Distillations podcast
From Hysteria to Long COVID: Invisible Illnesses
Medical anthropologist Emily Mendenhall talks about a long history of dismissing patients with mysterious illnesses.
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.
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?