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Dope Labs

Dope Labs

iHeartPodcasts 145 Episodes Jul 14, 2026

Dope Labs is a podcast hosted by best friends Titi and Zakiya, two scientists, who explore scientific principles through the lens of pop culture and everyday topics. Each episode takes something trending, from cuffing season to Cardi B, and puts it under the microscope with the help of smart guests. The hosts aim to make science accessible and enjoyable for everyone, embodying their motto that 'science is for errybody'. The show's mission is to bring out the inner scientist in every listener.

Episodes

Lab 130: The Company We Keep with Alex Elle
Lab 130: The Company We Keep with Alex Elle Jul 14, 2026 2925 Titi and Zakiya are back with a bonus lab, and they brought a very special guest: author Alex Elle, whose new book The Company We Keep: Friendship, Connection, and Redefining What It Means to Grow Together is the perfect excuse to dig into everything "big friendship" and platonic love require. We're talking main ingredients like capacity, honesty, repair, and the courage to put down the "strong fr
End of Semester 5: What We Learned - Lab 129
End of Semester 5: What We Learned - Lab 129 Mar 8, 2026 1351 This week we’re wrapping up Semester 5 in the lab. Over the past year we’ve explored everything from bird flu and the microbiome to AI, addiction, air quality, and the psychology of Black Friday. We’ve talked about how systems—technological, biological, economic, and cultural—shape the way we live. In this episode, Titi & Zakiya look back at some of the labs that
Reading Between the Lines: The Truth About Gen Z and Literacy - Lab 128
Reading Between the Lines: The Truth About Gen Z and Literacy - Lab 128 Mar 1, 2026 1742 You’ve seen the headlines — Gen Z can’t read, attention spans are shot, we’re all getting dumber. But is any of that actually true? This week, Titi and Zakiya slow down and actually look at the research behind the literacy panic. From international assessments to the Nation’s Report Card, they break down what the data really says, why the drops we’re seeing aren
Weight for It with Ronald Young Jr. - Lab 097 (Re-Air)
Weight for It with Ronald Young Jr. - Lab 097 (Re-Air) Feb 22, 2026 2540 We’re revisiting one of our most personal labs. In this episode, we sit down with Ronald Young Jr., host of Wait For It, to unpack the complicated relationship many of us have with our bodies — and the ways we postpone our lives while we’re “waiting.” Waiting to lose weight.Waiting to look different.Waiting to feel worthy. We talk about how weight gets moralized, and
The Language of Love (and AI) - Lab 127
The Language of Love (and AI) - Lab 127 Feb 15, 2026 1946 Valentine’s Day used to be about cuffing season, double texting rules, and who’s paying for dinner. But the love landscape has shifted and it’s not just humans in the mix anymore. People are forming emotional and romantic relationships with AI chatbots. So what’s actually happening here? This week in the lab, Titi and Zakiya talk with Arelí Rocha about her work study
Fantasy Sports & Betting - Lab 126
Fantasy Sports & Betting - Lab 126 Feb 8, 2026 2358 On Super Bowl Sunday, it can feel like sports are way beyond just watching! This week in the lab, Zakiya and Titi are joined by Jess Bryant, senior editor for fantasy sports and betting at The Athletic, to break down how fantasy sports, sports betting, and prediction markets actually differ and where they quietly overlap. From statistical modeling and intuition to player boundaries, we explore wha
Is Financial Technology Helping or Hurting?  - Lab 125
Is Financial Technology Helping or Hurting? - Lab 125 Feb 1, 2026 1765 Titi and Zakiya are joined by Hilary J. Allen, a professor who specializes in corporate law and financial regulation, to discuss the effects of FinTech on our everyday lives. Are these new methods of decentralization providing more opportunities, or accelerating financial inequity?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Behind the Curtain: The Science of the Grammys - Lab 124
Behind the Curtain: The Science of the Grammys - Lab 124 Jan 25, 2026 2218 In this lab, Titi and Zakiya pull back the curtain on the Grammys with music critic Sidney Madden. They break down how the Recording Academy works, who gets to vote, and why categories and nominees often feel disconnected from culture and fans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oil, ICE, and the Science of Control - Lab 123
Oil, ICE, and the Science of Control - Lab 123 Jan 18, 2026 1193 This lab examines two unfolding stories where science and power collide: Venezuela’s century-long oil history and why the United States is now deeply involved, and the recent ICE shootings in Minnesota amid an unprecedented immigration enforcement surge. Listen to learn how these events reveal a critical moment in history, where decisions about resources, authority, and security are reshapin
Air Aware: Air Quality & Health - Lab 122
Air Aware: Air Quality & Health - Lab 122 Jan 11, 2026 2608 We usually think about viruses this time of year, but what about everything else floating around us? In this lab, Titi and Zakiya sit down with environmental health scientist Dr. Cavin Ward-Caviness to break down what’s actually in the air we breathe. They cover everything from pollution and tiny particles to everyday indoor sources like cooking, candles, and fireplaces.  Listen to lear
Lab 049: The Habit Equation (Re-Air)
Lab 049: The Habit Equation (Re-Air) Jan 4, 2026 2282 For our final lab in the New Years series, Titi & Zakiya want to learn all about the science behind habit formation. Dr. Wendy Wood, author of “Good Habits, Bad Habits,” tells us why bad habits are easier to make than good ones, and how to form new habits that stick. You can find more Dope Labs, show notes, and cheat sheets at dopelabspodcast.com. Learn more about your ad choices.
Lab 032: Life Avalanche (Re-Air)
Lab 032: Life Avalanche (Re-Air) Dec 28, 2025 1840 All the stress we are feeling in 2020 is leading to what feels like worldwide burnout. In Lab 032, Titi and Zakiya talk about what causes burnout, most common burnout behaviors, and how you can recognize burnout when it happens to you. Guest: Dr. Anne Helen Petersen. For more info and show notes, visit dopelabspodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio

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