147 episodes

Unexplainable takes listeners right up to the edge of what we know ... and then keeps right on going. This Vox podcast explores scientific mysteries, unanswered questions, and all the things we learn by diving into the unknown. New episodes every Wednesday.

Unexplainable Vox Media Podcast Network

    • Science
    • 4.6 • 1.7K Ratings

Unexplainable takes listeners right up to the edge of what we know ... and then keeps right on going. This Vox podcast explores scientific mysteries, unanswered questions, and all the things we learn by diving into the unknown. New episodes every Wednesday.

    How did Earth get its water?

    How did Earth get its water?

    Life as we know it needs water, but scientists can’t figure out where Earth’s water came from. Answering that question is just one piece of an even bigger mystery: “Why are we here?” (Updated from 2023)
    For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts
    For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable
    Vox is also currently running a series called Home Planet, which is all about celebrating Earth in the face of climate change: vox.com/homeplanet
    And please email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox: vox.com/givepodcasts
    Please take a second to help us learn more about you! vox.com/podcastsurvey
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 25 min
    Is Earth alive?

    Is Earth alive?

    A cell is alive. So is a leaf and so is a tree. But what about the forest they’re a part of? Is that forest alive? And what about the planet that forest grows on? Is Earth alive? Science writer Ferris Jabr says: Yes.
    For show transcripts, go to bit.ly/unx-transcripts
    For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable
    Vox is also currently running a series called Home Planet, which is all about celebrating Earth in the face of climate change: http://vox.com/homeplanet
    And please email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcasts
    Please take a second to help us learn more about you! vox.com/podcastsurvey
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 28 min
    The alpha myth

    The alpha myth

    The researcher who popularized the idea of the alpha wolf has spent decades trying to take it back. Our friends over at Pablo Torre Finds Out try to uncover how science got it wrong.
    For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable
    It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.
    Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox: bit.ly/givepodcasts
    Please take a second to help us learn more about you! vox.com/podcastsurvey
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 40 min
    The eclipse chasers

    The eclipse chasers

    Solar storms can wreak havoc on power grids, satellites, even astronauts — but scientists still struggle to predict them. One possible way forward? Chasing eclipses.
    For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable
    It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.
    Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 19 min
    The Yips

    The Yips

    Think about the thing you’ve practiced more than anything else in the world. Maybe it’s painting. Or writing. Or playing the piano. Now imagine you wake up one day and you just can’t do it. You’re not sick. You’re not injured. But that one thing is impossible.
    It’s called the yips, and even the most talented people in the world experience it. What could cause them to lose their superpowers? And is there anything they can do to get them back?
    For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable
    It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.
    Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 27 min
    The bleeding edge, part two

    The bleeding edge, part two

    Diagnosing diseases such as endometriosis can require difficult steps, like surgery. But researchers are hoping to use menstrual fluid to make detecting the condition much easier.
    For more, go to http://vox.com/unexplainable
    It’s a great place to view show transcripts and read more about the topics on our show.
    Also, email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 24 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
1.7K Ratings

1.7K Ratings

Cabbage1018 ,

Very interesting podcast

Factual material presented in a very entertaining manner. Not the usual opinion drivel that to which most podcasts resort

carnivore59 ,

Disappointing

I usually listen to science podcasts and so this one was recommended to me. Sounded interesting from the descriptions and titles of episodes but turned out to be just another bro podcast. You’re going to debunk “alpha male” and then in the same episode say you “don’t mind Joe Reagan”? The lack of journalistic integrity is disappointing, but the irony hilarious.

Octophant_james ,

Favorite podcast

I love this podcast.

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