Be More Specific

What makes a pepper spicy? Why do we like a spicy pepper? How long have humans liked a spicy pepper? Learn all about this, and about the miraculous origin story of Fly Man in this episode of Be More Specific! Show notes, supplementary photos, and citations can all be found at bemorespecific.org

Learn all about the art of the manicure with Teagan and Bekah as we investigate when we started painting our nails, why we paint our nails, and how manicures have changed over time! Check us out on insta @bemorespecificpod or at bemorespecific.org for show notes and photos to go along with the ep!

Why don’t Waffle Houses close? Why is there a waffle iron in every bargain hotel? And why do we care so much? Join Bekah and Teagan as they decide once and for all whether waffles emerge triumphant in an ancient debate. See www.bemorespecific.org for show notes, photos and more!

When did we start playing Ping Pong? Why is it an Olympic sport? How did Ping Pong Diplomacy work? Answers to these questions and MORE in this episode of Be More Specific! Show notes, photos, and more on bemorespecific.org

Virtual pets! Either you love them or you don't understand them. Join Teagan and Bekah as we explore the world of virtual companions, from early desktop buddies and Tamagotchis to modern apps like Neko Atsume and Pokémon Go, as well as investigating the psychology of bonding with pixels on a screen! Episode notes, references, and images can all be found on bemorespecificpod.org and our Instagram page @bemorespecificpod!

Join Bekah and Teagan as they learn more about rodeos and think really critically about our relationships with horses! Show notes, resources, and pictures can be found at bemorespecific.org!

Ah, spiders. Either you love or hate them, and today Teagan will be trying her darndest to convince everyone they are deserving of our affection, while Bekah tries to recall every spider she's seen in a movie! Come to learn about spiders, stay for an unhinged Doctor Who rant! Episode notes, References, and Images all can be found on bemorespecificpod.org !

Fizzy water, pop, lolly water, soda, coke, pepsi...when did this bubbly beverage come into our lives and our hearts? Show notes and more at bemorespecific.org! Pardon the volume differential between Bekah and Teagan, this is our first time with this new recording setup!

Ah, the water bottle. A staple of news anchors desks, comic-con panels, sports camps, the floor of your car, etc! When did water bottles get so popular? Why plastic? How many water bottles are out there??? Answers to all these questions and more in this months episode of Be More Specific! Show notes, sources and more can be found at bemorespecific.org!

What is hair? What's it made of? Why do we have so much of it? Why don't chimps have as much? Why is some hair curly? All this and more are answered this month on Be More Specific! For full notes, photos, and extras, visit bemorespecific.org

We lather our scalps with it, but what IS shampoo? When did it come to be, and why is Teagan insistent she needs a special one? What makes this "poo" so special? Sources and more on www.bemorespecific.org

How did humans domesticate cats...or did we? What's so great about these furry friends, and how long have they been man's best "animal that lives in my house I guess"? Find sources, photos, and more on bemorespecific.org

When did humans start heating up and manipulating metal? Turns out it was a long time ago, and we're still doing it now! Join us as we learn all about blacksmithing and the art of metal work! Go to bemorespecific.org for notes, photos, and more fun!

Teagan and Bekah learn all about these fantastic symbiotic, pioneer, and super beautiful organisms! Come explore the wonderfully weird world of lichens! Lichen photos, full references, and more on bemorespecific.org! Follow us on instagram @bemorespecificpod and follow the Leavitt Lab Lichen Page @lichensirl for more fun facts and photos! Must Reads! (Consider the website https://12ft.io/ to get past paywalls or email bemorespecificpod@gmail.com) The Ex-Anarchist Construction Worker Who Became a World-Renowned Scientist How a Guy From a Montana Trailer Park Overturned 150 Years of Biology - The Atlantic Queer Theory for Lichens | UnderCurrents: Journal of Critical Environmental Studies A Symbiotic View of Life: We Have Never Been Individuals on JSTOR

Today, Bekah explains the history of prosthetics and how they've changed over time! Teagan listens, and is a bit of a class clown... To help with prosthetic access, consider donating to one of these charities: LIMBS International The Prosthetic Foundation Sources, photos, and more can be found on www.bemorespecific.org

Why do humans wear wigs, and when did this particular fashion trend come to be? Come with Teagan and Bekah as they go on a journey through the history of wigs and learn all about these odd hair hats! Images, Sources, and more on bemorespecific.org

Snowmen! They're everywhere, even if there isn't snow around! Join Teagan & Bekah as they talk about our snow friends and their origins! Also, a Winter Giveaway from now to January 30th 2023! Rate us on iTunes, follow us on Instagram or Facebook, post a photo of your favorite snowman (any material accepted) that you've ever made, and tag @bemorespecificpod! You'll be entered to win a sweet gift card and very cool T-shirt. If you don't have social media, draw an excellent snowman and text it to Teagan or email bemorespecificpod@gmail.com for a chance to win! Sources can be found on bemorespecific.org

Surprisingly, the entomologist is fresh out of knowledge for this one, as Bekah explains spelling bees (and their decidedly unbuggy) origins! Full episode sources and notes can be found at bemorespecific.org

Content Warnings in this episode for mention of torture, horror, and discussions related to darker topics. We don't get too in the weeds, but thought you might want a heads up! Ah, the air is crisp, and the spooks are about! It's Haunted House season, but where did these sometimes delightful (and sometimes horrifying) attractions come from? Sources can be found on bemorespecific.org/hauntedhouses

What is a louse? What can lice tell us about ourselves? Does Teagan have them? (Spoiler: she didn't!) Answers to these queries and more will be answered in this episode of Be More Specific! Sources, images, and notes can be found at bemorespecific.org :)