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Chemistry For Your Life

Chemistry For Your Life

By: Melissa and Jam Bleav
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About this listen

 A podcast that helps you understand the fascinating chemistry hidden in your everyday life. Have you ever wondered why onions make you cry? Or how soap gets your hands clean? What really is margarine, or why do trees change colors in the fall? Melissa is a chemist, and to answer these questions she started a podcast, called Chemistry for your life! In each episode Melissa explains the chemistry behind one of life’s mysteries to Jam, who is definitely not a chemist, but she explains it in a way that is easy to understand, and totally fascinating. If you’re someone who loves learning new things, or who wonders about the way the world works, then give us a listen.© For Your Life 2023, All rights reserved. Science
Episodes
  • Ask a Chemist: Explain it like I'm five?

    Ask a Chemist: Explain it like I'm five?
    Jun 19 2025

    This episode of 'Chemistry for Your Life' features Melissa and Jam tackling various chemistry questions sourced from the 'Explain Like I'm Five' subreddit. They aim to explain complex chemistry concepts in a manner even a 5-year-old could understand. Questions discussed include why water isn't flammable, how carbonation works, the nature of colors and atoms, cooking processes, caloric changes during cooking, and why drawings on a steamy mirror reappear. The episode emphasizes simplifying complex ideas and making chemistry relatable to everyday life.

    00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene
    00:50 Explaining Chemistry Like You're Five
    01:31 Welcome to Chemistry for Your Life
    02:30 Why Isn't Water Flammable?
    07:00 How Does Carbonation Work?
    09:48 Are Atoms Different Colors?
    13:12 What Happens When Cooking Food?
    14:14 Understanding the Science of Cooking
    15:12 The Chemistry Behind Frying and Toasting
    16:35 Exploring the Role of Ingredients in Cooking
    17:57 Calories and Cooking: What Changes?
    22:49 The Mystery of Steamy Mirror Drawings
    27:06 Wrapping Up and Community Thanks

    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
    ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

    • Vince W
    • Julie S.
    • Heather R
    • Autoclave
    • Chelsea M
    • Dorien VD
    • Scott B
    • Jessie R
    • Ciara L
    • J0HNTR0Y
    • Jeannette N
    • Cullyn R
    • Erica B
    • Elizabeth P
    • Sarah M
    • Rachel R
    • Letila
    • Katrina B
    • Suzanne P
    • Venus R
    • Lyn S
    • Jacob T
    • Brian K
    • Emerson W
    • Kristina G
    • Timothy P
    • Steven B
    • Chris and Claire S
    • Chelsea B
    • Avishai B
    • Hunter R
    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
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    30 mins
  • Is it safe to use weed killer (Roundup)?

    Is it safe to use weed killer (Roundup)?
    Jun 12 2025
    Melissa and Jam discuss the multifaceted debate surrounding the use of the widely known weed killer, Roundup, specifically its active ingredient, glyphosate. Prompted by a listener's question, they explore the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of glyphosate, including its effectiveness in agriculture, potential health risks, and environmental impacts. They delve into scientific studies, regulatory concerns, and personal anecdotes to provide a comprehensive overview of this controversial herbicide. 00:00 Introduction to Weed Killers 01:34 Listener's Question on Glyphosate 03:24 Understanding Glyphosate 08:32 The Good and Bad of Glyphosate 11:09 Health Concerns and Controversies 18:44 Whistleblowing and Evidence on Glyphosate 19:05 Human Health Impacts of Glyphosate 20:37 Environmental Effects of Glyphosate 23:00 Regulatory Considerations and Future Actions 26:16 Personal Decisions and Practical Advice 31:12 Community Engagement and Support ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife References from this episode: https://www.chemistryworld.com/podcasts/glyphosate/6885.articlehttps://www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/how-a-herbicide-illustrates-the-many-ways-chemicals-are-put-to-the-test/4021190.articlehttps://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/science/article/pii/S2152265021001518#coi0001 - Note that The author has been paid as an expert in glyphosate litigation.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8223940/ Note that author PB acted as consultant for glyphosate producers, on matters not related to glyphosatehttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11354939/#notes5 Not notes here, but they essentially said it seems like we need more studies, there seems to be some correlation. https://www-sciencedirect-com.libproxy.library.unt.edu/science/article/pii/S0048969717330279?casa_token=0V1BAIP8ZFgAAAAA:0O5yGT0FK4sbuZBIhieomHGxbm-0Y_Y7VtoPEaHFcArD9FS3aczcDKHV0nU7KfwA0erzOVNHwA#s0080 - Some salaries paid for by organizations, wasn’t clear their relationship to glyphosate, but no disclosure or conflict of interest statement was made here. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/9/4605 - No conflicts of interesthttps://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abf7482 Thanks to our monthly supporters Vince WJulie S.Heather RAutoclaveChelsea MDorien VDScott BJessie RCiara LJ0HNTR0YJeannette NCullyn RErica BElizabeth PSarah MRachel RLetilaKatrina BSuzanne PVenus RLyn SJacob TBrian KEmerson WKristina GTimothy PSteven BChris and Claire SChelsea BAvishai BHunter R ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★ Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com Watch our episodes on YouTube Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
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    35 mins
  • Are we breathing recycled air on airplanes?

    Are we breathing recycled air on airplanes?
    Jun 5 2025

    #212

    Melissa and Jam explore the concept of ozone and its impact on air quality in airplanes. Melissa explains the chemical reaction of ozone, why it's significant in organic chemistry, and how it can lead to discomfort in air travel by interacting with the oils on our skin. They also discuss various tips for flying and the potential benefits of noise-canceling headphones and lounge access for frequent flyers. The episode sheds light on why people often feel unwell on planes, highlighting the Pigpen Effect, where leftover oils from previous passengers can react with ozone to create a micro-cloud of pollutants.

    00:00 Introduction to Ozone Lysis
    00:09 Ozone Lysis in Organic Chemistry
    00:25 Personal Anecdotes and Misconceptions
    01:10 Ozone and Airplane Discomfort
    01:49 Chemistry of Airplane Air
    02:41 Ozone Lysis and Human Interaction
    06:44 Catalytic Converters in Airplanes
    11:58 The Pigpen Effect
    16:50 Historical Context and Modern Concerns
    18:38 Recap and Further Discussion
    20:23 Understanding the Pigpen Effect
    20:58 Chemical Reactions of Aldehydes and Ketones
    22:11 Volatility and Airplane Air Quality
    22:42 The Gross Reality of Airplane Seats
    23:31 Airplane Hygiene and Mask-Wearing
    25:08 Flying Tips and Tricks
    29:54 Travel Credit Cards and Lounge Access
    34:36 Sleeping on Planes and Noise-Canceling Headphones
    37:43 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
    ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife

    References from this episode:

    1. https://cen.acs.org/safety/consumer-safety/Periodic-Graphics-chemistry-airplane-air/102/i26
    2. https://www.acs.org/catalyzing-change/when-a-good-relationship-turns-toxic-ozone-on-airplanes.html
    3. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/full/10.1021/es3046795
    4. https://youtu.be/hM9P1_Xuayk?t=107s
    5. https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/cer/OzonePassengerCabins.pdf
    6. https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/data_research/research/med_humanfacs/cer/OzonePassengerCabins.pdf
    7. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3683839/

    Thanks to our monthly supporters

    • Vince W
    • Julie S.
    • Heather R
    • Autoclave
    • Chelsea M
    • Dorien VD
    • Scott B
    • Jessie R
    • Ciara L
    • J0HNTR0Y
    • Jeannette N
    • Cullyn R
    • Erica B
    • Elizabeth P
    • Sarah M
    • Rachel R
    • Letila
    • Katrina B
    • Suzanne P
    • Venus R
    • Lyn S
    • Jacob T
    • Brian K
    • Emerson W
    • Kristina G
    • Timothy P
    • Steven B
    • Chris and Claire S
    • Chelsea B
    • Avishai B
    • Hunter R
    ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ★ Buy Podcast Merch and Apparel ★

    Check out our website at chemforyourlife.com

    Watch our episodes on YouTube

    Find us on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @ChemForYourLife
    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
All stars
Most relevant  
I'm dumb and even I can understand this.
I recently started a journey of learning. I have no experience of chemistry at all and I'm slowly picking up the jargon and lingo in a bite size easy to understand way. This lady is amazing at what she does on this pod cast. I'd like to give her and her little team a big thank you.

Great at explaining

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