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Big Picture Science

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes685Founded21 years ago
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Artwork for Big Picture Science

Latest Episodes

The powerful gene editing tool CRISPR is already being tested on animal and plant cells. It has even been used on humans. How might this revolutionary tool change our lives? On the one hand, it could cure inherited diseases and rid the world of malar... more

Many of us know the feeling: we intend to go to bed but pull out our phones for one last scroll. Setting them aside hours later, we’re wide awake, unable to fall asleep. For years, scientists have singled out blue light emitted from our devices as th... more

Long before Yuri Gagarin became the first human to go into space, Laika, a stray dog, crossed the final frontier. Find out what other surprising species were drafted into the astronaut corps.

They may be our best friends, but we still balk at giving... more

The latest Hollywood romp through the world of aliens has landed in theaters. Steven Spielberg’s movie Disclosure Day suggests that our government has been hiding a cache of evidence about alien visitation that spans decades. It’s fun fiction but doe... more

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Recent Guests

Victoria Gray
Sickle cell patient treated with gene therapy
Vertex Pharmaceuticals (treatment context)
Episode: CRISPR Mosquitoes
Seth Shostak
Host of Big Picture Science (repeated)
SETI Institute
Episode: CRISPR Mosquitoes
Molly Bentley
Co-host of Big Picture Science (repeated)
SETI Institute
Episode: CRISPR Mosquitoes
Michael Gradisar
Clinical psychologist and sleep researcher
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth (via interview)
Episode: Skeptic Check: Blue Light Special
Jay Dunlap
Geneticist and molecular geneticist
Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth
Episode: Skeptic Check: Blue Light Special
Mariana Figueiro
Professor and director at the Lighting Health Research Center
Mount Sinai, Lighting Health Research Center
Episode: Skeptic Check: Blue Light Special
Jo Wimpenny
Zoologist and author of Aesop's Animals, the science behind the fables
University/Author (Aesop's Animals)
Episode: Make Space for Animals
Taylor Maggiacomo
Associate Graphic Editor at National Geographic
National Geographic
Episode: Make Space for Animals
Alexander Stegmaier
Freelance Graphic Editor at National Geographic
National Geographic
Episode: Make Space for Animals

Hosts

Molly Bentley
Host of Big Picture Science
Seth Shostak
Host of Big Picture Science; Senior Astronomer

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 States3 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 Kingdom5 months ago
  • Delete

    Delete

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MarkChicagoIL
    United States10 months 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.

Listeners appreciate accessible, intelligent science storytelling with engaging guests.
Many praise the hosts' ability to ask insightful questions and balance depth with clarity.
Some critique occasional ad load or perceived bias, suggesting tighter topic focus would help.
Fans value the Skeptic Check segments for critical thinking and debunking pseudo-science.
Guests are described as knowledgeable, diverse, and well-prepared for in-depth discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#91
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#112
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#207
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#177
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#37
China/Science
Apple Podcasts
#73
New Zealand/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Skeptic Check: Feeling Risky
Q: How does media coverage influence our perception of risk, according to the guest?
Media coverage can amplify fear and create a distorted sense of danger; responsible reporting should weigh the potential harm of alarmism and provide context about actual risks.
Skeptic Check: Feeling Risky
Q: What can individuals do to better navigate the risk perception gap in daily life?
Pause before reacting to a risk, invite slower, more effortful thinking, and seek reliable facts to balance emotion against data for healthier decisions.
Skeptic Check: Moon Conspiracy
Q: How do experts debunk claims such as the waving flag or fake footage?
Experts explain these phenomena with physical explanations (e.g., residual motion of the flag due to no atmosphere) and production details, while noting the overwhelming amount of corroborating evidence from multiple sources.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
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Household Income
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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?

The show consistently combines accessible science storytelling with expert insight from researchers, journalists, and authors across a wide range of fields, including biology, environmental science, physics, space, and public health. Hosts guide conversations with depth and humor, often weaving in history, policy, and societal implications to help listeners understand complex topics. A recurring Skeptic Check segment adds a critical eye on pseudoscience, making the program useful for curious minds and decision-makers seeking thoughtful scientific context in a approachable format.

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How many listeners does Big Picture Science get?

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How many subscribers and views does Big Picture Science have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Big Picture Science 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 Picture Science?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Big Picture Science:

1. Science Magazine Podcast
2. Science Friday
3. Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science
4. Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe
5. The Quanta Podcast

How many episodes of Big Picture Science are there?

Big Picture Science launched 21 years ago and published 685 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 Picture Science?

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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Big Picture Science?

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

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What guests have appeared on Big Picture Science?

Recent guests on Big Picture Science include:

1. Victoria Gray
2. Seth Shostak
3. Molly Bentley
4. Michael Gradisar
5. Jay Dunlap
6. Mariana Figueiro
7. Jo Wimpenny
8. Taylor Maggiacomo

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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