WHAT THE IF?
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WHAT THE IF?
Learn how to think like EINSTEIN! Every week we learn science by asking the BIGGEST question in the universe.

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Photosynthetic YOU!
Photosynthetic YOU!

What the if exercise were bad for you? Your doctor tells you to skip the stairs, and the sloth becomes your role model.

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audience, biology, societyPhilip ShaneOctober 23, 2026
The Sloth Life Is The GOOD Life!
The Sloth Life Is The GOOD Life!

What the if exercise were bad for you? Your doctor tells you to skip the stairs, and the sloth becomes your role model.

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audience, biology, societyPhilip ShaneOctober 16, 2026
Who the IF is MATT?
Who the IF is MATT?

Our co-host Matt went from building lasers to cracking a century-old mystery hidden on the back of a letter.

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history of science, teachingPhilip ShaneOctober 16, 2026
Bugs The Size Of US!
Bugs The Size Of US!

What the if bugs were the size of us? Imagine sharing your morning bus stop with a grasshopper who stands as tall as you do.

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biologyPhilip ShaneSeptember 24, 2026
Your Lab Partner Is A ROBOT!
Your Lab Partner Is A ROBOT!

Imagine a lab where the robots run the experiments all night and you stroll in each morning just to see what they found.

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artificial intelligence, robots, scientific method, technologyPhilip ShaneSeptember 22, 2026
The MUSES Are Real - with Dr. Moiya McTier!
The MUSES Are Real - with Dr. Moiya McTier!

What the if the Greek muses were real? Nine goddesses, one blank page, and a very good reason to start living more adventurously.

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history of science, society, teachingPhilip ShaneSeptember 4, 2026
Nobel Winners Sign SNEAKER Deals!
Nobel Winners Sign SNEAKER Deals!

What the if scientists were as famous as football stars, with packed bars roaring at a physicist getting destroyed by a rival's data?

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history of science, society, teachingPhilip ShaneAugust 4, 2026
The Milky Way Is ALIVE - With Dr. Moiya McTier!
The Milky Way Is ALIVE - With Dr. Moiya McTier!
biology, scientific method, news, evolutionPhilip ShaneJuly 6, 2026
GOOP Powers The WORLD!
GOOP Powers The WORLD!

A new gel stores energy from light, heat, and motion, so we imagine Goop-powered shirts, pourable radiation shields, and pure chaos.

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engineering, chemistry, physicsPhilip ShaneJuly 1, 2026
BIRDS Aren't REAL!
BIRDS Aren't REAL!

What the if that pigeon on the wire is a government spy drone, recharging while it silently judges your life choices? 

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engineering, history of science, psychology, robots, technologyPhilip ShaneJune 30, 2026
ANTIMATTER On Demand!
ANTIMATTER On Demand!

What the if antimatter showed up at your door like takeout? Order up the most explosive substance ever, and try not to touch it.

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chemistry, cosmology, engineering, history of science, news, physicsPhilip ShaneJune 16, 2026
WHO The If: GABY!
WHO The If: GABY!

This week we turn the mic on each other, and Gaby, our Harvard microbiologist, takes the chair to share what her world is like.

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biology, scientific methodPhilip ShaneJune 8, 2026
TOO SOCIAL Media!
TOO SOCIAL Media!

What the if the internet ripped off everyone's mask and stapled your real name to every 2am hot take?

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history, psychology, society, technologyPhilip ShaneJune 2, 2026
The Other Theory of EVOLUTION!
The Other Theory of EVOLUTION!

What if Lamarck was right, and every living thing is quietly remaking itself and the world around it?

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biology, evolution, history of sciencePhilip ShaneMay 19, 2026guest
Moon Babies Meet EARTH - Part 2!
Moon Babies Meet EARTH - Part 2!

What happens when people born on the Moon finally land on Earth and have to make sense of cows, gravity, and blue skies?

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biology, chemistry, aliens, astronauts, exploration, moon, space travelPhilip ShaneMay 16, 2026
The Last DROP Of Gasoline!
The Last DROP Of Gasoline!

What the if we just pumped the last drop of gasoline? Your Twinkies, your shirts, and India's rice harvest all hang in the balance.

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biology, chemistry, climate change, environment, geologyPhilip ShaneMay 8, 2026
Build A Brand New ALPHABET - with Linguist DANNY BATE!
Build A Brand New ALPHABET - with Linguist DANNY BATE!

What the if YOU had to invent the alphabet from scratch? The Pharaoh's waiting and the chisel's in your hand.

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history, linguisticsPhilip ShaneApril 16, 2026guests
Microbe Grudge Match!
Microbe Grudge Match!

What if your gut bacteria held a grudge? Spoiler: they fight dirty and they've got friends.

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evolution, biologyPhilip ShaneApril 3, 2026guest
Space JUNK!
Space JUNK!

Join Matt and Philip on a cosmic rollercoaster as they navigate the universe's vast junkyard, exploring the dance of debris and pondering on space artifacts that might just land in your pocket!

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scifi, technology, apocalypse, astronauts, audience, ecology, engineering, physics, space travelPhilip ShaneMarch 23, 2026
Telepathy!
Telepathy!

Telepathy sounds chaotic — until you realize it might be the ultimate way to truly understand each other.

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evolution, neurology, physicsPhilip ShaneMarch 12, 2026
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