For millennia, people have been reporting stories of mysterious spheres of light that glow, crackle, and hover eerily during thunderstorms. They’ve been spotted in people’s homes, and are even said to be able to pass through windows. No one knows how ball lightning forms — but that’s not stopping scientists from attempting to recreate it in their labs.
For f ... Show More
Jun 1
The cells we share
Fetuses leave cells behind in their parents' bodies, where they braid themselves into tissues, and remain, for years. What are they doing in there? Guests: Amy Boddy, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of California, Santa Barbara; Lee Nelson, Professor Eme ... Show More
36m 15s
May 20
The man who bet against humanity — and lost
Paul Ehrlich was famous for predicting a population explosion that would destroy the planet, but he didn't count on human ingenuity. Guest: Bryan Walsh, Vox senior editorial director This episode was made in partnership with Vox’s Future Perfect team. For show transcripts, go to ... Show More
16m 54s
Apr 2020
Curious About Lightning And Thunder
<p>In episode 79, we learn about lightning and thunder. What causes lightning? How hot is lightning? Can you have lightning without rain? Can you have thunder without lightning? Olivia interviews Greg, a meteorologist, to ask him some questions about lightning and thunder an ... Show More
20m 46s