Dope Labs

This week we’re wrapping up Semester 5 in the lab. Over the past year we’ve explored everything from bird flu and the microbiome to AI, addiction, air quality, and the psychology of Black Friday. We’ve talked about how systems—technological, biological, economic, and cultural—shape the way we live. In this episode, Titi & Zakiya look back at some of the labs that surprised them the most and talk about the science stories they’re still watching right now. From AI governance to human behavior, the questions keep evolving. The semester may be ending, but curiosity never stops!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’ve seen the headlines — Gen Z can’t read, attention spans are shot, we’re all getting dumber. But is any of that actually true? This week, Titi and Zakiya slow down and actually look at the research behind the literacy panic. From international assessments to the Nation’s Report Card, they break down what the data really says, why the drops we’re seeing aren’t just a “kids these days” problem, and what gets lost when we conflate reading scores with intelligence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re revisiting one of our most personal labs. In this episode, we sit down with Ronald Young Jr., host of Wait For It, to unpack the complicated relationship many of us have with our bodies — and the ways we postpone our lives while we’re “waiting.” Waiting to lose weight.Waiting to look different.Waiting to feel worthy. We talk about how weight gets moralized, and how identity layers influence body image in ways we don’t always name. And most importantly: what it means to stop waiting. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll start living when…,” this one’s for you. Dope Labs is where science meets pop culture. Because science is in everything and it’s for everybody. Stay up to date with us on Instagram at @DopeLabsPodcast and at DopeLabsPodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valentine’s Day used to be about cuffing season, double texting rules, and who’s paying for dinner. But the love landscape has shifted and it’s not just humans in the mix anymore. People are forming emotional and romantic relationships with AI chatbots. So what’s actually happening here? This week in the lab, Titi and Zakiya talk with Arelí Rocha about her work studying intimate relationships between humans and AI companions. Explore how language makes something feel alive, how online communities shape relationships, and whether AI is replacing human connection or just changing how we understand it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Super Bowl Sunday, it can feel like sports are way beyond just watching! This week in the lab, Zakiya and Titi are joined by Jess Bryant, senior editor for fantasy sports and betting at The Athletic, to break down how fantasy sports, sports betting, and prediction markets actually differ and where they quietly overlap. From statistical modeling and intuition to player boundaries, we explore what’s really shaping sports culture in the era of legalized bettingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Titi and Zakiya are joined by Hilary J. Allen, a professor who specializes in corporate law and financial regulation, to discuss the effects of FinTech on our everyday lives. Are these new methods of decentralization providing more opportunities, or accelerating financial inequity?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this lab, Titi and Zakiya pull back the curtain on the Grammys with music critic Sidney Madden. They break down how the Recording Academy works, who gets to vote, and why categories and nominees often feel disconnected from culture and fans.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This lab examines two unfolding stories where science and power collide: Venezuela’s century-long oil history and why the United States is now deeply involved, and the recent ICE shootings in Minnesota amid an unprecedented immigration enforcement surge. Listen to learn how these events reveal a critical moment in history, where decisions about resources, authority, and security are reshaping trust at home and abroad.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We usually think about viruses this time of year, but what about everything else floating around us? In this lab, Titi and Zakiya sit down with environmental health scientist Dr. Cavin Ward-Caviness to break down what’s actually in the air we breathe. They cover everything from pollution and tiny particles to everyday indoor sources like cooking, candles, and fireplaces.  Listen to learn how air quality affects the body beyond the lungs, why long-term exposure matters for inflammation and aging, and how awareness is the first step toward protecting our health. Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Wendy Wood, a leading behavioral scientist and author of 'Good Habits, Bad Habits,' explores the complexities of habit formation. She reveals why bad habits are easier to adopt than good ones and debunks the myth of the 21-day rule for habit change. Wood emphasizes the importance of context, rewards, and environment in building lasting habits while sharing strategies like bundling enjoyable tasks with less appealing ones. Listen as she uncovers the science behind making good habits stick.