The Last Show with David Cooper

Professor ⁠Jesse Rogerson⁠ joins the show with the following pieces of science news: Astronomers may have found a planet in the habitable zone of the hottest star yet⁠; Sexually transmitted diarrhea is exploding in the US and it's growing resistant to medicine⁠; Teen discovered to have a memory more powerful than 99.9% of the population⁠; and Learning via short videos impairs memory accuracy and reduces brain synchrony⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neuroscience professor ⁠Argel Aguilar-Valles⁠ reveals ⁠how psilocybin (magic mushrooms) may help the brain recover from a concussion⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Economics professor ⁠Eric Kam⁠ discusses ⁠how pay advance apps may be costlier than people think⁠. Eric weighs in on a couple money dilemmas involving ⁠an office sandwich purge⁠ and ⁠a romantic partner saying "I'm not hungry" and then eating one too many fries⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mathematician ⁠Emma Zajdela⁠ explains the "adjacent possible" and the math behind ⁠the sudden rise in the popularity of the Aperol Spritz⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor Jesse Rogerson joins the show with the following pieces of science news: Astronomers may have found a planet in the habitable zone of the hottest star yet; Sexually transmitted diarrhea is exploding in the US and it's growing resistant to medicine; Teen discovered to have a memory more powerful than 99.9% of the population; and Learning via short videos impairs memory accuracy and reduces brain synchrony. Neuroscience professor Argel Aguilar-Valles reveals how psilocybin (magic mushrooms) may help the brain recover from a concussion. Mathematician Emma Zajdela explains the "adjacent possible" and the math behind the sudden rise in the popularity of the Aperol Spritz. For Vet Talk or Pet Talk, veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford covers: Gentle giant Backpack has been declared the winner of Alaska's Fat Bear Week; A rainbow sea slug discovery is a reminder of climate change; The science behind the sudden bursts of energy when pets get the zoomies; and Why you should never give milk to your cat. (Find…

For Vet Talk or Pet Talk, veterinarian ⁠Dr. Cliff Redford⁠ covers: Gentle giant Backpack has been declared the winner of Alaska's Fat Bear Week⁠; A rainbow sea slug discovery is a reminder of climate change⁠; The science behind the sudden bursts of energy when pets get the zoomies⁠; and Why you should never give milk to your cat⁠. Find Cliff's new book Far and Wild: Adventures of The Worldwide Vet here⁠. If you want to attend Cliff's October 8th book launch hosted by David in Toronto, ⁠grab your ticket here⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clinical psychologist specializing in sex therapy ⁠Dr. Marianne Brandon⁠ laments the fact that – because of technology – having the "sex talk" with your kids has changed so much in 2026 and challenges a common narrative explaining the recent uptick in young men dealing with erectile dysfunction. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite AI making work easier, creativity and innovation expert ⁠Nir Bashan⁠ explains ⁠why it may be making everyone's creative ideas more alike⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Positive psychology coach ⁠Diane Dreher⁠ shares how ⁠new research shows why dogs are good for our health⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday (on a Tuesday), social worker and therapist ⁠Gary Direnfeld⁠ explains how early adverse childhood experiences (or ACEs) can play a role in how we behave as adults, and how to overcome that. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Positive psychology coach Diane Dreher shares how new research shows why dogs are good for our health. Despite AI making work easier, creativity and innovation expert Nir Bashan explains why it may be making everyone's creative ideas more alike. For Vet Talk or Pet Talk, veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford covers: Gentle giant Backpack has been declared the winner of Alaska's Fat Bear Week; A rainbow sea slug discovery is a reminder of climate change; The science behind the sudden bursts of energy when pets get the zoomies; and Why you should never give milk to your cat. (Find Cliff's new book Far and Wild: Adventures of The Worldwide Vet here.) If you want to attend Cliff's October 8th book launch hosted by David in Toronto, grab your ticket here. On Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday (on a Tuesday), social worker and therapist Gary Direnfeld explains how early adverse childhood experiences (or ACEs) can play a role in how we behave as adults, and how to overcome that. Clinical psychologist specializing in sex…

Infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine ⁠Dr. Isaac Bogoch⁠ reports on ⁠the researcher at a Russian plague laboratory who died of an 'unknown' infection⁠ and provides an overview and history of plague. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leadership and workplace reporter ⁠Sarah E. Needleman⁠ covers ⁠reports of boomerang hiring: when a company lays someone off and then asks them to come back⁠ and how ⁠job applicants are hiding secret AI messages in their résumés⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prompted by ⁠the alleged sexual assault at Cornell⁠, psychology professor ⁠Catherine Sanderson⁠ describes ⁠the bystander effect and how to short-circuit it⁠. Find Catherine's book Why We Act: Turning Bystanders into Moral Rebels here⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychotherapist ⁠Nicholas Balaišis⁠ discusses ⁠when the need for change can become a trap⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Computer science professor ⁠Dustin Wright⁠ answers ⁠whether our reliance on AI could lead to a "knowledge collapse"⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine Dr. Isaac Bogoch reports on the researcher at a Russian plague laboratory who died of an 'unknown' infection and provides an overview and history of plague. Computer science professor Dustin Wright answers whether our reliance on AI could lead to a "knowledge collapse". Prompted by the alleged sexual assault at Cornell, psychology professor Catherine Sanderson describes the bystander effect and how to short-circuit it. (Find Catherine's book Why We Act: Turning Bystanders into Moral Rebels here.) Psychotherapist Nicholas Balaišis discusses when the need for change can become a trap. Leadership and workplace reporter Sarah E. Needleman covers reports of boomerang hiring: when a company lays someone off and then asks them to come back and how job applicants are hiding secret AI messages in their résumés. Finally, if you like sharks, you'll love how marine biology professor Stephen Kajiura reveals that blacktip sharks hear sound from more than 200 feet…

For It's Time For Technology Time, tech analyst ⁠Carmi Levy⁠ covers the following stories: Researchers say an AI agent tried to hack a Canadian government website⁠; Owners mourn spoiled food after firmware update bricks Samsung smart fridges⁠; McDonald's is reportedly using AI to "dynamically" price its burgers⁠; and For those entering the US, a new court ruling allows phone searches without a warrant⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

History professor ⁠Alan MacEachern⁠ reveals how ⁠scientists once predicted that Friday the 13th in November 2026 will be Doomsday⁠... should we worry? Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cognitive neuroscientist ⁠Attila Andics⁠ outlines how ⁠the way dogs listen to us could be more remarkable than we knew⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Musicology professor ⁠Alexander Carpenter⁠ explores ⁠whether fandom for the rock duo Angine de Poitrine signals a prog rock renaissance⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Physical therapy and human movement sciences researcher ⁠Margaret Danilovich⁠ describes how ⁠one simple walking change may help older adults reverse frailty⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For It's Time For Technology Time, tech analyst Carmi Levy covers the following stories: Researchers say an AI agent tried to hack a Canadian government website; Owners mourn spoiled food after firmware update bricks Samsung smart fridges; McDonald's is reportedly using AI to "dynamically" price its burgers; and For those entering the US, a new court ruling allows phone searches without a warrant. History professor Alan MacEachern reveals how scientists once predicted that Friday the 13th in November 2026 will be Doomsday... should we worry? Cognitive neuroscientist Attila Andics outlines how the way dogs listen to us could be more remarkable than we knew. Physical therapy and human movement sciences researcher Margaret Danilovich describes how one simple walking change may help older adults reverse frailty. Musicology professor Alexander Carpenter explores whether fandom for the rock duo Angine de Poitrine signals a prog rock renaissance. Personality psychologist specializing in life stories and sexuality…

Chief correspondent ⁠Aki Ito⁠ from Business Insider explains ⁠how she used an AI detector for a month and what she found from her peers, dates, and heroes was horrifying⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For pop culture news, media personality ⁠Caitlin Green⁠ covers: Pete Davidson mocking social media influencers⁠; The forthcoming Super Bowl halftime performer announcement (which David calls the Super Time halfbowl); PEOPLE’s 2026 Sexiest Man Alive⁠; and Cuffing season. Listen to Caitlin co-host The Jann Arden Podcast here⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Toronto-based comedian ⁠Natalie Norman⁠ weighs in on ⁠a dilemma involving a woman losing attraction to her fiancé⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday (on a Thursday), therapist and social worker ⁠Gary Direnfeld⁠ and David discuss going gray: getting older – the good with the bad – and ⁠the phenomenon of so-called gray divorce⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chief correspondent Aki Ito from Business Insider explains how she used an AI detector for a month and what she found from her peers, dates, and heroes was horrifying. On Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday (on a Thursday), therapist and social worker Gary Direnfeld and David discuss going gray: getting older – the good with the bad – and the phenomenon of so-called gray divorce. For pop culture news, media personality Caitlin Green covers: Pete Davidson mocking social media influencers; The forthcoming Super Bowl halftime performer announcement (which David calls the Super Time halfbowl); PEOPLE’s 2026 Sexiest Man Alive; and Cuffing season. (Listen to Caitlin co-host The Jann Arden Podcast here.) Toronto-based comedian Natalie Norman weighs in on a dilemma involving a woman losing attraction to her fiancé. Technology and culture reporter Katie Notopoulos describes how she used Meta's Muse AI agent and found it to be powerful, with some caveats. Protect your privacy. Sign up for Incogni at…

Professor ⁠Jesse Rogerson⁠ joins David to cover the following science news: Sudden collapse of submarine volcano drives extreme hazard⁠; Just five infections responsible for more than 2 million new cancer cases annually⁠; The 'mind control' cat parasite manipulating you may have a simple explanation⁠; and A 1,000-year simulation reveals what could save civilization from collapse⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Conspiracy Corner, political science professor ⁠Lee Kuhnle⁠ makes the case that ancient aliens did not build the pyramids. Learn more about Lee's book Uncover Up: How to Think Clearly in an Age of Conspiracies here⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

or Vet Talk or Pet Talk, veterinarian ⁠Dr. Cliff Redford⁠ reports on: A new penguin species discovered for the first time in 100 years⁠; An endangered wild cat faces a new threat: SpaceX's expansion in Texas⁠; Alberta's self-image as the world's only rat-free region shattered by the discovery of a rat⁠; and How long you can really leave a cat alone⁠. Find Cliff's new book Far and Wild: Adventures of The Worldwide Vet here⁠. If you want to attend Cliff's October 8th book launch hosted by David in Toronto, ⁠grab your ticket here⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zooming out from Earth into space, astrobiologist ⁠Sarah Rugheimer⁠ discusses: Strange 'coral reef' deposits reveal Mars' climate history⁠; Perseverance rover finds evidence of ancient hot water in Red Planet crater⁠; Why Uranus is tilted on its side⁠; and Icy moons may hold on to their underground oceans even after being smashed apart⁠. Check out Sarah's course Experiencing James Webb on The Great Courses here⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor Jesse Rogerson joins David to cover the following science news: Sudden collapse of submarine volcano drives extreme hazard; Just five infections responsible for more than 2 million new cancer cases annually; The 'mind control' cat parasite manipulating you may have a simple explanation; and A 1,000-year simulation reveals what could save civilization from collapse. Zooming out from Earth into space, astrobiologist Sarah Rugheimer discusses: Strange 'coral reef' deposits reveal Mars' climate history; Perseverance rover finds evidence of ancient hot water in Red Planet crater; Why Uranus is tilted on its side; and Icy moons may hold on to their underground oceans even after being smashed apart. (Check out Sarah's course Experiencing James Webb on The Great Courses here.) For Vet Talk or Pet Talk, veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford reports on: A new penguin species discovered for the first time in 100 years; An endangered wild cat faces a new threat: SpaceX's expansion in Texas; Alberta's self-image as…

Clinical psychologist specializing in sex therapy ⁠Dr. Marianne Brandon⁠ walks us through: Why scheduling sex – something almost everyone hates – can be a great idea; Why "trying something new in the bedroom" often fails, and what actually makes sex better; and What to do when your partner treats everyone else better than they treat you. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Career prosecutor and author ⁠Dr. Wendy Patrick⁠ explores ⁠whether AI can replace in-person therapy⁠ and ⁠why romance that begins online is less fulfilling⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor of counseling psychology ⁠Joel Wong⁠ reveals ⁠what gardening can teach us about our intrusive memories⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Economics professor ⁠Eric Kam⁠ outlines ⁠a new threat to our personal finances: how rising interest rates in Japan could push up borrowing costs and shake investments here at home⁠. Eric weighs in on ridiculous money dilemmas involving ⁠a family expecting one member to let them use their Airbnb for free⁠ and ⁠a roommate profiting off a rent-sharing situation⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor of counseling psychology Joel Wong reveals what gardening can teach us about our intrusive memories. Economics professor Eric Kam outlines a new threat to our personal finances: how rising interest rates in Japan could push up borrowing costs and shake investments here at home. Eric weighs in on ridiculous money dilemmas involving a family expecting one member to let them use their Airbnb for free and a roommate profiting off a rent-sharing situation. Clinical psychologist specializing in sex therapy Dr. Marianne Brandon walks us through: Why scheduling sex – something almost everyone hates – can be a great idea; Why "trying something new in the bedroom" often fails, and what actually makes sex better; and What to do when your partner treats everyone else better than they treat you. Career prosecutor and author Dr. Wendy Patrick explores whether AI can replace in-person therapy and why romance that begins online is less fulfilling. Social neuroscientist Ryssa Moffat describes how tracking brain…

Personality psychologist specializing in life stories and sexuality ⁠Ariana Turner⁠ explains ⁠that your desire tells more than one story: how sexuality can be a space that allows competing stories to flourish⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Psychologist and researcher ⁠Alessandro Miani⁠ describes ⁠how people who believe in conspiracy theories often hold two beliefs that can't both be true⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author and psychotherapist ⁠Kaytee Gillis⁠ discusses ⁠"girl dads" and research showing that having a daughter may change a father's romantic relationships⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behavioral scientist specializing in diet and health ⁠Dr. Sophie Attwood⁠ discusses ⁠self-control in the age of GLP-1 drugs and why the treatment is setting a new direction for behavior change support⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor of mitochondrial biology ⁠Lisa Chakrabarti⁠ outlines ⁠how Earth's magnetic field could play a hidden role in aging⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you like sharks, you'll love how marine biology professor ⁠Stephen Kajiura⁠ reveals that ⁠blacktip sharks hear sound from more than 200 feet away⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor of mitochondrial biology Lisa Chakrabarti outlines how Earth's magnetic field could play a hidden role in aging. Behavioral scientist specializing in diet and health Dr. Sophie Attwood discusses self-control in the age of GLP-1 drugs and why the treatment is setting a new direction for behavior change support. Then, if you like sharks, you'll love how marine biology professor Stephen Kajiura reveals that blacktip sharks hear sound from more than 200 feet away. Personality psychologist specializing in life stories and sexuality Ariana Turner explains that your desire tells more than one story: how sexuality can be a space that allows competing stories to flourish. Author and psychotherapist Kaytee Gillis discusses "girl dads" and research showing that having a daughter may change a father's romantic relationships. Psychologist and researcher Alessandro Miani describes how people who believe in conspiracy theories often hold two beliefs that can't both be true. Protect your privacy. Sign up for…

For news from out of this world – namely, outer space – astrobiologist ⁠Sarah Rugheimer⁠ covers how ⁠the James Webb Space Telescope is helping astronomers become alien weather forecasters⁠ and ⁠how supermassive black holes are the architects of entire galaxies⁠. Check out Sarah's course Experiencing James Webb on The Great Courses here⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senior health reporter ⁠Julia Pugachevsky⁠ brings David ⁠inside the squishy nightmare, detailing the explosions, burns, and thousands of calls to poison control because of the toys⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Economics professor ⁠Eric Kam⁠ weighs in on ⁠whether central banks should use AI modeling to help with economic forecasts⁠ and ⁠how major brands are expanding into resale markets⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professor of archaeology ⁠Adam Brumm⁠ shares ⁠how ancient teeth trace one of humanity's oldest drug habits to the ice age: the betel nut⁠. Protect your privacy. ⁠Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For news from out of this world – namely, outer space – astrobiologist Sarah Rugheimer covers how the James Webb Space Telescope is helping astronomers become alien weather forecasters and how supermassive black holes are the architects of entire galaxies. (Check out Sarah's course Experiencing James Webb on The Great Courses here.) Senior health reporter Julia Pugachevsky brings David inside the squishy nightmare, detailing the explosions, burns, and thousands of calls to poison control because of the toys. Professor of archaeology Adam Brumm shares how ancient teeth trace one of humanity's oldest drug habits to the ice age: the betel nut. Economics professor Eric Kam weighs in on whether central banks should use AI modeling to help with economic forecasts and how major brands are expanding into resale markets. Covering some of the most important science The Last Show has ever seen, chemistry professor Nathan Kilah explains why microwaving fish smells so bad. New York-based clinical psychologist Dr. Lindsay…