Distillations podcast
The Fraud That Transformed Psychiatry
Psychology professor David Rosenhan made waves with his “On Being Sane in Insane Places” study, but decades later its legitimacy was questioned.
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. Don’t miss the new season, dropping June 4, 2024.
Roe v. Wade v. Rubella
The virus that made America talk about abortion.
The Alzheimer’s Copernicus Problem
Thirty years of research have failed to solve the Alzheimer’s riddle. Is the problem a blind embrace of scientific dogma?
Science on TV: An Interview with Ingrid Ockert
Historian of science and media Ingrid Ockert discusses the exact moment Carl Sagan began wearing turtlenecks, how NOVA changed television, and the key to any successful show: respect the audience.
Rare Earths: The Hidden Cost to Their Magic
Rare earth elements are essential to modern life. Luckily the world has plenty of them; unfortunately, getting them out of the ground leaves behind massive environmental damage.
The Myth of the Cuyahoga River Fire
The blaze that sparked the modern environmental movement . . . or did it?
High Steaks at the Border
When the United States and Mexico resolved their beef.
Making the Deserts Bloom
Harnessing nature to deliver us from drought.
Love, Hate, and Sex from the History of Science
This is not just another sappy love story from science’s past.
Sex(ism), Drugs, and Migraines
We know migraines have afflicted people for at least three thousand years. Still, the condition continues to mystify us today.
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.