On Today's Podcast
Why Morbid Curiosity Is So Common—And So Fun
Why do we find joy in the scary and the macabre? Two psychology experts weigh in on humans' affinity for horror and desire to get spooked.
Listen NowOctober 24, 2025
A new documentary puts viewers in the shoes of Neanderthals and early humans, giving an intimate glimpse into humans’ evolutionary history. Plus, cell-cultured salmon is showing up on menus. How does it compare to the real thing? And, how mental health information on social media can be both revelatory and misleading.
17:07
The Most Charismatic Single Cell You’ll Meet Today
Welcome to the Charismatic Creature Corner, a new segment where creatures big and small vie for the coveted charisma crown. Our first contender: the curiously clever slime mold
16:47
Rolling Out The Best Science Board Games
A look at science board games that let you strategize how to terraform Mars, build subatomic particles, and create a bird preserve.
29:03
The Best Science Books Of 2019
Settle in for the winter with these enthralling histories, intrepid investigations, and thoughtful stories about the past, present, and future of science.
SciFri Extra: Bringing Environmental Justice To The Classroom
In an interview recorded live in San Francisco, Ira talks with a teacher and her students about the connections between science education and environmental activism.
34:01
Imagining The Future Of AI
What science fiction and social science can contribute to how we think about our algorithmic present and future.
46:23
Science Awards Of The Sillier Sort
The 2019 Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony is a tribute to offbeat and quirky scientific studies.
12:22
Meet The Arachnids Living On Your Face
Everyone has face mites—including you. But they have a fascinating evolutionary story to tell.
Science Friday Live In Atlanta
Ira and the gang are headed down to Atlanta on March 28th, 2020.
Combine Science And Art At The Create Curiosity Fair
On January 16th, join us at WBUR CitySpace in Boston for a celebration to start the new year off right. Participate in hands-on demonstrations!
11:52
California Cracks Down On Fracking Permits
Any new fracking project in the state will need to be reviewed by an independent scientific board.
24:52
What It Took To Get Hubble Into Space
Former astronaut Kathryn Sullivan shares stories from Hubble’s early days at NASA.
21:31
The Passion Of Marie Curie
A new play unveils the brilliant scientist’s humanity—and introduces us to one of her closest friends.
33:16
Meet The Scientists Reviving The World’s Fading Corals
A quarter of the world’s corals are now dead—but scientists on the front lines of the coral crisis are working on some inspiring solutions.
The Fading Colors Of Coral
Coral reefs have suffered heavy setbacks in recent years. Follow coral’s journey and learn how scientists are trying to bring back the reefs.
12:00
Finally, An Ebola Vaccine
European regulators have approved Merck’s vaccine to fight the Ebola virus.
17:24
Critics Say The EPA Transparency Proposal Will Squash Science
The proposal would require researchers to disclose underlying data—which could include private medical and health information.
17:26
To Milk A Tick
Compounds in tick saliva can reveal to how these parasites can create anesthetics and anticoagulants to breakdown human and animal defenses.
11:58
An Undersea Forest In Decline
Off the coast of California, forests of kelp are being decimated by warming temperatures and hungry sea urchins.
17:06
Rethinking A New Aid For Hearing Loss
A new generation of tech is helping change the stigma around hearing aids.
16:10
The Doctor Treating Skin Of Color
Dermatologists look for problems that are literally skin deep. That can be complicated when your skin is darker.