We recommend: Podcasts for science nerds
Editor’s note: The splainer team has got its nerd on (as we often do) to compile a list of great science podcasts. From the mysteries of space to the natural world to health, psychology, and dinosaurs (of course, they were going to make it). There’s even a cool science podcast for the kids!
StarTalk Radio by Neil deGrasse Tyson: Renowned astrophysicist and Director of New York's Hayden Planetarium, Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts this amazing podcast on everything related to space! He breaks down complex ideas and theories, brings in pop culture references and makes the dense concepts sound like a candid conversation between two friends. The episodes range from interviews with the experts along with answering candid questions from the listeners. New episodes are out every Tuesday. You can check out ‘Cosmic Queries—Before the Big Bang’—a question everyone asks themselves.
Everything Environment by Mongabay India: The podcast is from one of the best environmental journalism platforms in the country. The aim is to get India’s environment into mainstream narratives. The podcast sounds like a National Geographic channel without the visuals. Tune into ‘Wild Frequencies’—a three-part mini-series where wildlife researchers share their stories of sounds from the animal world. The first one is all about how to identify birds!
Ologies with Alie Ward: This fun podcast looks at niche fields of study within science—such as Hippopotomology (study of hippos) and Maritime Archaeology (study of shipwrecks) to name a few. Alie Ward interviews the experts in their fields and brings a wholesome side to studying and understanding the world around us. We urge you to check out Salugenology (Why humans require hobbies) part 1 and part 2—the science behind how to get healthier.
Unexplainable by Vox: The explainer news platform tucks away most of its interesting stuff into this podcast. The topics range from our genes to space exploration, from probability to even dinos. Again, there are very many experts on the show and the hosts approach the topics with a curiosity of a child which makes it a super nerdy and super cool listen. We really liked the episodes 'What did dinosaurs sound like?’ and ‘How to beat roulette?’—which is more a game of physics than it is of chance.
The Science of Everything Podcast by James Fodor: Hosted by a PhD student at the University of Melbourne, this podcast does what it says on the tin—covering topics far beyond his prior studies in neuroscience, physics of financial sciences. With over 150 episodes worth of material, ‘The Biology of Pain’ and ‘Volcanoes’ are good points to start from.
Curious Cases by BBC Radio 4: It wouldn’t be a complete podcast list without paying a nod to the BBC’s vast library. Our favourite is this brilliant and bite-sized weekly series by standup comedian Dara O’Briain and mathematician and science writer Hannah Fry—in which they answer listener queries. There are over 24 new episodes to choose from as well as a deep archive featuring O’Briain’s predecessor, geneticist Adam Rutherford. Check out ‘The Weird Waves of Wi-Fi’ and ‘The Diamond Throwdown’.
Science Vs by Spotify Studios: This one’s for anyone who’s tired of internet fads and wants the facts. Hosted by Wendy Zukerman, Science Vs takes on buzzy topics—from ADHD and autism to ghosts, diets, and 5G—and puts them under the scientific microscope. The team digs through hundreds of studies and interviews top researchers so you don’t have to. It's sharp, funny, and super informative. We especially liked the episodes on ADHD, which unpacks what’s actually going on in the brain, and on autism, where the show sifts through rising diagnosis rates and common myths.
Brains on! by American Public Media: This one’s a science podcast for kids! Each week, Molly Bloom is joined by a different kid and introduces the amazing natural world to us as well as home science and health related topics. The podcast is curious and really fun for kids to listen to. We really liked the episode on corals and how they communicate on why salt makes the food taste good.
