Stephanie Bastek

Stephanie Bastek is the senior editor of the Scholar and the producer/host of the Smarty Pants podcast.

Once and Future Food

Imagining a new world of teas and tastes

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday September 29, 2017

Rhapsodies in Blue

Vulgar tongues, cruel etymologies, and a spot of poetry

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday September 15, 2017

Scientists and Saints

Women’s roles and rituals under the microscope

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday September 1, 2017

Lady Pirates and Oceans of Plastic

One very daring journey and the pirate who puts Blackbeard to shame

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday August 11, 2017

What the Nose Knows

Smell detectives, laughing gas, and all the forces we cannot see

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday July 28, 2017

Love Games and First Impressions

How to judge tennis—or a stranger’s face

By Stephanie Bastek | Thursday July 13, 2017

From Beer to Eternity

Exploring ancient ales and fermentation re-creations

By Stephanie Bastek | Tuesday June 27, 2017

From the Horse’s Mouth

True tales of horse historians, mad bombers, and infinite jam jars

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday June 9, 2017

Twin Peaks

Reporting from the world’s highlines and highlands

By Stephanie Bastek | Tuesday May 16, 2017

The Fox in the Big House

Soviets, poetry, and foxes, oh my!

By Stephanie Bastek | Thursday April 20, 2017

The Geek Squad

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday June 12, 2026

For Better or for Wurst

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday May 15, 2026

Safe From Sin

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday April 17, 2026

Hue and Cry

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday April 3, 2026

Shotgun Ornithology

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday March 20, 2026

Eulogy for a Yenta

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday March 6, 2026

The Carnifex of Cachtice

By Stephanie Bastek | Friday February 20, 2026

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