Radiolab

By: WNYC Studios
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • Radiolab is on a curiosity bender. We ask deep questions and use investigative journalism to get the answers. A given episode might whirl you through science, legal history, and into the home of someone halfway across the world. The show is known for innovative sound design, smashing information into music. It is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser.
    © WNYC Studios
    Show more Show less
Natural History Social Sciences World
Show more Show less
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
Episodes
  • Vanishing Words

    Vanishing Words
    Dec 17 2021

    When Alana Casanova-Burgess set out to make a podcast series about Puerto Rico, she struggled with what to call it. Until one word came to mind, a word that captures a certain essence of life in Puerto Rico, but eludes easy translation into English. We talk to Alana about her series, and that particular word, then turn to an old story about treating words as signals of something happening just beneath the surface.

    Agatha Christie's clever detective novels may reveal more about the inner workings of the human mind than she intended. According to Dr. Ian Lancashire at the University of Toronto, the Queen of Crime left behind hidden clues to the real-life mysteries of human aging in her writing. Meanwhile, Dr. Kelvin Lim and Dr. Serguei Pakhomov from the University of Minnesota add to the intrigue with the story of an unexpected find in a convent archive that could someday help pinpoint very early warning signs for Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Sister Alberta Sheridan, a 94-year-old Nun Study participant, reads an essay she wrote more than 70 years ago.

    La Brega update was produced by Maria Paz Gutierrez

    Show more Show less
    24 mins
  • Return of Alpha Gal

    Return of Alpha Gal
    Dec 10 2021

    Tuck your napkin under your chin. We’re about to serve up a tale of love, loss, and lamb chops - with a side of genetic modification.

    Several years ago we told a story about Amy Pearl. For as long as she could remember, Amy loved meat in all its glorious cuts and marbled flavors. And then one day, for seemingly no reason, her body wouldn’t tolerate it. No steaks. No brisket. No weenies. It made no sense: why couldn’t she eat something that she had routinely enjoyed for decades?

    It turned out Amy was not alone. And the answer to her mysterious allergy involved maps, a dancing lone star tick, and a very particular sugar called Alpha Gal.

    In this update, we discover that our troubles with Alpha Gal go way beyond food. We go to NYU Langone Health hospital to see the second ever transplant of a kidney from a pig into a human, talk to some people at Revivicor, the company that bred the pig in question, and go back to Amy to find out what she thinks about this brave new world.

    The original episode was reported by Latif Nasser, and produced by Annie McEwen and Matt Kielty. Sound design and scoring from Dylan Keefe, Annie McEwen, and Matt Kielty. Mix by Dylan Keefe with Arianne Wack.

    The update was reported and produced by Sarah Qari. It was sound designed, scored, and mixed by Jeremy Bloom.

    Support Radiolab by becoming a member today at Radiolab.org/donate.

    Show more Show less
    57 mins
  • Animal Minds

    Animal Minds
    Nov 26 2021

    In this hour of Radiolab, stories of cross-species communication.

    When we gaze into the eyes of a wild animal, or even a beloved pet, can we ever really know what they might be thinking? Is it naive to assume they're experiencing something close to human emotions? Or is it ridiculous to assume that they AREN'T feeling something like that? We get the story of a rescued whale that may have found a way to say thanks, ask whether dogs feel guilt, and wonder if a successful predator may have fallen in love with a photographer.
    Show more Show less
    59 mins

Featured Article: Go Beyond the Lab with the Best Science Podcasts for Curious Listeners


Our picks for the best science podcasts run the gamut from general scientific trivia to earth science, outer space, food, plants, the human body, and much more. They're all accessible—any listener can learn about scientific history, breaking science news, and visions for the future from these shows, which often feature interviews with a variety of interesting experts who provide valuable insight, perspective, context, and clarity.

Featured Article Go Beyond the Lab with the Best Science Podcasts for Curious Listeners

What listeners say about Radiolab

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    33
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    1
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    28
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    27
  • 4 Stars
    5
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Josie Gooch

great story

the longer you listen, the better it gets. one discovery after another. kept me listening.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Private

Thank you for the truth...

I had always been told that only Oregon was attacked. I still hear that false narrative when listening to books and other media. I have a lot to reflect about and it's exactly why I love this podcast.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for G. Gonzales

This is the perfected podcast

No quirks with this podcast but you don’t have to listen to it on audible only. Robert crulwich and jad do a great job explaining and I am never let down but special guests. The only notable thing is that most new episodes are a little gloomy.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Bare Knees

Not even Latif Nassar could ruin this one

This, Corpse Demon, feels like one of the good ole episodes with Jad and Robert. Original and breath-taking. Listened to it at the edge of my seat. Who would have thunk vultures were our friends?

It is also a proof that the less Latif talked in an episode, the better the episode.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for C. Lynch

most interesting podcast

This is the most interesting podcast ever. I listened to this episode multiple times. stunning

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Yami

excellent, thought provoking episode

I really enjoyed this one! I'd love to hear more about the psychology behind giving and receiving real, impactful apologies. I know they mean a lot to me, and I value giving them too. Having an apology rejected is agony.
I loved how many different stories came together in this episode. This is my favorite so far (I've just started listening) and I'm excited to share it!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Brenda

LuLu’s story will make you feel

This is my second time listening to this beautiful, soothing story. It makes me feel happy and sad, curious, amused, anxious and calm. I find it very impactful, perhaps because I relate as a parent, and LuLu’s telling is so expressive. I will be listening again.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for CL

Worthwhile plots, questionable delivery

hi guys, I am a LONG time fan of radiolab. I was quite disappointed in the story-telling of Red Herring. I love every single ingredient in that story: cold war, sweden, russia's sinister submarines, etc, but I only got halfway through because of the narrator & person the story is being told to. all of those little embellishments that get added (i.e. the outtake when two people were having a really "hilariously" hard time parking a car) have to sort of be earned, imo. I don't know you guys yet, and while I'm sure you're adorable... I'm just not on board yet. please forgive my review.... maybe I'm just bad at change 🤕

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Keith J Westpfahl

Some of the most interesting podcast content

I love radiolab! You never know where a story will go but it's always interesting. I also enjoy the storytelling style, it's a great group of people. My only complaint is that there's not enough content lol I'd listen to them every day if I could.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Shaylene

Interesting and engaging

Love radio lab. I wouldn't say it's a very specific genre of podcasts. If you love to learn new and interesting things you probably never needed to know; listen to off the wall story's that take you on an adventure you didnt know you needed; or just are entertained by the semantics of the crew chatting it up then this is for you. I mostly listen to the science based ones. Why do we have butcheeks or what's the deal with trees. Not actual titles. There is plenty more that radio lab covers that's just what I prefer.

Although it's mostly just a radio show, everything is put together in a story structure so it's easy to follow. And there is always points were they wrap it up if some of the details might get lost in the background. That way even if you get distracted for a min you dont miss out. Aswell as not having to connect the dots that form a big picture. They also do this for you.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful