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
March 28, 2025
CO₂ Ocean Cleanup Plans Controversary, Paralyzed Man That Can Stand Again, and TDIH - Three Mile Island Partial Metldown
A new plan to absorb carbon dioxide from the ocean to fight global warming may be effective, but it is also controversial. Also, a paralyzed man that can stand again after receiving a stem cell treatment. Plus, on This Day in...
March 27, 2025
New Drug Delays Alzheimer's Symptoms, The Skeleton That Could Rewrite Pyramid History, and TDIH - Cherry Blossom Trees Planted in D.C.
A new drug shows signs of delaying Alzheimer’s symptoms in those who are genetically predisposed to the disease and a surprising skeleton discovery could rewrite our history of the pyramids. Plus, On This Day in History, the ...
March 26, 2025
Weird Weds: A New Study Debunks Previously Held Beliefs About a Mummy, A Video Game Stirs Frustration in Japan, Escaped River Otters & TDIH: Dr. Jonas Salk
On this Weird Wednesday episode; A pregnant Egyptian mummy that wasn’t actually pregnant, a new video game has led to the closing of Japanese shrines, and the missing river otters that are enjoying their freedom. Plus, on Thi...
March 25, 2025
Why We Can't Remember Life as a Baby, 21-Year-Old Cured of Sickle Cell Anemia, and TDIH - Discovery of Titan
Why we can’t remember our lives as babies and a groundbreaking gene therapy cures a 21-year-old of his sickle cell anemia. On This Day in History, the discovery of Saturn’s moon Titan. Why Can’t We Remember Our Lives as Babie...
March 24, 2025
Artificial Muscle Created for Soft and Wiggly Robots, Harvesting Earth's Rotation for Energy, and TDIH - Elvis Joins the Army
Scientists are working on soft wiggly robots using artificial muscles and can we harvest energy from Earth’s rotation? Some physicists think they found a way to do it. On This Day in History, Elvis Presley joins the Army. Art...
March 21, 2025
First Images of CO2 in Exoplanet Atmospheres, Bacteria That Makes Biodegradable Plastic, and TDIH - The Closing of Alcatraz
The James Webb Telescope captures the first direct images of carbon dioxide in exoplanet atmospheres and bacteria that makes biodegradable plastic. Plus, on This Day in History, Alcatraz Prison closes its doors. Webb telescop...
March 20, 2025
Saturn's New 128 Moons, "White Hole" Could Revolutionize Our Understanding of the Universe, and TDIH - Near-Riot Caused by an Alarm Clock
Saturn has taken a definitive lead in the moon race as over 100 new moons have been discovered and you have heard of black holes, but the theoretical white hole could revolutionize our understanding of the universe. Plus, on ...
March 19, 2025
First Brown Bear to Undergo Brain Surgery, Fossils Tossed in Dump, Violating the Mary Malone Statue, and TDIH - The Standard Time Act
The first brown bear to undergo brain surgery wakes from hibernation, 380-million-year-old fossils tossed into the dump over an unpaid bill, and the Mary Molone statue in Dublin may be moved to stop people from “violating” it...
March 18, 2025
Neuroprosthetic-Robot System Restores Movement for Spinal Cord Injury, US Bird Populations Decreasing, and TDIH - Largest Art Heist is US History
A breakthrough neuroprosthetic-robot system restores movement in spinal cord injury patients and one-third of US bird species populations are declining. On This Day in History, the largest art heist in US is committed at artw...
March 17, 2025
Lego Tires Eco-Friendly Upgrade, Sea Levels Rise Higher Than Expected, and TDIH - The "Burst of Joy" Pulitzer Prize Photo
Lego is updating how they manufacture their tires to make them more eco-friendly and global sea levels rose more than expected in 2024. On This Day in History, we look back at the Pulitzer Prize winning photograph “Burst of J...
March 14, 2025
Robotic Arm Moved by Thought, How the Brain's Cannabinoid Receptor is Linked to Stress, and TDIH - The Gold Standard Act
A paralyzed man is able to move a robotic arm using only his thoughts with the help of AI and how the brain cannabinoid receptor is linked to stress. Plus, on This Day in History, we take a look at the Gold Standard Act. Para...
March 13, 2025
Psilocybin Might Repair Some Brain Damage, Ancient Fortress Found in Spain During a Solar Plant Construction, and TDIH - The Grapefruit League Name
How Psilocybin might help repair brain damage from mild head trauma and an ancient fortress is discover is Spain during the construction of a solar plant. Plus, on This Day in History, the crazy story of how the Grapefruit Le...
March 12, 2025
Good Night's Sleep Benefits for All Ages, The Royal Shrovetide Game in England, Bathroom Misconduct Cause Flight Issues, and TDIH - FDR's "Fireside Chat"
The importance of sleep for all ages and the health benefits a good night's sleep provides, the interesting rivalry game that takes place in England, and a long flight diverted due to bathroom misconduct. Plus, on This Day in...
March 11, 2025
"3-Body Problem" Discovered in the Kuiper Belt and TDIH - Quiz Show Scandals of the 1950s
At 3.7 billion miles away, a “3-body problem” is discovered in the Kuiper Belt which could rewrite history. Plus, on This Day in History, we look at the quiz show scandals of the 1950s. Hubble Telescope discovers a new '3-bod...
Join the Email List
Listen On
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.
