The Curiosity of!? Podcast

19: 👵 The oldest woman in the world and frozen dogs

This episode we travel far back in time to look at some frozen dogs found in the Siberian tundra. These amazingly preserved animals are helping scientists understand the evolution and domestication of modern-day canines - could they be ancestors of the first Russian space dogs?
We follow this with the life of Margaret Ann Neve, the first woman to live to 110 years and span three different centuries – truly a Guernsey Great!
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Show notes: https://curiosityofpod.com/episodes/the-oldest-woman-in-the-world-and-frozen-dogs

18: 💨 A load of hot air, science and history of farts

Since the last episode Anton has turned 10 so as a little treat and a sign of his new levels of responsibility he selected the topic for this show. We’ll not reveal it here but it’s fun and maybe a tiny bit rude but still full of science, facts and history! Anton also has a lovely birthday message from the Flatpack History of Sweden podcast and we even had some fan art! Don’t forget we now have a website curiosityofpod.com and are on Twitter @curiosityofpod
Show notes: https://curiosityofpod.com/episodes/something-smelly-history-science-farts

17: 💣 Fortress Guernsey - the invasion and occupation

28 June 1940, German bombers attack the town and harbour of St Peter Port, Guernsey. Misidentifying a row of trucks containing tomatoes for military vehicles they destroy them killing 33 civilians in the process, luckily just over a week earlier many of the islanders had been evacuated. Just two days later the island is under German occupation. For the next five years those remaining would live alongside their occupiers - one soldier to every two civilians - as Hitler ordered the island to be turned into an ‘impregnable fortress’.
Show notes: https://curiosityofpod.com/episodes/fortress-guernsey-the-invasion-and-occupation

16: 🐝 Pollinators and fear

Every person alive today is here thanks to pollinators – bees, wasps, butterflies, beetles and more. They are vital to all life on our planet but their habitats aren’t always protected. Anton investigates the pollinators found in Guernsey and the Pollinator Project – a local initiative to help protect and raise awareness of their importance. I then tell of a traumatic event that happened to me several nights ago and the effect it had on my body!
Show notes: https://curiosityofpod.com/episodes/16-guernsey-pollinator-project-matter-and-the-science-of-fear

15: 📚 Guernsey Literary Festival WriteStuff winners and Vulture poo!

This episode we look at the winners of the WriteStuff. It’s a local writing competition for school children and part of the Guernsey Literary Festival, the theme this year was freedom. We are very lucky and have been allowed to play some clips from the winning stories. Visit https://writestuff.gg for more. Anton then reads his winning entry from two years ago. In our second feature I discuss vultures – their myths, their resistance to botulism and their poo!
Show notes: https://curiosityofpod.com/episodes/15-guernsey-literary-festival-writestuff-winners-and-vulture-poo

14: 🦀 Rock pool life and back to the Spice Islands

This episode we leave lockdown to see what’s living in the rock pools at low tide - far away from other humans - and discover a lot of crabs! Anton tells us more about our many legged friends and I discover what barnacles actually are. We then island hop to the Banda Islands, the home of nutmeg, a spice with an interesting history and effects on your nody if you consume too much.
Show notes: hhttps://curiosityofpod.com/episodes/14-rock-pool-life-and-back-to-the-spice-islands-for-nutmeg

13: 🐰 Easter traditions, unlucky 13 and a special guest

After a long delay we are back with a bumper episode! We begin with Anton’s look at pre-Christian festivals that may have inspired Easter as well as odd modern day traditions, then Curious Mummy shares her experience of Easter in Russia and her love of Fabergé eggs.
Being our unlucky 13th episode I delve into where this superstition may have come from and we remember that, 50 years ago to the day, Apollo 13 was struck by some bad luck but saved by some amazing minds.
Show notes: https://curiosityofpod.com/episodes/13-easter-traditions-unlucky-13-and-a-special-guest

12: 🦠 Let’s soap that Corona

Anton is feeling a bit off colour but bravely soldiers on in this episode about viruses. We start by looking at who discovered them and when, then shrink down to investigate if they are living organism or not. After getting so close to a virus it’s wise to wash your hands so we do just this and find out how soap destroys them. Finally we offer a little friendly advice to keep you all going. Stay safe.
Show notes: https://curiosityofpod.com/episodes/12-lets-soap-that-corona

11: 🕰 The time travelling Mayan journal and 11 missing days

Anton discovered a 500-year-old journal that has been handed down by generations of archaeologists exploring the history of the Maya. Something very strange happens when we open it as we’re transported back in time. Continuing the Chronometry theme I look why we have leap years and how they lead to 11 missing days.
Show notes: https://curiosityofpod.com/episodes/11-the-time-travelling-mayan-journal-and-11-missing-days

10: 🏰 The Lionheart’s castle and talk like an Egyptian

In 1203 Richard the Lionheart’s favourite castle is sieged after his death. Will it survive or will the French find a humorous fatal design flaw? In Anton Investigates he reveals all and also looks at the role of medieval blacksmiths. We also listen to the voice of a 3000 year-old Egyptian mummy thanks to cutting edge research and introduce our first funny phobia – Shuicaophobia!
Show notes: https://curiosityofpod.com/episodes/10-the-lionhearts-castle-and-talk-like-an-egyptian