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. 22, 2024
Lasers Casting a Shadow, First Picture of a Star Outside Our Galaxy, and TDIH - The Campaign to Make Sean Connery the First James Bond
Scientists reconsider their understanding of shadow after they discover lasers – highly concentrated beams of light – can cast one. And scientists finally have a close-up picture of a star outside our galaxy – and it’s surro…
Nov. 22, 2024
Rare Cosmic Event 40 Years Ago Changes What We Know About Uranus, Scientists Create a Mouse Using Ancient, Single-Cell Genes & TDIH: Smoking is Banned on US Domestic Flights
New research points to a rare cosmic event just 40 years ago that changes what we know about Uranus’ magnetosphere. Also, scientists create a living, breathing mouse using ancient single-cell genes. Plus, on 'This Day in His…
Nov. 20, 2024
Weird Wednesday - Rats Driving Cars, King Richard III's Voice, and the 'Four Year Skip-Forward' Cruise. Plus, TDIH - The TV Movie That Helped the Cold War
It’s Weird Wednesday, so we are covering scientists that gave rats cars to drive and what was learned from their behavior behind the wheel, King Richard III’s voice is recreated, and the “Four Year Skip-Forward” cruise. Plus…
Nov. 19, 2024
Sitting Can Increase the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Amber Found in Antarctica for the First Time, and TDIH - The Nintendo Wii
How sitting, reclining, or lying down during the day may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Amber is found in Antarctica for the first time and what information can be gained from it. Plus, on This Day in History, …
Nov. 18, 2024
Saber-Tooth Kitten Found, Largest Living Sea Creature Discovered, another "Doomsday Fish" Washed Ashore, and TDIH - U.S. Time Zones and the Teddy Bear
The remains of a well-preserved saber-toothed kitten was found in Russia, the discovery of the largest known sea creature, and another “Doomsday Fish” washed ashore in California. Plus, on This Day in History, how the railro…
Nov. 15, 2024
The Fake Job Scam, Circular Homes Verus Hurricanes, and TDIH - The Art Advisor to the Queen Exposed as a Soviet Spy
The latest scam - this one is based around finding a job and how circular homes are standing firm against hurricanes. Plus, on This Day in History, the art advisor to the Queen is exposed in Parliament as a Soviet spy and is…
Nov. 14, 2024
Ceres' Potential Icy Surface, Ancient Bird Skull Discovery Provides Incredible Insights & TDIH; The First Airplane to Take Off from a Ship
The largest object in the asteroid belt may be 90% ice and water and an ancient fossil of a bird skull can help fill the gaps of avian evolution. Plus, on 'This Day in History', we look at the first airplane flight to take o…
Nov. 13, 2024
Lung Cancer Breath Test, Weird Wed - Old Cake Sold, Gross Mystery Beach Balls, Monkey Escape, 'Wicked' Mistake, and TDIH - Big Ben Chimes for the First Time
A breakthrough breath test could detect lung cancer in the early stages, plus Weird Wednesday has a 77-year-old cake piece sold at auction, gross mystery balls on Sydney's beaches that should be avoided, monkeys captured aft…
Nov. 12, 2024
Physicists Explain How Time Travel Could Become a Reality & On TDIH; The First Recorded Aerial Bombing on US Soil (w/ Unexpected Combatants)
Perhaps STILL the stuff of Science Fiction, physicists explain how time travel could become a reality – and it’s not as 'out there' as you might initially think. Plus, on 'This Day in History'; The first recorded aerial bomb…
Nov. 11, 2024
Elephants Using a Tool, Attitude vs Aging, and TDIH - The First US Fraternity and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Elephants that may use a hose like a tool…and for a trick, plus your attitude on aging may impact your cognitive skills as you get older. Also, on This Day in History; the first US fraternity and the dedication for the Tomb …
Nov. 8, 2024
Common Cold Medicine Could Be Pulled from the Market, New Information Revealed About Pompeii, and TDIH - The First US Detachable Electric Plug
The FDA could pull a common but ineffective cold medicine from the market and new DNA analysis reveals what scientists got wrong about Pompeii. And, on TDIH, the first detachable electric plug in the US. FDA to pull common b…
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…
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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.
