Best The Editor S Room Podcasts (2025)

1
Could We Speak to Dolphins? A Promising LLM Makes That a Possibility 19:07

43m ago19:07

19:07

Dolphins have a broad vocabulary. They vocalize with whistles, clicks and “burst pulses.”This varied communication makes it challenging for scientists to decode dolphin speech. Artificial intelligence can help researchers process audio and find the slight patterns that human ears may not be able to identify. Reporter Melissa Hobson took a look at D…

1
Do Mitochondria Talk to Each Other? A New Look at the Cell’s Powerhouse 27:04

18m ago27:04

27:04

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouse of the cell—but new research suggests they might be far more complex. Columbia University’s Martin Picard joins Scientific American’s Rachel Feltman to explore how these tiny organelles could be communicating and what that might mean for everything from metabolism to mental health. Check out Martin Picard’s …

1
Voyagers debrief, the NZME saga seems over and a big boost for movies 40:33

14h ago40:33

40:33

Glen Kyne joins Duncan Greive on The Fold to recap a significantly smaller but somehow considerably better Voyager Media Awards. (Apologies to Gulf News and NZ Geographic, each of which had notable wins which didn't get mentioned). Next they discuss the latest, potential the final developments in the NZME board coup saga, before addressing a big fi…

1
How to Make Gold, Flamingo Food Tornado, and Kosmos-482 Lands 8:09

6h ago8:09

8:09

Soviet-era spacecraft Kosmos-482 lands, though no one is certain where. Physicists turn lead into gold. Overdose deaths are down, in part thanks to the availability of naloxone. Flamingos make underwater food tornadoes. Chimps use leaves as a multi-tool. Recommended reading: A New, Deadly Era of Space Junk Is Dawning, and No One Is Ready https://ww…

1
Could Freezing Arctic Sea Ice Combat Climate Change? 25:29

3d ago25:29

25:29

The year-round sea ice in the Arctic is melting and has shrunk by nearly 40 percent over the past four decades. Geoengineering companies such as Real Ice are betting big on refreezing it. That may sound ridiculous, impractical or risky—but proponents say we have to try. The U.K. government seems to agree, investing millions into experimental approa…

1
How a West Texas Outbreak Threatens Measles Elimination Status 10:00

5d ago10:00

10:00

Measles was technically “eliminated” in the U.S. in 2000 thanks to high measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination rates. While prior outbreaks have made headlines, a slew of cases in West Texas is more than just newsworthy—it could cause the U.S. to lose elimination status. Associate health and medicine editor Lauren Young explains what eliminat…

1
Why are there suddenly two country music stations in New Zealand? 1:00:42

7d ago1:00:42

1:00:42

For a long time New Zealand's country music audience was presumed to be the town of Gore and its immediate surrounds. Few albums got released, and major artists almost never toured. That all changed in the past few years, with streaming both proving and generating a huge global audience for country – and artists like Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen pl…

1
Sinking Cities, Waving Cuttlefish and Falling Spacecraft 8:17

9d ago8:17

8:17

A 1970s Soviet spacecraft is hurtling down from space—and no one knows where it will land. All 28 of the most populous cities in the U.S. are slowly sinking. Investments and overconsumption make the wealthiest 10 percent of the global population responsible for two thirds of climate-change-related warming. Recommended reading: Cuttlefish May Commun…

1
This Podcast Was Recorded Inside a Particle Collider 18:11

14d ago18:11

18:11

We’re taking a field trip to the U.S.’s only particle collider, the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), housed at Brookhaven National Laboratory. Staff scientist Alex Jentsch takes listeners through some basic terminology and interconnected technologies that help Brookhaven researchers probe questions about our unseen universe. The RHIC is wind…

1
Rejecting Toxic Fitness Culture with Casey Johnston 17:56

12d ago17:56

17:56

Casey Johnston is not your typical health and fitness influencer. She joins host Rachel Feltman to discuss how finding joy in strength training changed her relationship to fitness, food and body image. Johnston’s new book, A Physical Education, reflects on engaging with exercise in a balanced way. Recommended reading: You can get Johnston’s book A …

1
Emergency podcast: Trump’s tariffs go to the movies – plus the latest NZME drama 34:58

14d ago34:58

34:58

Yesterday US president Donald Trump announced 100% tariffs on all foreign-made movies. It was an extraordinary and potentially hugely destructive piece of news for the mighty but embattled film industry. It was also extremely unclear exactly what it meant. Glen Kyne joins Duncan Greive on an emergency edition of The Fold to discuss the news and try…

1
What really matters in the battle to save NZ TV? 46:36

14d ago46:36

46:36

Dylan Reeve has spent his whole career working on iconic New Zealand television shows, from Shortland Street, to Treasure Island to Outrageous Fortune. But after listening to last week’s episode of The Fold, he wonders whether we’re even asking the right questions. He sent a provocative note which questions whose interests are being served by incre…

1
Jupiter’s Cyclones, Amazon’s Satellites and T. rex Collagen 9:01

14d ago9:01

9:01

The congressionally mandated National Climate Assessment grinds to a halt. Amazon launches its first round of Internet satellites. The European Space Agency launches a satellite to measure the biomass of Earth’s trees. New data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft offer insights into Jupiter and Io. Claims of Tyrannosaurus rex leather are, predictably, misl…

1
The Fungi Facing Extinction and the Conservationists Working Hard to Protect Them 12:07

17d ago12:07

12:07

Conservationists are ringing the alarm about the fungi facing extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List features vulnerable pandas and endangered tortoises, but it also highlights more than 400 fungi species that are under threat. Gregory Mueller, chief scientist emeritus at the Chicago Botanic Garden and coordi…

1
Griefbots Offer AI Connections with Deceased Loved Ones 16:18

19d ago16:18

16:18

Griefbots, artificial intelligence chatbots that mimic deceased loved ones, are increasingly in popularity. Researcher Katarzyna Nowaczyk-Basińska reflects on what death, grief and immortality look like in the digital age. She shares insights from a project that she is leading as a AI2050 Early Career Fellow: Imaginaries of Immortality in the Age o…

1
If not advertising, then what? 1:01:22

20d ago1:01:22

1:01:22

The media has always been largely funded by advertising – but that's unlikely to be the case in future. Two stories over the past week addressed different aspects of what might step into the void it creates. Duncan Greive returns alongside Glen Kyne for an episode which explores how media was, is and might be funded in future – taking the NZ on Air…

1
Scientific American in 1925: Solar Eclipses, Seances and Some Strange Inventions 9:26

25d ago9:26

9:26

We’re taking a break from our usual weekly news roundup to do a little time travel. In 1925 Scientific American covered a total solar eclipse that featured some surprising solar shadow play and a prediction about today’s eclipses. Plus, we review some long-gone sections of the magazine that tried to verify mediums and show off zany inventions! Reco…

1
How to Become an Urban Naturalist 25:05

28d ago25:05

25:05

Wild NYC author Ryan Mandelbaum takes host Rachel Feltman through New York City’s Prospect Park to find urban wildlife. They explore the city’s many birds, surprising salamanders and unexpected urban oases. Plus, they discuss what the rules of engagement with wildlife are and how you can find wildlife in your own urban or suburban environment. Reco…

1
Our Fear and Fascination around Snakes 16:15

26d ago16:15

16:15

When writer Stephen S. Hall was a child, he would capture snakes—much to his mother’s chagrin. Now the science journalist is returning to his early fascination In his latest book, Slither: How Nature’s Most Maligned Creatures Illuminate Our World. The book explores our long, complicated relationship with snakes. Plus, Hall chats about humans’ and o…

1
The big job ahead for TVNZ’s news and content chief and Google is dealt a blow 48:14

30d ago48:14

48:14

The job of chief news and content officer at TVNZ has been one of the most talked-about leadership roles in New Zealand media. Last week, it was announced that Nadia Tolich will leave her position as managing director of Stuff Digital to take up the role. Glen Kyne joins Anna Rawhiti-Connell to discuss the enormity of the task ahead for Tolich and …

1
Childhood Illnesses Surge, Magnetic Poles Wandered, and a Colossal Squid Is Found 8:15

28d ago8:15

8:15

Measles cases are going up—and a federal scientist has warned that case counts have probably been underreported. Another vaccine-preventable illness, whooping cough, sees a troubling increase in cases. Ancient humans found sun-protection solutions when Earth’s magnetic poles wandered. A colossal squid has been captured on video in its natural habit…

1
From the Internet’s Beginnings to Our Understanding of Consciousness, This Editor Has Seen It All 20:15

1M ago20:15

20:15

Senior mind and brain editor Gary Stix has covered the breadth of science and technology over the past 35 years at Scientific American. He joins host Rachel Feltman to take us through the rise of the Internet and the acceleration of advancement in neuroscience that he’s covered throughout his time here. Stix retired earlier this month, and we’d lik…

1
A Disinfectant That’s More Powerful Than Bleach—And Safe for Your Skin 14:25

1M ago14:25

14:25

Hypochlorous acid is a promising disinfectant that is difficult to commercialize because it is not very shelf-stable. Senior features editor Jen Schwartz takes us through what the science of this nontoxic disinfectant is and explains why its popularity in the beauty aisle is only the beginning. Recommended reading: The Nontoxic Cleaner That Kills G…

1
Are print magazines really making a comeback, or is it wishful thinking? 1:04:14

1M ago1:04:14

1:04:14

It’s been five years since Bauer exited New Zealand, devastating the magazine industry and heralding an era of enormous disruption for media in this country. Iconic Auckland title, Metro Magazine, was a casualty of that closure. The publication has found its feet again and is flourishing under independent ownership. As Auckland evolves, so too does…

1
A Long Day on Uranus, a Better Method of Making Coffee and Dinos Fossils in Decline 8:51

1M ago8:51

8:51

Caffeine-motivated researchers find that pour height may be the key to a perfect cup of coffee. A new study of plastics finds that less than 10 percent of such products are made with recycled materials. And once the plastics are used, only 28 percent of them make it to the sorting stage—and only half of that plastic is actually recycled. Data from …

1
How Are Prenatal Blood Tests Detecting Cancer? 20:55

1M ago20:55

20:55

Noninvasive prenatal blood testing, or NIPT, is a routine screening that is offered during pregnancy and looks for placental DNA to diagnose chromosomal disorders in a fetus. But in some cases, these tests can also find cancer in the pregnant person. How do the tests work, and why are they uncovering cancer? Genetic counselor and writer Laura Hersc…

1
Treating Bacterial Vaginosis as an STI Could Improve Outcomes 19:29

1M ago19:29

19:29

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria in the vagina, affects nearly one in three people with a vagina. While you can get BV without ever having sex, a new study has found that, in some cases, it could be functioning more like a sexually transmitted infection. That’s in part because of the increased risk of BV after sex with…

1
How the Science of Safety Helps Tackle Global Risks [Sponsored] 16:23

1M ago16:23

16:23

We're surrounded by risks of all sizes, every day. Some people might be risk-takers, while others do whatever they can to avoid them. But how can we tackle the risks that impact society on a global scale, like those linked to sustainable energy, societal health and digital technology? Science journalist Izzie Clarke explores this question in the la…

1
What Trump’s tariffs could mean for media and the latest on NZME 48:46

1M ago48:46

48:46

Last week, NZME’s board laid out its case against Jim Grenon’s attempt to take control of the board, introducing previously unspoken concerns about editorial influence to the fight. It prompted a new round of reactions and letters and the introduction of a few new players. Following Donald Trump’s tariff announcement, $6.6 trillion was wiped off th…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

The Editor S Room Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
The Fold

The Spinoff

1
Science Quickly

Scientific American

1
The Diary Room: Bustle's Big Brother Podcast

Bustle

1
Could We Speak to Dolphins? A Promising LLM Makes That a Possibility 19:07

1
Do Mitochondria Talk to Each Other? A New Look at the Cell’s Powerhouse 27:04

1
Voyagers debrief, the NZME saga seems over and a big boost for movies 40:33

1
How to Make Gold, Flamingo Food Tornado, and Kosmos-482 Lands 8:09

1
Could Freezing Arctic Sea Ice Combat Climate Change? 25:29

1
How a West Texas Outbreak Threatens Measles Elimination Status 10:00

1
Why are there suddenly two country music stations in New Zealand? 1:00:42

1
Sinking Cities, Waving Cuttlefish and Falling Spacecraft 8:17

1
This Podcast Was Recorded Inside a Particle Collider 18:11

1
Rejecting Toxic Fitness Culture with Casey Johnston 17:56

1
Emergency podcast: Trump’s tariffs go to the movies – plus the latest NZME drama 34:58

1
What really matters in the battle to save NZ TV? 46:36

1
Jupiter’s Cyclones, Amazon’s Satellites and T. rex Collagen 9:01

1
The Fungi Facing Extinction and the Conservationists Working Hard to Protect Them 12:07

1
Griefbots Offer AI Connections with Deceased Loved Ones 16:18

1
If not advertising, then what? 1:01:22

1
Scientific American in 1925: Solar Eclipses, Seances and Some Strange Inventions 9:26

1
How to Become an Urban Naturalist 25:05

1
Our Fear and Fascination around Snakes 16:15

1
The big job ahead for TVNZ’s news and content chief and Google is dealt a blow 48:14

1
Childhood Illnesses Surge, Magnetic Poles Wandered, and a Colossal Squid Is Found 8:15

1
From the Internet’s Beginnings to Our Understanding of Consciousness, This Editor Has Seen It All 20:15

1
A Disinfectant That’s More Powerful Than Bleach—And Safe for Your Skin 14:25

1
Are print magazines really making a comeback, or is it wishful thinking? 1:04:14

1
A Long Day on Uranus, a Better Method of Making Coffee and Dinos Fossils in Decline 8:51

1
How Are Prenatal Blood Tests Detecting Cancer? 20:55

1
Treating Bacterial Vaginosis as an STI Could Improve Outcomes 19:29

1
How the Science of Safety Helps Tackle Global Risks [Sponsored] 16:23

1
What Trump’s tariffs could mean for media and the latest on NZME 48:46