Chain Reaction by ACS

From Insulin to GLP-1s — a Peptide Saga: The Drugs That Shape Us, Episode 4

If you’re on social media, you may feel bombarded by influencers promoting peptides for a range of ailments so broad it almost seems like a brand-new trend. But peptide-b

Three Theories of Depression and the Promise of Psychedelics: The Drugs That Shape Us, Episode 3

In the late 1950s, a tuberculosis drug was repurposed as the world’s first antidepressant. Then the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Prozac ushered in a new

Beyond the Pill: The Drugs That Shape Us, Episode 2

The discovery of sex hormones in the 1930s led to the development of female birth control, a widely used class of drugs that reshaped cultural norms surrounding fertility

The Antibiotics Boom, Bust, and Search for What's Next: The Drugs That Shape Us, Episode 1

Through a few serendipitous discoveries, antibiotics changed the course of history by turning deadly infections into manageable sicknesses. But it didn’t take long for  b

Teaser: The Drugs That Shape Us

You’ve likely relied on a drug at one point or another, whether it be a prescribed medication or something over the counter. The upcoming miniseries of Chain Reaction exp

[Bonus] The Poison Squad and Urinalysis: The Fascinating Lives of ACS Presidents Harvey Wiley and Helen M. Free

This bonus episode continues the celebration of the American Chemical Society’s 150th anniversary by spotlighting two remarkable ACS presidents whose work helped shape pu

A Conversation with Chemical Kim: Chemistry is Everyone, Episode 4

To cap off this special #ACS150 miniseries, we chat with chemistry educator, science communicator, and social media creator Kim Hilton — better known as Chemical Kim (fol

Chemistry in the New Space Age: Chemistry is Everyone, Episode 3

Space is the place . . . for chemistry! ACS president-elect Chris Bodurow and three colleagues chat about the role of chemistry in space exploration and how they ended up

Mentoring Across Generations: Chemistry is Everyone, Episode 2

ACS president Rigoberto Hernandez invites colleagues to speak about mentorship, communication, and the human side of science. One of Rigoberto’s former students, Ashley R

Breaking Barriers: Chemistry is Everyone, Episode 1

This episode of Chain Reaction launches a special series celebrating the American Chemical Society’s 150th anniversary. Immediate past president, Dorothy Phillips, interv

Teaser: Chemistry is Everyone

In celebration of the 150th anniversary of the American Chemical Society, our upcoming miniseries features the past, present, and future presidents of ACS in conversation

[Bonus] From the Cutting Room Floor: Anthrax Decontamination Following the 2001 Attacks

In the inaugural “From the Cutting Room Floor” — where we take parts of interviews that didn’t quite fit in our regular episodes — we talk about anthrax. Well not exactly

Does Earth Have Limits?: The Chemistry of Pollution, Episode 4

Pollution is only one way humans are altering our planet. There’s climate change, sea level rise, biodiversity loss, and much more. Earth system scientists, including bio

The Soil and Superfund Sites Beneath Us: The Chemistry of Pollution, Episode 3

Water and air pollution may capture the headlines, but there’s another threat looming beneath our feet: soil. We farm on it, build cities on it, and pull water from it. B

It’s a Watery World: The Chemistry of Pollution, Episode 2

We live in a watery world; 71% of Earth is covered in water. But humans have polluted Earth’s water for decades with pollutants like plastic, oil, and drugs. Marine chemi

The Air We (Want to) Breathe: The Chemistry of Pollution, Episode 1

In the first episode of our series on pollution, we’re turning to the very thing necessary for human life: air. Environmental engineer Pete DeCarlo introduces us first to

Teaser: The Chemistry of Pollution

In this miniseries, Chain Reaction takes listeners on a sweeping journey through the hidden chemistry of pollution—above us, around us, and beneath our feet. The series

[Bonus] Egg cars, butterfly opsins and mosquito brains: Get to know host Margot Wohl

In this special bonus episode of Chain Reaction, meet the voices behind the American Chemical Society’s newest chemistry podcast. Host and producer Margot Wohl and execut

150 Years of ACS: The Origin Story of Chemistry, Episode 4

For 150 years, the American Chemical Society has been a pillar of the chemistry field, supporting students and professionals through major world events and scientific dev

The Modern Chemist: The Origin Story of Chemistry, Episode 3

For centuries, chemistry in the United States was for one kind of a person: The white man. But now, after decades of progress, chemistry is more inclusive than ever. His