Radiolab

By: WNYC Studios
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  • Summary

  • Radiolab is on a curiosity bender. We ask deep questions and use investigative journalism to get the answers. A given episode might whirl you through science, legal history, and into the home of someone halfway across the world. The show is known for innovative sound design, smashing information into music. It is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser.
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Episodes
  • Mixtape: Cassetternet

    Mixtape: Cassetternet
    Nov 12 2021

    In 1983, Simon Goodwin had a strange thought. Would it be possible to broadcast computer software over the radio? If so, could listeners record it off the air and onto a cassette tape? This experiment and dozens of others in the early 80s created a series of cassette fueled, analog internets. They copied and moved information like never before, upended power structures and created a poisonous social network that brought down a regime.

    In tape four of Mixtape, we examine how these early internet came about, and how the societal and cultural impacts of these analog information networks can still be felt today.

    Mixtape is reported, produced, scored and sound designed by Simon Adler with original music throughout by Simon. Top tier reporting and production assistance was provided by Eli Cohen.

    Special thanks to: Alex Sayf Cummings, Martin Maly, Piotr Gawrysiak, Joe Tozer, James Gleick, Jason Rezaian, Gholam Khiabany and Mo Jazi. And to Arash Aziz for helping us every step of the way with our story about Khomeini. And Simon Goodwin for making us that secret code. And to Micah Loewinger to tipping me off to these software radio broadcasts.

    Support Radiolab by becoming a member today at Radiolab.org/donate.

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    58 mins
  • Mixtape: The Wandering Soul

    Mixtape: The Wandering Soul
    Nov 5 2021

    As the Vietnam war dragged on, the US military began desperately searching for any vulnerability in their North Vietnamese enemy. In 1964, they found it. It was an old Vietnamese folktale involving a ghost, eternal damnation and fear - a tailor made weaponizable myth. And so, armed with tape recorders and microphones, the military set out to win the war by bringing this ghost story to life.

    Today, the story of these efforts and their ghosts that still haunt us today.

    Mixtape is reported, produced, scored and sound designed by Simon Adler with original music throughout by Simon. Indispensable reporting and production assistance was provided by Eli Cohen.

    This episode was produced by Annie McEwen, with original music by Annie. Original reporting was contributed by Trung Dung Vo and Nguyễn Vân Hà.

    Special thanks to: Allison Boccia, Jared Tracy and Herb Friedman. And to Mathew Campbell for introducing me to the Wandering Soul tape to begin with. And to Erik Villard for all his help pulling those tapes and voices for us.

    Support Radiolab by becoming a member today at Radiolab.org/donate.

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    41 mins
  • Mixtape: Jack and Bing

    Mixtape: Jack and Bing
    Oct 29 2021

    In 1946 Bing Crosby was the king of media. He was the movie star, the pop star and his radio show was reaching a third of American living rooms each week. But then, it all started to fall apart. His ratings were plummeting and his fans were fleeing. Bing however, was not going down without a fight.

    Today, the story of how Bing Crosby and some stolen Nazi technology won his audience back, changed media forever and accidentally broke reality along the way.

    Mixtape is reported, produced, scored and sound designed by Simon Adler with original music throughout by Simon Adler. Invaluable reporting and production assistance was provided by Eli Cohen.

    Special thanks to: Michele Hilmes, Pete Hammer, Rich Flores, Mara Mills, Jonathan Sterne, Claudia Mewes. Though their voices weren’t in the piece, input certainly was.

    And to Mary Crosby and Robert Bader, for opening up Bing’s archive for us, and enabling us to fill this episode with so much of Bing’s music.

    Support Radiolab by becoming a member today at Radiolab.org/donate.

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    37 mins

Featured Article: Go Beyond the Lab with the Best Science Podcasts for Curious Listeners


Our picks for the best science podcasts run the gamut from general scientific trivia to earth science, outer space, food, plants, the human body, and much more. They're all accessible—any listener can learn about scientific history, breaking science news, and visions for the future from these shows, which often feature interviews with a variety of interesting experts who provide valuable insight, perspective, context, and clarity.

Featured Article Go Beyond the Lab with the Best Science Podcasts for Curious Listeners

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Profile Image for Private

Thank you for the truth...

I had always been told that only Oregon was attacked. I still hear that false narrative when listening to books and other media. I have a lot to reflect about and it's exactly why I love this podcast.

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great story

the longer you listen, the better it gets. one discovery after another. kept me listening.

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Profile Image for G. Gonzales

This is the perfected podcast

No quirks with this podcast but you don’t have to listen to it on audible only. Robert crulwich and jad do a great job explaining and I am never let down but special guests. The only notable thing is that most new episodes are a little gloomy.

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Not even Latif Nassar could ruin this one

This, Corpse Demon, feels like one of the good ole episodes with Jad and Robert. Original and breath-taking. Listened to it at the edge of my seat. Who would have thunk vultures were our friends?

It is also a proof that the less Latif talked in an episode, the better the episode.

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most interesting podcast

This is the most interesting podcast ever. I listened to this episode multiple times. stunning

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excellent, thought provoking episode

I really enjoyed this one! I'd love to hear more about the psychology behind giving and receiving real, impactful apologies. I know they mean a lot to me, and I value giving them too. Having an apology rejected is agony.
I loved how many different stories came together in this episode. This is my favorite so far (I've just started listening) and I'm excited to share it!

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LuLu’s story will make you feel

This is my second time listening to this beautiful, soothing story. It makes me feel happy and sad, curious, amused, anxious and calm. I find it very impactful, perhaps because I relate as a parent, and LuLu’s telling is so expressive. I will be listening again.

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Profile Image for CL

Worthwhile plots, questionable delivery

hi guys, I am a LONG time fan of radiolab. I was quite disappointed in the story-telling of Red Herring. I love every single ingredient in that story: cold war, sweden, russia's sinister submarines, etc, but I only got halfway through because of the narrator & person the story is being told to. all of those little embellishments that get added (i.e. the outtake when two people were having a really "hilariously" hard time parking a car) have to sort of be earned, imo. I don't know you guys yet, and while I'm sure you're adorable... I'm just not on board yet. please forgive my review.... maybe I'm just bad at change 🤕

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Some of the most interesting podcast content

I love radiolab! You never know where a story will go but it's always interesting. I also enjoy the storytelling style, it's a great group of people. My only complaint is that there's not enough content lol I'd listen to them every day if I could.

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Profile Image for Shaylene

Interesting and engaging

Love radio lab. I wouldn't say it's a very specific genre of podcasts. If you love to learn new and interesting things you probably never needed to know; listen to off the wall story's that take you on an adventure you didnt know you needed; or just are entertained by the semantics of the crew chatting it up then this is for you. I mostly listen to the science based ones. Why do we have butcheeks or what's the deal with trees. Not actual titles. There is plenty more that radio lab covers that's just what I prefer.

Although it's mostly just a radio show, everything is put together in a story structure so it's easy to follow. And there is always points were they wrap it up if some of the details might get lost in the background. That way even if you get distracted for a min you dont miss out. Aswell as not having to connect the dots that form a big picture. They also do this for you.

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1 person found this helpful