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The Curiosity Desk

GBH News
Artificial Intelligence
Boston
Massachusetts
Artemis II
Asteroids
Taxes
Immigration
Scripps National Spelling Bee
Vanilla
Oil
Alpha-Gal Syndrome
Scrabble
Boston Marathon
Boston Public Library
Pollen Allergy
Microplastics
Mashpee
Federal Reserve
Architecture
Antifa

Edgar B. Herwick III hosts GBH’s newest show, The Curiosity Desk, where he answers your questions and examines everyday mysteries hiding in plain sight. Tune in daily for conversations, insights and profundities about the world we live in.

Have something you’re curious about? Leave us a voicemail anytime at 877-301-8970, or submit questions via the form on our landing page at GBHNews.org.

Subscri... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes93Founded3 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Latest Episodes

First up misinformation researcher Joan Donovan joins with Craig Newmark – founder of Craigslist – on internet scams in the age of A.I. Craig’s heading the public service campaign Take9  with muppet Count von Count.

Then, we're learned about some un... more

First up,  50 years ago this month, a contentious Cambridge City Council meeting around the issue of recombinant DNA research would go on to shape the future of scientific research in Cambridge and beyond. We’ll discuss with GBH’s Craig LeMoult, and ... more

First up, we check in with professor Rocky Weitz from the Tufts Fletcher School. Now that we are 5 months out from the US government overthrowing Maduro we ask - how are Venezuelans faring today, and how far off is true democracy? 

Then, GBH’s Gal T... more

First up, Edgar meets Clear Scientific’s Shekar Shetty & Winston Henderson to learn about their work developing the world’s first antidote to methamphetamine overdoses. 

Then, we’re talking about the integral role alcohol played in the founding of o... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Laurence Louie
Chef and owner at Rubato, Top Chef finalist
Rubato (Quincy) / Bravo Top Chef
Episode: What's Real About Reality Show Cooking?
Maritta Cronin
Milton resident with 65 years of perfect attendance at town meetings
Milton Town Government
Episode: What's Real About Reality Show Cooking?
Susan Galvin
Milton Town Clerk
Milton
Episode: What's Real About Reality Show Cooking?
Paris Alston
GBH News Rooted host
GBH
Episode: What's Real About Reality Show Cooking?
Jeremy Siegel
Global transportation correspondent
GBH News / The World
Episode: What's Real About Reality Show Cooking?
Rachel Sun
MIT graduate student, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Episode: How Tiny Can A Robot Get?
Andrew Chen
MIT graduate student, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Episode: How Tiny Can A Robot Get?
Jennifer Moore
Statewide and features editor for GBH News
GBH News
Episode: Who's Got The Best Ice Cream in New England?
Kanisorn Wongsrichanalai
Massachusetts Historical Society researcher
Massachusetts Historical Society
Episode: Who's Got The Best Ice Cream in New England?

Host

Edgar B. Herwick III
Host of The Curiosity Desk; GBH/GBH News contributor with on-air reporting and hosting duties.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#240
Brazil/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Who's Got The Best Ice Cream in New England?
Q: Why did Massachusetts lead in public health measures around inoculation?
Massachusetts built a network of doctors, local officials, and the press, with strong record-keeping and willingness to enforce quarantines, which helped spread and institutionalize inoculation.
Who's Got The Best Ice Cream in New England?
Q: What exactly was inoculation in the 1700s and how did it work?
Inoculation involved taking material from a smallpox case and introducing it into a healthy person to provoke a milder infection and build immunity, effectively reducing death rates, though it carried the risk of spreading the disease.
Does History Have A Lesson For Today's College Grads?
Q: Is this the worst job market in 37 years for graduates, and how does it compare to prior downturns?
The experts say it is worse than some recent periods for certain groups, but the overall unemployment rate has not reached historic lows; the picture is mixed with strong hires weakness among entry-level positions for new grads.
Why Does My Cat Meow So Loudly?
Q: What should viewers watch for in the spelling bee quarterfinals and semifinals?
Watch for the shift from study words to on-the-fly word challenges, where any word in the dictionary can appear, and where contestants' preparation and poise are tested under pressure.
Why's There A Green Light At My Walk Signal?
Q: What changes are advocates hoping for regarding crosswalks?
Advocates would like concurrent street crossings to be eliminated entirely and for more LPIs to be implemented to help vulnerable pedestrians.

Audience Metrics

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Listeners per Episode
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Curiosity Desk

What is The Curiosity Desk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A daily, curiosity-driven program that blends science, culture, and local storytelling through on-the-ground reporting, panel discussions, and live audience interaction. Episodes span a wide range of topics—from space exploration and environmental science to public health, technology, linguistics, and the arts—often featuring a rotating roster of journalists, scientists, and cultural guests. A notable strength is the show's playful, human-centric approach: live demonstrations, interactive games, and real-world context help translate complex topics into accessible, memorable moments. The host ties diverse segments together with a clear thread of why everyday mysteries matter, making it attractive to listeners who enjoy thoughtful, multidisci... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Curiosity Desk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Curiosity Desk:

1. Boston Public Radio Podcast
2. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
3. The Best of Car Talk
4. Stay Tuned with Preet
5. On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti

How many episodes of The Curiosity Desk are there?

The Curiosity Desk launched 3 months ago and published 93 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 The Curiosity Desk?

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What guests have appeared on The Curiosity Desk?

Recent guests on The Curiosity Desk include:

1. Laurence Louie
2. Maritta Cronin
3. Susan Galvin
4. Paris Alston
5. Jeremy Siegel
6. Rachel Sun
7. Andrew Chen
8. Jennifer Moore

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.

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