Spellbound and Gagged Thu, 19 Mar 2026 11:20:46 -0400 https://spellboundandgagged.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Spellbound and Gagged yes 6d5b2be5-a882-5038-9f18-4a3c444aa00a Ellen Weatherford episodic true A podcast about all things that fascinate, unsettle and disgust. Not for kids. Hosted by Ellen Weatherford.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Ellen Weatherford https://storage.buzzsprout.com/oddujxh5acfgjsfonzyjswmbrjhp?.jpg Spellbound and Gagged Ellen Weatherford Ashley Hamer 13: Dark Patterns in Video Games w/ Jared Rusk 13: Dark Patterns in Video Games w/ Jared Rusk Have you spent an embarrassing amount of money on microtransactions? Did you suffer through hours of a game that you hated just to get a virtual trophy? Are you setting alarms to log on at ungodly hours of the morning to make it to an in-game event? If so, this episode might be for you.

Links:

  • Jared recommends Crossplay, "a newsletter at the intersection of parenting and video games" by Patrick Klepek: https://www.crossplay.news/
  • Hear more from Jared on Debaser: A Film Podcast! 
  • Follow Jared on BlueSky!
  • Follow Ellen on Instagram or BlueSky!
  • Follow the show on Instagram!



Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: 9EGBBNVRIOZETSGS

]]> Have you spent an embarrassing amount of money on microtransactions? Did you suffer through hours of a game that you hated just to get a virtual trophy? Are you setting alarms to log on at ungodly hours of the morning to make it to an in-game event? If so, this episode might be for you.

Links:

  • Jared recommends Crossplay, "a newsletter at the intersection of parenting and video games" by Patrick Klepek: https://www.crossplay.news/
  • Hear more from Jared on Debaser: A Film Podcast! 
  • Follow Jared on BlueSky!
  • Follow Ellen on Instagram or BlueSky!
  • Follow the show on Instagram!



Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: 9EGBBNVRIOZETSGS

]]> Ellen Weatherford Buzzsprout-18043986 Mon, 20 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0700 6488 1 13 full true 12: Terror-tomas w/ Dr. Ella Hubber 12: Terror-tomas w/ Dr. Ella Hubber Get ready to sink your teeth into this week’s topic: teratomas. What is a tumor, and how do they sometimes grow structures like teeth and hair? What is it really like to work in a research lab? Who would we cast in a teratoma puppet duet musical? Find out with us.

Links:

Credits:

  • Editing by Jared Rusk
  • Music from #Uppbeat, https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil 
  • License code: 34AJY50U4F8EF7VF
]]> Get ready to sink your teeth into this week’s topic: teratomas. What is a tumor, and how do they sometimes grow structures like teeth and hair? What is it really like to work in a research lab? Who would we cast in a teratoma puppet duet musical? Find out with us.

Links:

Credits:

  • Editing by Jared Rusk
  • Music from #Uppbeat, https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil 
  • License code: 34AJY50U4F8EF7VF
]]> Ellen Weatherford Buzzsprout-17796760 Fri, 05 Sep 2025 12:00:00 -0700 3264 1 12 full true 11: Freaks with Beaks w/ Ralph Crewe 11: Freaks with Beaks w/ Ralph Crewe Who is the absolute worst mom in the animal kingdom? Why is there an ominous population of black vultures haunting Pennsylvania? In your relationship, are you the crab or the raptor? Explore these questions and more with Ellen and special guest, science communicator Ralph Crewe, as we bob for viscera with some of nature's gnarliest bird facts.

Special thanks to Jared Rusk for editing help on this episode!

Links:

Follow Ralph on Instagram and check out his work on the Practical Engineering Channel!

Follow Ellen on Instagram or BlueSky!

Follow the show on Instagram!

Music: "Snake Oil" by Doug Organ, from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: YTJL04XPFNDGFD0C

]]> Who is the absolute worst mom in the animal kingdom? Why is there an ominous population of black vultures haunting Pennsylvania? In your relationship, are you the crab or the raptor? Explore these questions and more with Ellen and special guest, science communicator Ralph Crewe, as we bob for viscera with some of nature's gnarliest bird facts.

Special thanks to Jared Rusk for editing help on this episode!

Links:

Follow Ralph on Instagram and check out his work on the Practical Engineering Channel!

Follow Ellen on Instagram or BlueSky!

Follow the show on Instagram!

Music: "Snake Oil" by Doug Organ, from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: YTJL04XPFNDGFD0C

]]> Ellen Weatherford Buzzsprout-17447514 Fri, 04 Jul 2025 03:00:00 -0700 4262 1 11 full true 10: The Funcanny Valley w/ Tom Lum 10: The Funcanny Valley w/ Tom Lum Why do we feel so weird when robots look a little too much like humans? How have artists navigated the uncanny valley - whether narrowly avoiding it or intentionally plunging into the psychological trench? Ellen & guest, science communicator Tom Lum, ride the zombie train right into the uncanny valley.

Links:
Follow Tom on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube!
Follow Ellen on TikTok!
Follow Spellbound and Gagged on Instagram!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: P8DTLVUL1FZUMREF

]]> Why do we feel so weird when robots look a little too much like humans? How have artists navigated the uncanny valley - whether narrowly avoiding it or intentionally plunging into the psychological trench? Ellen & guest, science communicator Tom Lum, ride the zombie train right into the uncanny valley.

Links:
Follow Tom on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube!
Follow Ellen on TikTok!
Follow Spellbound and Gagged on Instagram!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: P8DTLVUL1FZUMREF

]]> Ellen Weatherford & Ashley Hamer Buzzsprout-15481733 Fri, 26 Jul 2024 11:00:00 -0700 4144 1 10 full true 9: Sex, Drugs, and Rocket Fuel 9: Sex, Drugs, and Rocket Fuel Who is the mysteriously unnamed "rocket enthusiast" behind the founding of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory? Ashley uncovers the story of rocket engineer Jack Parsons and his relationship to space, occultism, sex rituals, L. Ron Hubbard, and more.

Links:

Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: O018QFJ6T1Y1703L

]]> Who is the mysteriously unnamed "rocket enthusiast" behind the founding of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory? Ashley uncovers the story of rocket engineer Jack Parsons and his relationship to space, occultism, sex rituals, L. Ron Hubbard, and more.

Links:

Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: O018QFJ6T1Y1703L

]]> Ellen Weatherford & Ashley Hamer Buzzsprout-15329457 Fri, 28 Jun 2024 11:00:00 -0700 2376 1 9 full true 8: Live, Laugh, Lava w/ Meagan Ankney 8: Live, Laugh, Lava w/ Meagan Ankney What makes volcanic eruptions get so catastrophically massive? What's going on below the Earth's surface? Should we be worried about Yellowstone? Ellen & guest, geochemist and science communicator Meagan Ankney, explore all the most burning questions about supervolcanoes.

Links:
Check out Meagan's podcast, Spooky Science Sisters!
Follow Spooky Science Sisters on Tiktok, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: 0GF0ZHRLVQAZWWVI

]]> What makes volcanic eruptions get so catastrophically massive? What's going on below the Earth's surface? Should we be worried about Yellowstone? Ellen & guest, geochemist and science communicator Meagan Ankney, explore all the most burning questions about supervolcanoes.

Links:
Check out Meagan's podcast, Spooky Science Sisters!
Follow Spooky Science Sisters on Tiktok, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: 0GF0ZHRLVQAZWWVI

]]> Ellen Weatherford & Ashley Hamer Buzzsprout-12833355 Fri, 12 May 2023 03:00:00 -0700 4204 1 8 full true 7: Striking a Cordyceps 7: Striking a Cordyceps Understanding a fungus isn't brain surgery... unless you're an ant. Ellen & Ashley discuss how and why the "zombie-ant fungus" takes control over its insect host, compare reality with the way it's portrayed in pop culture, and look ahead into our own fungal future.

Links:

]]> Understanding a fungus isn't brain surgery... unless you're an ant. Ellen & Ashley discuss how and why the "zombie-ant fungus" takes control over its insect host, compare reality with the way it's portrayed in pop culture, and look ahead into our own fungal future.

Links:

]]> Ellen Weatherford & Ashley Hamer Buzzsprout-12647530 Fri, 14 Apr 2023 03:00:00 -0700 2689 1 7 full true 6: Pompeii and Circumstance w/ Alex Schmidt 6: Pompeii and Circumstance w/ Alex Schmidt Ellen takes Ashley and and guest Alex Schmidt on a journey through the history of Pompeii before, during, and after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Links:

]]> Ellen takes Ashley and and guest Alex Schmidt on a journey through the history of Pompeii before, during, and after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Links:

]]> Ellen Weatherford & Ashley Hamer Buzzsprout-12369724 Fri, 03 Mar 2023 12:00:00 -0800 4448 1 6 full true 5: The Fat is in the Fire 5: The Fat is in the Fire We’ve got fire in our belly for this episode’s topic: the puzzling phenomenon of spontaneous human combustion. How does a person suddenly and mysteriously burst into flames, and what happens to the human body when it burns? Find out with us.


Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil

License code: E0XTG15DVOSBM1F3



]]> We’ve got fire in our belly for this episode’s topic: the puzzling phenomenon of spontaneous human combustion. How does a person suddenly and mysteriously burst into flames, and what happens to the human body when it burns? Find out with us.


Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil

License code: E0XTG15DVOSBM1F3



]]> Ellen Weatherford & Ashley Hamer Buzzsprout-12276428 Fri, 17 Feb 2023 15:00:00 -0800 3051 1 5 full true 4: A Parasite for Sore Eyes w/ Katie Goldin 4: A Parasite for Sore Eyes w/ Katie Goldin The animal kingdom takes toxic relationships to a whole new level. Ellen & guest Katie Goldin discuss their favorite parasites, from snail eyestalk raves to big juicy butts to warm, cozy fish mouths. What’s the matter? Crab got your tongue?

Follow Katie on Twitter & listen to her podcast Creature Feature for more!

Extra credit:


Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil

License code: SQOIFYU6QBJCZGW4




]]> The animal kingdom takes toxic relationships to a whole new level. Ellen & guest Katie Goldin discuss their favorite parasites, from snail eyestalk raves to big juicy butts to warm, cozy fish mouths. What’s the matter? Crab got your tongue?

Follow Katie on Twitter & listen to her podcast Creature Feature for more!

Extra credit:


Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil

License code: SQOIFYU6QBJCZGW4




]]> Ellen Weatherford & Ashley Hamer Buzzsprout-12034359 Fri, 13 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0800 3708 1 4 full true 3: Let's Get Nuclear Wasted 3: Let's Get Nuclear Wasted This podcast is a message... and part of a system of messages... pay attention to it! Ellen & Ashley discuss nuclear waste, from the Simpsons and ninja turtle ooze to the mysteries of the distant future and our best attempts to protect them from ourselves. 

Further reading:


Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: YGWGAODUHHVSJ3HC

]]> This podcast is a message... and part of a system of messages... pay attention to it! Ellen & Ashley discuss nuclear waste, from the Simpsons and ninja turtle ooze to the mysteries of the distant future and our best attempts to protect them from ourselves. 

Further reading:


Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: YGWGAODUHHVSJ3HC

]]> Ellen Weatherford & Ashley Hamer Buzzsprout-11882191 Fri, 16 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0800 3511 spellbound and gagged, nuclear waste, semiotics, vanilla ice, ooze 1 3 full true 2: Pick Your Poison w/ Vikram Baliga 2: Pick Your Poison w/ Vikram Baliga Ellen & guest, the Plant Professor™ Dr. Vikram Baliga, discuss nightshade, hemlock, poisonous eggplants, medieval pranks, witchcraft, and the death of Socrates.


Further reading:

Why the Tomato Was Feared in Europe for More Than 200 Years

“Hexing Herbs” in Ethnobotanical Perspective: A Historical Review of the Uses of Anticholinergic Solanaceae Plants in Europe


Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil

License code: 37JORES40ZZEQIRT



]]> Ellen & guest, the Plant Professor™ Dr. Vikram Baliga, discuss nightshade, hemlock, poisonous eggplants, medieval pranks, witchcraft, and the death of Socrates.


Further reading:

Why the Tomato Was Feared in Europe for More Than 200 Years

“Hexing Herbs” in Ethnobotanical Perspective: A Historical Review of the Uses of Anticholinergic Solanaceae Plants in Europe


Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil

License code: 37JORES40ZZEQIRT



]]> Ellen Weatherford & Ashley Hamer Buzzsprout-11798461 Fri, 02 Dec 2022 03:00:00 -0800 2987 1 2 full true 1: The Zero G Spot 1: The Zero G Spot Hooking up with your coworkers is awkward enough on Earth. Just imagine how astronauts feel. Ashley & Ellen discuss the "ins and outs" of off-planet sex, from the effects of radiation on reproduction to the troublesome issue of bodily fluid dynamics in microgravity. It's out of this world!

Further reading:
Newt gestation in space
"100 Tampons" by Marcia Belsky

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: LCDPEOSVUVBYWEX4

]]> Hooking up with your coworkers is awkward enough on Earth. Just imagine how astronauts feel. Ashley & Ellen discuss the "ins and outs" of off-planet sex, from the effects of radiation on reproduction to the troublesome issue of bodily fluid dynamics in microgravity. It's out of this world!

Further reading:
Newt gestation in space
"100 Tampons" by Marcia Belsky

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil
License code: LCDPEOSVUVBYWEX4

]]> Ellen Weatherford & Ashley Hamer Buzzsprout-11670683 Fri, 11 Nov 2022 03:00:00 -0800 2900 spellbound and gagged, sex, space, space travel, astronaut, astronauts 1 1 full true Spellbound and Gagged Trailer Spellbound and Gagged Trailer Get a preview of Spellbound and Gagged, a podcast about all the weird, gross and unsettling stuff that keeps us up at night. The first episode will be up on Friday, November 11. Subscribe now so you don't miss it!

Keep up with updates on the podcast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil

License code: ENGEHAEPUCBEZWVF

]]> Get a preview of Spellbound and Gagged, a podcast about all the weird, gross and unsettling stuff that keeps us up at night. The first episode will be up on Friday, November 11. Subscribe now so you don't miss it!

Keep up with updates on the podcast by following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/doug-organ/snake-oil

License code: ENGEHAEPUCBEZWVF

]]> Ellen Weatherford Buzzsprout-11647232 Mon, 07 Nov 2022 08:00:00 -0800 37 trailer false