This episode of Radiolab features a discussion with author Sam Kean about the story of Tsutomu Yamaguchi, a man who survived both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings. The podcast explores Yamaguchi's experience, from the moment of the blasts to his later life, and delves into the science of how radiation affects DNA. It also examines the surprising finding that the children of atomic bomb survivors in Japan did not show a higher incidence of birth defects or cancer, highlighting DNA's resilience and repair mechanisms. The episode concludes with Yamaguchi's long life, living until the age of 93, and a reflection on the unexpected resilience of life in the face of catastrophic events.
