Zombies, jack-o’-lanterns, and our spooky scary skeletons
On a recent fishing trip, Nate came across a bone-chilling sight. It was a salmon that seemed kind of… dead. Its skin was falling off, it smelled horrible, and it didn’t have any eyes. Turns out, Nate had stumbled onto a (barely) living example of a recent listener question: “Are there any real-life zombies?” From mutant looking fish to the science behind mysterious lights that flicker in cemeteries, in this Outside/Inbox roundup the team takes on your Halloween curiosities. Here’s the questions we cover… Are there any real-life zombies? Are bone conduction headphones better or worse for preventing hearing loss? Can you eat those giant decorative pumpkins? What’s the science behind will o’ the wisp lights? Featuring Daniel Teske, Rick Neitzel, and Richard Zare. Thanks to Amelia, Shaina, and Meg for their questions. Our next roundup theme is all about the cold! Send us your questions and you might hear them on the show. Email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 1-844-GO-OTTER. Produced by Marina Henke, Felix Poon, and Nate Hegyi. For full credits and transcript, visit outsideinradio.org Episode logo artwork adapted from “Will o' the Wisp and the Snake” by Hermann Hendrich (Public Domain). CONNECT WITH US Outside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to join our Patreon and get ad-free episodes of the podcast. To share your questions and feedback with Outside/In, leave a voicemail on our listener hotline, 1-844-GO-OTTER, or email [email protected]. Follow Outside/In on Instagram, TikTok, or join our private discussion group on Facebook. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service have a lengthy page detailing the horrors of zombie salmon. You have been warned. The current pumpkin record-holder we mentioned was a recent upset! Congratulations to Ron Wallace in Greene, Rhode Island. Hermann Hendrich’s 1901 painting, “Will-o'-the-wisp Dance.” You can read Richard Zare’s 2025 paper presenting his microlightning theory here. Check out our webpage to see videos of the phenomenon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices