Killer squirrels in California

Kelsey Pfendler is rowing solo from California to Hawaii

Kelsey Pfendler is rowing solo from California to Hawaii -- 2400 miles. Hopefully, she has a lot of podcasts to listen to. CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Kelsey Pfendler is trying to become the youngest woman to row solo from California to Hawaii (Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 28 May 2026) [https://www.popsci.com/science/kelsey-pfendler-rowing-alone-califorina-hawaii/] The first American woman is rowing solo across the Pacific — 2,400 miles, roughly the distance from NYC to LA — and raising money for a special cause (Emma Caplan-Fisher, Moneywise, 10 Jun 2026) [https://moneywise.com/life/lifestyle/kelsey-pfendler-solo-pacific-row-whale-foundation?placement_syn=original_2&utm_source=syn_oath_mon&utm_medium=WL&utm_campaign=193956&utm_content=syn_d8de1598-ea93-45a2-a0d7-e26207f8227f] Trip Tracker (You Row Kelsey, accessed 12 Jun 2026) [https://yourowkelsey.com] Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me [condensedsoup@proton.me] *This episode was recorded in my bathroom.

Killer squirrels in California

Researchers have observed squirrels in California engaging in some very un-squirrel-like behavior -- hunting prey. CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity * Carnivorous Squirrels Documented in California (Kat Kerlin, UC Davis, Dec 18, 2024) [https://www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news/carnivorous-feeding-squirrels-documented-california] * Squirrels Are Displaying 'Widespread Carnivorous Behavior' for the First Time in a California Park, New Study Finds (Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, Dec 20, 2024) [https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/squirrels-are-displaying-widespread-carnivorous-behavior-for-the-first-time-in-a-california-park-new-study-finds-180985707/] Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me [condensedsoup@proton.me] *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

The newest work dress code: Tokyo summer.

Japan is preparing for another cruelly hot summer by setting energy use guidelines and recommending a lighter work wardrobe. It's leg season! CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity Tokyo Gov't Allows Shorts at Work to Beat Heat, Cut Energy Use (The Sankei Shimbun, Japan Forward, May 4, 2026) [https://japan-forward.com/tokyo-cool-biz-shorts-beat-heat-cut-energy-use/] Tokyo workers encouraged to wear shorts to cut energy costs and keep cool (Justin McCurry, The Guardian, Apr 24, 2026) [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/24/tokyo-workers-asked-to-swap-suits-for-shorts-to-combat-energy-costs-and-heat] Cool Biz: Energy Conservation Efforts in Japan (Ryan Chang, The NEBB Professional - Q4 2023 Edition) [https://www.nebb.org/blog/cool-biz-energy-conservation-efforts-in-japan/] Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me [condensedsoup@proton.me] *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

We're building American women's handball

The US is rushing to compete in women's Olympic handball, so they're building a team -- from scratch. CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity * These women are training to represent the US in an Olympic sport they'd never heard of (Jaimie Ding, AP, May 16, 2026) [https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2028-us-women-handball-b9e54fc46678c7c1bee096367dde4694] * Try Out For Team USA (USA Team Handball, accessed Jun 9, 2026) [https://www.usateamhandball.org/try-out] * Sports (The Olympics, accessed Jun 9, 2026) [https://www.olympics.com/en/sports/] Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me [condensedsoup@proton.me] *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

Hikers build up Acadia National Park's mountains

The beautiful mountains of Acadia National Park need a little extra love, so hikers are helping out by volunteering to carry soil to the summits. CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity * The surprising thing visitors are carrying up Acadia's mountains (Eve Chen, USA Today, Jun 8, 2026) [https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/experience/national-parks/2026/06/08/acadia-national-park-summit-conservation/89613233007/] * The Dirt on Acadia (Nicholas Lund, National Parks Conservation Association, Winter 2025) [https://www.npca.org/articles/5924-the-dirt-on-acadia] Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me [condensedsoup@proton.me] *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.