The Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast with Sam Kean

Jack Parsons was a devil-worshipping FBI rat who led a sex cult and was bosom buddies with L. Ron Hubbard. He was also one of the most important rocket scientists in history. (Episode 2 of 2)

Guest Jack Parsons, a devil-worshiping FBI rat and rocket scientist, led a sex cult with L. Ron Hubbard. Podcast explores his childhood, rocket experiments, and involvement in JPL. It delves into his interest in the occult, charismatic cult leader persona, and tragic turn of events.

Who put the cheese in your stuffed-crust pizza? Or cows on a Caribbean island? And when more than half the world's population can't actually digest milk, is it really essential for a healthy diet? On a trip through time and taste—to dairy-obsessed Bulgaria, colonial Trinidad and Tobago and the ‘Got Milk?’ era—we explore humanity's millennia-long relationship with milk.Listen to Don't Drink the Milk wherever you get your podcasts! https://pod.link/1704462801 Also on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpBAZYDqAE8nzvIRx2dApgkDi3zkSe3GS

In this podcast, the connection between a murder case and Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is explored, raising the question of whether Darwin was to blame. The aftermath of the murder reveals a cover-up, investigation, and unequal distribution of stolen money. The controversy surrounding Darwin and evolution is discussed, along with public opinion on Darwin's nomination to the French Academy of Sciences. Connections to the novel Crime and Punishment and Dostoyevsky's views on natural selection and morality are also highlighted.

Americans happily ate monosodium glutamate for decades. Then one (possibly fake) letter sparked mass hysteria over “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome”, and the bogus MSG scare was born...

Scientists have confirmed five basic human tastes—sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and umami. But is that all? Debate now rages about adding a sixth or seventh or even eighth(!) to the Big Five...

James Mellaart discovered one of the most important archaeological sites ever, Çatalhöyük in Turkey. But his lust for treasure—and a penchant for fraud—led him to throw it all away...

Explore the origins of the British Tobacco Empire that fueled colonization and spurred a massive public health crisis. Discover the enigmatic Thomas Harriot, whose career intertwined with the mysterious fate of the Roanoke Colony. Delve into the struggles early explorers faced in North America and their fraught interactions with Native Americans. Uncover the transformation of sassafras from miracle cure to harmful substance, and reflect on the ironic legacy of tobacco, shaping history and altering cultures forever.

She helped discover arguably the most important drug in history. And she got zero credit. They called her Moldy Mary—but she turned that insult into triumph...

Explore the challenges of reaching extreme ocean depths, the design of deep sea submersibles, and the dive towards the lowest point on Earth in this fascinating podcast. Discover the exclusive club of Challenger Deep explorers and the limited knowledge we have of the ocean floor.