Above The Noise

Ever find yourself in a negative thinking spiral? Of course you have! It’s human nature. Cognitive distortions aka thinking traps– are basically exaggerated or irrational negative thought patterns that can lead us to believe things that aren’t necessarily true.

Do you need a caffeinated drink like coffee to start your day or meet a big deadline? You're not alone. About 90% of human beings worldwide consume some form of caffeine. Medically, caffeine isn't considered addictive. But it can feel that way, since caffeine blocks the neurochemicals that make us feel sleepy. And too much caffeine can cause jitteriness and even anxiety attacks.

Ever find yourself losing track of time while you’re on your phone? Well, that’s not by accident. Our favorite apps are intentionally designed to keep us on them as long as possible so tech companies can gather data from us about what we like and engage with. But what design tricks are these app companies using, and what is the impact on us?

You'd think with millions of people posting ideas, photos and funny dances that social media would be a great place for individuality. So why are the same viral videos and trends everywhere? Watch as Myles breaks down what's going on with the help of some teen collaborators!

America tosses out tons of old electronics every year. Literally! Around 6.92 million tons in 2019 alone and a lot of that e-waste contains toxic chemicals, things like lead and mercury. If those are not handled properly, they can contaminate the environment and cause serious health issues... So what actually happens to all that hazardous e-waste? You might not like the answer...

The U.S. military faced a historic recruitment crisis in 2022, failing to meet goals for enlisting new soldiers by a wide margin. Why are so many young people saying no to military service?

The sad truth is that we have a meat problem. We raise BILLIONS of animals every year, and for many of them, the conditions are pretty terrible. AND the whole process is a big contributor to climate change. Join Myles in exploring the cell to table process of lab-grown meat and the potential impacts it can have on the environment and the global food industry.

Highways are everywhere in America and are a big part of our everyday lives as they allow us to expand our ability to travel places efficiently -- but is their presence secretly impacting our health? Myles explores the history of the interstate highway system and the impacts it has on certain communities to answer the question: Should we remove some of America's highways?

Do you feel a special connection with a celebrity or famous person? You might be in a parasocial relationship. Myles Bess explores the psychology of parasocial relationships and seeks to answer the question: Why do some people have them and are they harmful?

True, private jets are mostly the rarified ride of rock stars and pro athletes, but they are also a growing share of air travel. How can such small planes be damaging the environment? Myles explores the data on how CO2 emissions from private jets affect climate change. It's more than you think, especially if you look at it per trip or per passenger. Some European countries want to ban private jets

In this episode Myles talks to people with autism and explores what acceptance of neurodiversity could look like. Watch and then let us know: How can the social model of disability change how society views autism?

Beavers are dam-building, furry little cuties but did you also know that these adorable rodents can help protect landscapes from wildfires and drought and fight climate change?