151 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 • 1.8K 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.

    Did trees kill the world?

    Did trees kill the world?

    Way back when forests first evolved on Earth … they might have triggered one of the biggest mass extinctions in the history of the planet. What can we learn from this ancient climate apocalypse?
    For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts
    For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable
    And please email us! unexplainable@vox.com
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    • 26 min
    Can we stop aging?

    Can we stop aging?

    From blood transfusions to enzyme boosters, our friends at Science Vs dive into the latest research on the search for the fountain of youth.
    For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts
    For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable
    And please email us! unexplainable@vox.com
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox: vox.com/givepodcasts
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    • 37 min
    Who's the daddy? There isn't one.

    Who's the daddy? There isn't one.

    A snake. A ray. A shark. They each got pregnant with no male involved. In fact, scientists are finding more and more species that can reproduce on their own. What’s going on?
    For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts
    For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable
    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
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    • 20 min
    Itch hunt

    Itch hunt

    Itch used to be understood as a mild form of pain, but scientists are learning this sense is more than just skin deep. How deep does it go?
    For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts
    For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable
    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

    • 18 min
    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

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
1.8K Ratings

1.8K Ratings

frankie2266 ,

Love it but

Regarding the episode about aging: yes, great content, but no, not great voice

BMK_83 ,

Re: GaiaLady? Umm, excuse me?!?

GaiaLady? Umm, excuse me?!?

Your review fails to account for context and that synonyms often reflect a shared meaning that differ by degree.

“I’m happy when my parents come to town; however, I’m not ecstatic they’re staying at my house.”

The ability to be one (happy) but not the other (ecstatic) clearly demonstrates a known difference between the two words, despite being synonyms.

Umm, excuse me?!?

Perhaps next time you’ll post with a tad more humility.

BostonBornBabe ,

Fantastic and fascinating

The topic variety keeps me coming back and the level of detail and research to explain the unexplainable topics is truly wonderful. I always learn and am always fully engaged in the episodes. I love how they present the information and learning new and interesting information every time I listen. Thank you so much for this show! I suggest it to everyone, especially people who claim they don’t like podcasts because how could you not like this one?!?!?

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