Cover image of show Inflection Point

Inflection Point

Podcast by C&EN

English

Technology & science

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About Inflection Point

Inflection Point traces emerging ideas in science to their surprising roots. With help from C&EN's vast, 100-year archive, we find the origins of modern breakthroughs, and tease out three different pieces of the puzzle that lead to our current moment.

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11 episodes

episode Retinol: The magical molecule's bizarre history artwork

Retinol: The magical molecule's bizarre history

In this episode, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel as far back as ancient Egypt to unearth the wide-ranging uses of retinol. They also bring in C&EN reporter Craig Bettenhausen to discuss why retinol is such a powerhouse molecule for skin care, and they hear from a contraceptives researcher about how an early candidate for a birth control pill for men affected the retinol pathway. C&EN's award-winning podcast Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inflection-point/id1804147797], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1dajV3XMJNL3i61U4LhNeh?si=E9U193_WRn-1UhwJNfaGBQ&nd=1&dlsi=6a2d33f46e82422a], or wherever you get your podcasts.

20 May 2026 - 32 min
episode Inflection Point: A time-traveling science history podcast artwork

Inflection Point: A time-traveling science history podcast

Take a trip through chemical space and time with C&EN's award-winning podcast: Inflection Point. Our show leans on C&EN's 100-year archive to trace today's headline topics back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, David and Gina explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inflection-point/id1804147797], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1dajV3XMJNL3i61U4LhNeh?si=E9U193_WRn-1UhwJNfaGBQ&nd=1&dlsi=6a2d33f46e82422a], or wherever you get your podcasts.

4 May 2026 - 1 min
episode Bonus: Celebrating 1 year of Inflection Point! artwork

Bonus: Celebrating 1 year of Inflection Point!

Exactly one year ago, co-hosts David and Gina embarked on their time-traveling journey thorugh science history. Along the way they've traced the unlikely origins of microplastics, relived the nauseating experiment behind the first battery, and fished for the surprising creatures that helped scientists develop GLP-1 drugs. Join them as they surprise each other with their favorite moments from the show's first year. C&EN's award-winning podcast Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inflection-point/id1804147797], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1dajV3XMJNL3i61U4LhNeh?si=E9U193_WRn-1UhwJNfaGBQ&nd=1&dlsi=6a2d33f46e82422a], or wherever you get your podcasts.

23 Mar 2026 - 30 min
episode The electric innovations that brought lithium-ion batteries online artwork

The electric innovations that brought lithium-ion batteries online

C&EN's award-winning podcast Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. In the last episode of our second season, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale charge up the time machine to relive three historical moments that led to the lithium-ion battery. They also bring in C&EN reporter Prachi Patel to discuss the shortcomings of lithium-ion batteries, whether we're facing a lithium shortage, and new battery chemistry still on the horizon. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inflection-point/id1804147797], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1dajV3XMJNL3i61U4LhNeh?si=E9U193_WRn-1UhwJNfaGBQ&nd=1&dlsi=6a2d33f46e82422a], or wherever you get your podcasts.

17 Dec 2025 - 37 min
episode The ancient, 'juicy' origins of antibiotic resistance artwork

The ancient, 'juicy' origins of antibiotic resistance

C&EN's award-winning podcast Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. In the third episode of our second season, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three historical moments that ultimately led to our current understanding of antibiotic resistance. They also bring in C&EN reporter Rowan Walrath to offer a glimpse into a doomsday-scenario future when antibiotics are no longer effective. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inflection-point/id1804147797], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1dajV3XMJNL3i61U4LhNeh?si=E9U193_WRn-1UhwJNfaGBQ&nd=1&dlsi=6a2d33f46e82422a], or wherever you get your podcasts.

3 Dec 2025 - 37 min
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