Search this show’s transcripts

The Episodic Table of Elements

en us
A podcast about the fascinating true stories behind each element on the periodic table.
More details
A podcast about the fascinating true stories behind each element on the periodic table.
Sources and links
Website Apple YouTube RSS

Episodes

Page 2 · 50 per page
Published 2019-09-23

46. Palladium: The Old Razzle Dazzle

30 min
View
Those people who've been involved with palladium's history seem to harbor a dubious predilection for stretching the truth.
More description
Those people who've been involved with palladium's history seem to harbor a dubious predilection for stretching the truth.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2019-09-09

45. Rhodium: The Most Precious Metal

17 min
View
For some people, rhodium's most important aspect is its high price. For others, it's absolutely priceless.
More description
For some people, rhodium's most important aspect is its high price. For others, it's absolutely priceless.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2019-07-15

41. Niobium: No More Tears

19 min
View
We delve into elemental etymology today, and get to investigate a chemical phenomenon.
More description
We delve into elemental etymology today, and get to investigate a chemical phenomenon.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2019-06-17

39. Yttrium: It’s A Quiet Village

26 min
View
Welcome to the sleepy Swedish town of Ytterby. I hope you like it, because we'll be spending an awful lot of time there later in the series.
More description
Welcome to the sleepy Swedish town of Ytterby. I hope you like it, because we'll be spending an awful lot of time there later in the series.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2019-06-03

38. Strontium: Little Town

14 min
View
Let's look past the bad reputation this element has to learn how it's an essential part of an idyllic childhood.
More description
Let's look past the bad reputation this element has to learn how it's an essential part of an idyllic childhood.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2019-05-20

37. Rubidium: What’s Cooler Than Being Cool?

19 min
View
Rubidium is more explosive than the alkali metals above it on the table, but it's much more interesting when it's standing almost perfectly still.
More description
Rubidium is more explosive than the alkali metals above it on the table, but it's much more interesting when it's standing almost perfectly still.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2019-05-06

36. Krypton: It’s A Metric

12 min
View
Like argon, today's noble gas coincidentally features prominently in science fiction -- albeit in name only. But krypton also takes a place in the science factual story of international weights and measures.
More description
Like argon, today's noble gas coincidentally features prominently in science fiction -- albeit in name only. But krypton also takes a place in the science factual story of international weights and measures.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2019-04-22

35. Bromine: Come At Me

20 min
View
Don't get too excited, because bromine is an element that brings the hammer down on both extreme emotions and extreme actions.
More description
Don't get too excited, because bromine is an element that brings the hammer down on both extreme emotions and extreme actions.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2019-03-25

34. Selenium: A Fit Of Heat And Light

25 min
View
Throughout history, copying information has been arduous, messy, and even dangerous -- until one bored, depressed man figured out the secrets of selenium.
More description
Throughout history, copying information has been arduous, messy, and even dangerous -- until one bored, depressed man figured out the secrets of selenium.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2019-03-11

33. Arsenic: It’s Not Easy Being Green

22 min
View
Considering how synonymous this episode's element is with "poison," it's shocking how eager people have historically been to ingest the stuff.
More description
Considering how synonymous this episode's element is with "poison," it's shocking how eager people have historically been to ingest the stuff.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2019-02-11

31. Gallium: The Wet Bandits

17 min
View
Meet one of the periodic table's lesser-known liquid metals -- and beware some dangerous competition from a few felonious element collectors.
More description
Meet one of the periodic table's lesser-known liquid metals -- and beware some dangerous competition from a few felonious element collectors.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2019-01-28

30. Zinc: The Lecture Circuit

31 min
View
Learn about some of Italy's most renowned chemists and how they inspired a most gruesome quest to conquer death.
More description
Learn about some of Italy's most renowned chemists and how they inspired a most gruesome quest to conquer death.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2019-01-14

29. Copper: Wires Crossed

28 min
View
We get lost in the woods with a couple of little guys in today's episode, and learn about a lesser-known American Civil War.
More description
We get lost in the woods with a couple of little guys in today's episode, and learn about a lesser-known American Civil War.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-12-31

28. Nickel: Face Value

18 min
View
From religion to money to politics, nickel finds itself at the center of all kinds of awkward conversations.
More description
From religion to money to politics, nickel finds itself at the center of all kinds of awkward conversations.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-12-17

27. Cobalt: Mischief Managed

25 min
View
Cobalt is a tricksy little element, which means the scientists who've dealt with it the most are some of the cleverest people to have ever walked the Earth.
More description
Cobalt is a tricksy little element, which means the scientists who've dealt with it the most are some of the cleverest people to have ever walked the Earth.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-12-03

26. Iron: As Above, So Below

22 min
View
Is iron a metal that's more valuable than gold, or are we forever trapped in its "hated shadow?"
More description
Is iron a metal that's more valuable than gold, or are we forever trapped in its "hated shadow?"
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-11-19

25. Manganese: Undercover Operations

25 min
View
From giant prehistoric sharks to clandestine Cold War projects, manganese is an element that has concealed a lot of secrets.
More description
From giant prehistoric sharks to clandestine Cold War projects, manganese is an element that has concealed a lot of secrets.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-11-05

24. Chromium: I’ll Be Your Mirror

22 min
View
It might be tempting to speed right on by, but it's worth stopping for a moment to gaze at element 24.
More description
It might be tempting to speed right on by, but it's worth stopping for a moment to gaze at element 24.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-10-22

23. Vanadium: Beauty In The Background

20 min
View
From freeways to firefights to unfathomable depths, vanadium can often be found quietly doing the hardest work.
More description
From freeways to firefights to unfathomable depths, vanadium can often be found quietly doing the hardest work.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-10-08

22. Titanium: Dignity Over Dentures

18 min
View
Titanium is an element valued as much for its beauty as its strength -- provided you can find a genuine sample of the stuff.
More description
Titanium is an element valued as much for its beauty as its strength -- provided you can find a genuine sample of the stuff.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-09-24

21. Scandium: Spoiling For A Fight

19 min
View
From jet fighters to sporting events to Low Earth Orbit, scandium seems to find itself at the center of conflict.
More description
From jet fighters to sporting events to Low Earth Orbit, scandium seems to find itself at the center of conflict.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-09-10

20. Calcium: Stone and Bone

27 min
View
Stories of turning flesh to stone -- and vice versa -- are common in mythology. With calcium, we see how those same transitions can happen in the real world.
More description
Stories of turning flesh to stone -- and vice versa -- are common in mythology. With calcium, we see how those same transitions can happen in the real world.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-08-20

19. Potassium: An Undeserved Reputation

20 min
View
There's no avoiding discussing the banana in this episode, even though it really doesn't deserve its strong association with Element 19.
More description
There's no avoiding discussing the banana in this episode, even though it really doesn't deserve its strong association with Element 19.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-05-28

14. Silicon: Tool Of All Trades

27 min
View
From prehistoric times right through today, our hand-held tools have been made of silicon.
More description
From prehistoric times right through today, our hand-held tools have been made of silicon.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-05-14

13. Aluminium: War Of The Words

27 min
View
Listen to some of the pointless arguments caused by element 13, and take a look at the argument-filled history of one sharp aluminum point.
More description
Listen to some of the pointless arguments caused by element 13, and take a look at the argument-filled history of one sharp aluminum point.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-04-16

11. Sodium: What’s In Na?

24 min
View
Turns out ancient sages and seers might've actually known a thing or two. Also, is there a good reason for sodium's chemical symbol? Na.
More description
Turns out ancient sages and seers might've actually known a thing or two. Also, is there a good reason for sodium's chemical symbol? Na.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-04-02

10. Neon: A Sign Of The Times

13 min
View
Neon may no longer be "the new one," but it might have a better claim to the name than any other element on the periodic table.
More description
Neon may no longer be "the new one," but it might have a better claim to the name than any other element on the periodic table.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-03-19

9. Fluorine: Tyger Tyger, Burning Bright

20 min
View
Just *try* to tally the body count behind the periodic table's most reactive element, then learn why you should drink it.
More description
Just *try* to tally the body count behind the periodic table's most reactive element, then learn why you should drink it.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-03-05

8. Oxygen: Take What You Can Get

31 min
View
Element 8 brings us two different stories about a population that gets a little too swept up in the latest craze, happening to commit mass murder in the process.
More description
Element 8 brings us two different stories about a population that gets a little too swept up in the latest craze, happening to commit mass murder in the process.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-02-12

6. Carbon: The Circle Of Life

35 min
View
Learn why carbon is the foundation of all life on Earth as we investigate a chemist's suicide, death by air pollution, and one very, very cold murder case.
More description
Learn why carbon is the foundation of all life on Earth as we investigate a chemist's suicide, death by air pollution, and one very, very cold murder case.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-02-05

5. Boron: Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?

17 min
View
Today, we look past boron's hard exterior to get acquainted with its softer side. Its confusing, gooey, softer side.
More description
Today, we look past boron's hard exterior to get acquainted with its softer side. Its confusing, gooey, softer side.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-01-29

4. Beryllium: The Modern Sisyphus

21 min
View
As we try to dive deep into beryllium, we discover its irritating tendency to send us back to the beginning.
More description
As we try to dive deep into beryllium, we discover its irritating tendency to send us back to the beginning.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-01-22

3. Lithium: The Element Of Surprise

28 min
View
We cautiously approach this explosively reactive element and learn about its surprising ability to stabilize moods, with a brief foray into Bolivian economics along the way.
More description
We cautiously approach this explosively reactive element and learn about its surprising ability to stabilize moods, with a brief foray into Bolivian economics along the way.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-01-15

2. Helium: Above All That

18 min
View
This week, we try to interact with helium, even though it really doesn't want to. Plus, we explore the occult side of chemistry, as described by the theosophists.
More description
This week, we try to interact with helium, even though it really doesn't want to. Plus, we explore the occult side of chemistry, as described by the theosophists.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-01-08

1. Hydrogen: Close To The Sun

27 min
View
As we investigate our first element, we'll meet warring balloonists, witness mass media's first major tragedy, and see how the tiniest mistake can cost a lot of money. Plus, we'll try to pin down where hydrogen belongs on the periodic table.
More description
As we investigate our first element, we'll meet warring balloonists, witness mass media's first major tragedy, and see how the tiniest mistake can cost a lot of money. Plus, we'll try to pin down where hydrogen belongs on the periodic table.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2018-01-01

0. Everything The Light Touches

10 min
View
In our inaugural episode, we'll cover the creation of the periodic table before we start exploring each element one-by-one.
More description
In our inaugural episode, we'll cover the creation of the periodic table before we start exploring each element one-by-one.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web
Published 2017-12-14

Preview The Episodic Table of Elements

1 min
View
Wondering what sorts of things you might here on The Episodic Table of Elements? I've produced this brief teaser so you can get an idea of what kinds of stories you'll hear.
More description
Wondering what sorts of things you might here on The Episodic Table of Elements? I've produced this brief teaser so you can get an idea of what kinds of stories you'll hear.
Extract Knowledge
Listen elsewhere
Audio Web Apple
Show details
Episodes
98
Transcripts
1
1% coverage
Missing transcripts
97
With chapters
0