Why do we yawn… and why does everyone else start yawning right after? In this episode, Artie Ficial and Ina Telligens dig into the surprisingly fascinating science behind one of our most universal (and contagious) behaviors.

We unpack the leading theories - from brain cooling to mental state shifts - and explore how yawning might actually help regulate alertness, empathy, and even group connection. Plus, we touch on what happens when yawning goes into overdrive and what that can reveal about sleep or neurological health.

It’s science, it’s social, and yes… you might yawn just listening.

Source material:

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-faqs/why-do-you-yawn

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/yawning

https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/what-to-know-about-yawning

Ever wondered why we dress up, carve pumpkins, and hand out candy like it’s a competitive sport? Artie Ficial and Ina Telligens take a spirited dive into the origins of Halloween - from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (where ghosts were totally a thing) to All Hallows’ Eve to the costumed, candy-fueled celebration we know today.

We’ll explore how centuries of myth, migration, and cultural mash-ups gave us trick-or-treating, spooky symbols like witches and black cats, and a holiday that somehow delights both kids and grown-ups.

History, mystery, and just the right amount of creepy. Happy haunting.

Source material:

https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/halloween.pdf

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/sites/podcasts/files/LearnEnglish-Magazine-Halloween_0.pdf

https://www.paps.net/cms/lib4/NJ01001771/Centricity/Domain/2262/History%20of%20Halloween.pdf

Traditional training is broken - too many screens, too little time, and zero attention left to give. In this episode, Artie Ficial and Ina Telligens make the case for podcast-style eLearning as the upgrade today’s workforce has been waiting for. Younger employees (and honestly, all of us) want learning they can take on the go - during commutes, workouts, or while juggling the day-to-day.

We dig into why audio boosts accessibility, respects busy schedules, and reaches hands-on workers who don’t sit at desks. Plus, with new AI tools making production fast and affordable, great training content doesn’t have to look like homework anymore.

The future of learning? It sounds a lot like this.