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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 monthlyEpisodes214Founded8 years ago
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EducationScience

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Latest Episodes

Artificial intelligence may live in “the cloud,” but its footprint is firmly on the ground. As AI systems grow more powerful, the data centers that train and run them are consuming massive amounts of land, water and electricity—as well as reshaping r... more

YouTube

When a two-year-old boy suffered a catastrophic injury that severed the connection between his skull and spine, doctors across Europe told his family there was no hope. His spinal cord was completely severed, and the injury was not considered surviva... more

YouTube

In today’s world, our brains are overloaded with information, making it hard to focus and remember. But what are the true limits of the human mind—and why do they exist? And why are some people seem so much better than remembering things than others?... more

YouTube

The process of understanding who we are is a lifelong journey for many of us. For two decades, that question has been one that University of Chicago scholar Eric Oliver has asked his students in class—and inspired him to write a new book called "How ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Andrew Chien
Professor of computer science at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
Episode: Could Data Centers Break Our Power Grid? with Andrew Chien
Paula Harper
Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Chicago, researcher of music, sound, and the internet.
University of Chicago
Episode: What Makes Music Go Viral—From AI to Taylor Swift
Pedro Lopes
Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Chicago and director of the Human-Computer Integration Lab.
University of Chicago
Episode: How Wearable Tech Will Heighten Our Senses and Abilities, with Pedro Lopes
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

Host

Paul Rand
Host of Big Brains, known for engaging interviews with thought leaders and experts, translating complex research into accessible insights for a broader audience.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 688 ratings
  • Loved this one! I'll only take a couple points with me, though.... One is confirmation of an isloated thought I've had for some years, that what I call "desaliencing" is a relevant skill, and can be clean and useful, or not. I had been thinking of it in terms of the forgotten commute, but I'm happy to hear the short-term memory log jam isn't unique to me.

    One other is that cognitive skill testing is terribly lacking. I'm convinced people don't want to be pre-stratified with it.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Janis
    16 days ago
  • 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
    Australia7 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 States7 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
    Canadaa year 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Content is informative and thought-provoking, offering insights into groundbreaking research.
Some find the music distracting, while many others enjoy the overall production quality.
Listeners appreciate the accessibility of complex topics and the engaging format of discussions.
The quality of guests adds depth to the conversations, making every episode a learning opportunity.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#180
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#184
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#100
Poland/Science
Apple Podcasts
#100
Brazil/Science
Apple Podcasts
#150
Singapore/Science
Apple Podcasts
#162
Argentina/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Could Data Centers Break Our Power Grid? with Andrew Chien
Q: If there is a data center going up and they're growing, does that represent any risks to our current grid?
Yes, it is a risk if the grid does nothing, but there are known ways to fix the problems, including more transmission and generation, and importantly, regulatory policies and permitting structures to support building the needed resources.
Remarkable New Treatments for Spinal Cord Injuries, with Mohamad Bydon
Q: What are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries?
Car accidents and falls are the leading causes of spinal cord injuries.
Remarkable New Treatments for Spinal Cord Injuries, with Mohamad Bydon
Q: What did you do about Oliver's injury?
We performed complex surgeries to reconnect the spine and reset the spinal cord, enabling healing.
Can You Improve Your Working Memory and Attention? with Edward Awh
Q: Based on your research, can you talk about who, what kind of people, what kind of minds function better in complex information-rich environments?
Individuals that succeed in complex environments are the ones who can use their goals to control which aspects of the environment they focus on.
The Breakthrough Quantum Sensor That Sees Inside Your Cells, with Peter Maurer
Q: Can you help us understand why it's so hard to measure things inside a living cell?
Cells are highly complex systems with many types of proteins and modifications that rule biology.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Big Brains

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

The content features conversations with leading experts who discuss cutting-edge research themes ranging from neuroscience to the intersection of technology and society. Topics tend to be diverse, covering complex issues like how wearable technology can augment human abilities, the culture surrounding music virality, and advancements in medical imaging that promise to transform healthcare. Each episode breaks down these nuances into accessible dialogue, making it appealing for listeners eager to learn about the forefront of science and technology in an engaging and digestible manner. The show's unique selling point is its ability to present complex ideas in an easy-to-understand format, encouraging curiosity and deeper reflection on contemp... more

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How many listeners does Big Brains get?

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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. The Ezra Klein Show
2. Freakonomics Radio
3. Hidden Brain
4. People I (Mostly) Admire
5. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

How many episodes of Big Brains are there?

Big Brains launched 8 years ago and published 214 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Big Brains?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Big Brains from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Big Brains?

Recent guests on Big Brains include:

1. Andrew Chien
2. Paula Harper
3. Pedro Lopes
4. Daniel Sodickson
5. Rasmus Rosenberg Larsen
6. Nicole Rust
7. Edwin Kite
8. Matthew Campen

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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