On Today's Podcast
A vast whale graveyard + Zombie sea cucumbers
A massive "whale graveyard" contains whale remains dating back 5 million years. Plus, some detached parts of sea cucumbers don’t seem to die.
Listen NowJune 12, 2026
How poison dart frogs deal with their kids asking for snacks, and other parenting inspiration from the animal kingdom. Plus, do sugary drinks really cause more intense hangovers? Is wine both bad for you and good for you? Experts take on the chemistry of happy hour. And, the 2026 World Cup will be infused with AI. How will it change the beautiful game? And, what it takes to get perfect grass into 16 stadiums.
11:49
Scientists Deflect A Lightning Strike… With A Laser?
Beaming a high-powered laser into the sky might be a more effective way to control lightning strikes.
8:06
Why Are Children’s Antibiotics So Hard To Find Right Now?
Common antibiotics like penicillin, needed for kids with sickle cell, are becoming scarce, even as the FDA says there isn’t a shortage.
9:14
Bats Use Death Metal ‘Growls’ To Make Social Calls
A recent study reveals that bats are able to extend their vocal range to seven octaves, which may prove useful for social communication.
12:03
Why Are Gas Stoves Under Fire?
Gas stoves have been a hot topic of debate. A climate reporter answers our burning questions about their use, our health, and the climate.
17:11
What Will The Next Generation Of COVID-19 Vaccines Look Like?
With new variants emerging, researchers are working to develop new bulwarks against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
17:02
The Sweet Song Of The $7 Violin
The 3D-printed violins are affordable and still sound beautiful, making them great instruments for young learners.
16:38
Can Science Answer Life’s Biggest Questions?
Theoretical physicist and author Alan Lightman launches a new public television series about searching for meaning in the age of science.
Read ‘The Ministry for the Future’ With The SciFri Book Club
While we live on the precipice of global climate disaster, this work of speculative fiction creates a drama out of the near future.
‘The Ministry for the Future’ Imagines A Dark But Hopeful Future
In a novel described as optimistic and alarming, Kim Stanley Robinson writes for our endangered—but not ultimately doomed—world.
11:40
Early Migration To North America Likely Wasn’t A One-Way Road
New genomic research reveals ancient peoples didn’t just travel from Asia to North America; they likely journeyed back too.
32:38
Lab-Grown Meats Are Finally Inching Closer To Commercial
The FDA recently approved the first commercial meat made from animal cell cultures. Can it happen at a large scale?
33:15
Are Animal ‘Pests’ Really The Villains We Make Them Out To Be?
Science writer Bethany Brookshire’s new book tries to untangle why we call some animals “pests.”
11:39
Technology Trends to Watch in 2023
Experts at the MIT Technology Review highlight ten key tech breakthroughs that might change the world.
Animal Pests Are All About Perception
Bethany Brookshire’s new book explores what separates a pest from the rest.
12:12
FDA Expands Pharmacy Options For Abortion Pills
More pharmacies can seek permission to carry the medication, but local rules may vary.
12:15
How Redlining Shaped Baltimore’s Tree Canopy
Historical discriminatory housing practices are still evident in the urban ecosystem. The city of Baltimore is working to change that.
10:00
What’s Going On Underground With Gophers?
How do these burrowing rodents get enough food while staying underground? Plus the case for appreciation, not extermination.
7:18
How This Chemist Is Turning Agricultural Waste Into Water Filters
This chemist has been turning corn husks and orange peels into activated carbon filters to remove pollutants from water.
10:12
The Nose Knows When It’s Cold—And It May Get You Sick
Researchers finally discover why upper respiratory infections are so common in winter.
6:52
By Hiding Their Blood, These Frogs Pull Off The Ultimate Disappearing Act
Stashing their red blood cells away allows these frogs to stay nearly invisible while they snooze.