Chasing Immortality

Henrietta Lacks wasn't looking for immortality. She was looking to be healed, and was exploited by her doctors. Today we share a story of lives saved and diseases cured and the fight for justice and recognition, and the immortal cells of Henrietta Lacks.

Listeners, usually our episodes are about greedy individuals searching for immortality to satisfy their own need for glory. Rarely do we get to share a story of those who are seeking eternity in an attempt to benefit their own version of the greater good. Today might just be that tale.

We're back, intrepid listeners. This week, dive into the real Nicholas Flamel, from his bookbinding-youth, to studies of alchemy to his empty grave.

This week's episode explores a woman whose self-preservation was much more pragmatic than it was optimistic: Diane de Poitiers, royal mistress to King Henry II of France (among many other things.)

This week we catch up with Rasputin as he trips balls, executes a minor coup, gets slit from groin to gullet, and still manages to avoid death--for a little while, anyway.

This episode, we explore the darkest side yet of the search for immortality with an alleged inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula, Elizabeth Bathory, aka the Blood Countess.

This week's topic involves incredibly advanced weaponry and rivers of mercury. Allow us to introduce you to Emperor Qin Shi Huang and his army of terracotta warriors.

This week we'll hear about the poster boy for "transhumanism," FM-2030: a former Olympic wrestler and basketball player whose name sounds like an all Muzak, all the time radio station.

Today we learn about a metaphysical cult, James Bernard Schafer, and how prunes play into immortality.