Radiolab

Andy Rowe, the executive producer of the game show Golden Balls, teams up with contestant Nick Corrigan to dive into the complex nature of trust in competitive settings. They discuss how the show forced contestants to confront moral dilemmas, revealing deep insights into human behavior. Nick shares his unconventional strategy that turned the game upside down, challenging traditional notions of cooperation and betrayal. Their chat unpacks the tension between honesty and deceit, making for a fascinating exploration of the human psyche.

Avir Mitra, a contributing editor and ER doctor, dives into the world of Zoroastrianism and its ancient burial practices. Discover the shocking decline of vultures in India, crucial for sky burials, leading to a crisis in both ecology and tradition. Avir unravels a mystery tied to veterinary medications that threaten these scavengers' survival. The conversation ponders morality, culture, and the human impact on nature, all while highlighting the unique perspectives of the Parsi community on death and afterlife.

Avir Mitra, a contributing editor and ER doctor, dives into the turbulent world of abortion pills, specifically mifepristone. He discusses the recent contradictory federal rulings that put the drug's future in jeopardy. The conversation reveals the history and science behind these pills, highlighting their safety and effectiveness. Avir also sheds light on the shift towards self-managed abortions during the COVID pandemic and the role of telehealth in expanding access. This urgent dialogue reveals the intersections of medicine, law, and personal choice.

Alexandra Elbakyan, the mastermind behind Sci-Hub, reveals her journey in battling the academic publishing giants. She discusses how the platform grants free access to over 88 million research articles, transforming global access to knowledge. The podcast dives into her personal experiences, the ethical dilemmas of copyright, and the intense challenges she faces. Listeners gain insight into the significance of open access and the future of academic publishing, all while experiencing a fascinating glimpse into Elbakyan's life in Kazakhstan.

Tuesday afternoon, summer of 2017: Scotty Hatton and Scottie Wightman made a decision to help someone in need and both paid a price for their actions that day — actions that have led to a legal, moral, and scientific puzzle about how we balance accountability and forgiveness.  In this 2019 episode, we go to Bath County, Kentucky, where, as one health official put it, opioids have created “a hole the size of Kentucky.” We talk to the people on all sides of this story about stemming the tide of overdoses. We wrestle with the science of poison and fear, and we try to figure out whether and when the drive to protect and help those around us should rise above the law. Special thanks to Earl Willis, Bobby Ratliff, Ronnie Goldie, Megan Fisher, Alan Caudill, Nick Jones, Dan Wermerling, Terry Bunn, Robin Thompson and the staff at KIPRC, Charles Landon, Charles P Gore, Jim McCarthy, Ann Marie Farina, Dr. Jeremy Faust and Dr. Ed Boyer, Justin Brower, Kathy Robinson, Zoe Renfro, John Bucknell, Chris Moraff, Jeremiah Laster, Tommy Kane, Jim McCarthy, Sarah Wakeman, and Al Tompkins. CDC recommendations on helping people who overdose: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdf/patients/Preventing-an-Opioid-Overdose-Tip-Card-a.pdf Find out where to get naloxone: https://prevent-protect.org/. It is also now available over-the-counter. (https://zpr.io/SMX9yYDUta7a).  EPISODE CREDITS: Reported by - Peter Andrey Smith with Matt KieltyProduced by - Matt Kielty Our newsletter comes out every Wednesday. It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Sign up (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)! Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today. Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org Leadership support for Radiolab’s science programming is provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Science Sandbox, a Simons Foundation Initiative, and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Cat Jaffee, a radio producer and ultra-endurance mountain biker, shares her profound journey through cancer and isolation during the pandemic. Lael Wilcox, a record-breaking bikepacker, discusses her controversial race experiences and the challenges of gender and support in competitive sports. Together, they explore how bikepacking became a transformative outlet for solitude and resilience. Their candid conversations reveal the mental and emotional dynamics of endurance, highlighting the struggle and beauty of truly embracing self-reliance on the road.

Leilani Schweitzer, a mother affected by a medical error that led to her son's death, shares her heartfelt journey and reflections on the power of apologies. She discusses receiving an apology from Stanford Hospital and how it impacted her healing process. The conversation explores the often complicated nature of apologies in our society, questioning their authenticity and significance. Through Leilani's experience, listeners confront the struggle of reconciling loss, forgiveness, and the essential human need for genuine connections.

Dive into the quirky world of buttons, where they symbolize power, freedom, and even destruction. Discover the psychological tricks of non-functional elevator buttons and the intriguing story of Button Gwinnett, a lesser-known signer of the Declaration of Independence. Explore the chilling implications of the nuclear launch button, reflecting on authority and accountability. The hosts wrap up with a lighthearted look at the rivalry between buttons and zippers, adding a whimsical note to this multifaceted journey.

Join producer Rachael Cusick, renowned for her storytelling prowess, as she dives into the unexpected world of crabs. Discover a touching cross-species love story between an artist and her hermit crabs, exploring themes of responsibility and resilience. Delve into intriguing research about crab evolution, revealing their remarkable adaptability and survival strategies. From chaotic environments to their surprising family tree, this conversation invites you to ponder the profound connections between these crustaceans and the nature of existence.

Explore the fascinating world of social media and its emotional consequences. Discover how language nuances can shift online interactions for the better. Delve into Facebook's secret experiments and the ethics of manipulating emotions. Learn how massive data collection is changing social science while raising privacy concerns. Uncover the challenges of forming genuine connections in digital dialogue and the impact on political discourse. This thought-provoking discussion leaves us questioning the morality of social engineering in our online lives.