Episode 600 - Katie Novotny
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In this milestone Episode 600 of Probably Science, hosts Andy and Matt welcome comedian Katie Novotny for a lively, heartfelt conversation that blends personal stories, science curiosities, and humor. Katie opens up about her recent diagnosis of a torn labrum and hip dysplasia, requiring surgery and putting her touring plans on hold—leading to a series of absurdly funny hypotheticals about the surgical team's potential romantic entanglements or casting connections. The episode dives into nostalgic high school memories, including fetal pig dissections, the infamous 'nuggeting' prank, and a beloved chemistry teacher who made mole day unforgettable with a deep dive into The Italian Job. Katie shares her creative journey, her brother’s marine biology work, and her surprising foray into singing in choirs, including a Latin Christmas performance with a hilariously inaccurate pronunciation. The science segment explores the newly documented head-butting behavior of sperm whales, revealing a mysterious organ called 'junk' in their heads that acts as a shock absorber and echolocation chamber. The hosts also discuss a mathematical study confirming a 20-year fashion cycle, with modern trends echoing the 90s and early 2000s, and marvel at human evolutionary adaptations, such as Andean populations' ability to metabolize arsenic and Thai children’s enhanced underwater vision. The episode closes with Katie promoting her special 'Son of Your Dreams' and her musical project Warsaw Poland Brothers, while the hosts reflect on their 14-year podcast journey with gratitude and humor.
Sperm whales have a unique 'junk' organ in their heads that serves as a shock absorber during head-butting, a behavior now confirmed by drone footage.
Human evolution has led to genetic adaptations in Andean populations allowing them to safely metabolize toxic levels of arsenic in their water supply.
Children from the Moken tribe in Thailand have evolved the ability to constrict their pupils and adjust their lenses to see clearly underwater, giving them superior underwater vision.
Fashion trends follow a predictable 20-year cycle, driven by a mathematical tension between conformity and the desire to stand out.
Katie Novotny’s upcoming comedy special 'Son of Your Dreams' is available on YouTube and encourages listeners to support her by watching and commenting.
…and 1 more takeaway available in PodZeus
Welcome to Episode 600 with Katie Novotny
The hosts kick off the 600th episode with a humorous intro, introducing Katie Novotny as a comedian and softball teammate, setting a lighthearted tone for the conversation.
Katie's Health Journey and Surgical Anticipation
“I could end up pretty bionic and you don't even know. Exactly. Exactly. Yeah, I could end up with something way more interesting than what my current personality and my comedy routine is.”
High School Science Memories: Fetal Pigs and Mole Day
“We had to do some singing in this Joshua Tree Philharmonic in the Christmas show, and it was in Latin, and they had a Latin pronunciation guide. But I was like, this is, I think, just... Spanish slash Italian as far as the vowel sounds.”
Musical Adventures and the Joy of Choir
Katie recounts her experiences in multiple choirs, including singing Latin in a Christmas show, and her love for Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance, which she saw on Broadway.
The Science of Sperm Whale Head-Butting and 'Junk'
“The junk in a sperm whale's head is a massive fatty organ located below the spermaceti organ used to focus sound for echolocation and to act as a shock absorber during head ramming.”
“The junk in a sperm whale's head is a massive fatty organ located below the spermaceti organ used to focus sound for echolocation and to act as a shock absorber during head ramming.”
“You're so irritating. Yeah. Get out of here. Just... Is this what you're going to do all day? Just when the two of you get together, you just headbutt with your boners?”
“I could end up pretty bionic and you don't even know. Exactly. Exactly. Yeah, I could end up with something way more interesting than what my current personality and my comedy routine is.”
Hosts
Guest
Katie Novotny
person
Andy
person
Matt
person
Sperm Whale
other
Junk
other
Moken Children
other
Andean Population
other
Joshua Tree Philharmonic
organization
Warsaw Poland Brothers
other
Project Hail Mary
book
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