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Chemistry For Your Life

Melissa and Jam, Bleav
  • 4.6 (301)
  • Chemistry
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life. Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life! In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating. If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.

  1. 2d ago • Subscribers Only

    Chemmunity: Two trips to different sides of the country

    Welcome back to an exclusive bonus episode ONLY for members of the Chemmunity. This time we're talking Melissa and Jam's separate simultaneous trips to Pacific Northwest and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Chemmunity is the secret podcast for Chemistry For Your Life Patrons, Supporters, and Subscribers. Members of the Chemmunity get ad-free versions of the podcast PLUS monthly exclusive bonus episodes where Melissa and Jam talk about whatever they want... EXCEPT chemistry. For the most part. Welcome to the Chemmunity!

    27 min

  2. 3d ago

    How does super glue glue things?

    #061 Be honest. Have you ever glued yourself with super glue? Everyone should accidentally make that mistake at least once, so you can literally feel the impressive stickiness of super glue. Well today, you can learn about the chemistry within super glue, without putting any fingers or other body parts at risk! Let's do this.   References from this episode Introduction to Polymers R.J. Young and P. A. Lovell http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/superglue/superglueh.htm https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/cyanoacrylate/6261.article https://pubsapp.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/86/8624sci5.html https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/students/highschool/chemistryclubs/March_ChemClubCal.pdf https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/articlesbytopic/bonding/chemmatters-dec2006-glue.pdf Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife. Email us at chemforyourlife@gmail.com Thanks to our monthly supporters Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Nelly Silva Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Emerson Woodhall Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Bri McAllister Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon Support this podcast on Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    31 min

  3. 5d ago

    How should technology and A.I. change chemistry education?

    AI is everywhere in education right now, but is that the only technology chemistry educators should be thinking about? In this bonus BCCE preview episode, Melissa talks with Resa Kelly about technology in chemistry education, from visualizations and videos to flipped classrooms and AI. What do we actually want students to be able to do in a technology-rich world? How should that shape our teaching? And how can educators stay curious without feeling pressured to adopt every new tool that comes along?   Important Links bcce.divched.org/2026 YouTube.com/@chemforyourlife chemforyourlife.com   Time Stamps 0:00 – Introducing the Community Conversation on technology 1:11 – Resa Kelly’s journey into chemistry education research 2:20 – How visualizations and animations help students learn chemistry 3:31 – Why this conversation is about more than just AI 5:50 – Technology already shaping chemistry classrooms 7:20 – Staying curious even if you’re skeptical of new technology 9:10 – Time constraints and practical barriers for teachers 10:00 – Creative ways educators are using AI 14:15 – Teaching students to evaluate trustworthy information 17:13 – The central question: What should students be able to do in a technology-rich environment? 18:20 – Is technology helping students learn or just complete tasks? 19:00 – If AI gives answers, what are we really teaching? 24:00 – Why these conversations matter beyond BCCE 28:15 – Assumptions, AI, and trusting students 30:05 – Final thoughts and invitation to the conference conversation Support this podcast on Patreon  Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    33 min

  4. Jun 11 ·  Bonus

    How realistic are crime shows about forensics? (with Nicki Stewart)

    CSI makes forensic science look fast, easy, and almost magical. But how much of that is actually true?This week we’re joined by forensic chemist and graduate student Nicki Stewart to answer your questions about forensic science. We talk about crime shows, fingerprints, toxicology, illicit drugs, and what really happens inside a forensic laboratory. Plus, Nicki shares what surprised her most when she worked in a real crime lab and why forensic science is often much slower (and more complicated) than TV would have you believe. Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife Time Stamps 0:00 – Do crime shows get forensics right? 1:20 – Nicki’s background in forensic chemistry and toxicology 6:15 – From forensic chemistry to chemistry education 9:10 – The “CSI Effect” and common TV misconceptions 12:30 – Breaking Bad, Project Hail Mary, and science accuracy in entertainment 14:10 – Transitioning from clinical chemistry to forensic chemistry 17:40 – The biggest misconceptions about forensic work 20:20 – Forensic chemistry vs. forensic biology 22:05 – How fingerprints actually form 26:35 – Can fingerprints be removed? 26:55 – How forensic labs identify illicit drugs 31:10 – Which shows portray science most accurately? 33:00 – What’s coming in our next forensic chemistry episode Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife References from the Episode: Thanks to our monthly supporters Sara Hull Dog Day Dan Bri . Summer Alden Amanda Raymond Kyle McCray Justine Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder J0HNTR0Y Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    37 min

  5. Jun 8 ·  Bonus

    What is BCCE and why are people so excited about it?

    What happens when the world’s largest gathering of chemistry educators decides to try something new? This summer we’re partnering with the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education (BCCE) for a special series of Monday episodes. In this kickoff conversation, Melissa sits down with conference organizers to talk about the vision behind this year’s event, why community conversations are replacing traditional keynotes, and how chemistry educators are thinking about the future of teaching and learning. Whether you’re attending BCCE or just curious about how people learn chemistry, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the biggest conversations happening in chemistry education today.   Important Links bcce.divched.org/2026 YouTube.com/@chemforyourlife chemforyourlife.com   Time Stamps 0:00 – Introducing our BCCE summer series 2:00 – Why Melissa loves BCCE 4:50 – Meet Ariel Vaughn and Ginger Schultz 7:00 – What are Community Conversations? 8:20 – Replacing keynote speakers with interactive discussions 9:00 – How the conversation topics were selected 13:40 – Empowering the community to shape the conference 14:40 – Previewing this year’s Community Conversation topics 16:00 – Neurodiversity, equity, and communities of practice 19:50 – Why community matters in chemistry education 25:20 – Meet BCCE General Chair Sam Pazicni 28:30 – The vision behind this year’s conference 29:00 – “Reflecting Back and Marching Forward” explained 32:30 – The six conference contexts and Community Conversations 37:20 – Who should attend BCCE? 39:00 – Tips for first-time conference attendees 41:00 – Remote attendance and recorded sessions 45:20 – Planning your schedule with the conference app 50:40 – What to wear and what to pack 57:30 – Madison food recommendations and cheese curds 1:03:50 – Special events, parking tips, and final advice 1:08:20 – Final BCCE details and registration information Podcast Transcript Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    1h 10m

  6. Jun 4

    How does a pencil eraser remove graphite?

    How can the same element make both pencil lead and diamonds? This week we wrap up our pencil chemistry mini-series by answering a surprisingly tricky question: how do erasers actually erase? Then we dive into one of chemistry’s coolest ideas. Graphite and diamond are both made entirely of carbon, but one is soft enough to write with and the other is the hardest natural material we know. What changed? The answer reveals something remarkable about chemistry, structure, and the hidden world of atoms. Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife 0:00 – Intro: diamonds, carbon, and the hardest natural material 2:25 – How erasers actually erase pencil marks 6:50 – Why erasers get old, crumbly, and less effective 9:50 – Graphite vs. diamond: same element, completely different materials 13:50 – Why diamonds are so hard (and why they sparkle) 15:30 – Allotropes: how carbon can become radically different substances 17:00 – Melissa’s carbon epiphany: appreciating chemistry in a new way 20:20 – Things we didn’t appreciate until later in life (birds, coffee, and more) 25:20 – Father’s Day advice for dads and families 31:50 – Wrap-up + your carbon questions Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife References from the Episode: Thanks to our monthly supporters Sara Hull Dog Day Dan Bri . Summer Alden Amanda Raymond Kyle McCray Justine Ash Vince W Julie S. Heather Ragusa Autoclave Dorien VD Scott Beyer Jessie Reder J0HNTR0Y Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Venus Rebholz Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon Support this podcast on Patreon Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    35 min

  7. May 28

    How do gemstones get their color?

    #158 Rebroadcast Gemstones come in all sorts of colors, but how do they get them? Are different stones super different at the molecular level? How do these different colors happen naturally? And how can those colors be replicated in lab-made gemstones? Let's get into it. References from this episode https://www.acs.org/education/students/highschool/chemistryclubs/activities/jewelry-science.html Thanks to our monthly supporters Ciara Linville J0HNTR0Y Jeannette Napoleon Cullyn R Erica Bee Elizabeth P Sarah Moar Rachel Reina Letila Katrina Barnum-Huckins Suzanne Phillips Nelly Silva Venus Rebholz Lyn Stubblefield Jacob Taber Brian Kimball Emerson Woodhall Kristina Gotfredsen Timothy Parker Steven Boyles Chris Skupien Chelsea B Bri McAllister Avishai Barnoy Hunter Reardon Support this podcast on Patreon Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    45 min

  8. May 28 ·  Bonus • Subscribers Only

    Chemmunity: Bikes and birds and learning cool things as grownups

    Welcome back to an exclusive bonus episode ONLY for members of the Chemmunity. This time we're talking about new bike adventures, bird adventures, and forcing yourself to learn cool new things as an adult. Chemmunity is the secret podcast for Chemistry For Your Life Patrons, Supporters, and Subscribers. Members of the Chemmunity get ad-free versions of the podcast PLUS monthly exclusive bonus episodes where Melissa and Jam talk about whatever they want... EXCEPT chemistry. For the most part. Welcome to the Chemmunity!

    26 min
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Trailer

4.6
out of 5
301 Ratings

About

A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life. Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life! In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating. If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.

Information

  • Creator
    Melissa and Jam, Bleav
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    437
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © For Your Life 2023, All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Chemistry For Your Life
  • Provider
    Jam Robinson

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