On Today's Podcast
The lucky breaks that make our Earth home
An astrophysicist explores all that it took for life to exist on Earth, from the formation of stars to self-organizing molecules.
Listen NowApril 17, 2026
Tracy Scott’s dad walked on the moon. Now, she studies the lives and families of other Apollo-era astronauts. Plus, recordings from a decades-long research project in Florida are helping scientists decode dolphin whistles. And, inventor Simone Giertz rose to YouTube fame with comically bad robots. Now she designs comically useful objects for our very normal problems.
The Mass Extinction Detectives
The End Triassic extinction paved the way for the dinosaurs by killing their competition—in an event that looks like climate change today.
6:49
A Busy Week In Space
If all goes according to plan, seven rockets will lift off this week.
5:17
Controlling Mosquitoes, By Releasing Mosquitoes
A mosquito-control trial in California involves producing—and releasing—millions of bacteria-infected males into the ecosystem.
21:42
So You Want To Grow Hemp
With Congress poised to legalize growing hemp, how does a ‘new’ plant become a thriving agricultural product? Plus, the science of CBD.
12:31
The Cold Case Of The Triassic Phytosaurs
Paleontologist Randy Irmis and his team are searching for phytosaur fossils to piece together the changes that happened during the End Triassic mass extinction.
11:44
How To Preserve Artworks In A Microbial World
Fungus, bacteria, and lichens can live on (and damage) pieces of art.
34:16
The Best Science Books Of 2018
Ira and a panel of guests round up their favorite science books from 2018
Raccoons: Tricky Trash Pandas Or Misunderstood Masterminds?
Raccoons are highly successful critters, even in the face of a changing environment.
7:19
InSight Settles In On Mars
After celebrating earlier this week, the robotic lander Mars InSight gets ready to research.
4:38
Conflict Is Blowin’ In The Wind
“Wake effects” from one wind farm can affect the performance of another—even miles away.
8:51
Calling All Science Educators!
It’s your chance to team up with SciFri to develop resources for science learners everywhere.
19:45
The First CRISPR-Edited Babies Are (Probably) Here. Now What?
The news raises social, ethical, and regulatory questions—for both scientists and society.
9:37
The Asymmetrical Self
Why are human bodies asymmetrical? A single protein could help explain why.
16:41
How Whales Got Their Mouth Bristles
Did whales go through a phase where they sucked up their food like vacuums before they evolved baleen?
25:31
Where Will Climate Change Impact The US? Everywhere.
A new report says our warming world will hit all sectors of the U.S. economy, in ways both big and small.
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44:18
A Salute To Head-Scratching Science
As a SciFri holiday tradition, we present highlights from the 28th first annual Ig Nobel Awards ceremony.
12:27
The Ancient Climate Clues In Caves
Paleoclimatologist Bogdan Onac has spent his life spelunking for data about Earth’s past climate.
17:36
Bones Better Than Diamonds
Meet archaeologists who hunt for animal bones and oyster shells to piece together human stories. Plus, the tale of the domestic turkey.
17:42
Uncovering Artifacts And Archaeological Finds With Lasers
Archaeologist Lori Collins uses lasers to map and preserve artifacts to create a 3D collection.