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*Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. -*Eleanor Roosevelt
Data from a recent Star Talk Radio survey has shown that people who listen to the show are more likely to talk about science with their families, friends, or colleagues. I've definitively noticed this phenomenon at home. When I listen to science podcasts, I share my favorite anecdotes with my husband and, should the subject be simple enough, with my toddler. It's amazing how a radio show can really boost the level of conversation that your kids are exposed to at home.
It's a principle I've discussed here at GeekMom before. On last year's Introduce A Girl To Engineering Day, I discussed with Intel how exposure to engineering is important to raise the next generation of engineers. Their research shows some interesting numbers: Kids are more likely to consider engineering as a career if they are familiar with facts about engineering.
So we should expose ourselves to more science and we should take it seriously, right? Well not quite. As far as I'm concerned, the last thing I need is to make science feel like a boring chore. I'm a firm believer that we can make science fun! With that in mind, I've sampled about 70 gazillion science podcasts in order to find the ones that are not only fascinating but also fun. Fair warning: I picked up a few stragglers along the way that aren't strictly science-related but still informational enough to be entertaining for the science-minded, I promise! Without further ado, here's a list of my old and new favorites.
Hosted by comedians Matt Kirshen, Brooks Wheelan, and Andy Wood. This podcast features the guys bickering over the latest science news. There's almost nothing serious about it, so of course now it's my favorite show.
Hosted by astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Each show also features two co-hosts: a comedian (frequently Eugene Mirman) and a guest. This podcast features interviews with experts about a wide variety of science topics, though astronomy is the underlying theme. Tyson brings his undeniable charisma to the table, and the comedian co-host keeps everyone smiling from start to end.
The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
Hosted by neurologist Dr. Steven Novella, with a small group of co-hosts. The show aims at debunking pseudoscience. The show also features, amongst other things, interviews with experts, guest co-hosts, a fun "science or fiction" segment where hosts have to guess between three pieces of science news which two are real and which one is a fake. Phil Plait has been a frequent guest.
Hosted by theoretical physicist and mathematician Ben Tippet and a slew of recurring co-hosts. Considering most science shows feature guests who are science experts, this podcast is a refreshing change: The guests are non-science-experts-but-totally-awesome folks like famous authors and webcomic artists.
Hosted by Tom and Ray Magliozzi, this NPR radio show has been on the air for 35 years. The humorously self-deprecating duo know more than they let on, which means you will certainly learn a few things about cars and the science behind them without ever losing that intoxicating laughter. The brothers recently retired but the show still airs old episodes in its place.
Hosted by parasitology Kelly Weinersmith and webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal creator Zach Weinersmith. The married couple chat about science, usually centered about parasitic and biologic topics.
Hosted by Karen Chu, Colin Felton, Dana Nelson, and Chris Kohler. This is a show all about trivia! The energetic hosts ask each other trivia questions, discuss random facts, and offer great mnemonic tricks. Fun, interesting, and makes good party fodder!
Hosted by the "The Paleopals." I love their podcast description: "Science… Sort Of is a podcast about things that are science, things that are sort of science, and things that wish they were science." That, in essence, describes the show much better than I ever could!
Hosted by physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince. This long-standing British series tackles science topics with a comedic twist. Each show features interviews with experts. Though Brian Cox can be controversial due to the crude honesty of his opinions, I still love him for his relentless dedication as a science communication.
Hosted by science teachers Dale Basler and Brian Bartel. This podcast discusses science education and is aimed at science teachers, but I still find it fascinating as a parent. I only have a toddler but I'm getting mentally prepared for what I can expect from my child's science classes in the future! I can also find great ideas about how to teach science at home.
Hosted by virologist Dr. Chris Smith along with recurring guests, this popular BBC radio show covers science news and topics, featuring interviews with experts. Spinoffs include Naked Archeology and Naked Astronomy.
Hosted by journalist Stephen J. Dubner and economist Steven D. Levitt (as a regular guest), co-authors of the New York best seller Freakonomics. The podcast isn't about science or funny per say, but it is both informational and interesting even for someone who isn't into economics. They promise to explore "the hidden side of everything," which is to say they cover many random topics. While I find that I don't have quite as much fun facts to share with others after this show, it's one of my favorites.
Hosted by Universe Today editor Fraser Cain and astronomy professor Dr. Pamela Gay. Cain and Gay discuss common questions about the astronomy. Cain and Gay manage to talk about science with palpable enthusiasm that, while it won't send you in guffaws of laughter, promise to entertain.
Hosted by husband and wife duo author Lani Diane Rich and writer/web designer Alastair Stephens. This podcast isn't about science at all, it is about storytelling and writing. It's interesting to listen to the hosts comment on stories (of books, films, TV series), not on a whinny level that is all too popular but on a constructive level about what makes a good or a bad story.
Hosted by science journalist Molly Bently and SETI Institute senior astronomer Seth Shostak. This one is self-described as the science radio show that isn't dull. In my opinion these aren't the jolliest hosts in this list, but they do often tackle the science behind topics that are more entertainment than serious. For example, recent episodes have covered doomsday scenarios and zombies.
Hosted by Meir Rinde. Ever wondered what those scary chemicals like "sodium lauryl sulfate" are doing in your shampoo? That's the kind of topic covered in Distillations. Created by the Chemical Heritage Foundation, this podcast answers chemistry questions in simple terms. In a culture hungering for natural products to the point of mindlessly fearing complicated-sounding chemicals, it's nice to learn a little bit more about the chemistry that's really involved in our daily lives. I'm reminded of a story that Neil deGrasse Tyson shared on his website about a 14-year-old student at a school science fair. “He invited people to sign a petition that demanded either strict control of, or a total ban on, dihydrogen monoxide... Yes, 86 percent of the passersby voted to ban water (H2O) from the environment.” I think we could all use a little more science to back what's really scary and what isn't.
Well there you go, folks. These are my favorite science-minded-but-still-entertaining podcasts. Do you have others that you think belong on this list?
