Dope Labs

On Super Bowl Sunday, it can feel like sports are way beyond just watching!
This week in the lab, Zakiya and Titi are joined by Jess Bryant, senior editor for fantasy sports and betting at The Athletic, to break down how fantasy sports, sports betting, and prediction markets actually differ and where they quietly overlap. From statistical modeling and intuition to player boundaries, we explore what’s really shaping sports culture in the era of legalized betting
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Titi and Zakiya are joined by Hilary J. Allen, a professor who specializes in corporate law and financial regulation, to discuss the effects of FinTech on our everyday lives. Are these new methods of decentralization providing more opportunities, or accelerating financial inequity?
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this lab, Titi and Zakiya pull back the curtain on the Grammys with music critic Sidney Madden. They break down how the Recording Academy works, who gets to vote, and why categories and nominees often feel disconnected from culture and fans.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This lab examines two unfolding stories where science and power collide: Venezuela’s century-long oil history and why the United States is now deeply involved, and the recent ICE shootings in Minnesota amid an unprecedented immigration enforcement surge. Listen to learn how these events reveal a critical moment in history, where decisions about resources, authority, and security are reshaping trust at home and abroad.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We usually think about viruses this time of year, but what about everything else floating around us?
In this lab, Titi and Zakiya sit down with environmental health scientist Dr. Cavin Ward-Caviness to break down what’s actually in the air we breathe. They cover everything from pollution and tiny particles to everyday indoor sources like cooking, candles, and fireplaces.
Listen to learn how air quality affects the body beyond the lungs, why long-term exposure matters for inflammation and aging, and how awareness is the first step toward protecting our health.
Stay up to date with Dope Labs, Titi, and Zakiya on Instagram and at DopeLabsPodcast.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.