
Unexplainable
Unexplainable takes listeners right up to the edge of what we know…and then keeps on going. The Unexplainable team — Noam Hassenfeld, Julia Longoria, Byrd Pinkerton, and Meradith Hoddinott — tackles scientific mysteries, unanswered questions, and everything we learn diving into the unknown. New episodes every Wednesday.
Latest episodes

7 snips
Apr 24, 2024 • 26min
How did Earth get its water?
Exploring the mystery of Earth's water origins through comet impacts and hydrogen isotopes, challenging traditional theories. Follow Lydia's quest for primordial water in remote locations infested with polar bears. Discussing the debate on Earth's water source and the possibility of water being naturally present on rocky planets like Earth.

25 snips
Apr 17, 2024 • 28min
Is Earth alive?
Science writer Ferris Jabr explores the concept of whether Earth can be considered alive, discussing the Gaia Hypothesis and Earth's interconnected ecosystem. The podcast delves into how life on the planet shapes its evolution, including the impact of cyanobacteria and the symbiotic relationship between life and climate regulation.

17 snips
Apr 10, 2024 • 41min
The alpha myth
Explore the misconceptions surrounding the alpha wolf concept, as a researcher challenges traditional beliefs and delves into the complexities of pack dynamics. Discover how societal perceptions of dominance influence leadership, from sports figures to primate research, emphasizing emotional sensitivity and care over aggression.

11 snips
Apr 3, 2024 • 20min
The eclipse chasers
Scientists are chasing eclipses to predict solar storms. The podcast discusses the impact of solar storms on power grids and satellites. It follows Shadia and her team on a 30-year quest to study total solar eclipses and the Sun's corona. The challenges of understanding the corona's extreme temperatures are highlighted. Creative solutions like kite-spectrometer setups are explored to overcome hurdles in eclipse observation.

13 snips
Mar 27, 2024 • 28min
The Yips
Discover the yips - when skilled individuals suddenly lose their abilities. Hear stories of baseball players struggling with this phenomenon and their inspiring journeys of redemption. Learn about the psychological toll, stigma, and ultimate triumph over mental roadblocks in performance.

Mar 20, 2024 • 24min
The bleeding edge, part two
The podcast discusses using menstrual fluid for easier endometriosis detection, breaking societal stigmas around the topic. Researchers explore unique cell patterns in patients and discuss the challenges and triumphs of studying menstrual blood.

15 snips
Mar 13, 2024 • 19min
The bleeding edge
Researchers explore the potential medical benefits of menstrual fluid, facing societal stigmas and research challenges. Endometriosis diagnosis is improved through innovative genetic research and non-invasive menstrual fluid analysis. The podcast discusses the importance of overcoming taboos and obstacles to advance menstrual health research.

39 snips
Mar 6, 2024 • 27min
Aliens from Earth?
The podcast explores the intriguing concept of aliens causing climate change and the possibility of pre-human technologically advanced civilizations. It also delves into detecting long-lived civilizations in the geologic record and contemplates the Silurian hypothesis for modern society.

11 snips
Feb 28, 2024 • 17min
How scientists are searching for aliens
Scientists discuss their serious efforts to search for extraterrestrial intelligence, using massive antennas to detect potential alien signals. The podcast also explores the challenges of differentiating signals from natural phenomena and the optimism towards encountering extraterrestrial intelligence in our solar system.

11 snips
Feb 21, 2024 • 24min
A universal virus-killer?
Scientists explore using UV light as a virus-killer for airborne diseases, discussing efficacy, safety concerns, and potential impacts on air pollution. Historical research supports UV light's ability to sterilize air, prompting discussions on its ethical and practical use in various sectors.
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