toxoplasma gondii

Beware dear listener, this episode of the Science Night podcast is much spookier than our typical offering. We begin our descent into the strange by talking about the scientific origins of the lore of our favorite monsters with special guest, Bill Sullivan (https://authorbillsullivan.com/). Later, the bravest among you can stay tuned for a dramatic reading of "Bit" from the twisted mind of Cody Sullivan (https://twitter.com/codyasullivan), host of fellow Riverpower Podcast Mill show, Pulp: From Beyond the Veil (https://www.pulpfrombeyond.com/). Special Guest: BILL SULLIVAN (https://authorbillsullivan.com/) is a professor of pharmacology and microbiology at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, where he studies infectious disease and genetics. An award-winning researcher, teacher, and science communicator, Sullivan has been featured in a wide variety of outlets, including CNN, Fox & Friends, National Geographic, Scientific American, COSMOS magazine, Science Fantastic with Dr. Michio Kaku, The Naked Scientists, and The Scientist. "Bit"- Written by C.A. Sullivan Voice Cast: Nick- Cody Sullivan, EBS Announcer- James Reed, Additional Voices- Cody Sullivan Music: Tormented Souls (Horror Soundscape) by Myuu | https://soundcloud.com/myuu Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com | Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US Maleficus by Scott Buckley | https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley | Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Your Hosts: Jason Organ (https://twitter.com/OrganJM) James Reed (https://twitter.com/James_Reed3) Credits Editing and Mastering-James Reed & Cody Sullivan Music: Intro - Lyra Mortis by Loopop | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-RA5BzE_BnZhf5iVdNF1hA | Standard YouTube License Wolf Moon by Unicorn Heads | https://unicornheads.com/ | Standard YouTube License Additional Sounds- Inside a Computer Chip by Doug Maxwell | https://www.mediarightproductions.com/ | Standard YouTube License Sound Effects | YouTube Audio Library | Standard YouTube License The Science Night Podcast is a member of the Riverpower Podcast Mill (https://riverpower.xyz/) family

We've all seen how disease changes our behavior, but did you know that there are diseases that actually hijack our brains? In this episode we talk with immunologist and evolutionary anthropologist Jessica Brinkworth about the parasite toxoplasma gondii, perhaps best known for it's presence in kitty litter. Jessica explains the many ways that toxo zombifies us and other mammals, hijacking even our own cells to make them little zombies bent on perpetuating toxo. Toxoplasma gondii also plays a role in human behavior, affecting risk taking behaviors and vulnerability to schizophrenia. The toxopocalypse expands even outwards to the ecosystems we are embedded within, threatening species in our oceans and beyond. If you've ever wondered what evil lurks in your cat box, you'll definitely want to listen to this episode.