The anomie within
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.
Jan 15, 2026•30 min
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 :)
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Episodes
Do you think animals can think?
It's an interesting question. Even more intriguing is why you believe what you do — and whether you live near a city.
Jan 08, 2026•30 min
Neanderthals chose to eat each other?
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.
Jan 01, 2026•30 min
Happy New Year!
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.
Dec 21, 2025•30 min
Imagine your way to better friendships...?
Want to like someone more? It just takes eight seconds. Also, mice that smelled bacon... had more obese children?
Dec 18, 2025•30 min
Who do you give to? (And who do you not?)
$1,000 is put in your hand. With one condition: You have to donate it. What do you do next?
Dec 11, 2025•30 min
The Batman effect
A pregnant woman enters a tram. Nearly 40% of the time, she's offered a seat. Unless someone else enters. Dressed as batman.
Dec 04, 2025•30 min
Does the world feel... off to you?
If you feel overwhelmed... and you don't know why... new research suggests you may be experiencing something called 'mismatch.'
Nov 27, 2025•30 min
Mountain gorilla menopause & why raccoons are the next dogs
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.'
Nov 20, 2025•30 min
Gen Z can't sleep (but at least they're not out committing crimes)
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?
Nov 13, 2025•30 min
When people talk about 'dehumanization,' listen
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.
Nov 11, 2025•30 min
Can you tell the difference?
Is a hair-loss product causing men (primarily) to become depressed and suicidal? Also, can you pass our AI voice test?
Nov 11, 2025•30 min
Women have more to lose when healthcare gets cut
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.
Oct 30, 2025•30 min
Why do men die earlier?
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.
Oct 16, 2025•30 min
Keeping score (or how to doom a relationship)
If you're keeping a mental list of what your partner 'owes' you, a new study suggests... maybe don't?
Oct 09, 2025•13 min
Does getting married make your life more satisfying?
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.
Oct 02, 2025•30 min
Huntington's disease: Curing the incurable?
On Science unscripted this week, we dissect the latest research on political violence. Also, we look into what scientists are calling a breakthrough for an incurable neurodegenerative disease.
Sep 25, 2025•30 min
Rate my professor? No thanks.
Think you're getting a fair review of a teacher from a rating site? Think again. Also, two studies shed light on who wakes up more when a baby cries... and the connection between 'stereotypes' and condoning political violence.
Sep 18, 2025•30 min
Painkillers, pregnancy & autism — what the research says
A metastudy on pregnant women taking the painkiller acetaminophen is at odds with the leaked 'autism report' commissioned by US Health Secretary RFK Jr. Also, why so many people avoid information about their own health, and a beautiful obituary.
Sep 11, 2025•30 min
Have you lived a good life?
If you read enough obituaries, you might unearth what people (and society) find important about existence. What do you want yours to say?
Sep 07, 2025•30 min
Could a spray 'end all viruses' in humans?
If a coworker coughs or your partner pukes... you know you're gonna get sick. Unless an antiviral does the same thing to humans that it did to mice (and hamsters).
Aug 28, 2025•30 min
What can you tell from a piece of poo?
We're back! (And a bit jetlagged.) Join us as we discuss a foul smell at Frankfurt airport and a potentially false "report" about a president's bathroom habits.
Aug 21, 2025•30 min
Cool people have six things in common. Do you share them?
A large-scale, global study has determined the characteristics that make people cool. Be warned: Trying to be cool is not one of them.
Jul 18, 2025•30 min
WE'RE ON VACATION!
Science unscripted will go quiet for a few weeks as Gabe & Conor — and hopefully you as well — enjoy the summer holidays. If you have an insight, epiphany or scientific question in the meantime (or you just want to forward a meme), feel free to send them to su@dw.com, or leave a comment for us at DW Podcasts on YouTube!
Jul 18, 2025•40 sec
Pay attention to Peter Thiel's narrative
When an influential right-wing thinker tells a story of human history, 'stagnation' and the 'Antichrist'.. question his premise and maybe consult a narratologist.
Jul 04, 2025•30 min
How long do you want to live?
If you could take two pills (once a week) and live 30% longer, would you? Because a study on mice using drugs approved for humans suggests you may have to answer this question soon.
Jun 26, 2025•30 min
Is your life meaningful?
The answer might be no. But if you say yes ... then what exactly are you picturing when you say yes?
Jun 18, 2025•30 min
This one's for the short kings
Ever want to be taller? That might mean you're more competitive (and jealous). Also, if someone asked you which animal is the most abundant on earth... what would you say?
Jun 12, 2025•30 min
Is this pseudo-profound bull****?
Ever been a victim of 'pseudo-profound bull***'? A new study hints at why. Also, why you probably shouldn't be putting tape over your mouth, and a look at people follow rules... even when they don't actually have to.
Jun 05, 2025•30 min
Yes, men find female breasts attractive. But why?
This week on Science unscripted, what event(s) led to racoons setting foot in Germany? Why do our fingers prune up after a long bath? And a study conducted in Papua has bold claims about female breasts.
Jun 01, 2025•30 min
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