Episodes

  • Behind the Curtain: The Science of the Grammys - Lab 124
    Jan 25 2026

    In this lab, Titi and Zakiya pull back the curtain on the Grammys with music critic Sidney Madden. They break down how the Recording Academy works, who gets to vote, and why categories and nominees often feel disconnected from culture and fans.

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    37 mins
  • Oil, ICE, and the Science of Control - Lab 123
    Jan 18 2026

    This lab examines two unfolding stories where science and power collide: Venezuela’s century-long oil history and why the United States is now deeply involved, and the recent ICE shootings in Minnesota amid an unprecedented immigration enforcement surge. Listen to learn how these events reveal a critical moment in history, where decisions about resources, authority, and security are reshaping trust at home and abroad.

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    20 mins
  • Air Aware: Air Quality & Health - Lab 122
    Jan 11 2026

    We usually think about viruses this time of year, but what about everything else floating around us?

    In this lab, Titi and Zakiya sit down with environmental health scientist Dr. Cavin Ward-Caviness to break down what’s actually in the air we breathe. They cover everything from pollution and tiny particles to everyday indoor sources like cooking, candles, and fireplaces.

    Listen to learn how air quality affects the body beyond the lungs, why long-term exposure matters for inflammation and aging, and how awareness is the first step toward protecting our health.

    Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    43 mins
  • Lab 049: The Habit Equation (Re-Air)
    Jan 4 2026

    For our final lab in the New Years series, Titi & Zakiya want to learn all about the science behind habit formation. Dr. Wendy Wood, author of “Good Habits, Bad Habits,” tells us why bad habits are easier to make than good ones, and how to form new habits that stick. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com.

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    38 mins
  • Lab 032: Life Avalanche (Re-Air)
    Dec 28 2025

    All the stress we are feeling in 2020 is leading to what feels like worldwide burnout. In Lab 032, Titi and Zakiya talk about what causes burnout, most common burnout behaviors, and how you can recognize burnout when it happens to you. Guest: Dr. Anne Helen Petersen. For more info and show notes, visit dopelabspodcast.com

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    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    31 mins
  • Show We’re Loving: Alive with Steve Burns
    Dec 21 2025

    Hi! We're taking a quick break for the holidays and wanted to let you know about a new show we love. Alive with Steve Burns.

    There are a thousand podcasts you can listen to. This one listens back. And this week, we’re here to tell you about it.

    Alive with Steve Burns continues the conversation you began all those years ago. Back then it was letters and numbers and graham crackers. Now it’s death, sex, taxes, and all the big, messy questions of being alive. Why does money stress us out? Is the American dream dead? What’s the future of truth?

    Each week, a new guest drops by Steve’s window for a genuine and respectful dialogue between two people just trying to figure it out, together. Funny, tender, and just a little weird, this show invites you to sit down and think with Steve once again and wonder… what it really means to be alive.

    You’re about to hear a clip from the first episode, where Steve sits down with Dr. Desiree Jones, Assistant Professor of Psychology and director of the SHINE Lab (Stigma, Human Interaction, and Neurodivergent Experiences) at the University of Maryland to discuss the difference between “normal” and “not normal”. To hear more of Alive with Steve Burns, head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/AlivewithSteveBurnsfd

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    42 mins
  • Low-Stakes Love: Hallmark’s Holiday Comfort Movies - Lab 121
    Dec 14 2025

    Why do Hallmark Christmas movies hit so hard when life feels complicated? We talk cozy psychology, evolving tropes, and which holiday movies are actually worth watching with Hallmark super-reviewer Jenna Golden. Happy Holidays!

    Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody.

    Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    24 mins
  • Remixed: The Unexpected Side of Science - Lab120
    Dec 7 2025

    In this episode, Titi and Zakiya take listeners behind the scenes of their new planetarium film, Remixed: The Unexpected Side of Science. They share how a four-year idea turned into a full-dome experience at the Museum of Science in Boston, and how the film helps people see themselves as scientists in their everyday lives. The episode features reactions from attendees at the premiere and a conversation with Dani LeBlanc, director of the Charles Hayden Planetarium, who explains how planetarium storytelling is evolving and why Remixed represents something new for the field.

    Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody.

    Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    27 mins