Spellbound and Gagged
A podcast about all things that fascinate, unsettle and disgust. Not for kids. Hosted by Ellen Weatherford.
Episodes
11 episodes since 2022
10: The Funcanny Valley w/ Tom Lum
Why do we feel so weird when robots look a little too much like humans? How have artists navigated the uncanny valley - whether narrowly avoiding it or intentionally plunging into the psychological trench? Ellen & guest, science communicato...
July 26, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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1:09:04
9: Sex, Drugs, and Rocket Fuel
Who is the mysteriously unnamed "rocket enthusiast" behind the founding of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory? Ashley uncovers the story of rocket engineer Jack Parsons and his relationship to space, occultism, sex rituals, L. Ron Hubbard, and mo...
June 28, 2024
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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39:36
8: Live, Laugh, Lava w/ Meagan Ankney
What makes volcanic eruptions get so catastrophically massive? What's going on below the Earth's surface? Should we be worried about Yellowstone? Ellen & guest, geochemist and science communicator Meagan Ankney, explore all the most burning...
May 12, 2023
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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1:10:04
7: Striking a Cordyceps
Understanding a fungus isn't brain surgery... unless you're an ant. Ellen & Ashley discuss how and why the "zombie-ant fungus" takes control over its insect host, compare reality with the way it's portrayed in pop culture, and look ahead in...
April 14, 2023
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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44:49
6: Pompeii and Circumstance w/ Alex Schmidt
Ellen takes Ashley and and guest Alex Schmidt on a journey through the history of Pompeii before, during, and after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.Links:Follow Alex on ...
March 03, 2023
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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1:14:08
5: The Fat is in the Fire
We’ve got fire in our belly for this episode’s topic: the puzzling phenomenon of spontaneous human combustion. How does a person suddenly and mysteriously burst into flames, and what happens to the human body when it burns? Find out with us.
February 17, 2023
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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50:51
4: A Parasite for Sore Eyes w/ Katie Goldin
The animal kingdom takes toxic relationships to a whole new level. Ellen & guest Katie Goldin discuss their favorite parasites, from snail eyestalk raves to big juicy butts to warm, cozy fish mouths. What’s the matter? Crab got your tongue?...
January 13, 2023
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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1:01:48
3: Let's Get Nuclear Wasted
This podcast is a message... and part of a system of messages... pay attention to it! Ellen & Ashley discuss nuclear waste, from the Simpsons and ninja turtle ooze to the mysteries of the distant future and our best attempts to protect them...
December 16, 2022
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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58:31
2: Pick Your Poison w/ Vikram Baliga
Ellen & guest, the Plant Professor™ Dr. Vikram Baliga, discuss nightshade, hemlock, poisonous eggplants, medieval pranks, witchcraft, and the death of Socrates.Further reading:
December 02, 2022
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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49:47
1: The Zero G Spot
Hooking up with your coworkers is awkward enough on Earth. Just imagine how astronauts feel. Ashley & Ellen discuss the "ins and outs" of off-planet sex, from the effects of radiation on reproduction to the troublesome issue of bodily fluid...
November 11, 2022
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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48:20