Log in

goodpods headphones icon

To access all our features

Open the Goodpods app
Close icon
headphones
Chemistry For Your Life

Chemistry For Your Life

Melissa and Jam, Bleav

profile image

1 Creator

profile image

1 Creator

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.
profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
Share icon

All episodes

Best episodes

Top 10 Chemistry For Your Life Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Chemistry For Your Life episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Chemistry For Your Life for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Chemistry For Your Life episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Question and Response 57

In this bonus episode of 'Chemistry For Your Life,' hosts Melissa Collini and Jam Robinson answer listener-submitted questions about various chemistry topics. They discuss the distinction between 'chemical' and 'natural' smells, plant poisons, and the mechanisms behind face scrubs and soaps. The episode also features insights from a listener working in the beauty industry and addresses the challenges of avoiding fast food in the context of food deserts. Additionally, the hosts express gratitude for their supportive listeners and patrons.

00:00 Introduction and Greetings
00:58 Listener Questions: Chemical Smells
06:02 Insights from the Beauty Industry
08:33 Plant Poisons and Refrigerants
12:01 Face Scrubs and Soap Science
14:33 Fast Food and Food Deserts
19:46 Listener Shoutouts and Reviews
22:31 Conclusion and Thank Yous

Thanks to our monthly supporters

  • Jessie Reder
  • Ciara Linville
  • J0HNTR0Y
  • Jeannette Napoleon
  • Cullyn R
  • Erica Bee
  • Elizabeth P
  • Sarah Moar
  • Rachel Reina
  • Letila
  • Katrina Barnum-Huckins
  • Suzanne Phillips
  • 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

profile image

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Chemistry For Your Life - Bonus: How do gasses dissolve in liquid? (and other questions)
play

01/13/22 • 33 min

Bonus Episode: Question and Response 26

In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about fluoride, decaf coffee, dissolving gasses, careers in chemistry, witnessing moments from history, and more!

Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/

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 ★
bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Chemistry For Your Life - Do nasal decongestants even work?

Do nasal decongestants even work?

Chemistry For Your Life

play

10/20/22 • 43 min

#146

When we are sick and super congested, many of us go to the store to pick up a decongestant. But what if some decongestants DON'T EVEN WORK, like at all? Wouldn't that be frustrating? Well we're sorry to say, it's true. Some "decongestants" are essentially ineffective against congestion? Why? Why are they even sold? Why are they even called decongestants then? Let's talk about this big mess.

How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!

References from this episode

  1. https://www-science-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/content/blog-post/uselessness-phenylephrine
  2. https://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/shrubs-and-trees/EphedraGreen
  3. https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/ephedra-plant
  4. https://www.compoundchem.com/2015/01/06/decongestants/
  5. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/molecule-of-the-week/archive/p/pseudoephedrine.html
  6. https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/science/article/abs/pii/S0065291108601642?via%3Dihub
  7. https://pharmacy.ufl.edu/2015/10/14/uf-researchers-ask-fda-to-remove-non-prescription-decongestant-from-the-market/
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534801/#:~:text=The%20FDA%2Dapproved%20indication%20for,as%20septic%20shock%20or%20anesthesia.
  9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8174445/
  10. https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FDA-2015-P-4131/document
  11. https://extension.usu.edu/rangeplants/shrubs-and-trees/EphedraGreen
  12. https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.libproxy.library.unt.edu/pmc/articles/PMC8152226/
  13. https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(06)00633-6/fulltext

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.

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 ★
bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Chemistry For Your Life - What is gluten?

What is gluten?

Chemistry For Your Life

play

12/01/22 • 30 min

#149

Gluten. Public enemy number one. If you're gluten intolerant that is. But what is gluten? Why is it in bread? What does it do in bread? Let's find out.

References from this episode

  1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17008153/
  2. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/10/6/617
  3. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/past-issues/archive-2011-2012/gluten.html#:~:text=Gluten%20is%20composed%20of%20two,hydrogen%20bonds%20with%20each%20other.
  4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17008153/
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife. We love using Transistor to host our podcast -> Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.

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 ★
bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Chemistry For Your Life - How do trick candles reignite?

How do trick candles reignite?

Chemistry For Your Life

play

11/03/22 • 34 min

#147

Maybe you've experienced them yourself, maybe you've just heard of them, but trick candles are real, they are chemistry, they are kinda dangerous, and they are mean. Let's get into it.

How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!

References from this episode

  1. https://cen.acs.org/articles/88/i32/Trick-Candles.html?PageSpeed=noscript#:~:text=In%20a%20trick%20candle%2C%20magnesium,magnesium%20powder%2C%20producing%20tiny%20sparks.
  2. Characterization of Candle Flames ANTHONY HAMINS* AND MATTHEW BUNDY
  3. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/products/candle-safety.html
  4. https://youtu.be/B9asozzeAwY
  5. https://www.asminternational.org/documents/10192/18497580/amp17205p28.pdf
  6. https://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/12/magnesium
  7. https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1201&context=theses
Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife. And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.

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 ★
bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Bonus Episode: Question and Response 36

In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about raw garlic burns, Bella Hadid's dress, carbon monoxide poisoning, and more!

References from this Episode

  1. https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/16/science/not-for-the-faint-of-mouth-why-garlic-packs-such-a-wallop.html#:~:text=It%20turns%20out%20that%20garlic,chili%20peppers%20and%20wasabi%20mustard.
  2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28390650/
  3. https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1111/scd.12605

Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/

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 ★
bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Chemistry For Your Life - How is coffee decaffeinated?

How is coffee decaffeinated?

Chemistry For Your Life

play

01/06/22 • 40 min

#126

Coffee Part 3! So we all know coffee has caffeine in it. But what if you want your coffee... without the caffeine? Is that as impossible as wanting to have your cake and eat it too? Thankfully no, we all know decaffeinated coffee exists. But how in the actual HECK do they get the caffeine out? Well, there's multiple ways and they are all fascinating. Check it out.

How to start a podcast. <- Check this out if you've got a podcast idea you want to make happen!

References from this episode

  1. http://bibliotecadigital.uns.edu.ar/pdf/laar/v40n3/v40n3a12.pdf
  2. https://www.compoundchem.com/2018/09/26/coffee-decaffeination/
  3. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kulathooran_Ramalakshmi/publication/12783410_Caffeine_in_Coffee_Its_Removal_Why_and_How/links/55011f840cf2d61f8211e411.pdf

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.

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 ★
bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Chemistry For Your Life - What even is sunscreen and how does it screen the sun?
play

10/13/22 • 29 min

#013 Rebroadcast

This week Melissa and Jam explore the chemistry of not being burned by the big, ominous, flaming ball of radioactive insanity that lights up our skies each day. Did you know that to some people, radiation burns are no big deal? ̄_(ツ)_/ ̄ It's actually a very big deal and the sun is constantly trying to kill us all. Save yourselves.

References from this episode

  1. Organic Chemistry Textbook, Edition 11 - T.W. Graham Solomons
  2. Chemistry, Edition 2, Openstax - Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley, and William R. Robinson
  3. Wikipedia references for SPF
  4. American Academy of Dermatology FAQs
Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife. Email us at [email protected] And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/

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 ★
bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Chemistry For Your Life - Bonus: How is pressure measured? (and other questions)
play

09/29/22 • 32 min

Bonus Episode: Question and Response 35

In this month's bonus episode, Melissa and Jam respond to comments and questions about pressure, eicosane, clouds, chemistry analogies, coffee, and baking.

Want to start your own podcast? Use Transistor and you'll have the best podcast platform available. We use it and we are totally in love with it.

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/

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 ★
bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Chemistry For Your Life - How do sunglasses protect us?

How do sunglasses protect us?

Chemistry For Your Life

play

02/11/21 • 37 min

#082

Wow sunglasses sure are cool. What's the coolest thing about them? Is it how cool they make us look and feel? Or is it the chemistry inside them? We'll let you decide, but we think you'll be surprised to find out how significant a role chemistry plays in the making of your shades.

References from this episode

  1. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acs.chas.8b23208
  2. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.macromol.8b02513
  3. https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/issues/2018-2019/December2018/2%20Shades%20TG%20Reading%20Supports.docx
  4. https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/product-information/
  5. https://cen.acs.org/articles/94/i19/Periodic-graphics-chemistry-sunglasses.html
  6. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781118909911.ch26
  7. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/ma960808x
  8. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/1999/JM/a902864a#!divAbstract

Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife.
Email us at [email protected]
And check out our chill, simple little website at https://chemforyourlife.transistor.fm/
And seriously, we love using Transistor. Check it out to be sure your podcast makes a bang.

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 ★
bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Show more best episodes

Toggle view more icon

FAQ

How many episodes does Chemistry For Your Life have?

Chemistry For Your Life currently has 318 episodes available.

What topics does Chemistry For Your Life cover?

The podcast is about Everyday, Learning, Story, Chemistry, Storytelling, Humor, Podcast, Podcasts, Education and Science.

What is the most popular episode on Chemistry For Your Life?

The episode title 'Ask a Chemist: Why do chemicals smell "chemically?" (And other questions)' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Chemistry For Your Life?

The average episode length on Chemistry For Your Life is 32 minutes.

How often are episodes of Chemistry For Your Life released?

Episodes of Chemistry For Your Life are typically released every 6 days, 23 hours.

When was the first episode of Chemistry For Your Life?

The first episode of Chemistry For Your Life was released on Jul 9, 2019.

Show more FAQ

Toggle view more icon

Comments