Season Four Of Spotify's "Dope Labs" Podcast: Science Meets Pop Culture

Dope Labs, the 2020 Webby Awards nominated science meets pop culture podcast from Spotify Studios, returns for season four on Thursday, November 11th. 

You can check out the trailer HERE.

 The podcast is co-hosted by Dr. Titi Shodiya and Dr. Zakiya Whatley, Duke University graduates, rising star experts and women of color disrupting the STEM space (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) --- who self-identify as "two of the dopest scientists and best friends you will ever meet."

 Zakiya believes in science education for all, formal or informal, across multiple platforms. Her efforts focus on broadening access to and persistence in STEM careers. Much of her work targets populations historically underrepresented in the sciences.

Shodiya works in the National Voluntary Lab Accreditation Program as a Program Manager for Calibration labs. She manages accreditation and accreditation activities for over 150 labs that cross disciplines all over the US and internationally.

In each episode, the hosts serve up scientific principles with a healthy dose of tea---- unpacking pop culture through the black lens. From cuffing season to Cardi B, they’ll take what’s trending and put it under the microscope with the help of some very smart (and cool) scientific friends. 

The podcast reinforces its mission: "At Dope Labs, we believe “science is for everybody” and our mission is to bring out the inner scientist in YOU (especially communities typically left out of the science field, many of which are women and people of color)."

This season, Dope Labs, the weekly series, will feature guests that delve into pertinent conversations around science denial, COVID-19 era anxiety, fintech and how technology can make shopping more accessible, representation and HBCUs, and more.

“Dope Labs” is a product of Spotify’s Sound Up podcast accelerator program, educating and supporting women of color in the podcasting space, offering tools and resources to turn participants’ creative ideas into fully-developed podcasts. Through programs like Sound Up, Spotify provides curated listening experiences to connect users with culture in a visceral and personal way, while inspiring a new wave of cultural and socially-minded podcasts. 

This podcast is definitely worth a listen for several reasons. First, it’s entertaining and fun for a "science" show. Second, the co-hosts have an easy rapport that makes the podcast "ear worthy" and third, the show targets an underserved audience, especially dealing with STEM issues.