The Olympics x Ninja Warrior

Serena Williams returns to the tennis court

If Serena can do it, you can too. She left tennis 4 years ago, but Serena Williams is back -- at 44. CONDENSED SOUP: It's cozy! It's curious! It's ten minutes! * Serena Williams is returning to pro tennis at age 44 after nearly 4 years away from the sport (Andrew Dampf, AP, Jun 1, 2026) [https://apnews.com/article/serena-williams-comeback-tennis-b0696e1d76b0e7695d6e7d6fc4a78875] * Saying less has meaning for top-10 players in prize money protest at the French Open (Andrew Dampf, AP, May 22, 2026) [https://apnews.com/article/french-open-protest-prize-money-1ac8c5a15cf72102091fece9e49627df] Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me [condensedsoup@proton.me] *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

The alpha-gal allergy explosion in Martha's Vineyard

dd Alpha-gal allergies are spiking in Martha's Vineyard, and people are turning vegan as a result. Will you have to give up your meat overnight? CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity * A national alarm sounds on alpha-gal (Hayley Duffy, MV Times, Nov 14, 2025) [https://www.mvtimes.com/2025/11/14/first-death-linked-alpha-gal-syndrome-reported/] * Why more people on Martha's Vineyard are turning vegan. Hint: Not because they're 'woke' (Karissa Waddick, Cape Cod Times / USA Today, Sep 4, 2025) [https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/news/healthcare/2025/09/04/ticks-marthas-vineyard-ma-vegan-alpha-gal-lone-star-red-meat-allergy/85944313007/] * Alpha-gal allergies are being diagnosed in an increasing number of people (Michele Skalicky, KSMU, May 14, 2026) [https://www.ksmu.org/news/2026-05-14/alpha-gal-allergies-are-being-diagnosed-in-an-increasing-number-of-people] Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me [condensedsoup@proton.me] *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

[title of venue] The Kennedy Center prevails!

After more dramatic twists and turns than many of the shows that have graced its stages, The Kennedy Center will retain its storied name. CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity * Is Trump done with the Kennedy Center? A dramatic twist in the saga. (Christopher Cann, USA Today, May 30, 2026) [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/30/donald-trump-kennedy-center-court-order/90329908007/] * Judge says Kennedy Center board broke law putting Trump's name on building and blocks closure (Michael Kunzelman and Steven Sloan, AP, May 29, 2026) [https://apnews.com/article/trump-kennedy-center-renovations-closure-1857159baf8db4692324acb7ef62f249] Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me [condensedsoup@proton.me] *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

The Olympics x Ninja Warrior

The upcoming Olympics are getting a major update from an unexpected source -- the television show Ninja Warrior. CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity * Ninja Warrior obstacles to feature in LA Olympics modern pentathlon (Rory Carroll, USA Today / Reuters, May 28, 2026) [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/california/2026/05/28/olympics-ninja-warrior-obstacles-to-feature-in-los-angeles-olympics-modern-pentathlon/90295861007/] * American Ninja Warrior Fans, You'll Love the 2028 Summer Olympics' Newest Sport (Chris Phelan, Yahoo! Sports, May 27, 2026) [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/american-ninja-warrior-fans-youll-193018805.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9kdWNrZHVja2dvLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAMC3EDdUqwBtgEIgiJhyxxfHsbi3x534VtvHOuxjM0o8R-6w4U1MSF__h97-1LQzXZq7losCSYF6tL87ooZYn0zb_PUuIe5GzPDRaYrASjppE3uDeoaTmKai0oz5u5MNsQj9Qxhq18hIenh9GbcL8zN37zAelcYpVARWxsVGJxUy] * Ropes Course (Wikipedia, accessed May 29, 2026) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ropes_course] Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me [condensedsoup@proton.me] *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.

Sound, plants, and A Chorus Line

We're expanding on yesterday's episode and exploring how music and live performance can affect humans -- and plants. CONDENSED SOUP: 10 minutes of cozy curiosity * Music for plants? An investigation into the impact of exposure to acoustic stimulus in box choy (brassica rapa) plants (Oxford University Research Archive, accessed May 28, 2026) [https://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid%3Acdfd30dc-a14a-4e02-b3be-bfacff0795f2] * One Singular Sensation: The Design Team of the Original A Chorus Line (Ellen Lampert-Gréaux, Live Design, Mar 1, 1999) [https://www.livedesignonline.com/one-singular-sensation-design-team-original-a-chorus-line] Instagram: @condensedsouppodcast condensedsoup@proton.me [condensedsoup@proton.me] *This episode was recorded in my bedroom.