The Episodic Table of Elements

T. R. Appleton

A podcast about the fascinating true stories behind each element on the periodic table.

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98 episodes
Updated Sep 27, 2025

Episodes98

Newest first

Jul 9, 2018 · 18 min
16. Sulfur: No Mistakes, Only Happy Accidents
From Vulcan to vultures, today's element brings stories of unintended consequences.
Jun 11, 2018 · 16 min
15. Phosphorus: Dealing With The Devil
The history of phosphorus is largely a tale of people getting their hands dirty. Very, very dirty.
May 28, 2018 · 27 min
14. Silicon: Tool Of All Trades
From prehistoric times right through today, our hand-held tools have been made of silicon.
May 14, 2018 · 27 min
13. Aluminium: War Of The Words
Listen to some of the pointless arguments caused by element 13, and take a look at the argument-filled history of one sharp aluminum point.
Apr 30, 2018 · 14 min
12. Magnesium: White Light/White Heat
Magnesium makes for quite a fireworks display, whether inside your body or out.
Apr 16, 2018 · 24 min
11. Sodium: What’s In Na?
Turns out ancient sages and seers might've actually known a thing or two. Also, is there a good reason for sodium's chemical symbol? Na.
Apr 2, 2018 · 13 min
10. Neon: A Sign Of The Times
Neon may no longer be "the new one," but it might have a better claim to the name than any other element on the periodic table.
Mar 19, 2018 · 20 min
9. Fluorine: Tyger Tyger, Burning Bright
Just *try* to tally the body count behind the periodic table's most reactive element, then learn why you should drink it.
Mar 5, 2018 · 31 min
8. Oxygen: Take What You Can Get
Element 8 brings us two different stories about a population that gets a little too swept up in the latest craze, happening to commit mass murder in the process.
Feb 19, 2018 · 33 min
7. Nitrogen: Taking The Good With The Bad
Today we meet one man who's responsible for the death of millions -- and the survival of billions.
Feb 12, 2018 · 35 min
6. Carbon: The Circle Of Life
Learn why carbon is the foundation of all life on Earth as we investigate a chemist's suicide, death by air pollution, and one very, very cold murder case.
Feb 5, 2018 · 17 min
5. Boron: Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?
Today, we look past boron's hard exterior to get acquainted with its softer side. Its confusing, gooey, softer side.
Jan 29, 2018 · 21 min
4. Beryllium: The Modern Sisyphus
As we try to dive deep into beryllium, we discover its irritating tendency to send us back to the beginning.
Jan 22, 2018 · 28 min
3. Lithium: The Element Of Surprise
We cautiously approach this explosively reactive element and learn about its surprising ability to stabilize moods, with a brief foray into Bolivian economics along the way.
Jan 15, 2018 · 18 min
2. Helium: Above All That
This week, we try to interact with helium, even though it really doesn't want to. Plus, we explore the occult side of chemistry, as described by the theosophists.
Jan 8, 2018 · 27 min
1. Hydrogen: Close To The Sun
As we investigate our first element, we'll meet warring balloonists, witness mass media's first major tragedy, and see how the tiniest mistake can cost a lot of money. Plus, we'll try to pin down where hydrogen belongs on the periodic table.
Jan 1, 2018 · 10 min
0. Everything The Light Touches
In our inaugural episode, we'll cover the creation of the periodic table before we start exploring each element one-by-one.
Dec 14, 2017 · 1 min
Preview The Episodic Table of Elements
Wondering what sorts of things you might here on The Episodic Table of Elements? I've produced this brief teaser so you can get an idea of what kinds of stories you'll hear.

The Episodic Table of Elements

16. Sulfur: No Mistakes, Only Happy Accidents

15. Phosphorus: Dealing With The Devil

14. Silicon: Tool Of All Trades

13. Aluminium: War Of The Words

12. Magnesium: White Light/White Heat

11. Sodium: What’s In Na?

10. Neon: A Sign Of The Times

9. Fluorine: Tyger Tyger, Burning Bright

8. Oxygen: Take What You Can Get

7. Nitrogen: Taking The Good With The Bad

6. Carbon: The Circle Of Life

5. Boron: Working Hard, Or Hardly Working?

4. Beryllium: The Modern Sisyphus

3. Lithium: The Element Of Surprise

2. Helium: Above All That

1. Hydrogen: Close To The Sun

0. Everything The Light Touches

Preview The Episodic Table of Elements