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The Brain Candy Podcast

The Brain Candy Podcast

Written by: Susie Meister PhD & Sarah Rice AMFT
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About this listen

Laugh and learn with Susie Meister PhD & Sarah Rice MFT from MTV's The Challenge as they cover psychology, pop culture, human interest, and science, and make everything from The Kardashians to quantum physics accessible to all.

© 2026 - Wave Podcast Network Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 978: Grandma's Name, Service Dogs, & Switched at Birth

    978: Grandma's Name, Service Dogs, & Switched at Birth
    Jan 22 2026

    Sarah's outdoor adventures never stop, and this time she ended up in a ski parade! While Susie has resorted to wearing heated apparel inside. Susie shares the story of Andrea Yates, the woman who killed her five children, and the religious beliefs that made her think she should. Susie is worked up about how grandparents now insist on being called all kinds of weird names and Sarah's got a theory about why they don't want to be called "grandma." We discuss the abundance of "service" dogs on planes and the reasons people bend the rules to get their dog on board, and why it's the airlines's fault. And we hear about two babies who were switched at birth and it wasn't discovered until they were two years old, and the moms had to decide whether to switch them back or not! The story is unbelievable, and no matter what, there is no right answer to how to handle it.


    Brain Candy Podcast Website - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/

    Brain Candy Podcast Book Recommendations - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/books/

    Brain Candy Podcast Merchandise - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/candy-store/

    Brain Candy Podcast Candy Club - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/product/candy-club/

    Brain Candy Podcast Sponsor Codes - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/support-us/


    Brain Candy Podcast Social Media & Platforms:

    Brain Candy Podcast LIVE Interactive Trivia Nights - https://www.youtube.com/@BrainCandyPodcast/streams

    Brain Candy Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcast

    Host Susie Meister Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeister

    Host Sarah Rice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahrice

    Brain Candy Podcast on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypod

    Brain Candy Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/braincandy (JOIN FREE - TONS OF REALITY TV CONTENT)


    Brain Candy Podcast Sponsors, partnerships, & Products that we love:

    Begin your personalized roadmap to sexual happiness with Beducated by taking the quiz at https://beducate.me/pd2602-braincandy

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • 977: Members Only, Tantrum Prevention, & Cher's Appendix

    977: Members Only, Tantrum Prevention, & Cher's Appendix
    Jan 19 2026
    Sarah has a new guilty pleasure called Members Only, but she says it's more like Real Housewives of Mar-a-Lago. We hear why she is fascinated by these ladies (and their clothing). We debate the virtues of changing your last name when you get married, and how certificates and diplomas should be amendable if you change your name. We learn the benefits of pet ownership according to science, and whether it is better or worse for your happiness than having children. Susie wants you all to know it is certainly better than having a teenager. Sarah explains, at long last, what the appendix even does and why it's more important than most people realize. And Susie tells the story of her friend who had to have her appendix removed because she tried to beat Cher in a feat of strength. This is a true and hilarious story. And we find out about a device that measures your child's vitals, and can alert parents of an impending temper tantrum, and we hear whether it's effective in preventing or reducing their severity.Brain Candy Podcast Website - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/Brain Candy Podcast Book Recommendations - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/books/Brain Candy Podcast Merchandise - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/candy-store/Brain Candy Podcast Candy Club - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/product/candy-club/Brain Candy Podcast Sponsor Codes - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/support-us/Brain Candy Podcast Social Media & Platforms:Brain Candy Podcast LIVE Interactive Trivia Nights - https://www.youtube.com/@BrainCandyPodcast/streamsBrain Candy Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcastHost Susie Meister Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeisterHost Sarah Rice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahriceBrain Candy Podcast on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypodBrain Candy Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/braincandy (JOIN FREE - TONS OF REALITY TV CONTENT)Brain Candy Podcast Sponsors, partnerships, & Products that we love:For 50% off your order, head to https://www.dailylook.com and use code BRAINCANDYGet 60% off your first order, plus free shipping, when you head to https://www.smalls.com/braincandyThis episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://www.betterhelp.com/braincandySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 976: Steve Martin Short, Taco Bell 5k, & Cognitive Dissonance

    976: Steve Martin Short, Taco Bell 5k, & Cognitive Dissonance
    Jan 15 2026

    We're already getting all emotional about coming up on our 1000th episode, and enjoying the fact that all the naysayers were wrong about us being a "showmance." Susie watched the Chevy Chase documentary, and was hoping to find out if he is in fact the a-hole he is often accused of being. Spoiler: he kind of is. We discuss some big news in psychology research, and it turns out maybe everything we thought we knew is wrong? (So what, who cares.) We found out about an ultramarathon that is simultaneously the opposite of our forthcoming (imaginary) flip-flop 5K and also in competition with it. It involves 31 miles and 9 Taco Bell locations.


    Brain Candy Podcast Website - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/

    Brain Candy Podcast Book Recommendations - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/books/

    Brain Candy Podcast Merchandise - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/candy-store/

    Brain Candy Podcast Candy Club - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/product/candy-club/

    Brain Candy Podcast Sponsor Codes - https://thebraincandypodcast.com/support-us/


    Brain Candy Podcast Social Media & Platforms:

    Brain Candy Podcast LIVE Interactive Trivia Nights - https://www.youtube.com/@BrainCandyPodcast/streams

    Brain Candy Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/braincandypodcast

    Host Susie Meister Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susiemeister

    Host Sarah Rice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imsarahrice

    Brain Candy Podcast on X: https://www.x.com/braincandypod

    Brain Candy Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/braincandy (JOIN FREE - TONS OF REALITY TV CONTENT)


    Brain Candy Podcast Sponsors, partnerships, & Products that we love:

    Visit https://www.carawayhome.com/braincandypod and you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase!

    Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join at https://rocketmoney.com/braincandy

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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    52 mins
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