''America's funniest science writer'' (Washington Post), Mary Roach has researched and written about the life of the recently expired human body (Stiff), the mysteries that lie beyond this mortal coil (Spook), the prurient phenomena of sex (Bonk), the practical oddities of space travel (Packing for Mars), and the taboo trek of human digestion (Gulp). In addition to her longtime monthly Reader's Digest column, Roach has contributed essays and articles to Vogue, the New York Times, National Geographic, Wired, Outside, and a variety of other publications. In Grunt, she tackles the science behind the extreme challenges facing the soldier-panic, fatigue, noise, and exhaustion-and the often bizarre circumstances of the battlefield. 

In conversation with Jason Freeman

(recorded 6/7/2016)