logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2022
36m 24s

Umami Mama

Vox
About this episode
For thousands of years, there have been four basic tastes recognized across cultures. But thanks to Kumiko Ninomiya (aka the Umami Mama), scientists finally accepted a fifth. As part of its Making Sense series, Vox’s Unexplainable podcast explores whether there could be even more. This episode was reported and produced by Meradith Hoddinott and edited by Kat ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
Why the Antichrist is back
Former supporters of President Trump have speculated about whether he could be the Antichrist. Accusations like this are not new to politics in the US. This episode was produced by Danielle Hewitt, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tata ... Show More
26m 37s
Jun 15
Trump loves the inflation
President Trump's messaging on the economy is increasingly bizarre. So is our perception of it. This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Dustin DeSoto, edited by Jolie Myers, fact-checked by Gabriel Dunatov, engineered by David Tatasciore and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Noe ... Show More
25m 50s
Jun 14
The lost art of handwriting
How our relationship with writing has changed, and how that’s changed us. This episode was produced by Dustin DeSoto, edited by Avishay Artsy, fact-checked by Melissa Hirsch, engineered by David Tatasciore, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill. A third grader practices his cursive handwr ... Show More
30m 30s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2022
Making Sense: The Umami Mama
For thousands of years, there have been four basic tastes recognized across cultures. But thanks to Kumiko Ninomiya (a.k.a. the Umami Mama), scientists finally accepted a fifth. So could there be even more? This is the fourth episode of our six-part series, Making Sense. For more ... Show More
37m 1s
Aug 2022
Salamander search party
One of the world’s most biodiverse aquifers is full of strange, blind creatures that have evolved in isolation for millions of years. But one is missing. This episode was reported by Benji Jones and Mandy Nguyen, who produced the episode. Editing from Meradith Hoddinott, Katherin ... Show More
27m 19s
Jun 2022
ConGRADulations, fellow kids
Hey, Weeds listeners: Today, we are bringing you an episode of Today, Explained that originally aired in early June.  Ten months ago, the faculty of Cramer Hill Elementary set out to get their kids back on track after a year of mostly remote learning. Today, Explained’s Miles Br ... Show More
26m 40s
Jun 2023
Awestruck
Awe is what takes our breath away when we face a sky full of stars or listen to a moving piece of music. But scientists are still trying to pin down why we feel such a powerful emotion, and whether it’s possible to cultivate more of it in our lives. For more, go to http://vox.com ... Show More
24m 52s
Apr 2022
How sound becomes hearing
We love listening to music at a ridiculous level of detail. But the other day we heard a podcast that made us fundamentally question the accuracy and reliability of our own listening skills. In it they played a familiar melody, “Yankee Doodle,” in such a way that we couldn’t reco ... Show More
40m 46s
Nov 2020
Jad Abumrad: Radio Host
Host and co-creator of Radiolab, More Perfect, Dolly Parton’s America, and more, Jad Abumrad has inspired the sounds of thousands of podcasts and radio shows around the world (Kerning Cultures Network shows included). In this episode, he opens up about being raised in a Lebanese ... Show More
50m 31s
Feb 2021
Why we believe what isn't true
We're no stranger to stories about misinformation or deliberate disinformation. We live in a world where now more than ever, you have to be skeptical. That skepticism can be healthy, but it also can be used to cast more doubt and misinformation on data and statistics that are ver ... Show More
10m 26s
Jul 2021
A Keurig that brought me closer to my mom | The Best Money I Ever Spent
Katherine Oung’s mother says “I love you” with plates of cut fruit. Katherine say it with cups of coffee. The Best Money I Ever Spent is a personal essay series from The Goods about the purchases that changed our lives in ways big and small. This episode was produced by Schuyler ... Show More
11m 9s
Apr 2023
How to listen
Most of us don’t know how to truly listen, and it’s causing all sorts of problems. Sean Illing is joined by journalist Kate Murphy, the author of You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters, to discuss what it means to be a good listener, the problems that are ca ... Show More
55m 3s
Mar 2021
Introducing Unexplainable
Unexplainable is a new podcast from Vox about everything we don’t know. Each week, the team look at the most fascinating unanswered questions in science and the mind-bending ways scientists are trying to answer them. New episodes drop every Wednesday.  Learn more: vox.com/unexpla ... Show More
28m 11s