Learn It from a Layman
The educational podcast where you learn about a topic from or with a layman.
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Episodes
Monday Sep 21, 2020
Monday Sep 21, 2020
We start a twelve-part, decade-based history series. Starting out at the turn of the 20th century, we discuss the first flight, cubism, Einstein, the Tunguska event, the great San Francisco earthquake and fire, and Winston Churchill. Come find out about the politics, culture, and science that shaped the last century.
Friday Sep 11, 2020
Friday Sep 11, 2020
What is nuclear power? How do we harness it and how safe is it really? How many horses does it take to equal a nuclear fission reactor and why do we keep horse-shaming? Join us for a discussion of nuclear fission and fusion, from the chemical process all the way to the management of radioactive nuclear waste.
Thursday Sep 03, 2020
Thursday Sep 03, 2020
What does ad hominem mean? How do you attack a strawman? Can you use ignorance as an argument? Come learn about logical fallacies, how to recognize them, and to avoid them. Plus, we do 3 interesting facts.
Friday Aug 28, 2020
Friday Aug 28, 2020
If you're starting a YouTube channel, a podcast, a restaurant, a small business, or a band and have questions about copyright, trademark, and licensing, we have your answers. Attorney Mick McGirr explains the basics of copyright law, what trademarking is, and what you need to get a license for. We discuss fair use, derivative works, and copyright infringement. Did Ice Cube stop, collaborate and listen? Can teachers get rich selling their school work? (Spoiler: no.) How do I get legal help with a small budget?
Friday Aug 14, 2020
Friday Aug 14, 2020
What is a febrile seizure? How many children experience seizures? What's happening in your brain when a seizure happens? What is postictal mean and what does it look like? Doctor Jonny answers these and more and Carl shares his nightmare experience with a seizure.
Friday Aug 07, 2020
Friday Aug 07, 2020
Do you read faster on a screen or on paper? What is the McGurk effect? Is there a problem with birthdays? Do Americans and Canadians have border disputes? Come listen as we discuss these questions and more.
Monday Aug 03, 2020
Monday Aug 03, 2020
We cover some basic concepts of statistics including the normal distribution, standard deviation, t-tests, and why the supply of nachos and avocados are linked. What are statistical biases? Can horses do math? Can anything other than potatoes be au gratin? We answer these questions and many more.
Thursday Jul 16, 2020
Thursday Jul 16, 2020
What do you translate, language or meaning? How does machine translation work and when is it useful? What's going to happen to professional translators? Come hear us discuss all things translation related.
About Us
We bring an eclectic group together: a linguist turned computer scientist, a mechanical engineer, a hospitality manager, a teacher, and a doctor. And that doesn't include our guests. Some would say, "Hey, you're not 'laymen'!" To that we would respond, "Shh..." In reality, we take on various subjects in which we are certainly laymen. Additionally, from a philosophical perspective, we think everyone is a layman sometimes, and that's ok. We should embrace that and learn. So join us in learning. We try to keep it fun and interesting, but mostly we try to bring you along with us as you learn it from a layman.