Mark and Toddcast

Many of us have heard of the Biosphere 2 project - it was one of the main news stories of 1991, which Todd just visited in Arizona. But many don't know the full history, controversy, and eventual take-over of the project from the genius hippy theater freaks who built it to.....yes, Steve Bannon, and then eventually the University of Arizona.

Look who found their way back to the studio! We're back for an all-news catch-up show detailing some of the bigger stories we flagged over the past month or so.

This week we take a short look into an indigenous South American warrior named Galvarino, who, despite having his hands cut off by Spanish Conquistadors, strapped knives to his stumps to rally his fellow Mapuche community into fighting back. In the news:  the Portland Wolverine is sighted again, a promising anti-Alzheimer enzyme, remembering Darcelle, the USS Robert Smalls, a Sriracha shortage (or is there?), REI closes its Portland location, and more.

This week we have a nice CozyCast™ discussion about science and Portland news, including meatballs made from mammoth meat, the closing of Cracker Barrel, Portland's wolverine sightings, Walmart eliminates grocery bags, US renewable energy outpaces oil, the Exploding Whales baseball team, the power of Dad Jokes, and a very special edition of Hero Citizen, from a Tualatin woman and her penis shrub.

This week we revisit the topic of moral panics, and discuss some of the elements into what makes a moral panic, from switchblades to saggy pants to everything in between. In the news segment: Naval space lasers, facial recognition laws, can money buy happiness?, a fungus named after Keanu Reeves, the price of insulin drops, and the Trail Blazers get a Bigfoot.

After catching up on a months-worth of science and Portland news, we take a look at a little company from Ridgefield, Washington that had one simple idea: "What if I could borrow a truck to help me move my stuff to a different city?"

Like it or not, Artificial Intelligence -- in many different areas -- will have an enormous impact on the future. This week we take a look at where AI is right now, some of its current applications, and some of the ramifications coming in the future. But the most important thing, McDONALD'S IN AUSTRALIA IS NO LONGER CARRYING DIET COKE THIS IS NOT A DRILL

This week we bring you the story of Mark's neighbor Rose, a woman in her late 20's who has already had two heart transplants, and is now on the waiting list for both a heart and liver transplant. She honored us by telling her story about navigating the emotional burdens, as well as the medical and insurance nightmares that come with long-term care.  Please check to see if you are listed as an organ donor, and please make ethical and moral choices when it comes to who gets medical care in this country.

We also talk about an 88-year-old man who gets a WW1 missile stuck up his rectum, but don't let that take away from the organ donation thing.

It's that time of year again where we take a look back and compile all the Dad Jokes from the beginning of each episode. Enjoy, and thanks for another great year!

This week we're joined by Brock Dittus and Aaron Flores (you may recognize them from the Sprocket Podcast), who talk about the process of recreating a long-lost song found on a demonstration cassette tape. All that, and plenty Rick Emerson talk, ending with Emerson's epic 8/8/08 radio speech. Enjoy!

Find out more about Brock and his music here: https://sites.google.com/view/brock-dittus?pli=1&fbclid=IwAR26hRXccyCOvTGpec1bYU5hmkHf9YS6S2iyyz0L2tUn4FavxyEjHIFEPo8