Episodes

  • Welcome to Series 2

    Welcome to Series 2
    Jul 29 2026

    Description

    Jennifer and Maddy get personal and introduce the nextseries on A Single Light, Astrobiology.

    Credits

    Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable

    Original art: Maddy Cable

    Research: Jennifer Vandenberg

    Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable

    Editing: Jennifer Vandenberg

    Editing software: Canva

    Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad

    Comment below (with kindness)

    Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com

    And if you want…Subscribe and like!!!

    Link to Information Used in Intro

    SETI

    https://www.seti.org/

    Big Picture Science Podcast

    https://radio.seti.org/

    Amazon Store

    Please note: As an Amazon Associate, MooseEel Media, LLC (Jennifer and Maddy) earns from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.


    Whatever Happened to the Metric System?: How America Kept Its Feet by John Bemelmans Marciano

    https://amzn.to/4lxPz5h
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    9 mins
  • From Dinosaur Fossils to Pokémon Fossils (A Day at the Field Museum)

    From Dinosaur Fossils to Pokémon Fossils (A Day at the Field Museum)
    Jul 15 2026

    Description

    Jennifer, Maddy, and her mom Lizzy visited the Field Museumin Chicago, Illinois. It would take multiple episodes to thoroughly describe this remarkable museum, but in this spark, we wanted to give you a taste of what you can see if you visit this year. Jennifer loved the evolution and dinosaur hall, while Maddy was excited to visit the Pokémon Fossil Museum, a temporary exhibit at the Field Museum.

    Credits

    Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable

    Original art: Maddy Cable

    Research: Jennifer Vandenberg

    Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable

    Editing: Jennifer Vandenberg

    Editing software: Canva

    Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad

    Comment below (with kindness)

    Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com

    And if you want…Subscribe and like!!!


    Link to Information Used in Spark

    Field Museum

    https://www.fieldmuseum.org/

    T-Rex: The Story of Sue 3D

    https://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/experience/t-rex-the-story-of-sue-3d

    Pokémon Fossil Museum, Field Museum

    https://www.fieldmuseum.org/exhibition/pokemon
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    9 mins
  • Better Than a Cockroach

    Better Than a Cockroach
    Jul 1 2026

    Description

    Tardigrades are microscopic animals that survive inenvironments that would kill many other animals. Jennifer absolutely loves them and made Maddy a deal. If the YouTube video that mentioned tardigrades received 10 comments, she would have to draw a tardigrade. We got ten comments, and she held up her side of the bargain. Check out the website to see her drawing and listen to this spark to learn about these remarkable animals.

    See the drawing here - https://mooseeelmedia.com/maddys-tardigrade/

    Credits

    Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable

    Original art: Maddy Cable

    Research: Jennifer Vandenberg

    Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable

    Editing: Jennifer Vandenberge

    Editing software: Canva

    Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad

    Comment below (with kindness)

    Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com

    And if you want…Subscribe and like!!!


    Link to Information Used in Spark

    Tardigrades: Facts about one of the hardiest animals on Earth, and beyond, LiveScience, https://www.livescience.com/57985-tardigrade-facts.html

    A big discovery of a tiny critter, The Harvard Gazette, https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/11/big-discovery-of-tiny-rare-tardigrade-fossil/

    Evolution: Out of the Ocean, Science Direct, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096098221300136X

    Here’s how tardigrades go into suspended animation, Science News, https://www.sciencenews.org/article/tardigrade-tun-oxidation-suspended-animation
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    7 mins
  • Ice Fishing Sounds too Cold for Us

    Ice Fishing Sounds too Cold for Us
    Jun 17 2026

    Description

    More than 2 million Americans go ice fishing every winter. How can they drive on the ice? Don’t they get cold? How long have people been ice fishing? Maddy and Jennifer didn’t have these answers, but they were eager to learn. The biggest question is whether they want to go ice fishing after learning all these fun facts.

    Credits

    Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable

    Original art: Maddy Cable

    Research: Jennifer Vandenberg

    Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable

    Editing: Jennifer Vandenberge

    Editing software: Canva

    Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad

    Comment below (with kindness)

    Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com

    And if you want…Subscribe and like!!!

    Link to Information Used in Spark

    Ice Making Chart, Fishnetics

    https://fishnetics.com/ice-making-chart/

    How long does it take for safe ice?, Safe Harbor Fishing

    https://safeharborfishing.com/how-long-does-it-take-for-safe-ice/

    Avoid Thin Ice and Use this Chart, The Maine Sportsman

    https://mainesportsman.com/2016/01/avoid-thin-ice-use-chart/

    Best Temperatures For Ice Fishing | Optimal Conditions, Fishing is Bliss

    https://fishingisbliss.com/best-temperatures-for-ice-fishing/

    Ice Fishing 101: How to Get Started on Hard Water, Field & Stream

    https://fieldandstream.com/stories/fishing/ice-fishing/how-to-start-ice-fishing

    What Is the Oldest Evidence of Ice Fishing?, History.com

    https://www.history.com/articles/ice-fishing-oldest-evidence

    The Fascinating History of Ice Fishing: How Long Has Ice Fishing Been Around?, Anglers Advantage Guide Service

    https://anglersadvantageguideservice.com/the-fascinating-history-of-ice-fishing-how-long-has-ice-fishing-been-around/
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    8 mins
  • Spark - Scorpions Should Fear This Mouse

    Spark - Scorpions Should Fear This Mouse
    Jun 3 2026

    Description

    Grasshopper mice live throughout western North America, but the grasshopper mice that live in the American Southwest have a special ability. They can eat bark scorpions because the scorpion's venom acts as a painkiller for the mice. They are aggressive, territorial, and extremely cute.Listen to our spark to learn more.


    Credits

    Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable

    Original art: Maddy Cable

    Research: Jennifer Vandenberg

    Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable

    Editing: Jennifer Vandenberge

    Editing software: Canva

    Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad

    Comment below (with kindness)

    Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com

    And if you want…Subscribe and like!!!

    Link to Information Used in Spark

    Northern Grasshopper Mouse: Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    https://cpw.state.co.us/species/northern-grasshopper-mouse

    Southern Grasshopper Mouse: Interesting Animals

    https://www.interestinganimals.net/mammals/southern-grasshopper-mouse-onychomys-torridus/

    Grasshopper Mice have Evolved Neurons that Block the Painful Sting of the Bark Scorpion: University of Chicago

    https://www.mbl.edu/news/grasshopper-mice-have-evolved-neurons-block-painful-sting-bark-scorpion

    Grasshopper Mice Are Numb to the Pain of the Bark Scorpion Sting: UT News

    https://news.utexas.edu/2013/10/24/grasshopper-mice-are-numb-to-the-pain-of-the-bark-scorpion-sting/

    Animal Fact Sheet: Bark Scorpion: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

    https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Bark%20Scorp.php

    Attention Scorpions: Don’t Mess with This Murderous, Cannibalistic Mouse: Audubon

    https://www.audubon.org/news/attention-scorpions-dont-mess-murderous-cannibalistic-mouse
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    8 mins
  • Snowflakes, Lava, and Tardigrades, oh my!

    Snowflakes, Lava, and Tardigrades, oh my!
    May 6 2026
    DescriptionTemperature affects everything from animals to vegetables tominerals. In today’s grab bag session, we are going to discover how temperature influences snowflake shape, igneous rock formation, the sex of baby turtles, and my favorites, tardigrades.Maddy agreed that if we get ten comments on this session,she will draw a tardigrade. Please comment so the world can get its promised drawing. Jennifer really wants to see it.CreditsCo-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy CableOriginal art: Maddy CableResearch: Jennifer VandenbergScript: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy CableEditing: Jennifer VandenbergeEditing software: CanvaMusic: Remember This Moment by Patrick RundbladComment below (with kindness) Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.comAnd if you want…Subscribe and like!!!Highlighted Link of the SessionSnowflakechartTriplePoint of WaterLink to Information Used in Session 10The Morphology Diagram: Snow Crystals.comhttps://www.snowcrystals.com/morphology/morphology.html Are All Snowflakes Really Different? The Science of Winter: Smithsonianhttps://ssec.si.edu/stemvisions-blog/are-all-snowflakes-really-different-science-winter Triple Point: Science Directhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/mathematics/triple-pointU.S. Standard Atmosphere: Temperature, Pressure, and Air Properties vs. Altitude: The Engineering Toolboxhttps://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/standard-atmosphere-d_604.html Sublimation: Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/science/sublimation-phase-change Freeze-drying: Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/technology/freeze-drying What is the difference between "magma" and "lava"?: USGShttps://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-difference-between-magma-and-lava Igneous Rocks: National Geographichttps://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/igneous-rocks/ Environmental Sex Determination: National Library of Medicinehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9989/ What causes a sea turtle to be born male or female?: NOAAhttps://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/temperature-dependent.html Tardigrades: American Scientisthttps://www.americanscientist.org/article/tardigrades Tardigrades: National Geographic Kidshttps://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/tardigrade Highlight: Tardigrades and the Science of Extreme Survival: National Library of Medicinehttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10799322/ We finally know how tardigrades can survive extreme conditions: New Scientisthttps://www.newscientist.com/article/2412569-we-finally-know-how-tardigrades-can-survive-extreme-conditions/Amazon StorePlease note: As an Amazon Associate, MooseEel Media, LLC (Jennifer and Maddy) earns from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.From Session 3 – CelsiusWhatever Happened to the Metric System?: How America Kept Its Feet by John Bemelmans Marciano https://amzn.to/4lxPz5h
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    20 mins
  • Let's Talk About the Weather

    Let's Talk About the Weather
    Apr 29 2026
    DescriptionThe weather depends on many variables, including temperature, air pressure, wind, and humidity. In this session, we are going to learn how temperature can influence the weather. From heat domes to blizzards, temperature is not merely a result of the weather but also a cause. CreditsCo-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy CableOriginal art: Maddy CableResearch: Jennifer VandenbergScript: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy CableEditing: Jennifer VandenbergeEditing software: CanvaMusic: Remember This Moment by Patrick RundbladComment below (with kindness) Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.comAnd if you want…Subscribe and like!!!Link to Information Used in Session 7What causes weather?: National Centre for Atmospheric Sciencehttps://ncas.ac.uk/learn/what-causes-weather What Are High and Low Pressure Systems? NOAAhttps://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/about/k-12-education/weather-forecasting/what-are-high-and-low-pressure-systems What Is A Heat Dome? Explaining The Deadly Weather Pattern Behind America's Most Dangerous Summer Days: TheWeather Channelhttps://weather.com/science/weather-explainers/news/2025-06-20-death-ridge-heat-dome-explainer What causes a heatwave and how to minimize the impact on your business: Aggrekohttps://www.aggreko.com/en-us/resources/construction/understanding-heatwaves Blizzards: UCARhttps://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/storms/blizzards Ice Storms: NOAAhttps://www.weather.gov/safety/winter-ice-frost What Is A Whiteout? Here’s Your Weather Word Of The Day: The Weather Channelhttps://weather.com/news/weather/video/what-is-a-whiteout-heres-your-weather-word-of-the-day What Is the Polar Vortex?”: NOAAhttps://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/about/k-12-education/severe-weather/what-the-polar-vortex Origin of Wind: NOAAhttps://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/synoptic/origin-of-wind How Tornadoes Form: UCARhttps://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/storms/how-tornadoes-form Tornados: American Museum of Natural Historyhttps://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/earth/tornadoes-spinning-thunderstorms Tornados: MRCChttps://mrcc.purdue.edu/living_wx/tornadoes Three ways NOAA Research works to improve our weather forecasts: NOAAhttps://research.noaa.gov/three-ways-noaa-research-works-to-improve-our-weather-forecasts/ The Challenges and Complexities of Weather Forecasting: National Weather Servicehttps://www.weather.gov/car/weatherforecasting Forecasting the Future: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Transforming Weather Prediction and Policy: WorldMeteorological Organizationhttps://wmo.int/media/magazine-article/forecasting-future-role-of-artificial-intelligence-transforming-weather-prediction-and-policy Weather Analysis and Forecasting: AMShttps://www.ametsoc.org/ams/about-ams/ams-statements/statements-of-the-ams-in-force/weather-analysis-and-forecasting2/ Amazon StorePlease note: As an Amazon Associate, MooseEel Media, LLC (Jennifer and Maddy) earns from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.From Session 3 – CelsiusWhatever Happened to the Metric System?: How America Kept Its Feet by John Bemelmans Marciano https://amzn.to/4lxPz5h
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    19 mins
  • Critters at home in extreme temperatures

    Critters at home in extreme temperatures
    Apr 22 2026

    Description

    Humans can live in extreme temperatures, but we need external assistance. Animals don’t have jackets or air conditioning, but many of them thrive in extreme areas. In this session, we learn about several animals that live in extreme temperature zones and explore how they survive.

    Credits

    Co-founders of MooseEel Media, LLC: Jennifer Vandenberg& Maddy Cable

    Original art: Maddy Cable

    Research: Jennifer Vandenberg

    Script: Jennifer Vandenberg & Maddy Cable

    Editing: Jennifer Vandenberge

    Editing software: Canva

    Music: Remember This Moment by Patrick Rundblad

    Comment below (with kindness)

    Email us at asinglelight1110@gmail.com

    And if you want…Subscribe and like!!!

    Highlighted Link of the Session

    Watch this video on Devil’sHole Pupfish! You will not regret it!!!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voe1LXhB7bE

    Link to Information Used in Session 7

    How do camels survive in deserts?: Natural History Museum

    https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/how-do-camels-survive-in-deserts.html

    Kangaroo Rat: Organ Pipe Cactus NM

    https://www.nps.gov/orpi/learn/nature/kangaroo-rat.htm

    How does a reindeer keep warm in the winter?: the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd

    https://www.cairngormreindeer.co.uk/2025/03/14/how-does-a-reindeer-keep-warm-in-the-winter/

    Horned Lizards: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

    https://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_horned_lizard.php

    What happens to Wood Frogs in the Winter?: Chicago Academy of Sciences

    https://naturemuseum.org/cas/blog/what-happens-to-wood-frogs-in-winter

    Antarctica’s Icefish keep from freezing thanks to special proteins: Earth Rangers

    https://www.earthrangers.com/EN/CA/omg_animals/antarcticas-icefish-keep-from-freezing-thanks-to-special-proteins/

    How Do Penguins Stay Warm?: Britannica

    https://www.britannica.com/science/How-Do-Penguins-Stay-Warm

    African Skimmer: Laura Erickson’s For the Birds

    https://www.lauraerickson.com/bird/african-skimmer/

    Woolly Bear Caterpillar - Winter Predictor Or Not?: National Weather Service

    https://www.weather.gov/arx/woollybear

    How Animals Survive Temperature Extremes: ACS

    https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/documents/how-animals-survive-in-extreme-temperatures.pdf

    Amazon Store

    Please note: As an Amazon Associate, MooseEel Media, LLC (Jennifer and Maddy) earns from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on certain links and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

    From Session 3 – Celsius

    Whatever Happened to the Metric System?: How America Kept Its Feet by John Bemelmans Marciano

    https://amzn.to/4lxPz5h
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins