50 episodes

Taboo Science is a podcast that answers the questions you're not allowed to ask. It's hosted by Ashley Hamer, a science writer and podcaster. Every episode dives into a different societal taboo to understand the science that makes it tick, the reasons we don't talk about it, and the impact that has on society at large. Why don't we eat people? Why are my swear words different than my parents'? And what makes porn, porn? It's science class if science class had one of those anonymous question boxes. It's Taboo Science.

Taboo Science Ashley Hamer

    • Science

Taboo Science is a podcast that answers the questions you're not allowed to ask. It's hosted by Ashley Hamer, a science writer and podcaster. Every episode dives into a different societal taboo to understand the science that makes it tick, the reasons we don't talk about it, and the impact that has on society at large. Why don't we eat people? Why are my swear words different than my parents'? And what makes porn, porn? It's science class if science class had one of those anonymous question boxes. It's Taboo Science.

    Philias: Cuckolding Is More Than Just Cheating

    Philias: Cuckolding Is More Than Just Cheating

    "Cuck" is way more than an internet insult. In this episode of Taboo Science, we're stepping out and diving in to cuckolding, the real-life kink and lifestyle all about the thrill of your partner sleeping with someone else. Join us as we chat with clinical psychologist Dr. David Ley and popular cuckolding podcaster Venus Cuckoldress, who shed light on the psychological quirks and deep emotional connections in this often misunderstood practice. We're also breaking down how it all plays into the complicated dynamics of race, power, and gender. If you're curious to understand a taboo that's reshaping how some people view relationships and empowerment, give it a listen. Let's get into why cuckolding is having a major moment right now and what it could mean for you.
    Resources from Dr. David Ley:
    Website: https://www.davidleyphd.com/Insatiable Wives: Women Who Stray and the Men Who Love Them https://amzn.to/3V0mRy4
    Resources from Venus Cuckoldress:
    Podcast: https://www.venuscuckoldress.com/Matchmaking service: https://www.venusconnections.com/
    See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/042-cuckolding
    Need music for a project? Use my Epidemic Sound referral link: https://share.epidemicsound.com/kbva2h
    Connect with the show: 
    Leave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscience
    Newsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience 
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience 
    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tabooscience 
    Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/ 
    Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473

    • 35 min
    Philias: Why Pup Play Appeals to Grown Adults

    Philias: Why Pup Play Appeals to Grown Adults

    Fox News recoils at the idea of pup play—but we're looking closer. In this episode of Taboo Science, we dive into the fascinating subculture of humans who enjoy roleplaying as puppies. We'll explore the origins of this kink, from post-WWII leather culture to the rise of online pup communities, and learn what draws people to don a pup hood and bark. Kink researcher Dr. Liam Wignall and sex educator and pup play enthusiast Pup Amp share insights on the gear, the headspace, and the joys and challenges of being a pup. We also tackle the stigma and misconceptions surrounding this kink, and why it's important to approach it with an open mind. So, sit, stay, and listen up—this episode will satisfy your curiosity about the world of pup play, and maybe even inspire you to unleash your own inner puppy.
    See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/042-pupplay/
    Resources from Dr. Liam Wignall:
    His book, Kinky In The Digital Age: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/kinky-in-the-digital-age-9780197503195?cc=us&lang=en&Faculty page: https://research.brighton.ac.uk/en/persons/liam-wignall
    Resources from Amp Somers:
    Website: https://www.wattsthesafeword.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WattsTheSafewordTwitch: https://www.twitch.tv/WattstheSafeWord
    Need music for a project? Use my Epidemic Sound referral link: https://share.epidemicsound.com/kbva2h
    Connect with the show: 
    Leave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscience
    Newsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience 
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience 
    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tabooscience 
    Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/ 
    Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473

    • 32 min
    Philias: Furry Isn't a Fetish (Most of the Time)

    Philias: Furry Isn't a Fetish (Most of the Time)

    The furry fandom gets a bad rap. But on this episode, we're digging beneath the stereotypes to uncover the truth about this misunderstood community. We'll chat with furry researcher Dr. Courtney Plante along with Riley Black, a science writer and a furry herself, to explore what the furry culture is really all about, from the artistry of fursuits to the appeal of fursonas. And yes, we'll go there—investigating whether being a furry is actually a fetish (spoiler alert: for most, it's not, but for the others, we'll explore why). So put your preconceptions aside and get ready to learn what makes the furry community so fascinating—and maybe even find yourself with an urge to join in the fun.
    Resources from Dr. Courtney Plante:
    FurScience: https://furscience.com/
    Resources from Riley Black:
    Website: https://rileyblack.net/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/restingdinoface.bsky.social
    See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/041-furries/
    Need music for a project? Use my Epidemic Sound referral link: https://share.epidemicsound.com/kbva2h
    Connect with the show: 
    Leave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscience
    Newsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience 
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience 
    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tabooscience 
    Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/ 
    Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473

    • 35 min
    Philias: Why Do People Like BDSM? ("It Was Like Taking Drugs")

    Philias: Why Do People Like BDSM? ("It Was Like Taking Drugs")

    Whips, chains, and... legal pads? In this episode of Taboo Science, we dive deep into the world of BDSM to explore its long history, the science behind subspace, the submissive rich guy stereotype, and why aftercare is essential for everyone (even vanilla folks!). With help from paraphilia researcher Dr. Christian Joyal, the Ask a Sub podcast's Lina Dune, and the Loving BDSM podcast's Kayla Lords and John Brownstone, we're debunking misconceptions and shedding light on the reality of safe, consensual BDSM practices. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just curious about the lifestyle, this episode is a must-listen. Hey, it's way better than Fifty Shades of Grey.
    (02:50) What kinksters think of Fifty Shades
    (04:49) BDSM definition
    (05:07) BDSM history
    (07:37) What the DSM has to say
    (09:32) Why do people like BDSM?
    (14:56) Powerful man stereotype
    (27:04) Subspace
    (27:48) Domspace?
    (31:17) The Dom's role
    (37:40) Aftercare
    Resources from Christian Joyal:
    University of Quebec faculty page: https://oraprdnt.uqtr.uquebec.ca/pls/public/genw050.afficher_fiche_perso?owa_cd_secteur=0800&owa_cd_fonction=49&owa_no_personne=134064&owa_contexte=$211-37Philippe-Pinel Institute faculty page: https://pinel.qc.ca/christian-joyal-ph-d/ Research on Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0,5&q=c+joyal&oq=
    Resources from Lina Dune:
    Ask a Sub podcast: https://askasub.substack.com/podcastNewsletter: https://askasub.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askasub2.0/
    Resources from Kayla Lords & John Brownstone:
    Loving BDSM podcast: https://lovingbdsm.net/loving-bdsm-podcast/Website: https://lovingbdsm.net/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovingds1/
    See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/040-bdsm/
    Need music for a project? Use my Epidemic Sound referral link: https://share.epidemicsound.com/kbva2h
    Connect with the show: 
    Newsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience 
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience 
    Twitter: a href="https://www.twitter.com/tabooscience" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    • 37 min
    Philias: How Many Kinks Exist? The Science of Kinks and Fetishes

    Philias: How Many Kinks Exist? The Science of Kinks and Fetishes

    It's here! The premiere episode of Taboo Science's new miniseries "Philias": an exploration into the science of kinks and fetishes. In this 101 episode, we learn the difference between a kink, fetish, paraphilia, and paraphilic disorder; we'll take a tour of the many, many kinds of kink that exist; and we'll find out what scientists know about where these desires come from—and what they don't know. With insights from renowned paraphilia researcher Christian Joyal and pornstar/internet celebrity/kink researcher Aella, we'll dismantle society's narrow definitions of "normal" sex and shed light on humanity's boundless sexual creativity. Whether you're a seasoned kinkster or you're just here for the science, this premiere is a salacious must-listen.
    Resources from Aella:
    Big kink survey: https://www.guidedtrack.com/programs/u4m797m/runMini kink survey, if you don't have time: https://www.guidedtrack.com/programs/am6xux0/runWebsite: https://knowingless.com/Blog: https://aella.substack.com/X: https://twitter.com/Aella_Girl Aella's appearance on the Lex Fridman podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFSrxSBrgSc
    Resources from Christian Joyal:
    University of Quebec faculty page: https://oraprdnt.uqtr.uquebec.ca/pls/public/genw050.afficher_fiche_perso?owa_cd_secteur=0800&owa_cd_fonction=49&owa_no_personne=134064&owa_contexte=$211-37Philippe-Pinel Institute faculty page: https://pinel.qc.ca/christian-joyal-ph-d/ Research on Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.ca/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0,5&q=c+joyal&oq=
    See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/039-kink101/
    Need music for a project? Use my Epidemic Sound referral link: https://share.epidemicsound.com/kbva2h
    Connect with the show: 
    Leave a voice message: https://podline.fm/tabooscience
    Subscribe to the newsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter
    Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience 
    Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience 
    Follow on X: a href="https://www.twitter.com/tabooscience" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    • 32 min
    Coming Soon: Philias from Taboo Science

    Coming Soon: Philias from Taboo Science

    Philias is a new miniseries from Taboo Science about the quirky, colorful world of kinks and fetishes. The first episode drops on March 21 — hit the follow/subscribe button in your podcast app of choice to make sure you get it.
    Citation for the first sentence: https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2016.1139034
    Connect with the show: 
    Newsletter: https://www.tabooscience.show/newsletter
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tabooscience 
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tabooscience 
    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tabooscience 
    Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/ 
    Have you been binging the show in anticipation of the new season? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473

    • 3 min

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