“The Leap” is a 10-part audio documentary series that profiles the scientists behind the breakthroughs — the ones willing to risk their careers, reputations, and even their lives to push the boundaries of discovery.
Hosted by Flora Lichtman, the series dives deep into the personal stories of some of today’s boldest and most influential researchers. We ask them questions they don’t often get asked: What drives you? How does it feel to take big risks? What keeps you from playing it safe?
“The Leap” will be on the Science Friday podcast Mondays from May 12 through July 14. It will drop on Tuesday instead of Monday following Memorial Day.
“The Leap” is a production of the Hypothesis Fund, brought to you in partnership with Science Friday.
Subscribe to Science Friday’s podcast to be notified when each episode drops.
Garbage In, Garbage Out
Biochemist Virginia Man-Yee Lee has spent her career unlocking the proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases. Her secret? Happiness.
A Scientist’s Quest To See Every Organism On Earth
Manu Prakash wants to map the whole tree of life, with the help of everyone on this planet.
Be Bold Or Just Don’t Do It
Plant biologist Joanne Chory spent her career trying to grow plants that could sequester CO2 in their roots. Her wild ideas took hold.
This Is Going To Kill Your Career
Betül Kaçar started out as a biochemist. But then she found her calling: investigating some of the hardest questions in evolutionary biology.
The Volcano Whisperer
When St. Vincent’s La Soufrière volcano threatened to erupt, geologist Richie Robertson was the scientist the islanders trusted.
I Was Considered A Nobody
Katalin Karikó was ignored, demoted, and dismissed for decades. Then she won a Nobel Prize.