Elah Feder is the former senior producer for podcasts at Science Friday, where she worked with an incredible team to bring Undiscovered and Science Diction into existence.
She first got into podcasts in 2007 when she was a grad student studying evolutionary biology at the University of Toronto. Working late nights in the lab, sorting fruit flies under a microscope, Elah would listen to a lot of Gwen Stefani. After some noise complaints, she phased out the beats, got hooked on radio and podcasts, and has never been the same.
For five years she co-hosted and produced I Like You, a podcast about love and like. She’s also produced segments for CBC Radio shows like Spark, The Current, and The Sunday Edition, and has contributed to publications like The Guardian, The LA Times, and Xtra, Canada’s LGBT newspaper. After completing her master’s at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, Elah investigated the oil and gas industry as a fellow at the school’s Energy & Environment Reporting Project.
34:41
Remembering Roger Payne, Who Helped Save The Whales
Researcher Roger Payne died earlier this month, leaving behind a legacy of whalesong recordings that inspired global conservation efforts.
39:09
The Hot And Cold Past Of The Air Conditioner
From the 1904 World’s Fair to deadly heat waves, we’re taking a look back at more than a century of AC. This story was originally published in 2021.
12:12
The Resurrection Of The American Chestnut
A once-common food staple, this giant tree has essentially disappeared from American forests. Can we bring it back—and should we?
American Chestnut: Resurrecting A Forest Giant
The American Chestnut towered in forests, then disappeared. Now, it’s staging a comeback.
12:02
The Why Of Vocal Fry
Vocal fry has been around for ages. Why are people suddenly so bothered by it?
Vocal Fry: Why I’m Not Getting A Voice Coach
Vocal fry has been around for ages. So why are people suddenly so bothered by it?
Juggernaut: Indian Temple Or Unstoppable Force?
Jagannath Temple in India gave rise to the word “juggernaut.” But the ancient story of Jagannath is rather delightful.
Jargon: We Love To Hate It
Most people despise it. So why do we use it? And is all jargon bad?
Algebra: From Broken Bones To Twitter Feuds
When a high school student asked a question about algebra on TikTok, she unknowingly awoke an age-old debate in mathematics history.
39:09
The Hot And Cold Past Of The Air Conditioner
From the 1904 World’s Fair to deadly heat waves, take a look back at more than a century of AC.