155 episodes

Unexplainable takes listeners right up to the edge of what we know … and then keeps on going. Host Noam Hassenfeld and an all-star team of reporters — Byrd Pinkerton, Meradith Hoddinott, and Mandy Nguyen — tackle scientific mysteries, unanswered questions, and everything we learn by diving into the unknown. New episodes drop 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 on going. Host Noam Hassenfeld and an all-star team of reporters — Byrd Pinkerton, Meradith Hoddinott, and Mandy Nguyen — tackle scientific mysteries, unanswered questions, and everything we learn by diving into the unknown. New episodes drop every Wednesday.

    We still don’t really know how inflation works

    We still don’t really know how inflation works

    Inflation is one of the most significant issues shaping the 2024 election. But how much can we actually do to control it?
    For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts
    For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable
    And please email us! [email protected]
    We read every email.
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    • 30 min
    Can you put a price on nature?

    Can you put a price on nature?

    It’s hard to figure out the economic value of a wild bat or any other part of the natural world, but some scientists argue that this kind of calculation could help protect our environment.
    For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts
    For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable
    And please email us! [email protected]
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by becoming a Vox Member today: vox.com/members
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    • 23 min
    The deepest spot in the ocean

    The deepest spot in the ocean

    Seventy-five percent of the seafloor remains unmapped and unexplored, but the first few glimpses scientists have gotten of the ocean’s depths have completely revolutionized our understanding of the planet.
    For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts
    For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable
    And please email us! [email protected]
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by becoming a Vox Member today: vox.com/members
    Please take a second to help us learn more about you! vox.com/podcastsurvey
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    • 28 min
    What’s the tallest mountain in the world?

    What’s the tallest mountain in the world?

    If you just stood up and shouted, “It’s Mount Everest, duh!” then take a seat. Not only is Everest’s official height constantly changing, but three other mountains might actually be king of the hill.
    For show transcripts, go to vox.com/unxtranscripts
    For more, go to vox.com/unexplainable
    And please email us! [email protected]
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by becoming a Vox Member today: vox.com/members
    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
    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! [email protected]
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by becoming a Vox Member today: vox.com/members
    Please take a second to help us learn more about you! vox.com/podcastsurvey
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    • 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! [email protected]
    We read every email.
    Support Unexplainable by making a financial contribution to Vox: vox.com/givepodcasts
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    • 37 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

LizzzieLou ,

Mansplain it to me, please.

I’m listening to the inflation episode. They talk as if inflation is as simple as looking at one tiny thing in a very complicated system. And they act like each instance of inflation has the same cause.

Oh dear.

The Adam guy really makes no sense. Claudia’s version is a simplified version of the answer to the question, “What happened this time?” But you can’t expect it to all be about one thing, and the same each time.

Touchadream ,

Too much “production,” not enough substance

Time wasting sound bites diminish the experience. I came here for content and it was more glib and insufficient. Ok, I should have known by the length.

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