Stuff To Blow Your Mind

In this series of episodes from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the majestic manta ray. In this episode, learn all about manta ray reproduction and accounts of their pulling boats around by their anchors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the shameless 1989 “Aliens” knock-off “Shocking Dark,” directed by Bruno Mattei and written by “Troll 2” scribes Rossella Drudi and Claudio Fragasso. (originally published 8/2/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic two-parter from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the chemistry, space science and mythology of burning hair. So strap in for a discussion of everything from pirates and barbecue mishaps to Latin literature and science fiction. (originally published 7/18/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special July 4th episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1999 frontier cannibal horror film “Ravenous,” directed by Antonia Bird and starring Guy Pearce and Robert Carlyle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Sam Kean about his new book “Dinner with King Tut: How Rogue Archaeologists Are Re-creating the Sights, Sounds, Smells, and Tastes of Lost Civilizations.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses uses of the manta ray in Dungeons and Dragons, the fictional Ixitxachitls and what it all seems to reflect about humanity’s relationship to real-world manta rays.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this series of episodes from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the majestic manta ray, from its biology and lifecycle to conservation issues and its portrayal in mythology, folk beliefs and even 1930s horror movies. Learn all about these strange and beautiful creatures and what’s being done to ensure their survival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1958 space horror film “It! The Terror from Beyond Space,” considered one of several key influences on the 1979 classic “Alien.” (originally published 7/19/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss Japan’s beloved yuru-chara, corporate and governmental mascots that are undeniably cute but with deeper connections to other aspects of Japanese culture. (originally published 7/11/2024) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the infamously wild 1988 Indonesian folk-horror mockbuster “Lady Terminator,” directed by Tjut Djalil and starring Barbara Anne Constable as the unstoppable machine gun-toting avatar of the South Sea Queen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Carleton University’s Roslyn Dakin about a new study into the biology and physics of high-stakes hummingbird flight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bored with dragons, the wizard Argomandanies turns his arcane attention to the fantastic fauna of the natural world. Welcome to Animalia Stupendium, a chronicle of Earth’s amazing biodiversity with all the enthusiasm of a fantasy monster book. In this episode, the wizard will consider the mighty Coconut Crab.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this invention-themed episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe build on last month's episode on ice skates with a discussion of their wheelbase spin off: the rollerskate!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1940 American horror film “The Devil Bat,” starring Bela Lugosi and Suzanne Kaaren. Watch out, because giant bats are coming for your aftershave! (originally published 7/12/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss Japan’s beloved yuru-chara, corporate and governmental mascots that are undeniably cute but with deeper connections to other aspects of Japanese culture. (originally published 7/9/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe dive into Akira Kurosawa’s gorgeous and surreal 1990 anthology film, "Dreams."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Tom Lathan, author of “Lost Wonders: 10 Tales of Extinction from the 21st Century.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of STBYM’s The Monstrefact, Robert discusses a curious proposed method of dragon flight proposed by author Peter Dickinson in the 1979 book “The Flight of Dragons.” (originally published 4/17/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once more, it's time for a dose of Stuff to Blow Your Mind and Weirdhouse Cinema listener mail...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this classic episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss Kinji Fukasaku’s weird 1968 super-criminal romp “Black Lizard,” starring Japanese drag queen Akihiro Miwa, based on the novel by Edogawa Ranpo and the stage adapation by Yukio Mishima. (originally published 5/31/2024)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.