Rephonic
Artwork for Big Brains
Human Rights
International Relations
Climate Change
Naming and Shaming
Political Polarization
PFAS
Geopolitical Relationships
Meta Norms
Drinking Water
Environmental Science
Public Diplomacy
Universal Periodic Review
Alzheimer’s Disease
Cancer
Israel and Palestine
Saudi Arabia
Iran
China
Psychology
University Of Chicago

Big Brains explores the groundbreaking research and discoveries that are changing our world. In each episode, we talk to leading experts and unpack their work in straightforward terms. Interesting conversations that cover a gamut of topics from how music affects our brains to what happens after we die.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes206Founded8 years ago
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ScienceEducation

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Artwork for Big Brains

Latest Episodes

What does it mean to see beneath the surface — of the human body, the brain, or even the universe itself? In his new book, The Future of Seeing: How Imaging Is Changing Our World, Prof. Daniel Sodickson of NYU explores the future of imaging: How tech... more

YouTube

Few ideas have gripped the public imagination quite like the idea of the “psychopath.” From Hollywood thrillers to true-crime podcasts, popular culture has led us to believe that psychopaths are dangerous and biologically distinct from the rest of us... more

YouTube

For decades, neuroscience has promised breakthroughs in treating conditions like depression, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s. Yet despite powerful technologies and billions invested, progress has been frustratingly slow. Why?

On this episode of Big B... more

YouTube

Billions of years ago, Mars may have looked less like the barren red desert we know today and more like Earth—with a blue sky, flowing rivers, and even seas. What happened to turn a once-habitable world into the frozen, lifeless planet we see now?

O... more

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Recent Guests

Daniel Sodickson
Professor at NYU and one of the world's leading researchers on modern MRI innovation.
NYU
Episode: How Full-Body MRIs Could Predict Your Long-Term Health, with Daniel Sodickson
Rasmus Rosenberg Larsen
Assistant professor of forensic epistemology and author of "Psychopathy Unmasked"
University of Toronto
Episode: Is There Such A Thing As A Psychopath?
Nicole Rust
Neuroscientist studying brain memory and disorders
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Why We Haven’t Solved Brain Disorders—And How To Fix It, with Nicole Rust
Edwin Kite
A member of the science team for the Mars Curiosity Rover and a professor of Geophysical Sciences at the University of Chicago.
University of Chicago
Episode: Life On Mars: Is It Possible For Humans? with Edwin Kite
Matthew Campen
Professor at the University of New Mexico and a leading researcher on microplastics.
University of New Mexico
Episode: How Microplastics Are Invading Our Bodies, with Matthew Campen
Jerry Avorn
Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, author of the book Rethinking Medications
Harvard Medical School
Episode: Are Your Medications Safe And Effective?, with Jerry Avorn
Jacob Bean
Astrophysicist at the University of Chicago studying the atmospheres of exoplanets.
University of Chicago
Episode: Meet The ‘Planet Hunter’ Searching For Alien Life, with Jacob Bean
Jens Ludwig
Professor at the University of Chicago and director of the university's crime lab.
University of Chicago
Episode: How To Stop Gun Violence Before It Starts, with Jens Ludwig
Mary Frances O'Connor
Professor of Psychology at the University of Arizona and director of the Grief, Loss, and Social Stress Lab
University of Arizona
Episode: Can You Really Die of a Broken Heart? The Hidden Dangers of Grief, with Mary Frances O'Connor

Host

Paul Rand
Host of insightful discussions exploring groundbreaking research and discoveries. Known for his engaging interviewing style, he simplifies complex topics for a diverse audience.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 676 ratings
  • Background track annoying

    The subtle music in the background is very distracting and takes away from what the guest is saying. It sounds overproduced for no reason.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    IMO_2000
    Australia3 months ago
  • Insightful concepts

    Friends, This podcast is full of sound, well-researched advice from professional panels and interviews. Never a dull episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TagBerg
    United States3 months ago
  • 21st century Pseudoscience

    In the 19th century it was Phrenology.

    In the 20th century it was Eugenics.

    And now we have Polygenic Indices?

    What a CROCK!

    Very sophisticated STORY, but not science.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JL From NYC
    Canada7 months ago
  • Above the herds

    I don’t know how I found the Big Brains podcast, but I am so happy I did. High quality, concise, well researched, and edited content every episode. Guests are always interesting and I learn something every time I listen. 100% recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lone Resident
    United States7 months ago
  • Well done

    Excellent topics and guests. Thoughtful, and thought provoking

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Kai'mana
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The interviewing style is praised for its clarity and ability to stimulate engaging discussions.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and well-researched content, emphasizing the accessibility of complex topics.
Audience feedback is mixed regarding the production choices, including some criticism of background music that distracts from the conversation.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#155
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#17
Mexico/Science
Apple Podcasts
#34
Singapore/Science
Apple Podcasts
#65
Indonesia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#119
Chile/Science
Apple Podcasts
#223
Israel/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is There Such A Thing As A Psychopath?
Q: What changed in the 90s when it started getting noticed in the criminal justice system?
A Get Tough on Crime movement created a demand for tools to identify problematic individuals, which led to increased research and cultural fascination with psychopathy.
Is There Such A Thing As A Psychopath?
Q: What is psychopathy and where did this term come from?
Psychopathy is an idea that dates back to the 1700s related to a perceived disorder that impacts moral judgment, later maturing into a personality disorder recognized in clinical settings.
Why We Haven’t Solved Brain Disorders—And How To Fix It, with Nicole Rust
Q: So when we think about depression as a condition, what have we learned and why do you think it's not enough?
We can't put someone in a brain scanner and determine whether or not they're going through a depressive or a psychotic episode.
Why We Haven’t Solved Brain Disorders—And How To Fix It, with Nicole Rust
Q: What do you mean by that and why it's of concern?
Not all of the conditions we'll be talking about today are diseases, and some of them we might even not want to call them disorders.
How To Use Nature To Restore Your Focus, with Marc Berman
Q: What benefits does interacting with nature provide?
Interacting with nature can replenish directed attention, improve mental health, and even enhance physical health outcomes like recovery from injuries.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Big Brains

What is Big Brains about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Discussions focus on significant scientific research and discoveries that impact various aspects of life. Episodes feature interviews with experts from diverse fields, exploring topics such as the relationship between nature and mental health, the implications of quantum biology, the significance of microplastics in health, and the complexities of AI in modern society. The show aims to present complex information in a digestible format, allowing listeners to gain insights while staying informed about critical issues affecting the world today. Notably, the podcast emphasizes a multi-disciplinary approach, encompassing fields like neuroscience, psychology, environmental science, and public health, making it attractive to a broad audience inte... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Big Brains?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Big Brains:

1. Capitalisn't
2. The Pie: An Economics Podcast
3. Not Another Politics Podcast
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. The Gray Area with Sean Illing

How many episodes of Big Brains are there?

Big Brains launched 8 years ago and published 206 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 Big Brains?

Recent guests on Big Brains include:

1. Daniel Sodickson
2. Rasmus Rosenberg Larsen
3. Nicole Rust
4. Edwin Kite
5. Matthew Campen
6. Jerry Avorn
7. Jacob Bean
8. Jens Ludwig

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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