In this eye-opening episode of Learn Something, we explore the science, scope, and serious health concerns surrounding PFAS — commonly known as “forever chemicals.” These synthetic compounds, found in everything from nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing to fast food packaging and firefighting foam, are making headlines for a reason: they don’t break down easily, they accumulate in the environment and our bodies, and they’re everywhere.

We break down what PFAS actually are — a massive family of over 4,000 manmade chemicals with super-strong carbon-fluorine bonds — and why their water-, oil-, and stain-resistant properties made them attractive to over 200 industries. But those same properties also make PFAS incredibly persistent and nearly impossible to eliminate once released.

You’ll learn how PFAS enter our bodies through contaminated drinking water, food, dust, and direct product exposure — and how they bioaccumulate, even transferring from mother to baby. We also cover the alarming health risks, including thyroid and kidney dysfunction, weakened immune response, reproductive issues, and increased cancer risks.

The episode explores what individuals can do to limit exposure — from choosing PFAS-free cookware and products to using certified water filters — while emphasizing that meaningful change must come through regulation, corporate accountability, and scientific innovation. We also dive into the complexities of detection, cleanup, and the troubling trend of “regrettable substitution,” where harmful PFAS are swapped with equally risky alternatives.

Whether you’ve just heard of PFAS or have been following the headlines, this episode equips you with the knowledge to make safer choices and advocate for a cleaner, healthier future.

In this episode of Learn Something, we unpack one of the most talked-about yet misunderstood tools in global economics: tariffs. From toll-like border taxes to powerful instruments of trade policy, tariffs have evolved dramatically — and their impact reaches far beyond the ports where goods arrive.

We begin with the basics: What are tariffs, and how do they work? Listeners get a clear breakdown of specific tariffs (flat fees per item) and ad valorem tariffs (percentage-based rates), along with how governments set and track them through standardized systems like the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

But tariffs aren’t just economic footnotes — they’re strategic levers. We explore why countries use them: to raise revenue, protect emerging industries and jobs, influence foreign policy, and even shield consumers from low-quality imports. Yet behind these intentions lie complex consequences.

We dive into the economic ripple effects: higher prices for consumers, supply chain disruptions, decreased competitiveness, and even job losses in industries the tariffs were meant to help. Real-world examples — including the U.S. steel and tire tariffs — highlight how policies intended to protect can backfire.

You'll also learn how economists measure protectionism using simple averages, trade-weighted averages, and rates on dutyable goods — each with its limitations. And we don’t stop at tariffs. This episode touches on quotas, subsidies, and the broader web of trade barriers.

From trade wars and retaliatory tariffs to geopolitical strategy and domestic tensions, we show how tariffs can shape — and shake — the global economy. Whether you're a business owner, policy enthusiast, or curious consumer, this episode reveals how a tax at the border can hit your wallet at home.

In this episode of Learn Something, we unravel the fascinating story of Pluto — its rise, fall, and the controversy that still surrounds it. Once known as the ninth planet in our solar system, Pluto captured the imagination of generations before being reclassified as a “dwarf planet” in 2006. But why did this happen, and why is the debate still ongoing?

We trace Pluto’s journey from its discovery by Clyde Tombaugh in 1930 to its demotion by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The game-changing moment came with the discovery of other large Kuiper Belt Objects like Eris, prompting astronomers to rethink what makes a planet a planet. The IAU’s new definition required that a planet orbit the sun, be nearly round, and crucially, clear its orbital neighborhood — a criterion Pluto failed due to its crowded Kuiper Belt location.

But the story doesn’t end there. Prominent scientists like Alan Stern and Philip Metzger argue that Pluto should be a planet based on its rich geological complexity — including an atmosphere, methane glaciers, and potential subsurface oceans. They suggest planetary classification should focus more on what an object is rather than where it orbits.

We also explore how cultural sentiment, evolving science, and powerful images from NASA’s New Horizons mission have kept Pluto in the public eye. The episode dives into the broader implications of redefining planets, the politics of scientific classification, and how even historical accidents can shape what we teach and believe.

Whether Pluto is a planet, dwarf planet, or something in between, its story is a powerful example of how science evolves — and how curiosity continues to drive discovery.