Cool Stuff Ride Home
In just 15 minutes, the coolest stuff that happened in the world today. Science, progress, life-hacks, memes, exciting art and hope. The antidote to depressing headlines. Smart stuff in podcast form. Cool news, as a service.
Recent Episodes
Feb. 21, 2025
Foreign Rocks Infiltrate Our Solar System, Turning Cancer Cells into Healthy Cells, and TDIH - The First Electric Burglar Alarm
On today's episode, our solar system is being invaded by particles from another star system and combating cancer by switching tumor cells back into healthy cells. Plus, on This Day in History, the first electric burglar alar…
Feb. 20, 2025
How Bacteria Could Help Solve Crimes, Boosting Beneficial Gut Bacteria with Coffee, and TDIH - The Underground Chicago Fright Tunnels
Today, bacteria are in the limelight as we discover how bacteria could help solve crimes and how coffee can help boost beneficial gut bacteria. On This Day in History, we go underground for the construction of the Chicago fr…
Feb. 19, 2025
Feather-Shaped Clouds on Mars, Swallowed by a Whale, Sewer Animals, and TDIH - The Bombing of Darwin
This Weird Wednesday episode covers the colorful feather shaped clouds are spotted on Mars, a kayaker that was swallowed by a whale, and alligators (along with other animals) that are being found in the sewers. Plus, on This…
Feb. 18, 2025
Brain Activity When Trying to Think of a Word, Brain Cells That Tell You to Stop Eating, and TDIH - The First Vacuum Cleaner
Today, we focus on the brain. A new study looks at what is happening in your brain when there is a word “on the tip of your tongue” and researchers discover the brain cells that tell you when to stop eating. Plus, on This Da…
Feb. 17, 2025
Preparing Your Digital Assests After Death, Bison Released in the Great Plains, and TDIH - The First Submarine to Sink an Enemy Warship
Wills are used to list what happens to our physical goods after we die, but how should you plan ahead for your digital assets after death? We have a list of ways to prepare your digital life after passing. Plus, some bison a…
Feb. 14, 2025
How a Beaver Dam Saved Money and a River, How Omega 3 Might Slow Aging, and TDIH - YouTube is Founded
Beavers build a much-needed dam that would have cost $1.2 million to make otherwise and how Omega 3 can slow your aging. Plus, on This Day in History, YouTube celebrates its 20th anniversary. We take a look back at the start…
Feb. 13, 2025
Chances of Asteroid Collision Have Increased, How Turmeric Can Help Support Your Health, and TDIH - The First Magazine in the US is Published
The chances have slightly increased for an asteroid collision with Earth or the Moon in 2032 and what that means for us. Plus, how turmeric may help restore antibiotic effectiveness and assist with fighting superbugs. On Thi…
Feb. 12, 2025
Jumping Robots in Space, a Salmon Escape, an Egg Heist, Dumpster Diving for Bitcoin, and TDIH - "The Scream" is Stolen
This Weird Wednesday episode has the jumping robot that could help us discover our solar system, a salmon escape with a high bounty, the egg heist of the century, and dumpster diving for bitcoin. Plus, on This Day in History…
Feb. 11, 2025
Heavy Cannabis Use and Brain Function, Mammoth Bone Structure Reveals Clues About Ice Age Hunters, and TDIH - The First Bicycling Club in the US
A new study finds heavy cannabis use can impair brain function during memory tasks and an ancient mammoth bone structure reveals clues about ice age hunters' lives. Plus, on This Day in History, America’s first bicycling clu…
Feb. 10, 2025
New "Strong as Steel, Light as Styrofoam" Material, the PlayStation Network Issue/Compensation, and TDIH - Man vs Computer Chess Match
The new material that is as strong as steel but light as Styrofoam along with the PlayStation Network issue that occurred over the weekend and their plan for compensation. Plus, on This Day in History, the chess match of Man…
Feb. 7, 2025
Gecko Inspired Anti-slip Shoes. Europa Clipper Mission Update, and TDIH - Leather Shoes Rations Issued During WWII
Anti-slip shoes that were inspired by geckos and an update on the Europa Clipper mission as new images have been received from its flight to Jupiter. Plus, on This Day in History, restrictions on leather shoes were issued du…
Feb. 6, 2025
Apes Understand When You Are Clueless, The First Moon Data Center, and TDIH - Jack Kirby and the First Integrated Circuit
A new study suggests that apes can recognize when a human doesn’t know something and will try to fill in the gaps, plus, we look at the first possible lunar data center. On This Day in History, we focus on Jack Kilby and his…
Feb. 5, 2025
New Fabric to Keep You Warm, Questions About Ancient Civilizations on Mars, Satellite for Sale on Ebay, and the Scotland Cat Ban. Plus, TDIH - The Lost Atomic Bomb
It's a Weird Wednesday episode; the new fabric that will warm you up without the use of electronics, a resurfaced image has people questioning life on Mars, an old satellite that is for sale, and cats are safe in Scotland…fo…
Feb. 4, 2025
Robot Pets Prove Beneficial, Asteroid Samples Lend Insight to Extraterrestrial Life, and TDIH - The Space Mirror Mission
How robot pets could be beneficial, the sample from Bennu adds insight to extraterrestrial life, and on This Day in History, the space mirror that designed to light up the long winter for the arctic. Cat-Like Robot Mimics Bu…
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About the Host
Jackson Bird
Host, Kottke Ride Home
Jackson Bird is a writer and internet creator dedicated to demystifying the transgender experience. A YouTube NextUp Creator and GLAAD Rising Star Digital Innovator, Jackson shares his and others’ stories on his YouTube channel, jackisnotabird, and in his debut book Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, Vulture, The Advocate, and more, and his TED Talk "How to talk (and listen) to transgender people" has been viewed over one and a half million times. Jackson lives in New York City, where he hosts the daily podcast Kottke Ride Home. You can follow him online @jackisnotabird.
