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

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&rsquo;s for everybody.
Stay up to date with <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dopelabspodcast">Dope Labs</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dr_tsho">Titi</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ZSaidSo">Zakiya</a> on Instagram and at <a href="http://dopelabspodcast.com">DopeLabsPodcast.com</a>

Low-Stakes Love: Hallmark’s Holiday Comfort Movies - Lab 121

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4ed8f587-3290-4bc8-b0ff-b3b101444db9/transcript

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

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.&nbsp;
Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it&rsquo;s for everybody.
Stay up to date with <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dopelabspodcast">Dope Labs</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dr_tsho">Titi</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ZSaidSo">Zakiya</a> on Instagram and at <a href="http://dopelabspodcast.com">DopeLabsPodcast.com</a>

 Remixed: The Unexpected Side of Science - Lab120

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1d88ae81-1e37-488b-8bf0-b3aa0142071d/transcript

This episode originally aired November 21, 2019

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Titi and Zakiya discuss the huge impact of European colonialism in North America, not only from the severe depopulation of Indigenous peoples, but also the relationships they cultivated with the plants, animals, and the environment around them. Guest: Dr. Nicholas Reo.

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

Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.

This episode originally aired November 21, 2019
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, Titi and Zakiya discuss the huge impact of European colonialism in North America, not only from the severe depopulation of Indigenous peoples, but also the relationships they cultivated with the plants, animals, and the environment around them. Guest: Dr. Nicholas Reo.
Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it&rsquo;s for everybody.
Stay up to date with <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dopelabspodcast">Dope Labs</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dr_tsho">Titi</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ZSaidSo">Zakiya</a> on Instagram and at <a href="http://dopelabspodcast.com">DopeLabsPodcast.com</a>
Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.&nbsp;
Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: <a href="http://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors">lemonadamedia.com/sponsors</a>
To follow along with a transcript, go to <a href="http://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/">lemonadamedia.com/show/</a> shortly after the air.

Lab 018: Truth Pie (Re-Air)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/31c073a6-c2e4-4f56-91f2-b399014f39ab/transcript

Show Notes: Titi and Zakiya talk to behavioral economist Dr. Dan Ariely to unpack why Black Friday still pulls us in even when we swear we’re “saving.” They dig into the psychology behind sales, scarcity, cart reminders, buy now pay later, and why credit cards numb the pain of paying. They also look at how our “vintage” brains try to navigate money in a world built to separate us from it. If you’ve ever convinced yourself something was “basically free,” this lab is for you.

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

Show Notes: Titi and Zakiya talk to behavioral economist Dr. Dan Ariely to unpack why Black Friday still pulls us in even when we swear we&rsquo;re &ldquo;saving.&rdquo; They dig into the psychology behind sales, scarcity, cart reminders, buy now pay later, and why credit cards numb the pain of paying. They also look at how our &ldquo;vintage&rdquo; brains try to navigate money in a world built to separate us from it. If you&rsquo;ve ever convinced yourself something was &ldquo;basically free,&rdquo; this lab is for you.
Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it&rsquo;s for everybody.
Stay up to date with <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dopelabspodcast">Dope Labs</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dr_tsho">Titi</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ZSaidSo">Zakiya</a> on Instagram and at <a href="http://dopelabspodcast.com">DopeLabsPodcast.com</a>

The Psychology of Black Friday - lab 119

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/823663a8-aa42-449b-a442-b39c017927b6/transcript

Titi and Zakiya sit down with Dr. Darrell West from the Brookings Institution to unpack what’s really going on behind the economy and job numbers. We talk about why unemployment stats can underestimate pain, how cuts to NIH/NSF and university funding hit entire local economies built on “eds and meds,” and why AI is shaking up the knowledge sector. We also hear from a Dope Labs listener who is a laid-off pharma worker. This lab asks what it will take for workers, students, and policymakers to keep the innovation engine running.

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
Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.

Titi and Zakiya sit down with Dr. Darrell West from the Brookings Institution to unpack what&rsquo;s really going on behind the economy and job numbers. We talk about why unemployment stats can underestimate pain, how cuts to NIH/NSF and university funding hit entire local economies built on &ldquo;eds and meds,&rdquo; and why AI is shaking up the knowledge sector. We also hear from a Dope Labs listener who is a laid-off pharma worker. This lab asks what it will take for workers, students, and policymakers to keep the innovation engine running.
Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it&rsquo;s for everybody.
Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.&nbsp;
Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors
To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.

Inside the 2025 Economy - Lab 118

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1814e374-979a-403d-b24e-b39501416ee3/transcript

It feels like everyone’s sneezing, coughing, or cutting out gluten—but what’s really behind the allergy explosion? Titi and Zakiya dig into why seasonal allergies seem worse than ever, how climate change and “too much cleanliness” play a role, and what the difference is between an allergy, an intolerance, and just being sensitive. With allergist and immunologist Dr. Purvi Parikh, they unpack myths from TikTok tests to peanut panic, reveal how science is rethinking early exposure, and call out how pop culture turned asthma into a punchline. 

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

Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.

It feels like everyone&rsquo;s sneezing, coughing, or cutting out gluten&mdash;but what&rsquo;s really behind the allergy explosion? Titi and Zakiya dig into why seasonal allergies seem worse than ever, how climate change and &ldquo;too much cleanliness&rdquo; play a role, and what the difference is between an allergy, an intolerance, and just being sensitive. With allergist and immunologist Dr. Purvi Parikh, they unpack myths from TikTok tests to peanut panic, reveal how science is rethinking early exposure, and call out how pop culture turned asthma into a punchline.&nbsp;
Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it&rsquo;s for everybody.
Stay up to date with <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dopelabspodcast">Dope Labs</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dr_tsho">Titi</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ZSaidSo">Zakiya</a> on Instagram and at <a href="http://dopelabspodcast.com">DopeLabsPodcast.com</a>
Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.&nbsp;
Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows:&nbsp;<a href="http://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors">lemonadamedia.com/sponsors</a>
To follow along with a transcript, go to <a href="http://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/">lemonadamedia.com/show/</a> shortly after the air.

 Allergies: What’s Real, What’s Hype, and What’s Making It Worse - Lab 117

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0f380c37-9f23-4e72-9510-b38e01659f81/transcript

Screen names with your graduation year are out; but Ring cams, smart fridges, and “accept all” cookies seems to be in. This lab is all about how we’re using the internet! Titi and Zakiya sit down with Bridget Todd, host of There Are No Girls on the Internet, to talk about surveillance disguised as convenience, the rage-bait economy, and why our feeds feel worse. From doorbells to teaching the next generation, this lab is about taking our power and joy back online.

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

Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.

Screen names with your graduation year are out; but Ring cams, smart fridges, and &ldquo;accept all&rdquo; cookies seems to be in. This lab is all about how we&rsquo;re using the internet! Titi and Zakiya sit down with Bridget Todd, host of <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4v7u3AEIf0UUp50UAGVn4S?si=FYth0_PkTJmR3MyDdhbVJA">There Are No Girls on the Internet</a>, to talk about surveillance disguised as convenience, the rage-bait economy, and why our feeds feel worse. From doorbells to teaching the next generation, this lab is about taking our power and joy back online.
Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it&rsquo;s for everybody.
Stay up to date with <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dopelabspodcast">Dope Labs</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dr_tsho">Titi</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ZSaidSo">Zakiya</a> on Instagram and at <a href="http://dopelabspodcast.com">DopeLabsPodcast.com</a>
Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.&nbsp;
Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: <a href="http://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors">lemonadamedia.com/sponsors</a>
To follow along with a transcript, go to <a href="http://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/">lemonadamedia.com/show/</a> shortly after the air.

We Built This Internet (So We Can Fix It) - Lab 116

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5efb5e42-b4f2-4b63-b55b-b386016366a3/transcript

Titi and Zakiya sit down with writer and image activist Michaela Angela Davis to talk about her book Tenderheaded and the tangled relationship between hair, colorism, and identity. From childhood memories to the legacy of magazines like Vibe and Essence, Michaela unpacks how beauty standards and media have shaped generations of Black women—and how healing begins when we tell our own stories.

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

Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.

Titi and Zakiya sit down with writer and image activist Michaela Angela Davis to talk about her book Tenderheaded and the tangled relationship between hair, colorism, and identity. From childhood memories to the legacy of magazines like Vibe and Essence, Michaela unpacks how beauty standards and media have shaped generations of Black women&mdash;and how healing begins when we tell our own stories.
Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it&rsquo;s for everybody.
Stay up to date with <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dopelabspodcast">Dope Labs</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dr_tsho">Titi</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ZSaidSo">Zakiya</a> on Instagram and at <a href="http://dopelabspodcast.com">DopeLabsPodcast.com</a>
Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.&nbsp;
Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: <a href="http://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors">lemonadamedia.com/sponsors</a>
To follow along with a transcript, go to <a href="http://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/">lemonadamedia.com/show/</a> shortly after the air.

 Tenderheaded: Hair, History, and Healing with Michaela Angela Davis - Lab115

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8a81cba6-868c-4934-b486-b38001199c7d/transcript

 It’s spooky season and the Dope Labs crew LOVES a good horror film. From Rosemary’s Baby to Get Out, horror movies have always reflected the fears and tensions of their time. This week, Titi and Zakiya dig into the art, psychology, and sociology of horror with Dr. Eleanor Johnson, a professor at Columbia University and author of Scream With Me. Together, they unpack how films like The Exorcist, Alien, and The Shining reveal cultural anxieties around feminism, bodily autonomy, and power—and why today’s horror feels more urgent than ever.

You can purchase her book Scream With Me here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Scream-with-Me/Eleanor-Johnson/9781668087633 

Keep up with Dr. Johnson’s latest essays on horror and culture at hersubstack Eleanorshorrors.aubstack.com

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

Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.

&nbsp;It&rsquo;s spooky season and the Dope Labs crew LOVES a good horror film. From Rosemary&rsquo;s Baby to Get Out, horror movies have always reflected the fears and tensions of their time. This week, Titi and Zakiya dig into the art, psychology, and sociology of horror with Dr. Eleanor Johnson, a professor at Columbia University and author of Scream With Me. Together, they unpack how films like The Exorcist, Alien, and The Shining reveal cultural anxieties around feminism, bodily autonomy, and power&mdash;and why today&rsquo;s horror feels more urgent than ever.
You can purchase her book Scream With Me here: <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Scream-with-Me/Eleanor-Johnson/9781668087633">https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Scream-with-Me/Eleanor-Johnson/9781668087633</a>&nbsp;
Keep up with Dr. Johnson&rsquo;s latest essays on horror and culture at her<a href="https://eleanorshorror.substack.com"> </a>substack <a href="http://eleanorshorrors.aubstack.com">Eleanorshorrors.aubstack.com</a>
Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it&rsquo;s for everybody.
Stay up to date with <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dopelabspodcast">Dope Labs</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dr_tsho">Titi</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ZSaidSo">Zakiya</a> on Instagram and at <a href="http://dopelabspodcast.com">DopeLabsPodcast.com</a>
Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.&nbsp;
Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: <a href="http://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors">lemonadamedia.com/sponsors</a>
To follow along with a transcript, go to <a href="http://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/">lemonadamedia.com/show/</a> shortly after the air.

Scream With Me - Lab 114

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/7d38a140-6c81-466b-b730-b379012c1539/transcript

Jumping to conclusions, letting stories override statistics, and getting swept up in the crowd—turns out, we’re all wired for it. Titi and Zakiya explore how evolutionary psychology and group identity shape the way we process information, especially in our fast-paced digital world. From the spread of misinformation about Tylenol to viral rapture predictions, the hosts share relatable moments and surprising examples to illuminate why bias is so tough to beat. 

✨ Want to be part of our upcoming planetarium film, Remixed: The Unexpected Side of Science? We’d love for our Dope Labs community to join in! Find all the details and your chance to participate here - https://bit.ly/3VVkVa1

Previous Labs Mentioned:

Lab 037 - In Denial

Lab 038 - So Anxious

Lab 076 - Monkeypox: Fact vs Fiction

Lab 082 - In Your Feed: Social Media

Lab 112 - Addiction: A Chronic Condition

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

Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. 

Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsors

To follow along with a transcript, go to lemonadamedia.com/show/ shortly after the air.

Jumping to conclusions, letting stories override statistics, and getting swept up in the crowd&mdash;turns out, we&rsquo;re all wired for it. Titi and Zakiya explore how evolutionary psychology and group identity shape the way we process information, especially in our fast-paced digital world. From the spread of misinformation about Tylenol to viral rapture predictions, the hosts share relatable moments and surprising examples to illuminate why bias is so tough to beat.&nbsp;
✨ Want to be part of our upcoming planetarium film, Remixed: The Unexpected Side of Science? We&rsquo;d love for our Dope Labs community to join in! Find all the details and your chance to participate here - <a href="https://bit.ly/3VVkVa1">https://bit.ly/3VVkVa1</a>
Previous Labs Mentioned:
<a href="https://link.podtrac.com/qhzp38hf">Lab 037 - In Denial</a>
<a href="https://link.podtrac.com/pdqa8z0q">Lab 038 - So Anxious</a>
<a href="https://link.podtrac.com/oz31a3ks">Lab 076 - Monkeypox: Fact vs Fiction</a>
<a href="https://link.podtrac.com/r3ccvzj4">Lab 082 - In Your Feed: Social Media</a>
<a href="https://link.podtrac.com/yqzrjxg0">Lab 112 - Addiction: A Chronic Condition</a>
Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it&rsquo;s for everybody.
Stay up to date with <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dopelabspodcast">Dope Labs</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/dr_tsho">Titi</a>, and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ZSaidSo">Zakiya</a> on Instagram and at <a href="http://dopelabspodcast.com">DopeLabsPodcast.com</a>
Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.&nbsp;
Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: <a href="http://lemonadamedia.com/sponsors">lemonadamedia.com/sponsors</a>
To follow along with a transcript, go to <a href="http://www.lemonadamedia.com/show/">lemonadamedia.com/show/</a> shortly after the air.

Falling For it: Brains Wired for Bias - Lab 113

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fabaa683-fdfa-471b-b4ee-b37201327cc1/transcript

Dope Labs is a podcast hosted by best friends (and two of the dopest scientists you will ever meet), Titi and Zakiya. In each episode, they serve up scientific principles with a healthy dose of tea. From cuffing season to Cardi B, they’ll take what’s trending and put it under the microscope with the help of some very smart (and cool) scientific friends. At Dope Labs, we believe “science is for errybody” and our mission is to bring out the inner scientist in YOU.

Dope Labs is a podcast hosted by best friends (and two of the dopest scientists you will ever meet), Titi and Zakiya. In each episode, they serve up scientific principles with a healthy dose of tea. From cuffing season to Cardi B, they&rsquo;ll take what&rsquo;s trending and put it under the microscope with the help of some very smart (and cool) scientific friends. At Dope Labs, we believe &ldquo;science is for errybody&rdquo; and our mission is to bring out the inner scientist in YOU.

Dope Labs

Dope Labs is a new podcast from Spotify Studios hosted by best friends (and two of the dopest scientists you will ever meet), Titi and Zakiya. In each episode, they serve up scientific principles with a healthy dose of tea. From cuffing season to Cardi B, they’ll take what’s trending and put it under the microscope with the help of some very smart (and cool) scientific friends. At Dope Labs, we believe “science is for errybody” and our mission is to bring out the inner scientist in YOU.

Dope Labs

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

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