Colonizing Titan, Suicide Hotline, STEM Toys, Binge-Worthy TV, Harry Potter's Birthday, Weekend Review

Colonizing Titan (0:00:00) Thanks to movies like Voyager and Passenger, interplanetary colonization has captured our imagination. But the thought of populating other planets still seems larger than life. But what if we told you it could be possible –and with a planet in our own solar system? In the past few years, scientists have discovered that Titan, one of Saturn’s moons, has surface conditions that could realistically support human life. So, what would it take for us to make a new home right here in our planetary neighborhood? Today we’re joined by Dr. Amanda Hendrix, a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, here with us to discuss how we could feasibly colonize Titan. National Suicide Hotline (0:19:28) While we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, our country is taking a step forward in the quest to end another public health crisis (another kind of pandemic so to speak): suicide. The FCC recently approved 9-8-8 as the new number for the National Suicide Hotline. This 3-digit number will go into effect in 2022. And it is predicted that this shorter number will save more lives. Joining us today is Representative Chris Stewart of Utah’s second District who introduced and sponsored the bill that directed the FCC to designate 9-8-8 as the new number. STEM Toys (0:36:05) It seems kind of ironic how the smartphone, a miraculous technological advancement small enough to fit in our hands, might actually be making us dumber. Science now tells us that smartphones can lower our brain capacity. This is very concerning especially when we see our kids spending more and more time glued to screens. So, what can we do to help our kids avoid getting addicted and become smarter than their phones? Well you might want to consider getting STEM toys. That’s Sarah Kimmel’s advice. She’s a digital parenting coach and family tech expert, and she joins us today to discuss what cool gadgets we should buy so we can persuade our kids to get off their phones and start learning in a fun way. Binge-Worthy TV (0:52:45) With how crazy everything has been the past few months, there’s been something comforting about sitting down and watching an episode or two... or ten of your favorite TV shows. Some shows make you want to click “next episode” again and again until you’re sore from sitting for so long. But my question is—why? What is it about a TV show that makes it binge worthy? Here to share his thoughts with us is pop culture expert Dan Cody. Harry Potter’s Birthday (1:10:06) July 31st marks the birth of a highly unusual boy. A young boy who got locked in a cupboard every night. And for his birthday? He got old socks. Harry Potter is a beloved literary character, and many remember his birthday by throwing Yule Ball dances, dressing up in wizard robes, and drinking copious amounts of butter beer. So, what can we do to make our celebration of these timeless books extra special this year? Shelli Spotts, party planner, writer, and friend of the show, has some ideas on how we can celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday. We’ve invited her on the show today to tell us more about these ideas. Weekend Review (1:29:26) Lisa and Richie talk about what there is to do this weekend, from the newest shows coming to streaming services to the New York Times Bestseller List.