Nuclear fuel plates submerged in water, showing the blue light of Cherenkov radiation.

89. Actinium: The Windup… And The Pitchblende

We all know that radioactive rocks glow in the dark, except they actually don’t, except for when they actually do.

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meep meep

T. R. Appleton wearing a homemade costume of Beaker, the muppet, for Halloween.
This year’s podcast-appropriate Halloween costume, which my wife very kindly made for me.

Happy Halloween, folks! Hope you had a safe Samhain and are all knee-deep in sweets — or at least basking in the golden glow of late autumn.

No new episode today, but next up will be actinium. So long as I stay on schedule, that will post next Monday, November 8.

88. Radium: Several Sordid Affairs

Out of all the characters who encounter radium in this episode, the only one to emerge unscathed is the guy who comes face-to-face with Satan.

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Podcast Playlist

Exciting news! The CBC Radio program Podcast Playlist has just featured The Episodic Table Of Elements as recommended listening, alongside the esteemed company of Darts & Letters, The Big Story, Star Trek: The Pod Directive, and ars PARADOXICA.

If you’ve found you way here thanks to those folks, welcome! I’m delighted you’re here. Podcast Playlist featured an excerpt of Episode 84, Polonium. Please do check out the rest of the episode to hear how that element sees use by vinyl record enthusiasts and state-sponsored murderers. And take a look at The Periodic Table Of Episodes to explore elements 1 – 83. (We’ve also visited element 85 and beyond now!)

Marie Curie will return in Episode 85, Radium, in which we’ll learn why not one but two duels were fought over Mme. Curie’s love and honor. 

The program has been on a bit of a hiatus recently, with my attention having been devoted to contractors, doctors, mechanics, clients, bosses, brides, and grooms. So I’m pleased to say that radium’s episode will finally air on Monday, October 18. Use the links in the right-hand sidebar to subscribe (or use your podcatcher of choice) to be notified when new episodes post.

A huge thank-you to everyone who’s waited patiently for the new episode, and for those of you visiting for the first time, I hope you enjoy discovering The Episodic Table Of Elements.