Flora has produced science media for 20 years across many formats. She got her start right here at Science Friday, working her way up from intern to fill-in host, and resident videographer. From there, she worked as a video producer for The New York Times, co-creating an Emmy-nominated film series that dramatized scientific discoveries using… paper puppets. She also was nominated for an Emmy for her writing on Bill Nye’s Netflix show “Bill Nye Saves the World.” She has created and launched a number of podcasts in various roles, including hosting Gimlet’s beloved “Every Little Thing,” which connected listeners to experts who could answer their burning questions. The show ran for five years and published over 200 episodes.
Making science accessible, relatable, and human has been a focus of Flora’s career. Some of her inspiration comes from her own experience in science: Long, long ago, she worked at a NATO oceanographic lab in Italy. For the lab’s research expeditions, she lived on a ship where apertivi were served on the top deck, hoisted there via pulley by the ship’s chef.
You can find her @flichtman on social media platforms.
12:02
Rocket Launches With Lunar Landers From 2 Private Companies
The SpaceX rocket carries lunar landers from companies based in Texas and Japan. They could arrive at the moon in the coming months.
11:56
As Cervical Cancer Deaths Plummet, Experts Credit HPV Vaccine
HPV can cause a variety of cancers, including cervical. New mortality data for women under 25 point to the success of the HPV vaccine.
16:58
‘Orbital’ Imagines The Inner Lives Of Astronauts On The ISS
The award-winning novel explores the inner thoughts of astronauts during a single day aboard the International Space Station.
11:49
Science Friday Now Has Two Hosts: Meet Flora Lichtman!
After her SciFri internship 20 years ago, Flora went on to become a beloved science journalist, video producer, and podcaster. Now she’s back!
5:05
What Makes A Hula Hoop Stay Up?
Scientists investigated how the shape of the human body makes hooping possible—and what hips and a waist have to do with it.
11:41
NASA Considers Cheaper, Faster Ways To Retrieve Mars Samples
The decision for how to proceed with the Mars Sample Return Mission will fall to the incoming administration.
17:31
First U.S. Bird Flu Death Raises Concerns About Preparedness
This week, the U.S. reported its first human death from bird flu amid a rise in cases globally.
11:42
Worsening Wildfires Are Undoing Air Quality Progress In The US
Wildfires in the Western US have not only lowered air quality, but led to increased deaths between 2000 and 2020.
33:33
The (Not So) Easy Guide To Getting To Space
In a new book, astronaut Mike Massimino reflects on his time in space, and what it taught him about succeeding on Earth.
12:05
What Causes Red Wine Headaches? It May Be Quercetin
Forget sulfites and tannins. A new theory pins the throbbing pain of a red wine headache on quercetin, an antioxidant in grape skins.