DRIVE with Jim Farley

Author Mary Roach Talks Body Science, Space Toilets, and Cars

May 20, 2026·35 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

DRIVE welcomes author Mary Roach to discuss her books and the unusual science of the human body, from a signed astronaut emesis basin she keeps in her glove box to the realities of motion sickness in space and Apollo-era bathroom logistics. The conversation also covers advances in automotive safety research, organ donation, crash-test calibration using cadavers, and the challenges of customizing horns and vehicle sounds. 00:00 Meet Mary Roach 00:35 Signed Space Sick Bag 02:22 Space Toilets and Morale 07:11 Replaceable You and Organs 20:54 Evolving Crash Dummies 24:37 Vespa to Mini Cooper 26:51 Pressure and Purpose 29:46 Two Horns Idea 36:44 Always Learning Mindset DRIVE with Jim Farley is produced by Jesse Baker and Eric Nuzum of Magnificent Noise. Our production staff includes Sabrina Farhi and Kristen Mueller with help from Lori Arpin, Angela Brewer, Max Owen-Dunow, Anne Roberts, Samantha Singhal, Darnell Macon, Brandon Kennedy, and Mark Truby.  Follow Jim:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jim.Farley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimfarley98/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jimfarley98 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-farley/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jimfarley.bsky.social Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/jimfarley98 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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