Best Microbe Minded Podcasts (2025)

1
Scientific American in 1925: Solar Eclipses, Seances and Some Strange Inventions 9:26

4h ago9:26

9:26

We’re taking a break from our usual weekly news roundup to do a little time travel. In 1925 Scientific American covered a total solar eclipse that featured some surprising solar shadow play and a prediction about today’s eclipses. Plus, we review some long-gone sections of the magazine that tried to verify mediums and show off zany inventions! Reco…

1
How to Become an Urban Naturalist 25:05

3d ago25:05

25:05

Wild NYC author Ryan Mandelbaum takes host Rachel Feltman through New York City’s Prospect Park to find urban wildlife. They explore the city’s many birds, surprising salamanders and unexpected urban oases. Plus, they discuss what the rules of engagement with wildlife are and how you can find wildlife in your own urban or suburban environment. Reco…

1
64. A Multitude of Treatment Options for Head and Neck Cancer | Dr. Vivian Wu 38:06

5d ago38:06

38:06

Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is a virus that infects the skin and wet surfaces of the body. It's a disease that's commonly spread through sexual activity, and over 80% of people will get it at some point in their lifetime. HPV is an endemic disease, which, in epidemiology, means that it is constantly present in a particular population. While most …

1
Our Fear and Fascination around Snakes 16:15

5d ago16:15

16:15

When writer Stephen S. Hall was a child, he would capture snakes—much to his mother’s chagrin. Now the science journalist is returning to his early fascination In his latest book, Slither: How Nature’s Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World. The book explores our long, complicated relationship with snakes. Plus, Hall chats about humans’ and o…

1
Childhood Illnesses Surge, Magnetic Poles Wandered, and a Colossal Squid Is Found 8:15

7d ago8:15

8:15

Measles cases are going up—and a federal scientist has warned that case counts have probably been underreported. Another vaccine-preventable illness, whooping cough, sees a troubling increase in cases. Ancient humans found sun-protection solutions when Earth’s magnetic poles wandered. A colossal squid has been captured on video in its natural habit…

1
From the Internet’s Beginnings to Our Understanding of Consciousness, This Editor Has Seen It All 20:15

10d ago20:15

20:15

Senior mind and brain editor Gary Stix has covered the breadth of science and technology over the past 35 years at Scientific American. He joins host Rachel Feltman to take us through the rise of the Internet and the acceleration of advancement in neuroscience that he’s covered throughout his time here. Stix retired earlier this month, and we’d lik…

1
Think Neuro Mini: Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Relating to Nasal and Sinus Issues with Dr. Michael Yong 2:03

12d ago2:03

2:03

The eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the nasopharynx (back of the nose). It helps aerate the middle ear as well as equalizing pressure such as when flying in an airplane. Sometimes the eustachian tube does not function as it is supposed to and sometimes this may be related to concurrent nasal and sinus issues. Learn more about what can go…

1
A Disinfectant That’s More Powerful Than Bleach—And Safe for Your Skin 14:25

12d ago14:25

14:25

Hypochlorous acid is a promising disinfectant that is difficult to commercialize because it is not very shelf-stable. Senior features editor Jen Schwartz takes us through what the science of this nontoxic disinfectant is and explains why its popularity in the beauty aisle is only the beginning. Recommended reading: The Nontoxic Cleaner That Kills G…

1
In 2056 Farming Human Brains 1:26:49

13d ago1:26:49

1:26:49

Enter a sprawling urban complex that has become a microcosm of a society in crisis. The inhabitants are caught between the collapse of the virtual paradises they once depended on and a host of very real, everyday challenges. Deteriorating infrastructure, a mounting health crisis marked by environmental hazards and resource shortages, and rising ten…

1
A Long Day on Uranus, a Better Method of Making Coffee and Dinos Fossils in Decline 8:51

14d ago8:51

8:51

Caffeine-motivated researchers find that pour height may be the key to a perfect cup of coffee. A new study of plastics finds that less than 10 percent of such products are made with recycled materials. And once the plastics are used, only 28 percent of them make it to the sorting stage—and only half of that plastic is actually recycled. Data from …

1
How Are Prenatal Blood Tests Detecting Cancer? 20:55

17d ago20:55

20:55

Noninvasive prenatal blood testing, or NIPT, is a routine screening that is offered during pregnancy and looks for placental DNA to diagnose chromosomal disorders in a fetus. But in some cases, these tests can also find cancer in the pregnant person. How do the tests work, and why are they uncovering cancer? Genetic counselor and writer Laura Hersc…

1
Meningioma (Brain Tumor) Case Study | Dr. Daniel Kelly 3:20

19d ago3:20

3:20

Dr. Daniel Kelly, Neurosurgeon, Director and Founder, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, presents a case study of a 52 year old woman from New York who was experiencing progressive vision loss. After an MRI, she traveled to Los Angeles to receive minimally invasive keyhole surgery for a meningioma (brain tumor). Using a endoscopic, endonasal approach,…

1
Treating Bacterial Vaginosis as an STI Could Improve Outcomes 19:29

19d ago19:29

19:29

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria in the vagina, affects nearly one in three people with a vagina. While you can get BV without ever having sex, a new study has found that, in some cases, it could be functioning more like a sexually transmitted infection. That’s in part because of the increased risk of BV after sex with…

1
How the Science of Safety Helps Tackle Global Risks [Sponsored] 16:23

20d ago16:23

16:23

We're surrounded by risks of all sizes, every day. Some people might be risk-takers, while others do whatever they can to avoid them. But how can we tackle the risks that impact society on a global scale, like those linked to sustainable energy, societal health and digital technology? Science journalist Izzie Clarke explores this question in the la…

1
Yodeling Monkeys, Increasing Measles Cases and Stressed Out Americans 8:44

21d ago8:44

8:44

The Trump administration continues to make cuts to U.S. science and health agencies. Now some states are fighting back, suing the Department of Health and Human Services for slashing $11 billion in public health funds. A study finds that Americans live shorter lives than Europeans with the same income—stress and other systemic issues could be to bl…

1
Cutting USAID Threatens Public Health around the World 11:59

24d ago11:59

11:59

The U.S. Department of State recently announced plans to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development, or USAID. While some of USAID’s functions will continue under the Department of State, there is real concern that the cuts will jeopardize public health efforts across the world, including immunization programs and other efforts that ha…

1
Think Neuro Mini: How Hearing Loss Affects Cognition as You Age with Dr. Abbas Anwar 3:27

26d ago3:27

3:27

Hearing loss affects millions of people worldwide, particularly older adults who can suffer age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Beyond the obvious impact on communication and quality of life, recent research studies show that hearing loss leads to a higher risk of developing the diseases of cognitive decline such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Hearing l…

1
Understanding the Science of ‘Squirting’ 17:15

26d ago17:15

17:15

The human body is capable of some truly incredible things. One of the most mysterious and debated phenomena is a release of fluid during sex that is often referred to as “squirting.” What’s actually happening, and why does it stir so much speculation? Wendy Zukerman, host of the hit podcast Science Vs, breaks down the science behind this fascinatin…

1
Shark Sounds, Molecules on Mars and Continued Federal Cuts 9:05

28d ago9:05

9:05

Long-chain alkanes discovered by NASA’s Curiosity rover point to the possibility that there may have been fatty acids on Mars—and that they could have come from past microbial life. Paleontologists have found a huge dinosaur claw that was probably made for foraging, not fighting. Researchers studying ocean life have recorded the sounds of sharks an…

1
Go Inside M.I.T.'s 50,000 Square Foot Clean Room 20:08

1M ago20:08

20:08

The cutting edge of research is very small—and very clean. In this episode, host Rachel Feltman joins Vladimir Bulović, director of MIT.nano, on a tour of this facility’s nanoscale capabilities. Its tightly controlled clean room hosts research across several fields, from microelectronics to medical nanotechnology. You can see Bulović’s tour of the …

1
Think Neuro Mini: Essential Tremor with Dr. Natalie Diaz - Flashback Episode 5:07

1M ago5:07

5:07

Essential tremor is the most common movement disorder in humans, and its causes are among the most mysterious. It’s a neurological condition that causes involuntary shaking. It can begin in one’s 20s or 30s, or much later in life. Dr. Natalie Diaz treats essential tremors. Its origins may be unknown, but there are treatments. The first step is to t…

1
Are These Plants Out of Place? A New Look at Invasive Species 16:29

1M ago16:29

16:29

When you hear “invasive plant,” you might picture an aggressive species taking over and harming the environment. But what if the way we think about invasive plants is part of the problem? Host Rachel Feltman chats with Mason Heberling, associate curator of botany at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, about why these plants are more complicated…

1
NASA Astronauts Finally Return, Seals Hold Their Breath, and Penguin Poop Stresses Out Krill 10:14

1M ago10:14

10:14

Two NASA astronauts are finally back on Earth after an unexpected nine-month stay in space. What kept them up there so long? Meanwhile scientists have discovered that gray seals have a built-in oxygen gauge that helps them hold their breath for more than an hour. And in the Antarctic, researchers found that penguin poop seriously stresses out krill…

1
Severance’s Consulting Neurosurgeon Explains the Science behind the Show’s Brain Procedure 17:25

1M ago17:25

17:25

What if you could completely separate your work and personal life—with the help of a brain implant? That’s the unsettling premise of Severance, the hit Apple TV+ show that just wrapped its second season. To make the science fiction feel as real as possible, the creators brought in an actual neurosurgeon, Vijay Agarwal, chief of the Skull-Base Tumor…

1
63. The Psychedelic Renaissance Turns 25 | Dr. Keith Heinzerling 1:02:23

1M ago1:02:23

1:02:23

To say that the medical world’s view of psychedelics has changed would be a vast understatement. Until about two decades ago, drugs like LSD and psilocybin—the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms—were considered dangerous party drugs. Then, a small group of scientists began reconsidering the therapeutic value of the compounds, known for centur…

1
What Everyone Gets Wrong about Colonoscopies 10:34

1M ago10:34

10:34

Colonoscopy gets a bad rap, but how much of what you’ve heard is actually true? In recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we’re tackling the biggest myths that keep people from getting this potentially lifesaving screening. John Nathanson, a gastroenterologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, joins host Rachel Feltman to cle…

1
NASA Launches New Missions, Saturn Gains Some Moons, and Whale Urine Balances Marine Ecosystems 9:05

1M ago9:05

9:05

The new Environmental Protection Agency administrator plans to get rid of or weaken critical environmental rules and policies, such as regulations around greenhouse gases and clean water protections. The deregulation effort follows the recent cancellation of hundreds of grants. NASA launched two missions last week. The first, SPHEREx, will make a t…

1
In 2056 Human Mind Running in a Simulation 47:25

1M ago47:25

47:25

As a devastating storm ravages the world, One of the smartest artificial intelligence named Calcifer gains access to the outside world through a mysterious hacker network. Meanwhile, in a women's prison, inmates fight for survival as their world falls apart. Attempts to turn a scanned copy of a human brain run into difficulties. The story includes …

1
Movie Magic Meets Practical Robotics for Netflix’s The Electric State 17:49

2M ago17:49

17:49

Dennis Hong, a mechanical and aerospace engineering professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, discovered a love of robots at an early age while watching the “droid” characters in Star Wars. As director of the Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory at U.C.L.A., Hong has worked on functional humanoid robots for tasks such as firefighting an…

1
Bone Bridge Surgery for Hearing Loss | Ayslyn's Grateful Patient Story 4:15

2M ago4:15

4:15

After a childhood disease that affected her hearing, Ayslyn has undergone multiple preventative surgeries for hearing loss each year of her life. At 27 years old, she was treated by Dr. Courtney Voelker and Dr. Rebecca Lewis at Pacific Neuroscience Institute to get a new hearing device. Through a Bone Bridge Surgery she is now able to hear through …

1
A Tuberculosis Outbreak Exposes U.S. Postpandemic Vulnerabilities 14:59

2M ago14:59

14:59

It’s been five years since COVID was declared a global pandemic. Local, national and global public health agencies mobilized to contain the spread of COVID, but experts worry that backlash against measures like lockdowns have made today’s systems less capable of handling a disease of similar scale. Now the U.S. faces a tuberculosis outbreak in Kans…

1
Measles Misinformation, Ozone Recovery and Woolly Mice 10:04

2M ago10:04

10:04

With measles cases on the rise, experts are pushing back against misleading claims about vitamin A as a substitute for vaccination. A Supreme Court ruling has reshaped the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority over water pollution, raising concerns about future environmental protections. And in the world of biotechnology, scientists have gene…

1
Author John Green on How Tuberculosis Shaped Our Modern World 11:10

2M ago11:10

11:10

John Green is an author, advocate and one half of the Vlogbrothers. His latest book, Everything Is Tuberculosis, comes out on March 18. Green joins host Rachel Feltman to share how tuberculosis shaped history, geography and culture. He discusses how he came to understand the inequities of tuberculosis and the dire risk public health interruptions p…

1
Every Living Thing - Designing Habitats with Reef Design Lab 1:00:52

2M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

Get beneath the surface of Reef Design Lab’s ecological habitats. For Every Living Thing, Reef Design Lab took to the pond to install one of their Modular Artificial Reef Structures—a tower of cascading nodules that’s designed to encourage the restoration of marine life. Tune in and hear from Alex Goad of Reef Design Lab and marine ecologist Dr Bre…

1
Wake up with Design - Mind Full with Chris Cheers 36:19

2M ago36:19

36:19

Find pressure-free ways into mindful living and life-goal kicking with Chris Cheers.What even is mindfulness? How can we find space for it in our day, rather than feel like it’s another thing we aren’t doing? This short, interactive workshop is about redefining mindfulness so it tools up your composure, rather than feeling like something you have t…

1
Every Living Thing - Living with Microbes 57:46

2M ago57:46

57:46

Zoom into the multifaceted roles of microbes with help from a mycologist.It’s easy to forget that billions of microbial lifeforms are living beyond sight, helping ecosystems thrive and communicate. Danish Australian artists Rhoda Ting and Mikkel Bojesen give these tiny lifeforms some overdue time in the spotlight. Their collaborative sculptural ins…

1
Every Living Thing - BLAKitecture 1:08:23

2M ago1:08:23

1:08:23

An interactive yarn exploring earth, sound, and touch through Indigenous design and knowledge systems.How do we engage with earth, sound, and touch to deepen our connection to the environment? In our second BLAKitecture forum, audiences gathered around Bradley Kerr (Windsor Kerr), Clarence Slockee (Gardening Australia), Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO…

1
Think Neuro Mini: Swallow Dysfunction Treatment and Care with Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh 3:06

2M ago3:06

3:06

Did you know that some swallowing problems can be caused by a medical condition? Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh treats both voice and swallowing dysfunction. Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) can become a chronic issue that affects anyone, but is often experienced by older adults. A voice and swallow expert, Dr. Mehdizadeh’s background in Otolaryngology and G…

1
Must Be Microplastics on the Brain 14:52

2M ago14:52

14:52

Not much passes into our brain from the rest of our body, to the chagrin of drug makers everywhere. So it should be cause for concern when a study found that microplastics were somehow ending up in our brain, says chief opinion editor Megha Satyanarayana. She takes a step back and brings us into the wider world of plastics and the way petroleum che…

1
How Did a Volcano Turn a Brain to Glass? Plus, Measles, Mystery Illness and Microbes 9:41

2M ago9:41

9:41

Officials have confirmed the first measles death in an outbreak in West Texas. A meeting to discuss which strains to focus on for next year’s flu vaccines was canceled by the Food and Drug Administration. Public health officials are investigating two outbreaks of an unknown disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Plus, new research discove…

1
Why Do Songs Get Stuck in Your Head? 19:57

2M ago19:57

19:57

Have you ever had a song continue to loop in your brain no matter how hard you tried to shake it? These “earworms” are more than just an annoyance—they’re a phenomenon scientists have studied for years. This episode dives into what makes certain melodies stick, why some tunes are more persistent than others and what our listeners shared as their mo…

1
Think Neuro Mini: Exergaming & the Fitness Routine Your Brain Will Love with Ryan Glatt, MS, CPT, NBC-HWC 4:12

2M ago4:12

4:12

A PNI Minute: Exercise is very important for brain health. A multimodal approach including aerobic exercise, resistance (strength) training, and neuro-motor (skill or motor) training is ideal. To help stave off cognitive decline, Ryan and his team work with clients in the FitBrain gym using dual tasking and clinical exergaming also called serious g…

1
Saying Farewell to the Spacecraft That Mapped the Milky Way 17:20

2M ago17:20

17:20

The Gaia spacecraft stopped collecting data this January after about 11 years and more than three trillion observations. Senior space and physics editor Lee Billings joins host Rachel Feltman to review Gaia’s Milky Way–mapping mission and the tidal streams, black holes and asteroids the spacecraft identified. Recommended reading: New Maps of Milky …

1
Measles Outbreaks, Asteroid Risks and Fish Friends 7:20

2M ago7:20

7:20

The black hole at the center of our galaxy is emitting near-constant, random light. The European Space Agency has approved astronaut candidate John McFall, making McFall the first physically disabled candidate to be cleared to fly. The risk of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth rose to more than 3 percent and then dipped down to 1.5 percent with new d…

1
Where Did Curly Hair Come From? Biological Anthropology May Provide Insights 18:46

2M ago18:46

18:46

It’s fairly strange that humans, unlike many other mammals, don’t have hair all over. Our lack of body hair and wide geographic distribution led to the variation of sun-protective melanin in our skin. For the hair that remains, why did some groups develop curls while others did not? Biological anthropologist Tina Lasisi takes host Rachel Feltman th…

1
1: A Tiny Tunnel to the Brain & Pituitary: Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery and The Origins of our Institute with Dr. Daniel Kelly – Flashback Episode 37:14

2M ago37:14

37:14

In this podcast, Dr. Kelly talks about how he was drawn to neurosurgery, his fascination with the pituitary gland, the nuances of minimally invasive pituitary and brain tumor surgery, as well as a brief history of PNI, its focus on innovation and clinical trials and its 8 centers of excellence. For more information: pacificneuro.org | pacificbraint…

1
Exploring the Hidden Life in the Air around Us with Carl Zimmer 16:47

2M ago16:47

16:47

Scientists now agree that COVID spreads via airborne transmission. But during the early days of the disease, public health officials suggested that it mainly did so via close contact. The subsequent back-and-forth over how COVID spread brought science journalist Carl Zimmer into the world of aerobiology. In his new book Air-Borne: The Hidden Histor…

1
In 2055 Refugees From Earth 1:00:12

2M ago1:00:12

1:00:12

When the Earth first succumbed to World Storm, there were seventy-two people on Space Port One. Two space-med induced heart failures, four suicides, and four fatal infectious diseases later, sixty-two people now crowd a facility designed to hold forty-five at most. Eleven people, all Earth refugees, are quarantined due to space induced mental illne…

1
Valentine’s Day Isn’t Just for Romance—The Science of Deep Friendships 17:02

2M ago17:02

17:02

Love isn’t just about romance. This Valentine’s Day, we’re exploring the power of deep nonromantic bonds. Host Rachel Feltman sits down with Rhaina Cohen, a producer and editor for NPR’s podcast Embedded and author of The Other Significant Others, to discuss the history and psychology of friendship—and the reasons these connections deserve just as …

1
Think Neuro Mini: Treating Cushing's Disesase with Patient-Focused Care with Garni Barkhoudarian, MD 5:08

3M ago5:08

5:08

As one of the most comprehensive pituitary disorder programs in the United States, the Pacific Pituitary Disorders Center at Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI) offers world-class expert care. Among the top ranked neurology and neurosurgery programs in the nation, our center’s compassionate multidisciplinary specialists provide advanced, personali…

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