasal decongestants even work?
Oct 20, 2022
What even is sunscreen and how does it screen the sun?
Oct 13, 2022
The most toxic substance to humans? (It’s basically botox)
Oct 06, 2022
Bonus: How is pressure measured? (and other questions)
Sep 29, 2022
What do catalytic converters do?
Sep 22, 2022
What's up with alcohol(s)?
Sep 15, 2022
What is gasoline?
Sep 08, 2022
Bonus: How does gel nail polish dry under UV light? (and other questions)
Sep 01, 2022
How are tattoos removed?
Aug 25, 2022
How do geckos stick to walls?
Aug 18, 2022
Why are tattoos permanent?
Aug 11, 2022
Bonus: How much does a polar bear weigh? (and other questions)
Aug 04, 2022
Why does ice float on water?
Jul 28, 2022
What is sea level rise? (with Dr. Renee Collini)
Jul 21, 2022
What is the chemistry of volcanoes?
Jul 14, 2022
Why are sand and water different temperatures at the beach?
Jul 07, 2022
What is wind?
Jun 30, 2022
Bonus: Where does sand come from? (and other questions)
Jun 23, 2022
What is lightning?
Jun 16, 2022
What do rainbows and mirages have in common?
Jun 09, 2022
What are clouds? And why do they look white?
Jun 02, 2022
Bonus: Why is caffeine in shampoo? (and other questions)
May 26, 2022
Why do people hate organic chemistry?
May 19, 2022
How can sunlight turn into electricity?
May 12, 2022
How do ADHD and Adderall™ change the chemistry in our brains?
May 05, 2022
Bonus: Animals have tears? (and other questions)
Apr 28, 2022
Is crying chemistry? (the fascinating science of tears)
Apr 21, 2022
Why does rain smell?
Apr 14, 2022
Why do lobsters turn red? (when we cook them)
Apr 07, 2022
Bonus: What do sunscreen and paint have in common? (and other questions)
Mar 31, 2022
Why do sodas explode? (when we shake them)
Mar 24, 2022
Why is the sky blue?
Mar 17, 2022
Bonus: Chemistry and Greek myths? (and other questions)
Mar 10, 2022
Why do we use hydrogen peroxide? (and should we?)
Mar 04, 2022
How does bleach remove color?
Feb 24, 2022
Why are blue jeans actually dyed yellow?
Feb 17, 2022
Bonus: Is higher pH water better? (and other questions)
Feb 10, 2022
Why do Pop Rocks pop?
Feb 03, 2022
What are antioxidants and are they even good for you?
Jan 27, 2022
How does Benzoyl Peroxide fight acne?
Jan 20, 2022
Bonus: How do gasses dissolve in liquid? (and other questions)
Jan 13, 2022
How is coffee decaffeinated?
Jan 06, 2022
How does caffeine make you not sleepy?
Dec 30, 2021
Why do tires go flat in the winter?
Dec 23, 2021
Bonus: Blood in pool water? (and other questions)
Dec 16, 2021
Why do we roast coffee?
Dec 09, 2021
Why do leaves change color in the fall?
Dec 02, 2021
How is brewing coffee chemistry?
Nov 25, 2021
Fall Mini 07 - Who is and isn't a chemist?
Nov 18, 2021
Fall Mini 06 - What is imposter syndrome? (with Vianet Garza)
Nov 11, 2021
Fall Mini 05 - Is BPA really that bad for you?
Nov 04, 2021
Green Fire?!
Oct 31, 2021
Fall Mini 04 - Icebreakers
Oct 28, 2021
Fall Mini 03 - How chemistry revolutionized baking (For Melissa)
Oct 21, 2021
Fall Mini 02 - The biochemistry of sugar?
Oct 14, 2021
Fall Mini 01 - Vanilla and beaver butts?
Oct 07, 2021
What is vanilla? (and imitation vanilla?)
Sep 30, 2021
How do Tums make us feel better? (And why do they make us burp?)
Sep 23, 2021
Bonus: Does elevation affect airbags? (and other questions)
Sep 20, 2021
Is there BPA in my receipt? And is that bad?
Sep 16, 2021
What does BPA free really mean?
Sep 09, 2021
How do breathalyzers detect alcohol?
Sep 02, 2021
What is the ozone layer?
Aug 26, 2021
Bonus: How does weed killer not kill grass? (and other questions)
Aug 23, 2021
How much urine is in an olympic size swimming pool?
Aug 19, 2021
Is high fructose corn syrup bad for you?
Aug 12, 2021
What is in magic erasers? (and should you clean your teeth with them?)
Aug 05, 2021
How do candles burn? (and how do you light them with smoke?)
Jul 29, 2021
Chemistry at Home: Candle Magic
Jul 26, 2021
How do batteries power our electronics?
Jul 22, 2021
Bonus: How do candy colors not mix? (and other questions)
Jul 20, 2021
What is cheese? And what does it have in common with soap?
Jul 15, 2021
What is hyaluronic acid and is it magical?
Jul 08, 2021
What is benzene and why is it in my sunscreen?
Jul 01, 2021
Chemistry at home: Elephant's Toothpaste
Jun 28, 2021
How are airbags made of chemicals?
Jun 24, 2021
Bonus: Why do bug bites itch? (and other questions)
Jun 21, 2021
CHEMISTRY QUIZ: Is Jam actually learning this stuff??
Jun 17, 2021
Do anti-aging products work?
Jun 10, 2021
What’s the future of antihistamines?
Jun 03, 2021
Chemistry at Home: Lifesavers in the Dark
May 31, 2021
Why are seasonal allergies the worst?
May 27, 2021
Bonus: What color is grass at night? (and other questions)
May 24, 2021
Why and how do Jellyfish sting?
May 20, 2021
How do Venus flytraps trap flies?
May 13, 2021
What is the smell of fresh cut grass?
May 06, 2021
Why does american chocolate taste different?
Apr 29, 2021
Chemistry at Home: Chocolate and Gum
Apr 26, 2021
Why does chocolate get that white film on it?
Apr 22, 2021
Bonus: Do dead leaves smell like tea? (and other questions)
Apr 19, 2021
What is chocolate and why is it delicious?
Apr 15, 2021
Why does cilantro taste horrible? (to some people)
Apr 08, 2021
What is ebonized wood?
Apr 01, 2021
Chemistry at Home: Crayons
Mar 29, 2021
How do color changing markers change color?
Mar 25, 2021
Bonus: Does gunpowder explode? (and other questions)
Mar 22, 2021
What is jam? (and jelly and preserves etc.)
Mar 18, 2021
What and why is maple syrup?
Mar 11, 2021
Why do plants die in freezing weather?
Mar 04, 2021
What are muscles and their cramps?
Feb 25, 2021
Extra Special Bonus: Time Warp!
Feb 23, 2021
How do bath bombs fizz?
Feb 19, 2021
Chemistry at Home: Vinegar and Baking Soda (with Stephanie Ryan Ph.D.)
Feb 15, 2021
How do sunglasses protect us?
Feb 11, 2021
Why do things fade in the sun?
Feb 04, 2021
What is a dryer sheet?
Jan 28, 2021
Chemistry at Home: Pennies
Jan 25, 2021
Is glass a liquid?
Jan 21, 2021
Bonus: Why does my bread taste like a banana? (and other questions)
Jan 19, 2021
Why do cornstarch and water do that thing?
Jan 14, 2021
What is iodized salt? And why?
Jan 07, 2021
How do fireworks use chemistry to look awesome?
Dec 31, 2020
Chemistry at Home: Diapers
Dec 28, 2020
What are LEDs and how do they light up?
Dec 24, 2020
Bonus: Enzymes eat plastic? (and other questions)
Dec 21, 2020
How do we see our breath in the air?
Dec 17, 2020
What is silver tarnish?
Dec 10, 2020
How do odor absorbers work?
Dec 03, 2020
Chemistry at Home: Leaf Pigments
Nov 30, 2020
What happens to eggs when we cook them? (with Jason Cress)
Nov 26, 2020
Bonus: Can equilibrium occur in any state of matter? (and other questions)
Nov 23, 2020
How do diapers absorb liquid?
Nov 19, 2020
How is nail polish chemistry?
Nov 12, 2020
Is science always right?
Nov 05, 2020
How do glowsticks glow?
Oct 29, 2020
Chemistry at Home: Cabbage Juice
Oct 26, 2020
What IS lavender oil?
Oct 22, 2020
Bonus: How do you remove superglue from your fingers? (and other questions)
Oct 19, 2020
Why do leaves change color in the fall?
Oct 15, 2020
What's the future of recycling?
Oct 08, 2020
Is plastic really recyclable?
Oct 01, 2020
Chemistry at Home: Slime
Sep 28, 2020
What is plastic?
Sep 24, 2020
Bonus: Why doesn’t superglue harden in the tube? (and other questions)
Sep 21, 2020
How does super glue glue things?
Sep 17, 2020
Why do we use fluoride on our teeth?
Sep 10, 2020
How does caffeine make you not sleepy?
Sep 03, 2020
Chemistry at Home: Density
Aug 31, 2020
What makes fruit ripen?
Aug 27, 2020
Bonus: Do mosquitos care about blood-type? (and other questions)
Aug 24, 2020
What's up with alcohol(s)?
Aug 20, 2020
What IS fire? (and what happened in Beirut?)
Aug 13, 2020
What makes honey crystallize?
Aug 06, 2020
What is the future of mosquito repellents?
Jul 30, 2020
Chemistry at Home: Milk and Soap
Jul 27, 2020
What even is DEET?
Jul 23, 2020
Bonus: Is rain just like sweat for the earth? (and other questions)
Jul 20, 2020
Do mosquitos bite some people more than others?
Jul 16, 2020
Why do mosquitos bite people?
Jul 09, 2020
How does sweat cool us down?
Jul 02, 2020
Chemistry at home: Chromatography
Jun 29, 2020
What is a calorie?
Jun 25, 2020
What makes jalapeños hot, and do they have other super powers?
Jun 18, 2020
Bonus: What is Mel's cast iron routine? (and other questions)
Jun 15, 2020
What is rust and is it the worst?
Jun 11, 2020
Are cast iron pans as cool as people say?
May 28, 2020
Chemistry at home: Homemade Lava Lamp
May 25, 2020
Why do diet coke and mentos do that thing?
May 21, 2020
Bonus: My girlfriend's sweat doesn't stink (and other questions)?
May 18, 2020
How do color-changing mugs change color?
May 14, 2020
How do deodorant and antiperspirant work?
May 07, 2020
Is it safe to use teflon pans?
Apr 30, 2020
Bonus: Do purple carrots have beta carotene (and other questions)?
Apr 27, 2020
What makes nonstick pans not sticky?
Apr 23, 2020
How does helium change your voice?
Apr 16, 2020
Bonus: Podcast For Your Life - Books for your life
Apr 15, 2020
Is there a helium shortage?
Apr 09, 2020
Why does orange juice taste bad after you brush your teeth?
Apr 02, 2020
How does soap kill COVID-19?
Mar 26, 2020
Why do apples turn brown when you cut them?
Mar 19, 2020
Bonus: Methane doesn't have a smell (and other questions)?
Mar 16, 2020
Why is the sky blue?
Mar 12, 2020
How do thermoses keep coffee hot?
Mar 05, 2020
How do hand warmers get hot?
Feb 27, 2020
How does bleach remove color?
Feb 20, 2020
Bonus: Does cold exist (and other questions)?
Feb 17, 2020
Why do bad smells smell bad?
Feb 13, 2020
Why does rain smell?
Feb 06, 2020
What’s really happening when our hair gets damaged?
Jan 30, 2020
What gives curly hair its curl?
Jan 23, 2020
Bonus: Growing crystals, bobby pins, and how should we address the Hulk?
Jan 20, 2020
What is the taste of carbonated water?
Jan 16, 2020
The sea is rising? Should I be scared? (with Renee Collini)
Jan 09, 2020
What do rainbows and mirages have in common?
Jan 02, 2020
How do snowflakes form and look so cool?
Dec 26, 2019
What are antioxidants and are they even good for you?
Dec 19, 2019
Bonus: Do solar farms kill birds (and other questions)?
Dec 16, 2019
How can sunlight turn into electricity?
Dec 12, 2019
Why does water form droplets?
Dec 05, 2019
What happens to water in space (and other questions)?
Nov 28, 2019
What’s up with foil?
Nov 21, 2019
Why do foods brown when we cook them?
Nov 14, 2019
Why do onions make you cry?
Nov 07, 2019
Green fire?!
Oct 31, 2019
What makes artificial sweeteners artificial?
Oct 24, 2019
What even is sunscreen and how does it screen the sun?
Oct 17, 2019
How do geckos stick to walls?
Oct 10, 2019
What's the scientific word for sticky?
Oct 03, 2019
You got more questions?
Sep 26, 2019
Baking soda and baking powder: what’s the difference?
Sep 19, 2019
Why didn't Jam's pot of water ever boil?
Sep 12, 2019
What the heck is going on inside microwaves?
Sep 05, 2019
Why do we put lids on pots to boil water?
Aug 29, 2019
You got questions?
Aug 22, 2019
What are trans fats and are they evil?
Aug 15, 2019
What is margarine? How is it different from butter?
Aug 08, 2019
Why are sand and water different temperatures at the beach?
Aug 01, 2019
How does soap get things clean?
Aug 01, 2019
What is Chemistry For Your Life?
Jul 09, 2019