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 | 371 | Founded | 19 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryScience | |||
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Latest Episodes
Silver's Volatile History. How long have people been pinning their hopes on silver? And what makes it valuable to us? Is it just because it's shiny and pretty or do we care about its practical uses too? Join us as we go down the rabbit hole to find o... more
A conversation with the author of The Acid Queen: The Psychedelic Life and Counterculture Rebellion of Rosemary Woodruff Leary.
If you've ever read anything about the history of psychedelics, the name Timothy Leary will probably sound familiar. He ... more
How did a covert chemical treatment permanently change our drinking water? In 1908, two men, John L. Leal and George Warren Fuller, spent 99 days secretly constructing something that would fundamentally alter the Jersey City water supply. Their decis... more
Cigarettes: they provide no nutrition and quench no thirst. They serve no purpose other than being an excuse to take a break from the grind before getting right back to it. And on top of that, they're deadly. As far as American vices go, they might b... more
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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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Apple Podcasts | #203 |  Israel/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. Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
3. 99% Invisible
4. Science Vs
5. Short Wave
How many episodes of Distillations are there?
Distillations launched 19 years ago and published 371 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?
Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Distillations from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.
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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. Susannah Cahalan
2. Klaas Kirchlegen
3. Michael McGuire
4. David Sedlik
5. Christy Spackman
6. Stanton Glantz
7. Alan Brandt
8. Alan Brant
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.