Incubation

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Incubation is a new podcast that traces the history of humanity through viruses. We’ve all seen how the SARS CoV2 pandemic changed just about everything — from family life to work to politics –– but that’s just the latest installment in a long line of virus shake-ups. Other viruses –– influenza, HPV, smallpox, RSV –– have dramatically changed or endangered life as we know it. In many cases, scientists have been able to change the odds in favor of humanity. But deadly viruses persist — and containing them remains a scientific and technological challenge that each successive generation must take on. Author and What’s Your Problem host Jacob Goldstein takes us on a journey with leading medical researchers, doctors and historians to trace key moments in our battles with viruses, breakthroughs in vaccine research, and the impact of vaccination campaigns.  These stories will help us better understand the evolutionary contest between humans and viruses, and how vaccines and new technologies are changing the score. Incubation drops weekly on Thursdays starting September 7.

Pushkin Industries


    • Dec 5, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 25m AVG DURATION
    • 18 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The Incubation podcast hosted by Jacob Goldstein is an absolute gem in the world of science podcasts. With his excellent interviewing skills and knack for breaking down complex topics into understandable language, Goldstein has created a show that is both informative and entertaining. As a non-scientist, I appreciate how he is able to make scientific concepts accessible to a wider audience, allowing us to delve into fascinating and thought-provoking topics.

    One of the best aspects of The Incubation podcast is Goldstein's ability to ask insightful questions that prompt his guests to dive deep into their expertise. It is clear that he does thorough research before each episode, which allows him to engage in meaningful conversations with experts in various fields. Whether it's discussing the mysteries of the universe or dissecting the intricacies of biological phenomena, Goldstein's questions are always on point and help shed light on these topics in ways that are both enlightening and engrossing.

    Another standout feature of The Incubation podcast is its pacing. Each episode is well-structured and flows smoothly from one topic to another. There is never a moment where the conversation feels rushed or dragged out; instead, it strikes a perfect balance between engaging storytelling and informative discussions. Additionally, Goldstein's choice of guests adds depth and diversity to the show, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

    While there are countless positives about The Incubation podcast, it would be remiss not to mention its potential downside. Occasionally, some episodes might feel too technical for those who have limited knowledge or interest in certain scientific fields. While Goldstein does his best to explain complex concepts in an accessible manner, there may still be moments where listeners might struggle to fully grasp certain ideas without additional background information.

    In conclusion, The Incubation podcast stands out as a must-listen for anyone with an interest in science and curiosity about the world around us. Jacob Goldstein's skills as a host and his ability to explore complex topics make for an engaging and enlightening experience. While some episodes may be more challenging for non-scientists, the overall quality of the show ensures that there is something for everyone. So, whether you have a background in science or simply enjoy learning new things, The Incubation podcast is sure to captivate and inspire.



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    Latest episodes from Incubation

    The Viral Universe Inside Us

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 30:29 Transcription Available


    The world is full of undiscovered viruses. They're in the air we breathe, the ground we walk on, and they're inside our bellies. For this last episode of the season, we're exploring the mysteries of the microbes that have us surrounded. First we meet Portland State University virologist Ken Stedman, who made a wild discovery that changed what we thought a virus could be. Then, Shiraz Shah from the Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte explains how viruses that colonize our guts during infancy may affect our health for the rest of our lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Measles: The Cancer Killer?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 29:41 Transcription Available


    We thought we knew everything there was to know about measles. But in recent years, new research has revealed that the virus attacks the immune system and creates effects far more dramatic than a rash and fever. For this episode we're joined by Michael Mina, a former Harvard epidemiologist now at eMed, who helped discover how measles was causing “immune amnesia." Our second guest is Stephen Russell, a former Mayo Clinic researcher who co-founded a company called Vyriad. Russell is trying to use the measles virus to treat cancer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Mosquitoes, Viruses and the History of the World

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 32:42 Transcription Available


    For thousands of years, humans have shaped mosquito evolution while mosquitoes have shaped human history. Today on the show, Noah Rose, an ecologist at UC San Diego, tells us how mosquitoes came to love human blood. Then, Georgetown historian John McNeill makes the case for how mosquitoes – and the viruses they carry – changed the course of history in the Americas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    HIV: Racing to Identify a Killer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 28:52 Transcription Available


    After four decades of dedicated research on HIV, scientists have made extraordinary progress in treating the disease. But we still don't have a vaccine or a cure. On today's show, we're joined by two veteran scientists who have dedicated their careers to HIV research. First up is Christine Rouzioux, a virologist from the Nobel Prize winning team of scientists who first identified the HIV virus. For the second half of the show we talk with Richard Koup from the National Institutes of Health, who explains why it's so hard to create an HIV vaccine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Shingles: The Mystery of Pain

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 31:58 Transcription Available


    For a long time, people could tell that there was some connection between chickenpox and shingles. But exactly how they were related was a mystery. Then, in the 1950s, a family doctor shipped out to a remote Scottish island to investigate an outbreak, and made a discovery that shaped our understanding of shingles. On today's show, Ann Arvin, professor emerita at Stanford Medical School, tells us that detective story. Then Robert Johnson of the University of Bristol explains what he's learned about treating pain in his decades working with shingles patients.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Epstein-Barr Virus: The Fog of Discovery

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 29:22 Transcription Available


    Almost everyone on earth has Epstein-Barr virus. Usually it's pretty mild - you get sick, you get better. But the virus lives on in your body forever. Today, we talk with Dorothy Crawford (author of "Cancer Virus") about how one obsessive researcher uncovered a link between Epstein-Barr and cancer, and changed the way we think about viruses. Later in the show, we talk with Bill Robinson about his groundbreaking discovery of how Epstein-Barr can cause multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Ebola: Preventing the Next Pandemic

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 28:12 Transcription Available


    What did the 2014 Ebola outbreak teach us about preventing future pandemics? Our guests this week, Christian Happi and Pardis Sabeti, are world experts on disease surveillance, and have worked together fighting infectious disease in Africa for over a decade. Happi shares a gripping account of how he courageously helped stop Ebola from spreading in Nigeria during the 2014 West Africa outbreak. Then Sabeti explains how a new era of surveillance may help prevent future pandemics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Rabies: When Monsters are Real

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 27:44 Transcription Available


    Why has rabies invaded our nightmares for centuries? Author and veterinarian Monica Murphy tells us about the cultural history of rabies (which involves vampires and werewolves!) and how our long nightmare with the disease came to an end. Then, wildlife biologist Kathy Nelson tells us about a surprising program that works to control raccoon rabies… from the sky.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing Incubation Season 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 1:32 Transcription Available


    Incubation Season 2 begins October 17th.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Phages: Bacteria's Worst Nightmare

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 30:13 Transcription Available


    Can bacteriophages help us in the fight against antibiotic-resistant infections? Author Tom Ireland joins the show to discuss the fascinating world of bacteriophages, also known as phages – viruses that attack bacteria.. Then, Ben Chan, a researcher with a fridge full of phages, tells the story of what it was like putting them to use in a high-stakes case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Herpes: Symptoms and Stigma

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 22:03 Transcription Available


    Why do we all know so little about the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), despite the fact that herpes infections are common and chronic? First, we get some Herpes 101 from researcher Anna Wald. Then, we speak with Ella Dawson, a sex and culture critic who is one of the billions of people living with HSV–1.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    HPV: Unpacking Papilloma

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2023 27:00 Transcription Available


    What can the mythical jackalope teach us about HPV? Author Michael Branch tells the story of how scientists first discovered horned rabbits, and how their findings paved the way for the study of all different kinds of papilloma viruses. Then, Elena Conis joins the shows to discuss the rollout of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine in the US and Americans' complicated relationship with vaccine mandates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Influenza: In the Wild

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 27:26 Transcription Available


    What risk does H5N1 pose to humans? We hear from David Quammen, author of “Spillover,” about the vast and complicated interplay between influenza, the environment, animals, and humans. Then, molecular virologist Wendy Puryear helps us understand why seals on a remote island can be an early warning system.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    The Common Cold: A Viral Mystery

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 29:32 Transcription Available


    What do we know – and not know – about the suite of viral infections known as “the common cold”? We speak with curator Katie Dabin about the UK's Common Cold Unit, where volunteers signed up over the course of decades to get infected with colds. Then we enlist top virologist Gary McLean for some advice on what we can do to help ourselves feel better.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    RSV: The Quest for a New Vaccine

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2023 23:12 Transcription Available


    What is ‘structure-based' vaccine design? Before scientists used these techniques to design vaccines against Covid, they were testing them in the lab to combat RSV. Keren Landman joins the show to talk about how this respiratory virus endangers the lives of babies and the elderly. Then, we hear about an early RSV vaccine trial that cast a shadow over modern research, and how scientists, including our guests Jason McLellan and Barney Graham, later figured out how to create and stabilize a viral antigen's spike protein to fight RSV.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Polio: The Last Mile

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2023 27:32 Transcription Available


    Why has polio been so challenging to eradicate? Karen Torghele tells the story of two polio vaccines and the two rival scientists who developed them: Albert Sabin and Jonas Salk. Then, Dr. Ananda S Bandyopadhyay explains our best bet for eliminating the disease worldwide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Smallpox: Gone but Not Forgotten

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2023 26:41 Transcription Available


    What can we learn from the centuries-long quest to eradicate smallpox, once the scourge of humanity? And how did it set the stage for all vaccines to come? First we meet Edward Jenner, a doctor in 18th century Britain who learned about the folk practice of “variolation” and found a safer way to inoculate people against smallpox. Then, Donald Hopkins of the Carter Center takes us back to the 1960s in Sierra Leone, where he discovered that successfully eradicating smallpox could be a feasible goal worldwide.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing: Incubation

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2023 1:56 Transcription Available


    A new podcast that traces the history of humanity through viruses. New episodes weekly starting September 7.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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