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.
4:27
Behold the Mighty Water Bear
Water bears, a.k.a. tardigrades, can withstand boiling, freezing, and the vacuum of space.
Behold the Mighty Water Bear
Water bears, also known as tardigrades, can survive boiling, freezing, the vacuum of space, and years of desiccation.
15:49
Rap Nerdy to Me
MC Frontalot makes a living rapping about data encryption, rare diseases, video games and the nerd life.
Rap Nerdy to Me
MC Frontalot and Dr. Awkward rap about the nerd life—from data encryption to rare diseases to video games.
4:37
Surprise: Cockroaches Are Fastidious Groomers!
Why do cockroaches spend so much time cleaning themselves?
23:38
The SciFri Book Club Visits ‘Gorillas in the Mist’
Dian Fossey’s classic account of her fieldwork is on the reading list this month.
How Dirty Roaches Get Clean
Cockroaches are constantly grooming themselves, especially their antennae, says entomologist Coby Schal. A new study investigates benefits of clean antennae.
4:42
Art Meets Geek at Toni Dove’s Studio
“This is geek central,” says artist Toni Dove of her New York City studio.
Art Meets Geek in Toni Dove’s Studio
You’ll find cyborgs, robots, 3D projections, digital puppets and more in Dove’s techno-savvy productions.