Caustic Soda

The End with Mr. Dr. Greg Bole

Mon, 24 May 2021 08:27:14 +0000

With a heavy heart and in honour of our good friend Mr. Dr. Greg Bole we present a very special episode: “The End.” The process and smells of dying, semelparity, animal grief, famous last words, weird wills, and Greg’s final plans and wishes.

Update: On Sunday, August 22, 2021 at 3:36 PM, Mr. Dr. Greg Bole passed in the loving arms of his wife at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC, Canada. We miss our dear friend.

Charity O’ The Week: BC Cancer Foundation, in honour of Greg Bole

Links:

Fanfare Finale

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 22:36:47 +0000

Almost six years to the day of our first ever podcast, Mike, Toren, Joe and Kevin are bringing their journey through the absolute worst the world of science, history, and pop culture has to offer to an end. Veteran Guestpert Dr. Rob joins us for the first two hours of our massive farewell episode.

We cover almost every followup we’ve got left, including Olfactory Reference Syndrome, necrotic cervix, decomposing corpse poo, toxic trucker pee, auto urine therapy, urine-repellent paint, helminthic therapy, synthetic marijuana, coffin-birth, outrageous anti-abortion laws, vagina potato, poop transplant, ancient viking shit, a creepy face transplant, compulsive-bad-joke-telling (more than our usual), a lethal silicone penis injection, self-amputation, elevator abandonment, an “autism cure” that rates on the Evilometer, the worst auto-racing disaster in history, a whale meat experience, ape answers, mite shit, a failed test of faith, a lethal posthumous snake-bite, crocodile guards, sword booby-traps, a bloody pillow fight, the 1904 Olympic Marathon, bouncy house dangers, a fire-boozenadeo, terrible gamer-parents, The Granny Ripper, and the very last Lesser of Two Evils!

Music
“Toot Toot Tootsie (Goo’ Bye)” by Al Jolson
“When You Go” by Jonathan Coulton
“The Caustic Soda Show” by Toren Atkinson and Rowan Lipkovitz (of The Creaking Planks)

Charity O’ The Week: Rain City Badger

Thanks

Researchers/editors Cory, Dave E, Jonathan Snow, Kelly N, Mele, Raymond, Sheri, Teagan and Todd
Dr Rob
Dr Jenna
Firefighter Allan Newell
Mr Dr Greg Bole
Gavin Pitts
Steven Schwartz
Yvonne Morrin
Lisa Gemino
Chris Pramas
Chris Stewart from Kerberos Productions
Fraser Cain from Astronomycast
Nurse Katie
Jordan Pratt, Warren Banks, Chris Woods from Horsetrack Hooligans
Our amazing listeners, the Soda Jerks.

Images

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wd6qDBUP72g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-7q3IeTawE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEk85gKJN6k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKTNMbEoOKE

Elephants, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 21 Mar 2016 23:01:29 +0000

The caustic look at elephants continues with elephant attacks, beehive fences, Jumbo, Topsy’s execution, plus news and pop culture!

Music: “Tiny Paper Elephant” by The Doubleclicks

Links

World Wildlife Federation of Justice

Images

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoKi4coyFw0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSLVgrNJ-HU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKng-2JaqJU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4xX5vuxOaY

Elephants, Part 1 of 2

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 00:02:10 +0000

Yvonne Morrin joins Kevin, Toren, and Joe to talk elephants, starting with a mammoth pop-quiz and a ton of caustic elephacts: musth, the Phajaan ritual, and elephant artificial insemination. Part 1 of 2.

Music: “Grown Man Cry (Piano Demo)” by Amanda Palmer

Links:

Images

Videos

http://youtu.be/LYhT6FHEpwY?t=18

http://youtu.be/IvhJsd2qfuw?t=139

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXcRw6Piaj8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcvGGe-zpIA

http://youtu.be/9xK1jfiuj_w?t=97

Droughts

Tue, 08 Mar 2016 01:24:03 +0000

Caustic Hosts Joe, Toren, and Kevin get thirsty discussing the causes and effects of droughts including tumblefirenados, the Syrian Civil War, Indian and Chinese famines, the California Water Wars, Lake Karachay, a super-dry extremophile, the horrors experienced in Virginia’s Jamestown Colony, “shade ball” debunking, plus pop culture!

Music: “Quantum of Solace” by Miracles of Modern Science

Links

Images

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcUnE0tHcaI

Killer Plants

Mon, 29 Feb 2016 12:22:35 +0000

Carnivorous plants, strangling kelp, giant hogweed, gympie-gympie, falling saguaros, manchineel trees, coconuts, and more!

Music: “Like A Monkey Likes Coconuts” by Hoosier Hot Shots (1939)

Images

Caligula, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 22 Feb 2016 21:18:46 +0000

Kevin, Joe, and Toren conclude Caligula’s history, an exploration of explanations for his behavior, plus pop culture!

Music: “The Killing Type” by Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra

Links

Multiple versions of Caligula

Images

Videos

http://vimeo.com/53296145

Caligula, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 15 Feb 2016 23:58:06 +0000

Kevin, Toren, and Joe discuss Evil Dude in History Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, aka “Caligula”. Part 1 of 2 — the early years and rise to power.

Music: “Ego” by Colour Machine – Available on iTunes and Google Play Music

Images

Arson

Mon, 08 Feb 2016 07:33:38 +0000

Allan Newell rejoins the hosts with his firefighter helmet on to discuss the seven motives of arsonists, Herostratus, the Happy Land Fire, the Clarence Roberts mystery, the Sydney Ghost Train Fire, the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God, Operation Backfire, the Pillow Pyro, the Mary Pang Warehouse Fire, and more!

Music: “I’m Playing with Fire” by Jack Jackson

Charity O’ The Week: BurnFund.org

Images

Libraries

Mon, 01 Feb 2016 22:51:37 +0000

Joe, Toren, and Kevin “check out” the caustic side of libraries, including both Melvil Dewey’s classification system and the man himself, the librarian who took over China, librarian sex habits, “for sex see librarian”, the Brave Sage of Timbuktu, plus news and pop culture. Recorded at the Vancouver Public Library’s Inspiration Lab!

Music: “Nyarlathotep” by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets

Links

The Brave Sage of Timbuktu: Abdel Kader Haidara

Images

Will Manley’s Librarian Sex Survey Results

Question 1 – Playboy, Playgirl, Playguy

40% of the respondents felt that Playboy should be included in libraries, 23% felt that Playgirl should be included, and 6% felt that Playguy should be included.

Question 2 Video Ratings

61 % felt that libraries should label their videotapes with G, PG, Pg-13, R, NC-17, and X ratings. 39% felt that they should not give labels.

Question 3 – R Rated Videos and Minors

22% of the respondents felt that libraries should check out R rated videos to minors not accompanied by adults.

Question 4 – X Rated Videos

17% of the respondents felt that libraries should carry X rated videos.

Question 5 – Condom Dispensers

22% of the respondents felt that libraries should have condom dispensers in their bathrooms.

Question 6 – Sexual Harassment by a Supervisor

14% of the respondents indicated they had been sexually harassed by a library supervisor.

Question 7 – Sexual Harassment by a Patron

78% of the female respondents and 7 percent of the male respondents indicated that they had been sexually harassed by a library patron.

Question 8 – Sex Without Love

20% of the respondents felt that sex without love is by definition bad sex.

Question 9 – Nuclear War and Roseanne Barr Arnold

30% of the male respondents indicated that if there were a nuclear war and Roseanne Barr Arnold was the only woman on earth to survive, they would have sex with her in order to propagate the species.

Question 10 – Nuclear War and PeeWee Herman

38% of the female respondents indicated that if there were a nuclear war and PeeWee Herman was the only man on earth to survive, they would have sex with him in order to propagate the species.

Question 11 – AIDS and God

6% of the respondents felt that AIDS is a punishment from God.

Question 12 – Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas vs. Anita Hill

82% of the respondents felt that Anita Hill told the truth in the Senate Judiciary Hearings. {Historical Note for Net Genners: Anita Hill accused Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment }

Question 13 – Shakespeare and “the 1st Time”

When asked to pick the Shakespearean title that best described their first sexual encounter, 28% chose Comedy of Errors; 23% chose Midsummer’s Night Dream; 22% chose Much Ado About Nothing; 21% chose All’s Well That Ends Well; and 6% chose Rape of Lucrece.

Question 14 – Genre Fiction and Sex Lives

38% of the respondents classified their sex life as a “romance”; 31% as a fantasy; 22% as a comedy, and 9% as a tragedy.

Question 15 – $$$’s for Posing Nude

51 % of the respondents would pose nude in Playboy, Playgirl, or Playguy for all the money in Fort Knox; 24% said they would do it for $1 million.

Question 16 – Age and Virginity Loss

12% lost their virginity from 12 to 15; 22% between 16 and 18; 37% between 19 and 21; 17% between 22 and 25; 5% between 26 and 30; 2% between 31 and 35; 1% between 36 and 100; 4% are virgins.

Question 17 – Marriage and Celebrities – Men

Given a list of 12 celebrities, 27 % of the males preferred to marry Kathleen Turner; 25% Jane Fonda; 14% Dolly Parton; 13% Diane Keaton, 8% Diane Sawyer; 6% Madonna; 4% Prince; 2% Elton John; and 1% split between Marla Maples, Yoko Ono; Dianna Ross, and Tina Turner.

Question 18 – Marriage and Celebrities – Women

Given a list of 12 celebrities, 60% of the females chose Robert Redford; 18% Patrick Swayze; 7% Woody Allen; 5% Michael Jordan, 4% Martina Navratilova, 3% Cher, 2% Eddie Van Halen, and 1% was split between Prince, Dan Quayle, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Geraldo Rivera, and Michael Jackson.

Question 19 – Frequency of Sex

50% of the respondents reported having sex 1 – 2 times per week; 22% 3 – 4 times per week; 21% – 0 times a week; 6% 5 -7 times per week; and 1% have it more than 7 times per week.

Question 20 – Public Places where librarians have had sex at least once

63% in a car; 57% in a sleazy motel room; 52% sleeping bag; 43% kitchen floor; 32% hot tub; 20% library; 7% airplane; 8% elevator.

Question 21 – Number of Sexual Partners in their lifetime

30% – 2 to five partners; 22% – 1 partner; 17% – 6 to 10; 16% – 11 to 20; 7% 21 to 50; 4% more than 50; 4% – none.

Question 22 – Sex and Presidential Elections

72% of the respondents said they would not let a candidate’s sex life influence their vote in an election for President.

Question 23 – X Rated Movies

61% of the respondents had rented an x rated movie.

Question 24 – Librarians and Sex Books

91% had read The Joy of Sex; 29% had read How to Make Love to a Man; 14% had read Human Sexual Inadequacy; and 3% had read Macho Sluts.

Nyarlathotep Lyrics

Sebehy er rut ta desheret
Iw iyin s n kekw
Em seshet’w djuu senefu

Rekh-en-ef pa nisut kem
B’k n netjeri shesepu nen horef
Redi-en-ef medjat en mut

Nyarlathotep
Sefetju tehemy buyetyen
Nyarlathotep

Heruyu her nu ‘reku
I’tyu her muetem kh’sut nebut
Neb senedju h.enemnemy er kheru

Wepwety en buyetyen
Seb waten shut her niku
Neru m per khenety n idenu

(Lyrics Translation)

Crying out from the Red Land
Came a man of darkness
With evil bloody secrets

He knew the Black Pharaoh
Servant to the Faceless Sphinx God
He gave me the book of the dead

Nyarlathotep
Slaughterer bringing nigh those who are detested
Nyarlathotep

Tumult and time bent
Mutilation and death in every land
Unleashing fear, creeping downward

Messenger to those who are detested
Prepare a way for the Void and the Evil Ones
Terror in the harem of pestilences

Mines (Warfare)

Mon, 25 Jan 2016 17:06:58 +0000

Toren, Kevin, and Joe discuss mines of every description including naval mines, helicopter mines, fougasses, nuclear mines, the Camp Bonifas Golf Course and mine-detecting flowers. Plus what to expect when you step on a blast mine.

Running, Part 2 of 2

Tue, 19 Jan 2016 00:24:20 +0000

The podcast marathon continues as Dr. Katie, Joe, Toren, and Kevin talk about the Badwater Ultramarathon, the Canadian Death Race, Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope, and Oscar Pistorius' career and deadly Valentine.

Running, Part 1 of 2

Tue, 12 Jan 2016 03:34:56 +0000

Dr. Katie Marshall is back with Joe, Toren, and Kevin to talk about the horrors of running. They compare human and animal running speeds, the horrors the running inflicts on your body (plus some benefits), the man vs. horse marathon, the beer mile, and the "Ride and Tie".

Fungus

Mon, 04 Jan 2016 08:13:37 +0000

Season seven of Caustic Soda begins with pathogenic fungi, prototaxites, spelunker’s lung, fungal eye and yeast infections, magic mushrooms, the death suit, and cordyceps. Plus news and pop culture!

New Year

Mon, 28 Dec 2015 23:22:33 +0000

Joe, Toren, and Kevin ring in the end of another season of Caustic Soda with a look at the arbitrary time of year we chose as the end. We'll look at how calendars work, new year around the world and in history, plus the dangers of drunk walking and a cork injury PSA!

Special Blend with Adam Pateman

Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:29:11 +0000

Comedian Adam Pateman joins us to discuss diving accidents, dead whale carcasses, losing one's sense of smell, cannibalism on the Franklin Expedition, a doomed expedition to Africa, plus which is the lesser of two evils - being sprayed with skunk water or being pelted with frozen paintballs?

Kidneys

Tue, 15 Dec 2015 01:06:06 +0000

Dr. Rob is back for for a Caustic Anatomy Class on kidneys! We'll cover kidney disease, hear Toren's own kidney stone story in full detail, the largest kidney stones ever reported, kidney stones in history, the effects of kidney-blows, plus news and pop culture!

Vigilantes

Tue, 08 Dec 2015 07:53:11 +0000

Vigiles, Sombra Negra, Jonathan Idema, Bernhard Goetz, The Lavender Panthers, the Fierce Missouri Bald Knobbers and Anonymous hacktivism, and more!

Hurricanes, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 30 Nov 2015 23:42:05 +0000

Our caustic look at hurricanes concludes with hurricane hunters, Hurricane Katrina, Typhoon Haiyan, the insultingly nitpicky appearance of the 1970 Bhola Cyclone In The News, plus pop culture! Part 2 of 2.

Hurricanes, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 23 Nov 2015 19:59:08 +0000

Kevin, Toren, and Joe are back to talk about Big Wind: hurricanes! We'll cover the biggest and most destructive ever, including the Great Red Spot on Jupiter, plus a Public Service Announcement, the Great Hurricane of 1780, and Galveston, Texas in 1900. Part 1 of 2.

Hippos

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 20:17:23 +0000

Hippo attacks and how to avoid them, hippo castration, hippo ranching, hippo news and pop culture.

Epilepsy

Mon, 09 Nov 2015 23:01:58 +0000

Dr. Rob Tarzwell is back with Joe, Kevin, and Toren to discuss epilepsy. We'll look at the science of the condition, what to do if you witness a seizure, notable epileptics in history, a seizure while falling 10,000 feet, plus news and pop culture!

Golems

Sat, 31 Oct 2015 20:33:54 +0000

Author Don Debrandt joins Toren, Kevin, and Joe to discuss golems of all varieties in our 2015 Hallowe'en special.

Time Travel, Live at VCON 40

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 16:19:18 +0000

While Toren and Kevin were at the HP Lovecraft Film Festival, Joe was at VCON 40 talking "Time Travel" with Eric Fell, Barbara Beall, Joe Haldeman and Mr. Dr. Greg Bole!

Special Blend with Jeffrey Combs Live at HPL Film Festival

Mon, 19 Oct 2015 07:20:58 +0000

Celebrated actor Jeffrey (Re-Animator, Star Trek DS9) Combs joins Toren, Kevin and guest-host Warren Banks to talk bad books, space warfare, ghosts, film set accidents, plus a very special Lesser of Two Evils!

Science Denial

Mon, 12 Oct 2015 20:57:35 +0000

Joe, Kevin, and Toren discuss the denial of Galileo's look-for-yourself findings, Ebin Byers' "Radithor" addiction, "Deutsche Physik", yet another evil tobacco cover-up, AIDs denialist Christine Maggiore, the Flat Earth Society, climate denial and conspiracy theories.

Prisons, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 05 Oct 2015 09:09:21 +0000

Toren, Kevin, and Joe continue discussing Prisons with Riker's Island, Diyarbakir Prison, Gitarama Central Prison, Camp 22, The Shining Path, For-Profit Prisons and the Kids for Cash Scandal, plus news and pop culture!

Prisons, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 17:42:00 +0000

Toren, Joe, and Kevin lock themselves up in the studio to discuss locking people up in prisons, prison garb, panopticons, prison slang, a "So You're Going To Prison" PSA, the Prison Rape Elimination Act, The London Bridewell, Prison Hulks, The Separate System and the Stanford Prison Experiment.

Josef Mengele, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 18:27:03 +0000

Kevin, Toren and Joe continue their look at the Nazi doctor Josef "Angel of Death" Mengele with his post-war movement plus news (yes, news!) and pop culture.

Josef Mengele, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 14 Sep 2015 10:24:40 +0000

Kevin, Toren, and Joe are back in Evil Dudes in History with a two-part look at Josef Mengele. In this episode it's his life and the horrors he perpetrated, from his early days in the SS to his terrible experiments at Auschwitz, to fleeing the country as the Allies close in.

Military Animals

Mon, 07 Sep 2015 15:43:08 +0000

War elephants, anti tank dogs, moose cavalry, carrier pigeons, donkey bombs, rocket cats, bear moats, bee hive missiles, explosive rats, the PDSA Dickin Medal and the dolphin arms race. Plus pop culture.

Urine

Mon, 31 Aug 2015 09:21:10 +0000

Bed-wetting treatments, urine in the animal kingdom, the urine wheel, uromancy, phosphorous alchemy & urine therapy. Plus when is it safe to drink your pee?

Deserts

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 21:15:15 +0000

Joe, Toren, and Kevin discuss the science and history of deserts, animal desert adaptations, the desert ordeals of David "Jack" Sillito, Noel St. Malo Juul, and Chris Ryan, what happens when the "Marathon des Sables" -- a Sahara-based ultramarathon -- goes wrong, plus news and pop culture.

Bad Laws, Part 2

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 06:54:48 +0000

Jim Crow Laws, the Nuremberg Laws, Bill C-51, Sudanese apostasy and the common sundae. Plus news & pop culture. Part 2 of 2.

Bad Laws, Part 1

Mon, 10 Aug 2015 08:22:59 +0000

The Bloody Code, transportation to Australia, prohibition of nonbelievers to office, sexist laws, laws against homosexuality and blasphemy laws. Part 1 of 2.

Special Blend with Richard Harmon

Mon, 03 Aug 2015 11:12:26 +0000

Actor Richard Harmon from "The 100" joins Kevin, Toren, and Joe for a special blend of caustic subjects: Killer robots, cockfighting vengeance, mascot murder, enslaved Thai fishermen, the youngest cryogenic subject ever, polar bear vs. dolphin, sourtoe cocktail, and sewer-water-beer!

Mountain Misadventure, Part 2

Mon, 27 Jul 2015 03:07:42 +0000

Corpses on Everest, Everest Day, Beck Weathers' survival story, plus pop culture. Part two of two.

Mountain Misadventure, Part 1

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 04:54:02 +0000

Altitude sickness, frostbite, Ötzi the mummy, the Murder Wall, and other mountaineering deaths. Part one of two. Music: "Marching 'Round the Mountain" by Pete Fountain Images

Weird Wars, Part 2

Mon, 13 Jul 2015 19:39:30 +0000

Kevin, Toren, and Joe are back with part two of "weird wars!". This episode features The Anglo-Zanzibar War, The War of the Golden Stool, The War of the Stray Dog, The Football War, plus news and pop culture! Music: "Watch World War Three (on Pay TV)" by Crown City Four Links Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnCyMpl4dhk

Weird Wars, Part 1

Mon, 06 Jul 2015 14:54:25 +0000

Kevin, Toren, and Joe take a look at history's weirdest wars. Tales from the Third Mithridatic War, The Siege of Yongqiu, The War of the Bucket, the Sham Battle, the War of Jenkins' Ear, the Battle of Den Helder, The Pastry War, and The Pig War. Music: "The Seeds of Pain" by Information Society Images

HIV/Aids, Part 2

Mon, 29 Jun 2015 09:44:00 +0000

The history of HIV/AIDS, 'slow puncture' in South African prison gangs, possible cure and pop culture! Part 2 of 2 with special guest BJ Allan. Music: "Close Your Eyes" by Al Bowlly with Ray Noble and His Orchestra Images

HIV/AIDS, Part 1

Mon, 22 Jun 2015 08:19:53 +0000

BJ Allan joins us to talk about the science and history of HIV and AIDS. Music: "I'll Never Be the Same Again" Billie Holiday with Teddy Wilson & his Orchestra Charity O' The Week: Doctors Without Borders Links Giant Microbes - HIV A Timeline of AIDS Images Videos

Cinematastrophes – Brain Damage & Street Trash

Mon, 15 Jun 2015 06:58:31 +0000

Toren, Joe, and Kevin are joined by The Greatest Movie EVER! Podcast's Paul Chapman for a special "Cinematastrophe" episode, where we force ourselves to review the most caustic cinema we can find. In our inaugural episode it's two 80's horror comedy classics: Brain Damage and Street Trash. This is just us, a webcam, and some editing right now. With your help we can do more! Support us at patreon.com/causticsoda. Images Videos http://youtu.be/f1Csvo7GqHw

Bones

Tue, 09 Jun 2015 01:09:50 +0000

Joe, Kevin, and Toren are joined again by Dr. Rob Tarzwell for another Caustic Anatomy Class, this time on bones! We look at the structure and evolution of bones, the world's biggest, smallest, and most-broken, several weird bone diseases, the Oddfellows' closeted-skeletons, plus news and pop culture! Music: "Dem Bones" by Fred Waring & his Pennsylvanians Links Watch Happy Days on Hulu Richard III Death Blow Lost Skeleton of Cadavera on YouTube Heal Yourself Skeletor Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXmRuJByoVs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeJjgCtqPEI

Wildfires

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 15:49:36 +0000

Allan Newell joins us to discuss the science and history of wildland fires including the Ash Wednesday bushfires, the Peshtigo Fire, The Big Burn, the Great Miramichi Fire, Black Saturday, and the Kursha-2 Fire. Also - fire tornadoes! Music: "Settin' the Woods on Fire" by Hank Williams with his Drifting Cowboys Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnvWW4kYhnk

Special Blend with Barbara Beall

Mon, 25 May 2015 19:56:47 +0000

Actress, comedian, and former live-show guest Barbara Beall is finally in-studio with Joe, Toren, and Kevin to talk about a grab-bag of caustic topics including the Ortolan Bunting recipe, an Australian double-whammy of deadly nature, a Soda Jerk's personal story of being hit by lighting while flying a plane, plus some "I Can't Believe You Didn't Mention" followups from our wonderful Patrons! Music: "A Need To Know Basis" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Links The Critical Hit Show (featuring previous guests Ian Boothby, Joanna Gaskell, and Eric Fell!) The Fictionals Google Image Search: "Carbuncle" (Note: Gross!) An OR Nurse Talks About The Most Gory, Disgusting Thing They’d Ever Seen At Work Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TDlBT5iokE

Sexism, Part 2

Mon, 18 May 2015 06:47:03 +0000

Who's taking the red pill? Debunking sexist evolutionary psychology, sexism in science, menstruation, sexual assault victim blaming, women in refrigerators, the Bechdel test plus Star Trek! With Dr Jenna, Deanna and Jarrah. Part 2 of 2. Music: "Never Trust A Woman" by Red Foley Charity O’ The Week: International Planned Parenthood Federation Images

Sexism, Part 1

Mon, 11 May 2015 13:48:01 +0000

Dr Jenna Moccia returns with special hosts Jarrah Hodge and Deanna Ogle for a particularly hysterical look at sexism. Part 1 of 2. Music: "Sobbin' Women" by Howard Keel et al Charity O' The Week: International Planned Parenthood Federation Links Gender Focus Trekkie Feminist Behind The Photo That Changed The Boston Marathon Forever Images

Ivan the Terrible, Part 2

Mon, 04 May 2015 21:04:16 +0000

The Caustic look at Ivan the Terrible continues with the Massacre of Novgorod, swollen cods, and the Time of Troubles, plus news and pop culture, and our thoughts on where Ivan falls on the Caustic Soda Evilometer! Music: "Evil Man Blues" by Lil Johnson Links Siberian Times - Ivan's Sword? Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnL0FP6Zczo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbFSV86Scu0

Ivan the Terrible, Part 1

Mon, 27 Apr 2015 21:12:16 +0000

Kevin, Toren, and Joe are back with more Evil Dudes in History. This time it's Russian Tsar Ivan IV Vasilyevich: "Ivan the Terrible". In Part 1 we talk about the early years and middle years of this outrageous tyrant. Content warning: Ivan's not keen on consent. Music: "A Thousand Fists" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images

Alzheimer’s Disease

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 21:05:44 +0000

Dr. Rob joins Joe, Toren and Kevin to look at Alzheimer's Disease and dementia. We look at dementia through history, how shockingly recently we've understood that this is a disease at all, signs of Alzheimer's, fake bus stops, the "Dementia Village" of Hogewey, plus pop culture! Music: "Non Dementicar" by Nat King Cole Links Folding @ Home Dementia and Alzheimer's Care Hogewey Barkerville DeadAtNoon.com Living with Alzheimer's Part 1 Living With Alzheimer's Part 2 Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90b1MBwnEHM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwiOBlyWpko http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8TsAh-zYFI

Fearsome Fish

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 08:24:56 +0000

Gavin Pitts returns to discuss the Goonch catfish, needlefish, sailfish, swordfish, moray eel, pacu, barracuda, anglerfish, snakehead, stingrays and the not-so-dreaded candiru! Music: “Three Little Fishies” by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra Links Benthic Love Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=727ISEi6Kyw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL7skjAt0e0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OE1l28aynoo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXeu_FvRx3g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2KnIpCNqdc

Heroin, Part 2

Mon, 06 Apr 2015 17:39:22 +0000

Our look at heroin continues with trafficking, the Golden Triangle, a public service announcement, the "North London Turk", GG Allin, plus a selection of pop culture including The Man with the Golden Arm, Trainspotting, The Barbarian Invasions, and more pop culture! Music: "Straighten Up And Fly Right" by Works Off Progress Images

Heroin, Part 1

Mon, 30 Mar 2015 13:04:16 +0000

Kevin, Joe, and Toren take an extended look at the drug known as junk, dope, smack, shot, shit, and h: Heroin. In part one we cover heroin's history, methods of use, lesser-known effects such as toxic leukoencephalopathy, and -- of course -- withdrawal. Music: "Yog Sothoth" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images

Garbage

Mon, 23 Mar 2015 17:02:13 +0000

Landfills, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, crap on Mount Everest, Smokey Mountain, garbage around the world and trashy history. Plus pop culture! Music: "I'm Waiting for the Junkman" by Ella Fitzgerald Images

Turtles

Mon, 16 Mar 2015 22:53:23 +0000

Mr. Dr. Greg joins Joe, Toren, and Kevin to discuss the shell out of turtles. We've got a pop quiz, information about neck-folding, butt-based breathing, Vietnam's great grandfather turtle, Discworld's Great A'Tuin, Gamera and the turtles of Pokemon. Though recorded before his passing, this flamethrower against the darkness is lovingly dedicated to Sir Terry Pratchett. Also: We've been nominated for the Podcast Awards in the "Science" category! Voting is on now. Do with this information what you will. Music: "Take It Slow and Easy" by The Rhythmakers Links More on the Risk of Death by Turtle When Turtles Attack, Part II Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmAO44_52vU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rE_FG2xauA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Smd9pOlsNk#t=45 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xADb8en4q-k

It Burns! It Burns! Caustic Updates

Mon, 09 Mar 2015 16:27:12 +0000

Caustic Updates featuring Chris Woods from Horsetrack Hooligans! It's a grab bag of updates on past episodes, including body modification, art, plus a new Lesser of Two Evils! Music: "Looking on the Bright Side of Life" by Al Bowlly Links Teen artist proposes nude statue of Bill Cosby with Fat Albert in place of his genitals Images Images Too Gross To Display Thumbnails (you have been warned) Urethral Reroute 1 Urethral Reroute 2 Urethral Reroute 3 Penile Sub-incision Genital Bisection 1 Genital Bisection 2

The Heart

Mon, 02 Mar 2015 21:40:35 +0000

Dr. Rob Tarzwell is back with Joe, Toren, and Kevin to get to the heart of the matter of... the heart. We'll discuss its structure, a brief history of heart knowledge, look at early "pluggable" and "luggable" pacemakers, plus news from Syria and Heart Attack Grill and pop culture! Music: "Burrow Your Way To My Heart (Live)" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Links One Minute Medical School Abu Sakkar: Syrian Rebel Cuts Out and Eats Soldier's Heart In Ghastly Propaganda Video Face-to-face with Abu Sakkar, Syria's 'heart-eating cannibal' Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SidxJz94Svs

Lightning

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 17:10:49 +0000

Ball lightning, "dark lightning," petrified lightning, Lichtenberg figures, dramatic lightning strikes through history and how to avoid being struck by lightning. Plus pop culture! Music: "Ain't a Fit Night Out for Man Nor Beast" by Noble Sissle Charity O' The Week: Lightning Strike & Electric Shock Survivors International, Inc. Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNJRPOltifI

The Brain

Mon, 16 Feb 2015 22:52:06 +0000

Caustic Regular Dr. Rob Tarzwell joins Joe, Toren, and Kevin in the premiere episode of our new series: "Caustic Anatomy Class", this episode focusing on the master control of it all: the brain! We'll talk about the history of brain knowledge, an introduction to the brain's structure, brain-eating amoebas, the "creepy threesome", several people walking and talking without a large part of their brain, brain tapeworms, and The Man With Two Brains and a skull-full of pop culture! Music: "Scatter Brain" by Frankie Masters And His Orchestra Links Caustic Anatomy Class Intro music from Creative Sound. Brain in a Jar trope Fungi from Yuggoth The Whisper in the Darkness Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHxyP-nUhUY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFY2PvkqB2M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH6Cb8IYjOY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xK-ulxa0m4 Anatomy of the Brain collated by Caustic researcher Cory The most common method used to divide the brain, is based on the three main regions that developed in the embryonic state: The Forebrain (or prosencephalon) the cerebrum (telencephalon) thalamus hypothalamus and pineal gland among other features (diencephalon, or interbrain). The Midbrain (or mesencephalon) located near the very center of the brain between the interbrain and the hindbrain, is composed of a portion of the brainstem. The Hindbrain (or rhombencephalon) Consists of the remaining brainstem (myelencephalon) as well as our cerebellum and pons (metencephalon).  Brain cells can be broken into two groups: Neurons, or nerve cells, are the cells that perform all of the communication and processing within the brain. Neuroglia, or glial cells, act as the helper cells of the brain; they support and protect the neurons. In the brain there are four types of glial cells: Astrocytes which protect neurons by filtering nutrients out of the blood and preventing chemicals and pathogens from leaving the capillaries of the brain. They have also been observed to turn into neurons by virtue of the stem cell characteristic pluripotency. Oligodendrocytes wrap the axons of neurons in the brain to produce the insulation known as myelin. Microglia act much like white blood cells by attacking and destroying pathogens that invade the brain. Ependymal cells line the capillaries of the choroid plexuses and filter blood plasma to produce cerebrospinal fluid. The tissue of the brain can be broken down into two major classes: gray matter and white matter. Gray matter is made of mostly unmyelinated neurons, most of which are interneurons. The gray matter regions are the areas of nerve connections and processing. White matter is made of mostly myelinated neurons that connect the regions of gray matter to each other and to the rest of the body. Myelinated neurons transmit nerve signals much faster than unmyelinated axons do. You could imagine your brain's gray matter as suburbs and businesses, and the white matter as the express highway, carrying information to be processed. Parts of the Brain Cerebrum The cerebrum is the largest portion of the brain, and is responsible for most of the brain's function. It is divided into four sections: Frontal Lobe: Controls several elements including creative thought, problem solving, intellect, judgment, behavior, attention, abstract thinking, physical reactions, muscle movements, coordinated movements, smell and personality. Parietal Lobe: This lobe focuses on comprehension. Visual functions, language, reading, internal stimuli, tactile sensation and sensory comprehension are monitored here. Sensory Cortex - This receives information relayed from the spinal cord regarding the position of various body parts and how they are moving. This middle area of the brain can also be used to relay information from the sense of touch, including pain or pressure which is affecting different portions of the body. Motor Cortex- This helps the brain monitor and con...

Love

Mon, 09 Feb 2015 19:17:19 +0000

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Joe, Toren, and Kevin take a Caustic look at "love". We discuss the obsessive "limerence", Helen of Troy, Abelard & Heloise, Bosko & Admira, two horribly criminal plans to keep a lover In The News, plus Toren reads a portion of Larry Niven's Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex in the style of David Attenborough. Music: "Millionaire Girlfriend" by Jonathan Coulton Links Intro background music by longzijun Together In Death - TVTropes Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex Man of Steel (related, unmentioned in the show) I hate love. from The Sandman Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf-gZ0dr9so http://youtu.be/dqxqy36VYiw

Rabies

Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:12:26 +0000

Rabies science and symptoms, old timey remedies, dog death squads in China, rabid whale speculation, the Milwaukee Protocol and Shitty Jobs: Louis Pasteur rabies vaccine lab assistant. Plus pop culture, a rabies pop quiz and what to do if you're bitten by a rabid animal. Music: "I'm Losing My Mind Over You" by Al Dexter Charity O' The Week: Global Alliance for Rabies Control Links Criminal Minds Round Table, "Rabid" Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grDQCjs3WV4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtiytblJzQc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IicwwXRd1GE

Hospiticide

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 23:45:58 +0000

Kevin, Toren, and Joe continue our "Caustic Icide Guide" with "Hospiticide". We talk about the Glencoe Massacre, Gertrude Baniszewski, Sam Cook, Phil Spector, Dorothea Puente plus news and pop culture! Music: "At An Arabian House Party" by Raymond Scott Links Mafia/Werewolf game The Resistance Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap 62nd Year on Flickr Images

Kids Who Kill

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 20:05:38 +0000

The Kobe child murders, The Sasebo slashing, Eric Smith, the “Teacup Poisoner,” The Boston Boy Fiend, William York, Mary Bell, Amarjeet Sada, Carl Mahan, The Slender Man, and Jon Venables and Robert Thompson. Plus pop culture. Music: "Angels With Dirty Faces" by Cab Calloway (vocals June Richmond) Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csko2e9m_dg

Belle Gunness

Mon, 12 Jan 2015 11:52:44 +0000

Evil Dames in History continues as Kevin, Toren, and Joe look at "professional widow" Belle Gunness. Murder, insurance fraud, arson, evil glares, and... Guitar Hero? Music: "Diggin' Up The World (Acoustic)" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Links Gunness Victim Photo Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOSaDbb9gaQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpPMearfG3o

Espionage

Mon, 05 Jan 2015 21:52:30 +0000

Allan Newell returns once again to discuss Sarah Emma Edmonds, Klaus Fuchs, the Rosenbergs, honeypots, and the acoustic kitty. Also a pop quiz on spy terminology plus pop culture! Music: "Shhh, It's a Military Secret" by Glenn Miller Images

Fandamonium 2014

Mon, 29 Dec 2014 19:23:57 +0000

What do we do when we need a last-minute replacement show? A "Followups" episode created entirely from your suggestions and questions! In addition to new segments on Gaming, Stalin, Radiation, and Sports Injuries, we answer Soda Jerk questions, including early Caustic Soda history and the choosing of the name, plus "Fuck, Marry, Kill: The other hosts"! Pedant note: This counts as "Followups XVII"! Music: "Shhh..." by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Links Carl Sagan on Marijuana Badass of the Week - Wayne "Buck" Shelford Toren Atkinson on Patreon Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDQjtCfUhPw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEJ8lpCQbyw "Shhh..." Lyrics I understand that you're upset and you have every right to be It's obvious to see I was in the wrong but I will make it up to you I'm gonna make it right If we can put this in the past and never speak to anyone about this gaucherie I will swear to you that it will not happen again I'm gonna make it right tonight No tears No noise No calls No choice No lock No key No third degree No need to trouble the police and I can take care of the mess I know a little place Let me handle this Why don't you go and see the kids? I'm gonna make it right tonight No tears No noise No calls No choice No lock No key No third degree No flight No flaws No breaks No pause No clues No trace No hands No face Untold Unseen Unphased Unclean Unsaid Unkind Undead Unwind No fuse No prime No plans No time No push No shove No god above No black no white no source of light No second chance no end in sight No flesh no blood no bones no mess No hate no love no sweet caress Nothing to see no links no ties No time for that no long goodbyes No lies no thanks no secrets No problem No way

Hunting Spiders

Tue, 23 Dec 2014 02:47:05 +0000

Our micro-series on spiders concludes with a look at the goliath bird eater, the funnelweb, the vampire spider, spider traumatic insemination and various tarantulas. Also news and pop culture - all with guespert Gavin Pitts! Music: "Stop, Look and Listen" by Syd Dale Images

Web Building Spiders

Mon, 15 Dec 2014 09:09:27 +0000

Gavin "They're Not Insects They're Arachnids" Pitts joins us in studio for our epic micro-series on spiders. First up: the weird and wonderful world of web-building spiders, including the brown recluse and black widow. Plus news, pop culture and a spider pop quiz! Music: "Slipstream" by Syd Dale Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coUd6d3j_6g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQABY9H1h1Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AGU6vtJLR8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb66JQl40mM

Lesser of Two Evils Live at the Northwest Podcast Festival

Mon, 08 Dec 2014 08:26:36 +0000

On October 4th, 2014, because you demanded it, Toren, Joe and Kevin appeared live at the Northwest Podcast Festival with four hilarious friends to choose between two horrible fates. Barbara Kozicki and Ian Boothby take on Harmful Supersitions vs Acid Ian Boothby and Fatima Dhowre choose between Urban Fires and Film Fatale Fatima Dhowre and Emmet Hall discuss Toxicity vs Whales Music: "Hookworm (Live)" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets If you enjoyed this special Lesser of Two Evils Marathon and want more, we've got three segments available as Pay-What-You-Want bonus content on Caustic Gear: Ian Boothby & Ben Mills Barbara Kozicki & Joanna Gaskell Dino Archie & Eric Fell Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcAZwDOWhfk

Followups XVI

Mon, 01 Dec 2014 10:52:20 +0000

Sneaky Dragon's David Dedrick assists as we talk about a great grandmother brawl, a hoarder in Connecticut, a Spaniard who attacks his family after having a dream about ostriches, a testicular cancer survivor who pushes a giant ball around the US, and a bunch of horse stuff. Also, which is the Lesser of Two Evils? Killing your loved ones while asleep or being drawn and quartered? Music: "Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat" by Artie Shaw with Paula Kelly Links Sneaky Dragon Mr Ballsy Images

Pregnancy & Childbirth, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 24 Nov 2014 09:03:44 +0000

We continue our look at pregnancy and childbirth by looking at puerperal fever, how to perform an emergency birth, birth risks in history, the invention of forceps, "Twilight Sleep", weird birthing aids, plus news and pop culture! Music: "Why Was I Born" by Billie Holiday Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsHCqrrU-Gk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ7b4spjXhw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUdZbRttXMY

Pregnancy & Childbirth, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 17 Nov 2014 20:34:53 +0000

In the most terrifying topic we've covered yet, Dr. Jenna Moccia (and her own special silent guest!) joins Kevin, Joe, and Toren to look at child bed fever, c-sections, morning sickness, eclampsia, and all the other weird and gross stuff that comes from making (and having) babies! Music: "Womb With A View" by Jonathan Coulton Links RateYourTrimester.com Images

Tigers

Mon, 10 Nov 2014 08:44:59 +0000

Poaching, tiger attacks, escaped tigers, killing tigers to show off wealth, as well as tigers in pop culture. Also "Myth or Fiction? Tiger parts in quackery" and how to survive a tiger attack. Music: "Tiger Rag" by The Mills Brothers Charity of the week: Big Cat Rescue Links The True Story of a Man-Eating Tiger's 'Vengeance' Tinder Guys With Tigers Images WARNING: Gore - Boy's arm after being attacked by tiger, MORE GORE Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml-5NMCkyWQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0kzdu_wTM0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRGiF8DIusI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HHPo3qxomQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv2O0GahNtM

Freezing

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 08:35:01 +0000

Cryobiologist Dr. Katie Marshall joins Joe, Kevin, and Toren to talk about the horrible side of turning water into ice. We cover nucleation, amorphous ice, flash-freezing humans, paradoxical undressing and terminal burrowing, promession burial, cryonics, Nazi freezing experiments, plus news and pop culture! Music: "Make It Gross" by Sasja Smolders (formerly Sasja Vice) (Lyrics Joe Fulgham, Music by BassBeastJD) Links Dr. Katie Marshall at UBC Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz3wuPUjzSA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4cX2EPt2zE

Witches and Witchcraft

Mon, 27 Oct 2014 10:47:55 +0000

Witch dunking, familiars, the witches' cradle, burning at the stake, the Wiccan code of ethics, familiars, African witch camps and witchcraft accusations in the modern world. Plus pop culture! Music: "Ding Dong the Witch is Dead" by Glenn Miller (1939) Charity: ActionAid Links Warning: Graphic Images - Witch Burning in New Guinea Images

Gaming

Mon, 20 Oct 2014 21:37:17 +0000

Joe, Kevin, and Toren are joined by Critical Hit Show Dungeon Master Eric Fell to look at the caustic side of games and gaming! We discuss "Senet", the 5000 year old Egyptian board game, the anti-Dungeons & Dragons group "BADD", "The Book of Erotic Fantasy", chess-playing serial killer Alexander Pichushkin, and both the most offensive video game ("Ethnic Cleansing") and role-playing game (F.A.T.A.L.) we could find. We also look at this #GamerGate thing, and top it off with select gaming-related pop culture! Music: "Frogger! The Frogger Musical" by Paul and Storm Links Pinky & The Brain Theory Ancient Board Games The Pulling Report Book of Erotic Fantasy Fiasco RPG RPG.net review of F.A.T.A.L. Depression Quest #GamerGate - Indie GameJam Article Feminist Frequency YouTube Channel Storify 4Chan IRC Logs Dark Dungeons Chick Tract The Future of the Culture Wars is Here, and it's Gamergate - an excellent summary of the current #GamerGate situation. EricFell.com Critical Hit Show The Gentlemen Hecklers Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl43nzam8Z4#t=133 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB9JgxhXW5w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6p5AZp7r_Q&list=PLn4ob_5_ttEaA_vc8F3fjzE62esf9yP61 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qc9JiIiOSQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGY1_LMiV-g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIObrPWHKqc

Evil Duos: The Borgias, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 13 Oct 2014 10:40:49 +0000

Continuing with the Borgias we discuss cantarella poison and the fall and death of the Borgias. Also, which is the lesser of two evils: being poisoned by Alexander or stabbed and strangled by Cesare? Plus pop culture. Part 2 of 2. Music: "Daddy's Little Boy" by The Mills Brothers Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRzrP9dOC6M#t=641 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcE8xJkK6t4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV5CSJ-10NQ

Evil Duos: The Borgias, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 06 Oct 2014 10:02:45 +0000

How evil were Rodrigo and Cesare Borgia? Hear that and more on this 15th Century Holy Father and cruel son as Kevin, Toren, and Joe continue the Evil Duos in History series of Caustic Soda ! Part 1 of 2. Update: Hey, check out the new Caustic Soda Podcast Wiki! It needs help with content! Music: "Who's Sorry Now?" by The Rhythmakers Images

Fratricide

Mon, 29 Sep 2014 08:02:03 +0000

Brother kills brother in the next episode in our "Icide-Guide": Fratricide! Kevin, Joe, and Toren cover Ashoka, the Ottoman Empire, fratricidal animals, the myth of Osiris, Cain and Abel, Medea, Hodur, Richard III, and A History of Violence. Music: "Cain and Abel" by Louis Armstrong Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SO1WccH2_YM

Aliens

Mon, 22 Sep 2014 23:04:04 +0000

Fraser Cain from Astronomy Cast helps us discuss the Drake Equation and Fermi Paradox, close encounters, alien abduction insurance, the feasibility of several kinds of alien invasions and aliens in the news. Music: "It Conquered the World" by Sheldon Allman Links Universe Today Universe Today's YouTube Channel AstronomyCast Images

Harmful Superstitions

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 11:12:39 +0000

Toren, Joe, and Kevin talk about the psychology of superstition, harmful superstitions around the world, the unlucky numbers 13 and 4, sati, albino body-harvesting superstition, and more! Music: "I'm Making Believe" by Ella Fitzgerald and The Ink Spots Images

Chemical Warfare, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 08 Sep 2014 14:17:11 +0000

The Mustard Disaster at Bari, VX, atropine poisoning, The Dugway Sarin Incident, the Halabja Massacre, the Ghouta chemical attack, and the dew of death -- lewisite contamination cleanup in Spring Valley. With Allan Newell. Music: "There's Something in the Air" by Shep Fields (vocals Bob Goday) Links Nerve Agent Treatment Images

Chemical Warfare, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 01 Sep 2014 15:10:45 +0000

Emergency responder and history buff Allan Newell and the guys talk about the types and reasons for chemical warfare, chemical weapons in history including soul-hunting gas, quicklime, hellebore roots, chlorine and phosgene gas. Plus what to do when you've been tear-gassed. Part 1 of 2. Music: "Mustard Gas" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images

Hate Crimes

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 11:49:32 +0000

The science of hate in the human brain, 9/11 revenge killings, racial, homophobic and transphobic hate crimes, as well as the Museum of Tolerance. Also American History X, Boys Don't Cry, Milk and the X-Men. Caustic Soda apologizes for the misgendering of Brandon Teena in our Boys Don't Cry segment. Though accidental we agree was problematic, and Joe has digitally altered the file to use his proper pronouns. Note that we have left in a section that quotes his murderers' own words misgendering Brandon while admitting to their crime. Their words are their own, and we report them. Our words we will correct and apologize for. Music: "Guilty" by Margaret Whiting Images

Followups XV

Mon, 18 Aug 2014 23:24:08 +0000

Soda Jerk Prime 2014 Cameron Potter, who claimed the "Jonestown Massacre" level of our Season 5 Fundraiser (be a guest on the show) joins Kevin, Joe, and Toren to discuss a range of topics including Tornadoes, Oklahoma, Fisticuffs (and Apes!), rat slaver, oral myiasis, Cam's personal cancer story and the ABCs of skin cancer. Plus, more dangerous homeopathy, toxicity and SURPRISE TARANTULAS. Note: Due to a technical glitch we had to re-record the first 20 minutes over Skype, so Cameron's sound quality starts off low, but improves to in-studio quality around the 23 minute mark. Music: "Pizza Day" by Jonathan Coulton Images This image NSFL (Not Safe For Lunch): Oral Myiasis Links The ABCs of Skin Cancer

The Other Senses

Mon, 11 Aug 2014 07:47:10 +0000

Proprioception, interoceptors, equilibrium & vertigo, gravitropism, thermoreception in pit vipers and jewel beetles, electroreception in sharks and platypus, magnetoreception, phantom limbs, and synesthesia. Pop culture too! Music: "The Hell Raisers" by Syd Dale Links Ian's Story Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPqPv2SKYUE

Sight, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 04 Aug 2014 08:13:22 +0000

Joe, Toren, and Kevin conclude "sight" with historical vision-correction quackery, news, blind movie reviews, porn for the blind, and a look at a pop culture! Music: "I'm Beginning To See The Light" by Ella Fitzgerald Links Blind Film Critic Porn for the Blind Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_83MEuLoz9Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLtok0VgVck http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJgKC6sQyMo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1IY6plQKGI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_ILDFp5DGA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPvaWtQpXts "Shaking Your Eyes" reference: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1S5pAF1YYA

Sight, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 11:19:41 +0000

Joe, Kevin, and Toren take a look at looking, including how vision works, and the "supervision" of tetrachromacy. Then the amazing eyes of the animal kingdom, including giant squid and the mantis shrimp, plus the full-body "eye" of the Ophiocoma Wendtii, visual defects like floaters, non-24-hour-sleep-wake-disorder, surfer's eye, and Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Music: "I Just Can't See For Looking" by Nat King Cole Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ze8VVtBgK7A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM9o4VnfHJU

Touch, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 08:35:10 +0000

Hugs! Also, tickle torture, the "death touch," touch in plants, Temple Grandin and the squeeze machine, the effects of ciguatera poisoning, news and pop culture. Part 2 of 2 Music: "That Old Feeling" by Guy Lombardo & His Orchestra Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D5o3PYcJoM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8UKDzVmzt8

Touch, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 08:24:44 +0000

The 'Senses' series continues with tactile perception, aka touch. In part one we discuss tactile disorders, sensory illusions and haptics. Part 1 of 2. Music: "Feelin' No Pain" by Red Nichols Images

Smell

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 20:02:19 +0000

Dr. Nina Quiskamp joins Toren, Joe, and Kevin as our Five(ish) Senses series continues with "Smell"! We'll talk about how plants can detect scents, smell in the animal kingdom, how our noses work, various smelling dysfunctions and how one influenced Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, the smell of starvation and the stink of outer-space! Also, awful smells, landmine-sniffing rats, cancer-sniffing dogs and pop culture! Music: "Robot Stink" by The Invasives Images

Hearing

Mon, 30 Jun 2014 18:19:55 +0000

Joe, Toren, and Kevin continue the Five(ish) Senses series this week with Hearing. We'll cover how our bodies take in and process sound waves, the various causes of hearing loss, Hyperacusis, hearing in the animal kingdom, the Greater Wax Moth, Krakatoa, and noise pollution. Then it's on to the history of hearing aids, news, and pop culture! Music: "Sounds of Tindalos" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeTriGTENoc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yps7pgq1TAk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzo45hWXRWU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9c3GPEtGZg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nN1PekyYZ4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0AMKG31wME

Taste, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 09:35:39 +0000

Our Five(ish) Senses series continues with the second part of "Taste". Kevin, Joe, and Toren look at taste in the animal kingdom, the dangers of bitter orange, miracle fruit, vomit fruit, Scientist/Taster Carl Wilhelm Sheele , what happened to French wine, breast milk ice cream and pop culture! Note: The mentioned bonus content will appear mid-week! Music: "There Ain't No Sweet Man (That's Worth the Salt of My Tears)" by Bix Beiderbecke & Bing Crosby Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SX2Sc1BSMhM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO8V72pDw1o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6i5p8RbTCg

Taste, Part 1

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 10:08:23 +0000

In the first of our multi-part series on the senses, Kevin, Toren, and Joe look at umami, Scoville Heat Units and the world's hottest peppers, Burning Mouth Syndrome, supertasters, plus the effect of vision on taste and the weirdness that is phenylthiocarbamide! Music: "If I Knew You Were Comin' Id've Baked A Cake" by Eileen Barton Images

Mass Hysteria

Mon, 09 Jun 2014 10:54:28 +0000

Toren, Joe, and Kevin are back with a look at the "collective delusions of threats", or mass hysteria, including the June Bug Epidemic, Tanganyika laughter epidemic, The West Bank fainting epidemic, The Dancing Plague, the Mad Gasser of Mattoon, plus news and a brief pop culture! Music: "Blackout" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images

Nuclear Accidents, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 02 Jun 2014 07:58:22 +0000

Nuclear Accidents continues with Three Mile Island, the Kyshtym Disaster, the Fernald Feed contamination, the SL-1 meltdown, the Soviet sub K-431 refueling disaster, the Zaragoza radiotherapy accident, Chernobyl and Fukushima, plus news and pop culture. Part 2 of 2 with special guespert Bob Apthorpe Music: "Crawl Out Through the Fallout" by Sheldon Allman Links Echo Class II Submarine Images

Nuclear Accidents, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 26 May 2014 10:21:38 +0000

Bob Apthorpe, nuclear engineer, defense waste cleanup & severe accident analyst, joins us to talk about nuclear meltdowns and other accidents involving radioactivity. We discuss scavenged radioactive materials recycled for building, the NRX Incident, the Windscale Disaster, as well as the crashed Soviet nuclear-powered satellite Kosmos 954 and Operation: Morning Light Music: "Radioactive Mama" by Sheldon Allman Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ4vtUzG6sQ

Suicide

Mon, 19 May 2014 10:51:44 +0000

TRIGGER WARNING: Some of the images and videos below are GRAPHIC, and of course the episode deals with suicide entirely. Dr. Rob joins Kevin, Toren, and Joe to talk about the act of taking your own life: suicide. We'll discuss the Werther effect, suicide statistics, methods and their consequences, Cato the Minor's intestinal fortitude, seppuku, Budd Dwyer's on-air suicide, Dr. Kevorkian's "Thanatron", the "Deliverance Machine", plus news and pop culture. Music: "Gloomy Sunday" by Billie Holiday Links National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Reddit's r/suicidewatch Kaiju-a-gogo Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory Images This one (incomplete gun suicide) is pretty gory so we're hiding the thumbnail. You've been warned. Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gO7uemm6Yo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVm88MX2Gw4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2OPV6iuk2o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3Q8oM_AnK8

Diving Accidents, Part 2

Mon, 12 May 2014 09:39:33 +0000

Jonathan Martin and the guys discuss diver's squeeze, the death of David Shaw, the "Diver's Cemetery," the Byford Dolphin diving bell accident, plus news and pop culture. Part 2 of 2. Music: "Stop and Breathe" by The Invasives. Buy their new album "Robot Stink" on iTunes or http://invasives.bandcamp.com/ Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRC5R1jRO58 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF4iFJ-G74o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V21qpZ2Y9IA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF4iFJ-G74o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhcF-Coc1J0

Diving Accidents

Mon, 05 May 2014 15:56:54 +0000

Diver extraordinaire Jonathan Martin joins us to discuss the types and hazards of diving, including decompression sickness (the "bends"), nitrogen narcosis, high pressure nervous syndrome, and isobaric counterdiffusion. Plus Rice Krispie neck, The Martini Effect and SHITTY JOBS: compressor diving. Part 1 of 2. Music: "I Threw A Kiss In The Ocean" Benny Goodman Images

Dennis “BTK” Rader

Mon, 28 Apr 2014 10:48:13 +0000

It's time for Kevin, Toren, and Joe to return to their Evil Dudes In History series, this time looking at Dennis "Bind, Torture, Kill" Rader. His bad spelling and grammar, dog euthanizations, and oh yeah, several horrible murders. Trigger Warning: Rape, Murder Music: "Please God No" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Less than a week left until the Lesser of Two Evils Marathon! Get your tickets now! Images (Note: Disturbing photos of BTK himself below are not victims! Still disturbing though!) Crime Scene and Autopsy Photos of Rader’s victims -- WARNING!! VERY GRAPHIC IMAGES: Otero Family: http://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/rader-dennis-otero-family.htm Kathryn / Kevin Bright: http://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/rader-dennis-kathryn-bright.htm Shirley Vian: http://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/rader-dennis-shirley-vian.htm Nancy Fox: http://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/rader-dennis-nancy-fox.htm Marine Hedge: http://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/rader-dennis-marine-hedge.htm Vicky Wegerle: http://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/rader-dennis-vicky-wegerle.htm Dolores Davis: http://murderpedia.org/male.R/r/rader-dennis-dolores-davis.htm Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCh_9Oe2OA8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SAwJoF1wvs

Leeches

Mon, 21 Apr 2014 08:38:55 +0000

The wonderful world of leeches includes bloodletting, leech collectors, the tempest prognosticator, hirudotherapy, how to properly remove a leech, plus news and pop culture. Music: "Leeches" by Toren Atkinson Lyrics I heard you scream I tried to ask about it you had a dream You wouldn't talk about it I'm guessing you were down in the bog you're coming out to find its covered you with leeches back in the day of all the barber-surgeons not feeling great a sickness is emergin' well there was only one thing to do sit in the chair they're gonna cover you with leeches oh what a day can you even imagine you lost a thumb were gonna reattach it the clotting blood it gums up the works we'll get it out we're gonna cover you with leeches Images

Benign Tumors

Mon, 14 Apr 2014 14:59:06 +0000

Dr Rob returns to talk about the terrible tumors - or at least the non-cancerous ones. Includes molar pregnancies, teratomas, fetus in fetu, gourmand syndrome, and -omas of all kinds. Music: "I've Found A New Baby" by Lionel Hampton Links http://www.tumorlibrary.com/ Teratoma Image Search (WARNING: EW!) Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQpPeMGQv90 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJyBy_cgTtA

Griselda Blanco

Mon, 07 Apr 2014 14:29:47 +0000

Kevin, Joe, and Toren are back again with a look at our next Evil Dame In History: Cocaine Godmother Griselda Blanco. Motorcycle hits, hits on children, her massive cocaine habit, arrests and the shenanigans that got her free. All that plus the return of Lesser of Two Evils! Music: "Deadly Weapon" by Eddy Howard Links Cocaine Cowboys 2 Griselda's Letters Cosby's World Tumblr Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqvwBH-Jg4k http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKA1CXBOchY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hi8yI5_Zets http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx_M3_FBUTY

Flatulence

Mon, 31 Mar 2014 11:53:49 +0000

Pull our finger, Soda Jerks! Instead of pretending fooling people is comedy this April Fools we're celebrating the gross that makes you laugh: flatulence! Why we fart, why it smells, and faaaaaarts innnnn spaaaaace! Then fart history with Japanese Fart Scrolls, Benjamin Franklin's demand for fart science, professional flatulists and fartistes, Adolf Hitler's other offensive gas, and is that a soviet sub or is something farting in the ocean? In the news we'll look at a few people fired for farting on-the-job, fart-lighting injuries, the return of "Shit Dick", and a flatulence-caused stabbing. Then we select some personal favorites and new weird finds in flatulence pop culture. Plus: The world's oldest known joke! Music: "Big Dick Farts a Polka" by Jonathan Coulton Links He-gassen Fart Scrolls Red Letter Media: Thunderpants Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUjGIVNIBdw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcrPP-HPPeo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9GU4P-1AWI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXFVWB_hgAE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_-OEhe3nlE

Grenades

Mon, 24 Mar 2014 09:06:30 +0000

Grenados, jam tin grenades, the Mills bomb, potato masher, jumping hand grenades, hornet's nest grenades and chemical hand grenades. Plus falling on a grenade and a public service announcement on how to survive a frag grenade attack. Music: "Oooh-Oh Boom!" by Benny Goodman with Martha Tilton Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU3rSI_tl8U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwBFepUkQms

Whales

Mon, 17 Mar 2014 10:04:56 +0000

Mr. Dr. Greg Bole rejoins Joe, Toren, and Kevin to talk about the marine mammals called whales. We'll play "Whale or No Such Thing", talk about exploding whale autopsies, the story of the real-life inspiration for Moby Dick: "The Essex", "Blackfish" and Tillicum's attacks, plus a dramatic reading on whale penis fashion from Moby Dick. Music: "The Dying Sailor to his Shipmates" by Paul Clayton Links Hector's Beaked Whale Ginko Toothed Beaked Whale Beaty Biodiversity Museum House on the Rock Whale Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynQ_cw6oHMg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5B_poyjBqYE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chVk5ziw0lM

Abortion, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 16:15:17 +0000

Abortion in the news and in pop culture. Plus a Public Service Announcement on Pregnancy Crisis Centers. With guespert Katie Scoular. Part 2 of 2! Music: "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" Andrews Sisters & Bing Crosby. Charity O' The Week: The Morgentaler Clinic Images Videos Paste the URL here while in HTML view. Make sure no secret code gets in. Just the URL, and WordPress will auto-embed.

Abortion Part 1 of 2

Mon, 03 Mar 2014 06:10:38 +0000

Katie Scoular returns to discuss the ins and outs (mostly outs) of abortion. We look at some basic pregnancy facts, the different types of abortion (safe and unsafe), fetal viability, abortifacients, and abortion in history. Part 1 of 2. Music: "I'm Nobody's Baby" by Roy Eldridge & Mildred Bailey Charity O' The Week: National Network of Abortion Funds Images

Child Labor

Mon, 24 Feb 2014 11:42:42 +0000

This week, Joe, Kevin, and Toren discuss child labor. They'll discuss the eleven worst countries for child labor, the prevalence of child labor in chocolate production, tobacco, video games, and in mining. Plus: Oliver Twist and some curiously comedic examples of child labor in pop culture. Music: "Angels with Dirty Faces" by Cab Calloway featuring June Richmond Links GMB Akash Child Labor Photos Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJpaqRNKqks#t=2299 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vfbv6hNeng

Clowns

Mon, 17 Feb 2014 12:20:38 +0000

Coulrophobes beware! We talk about killer and suicidal clowns, including John Wayne Gacy, clown assassinations, and of course, Juggalos. Plus dangerous clowns in pop culture! Music: "Laughing on the Outside (Crying on the Inside)" by Andy Russell Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLMoCIDSCIE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJai18eys0M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JGUKtc9Bjc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v96fv67ak0o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rJj5S1fwXE

Lice

Mon, 10 Feb 2014 06:29:00 +0000

Gavin Pitts joins Kevin, Toren, and Joe again via Skype to talk head lice, body lice, public lice, Strigiphilus Garylarsoni, Aristotle's "spontaneous generation" theory, the lice-spread typhus outbreak in the first World War, perukes, Archbishop Thomas Becket, German WWII de-lousing stations, Japanese Unit 731, as well as South Park's "Lice Capades" episode. Correction: Joe stated there are four countries not using the metric system. It's actually just three: USA, Liberia, and Burma. Get with the times, America. Music: “The Kwellada Kid” by SNFU Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEBmZAf3oK4

Toxicity Part 2 of 2

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 16:40:30 +0000

Food tasters, Wiley's poison squad, tetra ethyl lead, pesticide-contaminated lunches, a new botulinum toxin, and the usual pop culture. Plus - what's the lethal dose of various toxins? With Dr. Jenna Moccia, part 2 of 2! Music: "Spooky Scherzo" by Sam Fonteyn Images

Toxicity

Mon, 27 Jan 2014 11:22:40 +0000

Dr Jenna Moccia joins us to talk nightshade, strychnine, curare, arsenic, ricin, cyanide, botulinum, chemotherapy, the 1858 Bradford Sweets poisonings, the 1971 Iraq mercury grain poisonin, plus the largest mass poisoning of a population in history. Part 1 of 2. Music: "Life or Death" by Jack Beaver Images

Shipwreck!

Mon, 20 Jan 2014 07:19:58 +0000

Part three of our Maritime Mishaps series continues with a look at complete loss of water-going vessels: Shipwrecks! We'll look at the wrecks of the Swedish "Vasa", the Admiral Nakhimov, the MS Estonia, Tek Sing, Le Joola, leading up to the deadliest shipwreck ever: the MV Doña Paz. Then we do some news, and talk mostly about the shipwreck movie: Titanic! Music: "Return to Melanesia" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Links Vasa (Wikipedia) Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VchsHhPIx_s

Marooned

Mon, 13 Jan 2014 02:26:25 +0000

We discuss several instances of people cast away to deserted islands in history, and provide a PSA on how to survive! We also analyze Robinsonades such as Robinson Crusoe (on Earth and on Mars), Swiss Family Robinson, Lost in Space, Lord of the Flies, and more. I can't believe we didn't talk about Cast Away! Music: "Where Did Robinson Crusoe Go With Friday on Saturday Night?" by Al Jolson Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYxx-NsH6UA Robinson Crusoe On Mars by crazedigitalmovies

Lost At Sea

Mon, 06 Jan 2014 08:04:30 +0000

This week, Joe, Kevin, and Toren look at getting stuck out on the open ocean. We'll cover the several dangers of being lost at sea, as well as tales of survivors of some of the longest (and grossest) "unplanned extended ocean vacations" such as the Baileys, amazing survivor Poon-Lim, and the Robertson family. In The News we've got a religious family set adrift and a survivor found in a capsized tugboat 98 feet underwater! Correction: Joe was wrong, tigers love water. Music: "Night On The Water" by Helen Ward Links How To Survive At Sea Wolmi 306 Captain Suh's account of the rescue of the Baileys part 1 Wolmi 306 Captain Suh's account of the rescue of the Baileys part 2 Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_4FPG48SkU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV8NraEwtbI

Ecocide

Mon, 30 Dec 2013 18:26:55 +0000

Joanna Gaskell joins us to discuss dead zones, the deforestation of Easter Island, the Dust Bowl, the Great Sparrow Campaign, the desiccation of the Aral Sea, the draining of the Mesopotamian Marshes, and mountain top removal mining. Also: shape-changing testicles in pop culture! Charity O' the Week: Nature Conservancy Music: "Dust Pneumonia Blues" by Woody Guthrie Links The Critical Hit Show Standard Action Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnGBqBip9aM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgjbCljrlhk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQCwhjWNcH8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbSkRS8Ih7o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oc-P8oDuS0Q

Trench Warfare

Mon, 23 Dec 2013 11:05:42 +0000

Jordan "Funk Hole" Pratt joins us to discuss WWI's Western front, The Battle of the Trench, The Battle of the Crater, trench foot, dysentery, chlorine and mustard gas, self-inflicted wounds, trench raids plus news and pop culture. Music: "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag" by Art Mooney Don't forget our Season 5 Fundraiser! Images Links Trench Warfare Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH3-Gt7mgyM

Followups 14

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 12:34:14 +0000

Gentleman Heckler, Dungeon Master, and future Space Cabbie Eric Fell joins Joe, Kevin and Toren to talk about the antechinus, death via coital defenestration, escamole, asian giant hornets and more! Music: "First of May" by Jonathan Coulton Images Links Cigarette Lights Gasoline Video The Critical Hit Show Gentlemen Hecklers Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2zDvz5Y6p8

Addiction

Mon, 09 Dec 2013 11:09:25 +0000

Dr. Rob joins Joe, Toren, and Kevin to talk about the reason people just can't stop: Addiction! We'll look at the difference between use, abuse, misuse, and dependence, Alexander the Great's murderous alcoholism, "Rat Park", Elvis Presley's prescription drug addiction, and a story of heroin induced copremesis. We'll also talk about the addictiveness of Oreos, a bad Warcraft mother, addiction in Fallout, and select pop culture examples of addiction. Music: "Addicted to the Disco" by Sean Cullen Images Links Rat Park (comic) Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoTKBXqQDsA&t=24 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_2FycHamfA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bflYjF90t7c

Hominins

Mon, 02 Dec 2013 09:13:26 +0000

Mr. Dr. Greg Bole is back to discuss our close human relatives: Hominins! Australopithicus, Homo erectus, Neanderthal, Homo floresiensis, their tool-use, cannibalistic behaviors, and skull-bashing ways. We'll look at some name-game-changing new finds In The News, and desperately try to find some decent "caveman" pop culture. Music: "I'm A African" by Baba Brinkman Images Links Walking with Cavemen Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6r6POHC8zg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCfDNUcyN6Q

Chemical Accidents

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 09:40:20 +0000

Firefighter Allan Newell joins us to discuss the dirty details of toxic spills and other chemical accidents including the Seveso Disaster, the Binghamton State Office Building contamination, the Baia Mare cyanide spill, the Ajka alumina sludge spill and the Bhopal disaster. Plus news and pop culture. Music: "There's Something in the Air" by Artie Shaw with Peg La Centra Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znvcQBua--w

Genocide, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 18 Nov 2013 09:18:51 +0000

In part 2 of 2 we discuss the Armenian Genocide, Herero Wars, and Indonesia vs East Timor. Plus news and pop culture! Trigger Warning: Rape, outrageous violence. Music: "After You've Gone" by Django Reinhardt Images Links Death of a Nation: The Timor Conspiracy

Genocide, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 11 Nov 2013 11:00:26 +0000

This episode is rated 'T' for TRIGGER ALERT. In part 1 of 2 on genocide, we discuss Genghis Khan and Tamerlane, The Tasmanian "Black Wars" and the Maori invasion of the Moriori. Music: "Wipe 'Em Off" by Clarence Williams & the Seven Gallon Jug Band Charity of the week: http://www.genocidewatch.org (and Healapalooza, of course!) Images Links Moriori Trust

Vampires, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 04 Nov 2013 09:59:29 +0000

In Part 2 of our Caustic look at Vampires we turn to recent news and pop culture, covering a vampire-inspired killer and recent vampire finds in Venice and Bulgaria featuring bricks-in-mouths and poles-through-chests. Then we try to get through as much vampiric pop-culture as we can! Post your favorites you missed here or on our Facebook page! Music: "I'm Scared" by Sarah Vaughan News: Voting in The Podcast Awards has begun and we've been nominated in both the "Best Produced" and "Education" categories. You can vote once per day and it'd sure be nice if you would. Images Links Varney the Vampire Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_2IZFqrXKI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RR-nVtxvlI

Vampires, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 28 Oct 2013 08:25:15 +0000

Just in time for Halloween, it's the first part of a blood-gorged Caustic Soda Vampire episode. In part one Toren covers several vampire "facts" in a pop quiz, Joe and Kevin join in talking about just what it takes to be considered a vampire. Following a vampiric musical break we look at vampires in history such as Jure Grando, "the hysteria", and then a look at "real-life vampires" like Mercy Brown, Fritz Haarmann, Richard Chase, and James Riva. Music: "Blue Sunny Day" by Jonathan Coulton Images

Followups 13 Live at VCON 38

Mon, 21 Oct 2013 15:16:21 +0000

Mur Lafferty and John Kovalic join us to discuss electrocution, toys that kill, funerals, burns, motor vehicle accidents, sleep disorders, and sports injuries. Plus - which is the lesser of two evils: being electrocuted in a pool or killed trying to park your Lexus? Music: "The Penguin" by Raymond Scott Charity: Healapalooza - our t-shirt maker got hit by a car! Images Links Murverse John Kovalic's Dork Tower

Body Modification

Mon, 14 Oct 2013 08:00:00 +0000

Live at EmilyCon in Vancouver, Chris "Sandstorm" Woods returns to discuss tattoos, branding, scarification, tightlacing, genital beading, scleral tattooing, piercing, suspension, lip plates and cranial deformation. Plus: which is the lesser of two evils - having a revenge tattoo put on your forehead or being mummified Japanese buddha-style? Music: "Lydia the Tattooed Lady" by Groucho Marx Images Links Healapalooza

Evil Duos in History: Hindley & Brady vs. The Makins

Mon, 07 Oct 2013 07:38:19 +0000

It's a duo of evil duos! We compare Ian Brady and Myra Hindley - who (among other things) murdered children in 1960's Manchester - to John and Sarah Makin, who murdered up to 13 babies in late 1800's Sydney. Includes a Lesser of Two Evils! Trigger warning: There's quite a bit about rape and several dead babies, sorry. Music: "Tea for Two" by Comedian Harmonists Charity: Missing People Images Links Healapalooza

Floods

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 10:53:15 +0000

Kevin, Toren and Joe take a look at what happens when you get too much of a good thing like water - Floods! They'll paddle down the two Grote Mandrenkes to Johnstown, Pennsylvania to China's many great floods. We'll look at explanations for the story of Noah's flood, and finally dip into floods in popular culture. Plus an all-wet Lesser of Two Evils! Music: "When The Levee Breaks" by Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezyyBZ1bfbE

Nukes!

Mon, 23 Sep 2013 13:03:22 +0000

This week Joe, Kevin, and Toren are joined by Dr. Rob Tarzwell for a look at nuclear weapons. From "The Gadget" to Fat Man & Little Boy to the incredible destructive power of the fusion-powered "H-Bomb", plus the world's smallest nuclear weapon - the Davy Crockett recoilless nuclear gun! We'll look at the timeline and effects of nuclear explosions, "Peaceful Nuclear Explosions", and a special (and completely arbitrary) selection of nuke-related movies and video games. Music: "Tic, Tic, Tic" by Doris Day Images Links Subjecting "Fridge Nuking" to Scientific Peer Review Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKqXu-5jw60 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAiYwADzr2Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlE1BdOAfVc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOUtZOqgSG8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=q6Q3YrMFe9k#t=634 (the mention of this game was cut since all we did was describe what happens in the video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc6iUCX2u3Q

Mummies

Mon, 16 Sep 2013 06:44:39 +0000

Various kinds of mummies are discussed, including ancient Egyptian methods, bog mummies, saponification, and electroplating. Plus the mummies of Guanajuato, Chiesa dei Morti, Luang Pho Dang, and plenty of pop culture. Music: "Ra Ra Ra" by Here Come the Mummies Images Links Abbott & Costello Meet The Mummy Here Come the Mummies Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERXD-SHbwyU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbL_LaDtWBA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x48Hq9F4Q70 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3vhpk7DhZM

Stalin, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 09 Sep 2013 10:11:30 +0000

Kevin, Toren, and Joe continue their look at Joseph Stalin with WWII-era horribleness, news about the return of a Georgian monument to Stalin and pop culture with Children of the Revolution, Animal Farm, and more! Music: "Stalin Kicked the Bucket" by Ray Anderson Images Links Trotsky: A Graphic Biography Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClaNnaMgbF0

Stalin, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 02 Sep 2013 07:27:19 +0000

This week in Evil Dudes in History it's Joseph Stalin: the "Man of Steel" responsible for even more deaths than in Zack Snyder's movie! We'll talk about his rise to power, daring thefts, murders, the "Road of Bones" and so much more horribleness that we had to save some for next week! Music: "Mr. Stalin You're Eating Too High On The Hog" by Arthur 'Guitar Boogie' Smith and his Crackerjacks Images

Bad Advertising

Tue, 27 Aug 2013 02:24:08 +0000

Babies in cellophane, lead for kids, bad advertiser turned propagandist Edward Bernays, Tom Vu, the Marlboro Man, Joe Camel, Pizza Hut's moon advertising plan, and more! Sorry for the slight lateness of this one -- we had a pretty severe tech problem to recover from and so editing took quite a bit longer. Music: "Try Wheaties" (the world's first jingle!) by The Wheaties Quartet Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzsSpDyBc_4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEep5BrexT0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQc-zD7WrzA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dk0jjG9CbqA

Cruise Ships

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 06:37:07 +0000

Steven Schwartz returns to discuss all of the horrible things that happen on cruise ships, including fires, collisions, murders, sexual assaults (trigger warning!), suicides, medical malpractice, disease, and Mal de Debarquement Syndrome. All this plus pop culture too! Music: "The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" by Helen Ward Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3279Ry6bN4k

Megafauna

Mon, 12 Aug 2013 06:14:52 +0000

Can you clone a mammoth and have it build a pyramid? Baz Edmeades of megafauna.com joins us to talk about prehistoric elephants, hell pigs, terror birds, giant ground sloths, marsupial lions, hippopotamus wombats, moas, sabretooth cats, stellar sea cows and more! Music: "Downtown (in the Cenozoic)" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Links Megafauna.com Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XfFtKGECjI

Infanticide

Mon, 05 Aug 2013 07:24:33 +0000

Rolling into flaming pits, roasting in bronze statues, or just leaving them exposed to the elements, there's a plethora of ways to kill infants. Joe, Toren, and Kevin look at infanticide across history and in the animal kingdom, as well as featuring in horrible recent news and mercifully less-horrible pop culture. Music: "Baby Face" by Buddy Clark & the Andrews Sisters Charity o' the Week: AMT Children of Hope Foundation Images

Space Hazards

Mon, 29 Jul 2013 08:30:55 +0000

From our live Space Disasters (in 3D!) event at at EXP Restaurant in Vancouver, B.C. where we were joined by Sneaky Dragon and One Minute Medical School! In this episode we'll discuss Kessler Syndrome, the cold depths of space, vacuum exposure, fluid redistribution, plus Soyuz 11, Vostok II, space debris, galactic cosmic radiation, space hazards in pop culture, and another live Lesser of Two Evils! Music: "20 Minutes of Oxygen" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Links Sneaky Dragon Episode 85 One Minute Medical School - Electrocution Live! Spaceship Zero Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rSI-rMPVJM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdesgp_xEVw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO8L9tKR4CY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8B6Vn7ixAk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSccwmmrS5A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS6m6NM_Md0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vL3x6KaWsUM&t=386

Duels

Mon, 22 Jul 2013 06:08:39 +0000

Lisa Gemino joins us to talk judicial dueling, naked dueling, famous duelists like La Maupin and Lord Minimus, plus how dueling in a carriage and in balloons worked (or didn't work). Also Magic: The Gathering and duels in film! Music: "Feudin' Banjos" by Arthur Smith Images Links Trial by Combat Irish Code Drive To Work Podcast (also on iTunes) Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27M5KWI_q50

Acid

Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:05:50 +0000

Adam Barlev joins Toren, Kevin, and Joe for a look at the caustic chemicals known as "acids". Hydrofluoric, Sulfuric, Muriatic, and more. Toren reveals the details of the Sausage-Vat Murders and the Acid-Bath Murderer. Plus acid attacks in the news, and Breaking Bad's grisly acid-related "bathtub" scene. Music: "It's Bad For Me" by Al Bowlly Charity of the Week: Acid Survivors Trust International Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kgNL1tYFvc

The End of the Universe

Mon, 08 Jul 2013 08:28:46 +0000

AstronomyCast's Fraser Cain joins Toren, Joe and Kevin to talk about The End of All Things -- the death of the entire Universe. Everything, everyone, even the very atoms themselves! The Big Crunch, The Big Chill, dark energy, and a whole lot more that confuses the heck out of Kevin. Plus: Doctor Who, Spaceship Zero, and what Marvel's all-time eating champion Galactus has to do with the end of the Universe. Music: "Theme from Spaceship Zero" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Links Astronomycast Universe Today Universe Today on YouTube Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd9cBlvfjow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZiXC8Yh4T0

Mining Disasters

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 06:28:57 +0000

The science and main causes of mining disasters, and a closer look at specific mining accidents, including the 1913 Senghenhydd Pit Disaster, the 1966 Aberfan Disaster, the 1972 Honkeiko Colliery, the 1975 Chasnala Mine Disaster and the Springhill Mining Disasters. Also mining disasters in the news and pop culture. Music: "Whistle While You Work" by Comedian Harmonists Images Links Minecraft Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmB9b5njVbA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xFOf_n_lOc

Wasps and Hornets

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:12:50 +0000

Gavin Pitts is back with Joe, Kevin, and Toren to discuss wasps, from the world's smallest of the amoeba-sized Fairy Fly to the Asian Giant Hornet! Plus the difference between wasps, hornets, ants and bees, how the Green Fairy Wasp "drives" cockroaches around via their antennae, a pop quiz on the Schmidt Sting Pain Index, several recent wasp-related deaths, and some terrible wasp-related movies. News: We're doing another live podcast at EXP Restaurant & Bar with special guests Sneaky Dragon and a live One Minute Medical School! Details at tickets available at Caustic Gear. Music: "I Got The Stinger" by Jabo Smith's Rhythm Aces Images Links Damn Interesting - Mind-Controlling Wasps and Zombie Spiders Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UkDMrG6tog http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_aHOnyXIOI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN2XMyxAs5o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtF-u4q7dI4

Patricide

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:58:57 +0000

This chapter of Caustic Soda's "-icide guide" explores the psychological reasons as to why children kill their fathers. In history we discuss Beatrice Cenci, Richard Dadd, the Menendez Brothers, Chris Porco, and the Tochigi Case. Also, patricide in the news and in pop culture! Music: "Daddy's Little Boy" by The Mills Brothers Images Videos

The Caustic Soda Live EXPerience (May 12, 2013)

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:52:28 +0000

Live from the EXP Restaurant and Bar in Vancouver, BC, it's The Caustic Soda Live EXPerience! Recorded May 12, 2013 in front of a packed-house, Joe, Toren, Kevin and follow-up aficionado Warren Banks cover a variety of stories, including squid spermatophores in disturbing places, a squid bomb, shitty radiation shielding for a trip to Mars, "blood facials", self-cannibalism, and a special Lesser of Two Evils featuring a face-off between a story from this show and one chosen from Soda Jerk suggestions by our live audience!

Ninja, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 03 Jun 2013 06:24:47 +0000

In the news: ninja festival and marijuana thieves. Pop culture includes: Snake Eyes, You Only Live Twice, Miami Connection, Shinobi No Mono, American Ninja, and of course Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Plus Nels Anderson gives us the scoop on Mark of the Ninja! Part 2 of 2. Music: "Mad Shinobi Skills" by Toren Atkinson Images Links Mark of the Ninja Natori.co.uk Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZvTIztzDL8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpZu69OB2KM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FvrTb-iJQY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0f8nonuK0RA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMlu7ZleclI

Ninja

Mon, 27 May 2013 08:23:04 +0000

Nels "Mark of the Ninja" Anderson joins us to discuss facts and controversy surrounding history, technology, and countermeasures of shinobi no mono! Part 1 of 2. Music: "Oh Mein Papa" by Pegi Hayama Images Links Mark of the Ninja Historical Ninja Research Team Ninja Shadow Warriors Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbDvYP0wGpI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LHzj3MosKs

Falling

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:32:58 +0000

Joe, Toren, and Kevin take a look at plummeting to your death (and other outcomes) from heights both great and ridiculously small. We go from history's Gemonian Stairs to the 1912 Eiffel Tower "Parachute Coat" incident to the most impressive falls from planes in recent memory including Alan MaGee, Nicholas Alkamade, and Vezna Vulović. All this plus a Public Service Announcement on how to survive a bungee jumping accident and pop-culture most memorable falls! Plus: a special Celebrity Lesser of Two Evils recorded with skeptic-musician George Hrab! He's not here for the whole episode but we managed to catch up with him while he was in Vancouver to ask him to choose between two horrible fates! Music: "Everything Alive Will Die Someday" by George Hrab Images Links Cheapass Games - Falling George Hrab - GeoLogic Podcast Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBN3xfGrx_U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIGrvofPqRU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZIzreiseMk

Alchemy

Mon, 13 May 2013 05:22:41 +0000

Joanna Gaskell of the Standard Action web series joins us to discuss the history and "science" of alchemy, including the philosopher's stone and elixir of life, transmutation of elements, the universal solvent, homonculi, famous alchemists and frauds. Plus alchemy portrayed in film, comics, TV, literature, and video games. Music: "There'll Be Some Changes Made" by The Boswell Sisters Images Linksguest Standard Action Standard Action Season 3 Kickstarter Critical Hit Show Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5_9nat1_9U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAKNkrXhB60

Regicide, Part 2

Mon, 06 May 2013 08:57:11 +0000

Regicide continues — surprisingly — in the news with the Nepalese royal massacre! From there we jump right into the regicide-filled world of A Song of Ice And Fire/Game of Thrones.

Regicide, Part 1

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:28:52 +0000

Green Ronin Publishing’s Chris Pramas joins Kevin, Toren, and Joe to discuss the deaths of royalty like Mary, Queen of Scots and Charles I as well as Shaka Zulu’s mother issues and more!

Bed Bugs

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:50:39 +0000

Entomophile Andrew Scott joins us to talk about Cimex lectularius including a science quiz, traumatic extravaginal insemination, old timey bed bug treatments, plus news, pop culture and tips on how to avoid bed bug infestation at home and when traveling. Music: "Mean Old Bed Bug Blues" by The Rhythmakers Images Links Andrew's Bug Sculptures Bed Bugs Fact Sheet Health Canada - Bed Bugs Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GcFO8y-WDE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKfvnYGVTYg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9z_LtDx5-4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSJgbzczdDY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MakIB_IJnu0

Marijuana

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 05:07:09 +0000

Joe, Kevin, and Toren discuss marijuana's many odd nicknames, effects, history of use, and some of the outrageous anti-marijuana propaganda of the 20th Century. After the break it's time for the weirder side of stoner movies, including Super High Me and the "Evil Bong" series. Music: "That Cat Is High" by The Ink Spots Images Links Leafly VapeWorld.com (Pax Vaporizer) Just A Plant Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jO_ncXj7RE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpDKfj7X8A0

Ilse Koch

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:29:19 +0000

The second in our ongoing Evil Dames in History series features "The Beast of Buchenwald", Ilse Koch. Kevin, Toren, and Joe look at this concentration camp terror, the claims of her bizarre leather work, as well as Ilse Koch inspirations in pop culture! Then we top it up with the return of "Lesser of Two Evils". Music: "The Old Lamplighter" by Sammy Kaye Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmhxHPsxYRc

Pranks, Practical Jokes, and April Fools

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 06:55:19 +0000

The history of April Fools Day and other mischievous occasions, famous pranks gone wrong, practical jokes in the news and in comics, cartoons, movies and video games. Music: "Just Kiddin' Around" by Artie Shaw Images Links Star Control 2 (The Ur-Quan Masters) The Museum of Hoaxes Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBtOkw38DJU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyXWnVY0F3U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MjPPMLlZqo http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=5tyV19ItB20&feature=fvwp

Malaria

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:43:35 +0000

Dr. Jenna joins Joe, Kevin, and Toren to look at the mosquito-borne peril of malaria. We discuss the life cycle of the this protist parasite from mosquito to human and back again, tales of a recent outbreak, and news of a promising new treatment strategy. Music: "Heebee Jeebies" by The Boswell Sisters Charity O' The Week: Nothing But Nets Campaign Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y68F8YwLWdg

Biblical Apocalypse, Part 2

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:40:51 +0000

In part two of our look at the biblical apocalypse, we discuss news and pop culture, including "Left Behind," "The Omen," "End of Days." and "The Rapture." Special guest Robert M. Price! Music: "Someone Stole Gabriel's Horn" by Spike Hughes Images Links Robert M. Price

Biblical Apocalypse, Part 1

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 08:25:30 +0000

Our apocalypse series continues with noted biblical scholar Robert M. Price discussing the biblical apocalypse! Noah's flood, The rapture, tribulation, second coming, millennium and last judgment are all explained so simply that even Toren can understand. Also: a brief history of failed apocalypse prophecies including Montanism, The Millerites' Great Disappointment, Harold Camping and more. Part one of two! Music: "Brush the Dust Off That Old Bible" by Bradley Kincaid Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBktYJsJq-E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7BQKu0YP8Y

Followups 11

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 07:57:05 +0000

Zoophiles and penile cancer, recto-vaginal fistula, coughing up cancer, window vomiting, an improvised giant egg weapon, a failed assassination attempt caught on tape and... shitdick. Music: "Re: Your Brains" by Jonathan Coulton Charity of the week: The Fistula Foundation Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0235KOwU_yM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EIIUyc6GaU

Urban Fires, Part 2

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 07:49:36 +0000

Part two of this episode on urban fires deals with the Kiss nightclub fire in Brazil, The Station nightclub fire in Rhode Island, Bradford Stadium fire, and the Great Chicago Fire. Guest firefighter Allan Newell critiques the fire science in such films as "Towering Inferno," "In Old Chicago," "Roxanne," "Spider-Man," Watchmen" and of course Ren & Stimpy. Music: "Hot Club Stomp" by Mezz Mezzrow Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ_vG4cHRKU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOzfq9Egxeo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U82BQnjTie4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RYdD5msr9g

Urban Fires – Part 1

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 09:04:14 +0000

In part one of this two-part episode, firefighter Allan Newell returns to discuss the science and classification of fire, the Great Fire of Rome, the Great Fire of London, the Triangle Shirtwaist fire, Coconut Grove fire and the Great Fire of Meireki. Music: "Hotter Than Hell" by Fletcher Henderson Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYqc9ZNqhrE Backdraft/Smoke Explosion

Jellyfish

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:35:27 +0000

Mr. Dr. Greg Bole is back with Toren, Joe, and Kevin to discuss jelly fish and their amazing gelatinous friends! Immortal jellyfish, the intense pain of some jellyfish stings, and a live tasting of jellyfish! Music: "Whippin' That Jellyfish" by the State Street Swingers Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJne0uWgaK8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OL-5LgbACgM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V6ZTrj0wXA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8isTBU3gxB0

Hunting Humans

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 16:27:06 +0000

The most dangerous game! Drag hunting, paintball, tons of pop culture, plus the true horrible story of Robert Hansen. Alsoplus: Which is the lesser of two evils, hunting down someone close to you, or hunting someone you've never met? Music: "Looking Around Corners For You" by Tommy Dorsey Images Links http://www.ophthobook.com/videos/exploding-eye-lecture-video http://www.jabfm.org/content/25/1/124.full.pdf

Four Horsemen – Death

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 07:21:53 +0000

The Grim Reaper, Ereshkigal, the pale rider... it's the fourth horseman (or woman, as you'll hear) in a series of four: DEATH! This episode Joe, Toren, and Kevin take on the anthropomorphic personification of death throughout history and popular culture. Music: "O Death" by Dock Boggs Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JG2IFsz_n5c http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uY0ofqJur8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg0kQHIMx9M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjl54v1irbs

Depression

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 17:38:50 +0000

What is the cause of depression? Are incidents of depression increasing? Can you cure depression with a bullet? None of these questions will be answered to your satisfaction, but Dr. Rob will nonetheless help dispel much of the myths and misinformation about clinical depression that come out of the other hosts' mouths. All donations made through causticgear.com for the first week of this episode's release will go directly to the Canadian Mental Health Association. Music: "My Melancholy Baby" by Django Reinhardt Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOIAXrS1GOM

Four Horsemen: War

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:42:14 +0000

The personification (and deification) of War is the focus of our third "Horsemen" episode. Ares, Belatu-Cadros, Murugan, Morrigan, and of course the actual Red Rider himself, the Horseman of War! Music: "This Is Worth Fighting For" by The Ink Spots Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdgqDTpi6OA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNx7POhBt3E

Bats

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 10:38:42 +0000

Bat expert Yvonne Morrin joins us to talk about those weird and scary-to-some nocturnal flying mammals. Rabies, bat fellatio, guano, bat bombs, histoplasmosis, white nose syndrome, and of course the sanguivorous vampire bat! Also: what to do if a bat attacks you. Music: "Flip Flop and Fly" Joe Turner Charity of the Week: Batworld (Located in Texas) Bat rescue, rehab and education, and build new flight cages to get bats exercising before return to wild). Also: www.dontshootbats.com Images Links Filming in the Dark in Bat Dung Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clvXhAXRIfc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0asSZFMQVg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Va9ull44yw

Four Horsemen – Famine

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 22:12:34 +0000

"Famine" is part 2 in our Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse series. We discuss the Russian Famine of 1601, The Irish Potato Famine, the Holodomor, the Great Leap Forward, and more. Plus: what does it feel like to starve to death? Double plus: the 'famine food' pop quiz. Triple plus: which is the lesser of two evils, being inflicted with famine or pestilence? Music: "Everybody Eats When They Come To My House" by Cab Calloway Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlbsKQs1RVc#t=566s

Bad Books

Mon, 24 Dec 2012 06:20:54 +0000

We tried to bind this episode in human flesh but the MP3 codec's lossiness kept causing it cancer. This episode, Toren, Joe, and Kevin talk about Dr. Spock's bibliographic death-toll, anti-Jewish hoax The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, the copycat-inspiring The Collector and many more caustic tomes. Music: "Epilogue: Some Things Man Was Not Meant To Know" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93id9Wn9Xok

Pestilence

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 10:28:51 +0000

In part one of our four part series on the Horsemen of the Apocalypse we discuss various gods of pestilence, plague amulets, pest houses, plague doctors, and of course news and pop culture. Music: "When the Saints Go Marching In" Fats Domino Charity O' the week: Doctors Without Borders Images

Improvised Weapons

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:58:02 +0000

Violence expert Lisa Gemino returns to discuss shivs, French nails, Millwall bricks, donkey jawbones, thrown animals, petrol bombs and many other improvised weapons. Plus news and pop culture. Music: "Holiday Fun" by Richard Myhill Images Links The Art of the Shiv Like this Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuU60r7VT30 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewFE4ymvn1o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC1d7dw24Gg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0ScNLt2zNc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-XYPJ3_YAY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLquz4Iz-30 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELSGwz7xTmM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFnmq5PPScA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRBwvIX7Sao http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhvRQGq5g3s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iELKMNjZx9o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCNqKrX1sx8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAvRbWQ_Izg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy43iZCPeLI

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 02:25:45 +0000

Allan Newell brings his firefighter expertise to discussions on notable car wrecks, risk compensation, the car industry's built-in-hazards, the Mont Blanc tunnel fire, El Camino de la Muerte, collection fuel from crashed tankers, and what to expect when rescue responders have to cut you out of your crumpled Volkswagen. Plus: car crashes in movies. Music: "Blame the Accident" by The Invasives. Used with permission. Visit www.invasives.ca 'n' The Invasives on Facebook Charity of the Week: MADD Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGPoaBVYMp8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3XBWDlCtns http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9ucKunaSSQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzfSLgWkTlY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_akwHYMdbsM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pyoAf2xhkU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yaU8ySrK7Q http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COiR_gZEGIE

Journalism, Part 2 of 2

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:53:17 +0000

Steven M. Schwartz is back for the second part of our caustic look at Journalism. "Shrieking harpy" Nancy Grace, terrorist victim Daniel Pearl, Janet Cook, sock-puppets, Network, Transmetropolitan and more! Music: "It Ain't Right" by Artie Shaw Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWPY7b35vF4

Journalism, Part 1 of 2

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 11:12:32 +0000

Honest-to-goodness journalist Steven M. Schwartz joins Kevin, Joe, and Toren to talk about the caustic side of news gathering. We discuss bad journalists (who spy on people and tamper with evidence) and when bad things happen to good journalists. We had so much stuff we had to split it into two episodes! Music: "Dies ist Unverschamtheit" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Charity: Reporters Without Borders Images

Rhinoceros

Mon, 12 Nov 2012 08:32:39 +0000

All things rhinoceros including poaching, attacks on people, woolly rhinos and Operation: Crash. Plus pop culture and the Lesser of Two Evils: being attacked by a rhino or by 99 cats? Music: "Action Stations" by David Lindup Charity: http://www.rhinos.org/ really needs our help ASAP! Images Links Historyonics Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fT3dQNTPwQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4FChkrZ6kU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p-COGPLibE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh2iyPmucFk

Followups 10

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 09:19:24 +0000

We got requests for a more gross and offensive follow up episode, and we delivered. Pop culture artist Chris Woods joins us to talk about female genital mutilation in Swedish art, green Klu Klux Klan uniforms, Darth Vader four-ways, virgin boy eggs, pink slime, Russian space guns, and how faulty understanding of statistics led to a mother drinking herself to death. Plus: which is The Lesser of Two Evils, swallowing a couple dozen magnets or being a nuclear diver? Music: "All That Meat and No Potatoes" by Fats Waller Charity: V-Day Images Links http://www.indiegogo.com/sandstorm Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCK6zvWEN_Q

Ghosts

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:11:33 +0000

In today's episode, Toren, Joe, and Kevin are joined by Chris "Stewie" Stewart for a look at the spiritual remains of the dearly departed: Ghosts! We talk about The Brown Lady of Raynham Hall, Puzzlingly Terrified Ghost Hunters, and Peter Jackson's first big effects movie and more! OoOOoOOOOooOOOOoOoooOOOOOoooOOOOOooooOOoOOoOOOOOOoOOoOOOOooOOOOoOooOooOOOooOoo OOOooOooooOoooOoooOooOOoOoOooOOoOoOooOoooOOOoOOOOo! Music: "Space Ghosts" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Links Quirky Mind Stuff -- Richard Wiseman's Blog What's The Harm - Ghosts Rachel's Miracle Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE_C1FXRo20 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RryZV8NK9-Q

Toys That Kill

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 07:22:05 +0000

Deadly toys discussed include Steven's Model Dockyard Locomotive, Slip 'n' Slide, lawn darts, Cabbage Patch Snack Time doll, the Gilbert Atomic Energy Lab, Flubber, Silly String, Koba Kick, Hang Ten Mini-Hammock, Bucky Balls, Water Balz, Aquadots and more! Music: "The Toy Trumpet" by Raymond Scott CHARITY DE JOUR: British Toy & Hobby Association - http://www.btha.co.uk/ Established in 1944 to raise safety standards of practice in the toy industry, from safety in design to manufacturing of the products. Images Links Epic Toy Fail Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPnX-hx94OU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8efguf0XOs

Dogs

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 09:35:49 +0000

Sit! Lie down! Roll over! Now sacrifice your face for our safety! Good boy! In this episode of Caustic Soda, Joe, Kevin, and Toren fetch the weird and the gross about man's best friend: the domestic dog. We've got dog-on-human and human-on-dog weirdness for you, plus our favorite dogs in pop culture! Music: "Ill Barkio" by Spike Jonez Images Links Star Wars Inspired Museum Exhibition 'SANDSTORM' by Chris Woods Life Magazine images of Shavka and Brodyaga Judy (dog) Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvZThr3POlQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxVvKb0fGAY

The Post-Apocalyptic World

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:20:24 +0000

Live from VCON 37 in Surrey BC, the regular nerds talk about life in the post-apocalyptic wasteland with the help of Hugo Award-winning author and Science Fiction Hall of Fame inductee Connie Willis and Nebula Award-winning science fiction author and astrophysicist Gregory Benford. Plus the lesser of two evils: Life after a nuclear armageddon or the biblical apocalypse? Music: "When the Saints Go Marching In" by Louis Armstrong Images Links ConnieWillis.net Bowl of Heaven by Gregory Benford Blackout by Connie Willis Apocalypse Now? A 2012 Survival Guide 20 Necessary Post-Apocalypse Skills Wasteland Weekend Tales from the Wasteland The Road -- John Hillcoats diary Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYQ1rj9I8FI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWLE-1xpBtU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BUXkQ7puw4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOKO19BMPKk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oavwndvq-ZA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8aLKHShv9o http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCnCRj5-bC4

Smuggling

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 06:38:00 +0000

Sorry we're late. We had trouble getting this episode over the border! This week involves animals, drugs, and even drugs in animals! Kevin, Toren, and Joe are joined by the mysterious "Agent Smith" to take a look at the ups and downs -- let's face it mostly downs -- of smuggling! Music: "Caravan" by David Grisam Images

Mormonism

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 08:48:23 +0000

Brigham Young University faculty member Stuart Parker helps us discern Mormon doctrine from folklore as we discuss Joseph Smith's assassination, the Mountain Meadows massacre, retroactive baptism, polygamy and racism in both the mainstream and splinter Mormon groups. Plus suggestions from the Quorum of Twelve on how to break your masturbation habit, and the Church of Latter Day Saints in film and TV. Music: "Tarred & Feathered" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7q6brMrFw0E Charity: http://www.mormonabuse.com/

Bubonic Plague

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:39:03 +0000

Joe, Toren and Kevin are joined by Dr. Jenna to talk about not just the bubonic, but all things yersinia pestis-y: Bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plagues! We discuss the three "great" plagues of history as well as modern occurrences and outbreaks and even some pestilence-laden movies. Music: "Please God No" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Charity: Doctors without Borders

Followups 9

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 08:41:20 +0000

Follow ups, listener mail and updates on spina bifida, screech, cannibalism, running amok, cyclopea, parasitic barnacles, snake venom party drug, mesoamerican shrunken heads, drunk driving decapitation, Wesley Warren Jr's scrotal lymphodema, plus more! Music: "Spina Bifida" by Toren Atkinson (after The Beatles) Images Links http://absencecomic.com/ Charity World Wildlife Federation - Sharks Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada

Booby Traps

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 09:34:09 +0000

Panji, door, spike, tiger, and whip traps, military applications and those more... "personal". From Vietnam to Hollywood to video games, Kevin, Toren, and Joe take a caustic look at booby traps! Plus: booby traps in the recent news! Music: "Execute Operation: Get the Hell Out of Here" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Links Vietnam War Booby Traps Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDrzMGdYWZc

Body Snatchers

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 08:34:19 +0000

Mortsafes, Chinese Corpse Brides, and stealing corpses for profit -- Kevin, Toren, and Joe look at the creepy world of the body snatcher! Music: "All Of Me" by Frank Sinatra Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5jxpZ8A8kE

Psychosis

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 06:24:20 +0000

Dr Rob returns to explain post-partum psychosis, Capgras delusion, Fregoli delusion, alien hand syndrome, wendigo psychosis, koro syndrome, Paris syndrome, reduplicative paramnesia, Alice in Wonderland syndrome, plus loads of pop culture. Music: "I'm Losing My Mind Over You" by Al Dexter Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUhOnX8qt3I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwMsXL_YUEo Charity Canadian Mental Health Association

Feral Children

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 07:54:31 +0000

Toren, Joe and Kevin discuss Leopard Boy, "Baby Hospital", Peter The Wild Boy, the Wild Child of Champagne, Tarzan and more children raised by animals -- or raised as animals by people we're declaring worse than animals. Music: "Ain't A Fit Night Out For Man Nor Beast" by Noble Sissle and His Orchestra Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntwSGBWCRIw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rcozzl9wAOI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ogQ0uge06o

Countess Elizabeth Bathory

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 10:41:51 +0000

Our first entry in the "Evil Dames in History" series has the hosts separating mact from fyth on the supposed "blood countess" Elizabeth Bathory. Includes star kicking and other tortures she inflicted on her servants, plus her trial, death and legacy!

Sibling Rivalry

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 08:11:47 +0000

Mister Doctor Greg Bole - B.Sc. (Biology) and Ph.D. (Evolution and Ecology) - joins us to talk about sibling rivalry in the animal kingdom, which of course includes that most savage and destructive animal - homo sapiens. Includes siblicide, porbeagle ovophagy, adelphophagi, polyembryoni in parasitoid wasps, and the Dassler brothers, Karla Homolka & the Han sisters. All this plus news & pop culture including the Game of Thrones analysis you didn't ask for. Music: "Anything You Can Do" by Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrqgPjZ07Ts

Zombies, Part Two

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 07:20:26 +0000

Robin Thompson is back for part two of our look at zomb...b... braaains... braaaaaaainsssss....

Zombies, Part 1

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 06:10:14 +0000

How do zombies and science connect? Very tenuously. "Zombie Jesus" creator and zombie connoisseur Robin Thompson is our fourth man this week. We discuss zombie-creating recipes, alleged Haitian zombie cases, zombiewalks, Cotard's syndrome, nanobot zombies, rage virus, brain-modifying parasites and more. Plus, would a zombie plague succeed in becoming an apocalypse, and what would be your favourite weapon? PART ONE OF TWO!

Followups 8

Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:40:33 +0000

Chris "Stewie" Stewart joins us for brain tapeworms, murder by testicle crushing, cannibal cook cultists and more in our latest grab-bag "Followup" episode! Plus: Which is the lesser of two evils - having your testicles crushed over a parking space, or brain tapeworms?

Cold War (Part 2)

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 06:44:55 +0000

The Cold War part two of two, with guest Allan Newell, includes: the nuclear arms race; Project: Ice Worm, LSD & the CIA; bungled Fidel Castro assassination attempts. Plus news and pop culture including Dr Strangelove, Manchurian Candidate, Thirteen Days, Our Man in Havana, THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING! THE RUSSIANS ARE COMING! and Red Dawn.

Cold War (Part 1)

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 06:48:45 +0000

Allan Newell joins us to talk about as many caustic facets of the cold war that we could fit into a 2 hour mini-series. In part one we talk about the origin and players, then get into Igor Gouzenko and the space race, including top-secret projects to nuke the moon!

Censorship

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 10:16:08 +0000

Live from the Roundhouse Community Centre and the Vancouver Comic Arts Festival, Toren, Joe, and Kevin are joined by Cinema Sewer's Robin Bougie to talk about censorship. Book burnings, the Seven Dirty Words, the Danish Mohammed cartoons, Elvis' pelvis, and more! Music: "Shaving Cream" by Benny Bell Images Links Cinema Sewer Tubgirl (NSFW, NSFL) Hays Code Charities of the Week: Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (USA) Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund (Canada) Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLSgqH2BOeg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXMzEdXpvPw Notes MPAA Film Board members are supposed to have children between the ages of 5 and 17. We had a segment about an Oxford Library burning, but on further research we believe that to have been an error so it was edited out. We'll try to find more information if we can.

Music

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 08:18:02 +0000

For our "music" episode, Canadian comedy legend Sean Cullen joins us to talk about music-inspired riots, castrati, music as torture, Norwegian black metal and backmasking. Plus movies, TV, and Lesser of Two Evils: would you rather be a castrato or have soot wart? Music: "Cacheevo" by Sean Cullen Images Links The Station Nightclub Fire Gitmo Boombox Music seancullen.com Hamish X and the Cheese Pirates Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9RNw7sFUGc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpQfCcsqQ0E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUDG3Ze8w_0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv-S3uoeTXg

Science Blunders

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 10:50:58 +0000

Dr. Rosie Redfield joins Joe, Kevin, and Toren to talk about NASA and the Shadow Biosphere, blinded scientists all over the place, extreme solutions to illegal parking, and one of our favorite sciencey shows goes terribly awry.

Vlad the Impaler

Mon, 28 May 2012 07:10:54 +0000

In another installment of our "Evil Dudes in History" we explore the history and legend of the Wallachian voivod Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for the most famous vampire of all time. Plus: Which is the lesser of two evils: being impaled Vlad style, or being left to die of exposure on the top of a mountain as an Incan sacrifice? Music: "The Wheel of Hurt" by Margaret Whiting Images Videos http://youtu.be/LHQ7J4IbW8I http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AXIFn8zQOY Charity o' the Week: Relief Fund for Romania

Vietnam War

Mon, 21 May 2012 04:05:14 +0000

Horsetrack Hooligans podcaster and Vietnam War movie afficionado Jordan Pratt joins us to talk about the Gulf of Tonkin incident, The Battle of Hue, Operation: Rolling Thunder, cluster bombs, napalm, fragging, the My Lai massacre, tunnel rats, torture, agent orange, unexploded ordnance and more. Plus movies, comics and Lesser of Two Evils: would you rather be an American soldier or a Viet Cong?

Horses

Mon, 14 May 2012 09:30:35 +0000

In this episode: Przewalksi's horse, quartering, Caligula's horse Incitatus, diving horses, Clever Hans, horse racing, and that's just the first half!

Sleep and Sleep Disorders

Mon, 07 May 2012 07:20:10 +0000

Sexsomnia sells! Dr Rob joins us to talk about a whole host of sleep disorders including chronic insomnia, sleep paralysis, night terrors, Kleine-Levin syndrome, narcolepsy, exploding head syndrome, homicidal somnambulism, sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder, myoclonic jerks, encephalitis lethargica and the horrible fatal familia insomnia. All this plus weird sleeping habits in the animal kingdom.

Blunt Weapons

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 09:12:35 +0000

Sticks and stones will break your bones, and so will a heck of a lot of other things! Lisa Gemino joins Toren, Joe, and Kevin for a look at all kinds of blunt weapons from sticks to maces to truncheons!

The Sun

Mon, 23 Apr 2012 06:57:35 +0000

We are joined by solar physicist Dr. Ian O'Neill of Discovery News and astroengine.com as we discuss solar flares, coronal mass ejections, the Carrington event, red giants and white dwarfs, and tornadoes on the sun! All this plus pop culture. Music: "You Are My Sunshine" Gene Autry Images Links http://www.astroengine.com/ Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xKRBkBBEP0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-zt8qnTcLM

Caustic Soda Live Extravaganza 2012

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 09:10:33 +0000

Not one, not two, but three guests join Toren, Joe, and Kevin for a live podcast event in Vancouver, BC on Sunday, March 25, 2012! We welcome Dr. Rob, Dr. Jenna, and Chris "Stewie" Stewart back on for a plethora of gruesome topics including the Demon Core, badgers, and the man with the giagantic scrotum. Images Links Sincerely, Natalie Reed

Ebola

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 07:31:40 +0000

Dr. Jenna Capyk joins us to discuss the lighter and darker side of ebola. Spoiler alert: it's mostly dark. Plus news and pop culture, plus Lesser of Two Evils: ebola versus serving on a slave ship. Music: "Fever" by Little Willie John Images

Sports Injuries

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:35:01 +0000

Kevin, Joe and Toren bring you organized sporting riots in France, a multi-billionaire ancient sports hero, hockey skates to the throat and all sorts of painful sporting insanity! Music: "Bear In A Ladies Boudoir" by Cliff Edwards Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwQlIibBEgA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHCXNt4P8Xg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJHYGu669w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR-wA4SmbO4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4os7Wa8gtM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_j_69c7KyI

Ghost Towns

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:48:38 +0000

Some of the most wretched and caustic ghost towns are discussed, including "blue sky mine" Wittenoom, Picher's chat piles, Oradour-sur-Glane's nazi massacre legacy, the dioxin-tainted roads of Times Beach, Centralia's ongoing coal fire, and more. All this and pop culture too! PS - Don't worry Soda Jerks, we didn't forget Chernobyl - it will get its own episode at some point! Music: "G'Bye Now" by Martha Tilton Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPdIBbBETw4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTDAJMXZQKo Links Detroit's Beautiful, Horrible Decline Ordos, China: A Modern Ghost Town

Sexually Transmitted Infections Part 2: Syphilis

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:39:33 +0000

RN Katie Scoular returns for the science and rather unpleasant history of that old Neapolitan bone-ache: syphilis. Plus news & pop culture. Music: "Hot Nuts" by Williams Washerboard Band Charity o' the Week: http://www.optionsforsexualhealth.org/ Images Links The National Archives released files from the 1946 Guatemala experiments. Quiks & Quarks "Solving Syphilis" Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW3AJ9xPSWE

Hoarding

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 08:52:34 +0000

Joe, Kevin, and Toren have gathered up so much information on compulsive hoarding in this episode it's threatening to tip over and crush us all under its weight! Food hoarders, animal hoarders, cosmic-powered hoarders -- they're all here! Music: "Put 'Em In A Box" by Doris Day Caustic Charity: Institute for Challenging Disorganization. Images Videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVg-_e-jPO4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqJkJt1UF-E

Followups 6

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 08:47:11 +0000

Ian Boothby, The Simpsons comics writer and co-host of Sneaky Dragon podcast, joins Kevin, Joe and Toren to talk about cyclopean albino sharks, crab parasites, octopus wrestling, prehistoric krakens, the Glore Psychiatric Museum, cement butt implants, ancient Roman lead poisoning, alkaline hydrolisis and other funerary awkwardness. All this plus how to stay in the eye of a tornado and... BADGERS! Music: "Panic Patrol" by Kenny Graham Caustic Charity Adopt an octopus! Images Links Sneaky Dragon Bongo Comics http://www.stjosephmuseum.org/glore.htm Videos

Cocaine

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 07:04:42 +0000

Kevin, Joe, and Toren cover cocaine-laced products with papal approval, cocaine intake options, some personal insight on cocaine addiction from a friend of the show, plus cocaine-centric songs and movies! In case you hadn't figured it out, this week's topic is cocaine! Music: "Cocaine Blues" by Luke Jordan Images Movies Blow Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 6/10 Toren: 7/10 True Romance Kevin: 9/10 Joe: 9/10 Toren: 8/10 Half Nelson Kevin: 10/10 Toren: 8/10 (would have been higher if I knew why it was called 'Half Nelson')

Burns

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:00:16 +0000

The secret world of burns is investigated with the help of veteran firefighter Allan Newell. How does one distinguish the four degrees of burns? What's the 'rule of nines?' How did burning at the stake work? Also news and pop culture. Plus: Which is the lesser of two evils? Having 50% of your body burned in a car fire or getting mercury poisoning? Music: "I Don't Want to Set the World on Fire" by The Ink Spots Charity of the week: Burn Camps: http://www.canadianburnfoundation.org/donate.php Images Links GQ - Burning Man Videos

True Bugs

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:37:13 +0000

Forensic entomologiest Gavin Pitts joins the hosts to talk about the hemiptera order of insects, more commonly known as 'true bugs.' Assassin bugs, chagas disease, bat bugs and water bugs that take down reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals are all on topic! Plus: The Lesser of Two Evils - would you rather spend a few years in an Uzbekistan bug pit or trying to farm out a living under the Khmer Rouge? Music: "I'm Just a Jitterbug" by Chick Webb & Ella Fitzgerald Charity de Jour: The Chagas Disease Foundation Images

Tsunami

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:39:11 +0000

This episode Joe, Kevin, and Toren look at the giant waves known as tsunami. You'll hear about the biggest and deadliest waves known to man, incredible stories of survival during one of nature's deadliest disasters, and tsunami vs. kittens! Music: "Tidal Wave" by Fletcher Henderson Images Links The Passionate Eye - Tsunami Caught On Camera - only available for 45 days after last airing, sorry. If there's another airing this will work again so I'm keeping the link up. Hideaki Akaiwa - Badass of the Week XKCD on "Tidal Wave" (we recorded before this went up, but agree with him!) Videos Hereafter Tsunami scene (can't embed)

Demons

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 04:57:39 +0000

Succubi, oni, pishacha - call them what you will. Whether they're scapegoats for serial killers or epilepsy, demons have been a part of human culture for aeons. The boys talk history, news and pop culture, plus as a special bonus: practical tips on how to summon a demon! Music: "Kamakilas" by S. Satoh (from Son of Godzilla) Images Links List of Demon Names Legend of the Five Rings Half in the Bag - Jack and Jill Movies Night of the Demon Toren: 5/10 The Keep Toren: 5/10 Hellraiser Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 7/10 The Evil Dead Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 7/10 Evil Dead 2 Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 9/10 Joe: 8/10 Army of Darkness Toren: 9/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 9/10 Drag Me To Hell Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10

Pol Pot

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:11:12 +0000

Continuing the Evil Dudes in History series, Kevin, Toren, and Joe look at Cambodian Communist leader Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Music: "Call Me Irresponsible" Images Videos Pol Pot (can't embed, sorry) Links Photos from S21 Forced Marriage and the Khmer Rouge

Cholera

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:36:22 +0000

This episode's got it coming out of both ends! Toren, Kevin, Joe are joined by Almost Dr. Jenna to talk about cholera. Death by vomit and diarrhea, cholera cots, mummies, and how procrastination led to the world's first artificial vaccine! Music: "Shoggoths Away" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Links UN Haiti Cholera Outbreak Report

Film Fatale

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:16:21 +0000

Comedy Film Nerd Graham Elwood joins Kevin, Joe, and Toren to talk about the perils of making moving pictures - film tragedies! The Crow, The Ten Commandments, The Twilight Zone and more horrible, horrible occurrences just so we could be entertained for 90 minutes. Music: "Hooray for Hollywood" by Johnny Mercer Images Links Comedy Film Nerds Laffghanistan Videos Movies Wizard of Oz Toren: 8/10 Joe: 6/10 Kevin: 7/10 The Crow Toren: 5/10 Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 Troy Joe: 5/10 Kevin: 8/10 Twilight Zone: The Movie Joe: 6/10 Kevin: 5/10

Kidnapping

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:43:03 +0000

Express kidnappings, the "millionaire tour," the Lindbergh baby, the Cudahy kidnapping, Chowchilla school bus incident, and more. Plus news, pop culture, how to survive a kidnapping and "The Lesser of Two Evils" - would you rather be kidnapped for ransom or savaged by a pack of wolves? Music: "5 Months, 2 Weeks, 2 Days" by Louis Prima Images Videos Movies Proof of Life Toren: 8/10 Taken Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 Man on Fire Kevin: 8/10 Suicide Kings Kevin: 4/10 Joe: 5/10

Quackery

Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:53:44 +0000

Step right up, Soda Jerks! What the boys at Caustic Soda have for you today is going to REinvigorate, REvitalize, REVULGARIZE you with their astounding look at the world of QUACKERY! It's a homeopathic, detoxifying, quantum colloidal-silver potion that cures what ails ya! Ingredients include Joe, Kevin, Toren and special guest Doctor Rob! Music: Snake Oil by Vaughn DeLeath Images Videos Links Quackwatch Museum of Quackery What's the Harm? Ear Candles Are Illegal

Wolf Attack!

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:50:20 +0000

Death by wolf! Toren, Joe and Kevin discuss the many wolf attacks throughout history, the "sex lock", and the mighty Dire wolf! Music: "The Wolf Wobble" by Joe Venuti Images Links Elfquest Movies 300 Toren: 4/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 Frozen Toren: 4/10 Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 8/10

Rasputin

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 04:25:36 +0000

Continuing the "Evil Men In History" series Joe, Kevin, and Toren check out Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin. Just how evil was this Russian that was so hard to kill it took stabbing, poisoning, shooting, drowning and then burning to make him completely stop moving? The answer may surprise y... oh who knows, really? But we'll take our best barely-educated guesses! Music: "Unstoppable" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images

Doomed Expeditions – Part 2

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:55:39 +0000

Toren, Joe, and Kevin are back with guest Jessica Pink for the second half of the podcast of DOOOOOOM! Music: "Funeral March" by Frederic Chopin Images DOOM-O-METER RATINGS (out of 10) The Karluk Disaster Toren: 5 Kevin: 2 Joe: 3 Jess: 5 Shackleton's Trans-Antarctic Expedition Toren: 3 Kevin: 3 Joe: 3 Jess: 5 MOVIES Blair Witch Project Toren: 8 Kevin: 10 Joe: 7 Jess: 7 Aguirre: The Wrath of God Toren: 7 Kevin: 4 Joe: 5 The Fountain Kevin: 4 The Abyss Toren: 7 Kevin: 7 Joe: 8 Jess: 6 Into the Wild Kevin: 8 Jess:9 Sphere Jess:7 Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition Toren: 8 Kevin: 7 Joe: 8 Jess:8

Doomed Expeditions Part 1

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:23:40 +0000

Jessica Pink joins us to talk about our top seven doomed expeditions, in which we find out why you shouldn't name your ship "Terror," how not to treat helpful aborigines, how many captains it takes to spoil the expedition, how many pounds of rock samples are worth the lives of five scientists, how to make a polar tuxedo, and whether or not you should test your balloon steering system before you leave for the arctic. All this and pop culture too. Part 1 of 2. Music: "Operation: Get the Hell Out of Here" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images DOOM-O-METER RATINGS Franklin Expedition: Toren: 10 Kevin: 10 Joe: 10 Jess: 9 Burke & Wills Australian Expedition Toren: 7.5 Kevin: 6 Joe: 7 Jess: 7 Polaris Expedition Toren: 4 Kevin: 3.5 Joe: 4 Jess: 7 Arctic Balloon Expedition Toren: 8 Kevin: 6 Joe: 6 Jess: 8 Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova Expedition Toren: 6 Kevin: 9.5 Joe: 6 Jess: 9

Brainwashing and Mind Control

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:54:58 +0000

Join Kevin, Joe, and Toren with guest Dr. Rob Tarzwell as they discuss MK Ultra, Psychic Driving, LSD, and High Energy Electroconvulsive Therapy! Plus Lesser of Two Evils: would you rather get ocular myiasis or lose your memory and identity from psychic driving? Music: "The Innsmouth Look" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Videos

Bad Cop, Bad Cop

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 07:04:55 +0000

In our "Bad Cop, Bad Cop" episode, we look at some of the most corrupt, venal, and downright outrageous abuses of police power past and present, as well as the best of the worst cop movies and TV shows. Music: "Jangled Nerves" by Fletcher Henderson Movie Reviews Serpico Kevin: 7/10 Copland Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 6/10 First Blood Joe: 6/10 Kevin: 8/10 Mississippi Burning Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 9/10 Bad Lieutenant Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 5/10 Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call Joe: 6/10 Thin Blue Line Kevin: 7/10 Maniac Cop Joe: 3/10 Kevin: 2/10 Training Day Kevin: 6/10 Leon (The Professional) Joe: 9/10 Kevin: 9/10

Cancer

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 13:49:10 +0000

Cancer! Dr. Rob returns as our expert for the big 'C'. We discuss how jabbing radioactive beads in your prostate works, how mustard gas led to chemotherapy, "soot wart," and common cancer myths. All this plus "Lesser of Two Evils" (would you rather have colon cancer or listen to your loved one being eaten by a bear?) and a special appearance by Marielle Kho! SPECIAL NOTE TO OUR FANS: Say "fuck you!" to cancer the Caustic Soda way! Hey soda jerks, you probably knew that you can go to the website of the Canadian Cancer Society and make a donation. But did you also know that If you want to be extra suck-uppy, you can select "Caustic Soda Podcast" under the Tribute Gift Information Field, or that there is also a "Where would you like to designate your donation?" field where you can select any of the cancers we talked about including Hodgkins research? Think about it! Here's the link: http://tinyurl.com/causticcancer There. Now you can never say we're a bunch of heartless bastards. Music: "After You're Gone" by Quintette Du Hot Club De France Images Videos Links 5 Things They Say Give You Cancer (and why they're wrong) ACS page on aspartame Movies Green Mile Toren: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 7/10 50/50 Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10

Halloween

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:59:54 +0000

Costumes, the confusing origins of Halloween customs, Devil's night, old-fashioned candy vs. chocolate bars, candy-poisoning urban legends and of course Halloween movies and television specials! Music: Ogdru Jahad by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Links (some cut from the show for time!) BeeDogs Zombie Pumpkins X-Entertainment

Axes of Evil

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 07:41:41 +0000

A brief history of axes and notable murders, news items, movies, comics and "The Lesser of Two Evils": murder by axe or murder by sword? Music: "Butcher Pete" by Roy Brown Images Movies So I Married an Axe Murderer Toren: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Toren: 8/10 Joe: 9/10 Two Towers Toren: 7/10 Joe: 9/10 Return of the King Toren: 7/10 Joe: 9/10 (they all blur together) The Shining Toren: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 American Psycho Joe: 7/10

Flies ‘n’ Maggots

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 08:32:50 +0000

Caustic Soda is a labor of larva! Get to know the bot, tsetse, tumbu, bat and coffin fly, not to mention screw worm, sheep ked and ant decapitator. Also - what is myiasis? All this plus flies and maggots in pop culture and current events. Guest: Gavin Pitts Music: I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly - Burl Ives Images Video Movies The Fly (1958) Kevin: 5/10 Gavin: 6/10 The Fly (1986) Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 8/10 Gavin: 10/10 Joe: 7/10 The Fly II Gavin: 7/10 Return of the Fly Gavin: 5/10

Dystopias (Recorded Live at VCON)

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:31:57 +0000

Special guests science fiction legend Larry Niven and Buffy/Angel/Firefly editor Lisa Lassek join Kevin, Joe, and Toren at Vancouver's VCON! We cover the dysfunctional tech society of Terry Gilliam's "Brazil", the system-spanning Alliance of Firefly, the comic book supervillain heaven of "Wanted" and more! Images Links The Feeling of Power, by Isaac Asimov

Bacteria

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 07:52:07 +0000

E-Coli, Salmonella, gut bacteria social networks (no, really!) and lots more infectious awesomeness! Jenna Capyk joins Kevin, Joe, and Toren for a podcast so chock full of prokaryotes it's our longest yet! Music: "Colour Me Green" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets. Images Videos

Followups 5

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 08:21:28 +0000

It's Fünf for the whole Familie! More shark, crocodile AND bear attacks, self surgery, decapitations, Chinese internet addiction boot camps, art made of pee and poo, armadillo leprosy. All this plus witch's nipples! Music: "The Preacher and the Bear" - Phil Harris Links: Museum of Bad Art Images Videos

Sexually Transmitted Infections Part 1: Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and HPV

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 05:32:24 +0000

Caution, cyprianophobes! Katie Scoular doles out the facts on three of the most common STIs: the slang, the history, and the science. Plus news, pop culture and "The Lesser of Two Evils." Music: "Once In Love With Amy" by Ray Bolger Images Links Death Talks About Life

Scorpions

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:24:56 +0000

What you don't know about scorpions can kill you! The biggest, the oldest, the deadliest, plus scorpions in biological warfare! Music: Raymond Scott "Twilight in Turkey" Images Videos Movies Scorpion King Toren: 5/10 Kevin: 3/10 Joe: 4/10 Transformers Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 5/10 Mortal Kombat Toren: 4/10 Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 5/10 Clash of the Titans 1981 Toren: 4/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 5/10 Clash of the Titans 2010 Toren: 4/10 Kevin: 5/10 The Black Scorpion Toren: 3/10

Small Arms

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 10:01:07 +0000

Mike T. joins Joe, Toren, and Kevin to talk about small arms -- firearms carried by an individual soldier. From the "grenade on a stick" beginnings of the fire lance all the way to caseless ammunition, Caustic Soda covers the history and science of these small arms, and even manages to talk about some of their favorite depictions of firearms in pop culture. Music: "Pistol Packin' Mama" by the Andrews Sisters Images Videos Links Internet Movie Firearms Database Cracked.com Walton Creel - Deweaponizing the Gun

Human Sacrifice

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 08:41:16 +0000

Our Human Sacrifice episode features vikings, Aztecs, Incans, Olmec sacrifical bogs, the Peruvian temple of doom, the Decapitator god, Egyptian & viking burial rites, Mound 72, the torso in the Thames, General Butt Naked, human sacrifice in the Bible plus other items to turn your stomach! Music: "The Chosen One" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Movies Wicker Man (2006) Joe: 2/10 Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom Kevin: 5/10 Toren: 6/10 Joe: 6/10 Apocalypto Joe: 6/10 The Mummy Kevin: 6/10 Toren 4/10 Joe: 6/10 Heavy Metal Kevin: 5/10 Toren: 7/10 Joe: 5/10 Dragonslayer Toren 7.5/10 Joe: 7/10 Conan The Destroyer Kevin: 4/10 Toren 3/10 Clash of the Titans (1981) Kevin: 7/10 Toren: 4/10 Joe: 5/10 Clash of the Titans (2010) Kevin: 5/10 Toren: 5/10 King Kong (1933) Kevin: 6/10 Toren: 8/10 King Kong (1976) Toren: 7/10 Joe: 5/10 King Kong (2005) Kevin: 8/10 Toren: 7/10 Joe: 6/10 Joe VS The Volcano Kevin: 5/10 Joe: 6/10

Robespierre

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:51:30 +0000

This week Caustic Soda returns to "Evil Men In History" with a discussion of Maximilien Robespierre, source of the French Revolution's "Reign of Terror"! Music: "Unstoppable" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images

P.O.W. Camps

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:48:18 +0000

Horsetrack Hooligans' Jordan Pratt joins us to talk about P.O.W. Camps from the Civil War to Guantanamo Bay. MUSIC: Roy Rogers "Don't Fence Me In" Images Movies The Great Escape Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 6/10 Jordan: 7/10 Toren: 7/10 Victory Jordan: 4/10 Empire of the Sun Kevin: 8/10 Jordan: 8/10 Joe: 7/10 Deerhunter Kevin: 9/10 Jordan: 9/10 Toren: 6/10 Joe: 7/10 Rescue Dawn Kevin: 7/10 Toren: 6/10 Stalag 17 Kevin: 8/10 Toren: 8/10 Bridge on the River Kwai Kevin: 7/10 Jordan: 8/10 Toren: 8/10

Tobacco

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 07:15:13 +0000

First hand, second hand and third hand smoke, tobacco enemas and medicinal use of smoke, plus all the usual detrimental health effects of tobacco, not the least of which is giant exploding cigarettes in Thailand. Music: "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke" Tex Williams Images Videos Destroyed in Seconds - Exploding Cigarette Links Chris Woods' Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Movies Thank You For Smoking Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 Smoke Kevin: 7/10 The Insider Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 7/10 X-Files Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 6/10

Submarines

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:09:39 +0000

Toren, Kevin, and Joe once again welcome Chris Woods for a look at submarines, from the early days of the man-powered Turtle to the nuclear powered Nautilus. German wolf-packs, blue-on-blue engagement, emergency blows, and -- we kid you not -- submarine-launched bombers carrying medieval biological warfare! Music: "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin Images

Near Earth Objects

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 06:16:29 +0000

Fraser Cain of Universe Today and Astronomy Cast joins Toren, Joe and Kevin to talk about meteors, comets and asteroids including the Torino Impact Hazard Scale, the Tunguska blast, the Chicxulub impact event and the Dawn Mission to not one but two asteroids. Also news, films, pop culture, and some German kid who may or may not have been hit by a meteorite. Music: "Caravan" by Gordon Jenkins Images Links Astronomy Cast Universe Today Gerrit Blank's alleged meteorite injury Dawn Mission Videos Movies Armageddon Toren: 4/10 Kevin: 2/10 Joe: 5/10 Fraser: 2/10 Empire Strikes Back Toren: 10/10 Kevin: 9/10 Joe: 9/10 Fraser: 9/10 Deep Impact Kevin: 4/10 Creepshow Toren: 5/10 Kevin: 5/10 Fraser: 5/10 Day of the Triffids (1962) Toren: 6/10 Fraser: 5/10 Meteor Man Toren: 3/10 The Blob Toren: 4/10 Kevin: 2/10 Joe: 4/10 Fraser: 4/10 Night of the Comet: Toren: 5/10 Joe: 6/10

Tuberculosis

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 08:46:44 +0000

Tuberculosis! It's not just for lungs any more! Almost Dr. Jenna Capyk joins Joe, Toren, and Kevin to talk about the disease infecting one-third of the world's population. Learn why those infected with TB were once thought to be vampires, why the hunchback of Notre Dame may have had TB, and more! Music: You Leave Me Breathless by Mildred Baily Images Links That's Science! - Almost Dr. Jenna's blog! List of tuberculosis victims

Electricity

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 07:42:41 +0000

Shock talk with special guest Derek Mack. We discuss the different kinds of burns and bodily harm caused by electricity, the war of the currents, macroshock vs microshock, electric eels, plus the usual news & pop culture. Note: "Lightning" and "Electric Chair" will be covered in subsequent episodes. Music: "I'm Beginning to See the Light" by The Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald Images Videos Movies The Prestige Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 7/10 The Running Man Toren: 4/10 Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 5/10 Shocker Kevin: 3/10 Frankenstein Kevin: 1/10 Ernest Goes to Jail Kevin: 6/10

Rats

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 04:02:04 +0000

Scurrying, skittering, and scampering into your ears, it's the Caustic Soda rats episode! Toren, Joe, and Kevin look at the brown rat and black rat. Infanticide, rat-based murder and torture, and the "Ratamari Damacy" gruesomeness of "Rat Kings", and rat-baiting! Music: "Muskrat Ramble" by Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby. Images Videos Movies Willard (Remake) Toren: 5/10 Ratatouille Joe: 8/10 Toren: 8/10 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 Toren: 7/10 The Princess Bride Joe: 10/10 Kevin: 9/10 Toren: 10/10 The Secret of NIMH Kevin: 7/10 Toren: 7/10 The Sweet Hereafter Kevin: 10/10 Toren: 7/10

Assassinations

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:42:52 +0000

Politically motivated murders! Hashshashin, Julius Caesar, Abraham Lincoln, the failed assassination of Teddy Roosevelt, the assassination that started World War I and more! Music: "When That Man is Dead and Gone" by Glenn Miller Images Links JFK Reloaded - Review and Download. Movies Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford Kevin: 8/10 Toren: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Taxi Driver Kevin: 9/10 Toren: 8/10 Joe: 9/10 Dead Zone Kevin: 7/10 Toren: 7/10 The Baker Toren: 7/10 Bourne Identity Kevin: 8/10 Toren: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 The Terminator Kevin: 8/10 Toren: 8/10 Joe: 9/10 Mars Attacks! Kevin: 7/10 Toren: 6/10 Joe: 6/10 In The Line Of Fire Kevin: 7/10 Valkyrie Kevin: 5/10 Inglourious Basterds Kevin: 9/10 Toren: 7/10 Joe: 10/10 Milk Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 6/10 Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Toren: 6/10 Joe: 6/10 Manchurian Candidate (1962) Kevin: 8/10 Toren: 7/10 Manchurian Candidate (2004) Toren: 7/10

Fisticuffs

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 06:41:57 +0000

Lisa Gemino joins the Caustic Soda crew to talk about "punchy kicky stuff". The one-inch punch, MMA, Houdini, Tinku, Krav-Maga, Panantukan, "buttons" and more! Music: "Ain't That A Kick In The Head" by Dean Martin Images Links Tactical Fighting Videos Movies Fight Club Toren: 8/10 Joe: 10/10 Kevin: 10/10 Grosse Pointe Blank Toren: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 9/10 Girl Fight Kevin: 6/10 Raging Bull Toren: 7/10 Joe: 10/10 Kevin: 10/10 Snatch Toren: 8/10 Joe: 9/10 Kevin: 7/10 Spider-Man Toren: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 9/10 Lethal Weapon Toren: 5/10 Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 Enter the Dragon Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 Above the Law Joe: 5/10 Kevin: 5/10 Hard to Kill Joe: 5/10 Kevin: 7/10 Marked for Death Joe: 5/10 Kevin: 7/10 Bourne Identity Toren: 8/10 Joe: 9/10 Kevin: 9/10 Drunken Master Toren: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Blood Sport Joe: 6/10 Kevin: 6/10

Followups IV

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 06:31:24 +0000

Sagawa the cannibal, Bruno the bear, a slavery-based syphilis cure, Hitler's death, and LSD cults and SQUIIIIDSSS INNNNNNN SPAAAAAAAAACE! It's an entire episode full of caustic updates with special guest Johnstone Metzger! Music: Papa's In Bed With His Britches On by Cab Calloway. Links Bleek and the MetaFriends Go-Rilla in Mid-Afternoon of the Living Dead

Ted Bundy

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 08:40:25 +0000

America's most well-known serial killer-rapist-necrophile is Caustic Soda's next Evil Man In History. Kevin, Toren, and Joe discuss Ted Bundy, the "sadistic sociopath who took pleasure from another human's pain and the control he had over his victims, to the point of death, and even after." Music: "Protein" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets

Slime

Mon, 30 May 2011 06:55:26 +0000

Snottites, star jelly, caca de luna, hagfish slime, marine mucilage, sneeze modellers, snail slime cream, and all things slimy! Our iRiff of "The Blob" is getting some last-minute polish. We'll have it up soon! Music: "The Thing" by Phil Harris Images Videos Hagfish and the Disgusting Slime - The funniest videos clips are here Movies Ghostbusters Toren: 10/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 10/10 Ghostbusters 2 Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 5/10 Joe: 6/10 The Blob (1958) Toren: 4/10 Kevin: 2/10 Joe: 4/10 The Blob (1988) Toren: 3/10

Funerals

Mon, 23 May 2011 07:12:28 +0000

Caustic Soda puts the fun in funeral! Guest Arinn Dembo joins us to talk neanderthal cave burials, cremains, martyriums, slave sacrifice, wife-burning, The Great Death Pit, viking ship burials, Tibetan sky burial, corpse demons, the soothing rite of fire and much more! Music: "My Grandfather's Clock" - Sons of the Pioneers Images Videos Six Feet Under Finale (SPOILERS!) Links Tibetan Sky Burial Movies Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan Toren: 9/10 Joe: 9/10 Kevin: 8/10 Harold and Maude Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 8/10 Get Low Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 7/10 Four Weddings and A Funeral Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10

Tanks A Lot!

Tue, 17 May 2011 03:35:32 +0000

Toren, Joe, and Kevin are joined by Kerberos Productions' Martin Cirulis to talk about landships,or "tanks". We'll hear about Britain's attempts to hide this new weapon from their enemy while simultaneously naming it, the best and worst tanks of World War II, and some of the weirdest, biggest, and coolest tanks ever designed. Sorry for the lateness folks, technical difficulties! Music: "My Tank" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Links My Tank is Fight! book by Zack Parsons Movies Tank Girl Kevin: 5/10 Joe: 6/10 Toren: 2/10 Tank Toren: 5/10 A-Team Kevin: 7/10 Toren: 5/10 Joe: 5/10 Kelly's Heroes Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 8/10 The Beast Kevin: 8/10 Best Defense Kevin: 1/10

Cults

Mon, 09 May 2011 17:24:34 +0000

Joe, Toren, and Kevin are joined by Rebecca Dart to talk about cults! We talk about Brother XII, who claimed to be the Egyptian god Osiris, Shoko Asahara and his sarin gas using cult "Aum Shinrikyo", The Order of the Solar Temple, Heaven's Gate and more weird groups of True Believers. Music: Cultists on Board by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Also: We've added another free ringtone to the Downloads page -- from last week's Leprosy episode it's our reaction to hearing about rats eating a leper's fingers. Eeeeeuuuuuuwwwwww! Images Videos Movie Reviews Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 5/10 Joe: 6/10 Conan the Barbarian (1982) Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Videodrome Kevin: 6/10 Ghostbusters Toren: 10/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 10/10 Young Sherlock Holmes Toren: 5/10 Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 5/10

Leprosy

Mon, 02 May 2011 15:56:15 +0000

Microbiologist Jenna Capyk joins Joe, Toren, and Kevin to talk about Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy. What the heck is it? Does it cause your body parts to fall off? Are there any other animals that can get leprosy? What have we done in the past to keep lepers separate from society? All these questions and more are answered in this episode of Caustic Soda! News update: Since recording a study strongly suggests that leprosy can transfer from armadillos to humans. "Our research provides clear DNA evidence that the unique strain found in armadillos is the same as the one in certain humans," said Stewart Cole, of the Global Health Institute in Lausanne, Switzerland. Music: "Gimme Some Skin" The Andrews Sisters Movies: Ben Hur Kevin: 10/10 Princess Mononoke Toren: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 The Fog (John Carpenter) Toren: 5/10 Kingdom of Heaven Toren: 4/10 Joe: 4/10 Kevin: 5/10 Braveheart Joe: 9/10 Kevin: 9/10

Jack The Ripper

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 07:28:52 +0000

Today Toren, Joe, and Kevin take a look at the most famous serial killer in history: London, England's very own Jack the Ripper. Music: Guy Lombardo "Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore" Images Videos Links On the Trail of Jack the Ripper (tour) Movie Reviews From Hell Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 4/10 Joe: 4/10 Amazon Women on the Moon Toren: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Time After Time Toren: 4/10 Joe: 6/10

Crocodilians

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 06:23:29 +0000

The science and history of the biggest and baddest man-eating, death-rolling crocodiles and alligators. Plus how to survive a crocodile attack and "Lesser of Two Evils:" would you rather be attacked by a crocodile or have an iron bar shot through your head? Music: Fats Waller "Alligator Crawl" Images Links Fisherman's 'inseperable relationship' with crocodile. Videos

Mudslide

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 06:01:30 +0000

Watch out, mysophobes! History's worst mudslides, the world's largest mud volcano, and man-made lakes that failed epically, All this plus how to survive a mudslide plus "Lesser of Two Evils": would you rather be caught in a mudslide or have to eat a head made of frozen blood? Music: "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall" by The Ink Spots with Ella Fitzgerald Images Videos Links Mud phobia pig gets its own boots FEMA: What to do BEFORE a mudslide FEMA: What to do DURING a mudslide FEMA: What to do AFTER a mudslide Movies Romancing the Stone Toren: 4/10 Joe: 6/10 Kevin: 7/10

Hitler

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 06:49:23 +0000

How did Hitler rise to power? Why did he hate the jews? What was the Night of Long Knives? Did Hitler invent blow-up dolls, fart during staff meetings and try to bring back Paganism? Who was the British soldier that refused to kill Hitler when he had the chance? Did der fuhrer's micro-managing lead to Germany losing the war? Where is Hitler's brain? Our well-read expert Chris "Green Ronin" Pramas guests to answer these burning questions. Gotterdammerung! Apologies for some minor technological glitches on Skype. MUSIC: "Der Alte Cowboy (The Last Round Up)" The Comedian Harmonists (Note, read more about this fascinating German harmony ensemble and their fate when the Nazis rose to power on Wikipedia ) Images Videos Punching Hitler: view on myspace Movies Downfall (Der Untergang) Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 8/10 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Toren: 7/10 Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 7/10 Inglourious Basterds Toren: 7/10 Joe: 9/10 Kevin: 9/10 Triumph of the Will Kevin: 7/10 The Producers (1968) Toren: 8/10 Valkyrie Kevin: 6/10 Links Green Ronin The Guy Who Saved Hitler Hipster Hitler

Followups / Year One Poll

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:39:41 +0000

Has it really been a year already? Kevin, Joe and Toren are joined by Australia's Steve Parker for a look back at our first year of podcasting. We'll see what your favorite episodes were, as well as the grossest, and hardest to get through and funniest bits as well as followups for Iraq War through Seven Deadly Sins. Music: Skullcrusher Mountain by Jonathan Coulton Images Videos Links Southern Stand Documenting Reality Guillotine Video (Warning: UGH) Necronomicox Captain Australia

Alcohol

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 17:06:07 +0000

Dr. Rob Tarzwell guests. Dipsomania, alcohol poisoning, drunken war elephants, weird and disgusting potables from around the world, sherry enemas PLUS the Caustic Soda drinking game! Music: Images Videos Movies Arthur Joe: 6/10 Leaving Las Vegas Kevin: 9/10 Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Toren: 7/10 Joe: 5/10 Iron Man Toren: 5/10 Kevin: 9/10 Joe: 8/10 Strange Brew Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 8/10 The Lost weekend Toren: 8/10 Days of Wine and Roses Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10

Hoaxes

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:56:08 +0000

NOT A HOAX! Guest host Chris "Kerberos Productions" Stewart reveals the truth about Operation: Mincemeat and other WWII magic, Piltdown Man, Protocols of the Elders of Zion, The Cottingley Fairies, The Cardiff Giant, The War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast, Marie Toft's Bunny Babies and more. Music: "Whatchamacallit" by Esquivel Images Links Space Robot Bonanza on SomethingAwful Videos Movies Signs Toren: 3/10 Joe: 3/10 War of the Worlds 1953 Toren: 8/10 War of the Worlds 2005 Toren: 5/10 2012 Toren: 3/10

Blizzard

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 06:43:44 +0000

The worst blizzards in history including The Storm of the Century, The Cleveland Superbomb, the Schoolhouse Blizzard of 1888, and The Great Die Up, Also, how to survive a blizzard plus some Iron Man villain. Music: Leroy Anderson "Mah-Na Mah-Na" Images Videos Chicago Blizzard Time Lapse. Movies The Day After Tomorrow Toren: 5/10 Joe: 3/10 Whiteout Toren: 5/10 John Carpenter's The Thing Toren: 9/10 Kevin: 8/10 The Thing From Another World: Toren: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 The Shining Toren: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 10/10

Dinosaurs

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:22:45 +0000

What were the biggest, baddest and weirdest dinosaurs? Did killer algae take them out? What's the deal with brontosaurus? Was T-Rex a cannibal? Who fought in the 'bone wars?' What kind of car does Predator X eat? Answers to these questions may or may not appear in the "Dinosaur" episode of Caustic Soda. Plus early paleontological blunders! Music: "Downtown (in the Cenozoic)" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets (Yes, the Cenozoic marked the end of the dinosaurs. Deal with it.) Images Movies Land of the Lost Toren: 6/10 Jurassic Park Toren: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 9/10 The Lost World: Jurassic Park Toren: 6/10 Joe: 5/10 Kevin: 6/10 Jurassic Park III Toren: 4/10 Valley of Gwangi Toren: 5/10 One Million Years BC Toren: 3/10 Joe: 4/10 Kevin: 2/10

Killer Robots

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:50:53 +0000

Caustic Soda, robot fighters! We pit our powerful podcasting techniques against robotic threats like the biomass consuming EATR, firearm-wielding TALON and SWORDS, the frighteningly named Multiple Kill Vehicle and iRobot's "Warrior" model. Also: Robots hitting people FOR SCIENCE, quadrocopters, The Terminator, Cylons, replicants, Westworld and many more robotic threats! Music: Big Robot Dinosaur by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets This episode sponsored by Delta Green: Denied to the Enemy! Images Videos

Slavery

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 07:40:20 +0000

Slavery is alive and well in today's world, and the CS crew pulls no punches. Slaves regaining their freedom in Aztec society, British slaves on the Barbary Coast, Somaly Mam's escape from Cambodia, forced child labour on African cocoa farms, and of course a look at the Atlantic slave trade & slave ships. Also, a quick timeline of emancipation throughout the world. Music: "Slave Ship" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Links http://www.afesip.org/ http://www.somaly.org/donate/make-a-donation http://transfair.ca/ - logo to look for on the chocolate and coffee you buy MOVIES Amistad Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 5/10 Joe: 8/10 Taken Kevin: 7/10 Traffic Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Toren: 6/10 Joe: 4/10 Spartacus Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 7/10 Ben Hur Kevin: 10/10 Born into Brothels Kevin: 7/10

Blood

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 06:15:10 +0000

Guest Dr. Rob Tarzwell talks bloodletting, transfusions gone wrong, toxic shock, hemophilia, ebola, polycythemia, lymphoma and other blood disorders. Also, frozen heads made of blood and the Zero G Period! Music: "Heartaches" Ted Weems Images Videos Movies Carrie Kevin: 7/10 Toren: 7/10 Blade Kevin: 8/10 Toren: 6/10 Joe: 7/10 The Shining Kevin: 10/10 Toren: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 The Abominable Dr Phibes Kevin: 1/10 Toren: 4/10

Followups II

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 07:17:57 +0000

The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets' guitarist Warren BANKS! joins the crew to do another round of follow-ups and listener mail, including: Japanese cannibal checks himself out of mental institution; parasitological museum (a hot date spot); poisoning at a Chinese funeral; exploding hydrogen bombs in the Van Allen belt; an Aztec sword; the man with an iron bar in his head; using chickens to test airplane structural integrity; the Ika-Tako (squid/octopus) virus; honour killings in Turkey; gravedigging mishaps; gorilla pubic lice; and the Spaceship Zero roleplaying game! Music: "Nobody Here But Us Chickens" by Louis Jordan Images Links Rainbow Bomb Party

Seven Deadly Sins: Lust

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:11:42 +0000

The Caustic Soda crew talks about vagina dentata, cross-species mating attempts in the animal kingdom, Captain America with a burrito in his pants, the difference between men and womens' sex drives, how many viagra it takes to kill a Moscow man, and the African penis trap. Note: Toren mentioned an episode of The Stranger's Savage Love podcast in which they talked about monogamy & plunger penis. The guest on that episode (#210) was author of "Sex At Dawn", Christopher Ryan PhD. Here's a link: http://www.sexatdawn.com/page1/page45/page45.html Music: Louis Armstrong "I Get Ideas" Images Video Links Sex Drive: How Do Men and Women Compare Movies Who Framed Roger Rabbit Toren: 7/10 Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 7/10 Teeth Toren: 7/10 Bound Joe: 9/10 Kevin: 7/10 The Last Picture Show Kevin: 8/10 Show girls Joe: 2/10 Kevin: 1/10 The Accused Joe: 7/10 Lolita Toren: 7/10

Art

Mon, 17 Jan 2011 06:00:28 +0000

Supreme artist of the omniverse Chris Woods joins the crew to talk about murderabilia, Honore Fragonard's flayed dancing babies, art as torture, Theodore Gericault's severed heads, huge turd catastrophes, and macabre artists like Goya, Fuselli, HR Giger and Beksinski. Plus - was Jack the Ripper established artist Walter Sickert?

Bonus Content – Body Worlds Book Contest Winner Announcement

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 18:15:25 +0000

Toren, Joe, and Kevin give a few shoutouts to the fans that entered our Body Worlds Book Contest and then make the draw to see who the lucky winner is! Congratulations to Will Anderson from Wyoming! Your Body Worlds book is on its way!

Seven Deadly Sins: Envy

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 03:12:23 +0000

The science of schadenfreude! The Texas-Cheerleader-Murdering-Mom! Tonya Harding! Drug-induced fatal car accidents! All this plus exploding breast implants! In our 6th episode on the seven deadly sins, Caustic Soda looks at the green-eyed monster: Envy! Music: Fred Astaire "Putting on the Ritz" Images Videos Movie Reviews Se7en Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 Blade Runner Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 9/10 Joe: 10/10

Crime Scene Investigation

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 05:29:32 +0000

Author Don Debrandt gives his expert testimony on Crime Scene Investigation techniques such as body farms, anthropometry, dactyloscopy, entomology, and the ever-exciting forensic accounting division "Questionable Documents". Music: "It Must Be Swell to be Laying Out Dead" by Alex Bartha's Hotel Traymore Orchestra This podcast sponsored by ToyHutt.com. Images Videos Movies Silence of the Lambs Toren: 8/10 Joe: 9/10 Kevin: 8/10 Star Wars: A New Hope Toren: 9/10 Joe: 9/10 Kevin: 9/10 Catch Me If You Can Toren: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 Sherlock Holmes (2009) Joe: 6/10 Kevin: 7/10

Seven Deadly Sins: Wrath

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 20:41:48 +0000

In our fifth (and extra-explicit) installment of The Seven Deadly Sins, we discuss road rage (and "Carma"), catharsis, destructotherapy, "going postal," the true story of the Count of Monte Cristo, the Hulk, Christian Bale and other purveyors of WRATH! Music: "Uuugh!" by Xavier Cugat Images Videos American Psycho Links Cracked.com Road rage stories from you - our listeners: Chaz L I used to get horrilbe road rage years ago. I'd do the typical stuff like pull up beside a person, give em the bird while screaming obsensities and blasting my horn. I followed one guy home, smashed my car into his mailbox and sped off, but one day my speedometer broke. I couldn't see how so slow(or fast) I was driving, and all my anger vanished. By the time I got it fixed my road rage had vanished. Yay! Will A Not really a story, but a number of years ago, during the "freedom fries" era, I forced a dude off the road for having a "France sucks" sticker on his bumper. He wasn't hurt, or anything, but it still probably wasn't the coolest thing to do. He shook his fist at me in a "get off my lawn" sort of way, though, which made it awesome. Adam J Best story i have for road rage is about my cousin. If he was cut up badly or really put in danger by the other driver he would follow them home and shout at them or if they got away he would drive down the same road at the same time for weeks looking for them. Movies American Psycho Kevin: 10/10 Joe: 8/10 Raging Bull Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 10/10 Joe: 9/10 Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan Toren: 9/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 9/10 Office Space Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 9/10 V for Vendetta Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 10/10 Joe: 9/10 The Hulk Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 5/10 Joe: 4/10 The Incredible Hulk Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 5/10 Goodfellas Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 10/10 Untouchables Toren: 5/10 Kevin: 9/10 Joe: 8/10 Count of Monte Cristo (2002) Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 7/10 Punisher (1989) Toren: 3/10 Kevin: 1/10 Punisher (2004) Toren: 5/10 Kevin: 7/10

A Very Caustic Christmas

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 07:23:36 +0000

Was the star of Bethlehem a supernova? What raunchy pagan festivals did Christianity co-opt for Jesus' birthday? How many butchered children did Saint Nick resurrect, and who was St Nick's demonic sidekick? Is Santa Claus just Odin One-Eye rebranded? Also, tragic reindeer death! Watch out deipnophobes - it's the Christmas episode of Caustic Soda! Music: John Kirby & His Orchestra "Bounce of the Sugar Plum Fairies" Images Videos Movies Bad Santa The Nightmare Before Christmas Toren: 9/10 Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 6/10 It's A Wonderful Life Toren: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 2/10 Scrooged Toren: 6/10 Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 5/10 Gremlins Toren: 6/10 Joe: 6/10 Kevin: 7/10 Die Hard Toren: 7/10 Joe: 9/10 Kevin: 9/10 Elf Toren: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey version) Joe: 6/10 Kevin: 8/10 The Santa Clause Kevin: 6/10

Seven Deadly Sins: Pride

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 08:17:55 +0000

Caustic Soda is PROUD to present our newest installment on the Seven Deadly Sins: Pride. We discuss body dysmorphic disorder, comorbidity,cankles, foot binding, stiletto heels & Morton's neuroma, botched plastic surgery, liposuction death, and the Fonz vs The Situation. Music: "In an 18th Century Drawing Room" Raymond Scott This episode is brought to you by Jett's Toy Hutt! Images Lesser of Two Evils: Attacked by a Grizzly bear, or have "foot binding" performed on your feet? What would you decide and why? Movies Zoolander Toren:4/10 Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 5/10

Bears

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 05:33:28 +0000

Bears! Polar bears, grizzly bears, brown bears, black bears, panda bears and yes, we even talk about poohs! You'll hear about bears eating faces, butchering families, and guarding marijuana grow-ops. So they're not all bad. Music: "When yuba plays the rhumba on the tuba" - Spike Jones Images Videos Polar Bear Zoo Attack

Seven Deadly Sins – Sloth

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 03:32:45 +0000

Thaasophobics, never fear! We did a lot of work looking at sloth (and sloths!), idleness, apathy, avolition, aboulia and laziness! The result is here for your enjoyment and disgust. Music: Lazy River by Louis Prima Less of Two Evils: Sloth vs. Gluttony. Which way would you rather die: By eating yourself to death or by doing nothing but playing video games until you died? Tell us in the comments! Videos The Best of Black Books (embedding disabled, sorry) Links Extreme Examples of Laziness Second Skin Documentary The Guild Webseries How to Overcome Laziness Movies The Big Lebowski: Joe: 10/10 Toren: 10/10 Kevin: 10/10 Simpsons Movie Joe: 7/10 Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 The Goonies: Toren: 5/10 Kevin: 3/10 Se7en: Joe: 8/10 Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 9/10

Explosions

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:54:34 +0000

Today we talk about explosions. High and low, big and... well, mostly big. Frightening, deadly and completely uncontrolled! Music: Kablam by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets Images Videos The Rock Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 6/10 Toren: 5/10 Die Hard Kevin: 9/10 Joe: 9/10 Toren: 7/10 The Siege Joe: 5/10 Star Wars Kevin: 9/10 Joe: 8/10 Toren: 9/10 Transformers Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 5/10 but enjoyable anyway. Toren: 7/10

Seven Deadly Sins – Greed

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 18:57:57 +0000

Chris "Sword of the Stars" Stewart joins us to discuss the fourth circle of Hell, Marcu Licinius Crassus' realty schemes, El Dorado, war profiteering, Ponzi schemes, Ford & the nazis, Uncle Scrooge and the poor little rich boy. I'd write a bigger introduction, but these letters are MINE ALL MINE! Today on Caustic Soda: Greed! Music: "With Plenty of Money and You" - The Ink Spots Images Movies Meet John Doe (NOT Mr Deeds Goes to Town) Toren: 7/10 Mr. Deeds Goes to Town Toren: 6/10 Trading Places Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 7/10 Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 6/10 Peewee's Big Adventure Toren: 10/10 Kevin: 4/10 Joe: 9/10 Blood Diamond Joe: 7/10 Wall Street Kevin: 8/10

Deformity

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 04:36:51 +0000

Kerberos Productions' Chris "Stewie" Stewart joins us to talk about physical deformities. Ribeiroia, sirenomelia, and a whole bunch of other complicated and disturbing words are discussed! Music: Gooble-Gobble from Tod Browning's Freaks. Images Links Lake Athabasca Deformed Fish Movies X-Men Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 9/10 Joe: 8/10 The Elephant Man Toren: 7/10 Mask Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 7/10 Total Recall Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 7/10 Stewie: 6/10 Tod Browning's Freaks Kevin: 7/10 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923: Silent - Lon Chaney) Kevin: 7/10 The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939: Talkie - Charles Laughton) Kevin: 6/10

Seven Deadly Sins – Gluttony

Tue, 02 Nov 2010 07:47:25 +0000

Part one of our seven part series on the Seven Deadly Sins: GLUTTONY! With special guest Chris "Stewie" Stewart. How do you cook a cockatrice? What is hyalophagia? Do some animals eat until they explode? Who was 'The King Who Ate Himself to Death?' Plus more competitive eating records. Sorry this episode went up late -- we were gorging on Halloween candy! Music: Andrews Sisters "Too Fat Polka" LINKS Critical Hit Comics Kerberos Productions MOVIES Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 7/10 Monty Python's The Meaning of Life Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Fat Albert Stand By Me Toren: 7.5/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Ghostbusters Toren: 10/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 9/10

Caustic Soda at Bodyworlds

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:32:07 +0000

Recorded on-location at the Telus World of Science Bodyworlds exhibit, Caustic Soda takes a look at the fascinating, gruesome world of the human body. A big thanks to Pam Saunders for not only organizing our visit but leading us through and answering all our dumbass questions! Music: Your Feet's Too Big by The Ink Spots This episode is brought to you by ToyHutt.com! Time is running out to use discount code: CAUSTIC at checkout! Want to see more of what we're talking about in this podcast? Head to Bodyworlds! MOVIES The Mummy Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 6/10 Hellraiser Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 7/10 The Cell Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 4/10 Cube Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 Hollow Man Kevin: 5/10

Sex (Part 2)

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 08:14:29 +0000

Cinema Sewer's Robin Bougie is still with us as we talk about penile plethismograph, 3 day coke-caused priapism, tubgirl, Lemon Party and concrete enemas! Bonus content - watch our Caustic Soda Podcast 2 Girls 1 Cup Reaction Video! Music: The Five O'Clock Whistle (Duke Ellington) Links Tubgirl (NOT WORK SAFE / NOT MIND SAFE) LemonParty (NOT WORK SAFE) Caustic Soda Podcast 2 Girls 1 Cup Reaction Video (from L-R: Kevin, Toren, Joe, Robin) Watch 2 Girls 1 Cup -- (WORST ANYTHING EVER) Mandy Morbid / I Hit It With My Axe / Image above from SuicideGirls Cinema Sewer

Sex (Part 1)

Tue, 12 Oct 2010 07:47:19 +0000

Robin Bougie joins Kevin, Toren, and Joe for a special sexy (and therefore EXPLICIT) episode. What are phimosis and paraphimosis? How about penis fencing and docking? How do you get pandas in the mood? How the heck can porcupines mate with all those quills in the way? Find out all that and more! Sorry for the late post, we took Canadian Thanksgiving off! Music: "Just A Gigolo" by Louis Prima Events Don't forget Caustic Soda will be at Telus World of Science on October 16th, 2010! The week afterwards is Vancouver SkeptiCamp. And then on November 20th, 2010 we'll be helping out at the Skeptics' Guide to the Universe in Vancouver Live podcast! Links Animal dildos (Not work (or mind) safe) - Cerberus Sheath Robin Bougie's Cinema Sewer magazine

Decapitation

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 07:48:05 +0000

Is there life after decapitation? Can chickens really live without a head? After listening to this week's "Decapitation" episode please blink your eyes three times to tell us you're still conscious! Events Hey everyone near Vancouver (or those willing to travel): Caustic Soda will be live at Bodyworlds at Vancouver's Science World on October 16th. Join us! While you're attending fun sciencey events in Vancouver, come on by Vancouver SkeptiCamp on October 23, 2010! We'll be there too, though as guests (and Joe will be doing a presentation!) Thirdly, the Caustic Soda crew will be helping when The Skeptic's Guide To The Universe does a Skeptic's Guide Live Show in Vancouver on November 20, 2010! They're our favorite science/skepticism podcast and we're proud to be able to provide audio services for them. Music: It Only Hurts For A Little While by The Ames Brothers. Today's episode is brought to you by ToyHutt.com. Listen to Caustic Soda for a special discount code! Images Links Canadian Bus Killing Snopes - Wrought Iron Decapitation (graphic images) Boy Survives Orthapedic Decapitation Movie Reviews Predator 2 Kevin: 4/10 Toren 5/10 Joe: 5/10 Princess Mononoke Toren 8/10 Joe: 8/10 Indiana Jones and the last crusade Kevin: 7/10 Toren: 7/10 Joe: 8/10 Highlander Kevin: 9/10 5/10 Highlander: 8/10 James Clavell's Shogun Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 7/10 Conan Kevin: 7/10 Toren: 8/10 Joe: 7/10 Apocalypse Now Kevin: 10/10 Joe: 9/10 Seven Kevin: 9/10 Toren: 7/10 Joe: 8/10 Sleepy Hollow Kevin: 4/10 Toren: 7/10 Joe: 5/10 Alien Kevin: 8/10 Toren: 10/10 Joe: 8/10 Piranha 3D Kevin: 6/10 Toren: 6/10

Follow-Ups

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 08:15:46 +0000

What is toxoplasmosis? Who is the 'Tyrant Leech King?" How much memory in an isopod? Does Hercules fight with his thighs? Are MacDonaldland characters endorsing a life of crime? How many Philistine foreskins did Saul want David to collect in exchange for his daughter's hand? Will Lovely Lara's listener mail be cut? These questions and many more from our listeners - PLUS secrets of the velvet belly lantern shark - in our first "callbacks and follow-ups" episode! Music: "The Typewriter" by Leroy Anderson Links Wildlife defies Chernobyl radiation Heart Attack Grill Friendly's BurgerMelt Mr. Deity Today's episode is brought to you by ToyHutt.com. Listen to Caustic Soda for a special discount code! Movie Reviews Trainspotting Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 10/10 Joe: 10/10 The Ice Pirates Toren: 5/10 Kevin: 3/10 Joe: 4/10 Monty Python The Meaning of Life Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 6/10 Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 5/10 Joe: 6/10

Fecal Matters

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 05:42:28 +0000

Warning: This podcast is full of shit! Drop the kids off at the pool, lay some brown carpet, make some trouser chili, take a load off your mind, put Number Two in command of the bridge, relax and enjoy! Hey, you don't mind if I keep the images to a minimum, right? We all know what we're talking about. Nobody needs to see it. Just imagine your own Count Dooku is pictured up here and let's just move on, shall we? Music: Powerhouse by Raymond Scott Videos Links Toren's blog post about pooping in a bag. Deathguild Thunderdome Oxypowder's Top 10 Poop Movie Scenes Movie Reviews Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome Toren: 4/10 Joe: 5/10 Caddyshack Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 7/10 Dogma Toren: 5/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 7/10 Team America World Police Toren: 7/10 I guess Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 8/10 Trainspotting Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 10/10 Joe: 10/10

Earthquake

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 16:47:33 +0000

Don't panic, get under a nearby load-bearing doorway and cover your head -- it's time for earthquakes on Caustic Soda! Music: Theme to an Earthquake by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets. Today's episode is brought to you by ToyHutt.com. Listen to Caustic Soda for a special discount code! Images Videos MOVIES: "Earthquake" Toren: 4/10 "Superman" Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 7/10 "Escape from LA" Kevin: 3/10

Iraq War

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:58:12 +0000

Pack up your MREs, grab your weapon and kiss your best girl or boy goodbye -- Caustic Soda is heading to war! Special guest Jordan Pratt joins us from the Speedway Squad podcast and The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets to add some knowledge and to handsome up Caustic Soda a few notches. Music: "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" - Kay Kyser & his orchestra Images Links Internet Movie Firearm Database Pride of Baghdad Videos MOVIE REVIEWS JARHEAD Jordan: 9/10 Toren: 7/10 Joe: 5/10 Kevin: 5/10 THE BIG LEBOWSKI Jordan: 10/10 Toren: 10/10 Joe: 10/10 Kevin: 10/10 HURT LOCKER Jordan: 9/10 Toren: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (2004) Jordan: 6/10 Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 THREE KINGS Jordan: 4/10 Toren: 6/10 Joe: 8/10 COURAGE UNDER FIRE Jordan: 6/10 Kevin: 5/10

Apes!

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:42:39 +0000

Get your filthy ears on us you damn dirty listeners! It's time for Caustic Soda's APES episode! Song: Abba Dabba Dabba Honeymoon by Hoagy Carmichael Images Videos

Self Surgery

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 03:28:10 +0000

What do you do if you're the only doctor on a Soviet Antarctic expedition and your appendix starts acting up? If you're not a wuss, you operate on yourself like Leonid Rogozov! If you're a Caustic Soda host, you cry in a corner until it explodes and you die painfully. This episode you'll hear about a great many people of great will and their amazing self-surgeries! Song: Dem Dry Bones by the Delta Rhythm Boys Videos Movie Reviews DIE HARD Toren: 7/10 Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 8/10 THE TERMINATOR Toren: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 8/10 PI Toren: 8/10 Joe: Can't remember well enough to rate Kevin: 6/10 REQUIEM FOR A DREAM Toren: 7/10 Joe: 4/10 Kevin: 9/10 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN Toren: 9/10 Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 9/10 MASTER AND COMMANDER: THE FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD Toren: 8/10 Joe: 9/10 Kevin: 8/10 PAN'S LABYRINTH Toren: 7/10 Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 9/10 PUNISHER (Thomas Jane) Kevin: 7/10

Killing Spree

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:03:42 +0000

Caustic Soda's talking about killing sprees and we're not gonna stop! It's a killing spree spree! Today you'll hear about the 'yellow son of a bitch' who inspired Natural Born Killers, grenades in China, the oddly dressed rich idiot who killed 35 people, a guy who killed 21 people with an ax and more wonderful, uplifting, life-affirming stories! Music: I'll be glad (When you're dead) - Louis Prima Movie Reviews Natural Born Killers Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 4/10 Joe: 5/10 The Fisher King Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 9/10 The Frighteners Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 6/10 Boondock Saints Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 5/10 American Psycho Kevin: 10/10 Joe: 7/10

Buried Alive

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 03:49:38 +0000

"I've done far worse than kill you. I've hurt you. And I wish to go on... hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me, as you left her. Marooned for all eternity, in the center of a dead planet... buried alive. Buried alive." - Khan Noonien Singh As "buried alive" goes, James Kirk had it pretty good - lots of space, food, and oxygen. Today on Caustic Soda we'll take a look at the far more gruesome examples of being... (whispers over the communicator) buried alive. Music: "Diggin' Up the World" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets off their album "Great Old Ones" (c) 2010 Images Videos Movies Raiders of the Lost Ark Toren: 10/10 Kevin:10/10 Joe: 10/10 Kill Bill 2 Toren: 5/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 The Prestige Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 7/10 Casino Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 8/10 Blood Simple Toren: 8/10 Kevin:8/10 The Mummy Toren: 4/10 Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 6/10 Pit and the Pendulum 1961 Vincent Price, Barbara Steele Toren: 6/10

Tentacles

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 17:00:40 +0000

Cephalopods! Today the Caustic Soda crew takes a look at octopuses, squid, cuttlefish and all their tentacular, ink-spewing, camouflaging glory! Images Links Legging it: Evasive octopus who has been allowed to look for love Video MOVIE REVIEWS 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA Toren: 5/10 Kevin: 7/10 IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA Toren: 5/10 PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 5/10 Joe: 6/10 PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END Toren: 7/10 Joe: 5/10 CALAMARI WRESTLER Toren: 7/10 CLASH OF THE TITANS (1981) Toren: 4/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 6/10 (probably nostalgia, it's been AGES) CLASH OF THE TITANS (2010) Kevin: 6/10

Air Disasters!

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:23:38 +0000

Caustic Soda's going down in flames with our latest episode - Air Disasters! Special guest Lucas Black joins us all the way from the UK via the magic of the Interwebs (and Skype and our engineer Mike). We look at some of the world's worst aviation disasters, from the Hindenberg to 9/11 to the horrible Sknyliv airshow disaster in Ukraine. We had a few technical difficulties while recording this episode so please excuse the glitches and odd sounds you may hear, as well as some fairly obvious edits. Music: "Flying Trapeze 1943" sung by Virginia O'Brien Images Links Tenerife airport disaster AirDisaster.com has a photo gallery, video section and an accident Database going back to 1950 Videos Warning: This one gets GRUESOME with graphic depictions of the aftermath. MOVIE REVIEWS: Top Gun: Lucas: 8/10 (the cockpit to cockpit USA/USSR bit is the "Superman mini balloons" that ruins it for me...) Kevin: 8/10 Airplane: Toren: 8/10 Lucas: 10/10 - Purely for the memories of laughing at it with my dad so much we couldn't breath. And the boobs. Kevin: 7/10 Donnie Darko: Toren: 9/10 Lucas: 9/10 Great bit of twisting Kevin: 9/10 No Highway in the Sky: Lucas: 10/10 - Proper film from when they made proper films, what ho chaps! Superman Returns: Toren: 7/10 Lucas: 5/10 I want to suspend belief... I really do... Kevin: 6/10 The Aviator: Kevin: 7/10 Lucas: 8/10 even though it has Leo in it.

Psycho Therapy

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:59:44 +0000

Today on Caustic Soda your hosts Kevin, Joe, and Toren are joined once again by Dr. Rob. We discuss the gruesome, horrible "treatments" from the past and present. Lobotomies, electro-convulsive therapy, beatings and trepanning -- there's a long history of disgusting, painful and dangerous methods and we cover them all! This episode's musical interlude is "Mairzy Doats" performed by Jo Stafford & The Pied Pipers Links BC Eugenics Drapetomania Nellie Bly's "Ten Days in a Madhouse" Bedlam - 1946 Life Magazine The Snake Pit on IMDB Movie Reviews One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 10/10 Joe: 9/10 A Beautiful Mind Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 9/10 The Snake Pit (1948) imdb: 7.8/10

Tornado!

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 05:14:23 +0000

The Fujita Scale pop quiz, tornado myths, the most deadly tornadoes in history, notable twister survivors, and the astonishing first eye witness testimony from inside a tornado! Also pop culture. Images Links Fujita Scale Todd Alcott's "A Serious Man" writeup (Part 1 of 12) Music: Howard Keel "The Wind They Call Mariah". Movie Reviews TWISTER Toren: 4/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 5/10 WIZARD OF OZ Toren: 7.75/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 A SERIOUS MAN Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 5/10 Joe: 7/10

Swords

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 08:51:31 +0000

Katanas, claymores, rapiers, bat'leths and more! We look at man's once-favorite tool for killing each other, its history, science, and variations. Also swords used in home defense, swords in the news and pop culture. MUSIC: "Sabre Dance" by Aram Khatchaturian Images Links Sword-swallower sets world record Tokyo samurai women punish fat with sword workout Porn Star On The Run After Samurai Killing Alleged Porn-Star Killer Dies After Police Shoot And He Falls Off Cliff

Space Warfare

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:28:25 +0000

That's no moon! Kereberos Productions' Martin Cirulis joins the Caustic Soda crew as we venture into the final frontier and fight things we find there! This week's intermission song is The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets' "Frogstar". Images Links Air Force launches X-37B Space Plane Secret US spaceplane spotted by hobbyists Sword of the Stars Spaceship Size Comparison Chart Exploding H-Bombs in Space A quick example of how B5's Starfury fighter can rotate and keep moving in its original direction. MOVIE RATINGS STARSHIP TROOPERS Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 9/10 Joe: 7/10 WAR OF THE WORLDS 1953 Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 WAR OF THE WORLDS 2005 Toren: 5/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: (hasn't seen) STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE Toren: 9/10 Kevin: 9/10 Joe: 9/10 SPACESHIP ZERO Toren: 10/10 Kevin: movie? Album: 10/10 Joe: 9/10

Jehovah

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 04:51:44 +0000

Dr. Rob Tarzwell joins us once again as we look at the the wrathful, jealous, angry, drunken (ok, we have no direct evidence of drunkeness) God of the Old Testament: Jehovah! Images Links Testament: Roleplaying in Biblical Era The Skeptic's Annotated Bible Videos

Food

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:05:44 +0000

Join Kevin, Joe and Toren as we look at some of the grossest things we eat. Hakarl, casu marzu, kopi luwak, popcorn worker's lung, ambelopoulia, bird's nest soup, breatharianism, lysteriosis, monkey brains, sweaty cowboys, double down sandwiches, food eating competitions and McDonaldland are all discussed, WITH RELISH! MUSIC: "Blackstrap Molasses" by Danny Kaye, Groucho Marx, Jane Wyman, and Jimmy Durante. Update: We screwed up! The KFC Double-Down Sandwich has 1380 mg of SODIUM, not calories. It has a much more reasonable 540 calories for its original and 460 calories for its grilled version. Images Links Kopi Luwak Popcorn Worker's Lung Indian Yogi Claims to Have Had No Food or Water For 70 Years $27M settlement reached in Maple Leaf listeriosis suits Thisiswhyyourefat.com has been taken down! Read the juicy details! Recycled Cooking Oil Found to Be Latest Hazard in China

Sinkhole!

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 01:30:17 +0000

Recorded before the rest of the world went "holy crap look at that sinkhole in Guatamala!" here's the timely Sinkhole episode of Caustic Soda! We've also got a lot of follow-ups to previous episodes! Pay special attention to Joe "Huge Doctor Who Fan" Fulgham totally brain-fart about Doctor Who actors! Images Links Qattara Depression Great Blue Hole Dean's Blue Hole Sinkhole Leads to Underground Complex Mystery Oil industry sinkhole threatens to swallow city Family of four found dead in Quebec sinkhole Update links Door to Hell Videos And for the record, the Silurian Sea Devils first appeared during Jon "The Third Doctor" Pertwee's run in the episode "The Sea Devils". Yes, I knew this, yes I was out of it for some reason. - Joe.

Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?

Mon, 31 May 2010 05:40:27 +0000

They'll envenom your heart and hug you until you can't breathe. Join Toren, Joe and Kevin as they look at the creepiest of crawlies -- snakes! Links Man Hit On Head With Snake Jean Hare and lover Charles Darnell charged over python snake death of Shaiunna Hare Python stalks, eats family dog in front of kids Badass of the Week Naga Oglaf - Snakeskin (NSFW)

The Perfect Murder

Mon, 24 May 2010 17:27:35 +0000

Join the Caustic Soda crew and special guest Chris Stewart as we kill (comedically) and get away with it! Serial Killers, murder-suicide, and the legal misconceptions around murder trials. Images Links Claus von BÃ¼low Jack the Ripper Richard "The Iceman" Kuklinski, serial killer turned mob hitman Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer Robert Pickton, Canadian serial killer Clifford Olson, another Canadian serial killer Twinkie Defense Corpus delecti Murder Castle Leopold and Loeb

Yar! Pirates!

Mon, 17 May 2010 15:27:54 +0000

"Yar! Pirates!" Special Guest Chris Pramas of Green Ronin Publishing, creator of Freeport: City of Adventure and writer for Pirates of the Burning Sea, on keelhauling, the career of Black Bart, Captain Morgan's "ship bomb", and modern pirates in the Gulf of Aden who serve spaghetti dinners to their hostages. Music from Gilbert & Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. Images Links Jolly Roger gallery Green Ronin Publishing Mutants and Masterminds -- Joe's favorite RPG! Pirates of the Burning Sea MV Maersk Alabama on Wikipedia Sid Meier's Pirates! on Steam -- only $9.99 and well worth it! Movie Ratings Yellowbeard Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 7/10 Hero's Island Toren: 8/10 Captain Blood Toren: 8/10 Pirates of the Caribbean: CURSE of the Black Pearl Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest Toren: 6/10 Kevin: 6/10 Joe: 7/10 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Toren: 6/10 Kevin: Conscientious Objector Joe: 6/10 The Princess Bride: Toren: 9/10 Kevin: 9/10 Joe: 10/10 The Life Aquatic Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 7/10 Joe: 8/10

Poison

Mon, 10 May 2010 08:58:26 +0000

Warning: Consumption of this podcast may cause increased knowledge, laughing fits, and a mild queasiness. Our topic is poison! Poisonous frogs and mushrooms as well as famous victims of poisoning are featured and much much more! Cannibalism Update: Timothy, by "The Buoys" -- a song about cannibalism! Links Wikipedia's List of Fictional Toxins The Legacy of Agent Orange Movie Reviews Princess Bride Toren - 10/10 Joe - 10/10 Crank Kevin - 5.5/10 Poisoner's Handbook Kevin - 10/10 D.O.A. Kevin - 9/10

Cannibalism

Mon, 03 May 2010 06:39:03 +0000

Join us at the table and chow down on a podcast full of tender, succulent information. Our main course today is "long pig", aka "human flesh"! How does it taste? Who are some of history's most infamous cannibals? Was there any cannibalism in World War II? You'll even hear about people volunteering to be cooked and eaten alive! This episode features "Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals" by Raymond Scott. Links BBC Profile - Armin Meiwes MOVIE REVIEWS: Cannibal! The Musical Toren: 5/10 Joe: 6/10 Ravenous Joe: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 Silence of the Lambs Toren: 8/10 Joe: 9/10 Kevin:9/10 Delicatessen Kevin:10/10 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Toren 7/10 Kevin:6/10 Joe: 5/10 Soylent Green: Toren: 4/10 Kevin: 5/10 Alive: Toren: 7/10 Kevin: 7/10 The Road Toren: 8/10 Kevin: 4/10

Volcano!

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 07:39:11 +0000

What's it like to be horribly killed by a volcanic eruption? What's a cryovolcano? How would you score on the volcano pop quiz? Find out in the hottest episode yet of Caustic Soda yet. Pompeii, Mt St Helens, Krakatoa - you got nothin' on us! Features "Too Darn Hot" by Cole Porter featuring Ann Miller. "You've gone too far this time, Joe, Toren & Kevin!" MOVIE REVIEWS: VOLCANO Kevin: 2/10 Joe: 3/10 DANTE'S PEAK Kevin: 4/10 JOE VS THE VOLCANO Kevin: 5/10 Joe: 7/10 Next episode: Cannibalism

Black Holes

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:09:52 +0000

Hard Science by Soft People! Kevin, Joe and Toren dare to probe the secrets of a black hole and emerge with their underpants on the outside of their clothes. Musical guests: The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets perform "The Math Song." LINKS Spaceship Zero CD Spaceship Zero roleplaying game Death from the Skies! The Four Techniques of Horror Films by Toren Atkinson MOVIE REVIEWS The Black Hole Toren: 3/10 Joe: 4/10 Kevin: 5/10 Event Horizon Toren: 3/10 Joe: (never saw) Kevin: 7/10 Star Trek 2009 Toren: 8/10 Joe: 8/10 Kevin: 6/10

Radiation!

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 02:02:53 +0000

Dr Rob Tarzwell guests to tell us the intimate, unpleasant details of radiation. Get your iodine pills and your lead shields prepped for this extra-long episode of Caustic Soda! For our musical interlude, we honour the Fallout 3 video game by playing some classic Ink Spots "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano." Listening to the episode in full may get you your Nuclear Science merit badge. FOOTNOTES Blue kryptonite is harmful only to Super-Bizarro LINKS Personal radiation protection: http://www.radshield.com/ VIDEO Fallout 3 trailer (Toren's favourite video game OF ALL TIME, and it gets a 9.5/10 from Joe! A must-play!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYZpR51XgW0 MOVIE RATINGS Strange Brew: Toren: 6.7/10 Joe: 7.5/10 Kevin: ??

Two Tickets to Parasites

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:54:38 +0000

Caustic Soda Episode 2: "Two Tickets to Parasite" AKA "Things That Make You Go EUGHHHH" - Joe, Kevin and Toren talk about liver flukes, ichneumon wasps, guinea worms, the life cycle of the facehugger and the chestburster, and of course Star Trek 2's ceti eel. Featuring "Burrow Your Way to my Heart" by The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets." Episode 1 Update: Here's the painting of "Watson and the shark" Here are the images from Episode 2: Parasites Here's our pinup, the Bedbug from Giantmicrobes.com and here are the rest of the images, currently in no particular order: And this episode's videos: Guinea worm (can't embed, sorry!) Links! Human Parasites on Wikipedia. "Burrow Your Way To My Heart" courtesy of The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets. Full disclosure: It's Toren's band! Buy some shirts! Carl Zimmer's "The Loom" Blog - Update: He talks about looking for fossil evidence of the Cordyceps parasite!

Caustic Soda Episode 1 – Shark Attack

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 23:20:01 +0000

Caustic Soda's first podcast is now online with their first episode: Shark Attack! Join your hosts Toren Atkinson, Kevin Leeson and Joe Fulgham as they look at the gruesome and fascinating world of sharks attacking! This episode's pinup, Andrea Lynch. Shark attack survivor! Show notes/links. Instructions for Reporting a Shark Attack to the International Shark Attack File! Great White Sharks attack seals (from "Planet Earth") Henri Bource, post-shark attack video. Megashark vs. Plane View the original and a high-quality PDF at Stephen Taubman's blog Jaws Toren: 7/10 Megashark VS Giant Octopus Toren: 2/10 Deep Blue Sea Toren: 3/10