Transistor

Series produced by PRX

Series image

A science series from PRX.

Transistor is a transformative STEM podcast from PRX. Three scientist hosts — a biologist, an astrophysicist, and a neuroscientist — report on conundrums, curiosities, and current events in and beyond their fields. Sprinkled among their episodes are the winners of the STEM Story Project, a competition we held for unique science radio.

Much as the transistor radio was a new technical leap, this Transistor features new women voices and sounds from new science producers.

PRX presents Transistor, applying our storytelling and podcast experience to science. The Sloan Foundation powers Transistor with funding and support.


Transistor is supported by the Alfred P. Sloan foundation, enhancing public understanding of science, technology, and economic performance. Learn more at sloan.org.


45 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Engineering NYC from Below
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
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Head underground to hear how the first subways were built, and how they are built today.

Bought by KUER and Radio Newark


  • Added: Mar 09, 2017
  • Length: 10:11
  • Purchases: 2
700 Fathoms Under the Sea
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
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Something unusual happens about a half mile under the sea. Ocean physics create a special zone where sound travels for hundreds, even thousands of ...

Bought by KALW, KUER, and Radio Newark


  • Added: Feb 07, 2017
  • Length: 08:11
  • Purchases: 3
Sidedoor from the Smithsonian: Shake it Up
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Piece image
For the next few episodes, we’re featuring the Smithsonian’s new series, Sidedoor, about where science, art, history, and humanity unexpectedly ove...

  • Added: Jan 19, 2017
  • Length: 24:45
Sidedoor from the Smithsonian: Butting Heads
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Piece image
For the next few episodes, we're featuring the Smithsonian's new series, Sidedoor, about where science, art, history, humanity and where they unexp...

Bought by Radio Newark


  • Added: Dec 09, 2016
  • Length: 19:19
  • Purchases: 1
Sidedoor from the Smithsonian: Masters of Disguise
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Piece image
For the next few episodes, we're featuring the Smithsonian's new series, Sidedoor, about where science, art, history, humanity and where they unexp...

  • Added: Nov 30, 2016
  • Length: 19:10
Dance: It's Only Human
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
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Dancing is something we see in almost every human culture. Yet we are the only animals that make such synchronized movements together to music. Why...

Bought by WDBM and Radio Newark


  • Added: Nov 10, 2016
  • Length: 10:49
  • Purchases: 2
The Words are a Jumble
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Piece image
Vissarion Shebalin was not a great composer. But his music could unlock an important truth about how the brain processes music and language.

Bought by Radio Newark


  • Added: Oct 20, 2016
  • Length: 10:45
  • Purchases: 1
The Art and Science of Polynesian Wayfinding
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
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Ancient navigators traveled across the Pacific without the aid of maps or instruments. We hear from navigators in New Zealand, Hawai'i and North Am...

Bought by Radio Newark and WOUB


  • Added: Sep 21, 2016
  • Length: 11:21
  • Purchases: 2
Remaking the Science Fair
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Piece image
Schools are remaking science fairs to include more actual science and less papier-mâché volcanos.

Bought by Radio Newark, WOUB, KUER, and CHSR-FM 97.9


  • Added: Sep 02, 2016
  • Length: 07:01
  • Purchases: 4
Peeing in Your Pants... In Your 30s
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Piece image
Some studies suggest that one out of 10 women in her 30s is peeing herself. Others say the numbers could be much much higher. But it’s tough to tal...

  • Added: Aug 06, 2016
  • Length: 09:40
The Ghost in the MP3
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Piece image
What's lost when a song is compressed into an MP3? To the untrained ear, perhaps nothing. But to one composer, these "lost sounds" are a source for...

Bought by KALW, Radio Newark, WOUB, and CHSR-FM 97.9


  • Added: Jul 21, 2016
  • Length: 11:06
  • Purchases: 4
Trace Elements: The Musical
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Caption: Trace Elements hosts/producers Cristina Quinn and Alison Bruzek
Our fifth special episode with Cristina Quinn and Alison Bruzek of Trace Elements. Birds of a feather may flock together -- but it turns out birds ...

Bought by WOUB


  • Added: May 05, 2016
  • Length: 15:02
  • Purchases: 1
Mystery at the Lake
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Caption: Hosts/reporters Cristina Quinn and Alison Bruzek
Special episode #4 featuring Trace Elements with Cristina Quinn and Alison Bruzek. In the 1970s, a geochemist and a biologist banded together to so...

Bought by WOUB


  • Added: Apr 21, 2016
  • Length: 14:56
  • Purchases: 1
Trace Elements: Upgrade
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Caption: Hosts Cristina Quinn and Alison Bruzek
It’s here! Episode three of our special five-part series called Trace Elements with hosts Cristina Quinn and Alison Bruzek. Hacking your hearing a...

  • Added: Apr 07, 2016
  • Length: 19:18
Trace Elements: Fooled Ya
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Caption: Trace Elements hosts Cristina Quinn and Alison Bruzek
Episode two of our special five-part series called Trace Elements -- with hosts Cristina Quinn and Alison Bruzek -- is here. This time: the how and...

  • Added: Mar 24, 2016
  • Length: 17:57
Trace Elements: The Reset
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Caption: Trace Elements hosts Cristina Quinn and Alison Bruzek
Two hosts, one adventure: This episode marks the beginning of five special Transistor episodes called Trace Elements. Hosts Cristina Quinn and Alis...

Bought by WOUB


  • Added: Mar 10, 2016
  • Length: 14:20
  • Purchases: 1
The Invention of the Home Pregnancy Test
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Caption: Graphic designer Meg Crane in 1965, Credit: Anna Kaufman
We love a good backstory to a scientific invention that is ubiquitous today. Meet the women who got pregnancy tests out of labs and into homes.

Bought by WOUB, WRST-FM Oshkosh, and KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio


  • Added: Mar 10, 2016
  • Length: 11:38
  • Purchases: 3
Rodney Learns to Fly
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
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“Biophilia” refers to the instinctive affection humans have for nature. This story is about one such connection: Rodney grew up selling dope and gu...

Bought by WOUB and KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio


  • Added: Feb 12, 2016
  • Length: 12:29
  • Purchases: 2
Imagine All the People
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
Caption: Casey draws his imaginary grandson., Credit: Pien Huang
Casey is just four, but he already has an imaginary grandson. What does science say about what imaginary friends do for kids and the adults they be...

  • Added: Jan 26, 2016
  • Length: 09:39
Disease Detectives on the Case
From: PRX
Series: Transistor
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Ebola, salmonella, even measles. All of these have a source, and disease detectives trained at the CDC know how to find the culprits. Join two rook...

Bought by KICI Iowa City and WOUB


  • Added: Jan 07, 2016
  • Length: 09:36
  • Purchases: 2

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