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Big Picture Science

Big Picture Science
Climate Change
Arctic
Mars
SETI Institute
Permafrost
NASA
Artificial Intelligence
Mental Health
Evolutionary Benefits Of Play
String Theory
Lightning
Child Development
Exoplanets
Hurricane Katrina
Social Media
Chernobyl
Risky Play
James Webb Space Telescope
Klamath River
Forever Chemicals

The surprising connections in science and technology that give you the Big Picture. Astronomer Seth Shostak and science journalist Molly Bentley are joined each week by leading researchers, techies, and journalists to provide a smart and humorous take on science. Our regular "Skeptic Check" episodes cast a critical eye on pseudoscience.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes691Founded21 years ago
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Artwork for Big Picture Science

Latest Episodes

Are we alone in the universe? Is there other intelligence out there? COSMIC, the most ambitious SETI search yet, hopes to answer that. We hear updates on this novel signal detection project being conducted on the Very Large Array in the desert of New... more

Electricity plays an important role in our everyday lives, including allowing our bodies to communicate internally. But some research claims electricity may be used to diagnose and treat disease? Could electric pulses one day replace medications?

We... more

Earthworms may be small, limbless, and blind but, as Darwin observed nearly 150 years ago, they play a critical role in soil ecology. Darwin’s 19th century insights about the slimy invertebrates are far-reaching, serving as the backbone of modern eco... more

The Arctic serves as the world’s refrigerator, keeping the planet cool. But temperatures in the Arctic are rising nearly four times faster than the rest of the world and its sea ice is near a historic low. We put out a call to scientists aboard resea... more

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Recent Guests

Sally Adee
Journalist, author of We Are Electric
Journalist
Episode: Skeptic Check: The Body Electric
Samantha Payne
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences
University of Guelph
Episode: Skeptic Check: The Body Electric
Kevin Tracey
Neurosurgeon, President of the Feinstein Institutes at Northwell Health
Feinstein Institutes / Northwell Health
Episode: Skeptic Check: The Body Electric
Jacqueline Stroud
Soil scientist at the University of Warwick
University of Warwick
Episode: Worms of Endearment
Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado
Investigator at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research, stem cells and regeneration
Stowers Institute for Medical Research
Episode: Worms of Endearment
Autun Purser
Marine biologist and chief scientist on the Polarstern
Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
Episode: Arctic Dispatch
Andrew Derocher
Zoologist studying polar bears
University of Alberta
Episode: Arctic Dispatch
Jonathan Nash
Physical oceanographer
Oregon State University
Episode: Arctic Dispatch
Nicola Twilley
Co-host of the Gastropod podcast and author of Frostbite, How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves
The New Yorker
Episode: Cold Comfort

Hosts

Molly Bentley
Host of Big Picture Science, lead interviewer, and executive producer with a background in science communication.
Seth Shostak
Host of Big Picture Science; Institute Senior Astronomer; frequent scientific moderator.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Always learn something interesting.

    I’ve enjoyed this podcast for years and there’s always something new and amazing I learn. I love Molly as an interviewer and throughly woot Seth’s commentary and humor. All the gusts are incredibly compelling and in my feed filled with politics, this podcast is an inspiring, fresh and always bright listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bizcochito73
    United States4 months ago
  • Disappointing podcast

    I’ve tried several episodes now as the subjects are interesting and I’d love to know more. Unfortunately the hosts are rambling and don’t really end up exploring the topics in depth, and I can’t say I come away either better informed or entertained.

    Unsubscribed

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Ladybird166
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Delete

    Delete

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MarkChicagoIL
    United Statesa year ago
  • Silly Statement

    Why state that the Rubin Observatory is the first one named after a woman?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MarkChicagoIL
    United Statesa year ago
  • Best podcast

    I listen to about a dozen podcasts. Big picture Science is by far the most informative and entertaining

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    R be l.
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners feel episodes can become ad-heavy or repetitive over time.
Listeners praise the clear questions and engaging guests that make complex topics accessible.
Fans value balanced, evidence-based discussions even on controversial topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#158
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#172
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#89
Colombia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#122
China/Science
Apple Podcasts
#126
Philippines/Science
Apple Podcasts
#144
Ireland/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Calling All Aliens
Q: What constraints make real-time dialogue with aliens unlikely?
Interstellar communication involves extreme time delays due to vast distances, and even if a common scientific language exists, interpreting signals may require generations to achieve meaningful back-and-forth.
Calling All Aliens
Q: Why would scientists consider sending messages to extraterrestrials?
Some researchers argue that signaling could demonstrate initiative, potentially encourage reciprocal communication, and reflect a human impulse to engage with the cosmos, even if the outcome is uncertain.
Calling All Aliens
Q: What is COSMIC and how does it change SETI searching?
COSMIC is a data-driven, commensal, multi-mode interferometer approach at the Very Large Array that continuously surveys the sky across many wavelengths and targets many more stars than previous SETI efforts, increasing sensitivity and coverage.
Skeptic Check: Blue Light Special
Q: What is at stake if we misinterpret blue light as the sole disruptor of sleep?
The risk is that people won't address other critical factors like daytime exposure, evening stimulation, and overall light intensity, which may lead to persistent sleep problems despite reducing screen use at night.
Skeptic Check: Blue Light Special
Q: With all the ways that phones can disrupt life, why is this misunderstanding about the role of blue light important to correct?
Because if blue light from screens isn't the primary cause of sleep issues, focusing on it distracts from the real contributors like daytime light, light duration, and other environmental factors; correcting this helps people address sleep more effectively.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Big Picture Science

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

A science-forward show that blends deep-dive interviews with expert guests across space, biology, technology, and climate topics. Episodes frequently explore cutting-edge research (SETI COSMIC, bioelectric medicine, CRISPR, Arctic science, and environmental tech) alongside cultural and ethical angles, often pairing researchers with journalists or authors to illuminate complex ideas. A notable strength is the integration of science with storytelling and real-world implications, including field reporting, historical context, and thoughtful skepticism. Listeners likely appreciate clear questions, accessible science communication, and a willingness to tackle controversial or speculative topics without sacrificing rigor.

A standout format is th... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Big Picture Science?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Big Picture Science:

1. Science Friday
2. Science Magazine Podcast
3. Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science
4. SpaceTime with Stuart Gary
5. Astronomy Cast

How many episodes of Big Picture Science are there?

Big Picture Science launched 21 years ago and published 691 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 Picture Science?

Recent guests on Big Picture Science include:

1. Sally Adee
2. Samantha Payne
3. Kevin Tracey
4. Jacqueline Stroud
5. Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado
6. Autun Purser
7. Andrew Derocher
8. Jonathan Nash

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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