Chain Reaction by ACS

This 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 University of Arkansas and the importance of being authentically yourself while creating space for quieter voices. Mary Jo Ondrechen discusses how community and cultural identity can help scientists overcome feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome. Ingrid Montes shares her experiences navigating gender and language barriers and argues that diverse perspectives strengthen science. Together, their stories show that scientific excellence depends on ensuring everyone feels they belong.

Related episodes you may enjoy:

• The Modern Chemist
• Breaking Barriers

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

“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 solve some of society’s biggest challenges while keeping people and the planet safe.

First, we hear from Amy Cannon, co-founder and executive director of Beyond Benign and the recipient of the first degree in green chemistry. Amy shares her unexpected path into the field, how she helped launch one of the world’s first green chemistry educational programs, and why educating future scientists is essential for building a more sustainable world.

Next, we talk with Mary Beth Mulcahy, scientist at Sandia National Laboratories and editor-in-chief of ACS Chemical Health & Safety. Drawing from her own experience surviving a serious laboratory accident, Mary Beth explains why safety is a critical component of sustainability. From managing risk to designing systems that account for error, she highlights the often-overlooked human side of scientific work.

Related episodes you may enjoy: 

• The Soil and Superfund Sites Beneath Us
• It’s a Watery World

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

This 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 classroom, sharing how hobbies like baking, sailboat racing, and reading continue to teach her new skills and inform her teaching. ACS education professional Karen Trimmer then discusses returning to school mid-career, finding purpose in mission-driven work, and embracing learning beyond traditional classrooms. Together, they show that lifelong learning isn't just about acquiring knowledge — it’s about staying curious, adaptable, and open to new possibilities.

Related episodes you may enjoy: 

• The Modern Chemist: The Origin Story of Chemistry, Episode 3
• 150 Years of ACS: The Origin Story of Chemistry, Episode 4

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

This 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 Giordan, who shares how childhood curiosity about how things work took her from chemistry research to leading innovation teams at companies including Polaroid and PepsiCo. The episode also features chemist Annabelle Lolinco, a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, who reflects on the life circumstances that shaped her career and how she is always finding new things to be passionate about! Together, their stories highlight how curiosity, resilience, and community help sustain a lifelong passion for science.

Related episodes you may enjoy: 

• The Poison Squad and Urinalysis: The Fascinating Lives of ACS Presidents Harvey Wiley and Helen M. Free
• A Conversation with Chemical Kim: Chemistry is Everyone, Episode 4

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

What 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 Society. From one person’s childhood science aspirations being shaped by the Cold War to another’s pioneering work in green chemistry, these episodes will provide a window into the ideas and lives of people molding chemistry’s future.

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

On 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 reported in animals and humans, the public health community was understandably panicked, prompting governments to take action to regulate its use.

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

If 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 administered to treat diabetes. But it wasn’t until semaglutide (better known as Ozempic) entered the market that peptides truly captured public attention. In today’s episode, we explore how what chemists and other scientists learned from insulin paved the way for the remarkable effectiveness of GLP-1 drugs, and how treatments originally developed for diabetes are now being used to address obesity, substance use, and more.

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

In 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 prescribed drugs in the country, but gaps still exist in our biological understanding of mental health, the overall efficacy of antidepressants, and predicting serious side effects. In response, some scientists and physicians are turning to different classes of drugs altogether to treat depression. 

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

The 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 responsibility of women. On today’s episode: the evolution of birth control and the future of male contraception. 

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction

Through 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: The fascinating world of antibiotics and the efforts to tackle antibiotic resistance, including using AI to come up with new drugs that will only become more essential.

Transcripts and episode sources at acs.org/chainreaction