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 Smell of Shame
How deodorant became omnipresent in America.
Fizzy Water
The unnatural history of a carbonated drink.
Second Skin
The unexpected origin of the sports bra.
(Natural) Childbirth
Once upon a time all births were natural. A lot has happened since then.
The Ancient Chemistry Inside Your Taco
Dive into the world of nixtamalization, a chemical process that allowed the Mesoamerican empires to thrive and tacos to taste good.
Power in the Blood: When Religion and Medicine Meet in Your Veins
Blood is powerful, but it can also be dangerous.
DDT: The Britney Spears of Chemicals
We loved it. We hated it. Now we kind of maybe like it again.
Sex and Gender: What We Know and Don’t Know
Society has long had strict ideas about sex and gender binaries, but even nature doesn’t always comply.
Science and the Supernatural in the 17th Century
Travel back in time with us and find out what the world was like when science and the supernatural weren’t so far apart.
Intoxication and Civilization: Beer’s Ancient Past
This episode takes on the frothy subject of beer, and explores the science, culture, and history behind the suds.
Olympics
On today’s show, we investigate Olympic mysteries, from the flame of the torch to the composition of those so-called gold medals.
Wonder Drugs
From antibiotics to chemotherapy, modern pharmaceuticals transformed the experience of illness in the 20th century.
Communicating Chemistry
How do scientists explain what they do to the larger public, and how can historians help?