Distillations | Science History Institute
Science History InstituteDistillations 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 the surprising science that is all around us. Hear about everything from the crisis in Alzheimer's research to New England's 19th-century vampire panic in compelling, sometimes-funny, documentar... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 375 | Founded | 19 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryScience | |||
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Latest Episodes
Throughout history, there has been continual negotiation over who gets to access fireworks. Control over them has swung like a pendulum between ordinary people and institutions of power—like monarchies, the church, and the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tob... more
Jayson Porter has written for Distillations magazine on topics ranging from mules and sesame seeds, to arsenic and porgy fish. At first, these things might sound kind of random, but they share a common thread. Together they reveal hidden stories abou... more
Come celebrate our newest Distillations podcast season, American Vice. From cigarettes to alcohol to fireworks, this season is all about our relationship with risk, how science plays a role in it, and how it has shaped the American experience.
To d... more
Many of us have heard of Long COVID, but few of us understand the depth and breadth of the diagnosis or the history leading up to it. We talk with medical anthropologist Emily Mendenhall about her book on invisible illnesses and what happens when med... more
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Reviews
Love the subjects. This stuff is the kind obscure facts that make learning fun!
Podcast Addict5a year agoBuddy BAlways interesting. Even when they discuss something I already was familiar with, I still learn something new.
Podcast Addict52 years agoLHernandez- An Indispensable Podcast for Contested Times
This podcast comes from an institute I love and have supported for over a decade. The Science History Institute, formerly the Chemical Heritage Foundation, is making superb use of its endowment and its resources to produce concise, relevant, informative, incisive, insightful and engrossing series on topics that are important to our understanding and vital to our public discourse. If “mainstream media” makes you angry, then this is your remedy. Set aside time to take in these fantastic history le... more
Apple Podcasts5philonous
United States3 years ago - Great season
I’ve really enjoyed the latest season, especially how they tackle larger topics but also bring it back in to a Philly perspective. Even if you don’t live in Philly, though, these stories and histories are worth a listen.
Apple Podcasts5Avid Listener and LearnerUnited States4 years ago Absolutely wonderful. Thank you.
Podchaser54 years agophillipmisaacs
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #190 |  Poland/History |
Apple Podcasts | #204 |  Finland/History |
Apple Podcasts | #204 |  India/History |
Apple Podcasts | #246 |  Singapore/History |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Distillations
What is Distillations about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Distillations weaves rigorous science history with documentary storytelling to reveal how scientific ideas, policies, and experiments shaped the modern world. Episodes frequently explore long-form investigations—ranging from tobacco industry strategies and public health battles to the evolution of clinical trials and the lives of pioneering women in science—through archival material, expert commentary, and engaged narrative. The show's strengths include deep research, clear connections between historical events and present-day issues, and a tone that balances seriousness with accessible storytelling. It's particularly noteworthy for turning complex scientific histories into compelling, human-centered narratives that appeal to listeners who ... more
Where can I find podcast stats for Distillations?
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How many listeners does Distillations get?
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What are the audience demographics for Distillations?
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How many subscribers and views does Distillations have?
To see how many followers or subscribers Distillations has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to Distillations?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Distillations:
1. The Disappearing Spoon: a science history podcast with Sam Kean
2. Lost Women of Science
3. Radiolab
4. Unexplainable
5. This Podcast Will Kill You
How many episodes of Distillations are there?
Distillations launched 19 years ago and published 375 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact Distillations?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Distillations?
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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Distillations?
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What guests have appeared on Distillations?
Recent guests on Distillations include:
1. John Withington
2. Nadia Berenstein
3. Jesse Smith
4. Keef Adler
5. Gina Papini
6. Jackalope Billy
7. Jayson Porter
8. Emily Mendenhall
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.