Topic: Smallstep Gov

A study in the *American Naturalist* describes a fungus that takes control of carpenter ants' brains, turning them into "zombie ants" to optimize spore reproduction. In a separate item, a listener points out a creepy tip on smallsteps.gov suggesting adults "pace the sidelines at kids' athletic games" for exercise. The hosts joke that following such government advice could lead to an arrest.

A shortwave radio clip from the Department of Health and Human Services advises citizens to avoid "labor-saving devices" as part of a $19 million health initiative. The hosts mock the government's "Small Step" tips and transition to discussing the complexity of the grants.gov website, encouraging listeners to find a grant for the podcast.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website, smallstep.gov, provides over 100 lifestyle tips that are criticized for being overly simplistic or absurd. Recommendations include drinking diet soda, fetching the newspaper personally, and performing "desk exercises" instead of smoking. The advice to "walk up hills instead of around them" is singled out for its perceived condescension.