Cool Stuff Ride Home
In just 15 minutes, the coolest stuff that happened in the world today. Science, progress, life-hacks, memes, exciting art and hope. The antidote to depressing headlines. Smart stuff in podcast form. Cool news, as a service.
Recent Episodes
Nov. 7, 2024
Massive New "Terror Bird" Discovered, Endangered Woodpecker Makes a Comeback, and TDIH - White Hurricane of the Great Lakes
The discovery of a fossilized 'Terror Bird' leg sheds light on the ancient South American ecosystem and a woodpecker’s comeback changes its status from endangered to threatened. Plus, on The Day in History, the White Hurrica…
Nov. 6, 2024
First Nation to Eliminate Leprosy, Weird Wednesday - Giant GPS Phallus, Unique Presidential Auction, a Couple Odd Structures, and TDIH - The Soviet Union's Five-Day Week
The Kingdom of Jordan is the first nation in the world to eliminate Leprosy. Weird Wednesday brings us a giant GPS phallus, a chance to buy President George Washington’s hair, and a couple "odd" structures. Plus, on 'This Da…
Nov. 5, 2024
Why is Election Day on a Tuesday in November in the US, A Potential Step Forward in Predicting Volcanic Eruptions & TDIH: Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
It's Election Day in the United State so we examine why it falls on a Tuesday in November, plus a potential step forward in predicting volcanic activity, and on 'This Day in History', Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot leadin…
Nov. 4, 2024
neverA Small Moon Orbiting Uranus Could Harbor Life, The Detriment of Early-Life Sugar Consumption in Humans & TDIH: The First Wagon Train Arrives in California
A small moon orbiting Uranus may be the latest body in our solar system that could harbor life. New research out of USC suggests a low-sugar diet in utero and in the first two years of life can meaningfully reduce the risk o…
Nov. 1, 2024
The Fastest Spinning Star, Voyager One Switches to a Radio for the First time in 43 years, and TDIH - The Movie Rating System, Old and New
Scientists spot a star spinning at so fast, it’ll make you dizzy just thinking about it – now the fastest spinning object ever observed and staying in space, another issue for the Voyager 1 probe causes it to use a radio for…
Oct. 31, 2024
The Connection Between Earthquakes and Geysers, Dark Matter from Black Holes & TDIH; the First US Coast-to-Coast Highway is Dedicated
A new study examines the connection between earthquakes and geysers. Evidence mounts that dark matter – something that's long perplexed scientists -- originates with black holes. Plus, on 'This Day in History'; the first coa…
Oct. 30, 2024
New Research Says Social Species Live Longer, Weird Wednesday - The Artisan Cheese Thief, More Drugs on Pizza, and a Lawsuit to make Elephants a "Person"; plus TDIH - Intel’s Pentium Bug of 1994
Why social species live longer than their solitary counterparts. Plus, Weird Wednesday has an Artisan Cheese Thief, More Drugs on Pizza, and a potential lawsuit from an elephant? On This Day in History, we look at Intel’s Pe…
Oct. 29, 2024
Scientists Reverse Brain Agin in Fruit Flies, The ESO's New Telescope Sends Photos from the 'Dark Side' of the Universe & TDIH: Lunar Orbiter 1's Crash Landing & Boris Pasternak's Nobel Refusal
Scientists reverse brain aging in fruit flies! What does that mean for humans? The European Space Agency’s new telescope, Euclid, provides us with stunning images of the “Dark Side” of the Universe. And on 'This Day in Histo…
Oct. 28, 2024
AI Creates Precise Gene Control Switches, "Landscape of Fear" Hypothesis Questioned, and TDIH - Fingerprints Used in an Investigation for the First Time
Using AI, researchers develop DNA ‘switches’ to precisely control gene activity in specific cell types and the Yellowstone “Landscape of Fear” hypothesis is being questioned. Plus, on This Day in History, fingerprints are us…
Oct. 25, 2024
Mount Everest is Growing, UK Treasure Hunters are Rewarded in a Big Way & TDIH; the First International, Six-Day Bike Race + the Great Wood Ban of Amsterdam
Mount Everest is having a growth spurt, treasure hunters in the UK are rewarded in a big way, and on 'This Day in History', the first international, six-day bike-race & the great wood ban of Amsterdam Thank you to our sponso…
Oct. 24, 2024
How Mega-Buildings are Slowing the Earth’s Spin, Electro-Agriculture Could Help Plants Grow without Sun & TDIH: the First Photo of Earth Taken from Space
On today's episode, we examine how mega-buildings/structures are now slowing the earth’s spin! Plus, how electro-agriculture could help plants grow without photosynthesis, and what that means for the future. Plus, on 'This D…
Oct. 23, 2024
The Correct Way to Throw a Frisbee, Weird Wednesday has a Quick Goodbye, a Shoe Smeller, and a Special Side Order that Toppled a Drug Operation & on 'This Day in History', The First Modern Nose Job
Scientific research reveals the "correct" way to throw a frisbee. Plus, Weird Wednesday has a quick goodbye, a shoe smeller, and a special side order that toppled a drug operation. And on TDIH, we look back at the first mode…
Oct. 22, 2024
First Brown Dwarf Discovered Actually Twins, What Happened When a Large Meteorite Hit Earth, and TDIH - Yahoo Buys Four11
It has been revealed that the first brown dwarf ever discovered is actually twins and we look at what happened to Earth when a meteorite four times the size of Mount Everest hit our planet. Plus, on This Day in History, Yaho…
Oct. 21, 2024
Using Asteroids for Food, Resurrecting the Tasmanian Tiger, and TDIH - The First Transatlantic Radiotelephone Message
Could future astronauts use asteroids for food? It might be possible, we'll explain how. The Tasmanian Tiger might be resurrected. Plus, on This Day in History, we look at the first transatlantic radiotelephone message. Astr…
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About the Host
Jackson Bird
Host, Kottke Ride Home
Jackson Bird is a writer and internet creator dedicated to demystifying the transgender experience. A YouTube NextUp Creator and GLAAD Rising Star Digital Innovator, Jackson shares his and others’ stories on his YouTube channel, jackisnotabird, and in his debut book Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Vulture, The Advocate, and more, and his TED Talk "How to talk (and listen) to transgender people" has been viewed over one and a half million times. Jackson lives in New York City, where he hosts the daily podcast Kottke Ride Home. You can follow him online @jackisnotabird.
