Half science, half fiction (which is why it also made our list of the best sci-fi podcasts): Every week, host Rose Eveleth picks a fictional future and has real experts explain how it might work. What if all drugs were made legal? What if antibiotics stopped working? What if the internet suddenly disappeared? The mind boggles.
Ologies host Alie Ward is no slouch when it comes to understanding science, but her approach to podcasting is purposefully pedestrian: This show is all about asking smart people silly questions. You’ll learn about fields of research you never even imagine existed—and come away understanding why someone would spend their entire life becoming an expert on the subject of hagfish, cabins, feasts, or snow, to name just a few recent examples.
Getting Curious isn’t strictly a science podcast, but it’s part of a delightful trend of celebs geeking out over expert guests—which is a fantastic way to learn new stuff about any subject, and especially science. Jonathan Van Ness brings the same warmth and enthusiasm we love him for on “Queer Eye” to conversations about all sorts of stuff. Admit it: “What is Astronomy Even?” sounds like a great episode. So does, “What’s the Giant Fuss About Artificial Intelligence?” And we know you can’t wait to listen to, “What’s The Cutest Way to Fight Climate Change?” You don’t have to pretend to be a know-it-all to help your listeners learn.
I’m a little biased, because I show up on SciFri’s news roundup every once in a while. But when it comes to reviewing the week in science, there’s no one like Ira Flatow. His genuine enthusiasm for all things science means his show is remarkably conversational and super informative. SciFri is particularly good to listen to on your way to family holiday gatherings, as it can get you up to date on recent science headlines while giving you a few intriguing evergreen stories with which to impress the in-laws.
A podcast about sound just makes sense, but 20k goes above and beyond. Every episode tackles some new story about the world’s most recognizable and interesting sounds. My favorite is the episode about spooky sound design, which gets into everything from the technical ins and outs of sound engineering to the psychology of fear. And don’t miss this extra-special crossover episode with PopSci’s own podcast!
I’ve never had a show recommended to me more than this one, which makes a lot of sense: its creators say they started it so they’d have an excuse to drink a cocktail while chatting about pus and poop. Erin Welsh and Erin Allmann Updyke both have PhDs in disease ecology and epidemiology, so their hilarious show about epidemics and medical mysteries will provide you with all the knowledge (and people named Erin) you crave.
Source : https://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2012-02/best-science-podcasts/
