FULL EPISODE: The Rat-Free Place, Now With Rats - September 30, 2026

Professor Jesse Rogerson joins David to cover the following science news: Sudden collapse of submarine volcano drives extreme hazard; Just five infections responsible for more than 2 million new cancer cases annually; The 'mind control' cat parasite manipulating you may have a simple explanation; and A 1,000-year simulation reveals what could save civilization from collapse. Zooming out from Earth into space, astrobiologist Sarah Rugheimer discusses: Strange 'coral reef' deposits reveal Mars' climate history; Perseverance rover finds evidence of ancient hot water in Red Planet crater; Why Uranus is tilted on its side; and Icy moons may hold on to their underground oceans even after being smashed apart. (Check out Sarah's course Experiencing James Webb on The Great Courses here.) For Vet Talk or Pet Talk, veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford reports on: A new penguin species discovered for the first time in 100 years; An endangered wild cat faces a new threat: SpaceX's expansion in Texas; Alberta's self-image as the world's only rat-free region shattered by the discovery of a rat; and How long you can really leave a cat alone. (Find Cliff's new book Far and Wild: Adventures of The Worldwide Vet here.) If you want to attend Cliff's October 8th book launch hosted by David in Toronto, grab your ticket here. On Conspiracy Corner, political science professor Lee Kuhnle makes the case that ancient aliens did not build the pyramids. (Learn more about Lee's book Uncover Up: How to Think Clearly in an Age of Conspiracies here.) Protect your privacy. Sign up for Incogni at https://incogni.com/cooper and get 60% off your first year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices