Flora Lichtman To Host Science Friday Alongside Ira Flatow

Veteran science journalist Flora Lichtman has been named a Host of Science Friday, the independently produced, trusted source for news and entertaining stories about science distributed by WNYC Studios. Founder Ira Flatow will also continue as Host.

Lichtman is well-known to the Science Friday audience, having served as a frequent guest host since 2010. Known for her creative scientific storytelling, Flora is the former host and creator of “Every Little Thing,” a Gimlet-produced podcast that ran for 200 episodes over five years. She has also written for Netflix’s “Bill Nye Saves the World” and co-directed the Emmy-nominated video series “Animated Life” on the New York Times’ Op-Docs channel.

“I am thrilled that Flora is joining me as Host,” said Flatow, who founded the show in 1991 and has overseen the program’s expansion to serve more than 1.8 million people on radio and digital platforms. “Flora is already beloved by our audience for her thoughtful insights, humor, and energy,” he added. “She embodies the relentless curiosity, fun, and intellectual rigor that is foundational to our show.”

“Over the past 20 years, in my career, what has mattered most to me is making science accessible, relatable and human,” Lichtman said. “That’s what Science Friday is all about.”

“More than ever, we need more trustworthy science news, and we always need more fun,” Lichtman added.

“Science Friday fans will be glad to know that Ira’s not going anywhere,” said Danielle D. Johnson, SciFri’s Executive Director. “After 33 years, Ira wants to bring in another trusted voice and perspective to anchor the show. Together, Ira and Flora will continue to inspire and delight our audience with entertaining and educational stories about science, technology, and other cool stuff.”

Science Friday is an award-winning producer of high quality, fact-checked, and trustworthy science news and educational programming. For 30 years, SciFri has introduced top scientists to public radio listeners, and reminded them how much fun it is to learn something new. Science Friday also produces a sweeping array of educational and entertaining science experiences through videos, podcasts, digital reporting, live events, citizen science, K-12 education and professional development, and at-home learning activities for families that directly serve hundreds of thousands of educators, parents, citizen scientists, and lifelong learners every year.

The program can be heard on public radio stations in all 50 states and downloaded by listeners across the world.

This week, Science Friday achieved a significant milestone, reaching its 501st station for distribution.