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Chemistry For Your Life

Chemistry For Your Life

Written by: Melissa and Jam Bleav
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About this listen

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.© For Your Life 2023, All rights reserved. Science
Episodes
  • Is glass actually a liquid?
    Feb 19 2026

    #079 Rebroadcast

    Glass. The more you look at it, the more clear it becomes that it holds some serious mysteries. So what really is glass? Is it a liquid? How is it different from typical solids? Does it flow and ooze over time? Is that why old windows are thicker at the bottom? Let's find out!

    Support this podcast on Patreon
    Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel

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    Watch our episodes on YouTube

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    References from this episode

    1. https://cen.acs.org/articles/95/i47/s-glass-modern-day-researchers.html
    2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7245478/
    3. https://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/General/Glass/glass.html
    4. https://phys.org/news/2016-03-scientists-temperature-glass-liquid.html
    5. https://ceramics.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jace.15092
    6. https://cen.acs.org/articles/93/i20/Pyrex-100.html
    7. Chemistry by Julia Burdge

    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.

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    33 mins
  • What makes ice slippery? (A surprising science mystery)
    Feb 12 2026

    #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.

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    53 mins
  • Reddit Chemistry: Why don't birds get shocked on power lines? (and other questions)
    Feb 5 2026

    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.

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    40 mins
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