48 episodes
Taboo Science Ashley Hamer
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- Science
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5.0 • 43 Ratings
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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.
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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/
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Leave me a voice memo: https://podline.fm/tabooscience
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Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473 -
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/
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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/
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Leave a voice message: https://podline.fm/tabooscience
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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
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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 -
RERUN: Necrophilia (with Dr. Victoria Sullivan & Dr. Jens Foell)
Think necrophilia is just creepy morticians and serial killers? Think again. With the help of psychologist Dr. Victoria Hartmann and neuroscientist Jens Foell, this rerun episode explores the wide spectrum of death and dying fetishes, from Disney movies to consensual roleplay. Dive into Dr. Hartmann’s research on members of online necrophilia communities, and examine how necrophilic acts after murders often aren’t sexually motivated. The conversation covers the fuzzy legal lines around necrophilia, creating ethical erotic horror films, and finding self-acceptance. If you want to confront taboos with empathy, this frank discussion brings humanity to the complicated reality behind necrophilia.
This is the last episode of season 3! Taboo Science will be back in a few months with an all-new themed season.
See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/009-necrophilia/
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Attraction to Monsters (with Ella Gallego)
Beauty and the Beast. Twilight. The Shape of Water. What do these stories have in common? Humans and monsters getting down and dirty. This episode explores the surprising psychology behind "monsterf*ckers" — people attracted to creatures like vampires, werewolves, and tentacled beasts. Hear from researcher Ella Gallego about her study on monstrous desire, which reveals how and why women and LGBTQ+ people are particularly entranced by these inhuman love interests. We’ll trace the history of monster erotica through the medieval church’s preoccupation with demon sex, the horny throughline of vampire movies, and the incredibly surprising history of tentacle porn. Bare your neck and put on your hottest swamp bikini: it’s time to discover the connection between monsters, sex, and our deepest desires.
Resources from Ella Gallego:
Monstrous Desire Study: https://monstrousdesirestudy.com/Monstrous Desire TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@monstrousdesireMonstrous Desire Study podcast: https://pod.link/1707753667
Listen to S1E3 Penises (with Dr. Emily Willingham): https://www.tabooscience.show/003-penises/
See citations and a transcript here: https://www.tabooscience.show/s3e13-attraction-to-monsters/
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Website: https://www.tabooscience.show/
Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taboo-science/id1533606473
Mentioned in this episode:
Nice Genes
Listen to Nice Genes right here: https://pod.link/1622851335
Customer Reviews
The Only Podcast I Have Ever Left A Review For
Heard of the show and decided to give one episode a listen, then another, then another. I binged the every single episode over a long weekend and now eagerly await every new episode.
The sheer number of times information I’ve learned from this show has become relevant in my life is wild. Not to mention the number of times I have had my opinions changed (on beliefs I held deeply) from listening to this show is a testament to the content, quality, and effort put into it.
Could not recommend any podcast more to anyone and every one.
Five stars isn’t enough. All the stars to Taboo Science.
Fantastic!
I love the style of podcast: edited interview with an interesting expert with ample cutaways by a charismatic and knowledgeable host to either summarize something, explain a detail, or add a relevant personal story. I’ve learned so much and keep sending links to various episodes to different people in my life. This is an excellent example of great science communication!
Great Pod!
My only gripe is that I just now found this.. Although it did allow me to binge a bunch of episodes. Keep ‘em coming!! 💙
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