On Today's Podcast
The heaviness and (not) hope of climate change
Elizabeth Kolbert has been writing about the environment for decades. And right now, she isn't feeling optimistic.
Listen NowMarch 13, 2026
AI-generated songs are breaking onto the charts, and music labels are pivoting from lawsuits to partnerships with AI startups. What comes next? Plus, what’s the science behind the much-hyped idea that you can “reset” your nervous system by stimulating the vagus nerve? And, with science and good luck, 158 young tortoises were reintroduced to Floreana Island in the Galápagos.
The Miniforest Movement Gains Ground In The U.S.
A 50-year-old planting method from Japan is jump-starting native forest ecosystems in small plots, from schoolyards to parking lots.
EPA Rescinds The Legal Basis For Regulating Greenhouse Gases
The endangerment finding forced the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Now, the agency says it doesn’t have the authority to do that.
Are My THC Gummies Going Away?
A federal law aims to close the legal loophole that lets stores sell THC products from hemp. Why are laws around cannabis so confusing?
What’s Accumulating In The Dirty Snowbanks Of NYC?
One intrepid reporter dug into some of NYC’s dirty sidewalk snow and found a combination of poo, heavy metals, and other unsavory items.
Exploring The Natural World With Elizabeth Kolbert
On March 27, meet the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Life on a Little-Known Planet” during a SciFri Book Club livestream Q&A.
Why Aren’t There Biomarkers For Mental Illness?
Despite major advances in neuroscience, there are no blood tests or scans to confirm the diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder. Why not?
Autism Rates Appear To Be Even Across Sexes. Diagnosis Is Not
Autism has long been thought of as a condition that mostly affects boys—but data suggest that’s not true.
AMA Joins Effort To Launch Independent Vaccine Review Panel
The American Medical Association and Vaccine Integrity Project are partnering to create a vaccine review process independent from the CDC.
What A Snow Drought In The West Means For The Rest Of 2026
States like Utah and Colorado have had abysmal snow totals this winter. It’s not a good sign for a region struggling to maintain its water.
Jump, Spin, Glide: The Science Of Figure Skating
What’s the secret to landing a quadruple lutz, or speeding your death spiral? A figure skating researcher weighs in.
How Are State-Run Psilocybin Therapy Programs Going?
How are the first state-run psilocybin therapy programs going? Plus, psilocybin clinical trials for cancer patients dealing with anxiety.
Mating, Marriage, And Monogamy In The Age Of Apps
An evolutionary biologist weighs in on mating and dating in the age of apps. Is pair bonding passé? Is single the new married?
A Little Grime Can Boost Kids’ Health. But What Kind?
Researchers are homing in on how kids reap long-term health benefits from getting dirty, whether cuddling furry pets or playing with friends.
What A Tea Party With A Bonobo Taught Us About Imagination
Is the capacity to imagine unique to humans? Scientists thought so—but a pretend tea party with a bonobo named Kanzi suggests otherwise.
How Dating Apps Challenge Our Human Nature
“The Intimate Animal” explores how dating apps cause people to raise their expectations—and walk into first dates with preconceived notions.
How Is Screen Time Affecting My Kid?
Researchers have correlated brain and behavioral changes in kids to increased time on phones and other screen devices.
How Do You Track A Butterfly?
Discover how technology tracks monarch migration across thousands of miles. Learn what dangers butterflies face and why their journey matters.
Who Wants To Smell An Ancient Embalmed Mummy?
Chemists and perfumers are using new techniques to bring ancient scents back to life, from mummies to a 5,000-year-old incense burner.
The Largest US Particle Collider Stops Its Collisions
The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, or RHIC, has ceased operation. What’s next for particle physics?
Olympic Ski Mountaineering, And Mountain Goat Climbing Feats
The mountaineering history behind “skimo,” a new Winter Olympic event. Plus, research into a true alpine champion, the mountain goat.