{"generated_at": "2026-04-22T21:24:23.515207Z", "slug": "science_friday", "source_id": "src_science_friday", "name": "Science Friday", "episode_count": 5, "avg_signal": 65.8, "median_signal": 65.3, "top_signal": 78.7, "latest_episode_at": "2026-04-21T10:00:00Z", "earliest_episode_at": "2026-04-14T10:00:00Z", "category_mode": "science", "cover_image_url": "https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/ff070051-5893-4f31-941e-0ab4d84184b6/50069eab-20a4-4f9b-91ad-d8c50ef18f2d/3000x3000/podcast_image_3000_x_3000_px_15.jpg?aid=rss_feed", "rank_score": 115.905, "episodes": [{"episode_id": "ep_science_friday_f35cfab1a699", "episode_title": "The lucky breaks that make our Earth home", "podcast_name": "Science Friday", "podcast_slug": "science_friday", "source_id": "src_science_friday", "category": "science", "publish_date": "2026-04-21T10:00:00Z", "overall_score": 53.8, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 47.6, "originality": 47.8, "hype_penalty": 3.0, "actionability": 59.0, "technical_depth": 46.0, "information_density": 63.5}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/ff070051-5893-4f31-941e-0ab4d84184b6/50069eab-20a4-4f9b-91ad-d8c50ef18f2d/3000x3000/podcast_image_3000_x_3000_px_15.jpg?aid=rss_feed", "source_link": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/science-friday", "audio_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/14/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/waaa.wnyc.org/ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599/episodes/c661887e-50d4-4ad8-a6c3-5192df68b024/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599&awEpisodeId=c661887e-50d4-4ad8-a6c3-5192df68b024&feed=h18ZIZD_", "listen_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/14/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/waaa.wnyc.org/ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599/episodes/c661887e-50d4-4ad8-a6c3-5192df68b024/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599&awEpisodeId=c661887e-50d4-4ad8-a6c3-5192df68b024&feed=h18ZIZD_", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of know, like, life, including: What time is my meeting with Tim today?.", "summary": "You're more than just one thing."}, {"episode_id": "ep_science_friday_ebeeaa4c0651", "episode_title": "How New Jersey tamped down PFAS in drinking water", "podcast_name": "Science Friday", "podcast_slug": "science_friday", "source_id": "src_science_friday", "category": "science", "publish_date": "2026-04-20T10:00:00Z", "overall_score": 78.7, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 70.8, "originality": 63.0, "hype_penalty": 1.5, "actionability": 67.0, "technical_depth": 83.5, "information_density": 96.6}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/ff070051-5893-4f31-941e-0ab4d84184b6/373a8a50-b184-4ee7-a365-6175785a86e0/3000x3000/podcast_image_3000_x_3000_px_14.jpg?aid=rss_feed", "source_link": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/science-friday", "audio_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/14/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/waaa.wnyc.org/ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599/episodes/08907dad-df42-4e22-93de-27bfe1ea7af1/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599&awEpisodeId=08907dad-df42-4e22-93de-27bfe1ea7af1&feed=h18ZIZD_", "listen_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/14/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/waaa.wnyc.org/ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599/episodes/08907dad-df42-4e22-93de-27bfe1ea7af1/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599&awEpisodeId=08907dad-df42-4e22-93de-27bfe1ea7af1&feed=h18ZIZD_", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of pfas, water, these, including: Nearly every one of us has some type of PFAS, commonly known as forever chemicals in their blood.", "summary": "Nearly every one of us has some type of PFAS, commonly known as forever chemicals in their blood. These chemicals are found in nonstick pan coatings, waterproof materials, and firefighting foam."}, {"episode_id": "ep_science_friday_8c9d00106554", "episode_title": "How a particle accelerator illuminated 56 human organs", "podcast_name": "Science Friday", "podcast_slug": "science_friday", "source_id": "src_science_friday", "category": "science", "publish_date": "2026-04-17T10:00:00Z", "overall_score": 60.1, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 64.5, "originality": 47.2, "hype_penalty": 3.0, "actionability": 75.0, "technical_depth": 46.0, "information_density": 62.7}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/ff070051-5893-4f31-941e-0ab4d84184b6/9d90a8d5-edee-43b1-acd1-e4d03fdf6f60/3000x3000/podcast_image_3000_x_3000_px_13.jpg?aid=rss_feed", "source_link": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/science-friday", "audio_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/14/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/waaa.wnyc.org/ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599/episodes/cd3d4b1d-ac1e-47da-a78b-5eade4c21c9d/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599&awEpisodeId=cd3d4b1d-ac1e-47da-a78b-5eade4c21c9d&feed=h18ZIZD_", "listen_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/14/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/waaa.wnyc.org/ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599/episodes/cd3d4b1d-ac1e-47da-a78b-5eade4c21c9d/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599&awEpisodeId=cd3d4b1d-ac1e-47da-a78b-5eade4c21c9d&feed=h18ZIZD_", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of like, it's, kind, including: Spring weekends are all about family, sunshine, and evenings on the patio.", "summary": "WNYC Studios is supported by Total Wine & More. With so many bottles to choose from, it's easy to discover a favorite or something new for everyone to enjoy."}, {"episode_id": "ep_science_friday_4e3d49d0e347", "episode_title": "When a dolphin whistles, what does it mean?", "podcast_name": "Science Friday", "podcast_slug": "science_friday", "source_id": "src_science_friday", "category": "science", "publish_date": "2026-04-15T10:00:00Z", "overall_score": 65.3, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 47.5, "originality": 51.4, "hype_penalty": 4.8, "actionability": 67.0, "technical_depth": 76.0, "information_density": 88.7}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/ff070051-5893-4f31-941e-0ab4d84184b6/c391590a-ec19-4726-8e23-e74ccc92ea75/3000x3000/podcast_image_3000_x_3000_px_9.jpg?aid=rss_feed", "source_link": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/science-friday", "audio_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/14/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/waaa.wnyc.org/ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599/episodes/3b162d6d-6e14-45b8-a64c-fc21035d0c13/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599&awEpisodeId=3b162d6d-6e14-45b8-a64c-fc21035d0c13&feed=h18ZIZD_", "listen_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/14/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/waaa.wnyc.org/ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599/episodes/3b162d6d-6e14-45b8-a64c-fc21035d0c13/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599&awEpisodeId=3b162d6d-6e14-45b8-a64c-fc21035d0c13&feed=h18ZIZD_", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It goes beyond the title with direct discussion of know, like, whistles, including: Science is a rigorous process that requires questions, testing, transparency, and results that can be proven.", "summary": "WNYC Studios is supported by Bayer."}, {"episode_id": "ep_science_friday_c9af68129be8", "episode_title": "Inside the lives of astronauts\u2019 families", "podcast_name": "Science Friday", "podcast_slug": "science_friday", "source_id": "src_science_friday", "category": "culture", "publish_date": "2026-04-14T10:00:00Z", "overall_score": 71.0, "score_breakdown": {"clarity": 80.0, "originality": 85.0, "actionability": 45.0, "technical_depth": 65.0, "recency_relevance": 70.0, "information_density": 75.0}, "podcast_cover_url": "https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/ff070051-5893-4f31-941e-0ab4d84184b6/c1d8a9c0-a75b-4a11-bb1b-ead5e1eb66bb/3000x3000/podcast_image_3000_x_3000_px_8.jpg?aid=rss_feed", "source_link": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/science-friday", "audio_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/14/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/waaa.wnyc.org/ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599/episodes/9dff2dcc-8afb-4029-a301-0b20d57b63dd/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599&awEpisodeId=9dff2dcc-8afb-4029-a301-0b20d57b63dd&feed=h18ZIZD_", "listen_url": "https://pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/14/pdst.fm/e/dts.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/waaa.wnyc.org/ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599/episodes/9dff2dcc-8afb-4029-a301-0b20d57b63dd/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ac8e2039-dfef-4938-b66a-c2f58f4b7599&awEpisodeId=9dff2dcc-8afb-4029-a301-0b20d57b63dd&feed=h18ZIZD_", "verdict": "worth_your_time", "why_listen": "It offers a rare, firsthand sociological perspective on the emotional and familial toll of space exploration, grounded in both personal memory and academic research.", "summary": "The episode examines the sociological impact of space missions on astronauts' families, drawing on Tracy Scott's research and personal experience as the daughter of Apollo astronaut David Scott. It contrasts the Apollo era's communal, media-saturated family life with today's more connected but individualistic culture, highlighting the wives' unacknowledged diplomatic and emotional labor. Key data points include an 80% divorce rate among Apollo-era astronaut marriages and the 'squawk box' system that piped mission control audio into homes."}], "category_breakdown": [{"category": "science", "count": 4}, {"category": "culture", "count": 1}]}