This Is Going Well, I Think With David Cooper

Foreign correspondent Tony Five covers the strange tale of the Sycamore Gap Tree and its trunk and the sorry state of X's Grok chatbot. Consumer behavior researcher Ethan Milne explains the rise of retributive philanthropy (or revenge donations). Evolutionary psychologist Dr. Carey Fitzgerald reveals that common sounds like coughs and sneezes can impair your learning. On It's Time For Technology Time, tech expert Carmi Levy discusses stories: China's new robot soccer league; Nvidia now at record $4 trillion valuation; TikTok is being flooded with inappropriate AI videos generated by Google tools; and TikTok building new version of app ahead of expected US sale. Head of the laboratory of neurogenetics of language at Rockefeller University Dr. Erich D. Jarvis educates us as to why scientists are mapping the genomes of every animal, plant, and fungal species in the US. Tony Five attends a short Advice For Your Tomorrow's Self, Yesterday (AFY-TSY) and then caller Gillian from London, Ontario tells the two how sh

Foreign correspondent Tony Five reports on prospective fines for British supermarkets if they don't sell enough healthy food. Experimental psychology researcher Maximilian (Max) Maier reveals hidden biases in AI's moral advice. Dr. Grant Shields explains why people make riskier choices when they're stressed. On Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday, Gary Direnfeld and David discuss common boundaries people violate without even realizing it. Tony Five joins the show for another installment of Advice For Your Tomorrow's Self, Yesterday (AFY-TSY). Comedian Natalie Norman clarifies what the Labubu doll craze is all about. Parent coach Kim Muench discusses how some parents are sacrificing financial security to help their adult children. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:20) Tony Five pt. 1 (09:59) Maximilian Maier (19:59) Dr. Grant Shields (29:59) Gary Direnfeld pt. 1 (39:49) Gary Direnfeld pt. 2 (49:49) Tony Five pt. 2 (59:49) Natalie Norman (1:09:49) Kim Muench (1:19:07) Sign-off Le

Foreign correspondent Tony Five reports that drones are dropping zombie knives and kilos of drugs into UK prisons. Noah Cappe joins David for Noah vs. The Unknown and describes the strange Buga Sphere object from Columbia. Cognitive and brain sciences researcher Christian Montag explains that positive attitudes toward AI are linked to problematic social media use. Retail analyst Bruce Winder gives the lowdown on Prime Day 2025. On Sex, Et Cetera, sexual health and consent educator Samantha Bitty describes how best to send a sext (responsibly). Tony Five and David give themselves Advice For Your Tomorrow's Self, Yesterday (AFY-TSY). Divorce attorney John Nachlinger and David discuss the gen Z student who got a $10,000 "inheritance" from their dad in lieu of unpaid support money. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:51) Tony Five pt. 1 (09:59) Noah Cappe (19:59) Christian Montag (29:59) Bruce Winder (39:49) Samantha Bitty pt. 1 (49:49) Samantha Bitty pt. 2 (59:49) Tony Five pt. 2 (1:0

Top stories on News You Can't Use with foreign correspondent Tony Five: Woman convicted of triple murder after serving a fatal beef Wellington; and Bees attack in French town. Psychology professor Dr. Daniel Casasanto reveals that the idea that lefties are more creative is a misconception. Evolutionary anthropology researcher Dr. Joseph Feldblum explains that chimpanzee babies do better when their moms have strong social connections. On Pet Talk (or is it Vet Talk?) with Dr. Cliff Redford we cover: Extreme heat linked to increased pet dog deaths; Pets get hay fever too; Standing out from the crowd can be a survival mechanism; and Orcas offer food to humans in the wild. (Check out Cliff's podcast here.) Freelance journalist Eric Hal Schwartz discusses how you don't have to be real to score brand deals as an influencer. Political scientist David Macdonald goes over his findings that student loan debt doesn't deter civic engagement. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:27) Tony Five pt. 1 (09:59) Tony

David's top stories: Snake on a plane delays a flight in Australia; and Hurdler gets modeling offer after shorts malfunction during race. Social-personality psychologist William Chopik explains what we get wrong in our misjudgments about people with tattoos. Foreign correspondent Tony Five joins in to chat with environmental psychologist Dr. Jim Uttley about why only certain types of crime, but not others, increases after dark. Mark – a man who saved a bumblebee – shares his story with Tony and David. (Donate to The Bumblebee Conservation Trust here.) Jill Connolly from RC Pets convinces us to leash our cats. Psychology researcher Annika From reveals that similarity in long‑term romantic couples probably matters less than you'd think. Astrophysicist Dr. Jesse Rogerson⁠ describes our first look from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory⁠. Relationship scientist Dr. Marisa Cohen⁠ explains how to spot (and avoid dating) a "man child"⁠. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:52) Snake on a plain (05:28) Hurdle

The show opens with News You Can't Use, and foreign correspondent Tony Five covering cryptic tears shed in British parliament causing economic turmoil. On It's Time For Technology Time, Carmi Levy dives into the following: Half a million Spotify users are unknowingly grooving to an AI-generated band; Microsoft's Blue Screen of Death dies after 40 years of memes, jokes, t-shirts; Amazon now has 1 million robots steadily pushing humans out; and Google launches Doppl, a new app that lets you visualize how an outfit might look on you. Dr. Jess Dominguez explains that friendships between queer people can improve well-being, however there's nuance. Dr. Jonathan Bernstein goes over the people who are allergic to other humans (and their fluids). David interviews comedian/musician Avery Pearson. ⁠Reporter Matthew Alston⁠ discusses things you should never share at work – no matter how much you trust your coworkers. Dr. John-Patrick Alao shares how caffeine could slow cellular aging. Segments: (00:00) Introduc

On News You Can't Use, foreign correspondent Tony Five explains how Superman was spotted 1,000ft over London, England. David talks about how he toasts his nuts. (Cashews – get your head out of the gutter!) Mentalist Mysterion the Mind Reader chats about his career breaking brains and reading minds. Therapist Gary Direnfeld joins the show for Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday and discusses how requesting childcare from grandparents can be fraught with trouble. Amina Yousaf shares how summer break brings uncertainty for children, and how kindness at home can make a difference for them. Chris Dawson describes his research showing why smarter people make better decisions. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:38) Tony Five pt. 1 (09:59) Tony Five pt. 2 (19:59) Mysterion the Mind Reader pt. 1 (29:59) Mysterion the Mind Reader pt. 2 (39:49) Gary Direnfeld pt. 1 (49:49) Gary Direnfeld pt. 2 (59:49) Amina Yousaf (1:09:49) Chris Dawson (1:19:07) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a

After wishing his audience a happy Canada Day, David is joined by foreign correspondent Tony Five to discuss their ideal power bands. After that, it's Advice For Your Tomorrow's Self, Yesterday (AFY-TSY). Psychology and neuroscience researcher Gabriela Fernández-Miranda sheds light on how forgiveness does and doesn't reshape memories. Comedian Natalie Norman acts as the show's special NBA draft correspondent on basketball player fashion. On Sex, Et Cetera, sexual health and consent educator Samantha Bitty and David debate whether "don't yuck my yum" is a yucky thing to say, then divulge the sexy (and not-so-sexy) things in their bedside drawers. Romantic matchmaker Lucinda Luttrell from Agape Machmaking chats about her profession and about what Hollywood has gotten wrong about it. Social psychology researcher and research fellow at The Kinsey Institute Dr. Jessica Campbell explains how online camming can help men feel more comfortable in their own skin. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:53) Tony F

David's top stories: Rollercoaster stuck on opening day with riders hanging straight down; and Hotel ordered to stop their red panda wake-up service. For the inaugural Live From The Lonely Pole, David and foreign correspondent Tony Five interview tarot reader Ape Alexander. (If you see any interesting flyers posted on telephone poles, send pictures to david@lastshow.pizza!) Tony and David give themselves Advice For Your Tomorrow's Self, Yesterday (AFY-TSY). Therapist Laurel Roberts-Meese⁠ discusses a man who admits that his wife of 5 years has no clue he's secretly worth millions. Journalist Hannah J. Davies speaks to her love (and the benefits) of solo travel. On Pet Talk, veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford covers pet-related stories – maybe you should leash your cat? Assistant professor of psychiatry Dr. Amanda Elton explains how adversity in childhood is linked to accelerated brain development. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:52) Rollercoaster stuck upside down (06:11) Red panda wakeup service

It's News You Can't Use and foreign correspondent Tony Five⁠⁠ with stories: Pigeons in cowboy hats confuse Las Vegas; and A 'poop cruise' documentary. David interviews Harriet Goldberg about her jazzy tune you've probably heard while on hold. Astrophysicist Dr. Jesse Rogerson describes our first look from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory. Tony Five and David speak with Amandine Ranson from sexual wellness and sex stoy company LELO and discuss love making during heatwaves. On Pop Cultured, Like Fungus, co-host of The Jan Arden Podcast and media personality Caitlin Green chats about a man who nabbed more than 100 free flights and is now facing hard time. Dr. Brian Fisher⁠ – curator of entomology at The California Academy of Sciences⁠ – shares what ants can teach us about building better corporations. Author Léa Taranto chats about living with severe OCD and her semi-autographical debut novel A Drop in the Ocean. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:09) Tony Five (09:59) Harriet Goldberg pt. 1 (19:59)

David tells his harrowing story of being on vacation with foreign correspondent Tony Five. Nathan Radke joins David and Tony for Conspiracy Corner, and explains why people who are feeling low can fall victim to conspiratorial thinking. (Check out Nathan's podcast here⁠.) Relationship scientist Dr. Marisa Cohen explains how to spot (and avoid dating) a "man child". Carmi Levy⁠⁠⁠ joins the show for It's Time For Technology Time and covers stories: 'Godfather of AI' says intellectually mundane jobs will disappear; ChatGPT is changing how we speak and interact with others; Billions of login credentials have been leaked online; and Streaming services are now more popular than cable and broadcast TV combined. Social psychologist Dr. Anatolia Batruch shares how personality stays mostly the same after moving up in social class. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:53) Tony Five pt. 1 (09:59) Tony Five pt. 2 (19:59) Nathan Radke & Tony Five pt. 1 (29:59) Nathan Radke & Tony Five pt. 2 (39:49) Dr. M

The show opens with comedic musician Bungalow Jonathan (Jacob Anstey) on why he took a hiatus and what it means to be an artist. Professor Ken Hyland describes what happened when he pitted AI writing against student writing – and who came out on top. On Pet Talk, veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford explains why dogs consume doo-doo (Don't worry, Cliff's a vet. It's educational. We're not violating any broadcasting decency standards.) Dr. Michael Esterman shares his research showing that negative images hijack our attention and linger in our memory. Gabriela Küchler tells David that older adults reflect less on their personality traits than younger adults. Former WWE wrestling referee Jimmy Korderas joins the show. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:43) Bungalow Jonathan pt. 1 (09:59) Bungalow Jonathan pt. 2 (19:59) Ken Hyland (29:59) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 1 (39:49) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 2 (49:49) Dr. Michael Esterman (59:49) Gabriela Küchler

David's top stories: WordPress CEO forces everyone to love pineapple on pizza; and Police find $600K in giant teddy bear during massage parlor raid. Entrepreneur Ramon van Meer reveals the sobering results from his test of customers paying more for American-made. On Conspiracy Corner, Nathan Radke gives an overview of the history of alien abductions and tells the Travis Walton story. (Check out Nathan's podcast here.) UK-based Foreign correspondent Tony Five gives us the latest provincial news. Sobriety coach Kelly France and David discuss addiction and sobriety. Dr. Jennifer Lansford explains that parental warmth – not poverty or danger – predicts positive world beliefs in adulthood. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:18) $600k found in teddy bear (04:58) CEO loves pineapple pizza (09:59) Ramon van Meer (19:59) Nathan Radke pt. 1 (29:59) Nathan Radke pt. 2 (39:49) Tony Five pt. 1 (49:49) Tony Five pt. 2 (59:49) Kelly France (1:09:49) Dr. Jennifer Lansford (1:19:06) Sign-o

The show opens with evolutionary biologist at the University of Chicago Dr. Yara Haridy⁠ on the reason you can blame your sensitive teeth on an ancient fish⁠. Jessica Reif shares her research showing that people who use AI at work are perceived as lazier and less competent. Dr. Sandra Peter⁠ and Dr. Kai Riemer⁠ and discuss AI systems being too human-like posing a problem for us⁠. Sociologist Dalton Conley reveals whether DNA can predict your individual future and what that means for our collective future. (Check out Dalton's book The Social Genome here.) Gary Direnfeld⁠ joins the show for Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday. David reads ⁠A Narcissist's Prayer⁠, and he and Gary discuss strategies for dealing with narcissists. Dr. Daniela Pirani and Dr. Vera Hoelscher reveal why women seldom propose to men – and what happens when they do. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:50) Dr. Yara Haridy (09:59) Jessica Reif (19:59) Dr. Sandra Peter & Dr. Kai Riemer (29:59) Dalton Conley pt. 1 (39:49) D

The show opens with News You Can't Use and foreign correspondent Tony Five⁠ covering the following: Woman in China sends 1,000kg of onions to cheating ex's home⁠. Dr. Lenore Newman⁠, co-author of Dinner on Mars⁠, goes over the technologies that will likely transform the red planet into a place that grows food. Conservation scientist Lisa Wilkinson shares how she descends into the darkness of Alberta's largest bat cave to fight a deadly bat fungus. Caitlin Green⁠, media personality and co-host of The Jan Arden Podcast⁠ joins the show for Pop Cultured, Like Fungus discuss the best way to load a dishwasher. TV host Noah Cappe joins the show for Noah vs. The Unknown and chats about the mystery of Atlantis. Cosmologist Dr. Alexander Ji gives insight into how stars die and create the stuff we're made of. David and foreign correspondent Tony Five⁠ follow up with caller Gillian from London – not that London – and our hosts discuss the wedding present they bought for her. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (02:

Foreign correspondent Tony Five⁠ revisits the Hertfordshire Harris hawk hero story⁠ from earlier with the man himself, Steve Harris. Tony and David talk about why tourists aren't welcome in Spain, then take a listener call involving a drunken Zamboni driver. Carmi Levy⁠⁠ joins the show for It's Time For Technology Time and covers stories: University students built robot that solves a Rubik's Cube in just 0.103 seconds⁠⁠; Unlicensed law clerk fired after ChatGPT hallucinations found in filing⁠⁠; AI cheating is so out of hand in schools that blue books are coming back⁠⁠; AI could consume more power than Bitcoin by the end of 2025⁠⁠. Couples therapist Dr. Josh Novak goes over a study finding that couples who cuddle at bedtime feel more secure and less stressed. Oxford professor Suzannah Williams explains the "poo zoo" and how dung could be used in animal conservation. Psychology researcher Dr. Owen Waddington reveals how a psychology experiment shows that children are more likely to delay gratification if a peer

David's top stories: Man convicted of posing as flight attendant to score over 120 free flights; and Don't be alarmed, but hitting the snooze button is unhealthy. Professor Peter Karl Jonason explains that one's dissatisfaction with their own height predicts jealousy and competitiveness. (Thanks for picking this topic, producer Dani.) Journalist and novelist Sam Graham-Felsen asks where have all the deep male friendships gone? Dr. Brian Fisher – Curator of entomology at The California Academy of Sciences – discusses the amazing (and war-like) nature of ants with David. Mechanical engineer Dr. Debora Lyn Porter shares how mushrooms' microscopic filaments provide a blueprint for better materials. Foreign correspondent Tony Five and David chat about spooky Friday the 13th and superstitions. Professor of leadership Dr. Laurie Barclay reveals why bystanders defend bad behavior at work – even when they know it’s wrong. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (02:29) Fake flight attendant (05:26) Snooze button

David's top stories: DoorDash driver arrested at customer's house with gun after demanding a tip; and Scientists in the UK create the world's smallest violin. Dr. Sandra Peter⁠ and Dr. Kai Riemer⁠ at the University of Sydney Business School discuss the cognitive revolution that AI may cause and how it could lead to mediocrity and conformity. Associate professor of marketing Dr. Ghalia Shamayleh shares her study showing adorable animal content truly makes the internet more positive. On It's Time For Technology Time, Carmi Levy⁠ covers stories: Apple's AI takes back seat to design, iPad revamp at WWDC event; and Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement. German politician Julien Ferrat explains why he's stripping naked and is calling upon open-minded citizens to join him on a swingers trip to France. Foreign correspondent Tony Five and David discuss kopi luwak coffee. Leadership and organizational psychology professor Dr. Anthony Silard chats about how narcissistic CEOs are more

It's News You Can't Use and foreign correspondent ⁠Tony Five⁠ reports on breaking news: a fight outside his home. Cognitive neuroscience professor Dr. Steve Fleming explains that anxious-depressed individuals underestimate themselves even when they're right. Scott Berman of Sky Cave Retreats shares how days-long "dark retreats" are the newest spiritual conquest for tech elites. On Pet Talk, veterinarian ⁠Dr. Cliff Redford⁠ helps Tony Five with his dog's anal gland problem. After, Cliff covers topics: Why people resemble their dogs; and How pets suffer from allergies. Psychologist Dr. Alexandra Cobzeanu reveals that young adults who experience ghosting are more likely to ghost others. On Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday, ⁠Gary Direnfeld⁠ and David discuss various contradictory advice parents receive. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:54) Tony Five (09:59) Dr. Steve Fleming (19:59) Scott Berman (29:59) Dr. Cliff Redford & Tony Five (39:49) Dr. Cliff Redford (49:49) Dr. Alexandra Cobze

David's top stories: The FAA are finally replacing Windows 95 and floppy disks in air traffic control systems; and Lawyer steps up to claim cash thrown out in trash. Caitlin Green⁠, media personality and co-host of The Jan Arden Podcast⁠ joins the show for Pop Cultured, Like Fungus and the two chat about a badly behaved mother-in-law described on Reddit. Foreign correspondent Tony Five ponders class and why people would think less of those with less. Linguistics lecturer Dr. Ella Jeffries shares how kids start associating accents with intelligence surprisingly early. On Conspiracy Corner, Nathan Radke and David discuss the history of UFOs sightings and the pentagon disinformation that fueled America's UFO mythology. (⁠Check out Nathan's podcast here⁠.) Christian Stepien from The National UFO Reporting Center explains how to report strange sightings, and then has a "spirited debate" with a skeptical David about the plausible explanations for unexplained phenomenon. Segments: (00:00) Introduction