logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2024
18 m

The Mysterious Mote

Sam Kean, Bleav
About this episode
A summer bonus episode: Russ Schnell's professors mocked him for believing that plants somehow caused hailstorms. He not only proved them wrong, but uncovered profound connections between life, earth, and the air above... 
Up next
Dec 16
The Publicity Stunt that Sparked the Scopes Monkey Trial
Exactly a century ago, teacher John Scopes was charged with the “crime” of teaching evolution. But Scopes was hardly a defiant Galileo, nobly standing up for truth. In fact, he never even taught evolution. (Really.) But despite the unseemly origins of the Monkey Trial, Scopes pro ... Show More
18m 59s
Dec 9
The Great Balloon Escape
Astronomer Jules Janssen was desperate to escape the siege of Paris in 1870 and observe an eclipse in Africa—work that he hoped would confirm his discovery of a brand new element in the Sun, helium. So he devised a plan to escape the city in a hot-air balloon, despite promises by ... Show More
18m 7s
Dec 2
The Corny, Cringy, Very Bad Television Show that Just Might Save Your Life
In the 1970s, paramedic units were illegal in the United States. One (very bad) television show, Emergency!, set out to change that—and saved tens of thousands of lives in the process. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collect ... Show More
18m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2024
This is the Best Evidence that Humans Lived with Dinosaurs
Uncover astonishing evidence suggesting humans and dinosaurs may have coexisted. From ancient artifacts to mysterious footprints, we explore the most compelling clues that challenge everything we thought we knew! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices 
1h 7m
Sep 2023
Mystery of Everything Preview
Mystery of Everything is a captivating and thought-provoking podcast that takes you on a journey into the mysterious and unexplained realms of our world. Join our hosts, Gabby Bell and Brenna Hatter, two accomplished scientists with a passion for unraveling the enigmas that have ... Show More
58s
Aug 2024
The not-so-secret life of plants
From the perspective of Western science, plants have long been considered unaware, passive life forms; essentially, rocks that happen to grow. But there’s something in the air in the world of plant science. New research suggests that plants are aware of the world around them to a ... Show More
38m 4s
May 2025
The Terracotta Army
After its initial discovery in 1974, the Terracotta Army became the unofficial eighth wonder of the world. Comprising an estimated 8,000 statue warriors buried as part of the First Emperor of China’s tomb complex, experts are still unearthing its secrets. But what was the purpose ... Show More
41m 45s
May 2014
Episode R5 – Behistun Hat-Trick
“The Major constantly and indefatigably employed himself, from daylight to dark, revising, restoring and adding to his former materials.  This was a work of great irksomeness and labour in the confined space he was compelled to stand in, with his body in close proximity to the he ... Show More
21m 19s
Aug 2024
Summer picks: the science of ‘weird shit’
The psychologist Chris French has spent decades studying paranormal claims and mysterious experiences, from seemingly impossible coincidences to paintings that purportedly predict the future. In this episode from April 2024, Ian Sample sits down with French to explore why so many ... Show More
18m 59s
May 2017
The surprising secret of workplace creativity
If most people knew the enjoyable secret of workplace creativity they'd probably feel liberated from the judgement of their peers. In this episode we hear inspiration from the ideas of Lucy Kellaway (FT journalist) and scientific evidence from Professor Sandy Pentland.Professor P ... Show More
28m 55s
Oct 2025
The First Hawaiians
Tristan Hughes goes on an exploration of Hawaii's earliest settlers, guided by the insights of Dr. Patrick Kirch, a leading expert on Hawaiian archeology. From the arrival of Polynesians around AD 1000, using sophisticated double-hull canoes, to their unique agricultural practice ... Show More
51m 57s
Jul 2024
Episode 86: Al Qaher’s folly
A chaotic period followed al Muqtadir’s death in battle. Although officials quickly reached a consensus on the elevation of his successor, the very fact that the last caliph had been killed meant that more political violence was to be expected. Al Qaher managed to best the men wh ... Show More
33m 35s
Feb 2025
Half a Thousand Episodes: Still Chasing Truth
<p>In our 501st episode, Michael Shermer takes a moment to reflect on his long journey with skepticism and what he learned recording half a thousand episodes of this podcast. He shares his thoughts on what it means for something to be truly "real" by comparing our personal experi ... Show More
37m 59s