

Chemistry For Your Life
Melissa and Jam, Bleav
A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life.
Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life!
In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating.
If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.
Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life!
In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating.
If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 2, 2023 • 34min
Why does water form droplets?
Delving into the chemistry of water, the podcast discusses why water forms droplets and how it exhibits unique behaviors like surface tension. Explore the science of intermolecular forces, adhesion, and cohesion, with a focus on natural waterproof materials. Discover how biomimicry inspired by lotus plants shapes water droplets, alongside reflections on transitions and acknowledgments of references.

Oct 26, 2023 • 27min
What is freeze drying?
#172
What is freeze-drying? How can something be both frozen and dried? How does it differ from just freezing, or just drying? And is it just for astronauts? Let's get into it!
References from this Episode
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.5b05841
https://cen.acs.org/articles/86/i39/Instant-Coffee.html
https://www.rsc.org/publishing/journals/prospect/ontology.asp?id=CMO:0001553&MSID=b501961c
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7603155/#:~:text=Freeze%2Ddrying%2C%20also%20known%20as,high%20quality%20food%20and%20pharmaceuticals.
We want to give a special thanks to Bri McAllister for illustrating molecules for some episodes! Please go check out Bri’s art, follow and support her at entr0pic.artstation.com and @McAllisterBri on twitter!
Thanks to our monthly supporters
Ciara Linville
J0HNTR0Y
Jeannette Napoleon
Cullyn R
Erica Bee
Elizabeth P
Sarah Moar
Rachel Reina
Letila
Katrina Barnum-Huckins
Suzanne Phillips
Nelly Silva
Venus Rebholz
Lyn Stubblefield
Jacob Taber
Brian Kimball
Emerson Woodhall
Kristina Gotfredsen
Timothy Parker
Steven Boyles
Chris Skupien
Chelsea B
Bri McAllister
Avishai Barnoy
Hunter Reardon
★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com
Watch our episodes on YouTube
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 19, 2023 • 25min
Bonus: Can geckos stick to teflon? (And other questions about PFAS)
Delving into the mystery of why geckos can't stick to Teflon surfaces, exploring the chemistry of CF bond strength and fluorine's role. Uncovering deceptive marketing practices with PFAS substances in everyday products, advocating for sustainable alternatives. Answering listener questions and expressing gratitude for engagement in the PFAS discussion.

Oct 12, 2023 • 1h 1min
Are learning styles real?
Is there a preferred podcast show duration?

Oct 5, 2023 • 29min
What is margarine? How is it different from butter?
The hosts discuss the chemistry behind margarine and butter, including saturated and unsaturated fats. They explore carbon bonding and the process of hydrogenation. They emphasize the importance of using layman's terms in science and highlight that science is simpler and more accessible than it seems.

Sep 28, 2023 • 43min
Can forever chemicals be destroyed? (PFAS part 4)
Learn about the destruction of forever chemicals and the fascinating methods to unmake them. Explore the challenges of removing PFAS chemicals from water and the use of supercritical water. Discover the process of breaking down PFAS with supercritical water and the technology behind it. Get a glimpse into the hosts' experiences playing bingo, enjoying the weather, and their appearance on an old crime podcast.

Sep 21, 2023 • 38min
Bonus: How does numbing cream work? (and other questions)
In this bonus episode, the hosts of a chemistry podcast answer listener questions about topics such as meringue shrinkage, carbon plates in running shoes, yawning, materials chemistry, and the chemistry behind bending abilities in Avatar: The Last Airbender. They also explore the interconnectedness of physics, chemistry, and biology while sharing funny moments and expressing gratitude for listener engagement.

Sep 14, 2023 • 37min
What can we do now about "forever chemicals?" (PFAS part 3)
This podcast episode discusses what can be done about forever chemicals, specifically PFAS. Topics include individual actions to address PFAS contamination, alternatives to plastic and Teflon pans, creative cooking with a broken oven, a gift of a periodic table, and wrapping up the discussion on PFAS with expressions of gratitude.

Sep 7, 2023 • 41min
Are cast iron pans as cool as people say?
In this episode, the hosts explore the chemistry behind cast iron pans, discussing their composition, benefits, and the process of seasoning. They also share personal experiences with cast iron and cover topics such as heat retention and restoring rusty pans. The episode concludes with gratitude for listener support and a call for chemistry-related questions.

Aug 31, 2023 • 43min
The history of “forever chemicals,” how did we get here? (PFAS part 2)
This podcast explores the history of "forever chemicals" and how we ended up in this situation. It uncovers the dark side of chemistry and the irresponsible actions of chemists. The hosts delve into the influence of company-funded research and the suppression of information about chemical dangers. They also discuss the life of Jay Robert Oppenheimer and share their camping trip experiences.


