

Taboo Science
Ashley Hamer Pritchard
AMBIE NOMINATED FOR BEST INDIE PODCAST 2026 | Taboo Science is a podcast that answers the questions you're not allowed to ask. It's hosted by Ashley Hamer Pritchard, a science writer and podcaster. Every episode dives into a different societal taboo to understand the science that makes it tick, the reasons we don't talk about it, and the impact that has on society at large. Why don't we eat people? Why are my swear words different than my parents'? And what makes porn, porn? It's science class if science class had one of those anonymous question boxes. It's Taboo Science.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 23, 2025 • 48min
FEED DROP: Sing for Science
Another podcast Taboo Science listeners may enjoy: Sing For Science!Sing for Science is a science-and-music podcast where musicians sit down with scientists to explore the scientific ideas hidden in their most iconic songs. Listen to JD from Korn talk about “Dead Bodies Everywhere” with a mortuary-science expert, Sia explore one of her breakup ballads with an attachment-theory psychologist, and many, many more. Created and hosted by New York musician Matt Whyte, the show seeks to uncover connections wherever they may exist and build bridges between seemingly disparate voices, styles, and walks of life. Sing For Science is made possible in part by a grant from the Simons Foundation. New episodes release every two weeks—subscribe now. Want to catch a live Sing For Science taping in your city? Sign up for our newsletter at SingForScience.org to be the first to know.WARNING: This episode contains content related to mortuary science that some listeners may find disturbing.Korn frontman Jonathan Davis delves into his past as a mortician with popular science bestselling author, Mary Roach. Mary wrote the hit book Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers and the two have no shortage of gory details to discuss. We talk about the biology of human corpse decomposition and preservation, embalming techniques (including but not limited to anal suturing), Elvis’s autopsy, and more!Learn more at https://www.singforscience.org/Connect with the show:Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscienceLeave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscienceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscienceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscienceWebsite: https://www.tabooscience.show/ Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473

Oct 16, 2025 • 35min
Trans 101: How Transgender Hormone Therapy Changes Body and Brain
For decades, doctors tried to psychoanalyze trans people out of being trans. Spoiler: it didn't work. This episode dives into the medical reality of gender transition—from how hormones actually work at the cellular level to the emotional rollercoaster of a second puberty. You'll learn what estrogen and testosterone really do to the body, what bottom growth actually means, and how modern surgery can create everything from boobs to fully functional penises with hydraulic erections. We cover the psychological shifts, the physical changes, the hilarious terminology trans people have coined, and why medical transition isn't about "fixing" anyone—it's about letting people finally be themselves.More from Michelle Forcier:Brown UniversityLinkedInMore from Riley Black:WebsiteOrder her latest book, The Last Days of the DinosaursBlueskyMore from Hibby Thach:WebsiteTwitchBlueskyMore from Charlie James:WebsiteOrder his book, I’m Just a Little Guy: How to Escape the Horrors and Get Back to DillydallyingTikTokCitations and transcript: https://www.tabooscience.show/trans-101-how-transgender-hormone-therapy-changes-body-and-brain/Connect with the show:Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscienceLeave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscienceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscienceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscienceWebsite: https://www.tabooscience.show/ Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473

Oct 2, 2025 • 32min
Trans 101: Everything You Think You Know (But Probably Don't)
Join Aaron Devor, Chair in transgender studies at the University of Victoria, along with paleontologist Riley Black and PhD student Hibby Thach, as they explore the complexities of being transgender. They debunk myths like the 'born in the wrong body' narrative and discuss the social visibility that leads more young people to identify as trans. The conversation reveals the spectrum of gender expression, the nuances of gender dysphoria, and emphasizes why understanding personal experiences is vital in affirming one's identity.

Sep 4, 2025 • 4min
Coming Soon — Season 5: Trans 101
When it comes to transgender issues, most of us are working with incomplete information—and that's a problem when real people's rights hang in the balance. This season, we're exploring what it actually means to be trans in America today, from the science of gender identity to the daily realities of healthcare, relationships, and family. With the help of researchers crunching the numbers and trans people sharing their stories, we'll tackle the questions you might be curious about but wouldn't know how to ask, without the political noise—just honest conversations about human experience. The first episode of Trans 101 drops October 2nd. Subscribe/follow so you don't miss it.Connect with the show:Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscienceLeave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscienceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscienceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscienceWebsite: https://www.tabooscience.show/ Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473

Jul 7, 2025 • 3min
Housekeeping: Audience Survey Results + Taboo Science Patreon!
Still working on Season 5 (Trans Science!). In the meantime, go to https://patreon.com/tabooscience to support the show—and get updates and behind-the-scenes tidbits as I work.Connect with the show:Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscienceLeave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscienceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscienceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscienceWebsite: https://www.tabooscience.show/ Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473

Mar 25, 2025 • 43min
Introducing: CRAMPED
CRAMPED is an investigative podcast that answers the question "Why are so many people with uteruses in unexplained & untreated pain?"Listen to the entire season here: https://pod.link/1778101696Connect with the show:Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscienceLeave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscienceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscienceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscienceWebsite: https://www.tabooscience.show/ Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473

Jul 25, 2024 • 29min
Philias Bonus: The Q&A Episode
Arielle Nissenblatt, an interviewer and podcast industry extraordinaire, joins to answer listener questions about kinks and fetishes. They discuss the controversial aspects of the show, revealing fascinating facts that never made it to air. Arielle shares insights on the importance of community in navigating sensitive topics, while touching upon the complexities within the furry and ABDL communities. They also dive into the surprising prevalence of violent pornography among women, emphasizing education's role in tackling societal taboos.

Jul 11, 2024 • 35min
Philias: Foot Fetishes Kick the Stigma
Ever wondered why some people have a thing for feet? In this final Philias episode, we're flying feet first into foot fetishes. Social psychologist Dr. Justin Lehmiller breaks down the origins of fetishes (and the truth to that "crossed wires in the brain" factoid), while writer and "Educatrix" Tina Horn gives us the lowdown on why feet can be such a turn-on. We also step into the cultural aspects of foot fascination and debunk some common misconceptions. Whether you're a foot fanatic yourself or just interested in what makes people tick, this episode will shed light on a often misunderstood aspect of human sexuality. So go ahead, press play and put your feet up—and maybe snap a pic or two while you're at it.Resources from Dr. Justin Lehmiller:Website: https://www.sexandpsychology.com/Book: https://amzn.to/4cCcyqmPodcast: https://www.sexandpsychology.com/podcasts/Twitter/X: https://x.com/JustinLehmillerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinjlehmiller/Resources from Tina Horn:Website: https://tinahorn.net/Book: https://amzn.to/45YPJuwPodcast: https://tinahorn.net/yapitTwitter/X: https://x.com/tinahornsassInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinahornsassSee citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/047-foot-fetishes/Need music for a project? Use my Epidemic Sound referral link: https://share.epidemicsound.com/kbva2hConnect with the show: Leave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscienceNewsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tabooscience Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/ Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473Mentioned in this episode:Tailor MushroomsGo to www.tailormushrooms.store and use code...Connect with the show:Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscienceLeave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscienceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscienceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscienceWebsite: https://www.tabooscience.show/ Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473

Jul 4, 2024 • 40min
Introducing: Spellbound and Gagged (Plus an Announcement!)
Spellbound and Gagged is a podcast about all things that fascinate, unsettle, and disgust. It's back from hiatus with an episode all about the sex cult NASA doesn't want you to know about. Subscribe here: https://episodes.fm/1653440593In other news: Ashley is planning a final episode where she's interviewed all about how she makes Taboo Science, the most controversial episodes this season, and other exciting things. Do you have questions you want to hear answered? Email her at ashley@tabooscience.show and you might hear them on the podcast.Connect with the show:Join the Patreon: https://patreon.com/tabooscienceLeave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscienceInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscienceYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscienceWebsite: https://www.tabooscience.show/ Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473

Jun 27, 2024 • 27min
Philias: 7 Kinks That Push the Envelope
This podcast delves into unconventional kinks like exhibitionism, financial domination, wet and messy fun, fat fetishes, lactation fascination, golden showers, and the fantasy world of vore. It explores the thrill, misconceptions, and dynamics of engaging in these boundary-pushing sexual practices with an emphasis on consent and understanding human desire.


