Author Mary Roach is a hands-on writer specializing in science related topics that tap into some of the more curious and unexpected nooks of our lives. But “hands-on” doesn’t fully capture the lengths she’ll go to capture her stories – for her book examining the intricacies of sex, science, and relationships, she convinced her husband to have sex while monitored and recorded in an MRI, Ultrasound, Sonogram-like device…Really, no Really!

Mary Roach is an author specializing in popular science and humor having written seven New York Times bestsellers, including Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, STIFF: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers; GULP: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, and PACKING FOR MARS: The Curious Science of Life in the Void and her latest book, FUZZ: When Nature Breaks the Law.

Mary has written for National Geographic, Wired, The New York Times Magazine, Vogue, GQ, and the Journal of Clinical Anatomy, among many, many others.

Her 2009 TED talk, "Ten Things You Didn't Know About Orgasm", made the organization's list of top 10 most popular talks of all time.

IN THIS EPISODE:
How Mary chooses esoteric and often taboo topics.
Women’s sexual arousal can be measured…or can it?
Mary embraces the taboo, including researching how astronauts avoid “fecal decapitation.”
The shocking places where donated cadavers can end up.
Using the Scientific Method to “prove” the existence of a higher power.
India’s battles with elephants and monkeys.
Googleheim: Science Myth vs. Science Fact



Website: MaryRoach.net

X/Twitter: @mary_roach



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Author Mary Roach is a hands-on writer specializing in science related topics that tap into some of the more curious and unexpected nooks of our lives. But “hands-on” doesn’t fully capture the lengths she’ll go to capture her stories – for her book examining the intricacies of sex, science, and relationships, she convinced her husband to have sex while monitored and recorded in an MRI, Ultrasound, Sonogram-like device…Really, no Really!
Mary Roach is an author specializing in popular science and humor having written seven New York Times bestsellers, including Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, STIFF: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers; GULP: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal, and PACKING FOR MARS: The Curious Science of Life in the Void and her latest book, FUZZ: When Nature Breaks the Law.
Mary has written for National Geographic, Wired, The New York Times Magazine, Vogue, GQ, and the Journal of Clinical Anatomy, among many, many others.
Her 2009 TED talk, "<a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/mary_roach_10_things_you_didn_t_know_about_orgasm?language=en">Ten Things You Didn't Know About Orgasm</a>", made the organization's list of top 10 most popular talks of all time.
IN THIS EPISODE:
<ul>
<li>How Mary chooses esoteric and often taboo topics.</li>
<li>Women’s sexual arousal can be measured…or can it?</li>
<li>Mary embraces the taboo, including researching how astronauts avoid “fecal decapitation.”</li>
<li>The shocking places where donated cadavers can end up.</li>
<li>Using the Scientific Method to “prove” the existence of a higher power.</li>
<li>India’s battles with elephants and monkeys.</li>
<li>Googleheim: Science Myth vs. Science Fact</li>
</ul>
 
Website: <a href="http://www.maryroach.net/">MaryRoach.net</a>
X/Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/mary_roach">@mary_roach</a>
 
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Every Tuesday best friends Jason Alexander and Peter Tilden are joined by experts, newsmakers and celebrities in an attempt to find answers to the things that make us go…"Really? no, Really?” We invite you to join us, subscribe and even suggest topics, as we search for the answers to life’s most baffling, intriguing, confusing and annoying questions

Every Tuesday best friends Jason Alexander and Peter Tilden are joined by experts, newsmakers and celebrities in an attempt to find answers to the things that make us go…"Really? no, Really?” We invite you to join us, subscribe and even suggest topics, as we search for the answers to life’s most baffling, intriguing, confusing and annoying questions

Really? no, Really?

America’s Funniest Science Author on Orgasms, Cadavers & Space Travel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3ac4ae62-82ee-4dea-82c7-b10e0029b606/transcript

A man attempted suicide by overdosing on a drug he was given in a clinical trial. He was rushed to a hospital in bad shape…shaking, breathing rapidly with a dangerously low pulse, and blood pressure that had bottomed out. He was eventually stabilized, but not by anything the staff at the hospital did. The treatment and cure?  He was informed that the overdose he had taken was a placebo. He had downed 29 capsules that were effectively sugar pills and the cause of his medical emergency… was all in his mind…Really, no really!

Jason and Peter were fascinated by the seemingly lethal effects of an inert substance. And while they had heard about the placebo effect, they were amazed that it could be this powerful. To find out more, they sought out the world’s foremost expert and researcher on the subject. Dr. Luana Colloca is a distinguished professor at the University of Maryland and the Director of the Placebo Beyond Opinions Center.

As an NIH-funded, internationally recognized expert, Dr. Colloca and her team research human pain modulation in patients suffering from chronic pain hoping to deepen understanding of placebo and nocebo effects.

IN THIS EPISODE:
The reason for the placebo’s creation in 1799.
Why the placebo effect is more powerful than you think.
The lesser-known nocebo effect and how it works.
How do placebos mimic active treatments?
Is it ethical to prescribe placebos without informing patients?
Why patients who KNEW they were getting placebos improved!
The placebo effect on positive vs negative-minded people.
Acupuncture, reiki, other alternative treatments - placebos?
Jason’s trick for alleviating pain using the power of his mind.
A placebo to replace erectile dysfunction medications?
Pondering non-medical uses for placebos - placebo vacations?
Google-:heim: Placebo “isn’t” but “is.” Here are other things we think “are” that “aren’t.”

FOLLOW LUANA:

The Colloca Lab

Placebo Beyond Opinions (PBO) Center

Instagram: @CollocaLab

Facebook: @LuanaColloca

***

FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:

www.reallynoreally.com

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Facebook

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X

A man attempted suicide by overdosing on a drug he was given in a clinical trial. He was rushed to a hospital in bad shape…shaking, breathing rapidly with a dangerously low pulse, and blood pressure that had bottomed out. He was eventually stabilized, but not by anything the staff at the hospital did. The treatment and cure?  He was informed that the overdose he had taken was a placebo. He had downed 29 capsules that were effectively sugar pills and the cause of his medical emergency… was all in his mind…Really, no really!
Jason and Peter were fascinated by the seemingly lethal effects of an inert substance. And while they had heard about the placebo effect, they were amazed that it could be this powerful. To find out more, they sought out the world’s foremost expert and researcher on the subject. Dr. Luana Colloca is a distinguished professor at the University of Maryland and the Director of the Placebo Beyond Opinions Center.
As an NIH-funded, internationally recognized expert, Dr. Colloca and her team research human pain modulation in patients suffering from chronic pain hoping to deepen understanding of placebo and nocebo effects.
IN THIS EPISODE:
<ul>
<li>The reason for the placebo’s creation in 1799.</li>
<li>Why the placebo effect is more powerful than you think.</li>
<li>The lesser-known nocebo effect and how it works.</li>
<li>How do placebos mimic active treatments?</li>
<li>Is it ethical to prescribe placebos without informing patients?</li>
<li>Why patients who KNEW they were getting placebos improved!</li>
<li>The placebo effect on positive vs negative-minded people.</li>
<li>Acupuncture, reiki, other alternative treatments - placebos?</li>
<li>Jason’s trick for alleviating pain using the power of his mind.</li>
<li>A placebo to replace erectile dysfunction medications?</li>
<li>Pondering non-medical uses for placebos - placebo vacations?</li>
<li>Google-:heim: Placebo “isn’t” but “is.” Here are other things we think “are” that “aren’t.”</li>
</ul>
FOLLOW LUANA:
<a href="https://colloca.wixsite.com/colloca-lab">The Colloca Lab</a>
<a href="https://www.nursing.umaryland.edu/research/research-centers/placebo-beyond-opinions/">Placebo Beyond Opinions (PBO) Center</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/collocalab/">Instagram</a>: @CollocaLab
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/luana.colloca">Facebook</a>: @LuanaColloca
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
<a href="http://www.reallynoreally.com/">www.reallynoreally.com</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reallynoreallypodcast/">Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast">YouTube</a>
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@reallynoreallypodcast">TikTok</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/reallynoreallypodcast">Facebook</a>
<a href="https://www.threads.net/">Threads</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/ReallyNoReally_">X</a>

The Shocking Power of the Placebo Effect!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2bafc3b9-4bd8-42ae-941f-b17e00232a59/transcript

Have you heard about Wally the 5-foot-long, 60-pound emotional support alligator? Wally’s owner sleeps with him, walks him on a leash, and even hosts children’s pool parties featuring the supposedly docile reptile. With their inhuman eyes, prehistoric looks, razor sharp teeth, and propensity to eat small dogs (and sometimes their owners), most of us have concluded that alligators are mindless, aggressive killing machines. Today’s guest says…we’re wrong. Really, no really!

We wanted to know if Wally’s antics represented the tip of the iceberg when it came to alligators demonstrating intelligence, receptiveness to petting and scratching, and if gators could express affection towards their human companions. Thousands of videos on Instagram and Tik Tok show people interacting lovingly with alligators so to understand the dichotomy of a predator with feelings we sought out Paul Bedard, one of the most knowledgeable people on the planet when it comes to understanding the psyche of wild alligators and how humans can interact with them in a safe and…get this… fun way.

Paul was featured on Animal Planet’s “Gator Boys” for 6 seasons where viewers saw him catch and rescue alligators that were deemed a threat to people, pets, or livestock. Outside of the reality show, Paul leads The Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Sanctuary housed in the Everglades Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

ON THIS EPISODE:
The improbable altruistic inclination that led Paul to become a savior to alligators.
Why some gators can be successfully trained!
Are gators capable of feeling affection, frustration, pleasure, anxiety, distress and able to plot and plan?
The unusual way Paul catches wild alligators, while swimming in canals…Really!
Paul reveals what went through his mind when an alligator clamped down on his skull!!!
Do alligators sense your fear?
Do humans care more about the welfare of cute animals?


Google-heim: Play along with the game, “Can you do THIS in Florida?”

***

FOLLOW PAUL:

Everglades Holiday Park: EvergladesHolidayPark.com

Instagram: @gatorboysalligatorrescue

YouTube: @gatorboysoutdoors

Facebook: @GatorBoysPaul

***

FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:

www.reallynoreally.com

Instagram

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X

Have you heard about Wally the 5-foot-long, 60-pound emotional support alligator? Wally’s owner sleeps with him, walks him on a leash, and even hosts children’s pool parties featuring the supposedly docile reptile. With their inhuman eyes, prehistoric looks, razor sharp teeth, and propensity to eat small dogs (and sometimes their owners), most of us have concluded that alligators are mindless, aggressive killing machines. Today’s guest says…we’re wrong. Really, no really!
We wanted to know if Wally’s antics represented the tip of the iceberg when it came to alligators demonstrating intelligence, receptiveness to petting and scratching, and if gators could express affection towards their human companions. Thousands of videos on Instagram and Tik Tok show people interacting lovingly with alligators so to understand the dichotomy of a predator with feelings we sought out Paul Bedard, one of the most knowledgeable people on the planet when it comes to understanding the psyche of wild alligators and how humans can interact with them in a safe and…get this… fun way.
Paul was featured on Animal Planet’s “Gator Boys” for 6 seasons where viewers saw him catch and rescue alligators that were deemed a threat to people, pets, or livestock. Outside of the reality show, Paul leads The Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Sanctuary housed in the Everglades Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
ON THIS EPISODE:
<ul>
<li>The improbable altruistic inclination that led Paul to become a savior to alligators.</li>
<li>Why some gators can be successfully trained!</li>
<li>Are gators capable of feeling affection, frustration, pleasure, anxiety, distress and able to plot and plan?</li>
<li>The unusual way Paul catches wild alligators, while swimming in canals…Really!</li>
<li>Paul reveals what went through his mind when an alligator clamped down on his skull!!!</li>
<li>Do alligators sense your fear?</li>
<li>Do humans care more about the welfare of cute animals?</li>
</ul>
 
<ul>
<li>Google-heim: Play along with the game, “Can you do THIS in Florida?”</li>
</ul>
***
FOLLOW PAUL:
<a href="https://www.evergladesholidaypark.com/attractions/gator-boys-alligator-rescue/">Everglades Holiday Park</a>: EvergladesHolidayPark.com
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/gatorboysalligatorrescue/">Instagram</a>: @gatorboysalligatorrescue
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/gatorboys7">YouTube</a>: @gatorboysoutdoors
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/gatorboyspaul/">Facebook</a>: @GatorBoysPaul
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
<a href="http://www.reallynoreally.com/">www.reallynoreally.com</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reallynoreallypodcast/">Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast">YouTube</a>
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@reallynoreallypodcast">TikTok</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/reallynoreallypodcast">Facebook</a>
<a href="https://www.threads.net/">Threads</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/ReallyNoReally_">X</a>

The Secret Life of Alligators!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a76f1548-ff98-4a3a-82f4-b1770017dd20/transcript

Today’s episode is all about our frustration with customer service… which by anyone’s standards is getting worse and worse! You experience it every time you encounter a phone tree, interact with a chatbot, or deal with increasingly longer hold times. The truly shocking fact, the apparent ineptitude of most customer service departments is by design. Really, no Really!

Jason and Peter had to find out the reason a company would intentionally offer unsatisfactory customer service and became even more bemused when they realized that A.I. is going to impact the entire sector. That’s why they sought out Amas Tenumah, a customer service expert and technologist who has advised DirecTV, Fastly, Wendy's, Teleflora, and Coca-Cola. His work has been featured on NPR, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, and other business journals.

IN THIS EPISODE: 
Poor customer care is part of the design!
Amas’ secret trick to navigating customer service.
How companies treat customer service employees: bathroom time tabulated, tethered to headsets, ridiculous scripts, terrible pay, and worse!
Part of the customer service problem… YOU, the consumer!
Every Call Center has one: the profanity policy.
Correlating CEO tenure and inferior customer service.
Can AI and technology improve people’s customer service experience?
Peter’s “million-dollar idea” to revolutionize customer care.
The growing number of companies that have terminated ALL phone interaction with customers.
When chatbots go rogue!
Why Amas almost got his hand cut off. Really!
Google-heim: The Oldest continuously operating company in the world must have the best customer service, right? You will be shocked to learn how long these folks have been in business.

***

FOLLOW AMAS:

Website: AmasTenumah.com

Instagram: @AmasTenumah

YouTube: @AmasTenumah

Facebook: Amas Tenumah

X: @AmasTenumah

LinkedIn: Amas Tenumah

***

FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:

www.reallynoreally.com

Instagram

YouTube

TikTok

Facebook

Threads

X

Today’s episode is all about our frustration with customer service… which by anyone’s standards is getting worse and worse! You experience it every time you encounter a phone tree, interact with a chatbot, or deal with increasingly longer hold times. The truly shocking fact, the apparent ineptitude of most customer service departments is by design. Really, no Really!
Jason and Peter had to find out the reason a company would intentionally offer unsatisfactory customer service and became even more bemused when they realized that A.I. is going to impact the entire sector. That’s why they sought out Amas Tenumah, a customer service expert and technologist who has advised DirecTV, Fastly, Wendy's, Teleflora, and Coca-Cola. His work has been featured on NPR, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, and other business journals.
IN THIS EPISODE: 
<ul>
<li>Poor customer care is part of the design!</li>
<li>Amas’ secret trick to navigating customer service.</li>
<li>How companies treat customer service employees: bathroom time tabulated, tethered to headsets, ridiculous scripts, terrible pay, and worse!</li>
<li>Part of the customer service problem… YOU, the consumer!</li>
<li>Every Call Center has one: the profanity policy.</li>
<li>Correlating CEO tenure and inferior customer service.</li>
<li>Can AI and technology improve people’s customer service experience?</li>
<li>Peter’s “million-dollar idea” to revolutionize customer care.</li>
<li>The growing number of companies that have terminated ALL phone interaction with customers.</li>
<li>When chatbots go rogue!</li>
<li>Why Amas almost got his hand cut off. Really!</li>
<li>Google-heim: The Oldest continuously operating company in the world must have the best customer service, right? You will be shocked to learn how long these folks have been in business.</li>
</ul>
***
FOLLOW AMAS:
<a href="https://www.amastenumah.com/">Website</a>: AmasTenumah.com
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/amastenumah/">Instagram</a>: @AmasTenumah
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIMSPbqFhPxQgA7ScZfBmw">YouTube</a>: @AmasTenumah
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/amastenumah">Facebook</a>: Amas Tenumah
<a href="https://twitter.com/amastenumah">X</a>: @AmasTenumah
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amastenumah/">LinkedIn</a>: Amas Tenumah
***
FOLLOW REALLY NO REALLY:
<a href="http://www.reallynoreally.com/">www.reallynoreally.com</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/reallynoreallypodcast/">Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@reallynoreallypodcast">YouTube</a>
<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@reallynoreallypodcast">TikTok</a>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/reallynoreallypodcast">Facebook</a>
<a href="https://www.threads.net/">Threads</a>
<a href="https://twitter.com/ReallyNoReally_">X</a>

Your Bad Customer Service was No Accident!

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b340f11f-ec21-49df-b921-b16f011b7336/transcript

America’s Funniest Science Author on Orgasms, Cadavers & Space Travel

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