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Ask the Naked Scientists

Dr Chris Smith
Climate Change
Dogs
Cancer
Mosquitoes
Aging
Moon
Immune System
Diabetes
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Malaria
Artificial Intelligence
Hiccups
Gravity
Addiction
Vitamin D
Genetics
Microplastics
Water On Earth
Obesity
Artificial Sweeteners

How many organs could you donate and remain alive? How many planet Earths could fit inside the Sun? How high is a giraffe's blood pressure? Why is the sea blue? To find out, Ask The Naked Scientists!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes799Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Life SciencesNatural SciencesScience

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Artwork for Ask the Naked Scientists

Latest Episodes

Are there technologies to remove smoke taint in wine affected by recent wildfires? What's the science behind itching? Can a tortoise survive 10 years locked up in a building? Why might an elderly dog or cat's behaviour change? Does microwaving damage... more

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How can algae microbots deliver drugs for bladder cancer? Why does a helium balloon fly backwards when you hit the brakes in a car? Does the Sun make ash? Will removing your gallbladder affect your cholesterol? Is there a symbiotic relationship betwe... more

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Dr Chris Smith and Clarence Ford return to answer your questions. Why do wombats produce cube-shaped droppings? Does sleeping position affect dreams? Can we predict penalty shootout winners? What do penalty statistics show about power vs placement? W... more

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What is the impact of being a child in a home where a sibling has a chronic medical condition? What happens before we have a thought? How bad are processed foods for us? And how can a woman give birth to twins that have different fathers? Dr Chris Sm... more

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Recent Guests

Chris Smith
Consultant virologist
Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge
Episode: Why don't melting ice cubes make my drink overflow?
Dr. Chris Smith
Consultant virologist, Naked Scientist
Addenbrooke's Hospital Cambridge
Episode: Do we all see colours the same way?
Ali Probst
Researcher at Harvard working on malaria treatments
Harvard University
Episode: When did life start evolving sex?

Host

Dr. Clarence Ford
Host roles across Cape Town radio segments and views/news programming, frequently presenting Naked Scientists content.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 279 ratings
  • I dunno…

    You guys are a great podcast and whatever … go check out but why they are amazing (no offense)

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Perth,wa
    Australiaa month ago
  • Very Interesting

    Great for anyone who loves science or leaning new things.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ColoRebecca
    United Statesa year ago
  • Knittin nan

    Love this and thank you for it. Dr Chris kept me sane and keep perspective right through the covid days , on radio and tv. He does the same on this questions series

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KnittinNan
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • The radio show, which is then uploaded as podcast, is meant for children and very rarely answers the questions asked, or answers them poorly. Often there is an assumption, that any random scientist knows everything about everything. This is false and this Naked Scientist guy knows about as much as anyone who can do a 1 minute Google search.

    Podcast Addict
    Nero
    4 years ago
  • The radio show, which is then uploaded as podcast, is meant for children and very rarely answers the questions asked, or answers them poorly. Often there is an assumption, that any random scientist knows everything about everything. This is false and this Naked Scientist guy knows about as much as anyone who can do a 1 minute Google search.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Nero
    4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans appreciate the credible guest expertise and practical science takeaways.
Regulars value the mix of daily-life questions with robust, evidence-based answers.
Listeners praise accessibility and clarity of scientific explanations.
Some comments note shorter episode lengths but still find the content informative and engaging.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What happens before we have a thought?
Q: How does one mother give birth to twins of different fathers?
He explains the biology: a woman can release more than one egg in a cycle, and if fertilized by sperm from different men, two eggs can be fertilized by different fathers leading to twins with different paternal lineages.
What happens before we have a thought?
Q: How bad are processed foods for us really, and have companies misled the public about them?
Dr. Smith discusses rising obesity and diabetes as global trends linked to environmental changes and processed foods, explaining that these foods are designed to be convenient and palatable, contributing to overconsumption and health issues while noting the complexity behind corporate messaging.
What happens before we have a thought?
Q: So we're talking about the impact on the non-ill child in a family when a sibling is seriously ill; are there studies on this?
He notes there is likely a significant impact, supported by anecdotes, but cautions that long-term evidence should not be drawn from single cases and emphasizes the importance of open communication, planning, and support for both children and parents.
What happens before we have a thought?
Q: Hi Dr. Chris, what happens before a thought or a thought is created in the brain?
Dr. Smith explains that thoughts arise when networks of brain cells become sufficiently activated, with input from perception and internal cues creating a cascade that captures attention; consciousness is still not fully understood, but thoughts are linked to how neural pools synchronize and become salient enough to draw focus.
Is it safe to eat dropped food?
Q: Is there a treatment for being intolerant to certain fruits or vegetables?
He outlines that intolerance can stem from gut microbiota balance, prior antibiotic use, or underlying conditions like IBS or celiac disease, and recommends investigations or elimination diets to identify triggers.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ask the Naked Scientists

What is Ask the Naked Scientists about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Accessible, curiosity-driven science Q&As anchored by a host and a recurring science guest who explain complex topics in everyday terms. Episodes routinely tackle topics across biology, physics, space, health, and environment, often weaving in audience questions and real-world examples. The show stands out for its confident host-guest dynamic, willingness to address fringe topics with skepticism, and a knack for turning esoteric science into practical takeaways for a broad audience. Potential listeners can expect quick-paced explanations, a mix of humor and rigor, and credible expert commentary on timely science questions, from virology to space missions.

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Which podcasts are similar to Ask the Naked Scientists?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ask the Naked Scientists:

1. The Naked Scientists Podcast
2. Unexpected Elements
3. CrowdScience
4. BBC Inside Science
5. The World, the Universe and Us

How many episodes of Ask the Naked Scientists are there?

Ask the Naked Scientists launched 18 years ago and published 799 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Ask the Naked Scientists?

Recent guests on Ask the Naked Scientists include:

1. Chris Smith
2. Dr. Chris Smith
3. Ali Probst

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