Radiolab
Science & Ideas
About
Investigating a strange world. Big questions, big ideas.
Episodes
- The Bad Show
This episode of Radiolab explores the nature of human morality, examining fantasies of violence, the implications of the Milgram experiment, the complex legacy of chemist Fritz Haber, and a confrontation with a serial killer.
- What is a Pig Worth?
Radiolab investigates the trial of animal rights activists who took piglets from a farm. The episode examines the complex relationship between humans and animals, and asks about the value of a piglet.
- Forests on Forests
Radiolab revisits an episode about the hidden ecosystems found within tree canopies. The episode highlights the work of ecologists who explored these previously overlooked environments.
- The Resistance of a Cow
This Radiolab episode, "The Resistance of a Cow," explores a dairy farm mystery, investigating why cows in Denmark and the US stopped drinking water. Producers Matt Kielty and Simon Adler investigate a decades-old controversy rooted in sus…
- The Builders
This episode of Radiolab, originally aired on Terrestrials, explores the positive impact of beavers on the planet. It covers their engineering skills, their presence in the Bronx river, the historical practice of parachuting them into moun…
- Life in a Barrel
Radiolab revisits an episode discussing the chaos of life, inspired by an accidental study of sea creatures and various scientific theories. The episode explores concepts from Stephen J. Gould and Francis Crick regarding the origins and or…
- Antibiotic Apocalypse
Radiolab discusses antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Dr. Avir Mitra explores this topic, which is presented as a threat to humanity, through a journey that includes operating rooms, farms, and sewers.
- Staph Retreat
This Radiolab episode, originally released in 2015, explores antibiotic resistance and a 1,000-year-old remedy. It discusses the failing effectiveness of modern antibiotics and a historical secret.
- Return of the Flesh-Eaters
Radiolab revisits the screwworm, a parasite that was eradicated from North America 70 years ago. The episode discusses the methods used for its eradication and examines the ethical implications of intentionally eliminating a species, espec…
- Snail Sex Tape
This episode of Radiolab explores the mating habits of snails. It delves into aspects like persuasion, subterfuge, co-copulation, and the use of "love darts" in snail reproduction.
- Black Box
This episode of Radiolab, first aired in 2014, explores three different examples of "black boxes," analyzing systems where the internal processes are unknown despite understanding the inputs and outputs. Topics include metamorphosis, a mag…
- Gray's Donation
This episode of Radiolab, 'Gray's Donation,' tells the story of Thomas, whose short life made a profound impact through organ donation. The episode explores the world of organ donation and medical science. It also features an update on Sar…
- Time is Honey
This Radiolab episode tells the story of Sunil Nakrani, who discovered that the internet could be improved by studying honeybees, leading to the development of the Honeybee Algorithm. The algorithm won a Golden Goose Award in 2016 for its…
- Kleptotherms
This Radiolab episode, "Kleptotherms," delves into the unexpected aspects of temperature. It covers topics ranging from how certain snake species maintain warmth to questioning the reliability of 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit as a health indicat…
- Song of the Cerebellum
This Radiolab episode explores the cerebellum's function in motor coordination and cognition through a science journalist's personal experience. It delves into new neuroscience research regarding the cerebellum.
- You and Me and Mr. Self-Esteem
Radiolab explores the history of the self-esteem movement, including its origins with John Vasconcellos and its impact on schools and workplaces. The episode questions the effectiveness and value of pursuing higher self-esteem.
- The Punchline
This Radiolab episode tells the story of John Scott, a professional hockey player who was voted into the NHL All-Star Game by fans. The episode examines how this fan-driven campaign impacted Scott and reflects on the broader implications o…
- Brain Balls
Neuroscientist Madeline Lancaster accidentally created cerebral organoids, tiny 3D versions of human brains. This episode discusses their development, their uses in research, and the ethical questions they raise about sentience and conscio…
- Moon Trees
This Radiolab episode tells the story of Moon Trees, which are trees grown from seeds that were taken to the moon by astronaut Stu Roosa in 1971. After orbiting the moon, the seeds were planted across the United States, and their origins w…
- Fertility Cliff
Radiolab senior correspondent Molly Webster explores the "fertility cliff," a term describing rapid fertility decline after age 35. She investigates the truth behind this concept and when such a decline might occur. This story was original…
- The Good Show
This Radiolab episode, originally broadcast in 2010, explores the role of altruism and cooperation in evolution. It questions whether living things are solely shaped by competition or if there is a logic behind sharing, kindness, and self-…
- The Alien in the Room
This Radiolab episode, "The Alien in the Room," investigates artificial intelligence. It delves into the question of what AI truly is and explores the challenges in defining it.
- Shell Game: Minimum Viable Company
Radiolab features "Minimum Viable Company," the first episode of Shell Game Season Two. This episode explores a company operated entirely by AI agents.
- Fela Kuti: Enter the Shrine
Jad Abumrad discusses his new podcast series about Fela Kuti, a Nigerian musician known for creating a genre and a movement. The episode delves into Kuti's music and its effects on listeners.
- Our Common Nature: West Virginia Coal
This episode of Radiolab, from the series Our Common Nature, explores West Virginia's relationship with coal through music, poetry, and conversations with locals. It features cellist Yo-Yo Ma and host Ana González.
- Quantum Refuge
This Radiolab episode features Qasem Waleed, a physicist in Gaza, who shares how quantum mechanics helps him cope with the violence in his daily life. He explains how the principles of quantum mechanics provide a framework for understandin…
- The Wubi Effect
Radiolab tells the story of Professor Wang Yongmin, who created a method for inputting Chinese characters on a keyboard. This innovation was crucial for China's technological advancement, and modern, advancement.
- The Glow Below
This Radiolab episode, "The Glow Below," delves into the bioluminescent world of the deep sea. It explores how deep-sea creatures generate and utilize light for various purposes, including hunting, hiding, and communication.
- What Up Holmes?
This episode of Radiolab explores the evolution of free speech in America, focusing on Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. The podcast investigates the reasons behind Holmes's shift in opinion on free speech during a pivotal eight…
- Content Warning
This Radiolab episode, "Content Warning," investigates TikTok's impact on the online world and the evolution of free speech on platforms like Facebook. It considers the implications for political and digital lives.
- Creation Story
This Radiolab episode features Ella al-Shamahi, an evolutionary biologist and paleoanthropologist. She recounts her personal story of how she came to believe in evolution and the impact it had on her life.
- Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl
This Radiolab episode discusses the Supreme Court case Adoptive Couple v. Baby Girl. The case involves a three-year-old girl and challenges parts of the 1978 Indian Child Welfare Act.
- Voice
This Radiolab episode explores the evolution and power of the human voice. It examines how voices carry crucial information and the impact of losing this unique sonic fingerprint.
- The Spark of Life
This Radiolab episode investigates biophotons, light produced by living organisms. It traces the discovery of biophotons from early experiments with onion roots to current research on their role in various biological processes.
- Los Frikis
This Radiolab episode, "Los Frikis," tells the story of Cuban misfits in the 1980s who discovered punk rock. The episode, originally released in 2015, explores their unique cultural revolution.
- Screaming Into the Void
This Radiolab episode, recorded live, explores three stories related to voids. Topics include a screaming fish, women astronomers, and a man who communicates with aliens.
- Music Hat
Radiolab presents an episode dedicated to music, featuring two stories. The episode explores the work of the band Dawn of Midi and singer Juana Molina, delving into their creative processes and the inspirations behind their music.
- The Medical Matchmaking Machine
David Fajgenbaum, near death from multiple organ failure, found his own cure after conventional medicine failed. This experience led him to explore using AI for drug discovery for untreatable diseases.
- Weighing Good Intentions
This Radiolab episode discusses the attempt to save the Kirtland's warbler, which involved tragic consequences and raised questions about conservation ethics. The episode features reporting by Lulu Miller and perspectives from those impact…
- The Menopause Mystery
Radiolab investigates the phenomenon of menopause, focusing on why some species experience it and its evolutionary implications. The episode discusses new theories regarding the purpose of this post-reproductive phase of life.
- Galaxy Quenching
This Radiolab episode features astrophysicist Charity Woodrum, who researches galaxies. She made a discovery in astrophysics during a period of personal grief.
- The Nothing Behind Everything
This Radiolab episode features two conversations. The first discusses uncertainty in physics with Brian Greene, inspired by Alan Lightman's "The Accidental Universe." The second delves into the nature of matter, exploring the idea that sol…
- More Perfect: The Hate Debate
This Radiolab episode, "More Perfect: The Hate Debate," re-airs a 2017 discussion on free speech. Elie Mystal, Ken White, and Corynne McSherry debate the First Amendment in the digital age.
- Desperately Seeking Symmetry
Radiolab explores symmetry and its influence on existence, from the universe to human perception. The episode investigates the presence of symmetry in life and its broader implications.
- On [The Divided Dial]: Fishing In The Night
On The Media's "The Divided Dial" series investigates shortwave radio in this episode. It examines how the medium transformed from a global communication tool into a platform for various groups, including extremists, and how its evolution…
- Sex, Ducks and the Founding Feud
Radiolab explores a Supreme Court case involving an jilted lover's revenge, a duck hunt, and the US Constitution. The episode connects these events to the ongoing debate between local and federal law, tracing back to the birth of the US Co…
- Baby Shark
This Radiolab episode explores the reproductive processes of sharks, including the development of baby sharks within the womb. It also features a man attempting to raise baby sharks in a home aquarium.
- Mystery Bay
This Radiolab episode explores the mystery of great white sharks disappearing from False Bay, South Africa. It follows Alison Kock's discovery that led her to this phenomenon.
- The Shark Inside You
This Radiolab episode investigates the potential of shark antibodies to treat cancer, examining their unique properties and evolutionary origins. Scientists are researching shark blood to understand these "molecular superheroes."
- The Cage
This episode, part of Radiolab's "Swimming with Shadows: A Radiolab Week of Sharks," focuses on a unique shark. The episode delves into the history of this creature, highlighting its endurance through mass extinctions and its ancient origi…