Australia
Brazil
Canada
Germany
India
Ireland
Japan
Mexico
New Zealand
Philippines
South Africa
United Kingdom
Adventures into Chemistry
Also in Chemistry
Science
Chain Reaction by ACS
by American Chemical Society
Recently ranked · United States
Last recorded placements from this show’s chart history. These are not current rankings.
Not on the United States charts we track today.
Not on the United Kingdom charts we track today.
Not on the Canada charts we track today.
Not on the Australia charts we track today.
Not on the Germany charts we track today.
Not on the Brazil charts we track today.
Not on the Mexico charts we track today.
Not on the New Zealand charts we track today.
Not on the Ireland charts we track today.
Not on the Japan charts we track today.
Not on the Philippines charts we track today.
Not on the South Africa charts we track today.
If you like Chain Reaction by ACS, try…
Chemistry For Your Life
Also in Chemistry
32 Short Stories of Chemists and Their Chemicals
Similar topics: chemistry and chemists
Science History Podcast
Also in Chemistry
Papo de Química
Also in Chemistry
The Science Show
Also in Natural Sciences
Latest episodes
-
Better Science Through Belonging: Chemistry at Its Core, Episode 4
October 29, 2026 · 29 minThis episode explores inclusion and belonging through conversations with leaders from three scientific societies: NOBCChE, AISES, and SACNAS. Bridgette Shannon reflects on becoming the first Black woman to earn a chemistry Ph.D. at the…
-
Where Safety Meets Sustainability: Chemistry at Its Core, Episode 3
October 22, 2026 · 24 min“Sustainability” has become quite the buzzword, but what does it mean in the world of chemistry? In this episode of Chain Reaction, we explore ACS’ core value of sustainability through two conversations that reveal how chemistry can help…
-
Always a Student: Chemistry at Its Core, Episode 2
October 15, 2026 · 23 minThis episode explores lifelong learning, one of ACS’s core values, through conversations with two educators whose careers have been shaped by curiosity and growth. High school chemistry teacher Amiee Modic reflects on 40-plus years in the…
-
When Passion Meets Real Life: Chemistry at Its Core, Episode 1
October 8, 2026 · 32 minThis episode kicks off a special Chain Reaction miniseries exploring the American Chemical Society’s core values, beginning with a deep dive into “passion for science.” Miniseries co-host Shane Hanlon interviews former ACS President Judy…
-
Teaser: Chemistry at Its Core
October 1, 2026 · 2 minWhat do passion for science, lifelong learning, sustainability, and inclusion and belonging look like in action? The latest miniseries focuses on people who exemplify some of the values that are most important to the American Chemical…
Show 7 more episodesShow fewer episodes
-
[Bonus] When a Last Resort Antibiotic Fails: The Drugs That Shape Us
September 17, 2026 · 15 minOn this bonus episode we answer a listener's question about antibiotic resistance arising from agriculture by diving into the story of colistin, an antibiotic that is used as a last resort treatment. When colistin resistance was first…
-
From Insulin to GLP-1s — a Peptide Saga: The Drugs That Shape Us, Episode 4
September 3, 2026 · 42 minIf you’re on social media, you may feel bombarded by influencers promoting peptides for a range of ailments so broad it almost seems like a brand-new trend. But peptide-based therapies actually date back to 1922, when insulin was first…
-
Three Theories of Depression and the Promise of Psychedelics: The Drugs That Shape Us, Episode 3
August 27, 2026 · 57 minIn the late 1950s, a tuberculosis drug was repurposed as the world’s first antidepressant. Then the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Prozac ushered in a new era of antidepressants. Today SSRIs are some of the most widely…
-
Beyond the Pill: The Drugs That Shape Us, Episode 2
August 20, 2026 · 40 minThe discovery of sex hormones in the 1930s led to the development of female birth control, a widely used class of drugs that reshaped cultural norms surrounding fertility and bodily autonomy. But contraception remains largely the…
-
The Antibiotics Boom, Bust, and Search for What's Next: The Drugs That Shape Us, Episode 1
August 13, 2026 · 51 minThrough a few serendipitous discoveries, antibiotics changed the course of history by turning deadly infections into manageable sicknesses. But it didn’t take long for bacteria to begin outsmarting these wonder drugs. On today’s episode…
-
Teaser: The Drugs That Shape Us
August 6, 2026 · 2 minYou’ve likely relied on a drug at one point or another, whether it be a prescribed medication or something over the counter. The upcoming miniseries of Chain Reaction explores the history, impact, and future of major drug classes…
-
[Bonus] The Poison Squad and Urinalysis: The Fascinating Lives of ACS Presidents Harvey Wiley and Helen M. Free
July 23, 2026 · 19 minThis bonus episode continues the celebration of the American Chemical Society’s 150th anniversary by spotlighting two remarkable ACS presidents whose work helped shape public health in very different ways. Hosts Margot and Shane trade…
About the show
Chain Reaction links chemistry's past to its future, revealing how this ever‑evolving science shapes the world around us, from the materials we use every day to the environment that we depend on. Each episode brings fresh perspectives and personal stories from chemists, engineers, and other scientists, as well as historians who guide us through pivotal moments in chemistry’s history. Together, we’ll uncover chemistry’s surprising connections, explore its interdisciplinary impact, and see how past discoveries set off the breakthroughs of today and the future.
Whether you’re a student, an experienced scientist, or simply curious, Chain Reaction will show you how chemistry fits into the bigger picture — and why it matters now more than ever.