The Curiosity Desk

GBH News · wgbh.org

Edgar B. Herwick III hosts GBH’s newest show, The Curiosity Desk, where he answers your questions and examines everyday mysteries hiding in plain sight. Tune in daily for conversations, insights and profundities about the world we live in. Have something you’re curious about? Leave us a voicemail anytime at 877-301-8970, or submit questions via the form on our landing page at GBHNews.org.Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content and exclusive videos.

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Episodes 140

Did Meta Really Lose?
3d ago · 52:00
August 27, 2026 First, it's another round of the Glitch Report, with misinformation researcher Joan Donovan. Today she’s joined by tech reporter and CNN contributor Jacob Ward for analysis of the $17.1 billion dollar Meta settlement over social media addiction. Then, MIT economist Jon Gruber joins with Nathaniel Hendren, founder and co-director of the group Policy Impacts. They’ll talk about what makes effective government policy, and why policy makers are so quick to get in their own way. Lastly, it's National Peach Day today. We’re celebrating with Dan Souza from America’s Test Kitchen, who
Are We On The Cusp Of Nuclear Fusion?
4d ago · 52:07
August 26, 2026 First up, we open with a conversation about – what else? – data centers, and the question of how much strain they put on energy grids. We’ll also look at lessons in large-scale data center growth from Virginia & Texas, with Rachel Mural from the Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. We're moving from data centers to general electricity usage, and how things like vehicle charging and heating & cooling put a more urgent strain on infrastructure. Edgar talks with MIT’s Christopher Knittel & Barbara Kates-Garnick from The Fletcher School in f
Too Much True Crime?
5d ago · 52:00
August 25, 2026 We're hosting a panel conversation around the use of AI in K-12 curriculums. Edgar talks with MTA President and longtime Andover history teacher Matt Bach, edX’s Nina Huntemann, and emerging industries lawyer-slash-activist Shaleen Title. It’s another round of Four Things to Know with Gal Tziperman Lotan from GBH Daily. B.U. researcher Kathryn Coduto reflects on the psychological impact of our cultural obsession with true-crime, in the case of Lindsay Clancy and others.
How Is AI Playing Ping-Pong?
6d ago · 52:00
August 26, 2026 While everyone hums and haws about AI consciousness, Colombia College Chicago Philosophy professor Stephen Asma has been reflecting on the seemingly-conscious & potentially horrifying implications of “wetware biocomputers,” small collections of human stem cells that can be taught to, among other things, play pong. He’ll join to discuss. Tufts nutritionist Lynne Asuman helps decode the dense, confusing, multi-syllabic world of nutrition labels. There’s a feature on the Merriam-Webster website called “Time Traveler,” that lets you search word origins by year. Edgar talks with edi
Why Does Craig LeMoult Have So Many Butterflies?
9d ago · 52:08
August 21, 2026 First up, it's the latest edition of ICYMI, our menagerie of misfit news. Joining today are GBH’s Paris Alston & Jeremy Siegel. They’ll talk about Duxbury beachgoers frustrated by bird protections, a massive squid spillage in Rhode Island, and a Guinea Pig sanctuary up in Salisbury that’s housing 350 - 400 guinea pigs at any given time. Then, we chat briefly with Kimie Smothermon and Jacquline Ranger from that Salisbury Guinea Pig Sanctuary. Afterwards, we celebrate of Trans History Month, Edgar talks with Joan Ilacqua from Queer History Boston about the life and legacy of expl
What Is Cognitive Architecture?
10d ago · 51:59
First up, Edgar will interview the newly-crowned winner of the 41st-annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest, which concludes this afternoon around 12:30. Then, it’s another round of The Glitch Report, with misinformation researcher Joan Donovan. We’ll talk Flock camera controversy, Bill Gates’ daughter in hot water over a cookie-stuffing scheme, and teachers worried that AI is taking away student’s ability to think critically. Lastly, we air a field piece from producer Hannah Loss, where Tufts Professor Justin Hollander explains the concept of “cognitive architecture,” during a tour throughout the
Why Does A Cheating Bird Change Its Tune?
11d ago · 52:07
First, Mary Cate Colapietro from ISO New England quizzes Edgar on “the grid” and how it actually supplies our electricity. Then, we meet Norwegian researcher Tore Slagsvold for a conversation about why male pied flycatchers will subtly change their song when they’ve been cheating on their mates. Lastly, Dr. Vincent Martin from the University of Cincinnati explains why we get migrants ahead of inclement weather.
Why Is It So Hard To Make The Ocean Drinkable?
12d ago · 53:13
We’re answering a listener’s curiosity question about the challenges of desalination, with MIT researcher and author Amos Winter. Then it’s Gal Tziperman Lotan, back with Four Things to Know. Lastly, Mass. General Brigham’s Dr. Ashwini Nadkarni explains why we can still experience seasonal affective disorder in the summertime.
What's The Best Dog For My Cat?
13d ago · 50:54
First -- it's our faith leader news panel, with B.U.’s Rev. Jessica Chicka, B.U., Associate Muslim Chaplain Sr. Naureen Mallick, and Rabbi Charlie Schwartz from Lehrhaus. We’ll get their thoughts on the Luigi Mangione trial, Facebook being addictive to children, and New York legalizing medical aid in dying. Then, phone & text lines are open for the latest round of Ask the Dog & Cat Behaviorists. Today, Edgar’s joined by Rachel Geller from All Cats All the Time & Kate Bigger from High Fidelity Dogs.
Can Mentalism Make Me Rich?
16d ago · 50:13
Friday, August 14th First up it’s our misfit news panel ICYM, this week with Axios’ Mike Deehan and filmmaker & audio journalist CC Paschal. They’ll talk about debate around legal barriers for would-be fortune tellers, Pickleball drama in Mashpee, and the supposed summer of the man purse. Then, Edgar talks with David Kruh and Tina Drzal about their new book Little Mister Victory: A Daughter's Search for the Woman Who Abandoned Her Father on VJ Day. Lastly, Mentalist Tom Indigo is back. He’ll teach us some simple tricks that can be performed at home (or at a bar to win a buck) and talk about wh
Why Don't We Have More Lefties?
17d ago · 52:01
August 13th, 2026 Misinformation researcher Joan Donovan is back for another round of The Glitch Report. This week we’re talking about major lawsuits against Meta over whether it designed apps to be addictive to children. Joan is joined this week by technology journalist Jacob Ward. Then: today is international left handers day. Edgar meets Thomas Puschel, Associate Professor in Evolutionary Anthropology at Oxford, for a conversation about his research on left and right-handedness. And animal behaviorist and author Jennifer Verdolin returns, this month to discuss what humans can learn about co
Should Edgar Buy A New Car?
18d ago · 52:05
August 12, 2026 First up, Sky & Telescope’s Kelly Beatty tells us about the incoming solar eclipse, he's live on the scene in Alcaniz, Spain. This is the first solar eclipse mainland Europe has seen in 27 years. Then, the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown made two separate whale rescues off the coast of Massachusetts last week. We’ll talk about the work of their Marine Animal Entanglement Response Program with Executive Director Anne-Marie Runfola. Finally, CFP Jennifer Lane breaks down all you need to know when you’re looking to buy a car.
What Was the Golden Age of Languages?
19d ago · 52:10
First up, MIT economist Jon Gruber on economic incentives to get people out of cars and onto public transportation. Then, we’re welcoming back Gal Tziperman Lotan, who’s got Four Things to Know for August 11th. Lastly, Yale Linguist Claire Bowern joins with Wampanoag Linguist Jessie Little Doe Baird for a conversation about the lifespan of languages.
How Do We Know What Abigail Adams Sounded Like?
20d ago · 51:48
First up, we open with a conversation about HOA's as barriers to sustainable landscaping and sustainable energy, with Michigan State University’s Daniel Kramer & Madeline Carr. Then, freelance journalist Leo DeLuca talks about his piece for Smithsonian Magazine on the history of hold music, and the origin story behind Tim Carleton’s iconic Opus No. 1. Lastly, Edgar welcomes back friend of the show, Abigail Adams interpreter Sarah Walsh with historical dialect coach Christopher Davis ahead of an appearance at History Camp Boston 2026.
What's The Rocky Horror Drama?
23d ago · 52:00
August 7, 2026 First up, it’s ICYMI, our misfit news week-in-review. This week panelists are GBH’s Jeremy Siegel and freelance journalist Maura Johnston. They’ll discuss drama at a Vermont production of Rocky Horror, 97 year-old Betty Bromage setting the Guinness record for oldest female wing-walker, and the auction of the Cape Cod Christmas Tree Shop sign. Then, late last month the new Center for Therapeutic Genetics was announced. Edgar will meet Wendy Chung, Chief of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and director Winston Yan to discuss gene therapy, rare diseases, and what it’s going
Can Prediction Markets Sway An Election?
24d ago · 52:39
August 6, 2026 First up, it's another round of The Glitch Report, with misinformation researcher Joan Donovan. This week she talks sports books, gambling, and what happens when online prediction markets filtered into politics, alongside NPR tech reporter Bobby Allyn. Then: MIT professor Danielle Wood, on the issue of space debris & news of Space X’s Falcon 9 rocket crashing into the moon. Lastly, we learn about the curious side of twins with Dr. Kimberly Saudino, Director of the Boston University Twin Project.
What Comes Before Eureka?
25d ago · 51:59
August 6, 2026 First up, with all this fervor around the spike in lion’s mane jellyfish sightings off the coast of Massachusetts, GBH’s Craig LeMoult set out to learn about the jellies with experts at the New England Aquarium’s Jelly Lab. He didn’t find anything to worry about, but did stumble upon some curious kids with curious questions about jellyfish. He’ll talk about his experience getting those questions answered. Then, Edgar talks with author Roberta Kwok about her latest release, Lost in Curiosity: Field Notes from Scientists' Adventures Into the Unknown. Lastly, this summer, there’s n
What Makes A Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie?
26d ago · 52:10
August 4th, 2026 First up, Amherst College environmental historian Edward D. Melillo discusses the role that bird poop played in establishing America’s global dominance in the 19th century – and how it all ties back to the Strait of Hormuz. Then, we welcome back Gal Tziperman Lotan with Four Things to Know for Tuesday, August 4th. Lastly, its National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day – Edgar meets David Leite, founder of Leite's Culinaria to talk about the cookie’s local origins and how to perfect the recipe. We’ll also open up phone and text lines to hear from callers.
Special Hour: 🍅 Tomato Takeover 🍅
27d ago · 52:00
August 3rd, 2026 We talk with Harvard Law Professor Jacob Gersen about Nix v. Hedden, the 1893 Supreme Court that officially classified tomatoes as a vegetable in the U.S. Farmer & food sustainability expert Mitch Hagney breaks down the industrial tomato sourcing & ripening process. Scent historian Jessica Murphy talks about a recent trend of tomato-scented perfumes and soaps, and why someone would feel compelled to make themselves smell like a tomato. Mass. Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle previews the 41st-annual Massachusetts Tomato Contest, and her criteria f
ICYMI: It's 3 AM. Do You Know Where Henry Santoro Is?
1mo ago · 52:23
July 31, 2026 First up, it's our Friday menagerie of misfit news ICYMI, this week with Henry Santoro and the Boston Globe’s Emily Sweeney. They’ll talk about the end of 3 AM late-night culture in Boston, Ogunquit lawn rooster drama, and the closure of Boston burrito chain Boloco. Then: Edgar talks with Chris Murphy, the lawyer representing David & Ina Steiner in the eBay stalking case that ended with a $56 million settlement this week. After: it’s opening weekend for the Women’s Pro Baseball League! We’ll chat briefly with Woburn-based Jacqueline Reynolds, who’s playing for the New York Heigh
Where Did This Humidity Come From?
1mo ago · 54:31
July 30, 2026 On Today's show... Our weekly edition of The Glitch Report, with misinformation researcher Joan Donovan. She’ll weigh in on Kash Patel’s lost defamation suit over being called a “chud,” Russia’s crackdown on the private messaging service Telegram, and the AI companies recruiting electricians and carpenters by the thousands. We ask “why is New England so humid?” and explore the health impacts of humidity and summer heatwaves with Erin Coughlan de Perez, an associate professor and climate scientist at Tufts. A Curiosity Desk archive piece on why Boston’s official weather is measur
Why Does New England Love Its Stone Walls?
1mo ago · 52:00
July 29, 2026 First: A reporter’s notebook with GBH reporter Meghan Smith, about her recent story on culinary programs employing people with disabilities. Then: former Atlantic editor Matt Seaton expands on his column about New England’s stone walls, and his personal journey out of magazine editing and into to the world of walling. Lastly: Edgar meets Rasmus Larsen, a forensic epistemologist at the University of Toronto, to talk about his research debunking the notion of psychopaths in society.
AI News Panel: Did OpenAI Truly "Go Rogue"?
1mo ago · 52:02
First up, it's an AI news panel, this week with Boston Globe tech reporter Hiawatha Bray, researcher Elena Glassman, and Agents of Purpose founder Kathy Pham. We’ll talk about the futuristic OpenAI hack, U.S. competition with China, and growing public discontent with AI data centers. Then, we welcome back Gal Tziperman Lotan with Four Things to Know for July 28th. We’ll also play Edgar’s piece on why we call this period the “Dog Days” of Summer. Lastly, Edgar meets Dennis Boothby, who makes his living scouring the beaches of New England with a metal detector to track down people's lost jewe
Who Decides the Ballot Question Order?
1mo ago · 52:06
We begin with Chris Liniski from Commonwealth Beacon, explaining how Mass. chooses the order of election ballot questions and how it can influence outcomes. Then, Bowling Green State University historian Ruth Hearndon about the indentured servitude of children in 18th-century U.S. life, with help from GBH’s Matt Welch, who discovered a personal connection to the issue digging through his own family records. We round out our show with the National Button Society members Kendall Clark and Mathew Brown. We check in with them during the National Button Society Convention ongoing in Manchester NH.
What Does It Mean To Live In Harmony With The Rats?
1mo ago · 51:59
First up, it’s another round of our misfit news panel ICYMI, this week with GBH’s Callie Crossley and UTR producer Andrea Asuaje. Among other stories, they'll touch on mixed messaging around the safety of Charles River swimming, and major fashion brands pushing reading as the hot new thing. Then, as Beacon Hill leaders weigh whether to restrict the use of rodenticide to protect urban wildlife, we talk with Ricky Meinke, director of Allston’s Rat City Arts Festival, and citizen-scientist / self-described Rat Ranger Lexi Grosse. Support local Allston artists here at the Rat City Arts Festival: h