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Artwork for Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe

Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe

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Quantum Mechanics
Black Holes
Physics
Gravity
Parasites
Mars
Big Bang
Particle Physics
Evolution
Dark Matter
Moon
Biology
General Relativity
Nuclear Power
Dark Energy
Evolutionary Biology
Aliens
Sleep
Space
Electromagnetism

Scientists Daniel and Kelly cannot stop talking about our amazing, wonderful, weird Universe! Each episode is a fun, easy-to-understand, and in-depth explanation of topics in science, from particles to black holes to moon colonies to ecosystems to parasites and everything else in the Universe!

PublishesDailyEpisodes828Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatural SciencesPhysics

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Artwork for Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe

Latest Episodes

Daniel and Kelly walk through the early history of the Universe to explain how forces can be unified, or broken.

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Zach joins Daniel and Kelly for a segment on art and science communication. Then Daniel and Kelly explore the concept of absolute hot, and what makes some rocks glow.

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Daniel and Kelly talks about a species of social amoeba that will die to help others. Why the heck does it do that? And bonus: the amoeba are farmers!

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Daniel and Kelly talk about the James Webb Telescope and something mysterious it saw

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Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Recent Guests

Scott Egan
Evolutionary biologist
Rice University
Episode: What is a species? (featuring Dr. Scott Egan)
Andrew Thaler
Deep-sea ecologist and conservation technologist; runs Southern Fried Science; McArthur Fellow
Southern Fried Science / Op-Ed Project
Episode: The Deep Seabed (featuring Dr. Andrew Thaler)
Steve Brusatte
Paleontologist and evolutionary biologist at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
Episode: Story of Birds (featuring Dr. Steve Brusatte)
Benjamin de Bivort
Harvard geneticist, professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
Harvard University
Episode: Listener Questions #35: Genetics (featuring Dr. Benjamin de Bivort)
Matt Giorgianni
Evolutionary biologist and research scientist at the University of Maryland; adjunct at Whiteson Research Institute; known for work on venom and unconventional kitchen experiments
University of Maryland
Episode: Snakes vs Octopi (featuring Dr. Matt Giorgianni)
Nathan Lentz
Professor of biology at John Jay College, City University of New York
John Jay College, City University of New York
Episode: Listener Questions #31
John Martin
Professor of Meteorology
University of Wisconsin
Episode: How do we predict the weather?
Jane Baldwin
Professor at UC Irvine
University of California, Irvine
Episode: How do we predict the weather?
Robert Shackleford
High school teacher and listener who submitted a question
Episode: How do we control mosquito populations?

Hosts

Kelly Weinersmith
Co-host who engages with guests and audience; parasitology and space researcher; science communicator
Daniel
Host with physics background who guides explanations and introduces guests

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 5.5k ratings
  • I learn, and laugh!

    Great pod!! Witty, wide-ranging!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jed-I jester
    United Statesa month ago
  • Mediocre writing, annoying delivery

    I tried to like this podcast (I love the subjects!) but as is the bane of other podcasts, the hosts try too hard to be entertaining. Kelly is loud and overly exuberant while Daniel comes across as smug.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Saurolophus
    United States2 months ago
  • Easy listening for hard subjects

    Love the show and the hosts casual style BUT they stay on topic . Leave me in the cosmic dust sometimes , but I generally learn stuff every show !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rev Dr Dad
    United States2 months ago
  • One of the most entertaining & excellent podcasts

    I was lisenting to the latest episode on parasites and remembering how much I loved parasitology as an undergrad before going to the dark side of biochemistry. I once wrote a paper that argued parasites are a 5th or 6th trophic level because they rely on their hosts to expend the energy needed to extract energy from lower levels and the energy economics of only 10% of the energy transferred up the chain makes them very efficient and leads to these amazingly complex life cycles. So my response ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kpm-npr
    United States2 months ago
  • Love this podcast. Fun and informative!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    corespace
    2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise accessible, wide-ranging science discussions and host chemistry.
Occasional critiques note tone or volume; some feel pacing can be off.
Episodes consistently described as engaging, educational, and fun.
Audience finds topics entertaining and informative, with strong appreciation for guest experts.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Listener Questions #41
Q: Jane asks about shells in snails and whether shells are like toenails, how shells are formed, how old snails are, and whether shells are vascularized.
Shells are secreted by the mantle from calcium carbonate, grow outward as the snail matures, and are not vascularized; aging snails by shell marks is unreliable for most species, and the shell carries a trade-off between protection and mobility.
Listener Questions #41
Q: Alice asks whether space was already expanding before the Milky Way formed and how the Milky Way originated from a nebula in that context.
Space has been expanding since the Big Bang, and the Milky Way likely formed from the collapse of gas clouds (nebulas) through a series of mergers, with the universe's expansion and changing energy components (dark energy, matter, radiation) shaping that history.
Listener Questions #41
Q: Tan asks about the origin, distribution, reproduction, and ecological role of earthworms, including whether they are net positive or harmful in various environments.
Earthworms come from the phylum Annelida and are not universal natives; they can enhance soil aeration and nutrient cycling in gardens but may disrupt native leaf litter ecosystems when non-native species (like jumping worms) invade natural habitats.
Listener Questions #39
Q: What is the current stance on waterless showers and alternative cleaning technologies, especially in space or water-scarce environments?
Waterless or low-water options like dry shampoos, mist-based showers, spa-like sonic cleaning, and real-time recycled water showers are discussed, with caveats about practicality, energy use, and current limitations; the hosts emphasize that while innovative options exist, traditional water-based showers remain easier and more comfortable for most people.
Listener Questions #39
Q: Why not be ambidextrous from an evolutionary perspective, and how common is handedness across species?
Handedness appears to be a widespread trait with a genetic and environmental influence but no single dominant gene; most species show a preference for one side due to brain lateralization and specialization, making perfect ambidexterity uncommon.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two scientists explain big ideas in science with humor and accessible intuition, spanning physics, biology, astronomy, and technology. Episodes balance deep explanations with playful banter, listener questions, and real-world analogies, making complex topics approachable for a curious, educated audience. Notable strengths include strong host chemistry, entertaining storytelling, and a willingness to tackle fringe or debated topics while clearly distinguishing theory from evidence. The show's range from particles to ecosystems plus science history and tech-inspired questions makes it appealing to listeners who want both intellectual rigor and entertainment, with potential sponsorship fits in education, science media, and research communities... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Supermassive Podcast
2. Ask a Spaceman!
3. SpaceTime with Stuart Gary
4. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
5. Universe Today Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 828 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 this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Scott Egan
2. Andrew Thaler
3. Steve Brusatte
4. Benjamin de Bivort
5. Matt Giorgianni
6. Nathan Lentz
7. John Martin
8. Jane Baldwin

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