Distillations podcast
The Mothers of Gynecology
Why are Black women in America three times more likely to die during childbirth than White ones?
Distillations is the Science History Institute’s critically acclaimed flagship podcast. We take deep dives into stories that range from the serious to the eccentric, all to help listeners better understand our world. Hear about everything from the crisis in Alzheimer’s research to New England’s 19th-century vampire panic in compelling, sometimes-funny, documentary-style audio stories.
The Mouse That Changed Science
A tiny animal with a big story.
Treating America’s Opioid Addiction
Part 3: Searching for Meaning in Kensington.
Treating America’s Opioid Addiction
Part 2: Synanon and the Tunnel Back to the Human Race.
Treating America’s Opioid Addiction
Part 1: The Narcotic Farm and the Promise of Salvation.
Fighting Smog in Los Angeles
And how California’s car emission standards continue to influence the rest of the country.
Whatever Happened to Acid Rain?
It’s complicated.
Whatever Happened to the Ozone Hole?
An environmental success story.
The Man, the Myth, the Laser
The disputed origin story of one of the 20th century’s most important inventions.
The Yoga Pant Problem
The rise of synthetic fibers and the war on cotton.
The Almost Forgotten Story of Katherine Jones, Lady Ranelagh
The woman beside the father of chemistry.
Sci-Fi Radio Drama
A cautionary tale of technology run riot.
Butter vs. Margarine
One of America’s most bizarre food battles.
Grandmothers Matter
Some surprisingly controversial theories of human longevity.
Refugee Doctors
Escape is only the first challenge.
High-Tech and Amish
Using 21st-century medicine to maintain a 300-year-old way of life.
Political Science
Out of the lab and into the streets.
Rethinking Ink
Lasers, tattoo removal, and second chances.
Making Senses
How biohackers are using artificial perceptions to enhance reality.