Science has taken plenty of heat in recent years for some surprising reasons, such as its reliance on hard data and a tendency towards rationality. What a shame we didn’t learn our lesson about science-bashing when the Catholic Church came for Galileo. With disinformation spreading like a rash you contracted the last time you went camping, the role of experts in public life has become increasingly politicized. Remember when facts were just facts? Your dad certainly does. Unfortunately, times have changed (some would say regressed), since we now debate whether the Earth is flat with the same fervor that heliocentrism was contested in the 17th century.
So, what’s next for scientific inquiry? Our only hope is good, old-fashioned empiricism. Thankfully, these science podcasts have it in spades. By emphasizing methodology, a good science podcast not only asks interesting questions; it also explains how and why we arrived at an answer. Science, like the moment you finally surrender to the elements and stow away your waterlogged tent, is always susceptible to error.
What elevates a science podcast from good to great is the way it presents information: through humor, clear language, and occasional references to pop culture. We’re not saying these podcasts will save us from disinformation, but they’re an engaging place to start.
Ologies is a weekly podcast by Alie Ward that thrives on the pursuit of knowledge. Simply put, an “ology” refers to the study of something, whether it’s birds (ornithology), dreams (oneirology), or podcasting (podology). Okay, that last one’s not real, but who would know? Barely a dinner party goes by where someone doesn’t bring up an obscure “ology” to make themselves sound smart. Listen to this podcast and you can be that person.
In each episode, Ward is joined by a specialist in their field to discuss how they got into their “ology.” It’s striking just how normal these specialists are. Many of them got into their field by accident, just like any other career. Ward is an outstanding host as well as genuinely funny. Don’t let the show’s tagline fool you; “Ask smart people stupid questions” isn’t a reflection of her intelligence.
Remarkably astute, Ward not only emphasizes the most interesting aspects of each “ology,” but she can handle conversation better than a French existentialist. It’s little wonder this show is consistently named one of the best science podcasts around. And there's also a version for kids.
For fans of: Always knowing the answer during a pub quiz.
NPR’s Short Wave examines the way that science and technology intersect with society, asking probing questions about the impact of discoveries on our lives, as well as the mysteries we haven’t yet solved. True to its name, each episode of Short Wave is about the length of a coffee break, but thanks to the show’s diverse production style, they’re easy to consume in succession should you crave more.
On Short Wave, there are no drawn-out introductions or superfluous conversations. Instead, hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber jump right into the day’s subject, whether it be very serious (the future of AI in medicine) or incredibly silly (worm blobs).
Short Wave critically analyzes the methodologies underpinning common scientific beliefs, refusing to take the most obvious answers at face value. This is particularly important for hot-button topics like AI or social media. But beyond being a social good, Short Wave makes for great listening, especially for the time-poor.
For fans of: Never trusting a clickbait headline.
Has Goalhanger ever put out a podcast that wasn't a hit? From the network that gave us The Rest is History and The Rest is Politics comes a recent foray into the sciences, likely inspired by the BBC's success in this genre. To front the new show, they picked Hannah Fry and Michael Stephens. Fry is an experienced British broadcaster, mathematician, and professor at the University of Cambridge. She has been translating scientific topics to the general public for years, and was an inspired choice for the new show. Stephens is an American educator, inventor, and YouTuber who has millions of subscribers on his science channel.
The transatlantic approach was unexpected and, as I did when The Rest is Politics USA launched a few years ago, it sounds refreshing. Their approach isn't novel: they ask slightly goofy questions about the world around us and find a serious answer rooted in the latest science. The production is slick. The evidence and comparisons they use to formulate their answers are genuinely interesting, even for general audiences. And if video is your thing, the show is also on YouTube.
For fans of: Asking childish questions like "Why is water wet?"
If you were as excited as I was to learn that beloved series ER was coming to Netflix, you are either a fan of medical dramas or young George Clooney. Perhaps both.
If the former all you'll admit to, and you'd like the expand your knowledge of infectious diseases, consider listening to This Podcast Will Kill You. This medical science podcast is hosted by Erin Welsh and Erin Allmann Updyke, who both have PhDs and work in epidemiology and disease oncology.
In an era of medical misinformation, reporting on issues like vaccines and cancer can be provocative, but This Podcast Will Kill You follows the science. The Erins translate the latest studies in a digestible way that avoids sensationalism. That said, if you're squeamish or have high health anxiety, you may want to give all medical content a miss.
For fans of: Checking the toilet bowl before they flush.
If you enjoy podcasts like You’re Wrong About, then Science Vs is likely to captivate your interest. The show is all about finding truth in the face of fads and opinions. From fasting diets to hypnosis, host Wendy Zukerman and her team painstakingly sift through the scientific literature to provide the best possible answers to these questions. If you have a friend contemplating Ozempic, this might be the show to direct them to. Recent episodes include analysis on ADHD, squirting, creatine, the carnivore diet, bird flu, fluoride, and meth. While various, Science Vs always manages to be topical.
Before we go any further, it’s worth noting that this show is not without its critics. Any podcast that claims to tell “the truth” is going to be met with pushback. Science Vs is no exception. And when it comes to science podcasts, the critique can get amusingly pedantic. While we won’t entertain criticisms of a female host’s voice – in this case, we love Zukerman’s jaunty Australian accent – the show’s Apple Podcast reviews are worthy of reflection. That said, Science Vs is still one of the best shows out there, thanks to its rigor and admirable mission. We like the puns, too.
For fans of: Not letting conspiracy theorists off the hook.
Well… That’s Interesting is an independent podcast that relishes finding the sillier side of science. Boasting a dedicated fanbase, this show is the epitome of “adorkable,” packed with endearing nicknames and cursing in equal measure. As far as topics go, the show bounces around from astronomy to archaeology, delving into anything from a swimming pool full of saliva to why everyone should love bees.
Not only does host Jill ChaCha have an endless curiosity, they have grown an enthusiastic community around their podcast. With a narrative style reminiscent of Philosophize This!, ChaCha’s monologues are bespeckled with zingers. Given more meticulous editing and enhanced production value, Well… That’s Interesting has plenty of potential.
For fans of: Podcasters that make you feel like you're their friend.
Knowledge is perpetually evolving, which implies there is always more research to be undertaken. Of course, that doesn’t mean that the Earth might be flat. Let’s not confuse scientific inquiry with conspiracy. Unexplainable is a podcast dedicated to mysteries of science — all the stuff we don’t quite have the answers to.
Adhering to a journalistic ethos, Unexplainable addresses topics that generally appeal to a broad audience, making its widespread popularity understandable. With the high-quality production you’d expect from Vox and an abundance of pop culture references, this podcast renders science accessible for those in search of effortless listening. It’s the perfect accompaniment as you clear your inbox or fold the laundry, keeping the curious mind busy.
For fans of: The science section over the sports pages.
Radiolab has often been referred to as the grandfather of science podcasting. Around since the early 2000s, this show has never been shy about experimenting with narrative and sound design, established itself as a paradigm of the genre. Radiolab strikes a balance between being scientifically rigorous and empathetic. It is, by any definition, a storytelling podcast that just so happens to be packed with information.
Along with the energy of its current hosts, Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser, this duality is the key to the show’s lasting appeal. The perfect listen for curious types, Radiolab explores science, legal history, and ethics in episodes that vary from quick twenty-minute bites to an hour of in-depth analysis.
When a show has this many fans, change is always going to be controversial. And yet, despite weathering the departure of two beloved hosts over the last few years, Radiolab still delights its listeners with high-quality production and compelling tales. Will it be around in another twenty years? We certainly hope so.
For fans of: Immersive sound design.
There isn’t much that will unite generations in the average British household, but a nice Jammy Dodger and an episode of The Infinite Monkey Cage might just do it. This loveable science show from the BBC has been around since 2009, hardly straying from the formula that confirmed it as an instant classic. Each week, the hosts are joined by a panel peppered with scientists and comedians — everyone’s enthusiasm makes it hard to tell who is who — to discuss a new topic, such as “hunting for exoplanets” or “space archaeology.” With over twenty seasons, it’s remarkable that the format has yet to go stale.
The show’s enduring success has everything to do with its hosts, comedian Robin Ince and physicist Brian Cox. As everyone in Britain knows, Cox was in two rock bands before he went back to university to get his PhD. As career pivots go, it’s hard to think of anything more badass.
Famously mild-mannered and soft-spoken, Cox carries every show he presents, while Ince provides charisma and comic relief. Filmed in front of a live studio audience, The Infinite Monkey Cage doesn’t sound like your average podcast. It excels at audience interaction, often getting carried away in its own banter. It’s just the thing for weekend listening.
For fans of: Dad jokes and Britishisms.
Professor Jim Al-Khalili has been hosting The Life Scientific for over a decade, and the show can easily be described as science’s answer to Desert Island Discs. It features interviews with celebrated scientists who have made it their life’s work to contribute new knowledge to their field. It’s a simple formula: the personal and the professional meld together to reveal a deeper understanding of their scientific work.
Each episode offers insight into different discipline, from physics to biology, social sciences to engineering. It can get rather niche. But, like Ologies, the pleasure comes in the discovery of a new field, something that may have never entered your orbit. Al-Khalili is a skilled interviewer, rarely failing to bring out the best in his guests – even the ones who haven’t spent much time beyond the lab. The Life Scientific blends biography with breakthroughs in a way that even lay people can admire.
For fans of: Chasing Peter Higgs for an autograph.
