Bedste The Smithsonian-podcasts (2024)

1
A Former Soviet Agent Becomes a Notorious Weapons Dealer 3:20

4+ y ago3:20

3:20

After 1991, former Soviet agent Viktor Bout set about carving a new career for himself as an arms dealer. His exploits would earn him the nickname the ‘Merchant of Death’.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Why the Fastest Male Grizzlies Get the Girl 2:16

4+ y ago2:16

2:16

Bear courtship in Yellowstone National Park happens at breakneck speed - literally. The male grizzly sets off after the female, who tries to outrun him reaching speeds of up to 35 miles an hour.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Why Vervet Monkeys Love Zambezi Fig Trees 2:00

4+ y ago2:00

2:00

Vervet monkeys find the figs of the Zambezi fig tree to be completely irresistible. And because vervets rarely stay in one place for too long, they spread the tree’s seeds far and wide.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
This FBI Agent Sold Secrets to the KGB for Years 3:58

4+ y ago3:58

3:58

In 1985, an American FBI agent began to sell intelligence to the Russians, under the alias of Ramon Garcia. It would be another 16 years before he was finally arrested by the FBI.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
A Navy Warship Goes Down Weeks Before the End of WWII 1:29

4+ y ago1:29

1:29

In the final days of WWII, Eagle 56 was on a routine assignment in the Gulf of Maine. In an instant, the ship found itself ripped in half, with most of her crew dead – but what happened?Af Smithsonian Channel

1
A Shy Orangutan Shares Her Breakfast with a Friend 1:52

4+ y ago1:52

1:52

A shy orangutan makes great strides by confidently securing her share of breakfast. But she’s not above sharing her bounty of turnips with another orangutan, whom she’s befriended.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
This Salt Lick Doubles as a Reunion Spot for Elephants 2:17

4+ y ago2:17

2:17

A herd of migrating elephants are acquiring necessary minerals like calcium and potassium from a burnt wood clearing. It’s also an impromptu reunion spot for all traveling elephant herds.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
This Gun Was One of the Very First Machine Guns 2:09

4+ y ago2:09

2:09

In 1866, Hiram Maxim, an American engineer, tried out a rifle for the first time and found himself wondering how he could make it better. The result was the Maxim gun – the word’s first recoil-operated machine gun.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Orangutan Creates an Umbrella Hat to Stay Dry 2:20

4+ y ago2:20

2:20

Orangutans are adept at improvising and using tools – this experienced female has learnt to make a makeshift umbrella hat – useful in a storm.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
The FBI Investigates Soviet Deep-Cover Spies in America 3:44

4+ y ago3:44

3:44

Over the course of a decade, deep-cover Russian spies embedded in America collected intelligence and passed it onto their handlers. The FBI investigation into them became known as Operation Ghost Stories.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Orangutans Need to Learn to Fear Snakes 2:23

4+ y ago2:23

2:23

In primates, recognition of snakes is instinctive, but fear of snakes is learned. Today, caretakers of the jungle school set about teaching them.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
British Intelligence Uncovers a Deadly Al-Qaeda Terror Plot 1:51

4+ y ago1:51

1:51

In 2006, British Intelligence were convinced that two people they were surveilling were part of an active Al-Qaeda terror cell. They were about to discover the scale of their plotting.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
The C-5 Galaxy Had a Catastrophic Design Flaw 3:24

4+ y ago3:24

3:24

The C-5 Galaxy is a true giant among USAF cargo planes – but its development was not without problems. Just four years after it made its debut, a serious design flaw threatened the future of the entire line.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
How Lizards are Turning Our Knowledge of Evolution Upside Down 3:35

4+ y ago3:35

3:35

Lizard biologists in the Caribbean have observed a fascinating phenomenon: different lizard species across different islands appear to share specific physical traits. But how, if they've never been in contact?Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Not All Baboon Babies Are Treated Nicely 2:32

4+ y ago2:32

2:32

Baboons love babies – you can see it in the way the mothers carry their newborns around like royalty. But the cold reality is that their rank at birth will always determine how well they're treated within the troop.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
This Fighter Plane Landing Has Never Been Attempted 3:47

4+ y ago3:47

3:47

The F-35B is designed to stop in midair before landing vertically on an aircraft carrier, using immense downward thrust. What’s never been attempted before is a shipborne rolling vertical landing – until now.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
The Different Teams Involved in Testing the F-35B Lightning 3:21

4+ y ago3:21

3:21

Testing the F-35B Lightning involves three different groups of people aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth: British Royal Navy aircraft hands, civilian scientists and American maintainers from the Integrated Task Force.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
A Happy Event Offers Promise for the Survival of Cheetahs 2:40

4+ y ago2:40

2:40

From a breeding perspective, cheetahs are one of the hardest animals to work with. That’s why the birth of two litters at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is a huge coup for the species.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Aircraft Carrier Crew Face a Myriad of Risks Below Deck 3:03

4+ y ago3:03

3:03

Life for the crew of the HMS Queen Elizabeth is a challenging combination of cabin fever and high alertness: often confined to below deck, surrounded by potentially dangerous stockpiles of fuel and ammunition.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
This Rabbit Never Saw It Coming 3:15

4+ y ago3:15

3:15

A python’s heat sense receptors have picked up a rabbit, feeding on some cabbage. It’s the perfect sized meal for an expectant mom with a clutch of eggs inside her.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Winged Termites Looking to Mate Become Monkey Food 2:55

4+ y ago2:55

2:55

After 20 hours of Luangwa rainfall, the skies begin to clear. But soon, the air is thick again with a swarm of winged termites, looking to mate. It’s an ideal feeding opportunity for a nearby troop of vervet monkeys.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
The Crew of the Lady Mary Face a Fight to Stay Alive 2:38

4+ y ago2:38

2:38

On March 24, 2009, the Lady Mary was nearing the end of a successful scallop hauling expedition, when the boat began to list onto its port side. The crew braced themselves for the fight of their lives.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Did Modifications to This Fishing Trawler Destabilize it? 2:59

4+ y ago2:59

2:59

Preliminary investigations into the April 2, 2001 sinking of the Arctic Rose reveal that she previously underwent modifications to her design. Were they the reason this 93-foot fishing trawler capsized so quickly?Af Smithsonian Channel

1
This Young Rhino is Crucial to the Revival of her Species 2:43

4+ y ago2:43

2:43

A young female rhino has been brought into base camp so she can recuperate and build her strength. Her value cannot be overstated – a key hope for Zambia’s endangered rhino population.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Was Icy Weather a Factor in This Plane's Fatal Crash? 2:06

5y ago2:06

2:06

Investigators determine that on the night of January 7, 1994, conditions were moderately icy around Port Columbus International Airport. But if other planes were able to land, why did Flight 6291 crash?Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Undertaker Birds Defend Their Catch from an Eagle 3:25

5y ago3:25

3:25

A flock of marabou storks have stumbled on a handsome bounty: a small shoal of catfish. But their clumsy enthusiasm has attracted the attention of another opportunist.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
How Baby Baboons Are Adept at Getting Around 2:34

5y ago2:34

2:34

A two-month-old baboon is sitting on his mother’s back, jockey-style, and taking in the world from his vantage point. By the time he’s just six-months-old, he’ll become a master of climbing on his own.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Did This Flight Crew Have the Training to Fly a Boeing 737? 3:41

5y ago3:41

3:41

With no apparent mechanical or external cause found for the September 14, 2008 crash, investigators focus on the flight crew’s experience. Were they qualified and adequately trained to fly a Boeing 737?Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Did Strong Crosswinds Cause This Plane to Abort Take Off? 3:22

5y ago3:22

3:22

Were crosswinds on December 20, 2008 in excess of the safety limit of 33 knots? If it was, that could explain why Flight 1404 veered so hard to the left before its crash at Denver International Airport.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Why Habituation is a Dangerous Game for Conservationists 3:05

5y ago3:05

3:05

A group of conservationists attempt to get close to a troop of gorillas, led by a male silverback. It’s a risky job – if the male feels threatened, he may lash out, with fatal consequences.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
These Baboon Couples Are Affectionate All Year Round 2:26

5y ago2:26

2:26

Kinda male-female bonds appear stronger than in other baboon species. This is apparent in the amount of time they spend grooming each other – even outside the mating season.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
The Terrifying Physics of WWII Dive Bombing 3:39

5y ago3:39

3:39

The act of dive bombing during World War II was a death defying trial of skill and nerve. You aimed your plane down, four miles above the ocean, and plummeted at speeds of up to 275 miles per hour.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
A Herd of Elephants Interrupt a Feasting Lion Pride 2:11

5y ago2:11

2:11

A powerful group of lions, the Nsefu pride, are busy digging into a recent buffalo kill when they are disturbed by a herd of elephants. Both sides immediately switch to high alert.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
A Passenger Faces Terrifying Choices on a Burning Ship 2:49

5y ago2:49

2:49

A man finds himself trapped in the cargo deck of the Norman Atlantic on December 28, 2014, with a fire bearing down on him. He has to make a decision: stay and evade the flames or jump into the sea.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
This Pilot Was the Unsung Hero of the Battle of Midway 2:25

5y ago2:25

2:25

Dusty Kleiss is a bonafide American hero: a veteran pilot of the Battle of Midway, and one of the most effective dive bombers in U.S. military history.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
A Biologist Studies a New Species of Baboon 3:47

5y ago3:47

3:47

An American biologist sets out to study the little-known Kinda baboon species - and this involves getting close to them in their natural habitat. Everything is of interest, from their fur patterns to their mannerisms.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Playing Games Help Leopard Cubs Learn and Unwind 1:30

5y ago1:30

1:30

Games among leopard litters like this one are an essential part of their development. But sometimes, it’s nothing more than having fun.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Did This Pilot Lack the Training to Land at Guantanamo Bay? 2:17

5y ago2:17

2:17

Landing on runway 10 at Guantanamo Bay is tricky and requires special training for pilots. But did the captain of Flight 808, which crashed on August 18, 1993, get that training?Af Smithsonian Channel

1
This Leopard is Waiting for the Perfect Moment to Strike 3:20

5y ago3:20

3:20

A wily old leopard is hiding in a gully waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Nearby, zebras and antelope graze contentedly, unaware of the threat they’re under.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
A Mystery Substance Wreaks Havoc on Flight 780 3:16

5y ago3:16

3:16

Lab analysis reveals that a faulty valve on Cathay Pacific Flight 780 is an absorbent polymer, used in refueling trucks to prevent water from getting into the aircraft fuel tanks. So how did it end up in the aircraft?Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Oxpeckers Take Advantage of Their Hippo Hosts 2:21

5y ago2:21

2:21

Oxpeckers perform a valuable service to hippos, keeping their skin free of ticks and dead skin. But they've also been known to keep host wounds open, so they can feed off the flesh.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
The F-35 and HMS Queen Elizabeth Were Made for Each Other 3:25

5y ago3:25

3:25

The F-35 Lightning, capable of speeds of up to a 1,000 miles per hour, and packed with advanced stealth characteristics, is the ideal jet fighter for the HMS Queen Elizabeth. Together, they form a formidable team.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Why The Temperature of the Sea is Important for Sea Eagles 2:17

5y ago2:17

2:17

Herring in the sea of Okhotsk only lay their eggs once the temperature of the water has reached 40 degrees. This is important news for the vulnerable Steller’s Sea Eagles who rely on the herring for food.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Was This P-51 Mustang Modified to the Point of Instability? 2:51

5y ago2:51

2:51

Investigators discover that the Galloping Ghost, the plane that crashed at the Reno Air Races on September 16, 2011, had its wings modified to make it faster. Was this a factor in its loss of control?Af Smithsonian Channel

1
The Original Muppets 35:38

5y ago35:38

35:38

Jim Henson created hundreds of Muppets. Many of them are well known, but there are a whole bunch of Muppets from the early days that most people haven't even heard of. The Smithsonian has more than 30 of those original, obscure Muppets including the original lizard-like Kermit who was made from an old green coat Henson's mother threw out.…

1
Bee Gees' Silver Suits 33:04

5y ago33:04

33:04

The Bee Gees -- Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb, were among the most successful vocal groups in rock and roll history, helping define the disco era with their falsetto harmonies and funky beats. The Australian band's silver suits at the Smithsonian are from their 1978 tour, riding on the heels of their album for the movie "Saturday Night Fever," one …

1
This Aircraft Pioneered Daylight Bombing Missions 2:22

5y ago2:22

2:22

The B-17 enabled the eighth Air Force to embark on a type of bombing campaign not seen before in the war: daylight bombing missions, aimed at minimizing civilian casualties.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
The Intricate Skill That Goes Into Tracking a Rhino 3:52

5y ago3:52

3:52

A team of researchers are on the trail of a black rhino bull whose transmitter has failed. To find him, they’ll rely on his spoor: clues such as urine trails, footprints and food he may have grazed on.Af Smithsonian Channel

1
Pelé's #10 Jersey 28:59

5y ago28:59

28:59

Professional soccer player, Pelé -- did more for the sport's global appeal than anyone in history. He did so much that the International Olympic Committee named him the athlete of the century. In 1975, he came out of retirement in Brazil, put on his unassuming white mesh jersey with the number ten on it and went to play with the New York Cosmos, li…

1
Investigators of Flight 821 Run into Multiple Dead Ends 2:20

5y ago2:20

2:20

Investigators looking into the crash of Aeroflot-Nord Flight 821, which crashed on September 14, 2008, ran into a lot of dead ends: from a totally destroyed engine to a badly damaged flight data recorder.Af Smithsonian Channel

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