science
A hand-picked, playable selection of the best podcast episodes for this topic — each with the reason it earned its spot. Press play on any pick, or build your own playlist free.
Why these picks
8 episodes curated for "science"
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The curated episodes
8 episodes — each chosen for a reason you can read below.
Why this pick: A deep dive into the life and work of Professor Washington Yotto Ochieng, an engineer whose career spans GPS technology, satellite navigation, and urban transport systems, directly embodying the query's call for science through inspirational stories of innovation and real-world application. It provides immense value by exploring how science underpins modern infrastructure and addresses global challenges in engineering and navigation. Its credibility comes from Jim Al-Khalili's interview style, highlighting Ochieng's journey from Kenya to leading at Imperial College, inspiring the next generation of scientists.
Why this pick: This episode on bacteriophages (phages) as allies against antibiotic resistance explores a century of science on these viruses that kill bacteria, their potential UK medical use, and why they've become 'all the rage' despite long study—central to microbiology, global health, and fighting AMR which causes 35,000+ UK deaths yearly. Delivers expert journalism from Marnie Chesterton on phage therapy's highs, lows, and international applications. Uniquely relevant for addressing urgent scientific and medical crises with historical context and future potential.
Why this pick: This episode profiles astrophysicist Hiranya Peiris and the Legacy Survey of Space and Time project, a decade-long astronomical 'movie' of the universe addressing its origin, evolution, and fate—core scientific pursuits in cosmology and physics. It delivers high-quality insights into precision cosmology, bridging fundamental physics with observational data, transforming the field from speculation to evidence-based models. Uniquely relevant for its focus on inspiring women in science, sparked by Carl Sagan's Cosmos, while detailing ambitious projects like creating a standard model of the universe.
Why this pick: The Science Magazine Podcast covers cutting-edge research on disembodied human brains for drug studies, immortal sea cucumber parts, and Galileo's fame in science history, offering a broad scientific lens on ethics, regeneration biology, and historical credibility in research. It provides practical value with expert discussions on advantages, ethical considerations, and model systems for regeneration, plus a book series on science biographies. High quality production with host Sarah Crespi and guests like freelance journalist Sara Reardon ensures informative, balanced exploration of diverse science topics.
Why this pick: This Science Magazine episode debates if AI will replace astronomers, analyzes health effects of ultraprocessed foods amid regulatory moves, and offers behind-the-scenes on a science study series—directly tackling contemporary scientific questions in astrophysics, nutrition, and research methodology. Provides credible insights from experts like Joshua Sokol and Faidon Magkos on machine learning in astronomy and obesity studies. Its practical focus on real-world implications, including Trump administration policies and what didn't make it into episodes, makes it highly relevant and informative for understanding evolving science landscapes.
Why this pick: This Popular Science episode dives into quirky scientific phenomena including strawberry-flavored neutrinos, self-made caribou snacks, and charming worms, perfectly capturing the broad, engaging essence of 'science' through accessible yet fascinating explanations. It offers value by blending humor with real research on particle physics and biology, making complex topics approachable for general audiences. Uniquely relevant as it features returning host Rachel Feltman alongside astrophysicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, ensuring expert yet entertaining science communication.
Why this pick: Popular Science's Weirdest Thing episode explores secret immortal HeLa cells, Marie Antoinette's braces, and historical tooth worm dental myths, connecting biology, history of science, and medical advancements in an engaging format. It adds value by revealing unethical yet transformative cell research alongside Neanderthal cavity drilling and ancient dental care, blending weird facts with real scientific history. Relevant for its mix of pop culture science and rigorous explanations from hosts like Rachel Feltman and guests Hari Kondabolu and Priyanka Wali.
Why this pick: Featuring paleontologist Dean Lomax, this Discovery episode highlights his self-made path to discovering ichthyosaurs, naming new species, and promoting dinosaurs as a 'gateway science' despite early setbacks—embodying perseverance in scientific discovery and paleontology. It offers value through discussions on headline-grabbing fossil finds like the Rutland Sea Dragon and the importance of ignoring naysayers to pursue dreams in STEM. Credible interview by Jim Al-Khalili adds depth to topics like writing science books for all ages and bringing prehistory to TV.