FULL EPISODE: Smart People, Bad Jokes - March 31, 2026

Marketing professor Gabriela Tonietto explains why a canceled meeting feels so liberating. Psychological and brain sciences professor Brad Duchaine introduces us to prosopometamorphopsia (PMO), the rare neurological condition where people see distorted faces. Educator, improv comedian, and occasional scientist Dr. Vita Stout outlines how and why scientists aren't telling enough jokes at conferences. Sociology professor Ea Hoppe Blaabæk shares details of her study showing that boys ditch books when schools close, and girls keep reading. Social psychologist André Vaz describes the psychological reason we judge groups much more harshly than individuals. Earth sciences professor John Maclachlan makes a case for why post‑secondary students need more room to mess up. Dietician, health coach, and author ⁠Jess Cording⁠ reveals ⁠what time you should stop eating before bed for heart health⁠. Then, Jess shares some habits from her ⁠Little Book of Game Changers: 50 Healthy Habits for Managing Stress⁠. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:44) Gabriela Tonietto (10:00) Brad Duchaine (20:00) Dr. Vita Stout (30:00) Ea Hoppe Blaabæk (39:50) André Vaz (49:50) John Maclachlan (59:50) Jess Cording pt. 1 (1:09:50) Jess Cording pt. 2 (1:19:07) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices