On Today's Podcast
The Human Obsession With Aliens Goes Way, Way Back
A new book charts the millennia-old history of our fascination with aliens, and how myth transformed into research.
Listen NowSeptember 12, 2025
Octopuses can use their suckers to detect harmful microbes on the surface of objects like crab shells, or their own eggs. Plus, a new book charts the millennia-old history of our fascination with aliens, and how myth transformed into research. And, golden oyster mushrooms have escaped from home growing kits into the wild. Could they affect fungal diversity in North American forests?
17:07
Food Fermentation: The Science of Sausage and Cheese
The chemistry behind sausage and cheese.
16:50
Les Paul: Inventor and Innovator
Paul was a lifelong tinkerer, building a railroad rail guitar as a teen and hearing aids in his 90s.
Picture of the Week: Quantum Dot Sphere
This olive-like structure is composed of tiny luminescing spheres that could be used in cellular imaging.
Chasing Time Machines: A Photographer Turns High Energy Physics Into Art
Stanley Greenberg takes pictures of giant structures used to study tiny particles.
9:33
Why Climate Change Ups the Odds of Fires, Floods
Climatologist Jennifer Francis talks about how climate change and severe weather may be linked.
29:07
Can Mass Transit Solve City Sprawl?
L.A. commuters spend 60 hours a year stuck in traffic. But is mass transit a viable alternative?
7:07
These Smartphone Apps Track Every Step of Your Day
“Quantified self” apps count your steps, measure your sleep, and collect a bevy of other details.
27:42
Science Fairs 2.0
A report card on the state of science fairs today, and a look into the future.
13:06
Birding the Fall Migration
Birding tips on how to get the most out of the fall bird migration.
5:31
A Chronicle of a Whale’s Life, Captured in Earwax
Researchers say earwax can provide data about pesticide exposures, hormone levels, and even stress levels of the endangered blue whale.
Small Talk with Scientists: The Ig Nobel Prize Winners Unwind
Here’s what it’s like to party with researchers whose work might first make you laugh, then make you think.
Here’s What a Fire Whirl Looks Like
Firefighter Greg Sanders encountered a flaming, cobra-like swirl while doing reconnaissance work in Virginia.
A New Beginning: Science Friday Partners with PRI
We’re excited to work with PRI to expand their science and technology coverage.
Voyager: The Story JPL Tried to Kill
When trouble with Voyager turned into trouble for me.
5:35
World’s Largest Volcano Discovered on Pacific Seafloor
A 145-million-year-old volcano covers an area the size of New Mexico.
38:12
Chemistry Research Roundup
A look at highlights from this week’s American Chemical Society conference.
2:41
Stephen Hawking Looks Back
Stephen Hawking says that, were he to start from scratch, he wouldn’t focus on physics.
11:49
Are We There Yet? Voyager 1 Finally Answers ‘Yes’
Scientists announced this week that Voyager has finally reached interstellar space.
17:07
U.S. Cities Quench Growing Thirst with Saltwater
Desalination is growing in popularity, but is it sustainable enough to solve our water problems?
17:08
Food Failures: When Home Canning Goes Wrong
Jars broke? Lids buckled? Home canning expert Jessica Piper explains common preserving pitfalls.