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Short Wave: Daily Summaries Delivered
by NPR
New discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines — in just under 15 minutes. It's science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber for science on a different wavelength.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 2 days agonarrative13 min4-min read
MAHA’s midterm report card
The podcast examines the evolving influence and internal fractures of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement two years after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became Secretary of Health and Human Services, revealing a coalition strained by unmet promises on food, chemicals, and wellness policies. As midterm elections approach, the episode questions whether MAHA can sustain political unity or will splinter along ideological lines.
- 3 days agonarrative13 min4-min read
You Can See Everything and the science of spotting liars
The episode explores the psychology of deception through the lens of the documentary You Can See Everything, which centers on Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, while challenging the myth that body language or facial cues reliably reveal lies. It argues that truth detection is far more complex than pop culture suggests, and our desire for certainty often blinds us to ambiguity.
- 4 days agoconversational11 min4-min read
The battle between matter and antimatter
This episode of NPR's Shortwave explores two major scientific stories: a theoretical breakthrough in understanding how matter dominated antimatter in the early universe through heavy right-handed neutrinos, and the ongoing effort by Ukrainian scientists to rebuild and upgrade a damaged radio telescope despite the war with Russia. The conversation blends deep cosmology with real-world scientific resilience.
- 1 weeks agonarrative14 min4-min read
The dormant viruses in all of us may help explain long COVID
Many common viruses, such as those causing chickenpox and mono, can remain dormant in the human body for life and reactivate under stress or immune suppression. Recent research, including studies on astronauts, shows that even healthy individuals can experience viral reactivation, raising important questions about long-term health implications, including links to long COVID and autoimmune diseases.
- 1 weeks agoconversational11 min3-min read
Can planting more trees make allergies worse?
Urban trees provide vital ecological and mental health benefits, but for millions with asthma and pollen allergies, they can worsen respiratory health—especially as climate change extends pollen seasons and increases pollen potency. The episode explores this double-edged reality, revealing how early-life exposure to dense tree canopies may increase allergy risk and offering science-backed strategies for individuals and cities to manage the trade-offs.
- 1 weeks agonarrative14 min5-min read
What are the odds we're not alone in the universe?
This episode of NPR's Shortwave explores the enduring scientific and philosophical significance of the Drake Equation, a 1961 mathematical framework for estimating the number of intelligent civilizations in the galaxy. Host Regina Barber and guest astrobiologist Seven Rasmussen unpack how modern discoveries — like over 6,000 confirmed exoplanets — have reshaped the conversation, while emphasizing that the equation’s real value lies not in a definitive answer, but in the profound questions it forces us to confront about life, intelligence, and humanity’s future.
- 1 weeks agonarrative13 min4-min read
What the world's leading researchers think about saunas
Sauna use is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, often promoted as a wellness and longevity practice, but the scientific evidence for its health benefits is still emerging. NPR health reporter Will Stone investigates the gap between cultural hype and rigorous research by attending the first-ever symposium on heat therapy in Norway, where scientists are working to establish standardized methods and uncover what heat exposure truly does to the human body.
- 2 weeks agonarrative9 min4-min read
The terrifying physics of prehistoric sea monsters
This episode of Shortwave from NPR explores three distinct scientific stories: the predatory behavior of prehistoric mosasaurs, the ecological legacy of elephant carcasses on the savannah, and new research into how long COVID may be linked to disruptions in the respiratory microbiome. Each segment uses expert voices and recent studies to illuminate hidden dimensions of ancient life, ecosystem dynamics, and human health.
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About Short Wave
New discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines — in just under 15 minutes. It's science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber for science on a different wavelength.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Short Wave daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Short Wave as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
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How often does Short Wave release new episodes?
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Short Wave covers topics including Science, News, Daily News. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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