Bad Blood, Bad Science

Check out our new season, dropping weekly on Tuesdays, starting September 15th. 

Alexis Pedrick joins Sam Jones and Deboki Chakravarti to bring you an episode from Tiny Matters, an award-winning podcast from the American Chemical Society produced by Multitude. The episode, which originally aired in February 2026, explores the surprising origins and evolution ...  Show more

In early 1930s America, segregation is the law of the land, and syphilis remains a grave public health concern. A handful of white government doctors aims to treat African Americans in a rural Alabama county where infection rates are especially high. But several officials conspir ...  Show more

In 1972, an article went viral before the internet existed. The headline read: “Syphilis Victims in U.S. Study Went Untreated for 40 Years.” This bombshell report exposed the Tuskegee Experiment for what it was: a crime against humanity. Today, Bailey tells the story of the study ...  Show more

“It’s like these men are being held in a bubble as science marches forward.” Mike tells Sarah how one of history's most unethical experiments came crashing down. Digressions include the history of penicillin, the power of TV movies and the mysterious diagnosis of "Satan's crabs." ...  Show more

Mike tells Sarah about the longest "non-therapeutic" experiment in medical history. Digressions include deep fried ice cream, Kato Kaelin and a hot-yoga cabinet. As a warning, this episode contains long quotes from eugenic memos and detailed descriptions of medical racism. We pro ...  Show more