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
Saudi Arabia
Iran
China
Israel and Palestine
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 monthlyEpisodes203Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationScience

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Artwork for Big Brains

Latest Episodes

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

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

YouTube

We’re living in an attention economy—and most of us are broke. But what if the secret to restoring your focus, improving your mental health, and even reducing crime rates wasn’t found in an app or a pill, but in a tree?

In this episode, we speak wit... more

YouTube

We’ve long marveled at how efficiently plants convert sunlight into energy—but no one guessed they were using quantum mechanics to do it.

In this episode, we speak with Greg Engel, a pioneering biophysicist at the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecul... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

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
Adam Ratner
Director of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at New York University and Hassenfeld Children's Hospital
New York University and Hassenfeld Children's Hospital
Episode: Why Measles Is Resurging—And The Rise Of Vaccine Hesitancy, with Adam Ratner
Bozhi Tian
Professor of Chemistry at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
Episode: How Bioelectronics Could Heal Our Bodies And Minds, with Bozhi Tian
Adam Mastroianni
Psychologist and post-doctoral research scholar at Columbia Business School
Columbia Business School
Episode: The Illusion of Moral Decline

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 666 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
    Australia2 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 States2 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
    Canada5 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 States5 months ago
  • Well done

    Excellent topics and guests. Thoughtful, and thought provoking

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Kai'mana
    United States7 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
#174
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#190
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#40
Singapore/Science
Apple Podcasts
#74
South Africa/Science
Apple Podcasts
#87
Chile/Science
Apple Podcasts
#119
Switzerland/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
How To Use Nature To Restore Your Focus, with Marc Berman
Q: What is directed attention and why is it important?
Directed attention is where individuals decide where to focus and is critical for good human functioning, helping to meet goals and plan for the future.
Could Plants Unlock Quantum Medicine’s Potential? with Greg Engel
Q: Can you explain just a little bit more about what ultrafast spectroscopy is, and how it helped you make this breakthrough?
Engel describes ultrafast spectroscopy as using very short light pulses to observe the fundamental dynamics of biological systems after they are excited optically, allowing researchers to see how energy transfers without losing informational energy.
Why We Get Stuck—And How to Finally Move Forward
Q: How do we get stuck, and what makes one day easier than another?
Alter explains that stuckness arises from two main influences: what used to work may no longer work, and external life changes can create barriers to progress.
Why We Get Stuck—And How to Finally Move Forward
Q: What are the best steps forward when we feel stuck?
Alter discusses two kinds of stuckness: temporary frustrations and long-lasting stuckness that can be overcome with specific strategies and understanding.

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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To see how many followers or subscribers Big Brains has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

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. Hidden Brain
4. Radiolab
5. Freakonomics Radio

How many episodes of Big Brains are there?

Big Brains launched 7 years ago and published 203 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. Edwin Kite
2. Matthew Campen
3. Jerry Avorn
4. Jacob Bean
5. Jens Ludwig
6. Mary Frances O'Connor
7. Adam Ratner
8. Bozhi Tian

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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