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Noam Hassenfeld

Noam Hassenfeld

Host and Senior Producer, Unexplainable

Noam Hassenfeld is the host and senior producer of Unexplainable, Vox’s science podcast about everything we don’t know. He co-created the show and also composes the music.

Noam particularly loves investigating questions that seem simple — even goofy — at first but lead to surprising places, like “What did dinosaurs sound like?” or “Why do we yawn?” or “What even is sound?”

Before Unexplainable, Noam was a reporter/producer for Today, Explained, where he spent a not insignificant chunk of his time making parody songs about the news. He also co-created the show’s first spinoff series, Today, Explained to Kids, which takes place on the magical (and educational!) Island of Explained.

Latest articles by Noam Hassenfeld

What a practical approach to AI looks like, according to an expert
The Highlight

How Ethan Mollick uses AI to help him write.

By Noam Hassenfeld
How much can we actually control inflation?How much can we actually control inflation?
Audio
Unexplainable

The mystery of inflation may be rooted in psychology.

By Noam Hassenfeld
She’s been chasing solar eclipses for three decades. What’s she after?She’s been chasing solar eclipses for three decades. What’s she after?
Audio
Unexplainable

This scientist has seen nearly 20 solar eclipses. She’s trying to solve a mystery that could help protect Earth.

By Noam Hassenfeld
Runners can be disqualified for starting after the gun. What gives?
Audio
Unexplainable

The rules of elite running say no one can start a race faster than 0.1 seconds. Scientists say that’s wrong.

By Brian Resnick and Noam Hassenfeld
Even the scientists who build AI can’t tell you how it worksEven the scientists who build AI can’t tell you how it works
Audio
Unexplainable

“We built it, we trained it, but we don’t know what it’s doing.”

By Noam Hassenfeld
How Havana syndrome helps us rethink the brainHow Havana syndrome helps us rethink the brain
Audio
Unexplainable

A neurologist explains how its weird symptoms can manifest via a common but misunderstood class of brain ailments.

By Noam Hassenfeld
What did dinosaurs actually sound like? Take a listen.
Audio
Unexplainable

Two tubas, a chicken, and a low-pitched alligator: The weird ways scientists imagine dinosaur voices.

By Noam Hassenfeld
What science still doesn’t know about the five senses
Audio
Science

Our senses create our reality. They can trick us, but also teach us.

By Brian Resnick and Noam Hassenfeld
Cancer has a smell. Someday your phone may detect it.Cancer has a smell. Someday your phone may detect it.
Audio
Unexplainable

Our sense of smell is still a mystery. But that’s not stopping research on robot noses.

By Noam Hassenfeld
How the Nobel Prizes skew scienceHow the Nobel Prizes skew science
Science

A biologist critiques one of the highest honors in science and proposes a new way to reward humanity’s biggest discoveries.

By Byrd Pinkerton and Noam Hassenfeld