Third Pod from the Sun

Third Pod from the Sun


Tales from the (manus)crypt: Mind-controlling mushrooms

October 09, 2023

The video game and TV show “The Last of Us” captivated audiences with the concept of a fungal pandemic. The story is set in a world ravaged by a fungus that infects people and turns them into zombies. But what’s the likelihood a human fungal pandemic could happen? Scientists Teresa O’Meara and Tim James separate fungal fact from fiction and talk about what real fungal fears keep them up at night.


This episode was produced by Molly Magid and mixed by Collin Warren. Art by Jace Steiner.