Is this the norm?

Hamburgers From a Petri Dish

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 27 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Lora, Rebecca and Heather are cautiously open-minded — hopeful about the technology's potential but concerned about the FBS issue, safety unknowns, and whether lab-grown meat can replicate the taste of traditionally raised animals. The conversation drifts into food waste, preservatives, Impossible Meat, black bean burgers, and cooking habits.

How Coke Killed the Refillable Bottle

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 20 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Join Rebecca, Lora, and Heather, where Heather discusses how Coca-Cola and the broader beverage industry deliberately dismantled the environmentally superior refillable glass bottle system in favor of single-use plastic.

References:

Why Coke Stopped Using Glass Bottles By Susan Messer

Environmental historian Bart Elmore from Ohio State University.

Story of Stuff website

Grave Robbing

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 13 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Rebecca hosts the episode where the sisters talk about both historical and modern instances of grave robbing. Rebecca tells the story of the theft of Charlie Chaplin's body for ransom, William Cobbett's well-intentioned but misguided relocation of Thomas Paine's remains, two Pakistani brothers arrested for grave robbing and cannibalism, and a Pennsylvania man caught selling over 100 sets of human remains online. The conversation then broadens into discussions of archaeological grave robbing in the name of science, the black market for donated bodies, and cultural attitudes toward death — including an Indonesian tradition of exhuming ancestors to celebrate them — before wrapping up with a lighthearted tangent about their great-grandmother, hyenas, orcas, and a philosophical musing on why Western culture fears death so much. Sources 6abc Philadelphia. “Court Docs Reveal Accused Grave Robber’s Plot to Steal Human Remains.” YouTube, 9 Jan. 2026, www.youtube.com/watch?v=xygNM9jtJtM. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026. July 2015, Stephanie Pappas 17. “The 6 Most Gruesome Grave Robberies.” Livescience.com, 2 Nov. 2021, www.livescience.com/51591-gruesome-grave-robberies.html. Khan, M Ilyas. “Pakistan Cannibal Brothers Jailed for 12 Years.” BBC News, 11 June 2014, www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27801252.

The Moon Part II

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 06 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

This episode with hosts Lora, Heather and Rebecca covers Artemis missions breakdown, recap and highlights, also Voyager 1 & 2 and future space missions to Mars. The hosts reflect on how space exploration unites humanity, drawing parallels to the turbulent 1960s. A post-recorded note confirms the Artemis II crew made it home safely.

The Moon Part I

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

This is Part 1 of "The Moon" episode from the podcast Is This the Norm?, hosted by Lora, Heather, and Rebecca. Lora leads an educational deep-dive into the history of moon exploration, prompted by the ongoing Artemis missions. The episode covers all the Apollo missions.Throughout, Heather and Rebecca offer comic relief and genuine reactions to the drama. The episode ends with a teaser for Part 2 covering the Artemis program.

Acquired Sociopathy

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 06:01:00 -0400

In this episode of Is This the Norm?, hosts Rebecca, Heather, and Lora explore the concept of acquired sociopathy — antisocial behavior caused by damage to the prefrontal cortex of the frontal lobe. Using the famous 1848 case of Phineas Gage, a railroad foreman who survived an iron rod blasting through his skull and emerged with his intellect intact but his personality dramatically altered, they explain how this part of the brain governs impulse control, social judgment, and emotional regulation rather than cognitive ability. Sources: Brain Anatomy and How the Brain Works Johns Hopkins Medicine Year: 2025 Container: Johns Hopkins Medicine Publisher: Johns Hopkins Medicine URL: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/anatomy-of-the-brain "No longer Gage": an iron bar through the head K. O'Driscoll, J. P. Leach Year: 1998 Container: BMJ Volume: 317 Issue: 7174 Page: 1673-1674 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.317.7174.1673a URL: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1114479/ Filho, Ricardo Vieira Teles. “Phineas Gage’s Great Legacy.” Dementia & Neuropsychologia, vol. 14, no. 4, 2020, pp. 419–421, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7735047/, https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-57642020dn14-040013. Mendez, Mario. “The Unique Predisposition to Criminal Violations in Frontotemporal Dementia.” Jaapl.org, 2025, jaapl.org/content/38/3/318.

Sweden's Waste Management System

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

In sharing about Sweden's success in their recycling program Lora, Heather and Rebecca reflect on America's waste habits, the role of money and policy in driving change, their own recycling practices, and personal anecdotes about composting, chickens, and buying in bulk to reduce packaging waste.

Part Two: Nursing Throughout History

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Join Rebecca, Lora and Heather on Part two of Nursing Throughout History. This episode will discuss the 19th–21st centuries and Heather's personal nursing career and experiences.

Resource: INTELYCARE.COM The History of Nursing: Timeline and Overview

Part One: Nursing Throughout History

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Join Heather, Lora, and Rebecca to explore the history of nursing across several eras.

Resource: INTELYCARE.COM The History of Nursing: Timeline and Overview

Our Canine Family Members' Evolution

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Join Lora, Rebecca, and Heather to discuss the evolutionary journey of dogs from wolves to beloved family companions, examining the scientific and social aspects of human-canine bonds.

References:

Fascinating Facts About Canine Evolution and Why Dogs Are Drawn to Humans by A Peaceful Pack

The Evolution Of Dogs, Accidental Best Friends by Shala Hankison '95, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences

NPR: “How Dogs Evolved Into 'Our Best Friends'”

Skin Writing

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

This is a podcast episode titled "Skin Writing" from "Is this the Norm?" featuring three hosts: Heather Barden, Lora, and Rebecca.

Rebecca discusses her personal experience with Dermagraphism, a rare skin disorder that causes raised welts (urticaria) to form on the skin in response to minor physical irritation like scratching, bumping, or pressure. The condition translates to "skin writing" because scratching creates welt patterns that match the shape of whatever touched the skin.

Works Cited

Nobles, Timothy, et al. “Dermatographism.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531496/.

Dermatographia (dermatographism): What it is, causes & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. (2025, December 11). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17793-dermatographism-dermatographia.

Simone Laube, MD, MRCP (2024, October 3). Dermographism Urticaria: Pathophysiology and Etiology. Mescape. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1050294-overview#a4

Mast Cells. Cleveland Clinic. (2024, May 16). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/mast-cells

Urticaria and Mastocytosis: As Common as we Think? actasdermo.org. V. Monsálvez. https://actasdermo.org/es-download-pdf-S1578219010706508

The Marathon

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Join Lora, Rebecca, and Heather as they discuss the history of the marathon. From the origin of the race, to women's rights in the Boston Marathon and their own personal history with long distance running.

Lotus Feet

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 18:31:26 -0500

Join Lora, Rebecca, and Heather discussing the historical practice of Chinese foot binding (Lotus Feet). The practice of foot binding in China lasted approximately 1,000 years (950 AD - 1949). This binding of the feet (and breaking of the toes) was practiced to symbolize beauty, wealth, and status; necessary for securing good marriage prospects.

Our Ancestral Witchcraft Trials

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

This podcast episode from "Is This the Norm?" explores the hosts' ancestral connections to the Salem witch trials through two accused women: Susanna Martin and Mehitabel Braybrook. Laura, Heather, and Rebecca trace their lineage to these 17th-century women, examining how the witch trials originated in 15th-century Germany before spreading to colonial America, where the Salem trials of 1692-1693 became the most infamous. Susanna Martin, their ancestor who was hanged in 1692, exemplified defiant resistance during her trial, refusing to validate the theatrical "fits" of her teenage accusers and maintaining her Christian integrity despite knowing her fate. In contrast, Mehitabel Braybrook—born illegitimate, labeled an arsonist and drunkard—survived her accusations and imprisonment, ultimately being released when authorities in more progressive areas recognized the trials as unjust.

North Sentinel Island

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 06:00:00 -0500

North Sentinel Island: The World's Most Isolated Tribe

Join Rebecca, Heather, and Lora as they explore the mysterious North Sentinel Island in the Bay of Bengal, home to the Sentinelese people—one of the last uncontacted tribes on Earth.

For an estimated 60,000 years, this indigenous community has lived in complete isolation, fiercely protecting their island from outsiders. Discover why the Indian government has declared a 5-nautical-mile exclusion zone around the island, the rare (and often deadly) encounters with the outside world, and how the tribe miraculously survived the devastating 2004 tsunami.

From British kidnappings in the 1880s to a tragic missionary attempt in 2018, we examine the complex history of contact attempts and why leaving the Sentinelese alone isn't just respectful—it's essential for their survival. Plus, the hosts share their own travel adventures through Thailand and South America, complete with stories of helpful taxi drivers, chicken feet, and celebrating the 4th of July with British tourists.

Synonyms

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 09:43:00 -0500

Rebecca talks about the fascinating way regions across the world that speak English use different words for the same everyday items and foods depending on where they live. From soda versus pop versus coke to regional comfort‑food names like potato wedges versus Jo, Jo's, the show highlights how geography, culture, and history shape our vocabulary. Rebecca breaks down why these variations exist and what they reveal about local identity and language evolution, offering listeners a fun look at the quirks and diversity of English.

Contraception Throughout History

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 07:00:00 -0500

Join Lora, Rebecca, and Heather to discuss a comprehensive journey of history about birth control methods, spanning from ancient civilizations to modern times. Heather will discuss how the burden of contraception has historically fallen on women. How many methods were dangerous, or toxic or even deadly. And the religious and moral opposition to birth control throughout history and the connection between contraception access and women's liberation.

Resources: YouTube-A History of birth control by Lindsey Holiday; PBS: 6 weird facts about the history of birth control.

Rapa Nui

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 09:09:00 -0500

Sources: Movie “Rapa Nui.” National Geographic, Lost Empire of Easter Island; Polynesian Cultural Center (online), Talk with Kevin O’Sullivan with archeologist guest Ashley Hern. YouTube: Wise Owl, Funny Olde World, The Lost Easter Island Culture: What happened to them? by Early Humans, Rapa Nui Revealed: The EI collapse by Get History

Las Salinas

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 19:25:00 -0500

Join Rebecca, Heather, and Lora as they explore the fascinating and rare genetic condition known as 5-alpha reductase Type 2 deficiency, commonly called "Guevedoces" or "Machihembras" in the Dominican village of Las Salinas. This condition causes children assigned female at birth to develop male genitalia during puberty.

Blue People

Rebecca, Heather and Lora — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 18:26:00 -0500

Dive into the fascinating medical mystery of the "blue people" - individuals with a rare genetic condition called methemoglobinemia that causes blue-tinted skin. This episode explores the famous Fugate family of Kentucky, the science behind their unusual appearance, and how this condition was eventually treated and virtually eliminated.