This Is Going Well, I Think With David Cooper

Astrophysics professor Jesse Rogerson drops in for science news, covering: Penguins may be adapting to a rapidly warming climate, but at a cost; Spider monkeys pool knowledge for fruit; People are swayed by AI-generated videos even when they know they're fake; and Scientists reveal the oldest map of the night sky, previously lost to time. Gastroenterologist and professional fart demystifier ⁠⁠Dr. Wendi LeBrett⁠⁠ provides information about irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and answers David's questions about it. On Conspiracy Corner, professor of conspiracy studies Nathan Radke goes over some famous moments in gaslighting history. (⁠Check out Nathan's podcast The Uncover Up here⁠.) Clinical psychology researcher Anuki Amarakoon explains how singles who have casual sex may get a boost in confidence. Microbiology professor Ben Willing gives us a closer look at the benefits of fermented foods. Human-computer interaction researcher ⁠Steve Rathje⁠ explains how ⁠sycophantic AI chatbots can inflate your perceptions tha

Media personality ⁠⁠Caitlin Green⁠⁠ touches on pop culture topics: ⁠Climber dad Alex Honnold successfully scales 101-story building without ropes or harnesses⁠⁠; ⁠Heated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie carry the Olympic torch in Italy⁠⁠; and ⁠The 2026 Oscar nominations⁠⁠. ⁠Hear Caitlin co-hosting The Jann Arden Podcast⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer and community facilitator ⁠Jess Janz⁠ goes over ⁠the finding that 27% of US adults reported eating all their most recent meals alone⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor ⁠Tin D. Vo⁠ gives a deep dive into what the romance show Heated Rivalry means for queer inclusion and representation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cognitive science professor ⁠Sam Johnson⁠ shares ⁠research revealing how dread shapes your decision-making⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Media personality Caitlin Green touches on pop culture topics: Climber dad Alex Honnold successfully scales 101-story building without ropes or harnesses; Heated Rivalry stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie carry the Olympic torch in Italy; and The 2026 Oscar nominations. (Hear Caitlin co-hosting The Jann Arden Podcast.) Cognitive science professor Sam Johnson shares research revealing how dread shapes your decision-making. Writer and community facilitator Jess Janz goes over the finding that 27% of US adults reported eating all their most recent meals alone. Professor Tin D. Vo gives a deep dive into what the romance show Heated Rivalry means for queer inclusion and representation. Economics, behavior, and policy professor Jana Vyrastekova reveals how encouraging students to socialize at an early stage can prevent loneliness. Will Douglas Heaven⁠, a senior editor for AI from ⁠MIT Technology Review⁠, introduces us to ⁠the ways certain scientists are treating AI models like aliens⁠. Segments: (00:00)

A podcast-only special of The Last Show with science man, bat biologist, and generally affable individual Dan Riskin. Dan sits down at David's apartment in New York to tape The Science Appliance. Dan recounts his recent travels to Australia heavily featuring a most terrifying 'spider car' – and it's worse than you think. After that, Dan covers the following science news stories: Study shows orange pigments in redheads prevent cellular damage; The sequel paradox: Research shows less innovation sells more tickets, but only at first; and Podcasts won't slow your driving reactions, but phone calls (even hands-free) will. David talks about grandma-style pizza. Dan practices his microphone technique by shouting the word 'echidna'. ⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Dan's weekly science newsletter The Bat Signal⁠ by clicking here⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Human-computer interaction researcher ⁠Steve Rathje⁠ explains how ⁠sycophantic AI chatbots can inflate your perceptions that you're better than average⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Based on her study of friendship, sociology professor ⁠Janice McCabe⁠ reveals ⁠how you make lasting friendships⁠. Check out Janice's book Making, Keeping, and Losing Friends here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Therapist ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Laurel van der Toorn⁠ and David dig into ⁠a young woman's dilemma where her mother demanded to see her finances⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Science communicator and astrophysicist ⁠Jesse Rogerson⁠ brings us news stories from the science world: NASA's Artemis 2 moon rocket is on the launch pad⁠; Astronauts splash down to Earth after medical evacuation from space station⁠; Scientists tried to spread the flu, only to discover something unexpected⁠; Gigantic wave in the Pacific (Specific?) was the most extreme 'rogue wave' on record⁠; and Mosquitoes are feeding on us more often and scientists say we're to blame⁠. Jesse fields a listener question about cryogenics and long-distance space travel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor of management ⁠Peter Cappelli⁠ shares details of ⁠his study showing how overlooked workplace slights can carry real costs⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Science communicator and astrophysicist Jesse Rogerson brings us news stories from the science world: NASA's Artemis 2 moon rocket is on the launch pad; Astronauts splash down to Earth after medical evacuation from space station; Scientists tried to spread the flu, only to discover something unexpected; Gigantic wave in the Pacific (Specific?) was the most extreme 'rogue wave' on record; and Mosquitoes are feeding on us more often and scientists say we're to blame. Jesse fields a listener question about cryogenics and long-distance space travel. Human-computer interaction researcher Steve Rathje explains how sycophantic AI chatbots can inflate your perceptions that you're better than average. Professor of management Peter Cappelli shares details of his study showing how overlooked workplace slights can carry real costs. Based on her study of friendship, sociology professor Janice McCabe reveals how you make lasting friendships. (Check out Janice's book Making, Keeping, and Losing Friends here.) Therapist ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The show opens with tech analyst Carmi Levy reporting on the following: Matthew McConaughey fights unauthorized AI likenesses by trademarking himself; ChatGPT to start showing users ads based on their conversations; Toronto police to use AI to handle non-emergency calls (don't forget to file your AI TPS reports); YouTube chief says 'managing AI slop' is a priority for 2026; and Atari Hotel project in Las Vegas quietly powers down. Social psychology professor Bastian Jaeger explains how people readily spot gender and race bias but often overlook discrimination based on attractiveness. On Vet Talk – sometimes called Pet Talk – veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford covers: Some dogs can pick up hundreds of words, but do they learn like children; and Trained dogs can detect hemangiosarcoma by scent. Developmental psychologist Anastasiia Grigorev reveals the psychological reason news reports single out women and children. Evolutionary psychologist Dr. Daniel Kruger shares details of his study linking unpredictable childh

For Conspiracy Corner, political science professor Lee Kuhnle briefs David on the myths and plausible explanations for the strange history of the Bermuda Triangle. Check out Lee's podcast The Uncover Up here⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toronto-based comedian ⁠Natalie Norman⁠ talks about whether the recent 2016 throwback photo trend is annoying, weighs in on an 'Am I the A-hole?' dilemma, and explores what to do when you're in a relationship but your coworker is attractive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices