Unexplainable

Vox

Summary

Science is often taught as a collection of settled facts, but the truth is far messier. Unexplainable is a show that invites listeners to step off the map of what we currently understand and venture into the fascinating, frustrating, and often mysterious gaps in human knowledge. Each week, the team tackles the questions that keep scientists up at night, moving past dry data to explore the philosophical and real-world stakes of our discoveries. The show excels at connecting the dots between big-picture concepts and our daily lives. Whether they are investigating the ethics of invasive species, the biological mysteries of our own bodies, or the historical origins of public distrust in institutions, the hosts treat curiosity as a rigorous discipline. You will find episodes that blend investigative journalism with deep dives into environmental ethics, public health debates, and even the grim logistics of hypothetical disasters. What makes Unexplainable stand out is its commitment to nuance. It avoids easy answers, instead favoring a balanced exploration of why we believe what we believe and how we navigate an increasingly complex world. It is a show for the intellectually restless—those who want to understand not just how the world works, but why we struggle to wrap our heads around it. Tune in to look closer at the strange, the hidden, and the downright puzzling corners of our reality.

Updated Jun 30, 2026

Episodes

Should we really kill all the lanternflies?

Jun 17, 202632 min

Deciding whether to kill invasive spotted lanternflies requires navigating the uncomfortable ethics of conservation.

Sean tries raw milk

Jun 15, 202631 min

As raw milk gains popularity, we examine the science behind the risks versus the growing demand for food freedom.

A new species in New York

Jun 10, 202626 min

Scientists are setting up insect traps in a Brooklyn park to discover new species hiding in plain sight.

The disaster problem

Jun 8, 20261h 0m

Born from Cold War paranoia and secret bunkers, FEMA has been battling public distrust since its inception.

The lost Lyme vaccine

Jun 3, 202638 min

A safe and effective Lyme disease vaccine was pulled from the market after public fears fueled by misinformation.

The cells we share

Jun 1, 202636 min

Fetal cells from your children can live inside your body for decades, acting as both potential healers and hazards.

The man who bet against humanity — and lost

May 20, 202616 min

Paul Ehrlich bet that overpopulation would collapse civilization, but human ingenuity proved his alarmist theories wrong.

The aftermath

May 18, 202641 min

Surviving a nuclear war means leaving behind Hollywood fantasies for a grim reality of fallout and long-term famine.

The Codfather

Feb 25, 202639 min

Stress ages us on a cellular level

Feb 23, 202614 min

The Amazing Extremophiles

Feb 11, 202626 min

Everyone does it. Why can’t I?

Feb 9, 202639 min

Mysterious objects near the beginning of time

Feb 4, 202626 min

Cloud atlas

Feb 2, 202629 min

What's good sound?

Jan 28, 202626 min

No data, just vibes

Jan 26, 202623 min

It's not all bad

Jan 14, 202625 min

Superbabies?

Jan 12, 202625 min

The G-word

Jan 7, 202626 min

Who's afraid of big, bad Yellowstone?

Jan 5, 202623 min

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