On Today's Podcast
African Grey Parrots Are Popular—And It’s Fueling Illegal Trade
Talkative African grey parrots are charismatic internet stars. A global scramble to source and sell the birds threatens their survival.
Listen NowNovember 21, 2025
Flora and “Part-Time Genius” co-host Mangesh Hattikudur put one lucky listener to the test with food science trivia. Plus, talkative African grey parrots are charismatic internet stars. A global scramble to source and sell the birds threatens their survival. And, Google’s tool for predicting how proteins “fold” turns 5 this year.
17:13
Orchids: Masters Of Deception
Orchids use mimicry, fraud, and deception to attract pollinators, fascinating home gardeners in the process.
#TakeASample
Sample a vast or complex thing to reveal something new about it, then share your discovery with the hashtag #TakeASample
Unraveling The Orchid Mantis Mystery
This elusive praying mantis lures insect prey by exploiting flower-like attributes.
How Many Genes Are Necessary to Create a Living Cell?
A team led by biologist Craig Venter found that they only needed 473 genes to create a living, stripped-down version of a cell.
The Week-After SciFri Quiz! 4/12/16
How much do you know about the “Boiling River”?
Sex, Lies, And Orchids
With their pungent aromas and vibrant blooms, orchids lure insects, green-thumbs, and romantics alike.
16 Pieces of Pop Culture About Climate Change, From Atwood to Spielberg to the Pixies
Let’s talk about cli-fi!
Discussing What Can Be Done About Mass Extinction
After listening to E.O. Wilson talk about mass extinction, students discuss the problem and possible solutions. They then write a response to E.O. Wilson’s ‘Half-Earth’ proposal. Common Core aligned discussion and writing for grades 9-12.
11:29
Diabetes Drug Prices Tripled in a Decade
The World Health Organization cites lack of affordable insulin as one reason why diabetes patients worldwide are suffering complications and dying prematurely.
16:38
‘Lab Girl’: The Pursuit of Sanctuary, and Science, Inside the Lab
In the memoir “Lab Girl,” geobiologist Hope Jahren unlocks the secrets of plants and the personal discoveries behind the pursuit of science.
11:54
Canvassing Conversations, Animal Organ Transplants, and a Stumble in Providing Internet Access
Changing attitudes through canvassing and the Angolan “Wikipedia Zero” project.
8:06
Climate and the Collapse of Ancient Civilizations
How did climate change affect the boom-and-bust cycles of of ancient Southwest civilizations in the United States?
16:53
Satellite Snapshots Help Pinpoint and Protect The Past
Undiscovered tombs and pyramids can be found right on your iPad—if you know what to look for.
26:12
Telling the Story of Climate Change — In Fiction
Writer Paolo Bacigalupi is using fiction to help us imagine our climate change future—and he’s not alone.
The Search for Peru’s ‘Boiling River’
This Peruvian river in the Amazon had long been considered a sacred healing spot for local shamans, but it hadn’t been scientifically explored until recently.
In a Lawless Desert, a Fight Over Water
In his science fiction book, author Paolo Bacigalupi describes a hellish American Southwest that yearns for water.
The Humble Seed, Waiting to Grow
Author Hope Jahren explains how all seeds, seen or unseen, wait patiently for their chance to flourish.
Craig Venter: Biologist and Minimalist Artist
Creating a bacterial cell with the minimal amount of genes.
This Art Installation Pokes Fun at NASA and Space Exploration
New York sculptor Tom Sachs built “A Space Program” entirely out of materials bought from Home Depot.