Flora has produced science media for 20 years across many formats. She got her start right here at Science Friday, working her way up from intern to fill-in host, and resident videographer. From there, she worked as a video producer for The New York Times, co-creating an Emmy-nominated film series that dramatized scientific discoveries using… paper puppets. She also was nominated for an Emmy for her writing on Bill Nye’s Netflix show “Bill Nye Saves the World.” She has created and launched a number of podcasts in various roles, including hosting Gimlet’s beloved “Every Little Thing,” which connected listeners to experts who could answer their burning questions. The show ran for five years and published over 200 episodes. In her previous role as Hypothesis Fund Managing Editor, she told the stories of world-class scientists pursuing bold new ideas in a new storytelling initiative, The Leap.
Making science accessible, relatable, and human has been a focus of Flora’s career. Some of her inspiration comes from her own experience in science: Long, long ago, she worked at a NATO oceanographic lab in Italy. For the lab’s research expeditions, she lived on a ship where apertivi were served on the top deck, hoisted there via pulley by the ship’s chef.
You can find her @flichtman on social media platforms.
When a dolphin whistles, what does it mean?
Recordings from a decades-long research project in Florida are helping scientists decode the complexity of dolphin whistles.
Inside the lives of astronauts’ families
Tracy Scott’s dad walked on the moon. Now, as a sociologist, she studies the lives and families of other Apollo-era astronauts.
How a sound designer gave an alien its voice (and 250 words)
Erik Aadahl, the sound designer behind “Project Hail Mary” and 2014’s “Godzilla,” uses his background in biology to bring characters to life.
Can GLP-1 drugs treat addiction?
Researchers are investigating whether GLP-1 drugs could be used to treat addiction disorders, following patient reports of reduced cravings.
What a sperm whale’s birth tells us about whale culture
Ten whales helped a mama sperm whale give birth—giving us a glimpse into whale culture and why animals help each other out.
How to poop better, according to a gastroenterologist
You probably shouldn’t spend time on your phone while you’re on the toilet, and other pooping tips from a gastroenterologist.
Harnessing the superpowers of silk
From lassoing prey to designing cutting-edge sensors, both spiders and humans are using silk in astounding ways.
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CERN finds a new particle + News alerts for the cosmos
New views of reality, from the discovery of a “super-heavy” subatomic particle to an alert system announcing changes from the universe.
Move over, vibe-coding. Vibe-proving is here for math
A few years ago, ChatGPT couldn’t do simple arithmetic. Now, some experts say that AI could make mathematicians obsolete.
Is Punch the monkey really just like us?
A young macaque at a zoo in Japan has a fan base that can’t get enough of him. Why are we so invested in the social life of one cute monkey?