Sidenote by AsapSCIENCE

In recent months measles outbreaks have been on the rise, and diseases we thought were long gone are making a comeback.  What't the solution?  How do we talk about vaccines and bust the myths around them? This week Rachel and Greg (don't worry, Mitch will be back!) chat about how to best discuss science misinformation.  

Our handsome Prime Minister has been having a rough couple of months.  The recent SNC Lavalin scandal is showcasing that Trudeau and Canada aren't as squeaky clean has many would like to believe. This week Greg and Mitch remember the time JT asked AsapSCIENCE to interview him as well as when they had a private Beyonce show!  They then take a deeper dive into what this political scandal means for the upcoming election.  

What's really going on within the dairy industry? Why should we be on the lookout for Giardia lamblia? What are some ways to use cognitive bias to your advantage? This week, Greg and Mitch discuss veganism. They share stories about their challenging attempts to do away with animal products, and then they dive deep into the issue to discuss things we all need to think about when considering what we put into our bodies!

Why are tracking shots so effective? Are the Academy Awards merit-based? And speaking of awards, what are some things you could do to up your chances at winning a Nobel Prize? This week's episode is all about the Oscars! Greg and Mitch review some of their most- and least-favourite nominated films, and then they debate whether or not the Oscars should even still exist.

Making vlogs and watching vlogs is a favourite millennial pass time!  On one hand it's a way of documenting and sharing your life but on the other there's a lot of pressure! This week Greg and Mitch reflect back to the time they 'stole' a child, to when they posted weekly vlogs and whether or not they should start making them again! 

Why are Apple store employees trained to interpret body language? What are things you can do to reduce the amount of time you spend on your phone?  This week, Greg and Mitch dive head-first into the Smartphone War! After sharing stories about their experiences with the competing brands, they debate over which is better: Apple or Android!

Does temperature affect our perception of time? Why are some people more inclined than others to take risks? How much of an impact did the ice storm of 2013 actually have? This week, as the snow piles up in Toronto, Greg and Mitch discuss winter! They share stories about some of their most harrowing winter experiences, and then they get into a debate over whether the coldest season is nothing but an inconvenience or a chance to cozy up and enjoy life!

What are some of the most stressful jobs, and some of the stinkiest smells? Can Greg and Mitch get through the tidying up process in one piece? This week, Greg and Mitch are inspired by Marie Kondo, her bestselling book and her hit TV show! They share horror stories about cleaning up both at work and at home, and then get into a debate over whether or not tidying up is actually as magical an experience as Marie Kondo professes it to be. The science is spliced in throughout.

How can you improve your microbiome diversity? What's the science behind the new intermittent fasting craze? Why exactly do we eat three meals a day? This week, Greg and Mitch share stories about what they grew up eating for breakfast, and how it still affects them to this day! They then get into a debate over whether or not this morning meal is overhyped or undervalued.

What has Ellen's impact been on our culture and society? She seems to sell everything, so how much is she actually worth? This week, Greg and Mitch share personal stories about Ellen, why she means so much to them, but also why they're beginning to be skeptical of her. They then get into a conversation surrounding where she currently stands in a cultural sense following her recent interview with Kevin Hart.

As requested by listeners these are some of your favourite clips from 2018. Thank you for an amazing first year of our podcast - we really appreciate it! See you in 2019

This week Greg recounts another celebrity encounter in the big city and Mitch breaks down the spooky fun you can have in the good ol' country. With Sidenotes on what makes or breaks a city and what is widening the urban/rural divide. We then debate which is better - the hustle and bustle or the peace and quiet.

Is stress killing you? How can science help you deal it? This week Mitch talks about when he almost died in Bangladesh and Greg explains the stress of having his students light each other on fire. We then explain how stress works, why it can slowly kill you and how to scientifically deal with it.

What has science discovered about the gay hook up app Grindr? Is it damaging peoples confidence or fostering consensual sex?  This week, Greg and guest host Matt Rogers (comedian / host of Las Culturistas) tell stories about their experience with Grindr, open relationships and STIs. The final debate between Greg and Matt is about whether Grindr has a positive or negative influence on the queer community.

Okay, so this week Greg and Mitch debate about whether or not "Juuling" -- the e-cigarette phenomenon sweeping the nation -- is having a positive or negative impact. They also share stories about their experiences growing up with tobacco products of both the smoking and chewing variety!