Unmissable Episodes

  1. Patient Zero

    Aug 21

    Patient Zero

    The greatest mysteries have a shadowy figure at the center—someone who sets things in motion and holds the key to how the story unfolds. In epidemiology, this central character is known as Patient Zero—the case at the heart of an outbreak. This hour, Radiolab digs up an episode we first produced in 2011 and hunts for Patient Zeroes from all over the map. We start with the story of perhaps the most iconic Patient Zero of all time: Typhoid Mary. Then, we dive into a molecular detective story to pinpoint the beginning of the AIDS, and we re-imagine the moment the virus that caused the global pandemic sprang to life. After that, we're left wondering if you can trace the spread of an idea the way you can trace the spread of a disease. In the end, we find ourselves faced with a choice between competing claims about the origin of the high five.  Signup for our newsletter!! It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Sign up (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)! Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today. Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org.Leadership support for Radiolab’s science programming is provided by the Simons Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  2. Bite-sized shows are taking over the internet

    Aug 24

    Bite-sized shows are taking over the internet

    Microdramas are taking over the internet. But are they art – or products? The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband. Break Me, Princess. Married the Mafioso I Saved. These are all titles of microdramas that are taking the internet by storm. In case you haven’t heard, microdramas are often campy shows with short, minute-long episodes. The first few episodes get posted to social media for free, but viewers must go to another site where they can pay to watch the whole thing. And a lot of people do. It's an industry that started in China and is already worth several billions of dollars – so Hollywood is getting in on it. Issa Rae’s microdrama called Screen Time got nearly 75 million views in its first week, and now, Peacock, Fox, and Disney are producing their own. But this microdrama boom raises a few questions: who are these stories for, and what makes them so popular? And is the microdrama a new art form – or is it solely a product? Brittany is joined by Chang Che, a freelance writer who wrote about microdramas for The New Yorker, and Xochitl Gonzalez, author and contributor at The Atlantic, who wrote about them there. (00:00) The rise of the microdrama(03:14) Hollywood lacks chemistry - microdramas have that in spades.(07:32) Who are microdramas for?(11:33) Are microdramas art - or products?(16:46) Are marginalized actors and writers being shunted into microdramas?(20:47) The AI boom in microdramas For more episodes on what we’re watching and why, check out:People are struggling financially. Even on TV.Abortion access is limited. Is Hollywood to blame?Why Gen Z is movie-maxxing Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  3. Red Herring

    Aug 7

    Red Herring

    It was the early '80s, the height of the Cold War, when something strange began happening off the coast of Sweden. The navy reported a mysterious sound deep below the surface of the ocean. Again, and again, and again they would hear it near their secret military bases, in their harbors, and up and down the Swedish coastline. After thorough analysis the navy was certain. The sound was an invasion into their waters, an act of war, the opening salvos of a possible nuclear annihilation. Or was it? Today, Annie McEwen pulls us down into a deep-sea mystery, one of international intrigue that asks you to consider the possibility that maybe, just maybe, your deepest beliefs could be as solid as...air. Special thanks to Ben Wilson, Ola Tunander, Hans Gordon, Andreas Timmelstad, Klaus Helmersen, and Meg Bolz. LATERAL CUTS - Atomic Artifacts (https://radiolab.org/podcast/atomic-artifacts) Neither Confirm Nor Deny (https://radiolab.org/podcast/confirm-nor-deny) EPISODE CREDITS: Reported by - Annie McEwin with help from - Magnus Ormstadt Produced by - Annie McEwin, Matt Kielty, Sarah Qari Original music and sound design contributed by - Jeremy Bloom Sign up for our newsletter!! It includes short essays, recommendations, and details about other ways to interact with the show. Signup (https://radiolab.org/newsletter)! Radiolab is supported by listeners like you. Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab (https://members.radiolab.org/) today. Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @radiolab, and share your thoughts with us by emailing radiolab@wnyc.org. Leadership support for Radiolab’s science programming is provided by the Simons Foundation and the John Templeton Foundation. Foundational support for Radiolab was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  4. Michael Owen: Ballon d'Or at 22, Retired at 33 - The Mentality That Nearly Broke Him

    Aug 24 ·  Video

    Michael Owen: Ballon d'Or at 22, Retired at 33 - The Mentality That Nearly Broke Him

    Ballon d'Or winner Michael Owen became one of the world's best footballers by developing an extraordinary ability to turn doubt, mistakes, and setbacks into self-belief. He joins Jake and Damian to reveal how that mindset was built, and why it eventually became one of his greatest challenges. Michael reflects on the injuries that took away the explosive pace that defined him, and the painful eight-year gap between the player he believed he was and what his body could still deliver. He also opens up about retiring at 33, losing his sense of purpose, the strain it placed on his marriage, and how he eventually found a new competitive outlet beyond football. This is an honest exploration of self-belief, identity, and what happens when the mindset that drives success becomes difficult to switch off. Meet the Owens, a six-part docuseries in the UK and Ireland, is available on Prime Video from the 28th August. AG1 👉 head to http://drinkag1.com/highperformance and get a free Morning Person Hat to help start your AG1 daily habit - plus a free D3 and K2, and five travel packs Go Henry 👉 Grow their skills and their money at gohenry.com/highperformance with £5 FREE to get started! Vitality 👉 We've partnered with Vitality because our philosophies align perfectly: healthy habits build high performance and can lead to a healthier, longer life. Find out more about health and life insurance with Vitality: https://highpfrmc.com/vitality-hpp-au  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  5. Miranda Kerr: Divorce, Destiny and the Love Story She Never Expected

    Aug 5 ·  Video

    Miranda Kerr: Divorce, Destiny and the Love Story She Never Expected

    What does life really look like after becoming one of the world's most famous supermodels?   This week Marie Claire Australia Editor Georgie McCourt is joined by Miranda Kerr for an intimate conversation about motherhood, co-parenting, building a global beauty empire, and the personal experiences that shaped the woman behind the headlines. From becoming Australia's first Victoria's Secret Angel to founding KORA Organics, Miranda reflects on the career, family and values that continue to define her today.  She opens up about growing up in country Australia, becoming famous in her twenties, navigating life under intense public scrutiny, and finding peace after the end of her marriage to Orlando Bloom. She also speaks candidly about raising four boys, co-parenting in a modern blended family, and how she met her husband, Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel.  Miranda also reflects on the deeply personal experience that inspired her to launch KORA Organics. After her mother was diagnosed with tumours when Miranda was a teenager, she became passionate about nutrition, wellness and certified organic skincare, long before the wellness industry became what it is today. More than 15 years later, KORA Organics is sold in over 30 countries, with Miranda still personally involved in everything from product development to ingredient sourcing.  This is a conversation about ambition, resilience, family, forgiveness and what success looks like beyond the runway. Miranda also shares the wellness rituals she genuinely swears by, the biohacks she believes are worth the hype, how her priorities have changed since turning 43, and why looking after yourself starts from the inside out.  This episode covers:   Miranda Kerr on life beyond modelling  Becoming Australia's first Victoria's Secret Angel  Building KORA Organics into a global beauty brand  The family health scare that changed her life  Motherhood and raising four boys  Co-parenting with Orlando Bloom  Marriage, family life and Evan Spiegel  Fame, forgiveness and finding perspective  Wellness routines and biohacks that actually work  Turning 43 and redefining success  Growing up in regional Australia  Why authenticity has become her greatest strength  KORA Organics discount code for 20% off MARIECLAIRE20  Find Miranda's collection with Michael Hill here  Stay up to date with Marie Claire Australia on Instagram   🎧 Listen to You're Gonna Want to Hear This and follow us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify   👀 Watch and subscribe to You're Gonna Want to Hear This on YouTube 📺 for full episodes and clips.   Credits:    Host Georgie McCourt    Edited by Helen Smith  Head of Vodcasting Rachel Fountain  With thanks to our amazing team at Marie Claire   You're Gonna Want to Hear This is a production of Marie Claire and Are Media.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. "Robert, chill out!" Robert Irwin on THAT undies campaign

    Aug 3

    "Robert, chill out!" Robert Irwin on THAT undies campaign

    Hello! Today we’re joined by Australian icon, Robert Irwin! Robert likely needs little introduction… he’s the son of Steve and Terri Irwin, and one of the world’s most beloved conservationists and television personalities.  In this conversation, Robert speaks candidly about some of his more unexpected adventures, from the worldwide response to his Bonds campaign (and his family’s reaction) to stepping into the ballroom on Dancing with the Stars. Robert and Ruby also chat about love, relationships and the lessons he’s learned from the incredible women in his life.  Robert also opens up about what it was like growing up watching his dad, Steve Irwin, inspire millions of people around the world. He reflects on the unique experience of being able to witness his father’s life and legacy before Robert was born, and how he continues to learn from him years after his passing. Robert becomes emotional while sharing the profound impact Steve has had on generations of people globally, and explains why he never feels protective over sharing his dad with the world. Thank you so much to Deakin University for supporting this episode of Inherited. Research by Deakin University and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute shows the relationships we have at 13 shape the relationships we have at 30. You can learn more about the research at deakin.edu.au/research.  And a shoutout to Wild. For an eco-friendly stick deodorant with 24-hour odour control, head to their website here and use code INHERITED for 20% off their range.  Your host today was Ruby Hall (⁠@rubytuesday2.0⁠), and the guest was Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography). Inherited is produced by Monica Vantilburg and executive-produced by Lucy Hunt. If you enjoyed this episode, click ‘follow’ on your favourite podcast app! We’re also on⁠ Instagram⁠ and⁠ TikTok⁠ @inheritedthepod. We’ll be back with another episode on Tuesday! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices