Radiolab

A sudden health scare leads to a humorous dive into the complex world of Neanderthals. The host reflects on their genetic ties to these ancient relatives and explores how Crohn's disease connects us to our past. Stories of Neanderthal relationships highlight the importance of community and compassion in both ancient and modern times. The episode cleverly intertwines medical insights with personal anecdotes, creating a gripping narrative about resilience and the bonds that connect us through generations.

Celebrate storytelling as the hosts reminisce about their 20-year journey, blending whimsical anecdotes with dark historical tales. Discover a captivating automaton crafted by Juanelo Turiano, embodying devotion during the Counter-Reformation. Dive deep into the intriguing phenomenon of musical hallucinations, revealing the emotional and cognitive impacts on individuals. Personal stories highlight the complexities of sound, solitude, and the profound connections between music, memory, and identity.

In this lively discussion, professional adventurer Alex Gamme shares his jaw-dropping experience of finding cheese doodles in Antarctica. He reflects on his challenging solo trek to the South Pole, highlighting the emotional highs and lows of the journey. The conversation then transitions into the power of storytelling, celebrating Radiolab's 20th anniversary. Gamme's tales add humor and adventure, intertwining with heartfelt anecdotes from the audience, showcasing the joy found in connection and the whimsical moments that make life memorable.

All the world’s a stage. Or, sometimes it feels that way, especially these days. In this episode, originally aired in 2015, we push through the fourth wall, pierce the spandex-ed heart of professional wrestling, and travel 400 years into the past to unmask our obsession with authenticity and our desire to walk the line between reality and fantasy. Thanks to Nick Hakim for the use of his song "The Light".  Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab today.     Radiolab is on YouTube! Catch up with new episodes and hear classics from our archive. Plus, find other cool things we did in the past — like miniseries, music videos, short films and animations, behind-the-scenes features, Radiolab live shows, and more. Take a look, explore and subscribe!  

Becca Bressler, a producer at Radiolab, brings to life the fascinating world of male crickets, detailing their clever mating strategies and the lengths they’ll go to attract a mate. She highlights their unique adaptations, including tool use to amplify their calls. The conversation also dives into a historic college football game where a ragtag team faced off against a powerhouse, turning into an underdog saga that showcases resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

Ryan Wash, a queer, Black, first-generation college student from Kansas City, reshapes competitive debate norms, challenging the status quo of elitism. He reflects on his unexpected journey into debate, addressing themes of mentorship, identity, and the push for inclusivity in predominantly white spaces. Wash also discusses the emotional toll of navigating competition while embracing his identity, advocating for broader representation and understanding in academic discourse, and highlighting the transformative power of performance in debate.

As a species, we’re obsessed with names. They’re one of the first labels we get as kids. We name and rename absolutely everything around us. And these names carry our histories, they can open and close our eyes to the world around us, and they drag the weight of expectation and even irony along with them. This week on Radiolab, we’ve got six stories all about names. Horse names, the names of diseases, names for the beginning, and names for the end. Listen to “Hello, My Name Is” on Radiolab, wherever you find podcasts.  Special thanks to Jim Wright, author of “The Real James Bond”, Tad Davis, Cole delCharco, Peter Frick-Wright, Alexa Rose Miller, Katherine De La Cruz, and Fahima Haque.Members of The Lab, watch for an audio extra on your exclusive feeds, a poem written and read by Mary Szybist, whom Molly Webster interviewed for her story in this episode about endlings. It is titled “We Think We Do Not Have Medieval Eyes.” If you are not yet a member and would like to listen to it, you can join here. Radiolab is on YouTube! Catch up with new episodes and hear classics from our archive. Plus, find other cool things we did in the past — like miniseries, music videos, short films and animations, behind-the-scenes features, Radiolab live shows, and more. Take a look, explore and subscribe! DOWNLOAD BRAILLE READY FILE HERE (https://zpr.io/BmPeeLvvRDrD) Citations: The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee Warhorse: Cavalry in Ancient Warfare by Philip SidnellCheck out ArtsPractica.com, a site focused on medical uncertainty. Alexa Rose Miller.

This podcast delves into the anniversary of Abdul Latif Nasser's transfer to Guantanamo Bay, blending personal narratives with historical reflections. It highlights the urgent establishment of the detention facility post-9/11, examining ethical dilemmas and the psychological toll on detainees. Nasser's journey is explored, revealing the complexities of legal representation amid human rights concerns. The harrowing stories of hunger strikes protest the dire conditions faced, while journalists wrestle with barriers in their pursuit of truth, illustrating the intricate dance between hope and systemic injustice.

Joseph Tartaro, an offensive security consultant, recounts his bizarre experience with a 'null' license plate that led him into a quirky community of the nameless. Alongside Christopher Null, a tech journalist, they dive into the comedic chaos caused by their shared name and the absurdities of bureaucratic blunders. Laughs abound as they explore how technology misinterprets names and the broader implications of these digital hiccups. From unexpected parking tickets to the serious fight for justice against tech-driven misunderstandings, their stories blend humor with real-world significance.

Horror, fashion, and the end of the world … In this episode, first aired in 2014, but maybe even more relevant today, things get weird as we explore the undercurrents of thought that link nihilists, beard-stroking philosophers, Jay-Z, and True Detective. Today on Radiolab, a puzzle. Jad’s brother-in-law wrote a book called 'In The Dust of This Planet'. It’s an academic treatise about the horror humanity feels as we realize that we are nothing but a speck in the universe. For a few years nobody read it. But then … It seemed to show up on True Detective.   Then in a fashion magazine.   And then on Jay-Z's back. How?  We talk nihilism with Eugene Thacker & Simon Critchley, leather jackets with June Ambrose, climate change with David Victor, and hope with the father of Transcendental Black Metal - Hunter Hunt Hendrix of the band Liturgy. Also, check out WNYC Studio's On the Media episode Staring into the Abyss, in it Brooke Gladstone and Jad Abumrad continue their discussion of nihilism and its place in history. You can find Eugene Thacker's 'In The Dust Of the Planet' at Zero Books Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab today.     Radiolab is on YouTube! Catch up with new episodes and hear classics from our archive. Plus, find other cool things we did in the past — like miniseries, music videos, short films and animations, behind-the-scenes features, Radiolab live shows, and more. Take a look, explore and subscribe!