Distillations podcast

Deep Dives into Science Stories, Both Serious and Eccentric

People & Politics

Science in a world of rules, regulations, and war

Collage illustration showing map of African Burial Ground in Manhattan, human skull illustration, man's face wearing mask, MOVE bombing in West Philadelphia.
People & Politics

The African Burial Ground

A seminal archaeology project proves it is possible to study human remains ethically.

Collage illustration showing map of African Burial Ground in Manhattan, illustration of human skull, man wearing a mask, and a photograph of the MOVE bombing in West Philadelphia
People & Politics

Return, Rebury, Repatriate

Anthropological museums were built on the bodies of marginalized, non-consenting people. Can they ever exist ethically?

Collage illustration showing news clipping from Neo-Nazi publication, academic article about race science, and image of Barry Mehler and Philipe Rushton.
People & Politics

Keepers of the Flame

For decades, nearly all race science was funded by one man. His goal? To ensure the intellectual continuity of a dubious field.

Photograph of Wendy Zukerman standing on a stage, wearing a t-shirt that says "Science isn't here to make you feel better."
People & Politics

Predicting the Pandemic

An interview with Wendy Zukerman, host of Science Vs podcast.

Black and white photograph of nurse Sara Cohen in full PPE.
People & Politics

Between Us and Catastrophe

Stories from the pandemic’s essential workers.

Photograph of scientist Gabriela Serrato Marks wearing a headlamp in a cave, surrounded by samples in plastic bags.
People & Politics

Bonus Episode: Interview with Gabriela Serrato Marks

The marine geologist and geophysicist talks about doing science with an invisible disability.

1920s black and white photograph of children learning geography in a classroom. Girls and boys are seated on different sides of the room.
People & Politics

Science and Disability: Part 2

What is intelligence?

Black and white photograph of US president Franklin Roosevelt in wheelchair, holding a dog in his lap, with a young girl next to him.
People & Politics

Bonus Episode: Interview with Kim Nielsen

A short history of disability in the United States.

Illustration of three microscopes.
People & Politics

Science and Disability: Part 1

Is seeing believing?

Science history photo collage
People & Politics

Love, Hate, and Sex from the History of Science

This is not just another sappy love story from science’s past.

Vintage ad for margarine featuring a knife spreading margarine on one piece of bread out of the loaf. The ad copy talks about the benefits of margarine.
People & Politics

Butter vs. Margarine

One of America’s most bizarre food battles.

Painting of a older man with a white beard standing in front of shelves of medicine. He appears to be wearing an early 20th century suit.
People & Politics

Refugee Doctors

Escape is only the first challenge.

Logo for the March for Science featuring one illustrated hand raised in a fist. It is red. the other hand is white and clenching a Erlenmeyer flask.
People & Politics

Political Science

Out of the lab and into the streets.