You're The Expert

Ross Perlin is the Assistant Director of the Endangered Language Alliance. He's a linguist who specializes in Yiddish and the languages of Southwest China. In this episode, he talks with host Chris Duffy about his work to save the world's languages. Comedians Christian Finnegan, Anna Drezen, and Rachel Rosenthal try to guess what Ross studies and learn how to speak Yiddish in the process. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Dr. Richard Primack (Boston University) has spent his career studying the effects of climate change on Walden Pond, comparing modern conditions to those Thoreau observed. Comedians Myq Kaplan, Ken Reid, and Lori Strauss try to guess what Richard studies and then learn about the similarities between climate skeptics and people confused by the television show LOST, the effects of an earlier spring, and the history of "Where's Waldo?" Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick. 

Dr. Joy Reidenberg, the world's leading expert on whale blowholes, explains the secrets of cetology to comedians Christian Finnegan (Comedy Central), Anna Drezen (MTVu), and Harrison Greenbaum (ABC). What causes a whale to explode? How can you avoid picnicing on an ancient whale burial ground? What's the grossest way to get your own row on a plane? You'll find out in this episode of You're the Expert. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Comedians Maria Bamford, Jackie Kashian, and Myq Kaplan try to guess what professor Dr. Chris Tracy studies all day. Recorded in front of a live audience on the campus of California State University Fullerton, this episode answers age-old questions like : Can you drink a toad? What's the difference between a toad and a croissant? And how many toads should you bring to your next party? Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Live from the 2014 Cambridge Science Festival at the MIT Museum, this special episode features Dr. Sam Madden, co-director of MIT's Big Data Initiative. Trying to guess about Dr. Madden's work are comedians Nikki Glaser, Myq Kaplan, and Lori Strauss. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical Direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Dr. Heather Berlin, a neuroscientist at Mt. Sinai, studies why we do the things that we do. Comedians Matt Koff (The Daily Show), Myq Kaplan (Comedy Central), and Rachel Rosenthal (North Coast) try to guess what Dr. Berlin studies and then learn about the neural basis of improvisation, what a sociopath looks like, and the downsides of owning an ice cream truck. Hosted by Chris Duffy and recorded in Brooklyn, NYC at Littlefield. Technical Production by Kevin Brunswick.

Live from Caltech's campus in Pasadena, CA! This episode features Dr. Jose Andrade, a researcher who studies earthquakes and also works with NASA to understand the surface of Mars. Jose helps our comedians understand why the Mars rover is much more impressive than Bruno Mars, what happens during an earthquake, and why sand is way more complicated than you think. Featuring comedians Rory Scovel (TBS), Myq Kaplan (Comedy Central), and Anna Drezen (MTVu). Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical direction by Kevin Brunswick.

Dr. Phil Lobel, an ichthyologist at Boston University, studies the noises that fish make. He's also the most interesting man in the world. Hear about his battles with sharks, his discovery of a new "dinosaur," and his discoveries about the noises fish create while making love. Featuring comedians Myq Kaplan, Ken Reid, and Robert Woo. Hosted by Chris Duffy. Technical production by Kevin Brunswick.