Inflection Point

C&EN
  • 4.9 (18)
  • CHEMISTRY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Inflection Point traces emerging ideas in science to their surprising roots. With help from C&EN's vast, 100-year archive, we find the origins of modern breakthroughs, and tease out three different pieces of the puzzle that lead to our current moment.

Episodes

  1. The electric innovations that brought lithium-ion batteries online

    12/17/2025

    The electric innovations that brought lithium-ion batteries online

    C&EN's award-winning podcast Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. In the last episode of our second season, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale charge up the time machine to relive three historical moments that led to the lithium-ion battery. They also bring in C&EN reporter Prachi Patel to discuss the shortcomings of lithium-ion batteries, whether we're facing a lithium shortage, and new battery chemistry still on the horizon. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

    38 min
  2. The ancient, 'juicy' origins of antibiotic resistance

    12/03/2025

    The ancient, 'juicy' origins of antibiotic resistance

    C&EN's award-winning podcast Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. In the third episode of our second season, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three historical moments that ultimately led to our current understanding of antibiotic resistance. They also bring in C&EN reporter Rowan Walrath to offer a glimpse into a doomsday-scenario future when antibiotics are no longer effective. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

    38 min
  3. The era-spanning epiphanies that enabled gene editing

    11/19/2025

    The era-spanning epiphanies that enabled gene editing

    Hosts David and Gina explore how scientists over the centuries unlocked the ability to edit our genes C&EN's award-winning podcast Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. In the second episode of our second season, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three historical moments that ultimately led to scientists being able to edit genes. They also bring in C&EN reporter Max Barnhart to offer a glimpse into the future of gene editing technology. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

    33 min
  4. How under-appreciated critters inspired GLP-1 drugs

    11/05/2025

    How under-appreciated critters inspired GLP-1 drugs

    In the first episode of our second season, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three historical moments that led to blockbuster drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. They also talk with C&EN reporter Aayushi Pratap about how future GLP-1 drugs may expand on the current slate of options. C&EN's latest podcast, Inflection Point, leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this new show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

    37 min
  5. Vote for Inflection Point in the Signal Awards!

    TRAILER

    Vote for Inflection Point in the Signal Awards!

    Inflection Point has been nominated for two Signal Awards and we need your help! Your support means the world to us—you can vote for us in both categories here: Limited Series & Specials, Best Co-Host Team: Vote now Limited Series & Specials, Science & Education: Vote now More exciting news: the next season of Inflection Point is coming soon. New episodes will drop in November!

    1 min
  6. The many materials that made microplastics possible

    05/06/2025

    The many materials that made microplastics possible

    This episode, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three historical moments that were pivotal in the evolution of microplastics. They also bring in C&EN reporter Bri Barbu to discuss how biodegradable plastics, if employed responsibly, may offer a glimmer of hope.  C&EN's Inflection Point, leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this new show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future.  Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

    28 min
  7. The mind-bending innovations that built quantum computing

    04/22/2025

    The mind-bending innovations that built quantum computing

    In this episode, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three historical moments that were meaningful to the development of quantum computers. They also bring in C&EN reporter Mitch Jacoby to discuss scientific advances enabled by quantum chemistry.  C&EN's Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this new show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future.  Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

    27 min
  8. The serendipitous origins of 'forever chemicals'

    04/07/2025

    The serendipitous origins of 'forever chemicals'

    C&EN's latest podcast Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this new show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future.  In our second episode, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three events that ultimately led to the proliferation of PFAS. They also bring in C&EN reporter Britt Erickson to analyze how these 'forever chemicals' could shape our future.  Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

    25 min
  9. Inflection Point: The strange history of green hydrogen

    03/24/2025

    Inflection Point: The strange history of green hydrogen

    Inflection Point is a podcast that leans on C&EN's 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to breakthroughs like quantum computing and green hydrogen. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this new show will examine how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future.  In our first episode, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three events that ultimately led to the development of green hydrogen. They also bring in C&EN reporter Craig Bettenhausen to analyze how this emerging technology could shape our future.

    22 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Inflection Point traces emerging ideas in science to their surprising roots. With help from C&EN's vast, 100-year archive, we find the origins of modern breakthroughs, and tease out three different pieces of the puzzle that lead to our current moment.

Information

  • Creator
    C&EN
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Inflection Point

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