Casey gets his voice back

Unexplainable

Vox

Life Sciences, Science, Natural Sciences

4.6 • 2.4K Ratings

🗓️ 25 March 2026

⏱️ 39 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Casey Harrell is a goofy, lighthearted chatterbox whose love for language helped him become an accomplished environmental activist. In 2020, he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and slowly began losing the ability to speak. He sang his last song to his infant daughter and fell into silence. But, now, with the help of 256 microelectrodes implanted directly into his motor cortex, he’s learning to talk once more. It isn’t easy. Guests: Casey Harrell and Levana Saxon. You can donate to their GoFundMe here. For show transcripts, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/unxtranscripts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ For more, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/unexplainable⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ And please email us! ⁠⁠⁠unexplainable@vox.com⁠⁠⁠ We read every email. Support Unexplainable (and get ad-free episodes) by becoming a Vox Member today: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vox.com/members⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Dell PCs with Intel inside are built for every moment.
0:03.5	With long-lasting battery life and built-in intelligence, you can stay focused on what matters most.
0:08.6	Dell Technologies, built for you.
0:10.5	Dell.com slash Del PCs.
0:14.8	Once upon a mundane morning, Barb's day got busy without warning.
0:19.4	A realtor in need of an open house sign.
0:21.6	No, 50 of them.
0:23.1	And designed before nine.
0:24.5	My head hurts.
0:25.8	Any mighty tools to help with this plight?
0:27.8	Aha!
0:28.6	Barb made her move.
0:29.9	She opened Canada and got in the groove.
0:32.1	Both creating canvas sheets.
0:34.1	Create 50 signs fit for suburban streets.
0:37.0	Done in a click, all complete.
0:38.6	Sweet.
0:39.0	Now, imagine what your dreams can become when you put imagination to work at Canva.com.
0:49.9	I'm Julia Longoria.
0:57.0	This is unexplainable.
0:59.0	I don't know if you can hear me.
1:03.0	Can you hear me over there?
	...

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