Science unscripted

The science stories that will actually change your day — and maybe make you laugh. Science unscripted is a podcast, radio show & YouTube channel driven by listeners. Hello from Germany :)

Episodes

How different are the brains of boys and girls?

February 19, 2026 • 30 mins

A new study shows a sex difference in the early growth of the human brain. Does it matter?

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When a pet’s death really hurts

February 12, 2026 • 29 mins

The loss of a pet can affect you more than losing a loved one, a new study shows. With one exception.

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Why do humans have (relatively) large penises?

January 29, 2026 • 30 mins

Compared to chimps or gorillas, human males are unusually well endowed. A new study suggests it's partly because men 'size each other up' before a fight.

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How casual hookups are good (and healthy) for singles

January 22, 2026 • 30 mins

You really do benefit from 'friends with benefits,' a new study suggests. Also, a forgotten birthday can tank employee morale and a look at how the Autobahn lead to more support for the Nazi party.

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The anomie within

January 15, 2026 • 30 mins

When it feels like society's breaking down right before your eyes, it's called anomie. And it can lead to an even a darker place.

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Do you think animals can think?

January 8, 2026 • 30 mins

It's an interesting question. Even more intriguing is why you believe what you do — and whether you live near a city.

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Neanderthals chose to eat each other?

January 1, 2026 • 29 mins

Cannibalism happened among the Neanderthals. That much we knew. Now, a paleoanthropological discovery has possibly uncovered an ugly truth about our distant cousins. Conor and Gabe head to a cave in Belgium to check it out.

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Happy New Year!

December 20, 2025 • 30 mins

Thanks to everybody who listened during this year. Most of all, thank you to those who wrote to us and — in the process — became part of our show.

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Imagine your way to better friendships...?

December 18, 2025 • 30 mins

Want to like someone more? It just takes eight seconds. Also, mice that smelled bacon... had more obese children?

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Who do you give to? (And who do you not?)

December 11, 2025 • 30 mins

$1,000 is put in your hand. With one condition: You have to donate it. What do you do next?

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The Batman effect

December 4, 2025 • 30 mins

A pregnant woman enters a tram. Nearly 40% of the time, she's offered a seat. Unless someone else enters. Dressed as batman.

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Does the world feel... off to you?

November 27, 2025 • 30 mins

If you feel overwhelmed... and you don't know why... new research suggests you may be experiencing something called 'mismatch.'

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Mountain gorilla menopause & why raccoons are the next dogs

November 20, 2025 • 30 mins

We're on our way to having a new housepet, a study suggests. Also, mountain gorillas join humans as part of the (exclusive) 'grandmother hypothesis.'

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Gen Z can't sleep (but at least they're not out committing crimes)

November 13, 2025 • 30 mins

An alarming number of young people are using two very unhelpful drugs to help them sleep. Also, what's behind the sharp decline in youth crime?

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When people talk about 'dehumanization,' listen

November 11, 2025 • 30 mins

Dehumanizing a group of people is step 4 on the 10-step path to genocide. We should pay attention when politically powerful people start saying it.

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Can you tell the difference?

November 11, 2025 • 29 mins

Is a hair-loss product causing men (primarily) to become depressed and suicidal? Also, can you pass our AI voice test?

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Women have more to lose when healthcare gets cut

October 30, 2025 • 30 mins

Women will die at disproportionately higher rates as the US rolls back access to public insurance programs (like medicaid). Also, AI tools like ChatGPT change how honest we are... and not in a good way.

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Why do men die earlier?

October 16, 2025 • 30 mins

Five years. That's the (significant) difference between male/female life expectancies in human beings. If we'd like to change that (and shouldn't we try?), a new study suggests we look at the animals that reverse this rule, and how they do it.

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Keeping score (or how to doom a relationship)

October 9, 2025 • 12 mins

If you're keeping a mental list of what your partner 'owes' you, a new study suggests... maybe don't?

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Does getting married make your life more satisfying?

October 2, 2025 • 29 mins

On this week’s Science unscripted, a quantitative and qualitative glimpse into how harmful politics can be for relationships, a glimpse into the future of pregnancy, and an unabashed analysis of what marriage does for our feeling of satisfaction.

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Science unscripted

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}How different are the brains of boys and girls?

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}When a pet’s death really hurts

Why do humans have (relatively) large penises?

How casual hookups are good (and healthy) for singles

The anomie within

Do you think animals can think?

Neanderthals chose to eat each other?

Happy New Year!

Imagine your way to better friendships...?

Who do you give to? (And who do you not?)

The Batman effect

Does the world feel... off to you?

Mountain gorilla menopause & why raccoons are the next dogs

Gen Z can't sleep (but at least they're not out committing crimes)

When people talk about 'dehumanization,' listen

Can you tell the difference?

Women have more to lose when healthcare gets cut

Why do men die earlier?

Keeping score (or how to doom a relationship)

Does getting married make your life more satisfying?

Popular Podcasts

How different are the brains of boys and girls?

When a pet’s death really hurts