The Curiosity Desk

Which Type of Vanilla Should I Use?

First up, it’s the inaugural edition of our segment “ICYMI,” where we talk about some lighter news of the week you might’ve missed. Joining today is GBH’s Adam Reilly and Globe reporter / TikTok darling Emily Sweeney.  Then, Edgar responds to a listener question about cooking with vanilla, and why some people make the case that the imitation stuff is better than pure vanilla extract. Helping us out, we’ve got Dan Souza from America’s Test Kitchen.  Lastly, ahead of America’s 250th, GBH is airing a series of shorts to highlight some awesome kids from around the country, including 11 year-old Tessa from Winthrop. Edgar will talk with Dorothea Gillim, Executive Producer and Creative Director of GBH Kids, Tessa, and Tessa’s mom.

Stuck On Stamps: What Fuels The Philatelists?

First up, Edgar talks with Joan Donovan and Steven Rai, a colleague from her Critical Internet Studies Institute, about the extremist ecosystem online that radicalized the shooters in Monday’s attack on a mosque in San Diego.  Then, Could 3D printed houses create a more affordable world of the future? We meet & talk with AJ Perez, a research scientist at MIT’s Office of Innovation. Lastly, Edgar meets former Smithsonian Collections Specialist Alex Haimann to talk stamps & stamp collecting during the ongoing Boston 2026 World Expo [https://web.cvent.com/event/bbbdc1d9-e50e-44dd-8bef-eb36c9d1251f/summary].

Why's There A Green Light At My Walk Signal?

First up, Edgar talks “concurrent signaling” – when the walk sign coincides with a green light – and how  it can complicate getting around the city for people with disabilities (and plenty without). He’ll sit down with GBH’s Meghan Smith and disability rights advocate Casandra Xavier.  Next up, following new penny-rounding guidance from the Division of Standards, we meet DOS Commissioner Dave Rodrigues to talk about the rules & what exactly goes on in his corner of state government.  Lastly, all this hot weather is complicating spring gardening / planting season. Debbie Merriam from the Wakefield Arboretum returns to take listener calls and texts for “Ask the Gardener."

Is it Possible To Learn While You Dream?

What’s actually happening in those academic departments at research institutions? Edgar asks MIT economics chair Jon Gruber.  Then, we’re getting up to speed on Four Things To Know, with help from GBH’s Gal Tziperman-Lotan.  Lastly, is it possible to learn while you dream? A recent piece in the New Yorker posits that you can. We’ll talk with columnist Shayla Love and dream researcher Karen Konkoly.

Where Did The Starter Home Go?

First up, we open with a housing panel, comprised of Jesse Kanson-Benanav from Abundant Housing MA, and Commonwealth Beacon Housing Reporter Jennifer Smith. Then,  Edgar talks with Jeff Ziesmann, general manager of the new totally-not-a-sitcom-anymore WKRP in Cincinnati.  Lastly, we end our Monday with Kevin Hampe from The Society in Dedham for Apprehending Horse Thieves, whose legendary club which once counted JFK, Elvis, and Pope John Paul II as members.