Mark and Toddcast

#113 – Concrete Information about Cement

Concrete is such a fundamental aspect of humanity that we barely even notice it anymore. It's literally pedestrian. This episode we find out why and how concrete came to be, and how it formed the modern world we live in. Also: "King of Kong" winner controversy, the sound of black holes colliding, the rapture is upon us, Wapato Jail sold, "Pirates of the Caribbean" ships on Oregon coast, Art Bell dies, Japan's robot mayor, world's most hipster cities, throw out your romaine lettuce, and the world is in the grips of a Necco Wafer panic! Enjoy!

#112 – Black Holes, Dark Matters

Black holes and dark matter are such a mystery, scientists are still trying to unwrap their secrets. In this episode, we take a look at the basics of black holes, and struggle to understand dark matter, which is the mysterious substance that makes up most of the universe. Plus, the Unipiper joins us in studio to talk fake Unipipers, Sasquatches, and WWeek's "Best of Portland 2018." Also: LED street lights causing headaches, world's largest dinosaur footprint, zombie raccoons, fart detectors, and what 167 theramins sound like playing Beethoven. Enjoy!

#111 – News Pile the Size of Texas

If I can't exhale at the speed of sound, how does my voice travel the speed of sound? How do the Eastern Oregon hot springs work? And who knew Alyssa Milano's dad was such a successful Hollywood sound editor? These questions and more will be answered in this meandering and interesting episode. Also discussed: "Embiggen" added to the dictionary, oil companies buy Utah monuments for drilling, Amazon patents drones to recognize flailing and screaming gestures, the Texas-sized (?) Pacific Garbage Patch, earliest North American footprint found, China face IDs and tickets jaywalkers, mind-reading technology, new human organ discovered, and turtles develop karate-chopping flippers. Cowabunga, dude!

#110 – Name That Tune with Brian the Unipiper

Between movies, TV, and advertising, our heads are full of songs we know note-for-note, but know nothing else about. This week, Brian "The Unipiper" sits in for a vacationing Mark and digs into the history and origins or some of the most famous songs we don't know the origins of. Also, "Toys R Us" and "I Heart Radio" file for bankruptcy, autism neurology breakthrough, WalMart patents robot bees, and "Weird" Al makes history. Enjoy!

#109 – Non-Hyperbolic Hyperbaric Chamber Talk

Like most of us, you probably think of Michael Jackson on the cover of the National Enquirer when you hear "Hyperbaric Chamber." Surprisingly, they're not just kookie, weirdo nonsense, but hold legitimate, scientific purpose. This week we learn all about them, and hear a first-hand account of what it's like to use one. Also, the Unipiper is in-studio to tell us all about the First Annual Tonya Harding Film Festival! Also: Detecting autism, eradicating polio (also, what is polio?), SpaceX, Foreign Accent Syndrome, Best Buy stops selling CDs, Bitcoin heist, and drones take over the fashion runways. Enjoy!

#108 – We All Float Down Here

This week Todd recaps his journey into opening his third eye as he describes his sensory deprivation salt water float experience. Then we dive into the surprisingly fascinating and innovative history of a much maligned (well, maligned by Todd) RC Cola! All that, plus: The Unipiper is art!, liquid mirror telescopes, Amazon tracks and "nudges" workers, Amazon/Berkshire Hathaway/JP Morgan insurance, SF clears marijuana convictions, and amateur astronomer finds missing NASA satellite. Enjoy with a frosty cold Nehi!

#107 – Deport the Bhagwan!

In 1984, 751 people in the town of The Dalles, Oregon were sickened with salmonella when a group led by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh poisoned the salad bars of local restaurants. It was the beginning of the end of one of the largest and most invasive cults in the United States, and came complete with a fleet of Rolls Royces. Discover the Rajneeshes on this fascinating episode. Plus, the Unipiper joins us to chat about a new project! Also discussed: RIP Rosie the Riveter and Mort Walker, electric barges, solar tariffs, super blood moon, Musk's flamethrower, and scandal in the world of camel beauty pageants. Enjoy!

#106 – Accidental Inventions

There are no mistakes, just “happy accidents.” In this episode, we take a look at a bunch of scientific innovations and inventions – from Corn Flakes to penicillin to the microwave to Play-Doh – that...

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#105 – Playing Catch-Up

We’re back with a bonus-sized episode! This week we catch up with, well, everything — both the news stories we’ve been saving up, as well as a look back at the past year in science....

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#104 – It’s Raining, Men

This week we welcome special guest and meteorologist Jack Bohl to chat about how climate works (or, more accurately, how we don’t really know specifically how it works), and how things have changed in weather...

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