This Is Going Well, I Think with David Cooper

David's top stories for the day: a litter box-based 911 call, the FAA sues an unruly passenger, and a photographer loses an award;Alan Gratz, the author of 20 novels for young adults including Refugee, Heroes, and Ground Zero talks about the latest controversy around a Florida school board banning his book, aptly named Ban This Book;Associate professor of biology at University of Toronto, Rosalind Murray addresses David's worry about dengue fever and summer travel;Foreign correspondent Tony Five and a sleepy David go over conversation topics suitable for radio as generated by AI;UK-based film critic (and cat daddy) Luke Hearfield goes shares picks from the Cannes Film Festival that are potentially Oscar material; and finallyDan calls the show's producer Dani and then he rants about Wham's music video for Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a silly start, David goes over a NASA false alarm and a Wells Fargo firing. Then it's science man Dan Riskin with the science behind questions: Can we fully enjoy art when we disapprove of the artist's ethics; and do men buy guns to make up for their penis size? David pitches Urine Luck: A Graphic Novel About Incontinence to Dan (see podcast cover art). After that, neuroscientist and clinical psychologist Dr. Marc Lewis and David discuss addiction, and the therapeutic approach called Internal Family Systems (IFS). Professor of linguistics at Georgetown University Dr. Deborah Tannen and David discuss the worst 1-word text message you can send. Finally, relationship and marriage counsellor Laura Press shares some of the dangers of VR pornography.(Check out Dr. Marc Lewis' book The Biology of Desire, and Dr. Deborah Tannen's NYT bestseller You Just Don't Understand.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David covers an ailing singer put in a straight jacket, an underwear party cancellation, and a furry but invasive crab. Then, it's Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday with therapist and social worker Gary Direnfeld. David and Gary discuss Father's Day and forgiveness. After that, it's tech industry news with expert Carmi Levy where "Apple Intelligence", Elon Musk's tantrum, and a YouTube stunt are covered. Finally foreign correspondent Tony Five weighs in on "Apple Intelligence" – or perhaps unintelligence? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David shares news stories of the day involving: a drunk schoolteacher, a banned book, and Mr. Monopoly. Then, author, psychosexual therapist, and resident intimacy expert at 3Fun, Gigi Engle goes over a new relationship trend: pebbling. After that, psychologist Dr. Juli Fraga discusses a recent Washington Post article she wrote about letting go of grudges that can harm your health. Sexual health and consent educator Samantha Bitty goes off on tolyamory. Comedian Natasha Vinik shares her experience having just performed at the Netflix is a Joke festival. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David goes over the stories of the day: strange ventilators, airplanes, and colons are involved. David speaks with environmental epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Bozigar about a study showing a link between exposure to loud aircraft noises and obesity. Then, it's the career transition from testing pillows and sheets to testing sex toys with Sarah Riccio. (Check out her adult toy company Delicto.) Foreign correspondent Tony Five and David go over some news stories and talk about their families. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David goes over the stories of the day, covering a hippie with a bong-based ban, protesters dying the Seine river brown, and a new fungus in New York. Science communicator Dan Riskin talks about new studies that point to a novel way to treat depression using heat, and how to fight loneliness through buying experiences. Conspiracy theory expert and cultural history professor Nathan Radke goes over findings that showed after the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine in the US, Republicans died at a higher rate than everybody else. (Check out The Uncover Up Conspiracy Cast!) Foreign correspondent Tony Five and David ask what it's like to date each other. A surprise guest makes an appearance. The show's intern, Kelvin Zach Zhang responds to a workplace poll. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David goes over stories of the day with a focus on the Joro-spider and Brazil. Dr. Monnica Williams, a clinical psychologist and psychology professor at the University of Ottawa tells us about a world first: a master's degree in psychedelics and consciousness studies – a program she's co-directing. Tech expert Carmi Levy and David discuss Apple's "I'm A Mac" guy's return to advertising and more. David talks about Space Jam - link here! Foreign correspondent Tony Five and David issue a retraction to their listener (singular intended). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David shares a news item out of Nebraska involving a doll. Then, David speaks with Dave Crete, a veteran from the top-secret Area 52 base sickened by toxic substances – but who receives no benefits as the US government says the base doesn’t exist. After that, veterinarian Dr. Uri Burstyn, the Helpful Vancouver Vet joins to celebrate International Hug a Cat Day. Sexual health and consent educator Samantha Bitty talks about good time gals and good time boys. Finally, foreign correspondent Tony Five and David respond to fan (singular) mail. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David goes over the day's stories with Tony Five. Professor of physics and astronomy at York University Dr. Elaina Hyde shares recent space news including a fascinating hole newly discovered on Mars. Clinical researcher Naoise Mac Giollabhui shares his study that shows heating up has promising antidepressant effects. Toronto-based comedian Natalie Norman talks about why she didn't wear a bra today and gives insight into what taping a comedy special is like. Finally, foreign correspondent Tony Five joins the show again to go over his D-I-Why project, and to play a new game: How Do You Like Your Fruits & Veg? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David starts This Is Going Well, I Think by sharing a malodorous tale of the two Koreas, then he plays a horrible radio clip. Science communicator Dan Riskin and David come up with a name for their weekly science segment. Dan shares a study which proves whether or not Zodiac signs have an influence on our psychology, and tells us about amazing AI headphones. National coordinator from the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform Jenn Clamen walks through how recent news from Supreme Court of Canada may affect sex workers' human rights. After that, senior Washington political analyst Tony Five discusses former president Donald Trump's criminal trial. David shares how he and his girlfriend spent their anniversary. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David speaks with professor of management at the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business Jessica Rodell about her research on busy bragging – and why you shouldn't do it. Then, it's Therapy Thursdays on a Thursday with therapist Gary Direnfeld. A conversation about a hair in Gary's food leads to analysis of righteous indignation. After that, we look at conspiracy theories with cultural history professor Nathan Radke, host of The Uncover Up Conspiracy Cast. Nathan shares what's in common with pinball and The Smurfs. (Spoiler: it involves satan, obviously.) Finally, foreign correspondent Tony Five brings us Proverbial Provincial News from Luton, England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David gets into tech industry news with Carmi Levy, including the excitement over cat's on the moon – according to Google! Sexual health and consent educator Samantha Bitty tells David about catcalling season, and "emotional support nudes." Foreign correspondent Tony Five introduces a new UK-based news segment called Proverbial Provincial (Penile) News. Out of ideas for the show, David asks the show's intern if he's got any. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Science communicator Dan Riskin warns us of cyborg cockroaches, and tells us what cheating at Wordle says about you. Dr. Lee Kuhnle, conspiracy theory expert and host of The Uncover Up Conspiracy Cast, hashes out a theory on the cycle of conspiracy culture influencing fiction, and fiction influencing conspiracies back again. Then, it's the tale of the heroic man who chased down a Canadian postal carrier after no attempt to deliver his package was made. Following from that, business professor Ian Lee walks us through Canada Post's decline. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sexual health and consent educator Samantha Bitty and David go over the things people are listing as deal breakers on dating apps. Foreign correspondent Tony Five discuss the helicopter crash the killed the president of Iran and ChatGPT "ripping off" Scarlett Johansson's voice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David extolls the power of lists, and then talks to Australian model and sex worker Katija Cortez who says when men sleep with escorts that she doesn't consider it cheating, and most of the time – neither do they. Therapist and social worker Gary Direnfeld joins the show for Therapy Thursdays on a Wednesday and discusses guerilla love. Foreign correspondent Tony Five reports from Lake District and David breaks some news about Planet 9. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David interviews science communicator and media personality Dan Riskin about "hearing" the temperature of water, and the science (or lack thereof) of whether stand-up comedians are a psychological mess. Then, sexual health and consent educator Samantha Bitty discusses dating (read: horrible dating) and ghosting. Finally, UK-based foreign correspondent Tony Five listens to David's half-baked theory on how being pooped on birds came to be considered good luck. Tony asks David about his childhood. David sings.(BONUS: watch Why It Was Almost Impossible to Make the Blue LED) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David has a surprise guest advise him on New York City real estate. Tony Five asks David what he'd do if he had a day to live, and tells us the story of The Somerton Man. Toronto-based comedian Natalie Norman and David go over dating app Hinge's new feature: an attempt to ban ghosting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David shares a couple stories of the day. Technology expert Carmi Levy discusses the US military evaluating robot war dogs, Chat GPT-4o, TikTok being the first social network to label AI generated content, and more. Then, psychology professor Dr. Stephen Hupp on debunking the harmful policies still used in American schools today. And finally, foreign correspondent Tony Five and David discuss tea – you know, with Tony being British and all. Tony asks David how he acts when blue-collar workers enter his home. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Is Going Well, I Think is getting a new staff member: an intern! After going over a story of the day, David calls the show's producer Dani to share the excitement and check in on the health of the show. Then, David speaks with epidemiologist Zoey Laskaris who lead a study that revealed a staggering one in five app delivery drivers in NYC have been assaulted. After that, an interview with foreign correspondent Tony Five on the semi-serious topic of the future of AI. David surprises Tony with the intern news, and David throws intern Kelvin into the deep end by interviewing him with Tony. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This Is Going Well, I Think begins just as David runs out of nicotine gum. Then, it's Therapy Thursdays on a Monday with Gary Direnfeld. Gary discusses kids and video game addictions – David spiritedly weighs in on the topic and draws from personal experience. After that, comedy class instructor Melody Johnson answers the question: Can You Teach Funny? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.