Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Chain Reaction is a new podcast from the American Chemical Society that links chemistry’s past to its future. Hosted by scientist‑turned‑podcaster Margot Wohl and guests, each miniseries explores one major theme through four tightly connected episodes featuring chemists, engineers, historians, and other experts. From the strange experiments of alchemists to the chemistry of world wars, from groundbreaking discoveries to the growing diversity of the chemical workforce, Chain Reaction uncovers how chemistry shapes our daily lives.
Listeners will hear vivid firsthand accounts, surprising scientific stories, and personal reflections that make chemistry feel human, relevant, and full of possibility. Whether it's the hunt for life‑saving drugs, the invisible chemistry happening inside buildings, or the massive impact humans have had on the environment, Chain Reaction offers a fresh, compelling take on chemistry. Subscribe now and start listening on March 19th: acs.org/chainreaction
Theme music by Dee Peterschmidt.
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions: “Gelano”
Here are the interviewees you heard in order of appearance:
Chris Reddy, Dorothy Phillips, Karen Masterson, Sam Kean, Alison McManus, Richard Corsi, William Burgos.
Produced by the American Chemical Society (ACS), one of the world’s largest scientific societies. ACS is a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences.
Join the #AmericanChemicalSociety! bit.ly/Join_ACS
Chain Reaction is a new podcast from the American Chemical Society that links chemistry’s past to its future. Hosted by scientist‑turned‑podcaster Margot Wohl and guests, each miniseries explores one major theme through four tightly connected episodes featuring chemists, engineers, historians, and other experts. From the strange experiments of alchemists to the chemistry of world wars, from groundbreaking discoveries to the growing diversity of the chemical workforce, Chain Reaction uncovers how chemistry shapes our daily lives.
Listeners will hear vivid firsthand accounts, surprising scientific stories, and personal reflections that make chemistry feel human, relevant, and full of possibility. Whether it's the hunt for life‑saving drugs, the invisible chemistry happening inside buildings, or the massive impact humans have had on the environment, Chain Reaction offers a fresh, compelling take on chemistry. Subscribe now and start listening on March 19th: acs.org/chainreaction
Theme music by Dee Peterschmidt.
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions: “Gelano”
Here are the interviewees you heard in order of appearance:
Chris Reddy, Dorothy Phillips, Karen Masterson, Sam Kean, Alison McManus, Richard Corsi, William Burgos.
Produced by the American Chemical Society (ACS), one of the world’s largest scientific societies. ACS is a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences.
Join the #AmericanChemicalSociety! bit.ly/Join_ACS
