This episode of Glad you Asked takes a poignant yet informative look at the cultural framing and personal meaning behind human tears.

Crying is the most basic human signal for needs and desires. It's how we alert our parents we're cold, hungry, or scared before we can communicate anything else.

But as we grow older and become more independent, why do we still use crying as an emotional release?

Glad You Asked is an explorative series of short documentaries from news and media company Vox that seek to answer questions about science, society, and other relevant modern-day topics.

Hosted by producer and editor Joss Fong, this episode takes a look at the scientific and social aspects of crying.

Through a blend of academic and social studies, interviews with psychology experts, and personal anecdotes, Why Do We Cry? explores the evolutionary, and personal reasons behind our tears.