Chain Reaction by ACS

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