• Will Boston Marathon Runners Agree To A Live Interview?
    Apr 20 2026

    It’s a Boston Marathon live-coverage, special edition of our show!

    We open with GBH’s Jeremy Siegel, describing his coverage of the marathon's opening & the runner who kindly agreed to let Jeremy track him from Hopkinton to Copley.

    Then, GBH’s Hannah Reale dives into some of the broader coverage & reporting on the race.

    Afterwards, Edgar interviews some active marathon runners near Wellesley College.

    We also check in with Curiosity Desk producer Patti Daniels by Fenway, before getting some analysis of the top finishers and big-picture takeaways from GBH’s Esteban Bustillos.

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • How Does A Jester Perform On The Radio?
    Apr 17 2026

    First up.... The Bad Fibs return! It’s our newsy spin on the classic Mad Libs format, with help from our live studio audience. This week Edgar is joined by our steady hand Patti Daniels, with special guest Renuka Balakrishnan to talk about her reporting on the legacy of William Dawes.

    Then, Astrophysicist Anjali Tripathi joins to talk about comets and meteor showers on view later this month.

    Lastly, we’re bringing vaudeville to the BPL with help from Alex Feldman, A.K.A. Alex The Jester, ahead of a 110th Anniversary Show at the Regent Theater. We’ll also talk with Regent Theater director of programming Leland Stein.

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • What Does the Label on Your Egg Carton Mean?
    Apr 16 2026

    First up, we're exploring how trainers & runners optimize a marathon performance, and what happens on a physiological level when our bodies are pushed to their limit. Edgar will talk with Peko Hosoi from the MIT Sports Lab and Loughborough University visiting professor Andy Harland.

    Then we're cracking the case! What do the labels on your egg cartons mean? We'll chat with Dan Souza from America’s Test Kitchen.

    Lastly, the April edition of “Ask The Remodeler,” with Mark Philben from Charlie Allen Renovations. He’ll talk fence painting, pressure treating your deck for springtime, and respond to calls & texts from listeners.

    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • Why Is It So Hard To File My Taxes?
    Apr 15 2026

    First up, this Tax Day, we ask: why is it so hard to file my taxes? We’ll talk with Beverly ​Moran, a senior tax fellow at Boston College.

    Secondly we'll chat about the helium shortage.. What’s going on? How is helium mined, ​how is it used (beyond the birthday balloons) and what happens if we do actually run out? We’ll ask Linda Doerrer, an Assistant Professor in Chemistry at B.U.’s college of engineering.

    Lastly, It’s peak pruning season. We’ll open phone and text lines to “Ask a Gardener,” with Wakefield Arboretum Executive Director Debbie Merriam.

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • Is My Pollen Allergy Getting Worse?
    Apr 14 2026

    First up - Edgar decodes our paychecks, asking "what exactly happens with all the money taken out each week?” We’ll have some help from Steven Dean, a professor of law at Boston University.

    Then, we'll exploring the world of microplastics research with oceanographic researcher Victoria Fuller, whose work has brought her as close as New England as far as Antarctica.

    Lastly we answer the question... Is the pollen in our air worse getting worse by the year? Richard Primack, a professor plant ecology at B.U., explains why there might be some truth to that idea. Caroline Sokol is a physician scientist who’ll speak to how pollen impacts us on a physiological level. ​

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • How Can I Score 654 Points In Scrabble?
    Apr 13 2026

    First up, Edgar hosts an AI news panel with Reuters tech reporter Deepa Seetharaman and Shaleen Title, former chair Cannabis Control Board commissioner who teaches AI regulation at Roger Williams University School of Law. They’ll talk about last week's attack on Open AI CEO Sam Altman, pushback to the construction of data centers in Everett, and the value of AI in school classrooms.

    Then, we’re celebrating National Scrabble Day with Bradley Whitmarsh, a competitive Scrabble player ranked in the top 100 for the U.S. We’ll talk strategy, learn about the world of competitive Scrabble, and take calls & texts from listeners.

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • How Many Frogs At Are Mount Auburn Cemetery?
    Apr 10 2026

    First up.... With some help from our studio audience, we’re playing a game of “bad fibs” – that's news-inspired mad libs, with nightside anchor Tori Bedford and a special guest appearance from reporter Marilyn Schairer.

    Then, All Things Considered host Arun Rath just so happens to be a practicing magician. He’ll join to talk about Boston’s rich history in the world of magic. He’ll also perform the first-ever live radio magic trick in Curiosity Desk history. (And yes... you can do this along at home, all you need is a desk of cards)

    Lastly, Mount Auburn Cemetery has become a living laboratory for scientists in the field of biodiversity. Edgar meets Herpetologist Joe Martinez & Vice President of Cemetery of Visitor’s Services Bree Harvey to talk about their work reintroducing native aquatic amphibians missing from the cemetery.

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • How Do You Get A Species Named After You?
    Apr 9 2026

    First, Edgar speaks with NASA flight director Rick Henfling, who is overseeing the Artemis II crew’s return this weekend.

    Next, shifting from outer space to the ocean’s depths, Edgar sits down with Boston University microbiologist Jeff Marlow to discuss his new book, The Dark Frontier: Unlocking the Secrets of the Deep Sea.

    Finally, Edgar explores the question, “Who’s really naming all these creatures?” in a conversation with Steve Heard, Honorary Research Professor at the University of New Brunswick, about his book, Charles Darwin's Barnacle and David Bowie's Spider: How Scientific Names Celebrate Adventurers, Heroes, and Even a Few Scoundrels

    Show More Show Less
    50 mins