Curiosity Theory

In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer react to their interview with Ryan Gosling about Project Hail Mary and unpack the science, storytelling, and bigger themes behind the film.
They discuss what makes Rocky such an effective alien character, why collaboration sits at the heart of the story, how the movie handles space science, and why hopeful sci-fi can matter so much in the real world. Along the way, they also reflect on the interview itself and what stood out most from Gosling’s perspective on the film.
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Hosted by Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer
Stay curious.

In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer sit down with Ryan Gosling to talk about the highly anticipated sci-fi film Project Hail Mary, based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel.
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Ryan shares what it was like bringing the story to life on screen, including acting alongside the alien character Rocky and exploring the film’s themes of curiosity, collaboration, and scientific discovery. The conversation touches on the role of science fiction in inspiring future scientists, the challenges of portraying space realistically on film, and how curiosity can transform fear into exploration.
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Follow the show @curiositytheorypod
Hosted by Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer
Stay curious.

In this episode of Curiosity Theory, Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer sit down with Les Alfred, host of the podcast She’s So Lucky, to explore ambition, resilience, and the pursuit of self-actualization.
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Les shares her journey from wellness content creator to entrepreneur and media voice focused on personal growth, financial autonomy, and creative evolution. The conversation dives into the psychology of criticism, the importance of friction in personal development, and the difference between what audiences say they want versus what actually drives engagement.
They also discuss the pressures of visibility in the creator economy, the role of authenticity in building an audience, and Les’s concept of the “post-peak pivot”—the idea that long-term success often requires evolving beyond your most visible moment.
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Follow the show @curiositytheorypod
Hosted by Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer
Stay curious.

Q&A Episode

Welcome back to Curiosity Theory with Dr. Dakotah Tyler (@dr.starkid) and Justin Shaifer (@mr.fascinate).
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In this episode, we have a deep and personal conversation about how to navigate a world where AI can fake reality, viral headlines blur truth, and curiosity becomes your best defense. From eerily realistic AI party photos and pheromone studies to hidden oceans beneath Earth’s surface, extreme drilling limits, and an interstellar visitor passing through our solar system — this episode explores how to think clearly when the internet gets weird.
Dr. Dakotah Tyler and Justin Shaifer riff on strange viral claims, the science (and limits) behind human pheromones, why a “hidden ocean” isn’t what it sounds like, what happens when you drill miles into Earth’s crust, how scientists capture light itself, and whether space-based AI data centers are actually practical. Along the way: Voyager’s journey beyond the heliosphere, pulsar maps meant for aliens, and the fascinating — but very non-alien — reality of 3I/Atlas.
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