The Science of Self-Care
Science Podcasts
It feels like everything is self-care these days, so what actually works? Each week, comedians Steven Polletta and Sophie Yalkezian and neuroscientist Shannon Odell act as guinea pigs to a different self-care practice. They explore what it does and the science behind it with laughs along the way. You'll leave each episode with an expert opinion, new friends and a bounce in your step, guaranteed. Follow us on social media! Instagram: @thescienceofselfcare Twitter: @SOSCpodcast Have a question? Email Us! thescienceofselfcare@gmail.com
It feels like everything is self-care these days, so what actually works? Each week, comedians Steven Polletta and Sophie Yalkezian and neuroscientist Shannon Odell act as guinea pigs to a different self-care practice. They explore what it does and the science behind it with laughs along the way. You'll leave each episode with an expert opinion, new friends and a bounce in your step, guaranteed. Follow us on social media! Instagram: @thescienceofselfcare Twitter: @SOSCpodcast Have a question? Email Us! thescienceofselfcare@gmail.com
Location:
United States
Genres:
Science Podcasts
Description:
It feels like everything is self-care these days, so what actually works? Each week, comedians Steven Polletta and Sophie Yalkezian and neuroscientist Shannon Odell act as guinea pigs to a different self-care practice. They explore what it does and the science behind it with laughs along the way. You'll leave each episode with an expert opinion, new friends and a bounce in your step, guaranteed. Follow us on social media! Instagram: @thescienceofselfcare Twitter: @SOSCpodcast Have a question? Email Us! thescienceofselfcare@gmail.com
Twitter:
@SOSCpodcast
Language:
English
Episodes
Vacations
2/8/2022
Is a vacation *really* the cure for the winter blues? Or any blues, ever? We'll explore the answer by diving into the science. Hear how Sophie, Steven, and Shannon have taken care of themselves on vacations past—or forgotten to, and paid for it later. And we'll talk about how to build mini-vacations into your daily life for longer lasting joy. Got an idea for an ep? Email us at thescienceofselfcare@gmail.com or Instagram @thescienceofselfcare
Duration:00:58:47
Psychedelics
12/3/2021
We're taking a wacky trip into the science of psychedelics! Join us as Dr. Shannon uncovers the facts about psychedelic drugs like mushrooms and LSD as a form of self-care, therapy, and post-traumatic stress treatment.
Duration:00:48:43
Video Games
8/31/2021
This week we're digging into the healing power of video games and whether they're good for us, bad for us, or somewhere in between! We're talking all the hits: from Animal Crossing to The Sims to Ballz (yes, Ballz). We also learn a lot (maybe too much?) about Steven, Shannon, and Sophie's upbringings, as always. Let us know what you think!
Duration:00:52:10
TV
8/3/2021
We’re back! And we’re getting to the bottom of whether Netflix and chill-ing is really good for you. Steven and Sophie describe their television self-care routines of yesteryear (and this year). Shannon breaks down what our brains loves about our favorite TV shows—and what that says about us as humans. Tune in!
Duration:01:02:24
Physical Touch
6/22/2021
We're back! Like, really, really back! To celebrate our first vaccinated, safe, in-person recording we're digging into the scientific benefits of what we missed most over the last year: HUMAN TOUCH! Shannon gives us all the touchy feely studies, and Steven and Sophie play a game guessing which emotion is behind specific forms of touch. We also land on the topic of robot dogs, somehow. Enjoy!
Duration:01:02:24
Positive Thinking
4/26/2021
Today we're digging into the science behind positive thinking! Our conversation covers: bad improv shows, Sex and The City, The Secret, Octomom's kids, and, as always, yoga. We also talk about the difference between positive thinking and toxic positivity—and whether any study on the subject is truly unbiased. So say something nice to yourself and strap in! Bolier, L., Haverman, M., Westerhof, G.J. et al. Positive psychology interventions: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. BMC...
Duration:00:56:32
Light Therapy
3/29/2021
Today we’re brightening up our knowledge of therapy lamps! Shannon dishes out all the science about how blue light therapy can improve your sleep, mood, and motor function, and help folks who live with seasonal affective disorder. Sophie and Steven share impromptu stories of a jaundiced baby, drinking tea, and why they’re both convinced blue light therapy is a tool for the apocalypse. Pjrek, E., Friedrich, M. E., Cambioli, L., Dold, M., Jäger, F., Komorowski, A., Lanzenberger, R., Kasper,...
Duration:00:47:33
Vaccines with Dr. Alex Dainis
3/14/2021
This week on the pod we get all our vaccine questions answered by our special guest: geneticist and science communicator, Alex Dainis, PhD. Check it out, and send to any friends who may have lingering vaccine Qs! Public health is self-care, baby!
Duration:01:01:50
Friendship
2/22/2021
Friends Shannon, Sophie, and Steven talk about the science behind, well, them. They discuss the data of friendships and how we perceive them, the science of what brings people together, and how seeing your pals could actually help you live longer. Ever wonder why you and your friend love the same song, movie, or fast casual salad? They get into that too. So tell a pal and join your virtual friends as we discuss everything friendship! Follow us on Instagram @thescienceofselfcare, and if you...
Duration:00:59:41
Improv with Gary Richardson and Patrick Keene
2/8/2021
Sophie, Steven and Shannon are going back to their roots, exploring the ins and outs of improv comedy! Comedians Gary Richardson and Patrick Keene join them as they discuss the science of creativity, the power of "yes and" and what happens in our brains when we make choices on the spot.
Duration:01:01:38
The Microbiome with Dr. Ana Maria Porras
1/23/2021
We aren't just humans—we're walking, talking bags of bugs! This week we're chatting with biomedical engineer Dr. Ana Maria Porras about THE MICROBIOME! Grab a pen and paper and listen up as the doctor introduces us to what's living inside of us, our unique butt colonies, and how to treat our guts well. We promise it's actually not as gross as it sounds. Article reference: Bacteria on the Brain by Emily Eakin for The New Yorker
Duration:00:45:34
Reading with Nicole Drespel
1/11/2021
We’re back for season two! Today we’re talking about reading—an activity you may be doing more or less of in these pandemic times. We bring on one of our most literary-minded pals, comedian and writer Nicole Drespel, to discuss the science behind what makes reading a form of self-care. Special shout outs to Scholastic Book Fairs, Dawson’s Creek, and your aunt’s favorite, Danielle Steel. *TW: brief mention of sexual assault* Books we referenced: The Overstory by Richard Powers Little Weirds...
Duration:00:57:47
Season 2 Coming Soon!
1/5/2021
New year, new us! We're coming back for a second season filled with even more self-care practices and the science behind them. Plus, we're bringing on guests to help join the conversation—experts, scientists, comedians and more. Our new season begins January 12th so subscribe now! And join our Patreon to help support the show at patreon.com/scienceofselfcare.
Duration:00:01:45
Self-Care Mini: Plants
5/5/2020
We're hitting a stride (kind of) with our recordings from home! Today is all about nature, aka house plants for all the isolators out there. Steven tells us about his herbs, Sophie about her prayer plant, and Shannon about her Excel docs. We discover a lot of ways that plants are metaphors for life, and children and pets. But without all the poop, thank god. Send us pictures of your plants @thescienceofselfcare on Instagram or thescienceofselfcare@gmail.com.
Duration:00:39:21
Self-Care Mini: Music
4/21/2020
This week we made ourselves listen to a lot more music, and learned how our listening habits affected our quarantine lifestyles. For Steven, it helped him sleep. For Sophie, it eased her mood. For Shannon, it did absolutely nothing. We want to hear how music is helping YOU cope (or not) with the stress of isolation, so hit us up! We're on Instagram @thescienceofselfcare or Twitter @SOSCpodcast. Deets and boops xo
Duration:00:42:02
Self-Care Mini: Meditation
4/14/2020
Hope you're all staying safe and socially distanced out there! We're coming to you live (not really) from a zoom call in our respective homes. Each week we'll be experimenting with a different practice to help us stay sane amid the covid chaos. First up, we have meditation—specifically the goal of 3x daily for a week. Results were mixed! Hear how we did and let us know if you've tried meditating on your own and how it went. We're at @SOSCpodcast on Twitter and @thescienceofselfcare on...
Duration:00:29:49
Kombucha
3/17/2020
Sip sip! Today we’re discussing the highs and lows and middles of kombucha, everyone’s favorite fermented tea. Shannon explains the drink’s benefits, like blood sugar regulation and good gut bacteria, and Steven recounts how Greg has been making his own flavorful kombucha for years. Sophie decides she’ll take it on as her next “focus project” and the trio agrees we all want to see your scoby! #showusyourscoby on Instagram @thescienceofselfcare or Twitter @SOSCpodcast. This is our last...
Duration:00:38:51
Face Masks
3/10/2020
Prep your skin (and your ears) because we’re exploring the science of face masks! Shannon walks Steven and Sophie through the components of our skin and what the most popular skincare ingredients do for it. We also get the final word on whether that fancy gold sheet mask is worth the price tag. Steven and Sophie dish about their favorite products and tell us how they got through years of teen acne—even though our good friend the zit never really goes away. To support the show, check out our...
Duration:00:59:20
The Self-Care Quizmaster
2/25/2020
Today we're trying something new: offering up an exclusive episode from our Patreon page! Listen and partake in three different games that Steven, Sophie and Shannon each offer up, on topics ranging from seasonal affective disorder to coffee to why grocery stores are all about your attitude. If you like what you hear, check out our Patreon at www.patreon.com/scienceofselfcare for more!
Duration:00:31:01
Sex
2/18/2020
We’re getting spicy and exploring the benefits and research behind the self-care of sex! We cover a wide range of topics which include math, the pope, birth control, whether Steven can sing, the Parent Trap ear piercing scene, and the pope again. Happy sexing! Support our show by contributing to our Patreon at www.patreon.com/scienceofselfcare and reach out to us on Instagram @thescienceofselfcare or Twitter @SOSCpodcast to tell us your experience with sex as self-care.
Duration:00:58:20