PODCAST · society
Poko Ponders
by SaltWire
The world is a big and quirky place. Join SaltWire host, Sarah Poko, as she ponders the weird, wonderful, and sometimes, whimsical aspects of our planet.
Episodes
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Bucket list
We all have a bucket list in some incarnation. While bucket lists are harmless in themselves, some say they encourage hustle culture as many try to beat the clock and tick off as many items as possible from their list. SaltWire Host Sarah Poko speaks to Dr. Derek Fisher, an associate professor at...
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Tarot Part 2
The cards told me you would be back! In this episide, we continue the conversation with Beth Terry about tarot. This time we focus on the common misconceptions about tarot, its role in the Salem witch trials, and what to keep in mind when buying your own tarot deck.
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The science of gross
What we find cute varies from person to person. The same applies to what we find gross. SaltWire Host Sarah Poko spoke to medical sociologist Dr. Michael Halpin about the science of gross and how it translates across cultures.
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Tarot Part 1
Where did tarot come from? Why are we all fascinated by fortune tellers and the future? In this episode, SaltWire host Sarah Poko speaks to tarot reader Beth Terry about the history of tarot and the impact of fortune telling.
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Cannibalism: from culture to crime
People in many countries around the world perform cannibalism for ritualistic reasons, but where in history did it transition from cultural practice to criminal conduct? SaltWire host Sarah Poko speaks to Dr. Simon Sherry, a registered psychologist and professor at Dalhousie University, to…
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What is Sacred?
If you logged on to church, are you still in a sacred space? How do we determine what is sacred and what isn’t? SaltWire Host Sarah Poko spoke to Dr. Christopher Helland, an associate professor of sociology of religion at Dalhousie University to discuss the concept of sacredness.
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Slang
Historically, slang was seen as vocabulary used by those of a lower class. Today, however, we see it in books, we hear it on television and we use it in our everyday communication with others. When did that change? SaltWire host Sarah Poko spoke to Dr. Eric Henry, a linguistic anthropologist at...
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Phobias
What makes a phobia, a phobia? At what point do we cross the line from rational anxiety to irrational fear? SaltWire host Sarah Poko speaks with Dr. Stacy Bradley, a registered psychologist with the Nova Scotia Health Authority, to discuss how phobias are classified and how we can overcome them.
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Why are we afraid of turning 30?
If you’re in your 20s, chances are you've heard someone in your age group (or younger) dreading the age of 30. But why is this? What is so terrifying about that age that makes 20-somethings uneasy? SaltWire host Sarah Poko talks to cultural studies instructor Michael McGuire about why we are...
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Worm charming
You’ve heard of snake charming, but what about worm charming? SaltWire host Sarah Poko speaks with worm advocate and 2011 Canadian worm charming champion, Cathy Nesbitt, about the history of worm charming and why it exists.
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Woody the Talking Christmas Tree
Our favourite Christmas tree is back in Halifax to spread some cheer this holiday season, but how much do you really know about the coniferous companion? SaltWire host Sarah Poko speaks to Lee Rodgers, the voice of Woody the Talking Christmas Tree, about how he became Woody, his reaction to going...
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Zombie laws
How does the society we live in determine the laws of the land, and what do those laws say about the priorities of a country? In this episode of Poko Ponders, SaltWire host Sarah Poko speaks with law expert Steve Coughlan of the Schulich School of Law about zombie laws and the importance of an...
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Witches
When we think of witches, we think of an old, unattractive woman (sometimes green skinned) with a pointy hat, a cauldron and a broomstick. But their history is a bit sadder and more tragic, with some of the most famous stories stemming from the Salem witch trials in the 17th century. In this...
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Organ donation
What happens to an organ after it has been donated? Can you still donate if you have had COVID-19? SaltWire host Sarah Poko speaks to Dr. Stephen Beed, the medical director of the Nova Scotia Organ Donation Program, about the history of organ donation, the step-by-step process of what happens to…
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Pseudobulbar affect (PBA)
What would you do if you caught yourself laughing at a funeral, or crying uncontrollably at a birthday party? Those suffering from pseudobulbar affect (PBA) face situations like this every day and have a hard time navigating daily activities that most of us do not struggle with. In today’s…
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Jesters
Jesters have inspired comedians, writers and even stuntmen who copy their occasional acrobatics. But how exactly did jesters come to be, how did they transition to the royal court and what do they look like today? SaltWire host Sarah Poko spoke to Christine Hoffmann, an associate professor of...
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Imaginary Friends Part 2
SaltWire host Sarah Poko is back with Marjorie Taylor to discuss how we create imaginary friends. In this episode, they explore the impact of imaginary friends on adulthood, imaginary friends as hallucinations and what the future of imaginary friends could look like.
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Imaginary Friends Part 1
Chances are when you were little you had an imaginary friend or companion that you talked to. Perhaps they were a favorite toy or a planet full of soldier-cats. But why exactly do we create imaginary friends? And how would it go on to affect us in adulthood? SaltWire host Sarah Poko spoke to...
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Haunted House
Lights, camera, scream! Haunted houses have been part of the Halloween season for a long time — including fake ones. For a small fee, you can experience the joys and horrors of a haunted house with ambient sounds, simulations and actors to get you into the Halloween spirit. But what is so…
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Ghost Stories
For the final episode of the Spooktober special, join SaltWire host Sarah Poko as she hits the streets of Halifax to collect people's ghost stories.
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Exorcisms
We've seen exorcisms portrayed in mainstream media with chanting priests, violent contortions of the body and demonic screams from the victim. There have been debates about the validity of exorcisms as an archaic practice, but many people still turn to exorcism as a solution to their problems....
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Death Doulas Part 2
SaltWire host, Sarah Poko, continues her conversation with death doula Cindie Smith about what to expect when a person is dying, mental health as a death doula and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the practice.
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Death Doulas Part 1
Just like doulas who help with the birth of a baby, a death doula helps people process their grief and teaches them what to expect when a loved one dies. But how did this begin? What should we expect when a person is dying? SaltWire Host Sarah Poko spoke to Cindie Smith of Tidal End of Life Doula...
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Curses
Climate change, COVID-19 and the crumbling economy — the events of the last few years have many of us thinking we've been cursed. This thought process would have been completely acceptable in the ancient world, as punishment for whatever misdeeds we may have done as a species. In this episode of...
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The ATU Index
Most of us are familiar with the stories of Cinderella, Snow White or Sleeping Beauty, but not many know these stories are heavily edited, their original plots lost to history. While we get lost in the "happily ever after," folklorists are hard at work studying these beloved stories and tracking...
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Animal safety
You come across a bear or coyote while on a hike. What would you do? SaltWire host Sarah Poko doesn't know, so she decided to speak to Erich Muntz, a resource conservation manager at Cape Breton Highlands National Park, about animal safety and how to protect ourselves around wildlife.
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Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been around for more than 5,000 years with the promise of healing ailments and other health benefits attributed to the practice. But how did this ancient form of Chinese medicine migrate to Canada, and why is it so popular? SaltWire host Sarah Poko spoke to Dr. Diana Li of S-T...
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Feng shui
Feng shui is making a comeback like never before. This 5,000-year-old Chinese practice has travelled across the globe, and with more people staying home due to the pandemic, improving one’s personal space has taken priority. SaltWire host Sarah Poko spoke to Cliff Tan, an architect and founder of...
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Poko Ponders have?
Poko Ponders currently has 28 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Poko Ponders about?
The world is a big and quirky place. Join SaltWire host, Sarah Poko, as she ponders the weird, wonderful, and sometimes, whimsical aspects of our planet.
How often does Poko Ponders release new episodes?
Poko Ponders has 28 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Poko Ponders?
You can listen to Poko Ponders on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Poko Ponders?
Poko Ponders is created and hosted by SaltWire.
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