Radiolab is on a curiosity bender. We ask deep questions and use investigative journalism to get the answers. A given episode might whirl you through science, legal history, and into the home of someone halfway across the world. The show is known for innovative sound design, smashing information into music. It is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser.
In this Radiolab episode, you'll find two intriguing holiday bonus segments. The first focuses on NASA's Parker Solar Probe, which is set to make the closest approach to the sun ever recorded on Christmas Eve 2024. Using cutting-edge carbon foam heat shielding and just a gallon of water, this mission promises to push t...
In this episode of Radiolab, the hosts dive into the reality behind some well-known sayings. They start with "misery loves company," revealing that, contrary to popular belief, happiness tends to be more exclusive than misery. Next, they unpack the idea of "an idle mind is the devil's workshop," highlighting how our br...
In this Radiolab podcast episode, astronaut Dave Wolf shares his thrilling spacewalk experiences. He paints a vivid picture of the stark contrast between the intense brightness of sunrise in space and the pitch-black shadows of Earth, where darkness feels so deep that it seems to swallow his arm. Wolf recounts a terrif...
This Radiolab episode delves into the origins and implications of Stockholm Syndrome, where hostages develop unexpected feelings for their captors. It all starts with the infamous 1973 Norrmalmstorg robbery in Stockholm, which coined the term. However, the episode uncovers that the early understanding of Stockholm Synd...
This Radiolab episode delves into the fascinating journey of the International Prototype Kilogram, a platinum cylinder that was the global standard for weight for over a hundred years. It traces the evolution of measurement, starting from intuitive body-based units to the scientifically defined meter, and highlights th...
In this episode of Science Vs., the hosts dive into the intriguing search for the world's funniest joke. They chat with comedians and researchers to uncover whether such a joke really exists and what elements contribute to humor. Although a large online experiment pointed to a joke about hunters as a contender, the hos...
This Radiolab episode delves into the fascinating history and current efforts to communicate with dolphins. It features interviews with Margaret Lovett, who, in the 1960s, lived with a dolphin named Peter in a flooded apartment as part of John Lilly's controversial experiments. We also hear from Dr. Denise Hersey, who ...
This Radiolab podcast delves into the fascinating idea of critical periods in the brain—specific times when learning happens most effectively. Neuroscientist Gül Dölen's research shows that psychedelics like MDMA, LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine can reopen these critical periods in adult mice, enabling them to learn anew...
In this podcast episode, Dennis Conrow shares his heartfelt journey back to his childhood home after facing profound family losses, including his mother's passing and his father's illness. As he renovates the house to move on from his past, he confronts unresolved grief that surfaces through vivid dreams and eerie para...
In this podcast episode, the hosts dive into the intricate history and current challenges surrounding the 25th Amendment and the Electoral College. They share the story of Senator Birch Bayh’s bold attempt to reform the Electoral College, set against a backdrop of political maneuvering and surprising alliances. Through...
In this podcast episode, Harvard lecturer Yasha Monk addresses the concerning decline of faith in democracy, especially among young people. Using findings from the World Values Survey, the discussion highlights a worrisome shift towards authoritarian preferences in both the US and Europe. The hosts then turn their atte...
This podcast episode explores the pivotal 1987 Gary Hart scandal and its impact on journalistic ethics, particularly regarding the intersection of personal lives and public office. It examines how this incident reshaped political reporting and draws parallels to the Trump presidency. The conversation raises important q...
In this podcast episode, we explore the hidden beauty of tree stumps through art and history, highlighting Amanda Thomson's transformative recognition of the life contained within these often-overlooked remnants. From a magical stump in Illinois that attracts a variety of wildlife to a historical sycamore in West Virgi...
This podcast episode delves into the gripping narrative of Octomom, an octopus enduring a prolonged state of starvation while brooding her eggs, and the fascinating biological processes that enable her survival. Through insights from evolutionary neuroscientist Yan Wong, listeners explore the peculiar life cycle of oct...
This podcast episode delves into the search for survivors of the Pompeii eruption, intertwining history with culinary exploration through the lens of Steve Tuck’s research on Roman names and the legacy of garum, a traditional fish sauce. Tuck’s meticulous investigation reveals that while the immediate aftermath was dev...
This podcast episode delves into the intricate relationship between the moon's gravitational pull and the passage of time on Earth, revealing how the Earth's slowing rotation has led to longer days and shorter years, alongside the moon's gradual retreat from our planet. Featuring insights from astronomer Chris Impey an...
This podcast episode delves into the multifaceted interactions between artificial intelligence and human experiences, as Evan experiments with sending his AI to therapists, workplaces, and family conversations. The discussions reveal the often bizarre and unsettling nature of AI's attempts to mimic human interaction, h...
This podcast episode investigates a series of intriguing queries from listeners, ranging from the mysterious occurrence of glowing orbs to the scientific explanations behind microwave sparking, weaving together a tapestry of curiosity, mythology, and scientific inquiry that demonstrates the interconnectedness of seemin...
This podcast episode delves into the harrowing experiences of Jim Steiner, a father who, after a traumatic accident involving his children, faced critical challenges in receiving adequate medical care. This led to the creation of ATLS, a groundbreaking approach to trauma care that emphasizes a systematic method for tre...
This podcast episode examines the evolution of individual gun rights, tracing its roots from the activism of the Black Panther Party in the 1960s, which catalyzed public discourse on the Second Amendment, to the pivotal Heller case that solidified the interpretation of individual rights in gun ownership. The transforma...
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