FULL EPISODE: Should You Fear Weapons in Space? - September 18, 2026

It's space news with astrobiologist Sarah Rugheimer who covers: The United States has confirmed it has weapons in space; Scientists finally know how the universe's most extreme dead stars can form from vampire white dwarfs; Mercury is shrinking faster than we thought; and A new breakthrough could make creating rocket fuel out of Mars' thin air possible. Covering some of the most important science The Last Show has ever seen, chemistry professor Nathan Kilah explains why microwaving fish smells so bad. Marketing professor Mathieu Lajante outlines how advertising turns our insecurities into profit, and how you can resist the manipulation. Consumer culture researcher Alisa Minina Jeunemaître dives into 'treatonomics' and the psychology behind our small splurges. Sex and relationships researcher Gabriella Petruzzello goes over 'the ick' – the sudden feeling of disgust toward a romantic partner – and how to move beyond it. Professor Kang Lee from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education reveals how telling kids that they're smart can nearly double the likelihood that they'll cheat. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:45) Sarah Rugheimer pt. 1 (10:00) Sarah Rugheimer pt. 2 (20:00) Nathan Kilah (30:00) Mathieu Lajante (39:50) Alisa Minina Jeunemaître (49:50) Gabriella Petruzzello pt. 1 (59:50) Gabriella Petruzzello pt. 2 (1:09:50) Kang Lee (1:19:05) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices