Rephonic
Artwork for From First Principles
James Webb Space Telescope
3I Atlas
Cancer Therapy
Supernova
CRISPR
Cancer Detection
Plasma Physics
Spintronics
NASA
Dark Matter
Mars
Astrophysics
Fusion Research
Supermassive Black Holes
Artificial Intelligence
Microbial Life
LIGO
Nobel Prize
Gene Therapy
Peripheral Immune Tolerance

From First Principles is a fast, funny, and rigorous breakdown of the biggest science stories of the week, hosted by Lester Nare and physicist Krishna Choudhary, PhD. We go past headlines into the actual mechanics: what happened, why it matters, and what everyone’s missing. Expect physics, space, AI, energy, biotech, and the occasional “wait… is that real?” story. If you’re curious, skeptical, and... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes54Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for From First Principles

Latest Episodes

Quantum computers do not simply “try every answer at once.” So what do they actually do—and why have governments and technology companies spent billions trying to build them?

In Part 1 of our two-part quantum computing deep dive, Lester Nare and Kri... more

Claude did not solve the Riemann Hypothesis. But what it actually did may be one of the clearest examples yet of how rapidly AI systems are changing the way difficult mathematics can be attacked.

In Episode 53, Lester Nare and Krishna Choudhary go f... more

In this anniversary episode, Lester Nare and Krishna Choudhary look back at how two longtime friends turned their regular conversations about science into a show now shared by millions of people around the world, and what they hope to build with FFP ... more

What happens when electronics can operate at temperatures hot enough to melt aluminum?

In this deep-dive episode, Lester Nare and Krishna Choudhary examine a new high-temperature memory device developed by researchers at USC, the Air Force Research ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Juan Busso
Senior football data scientist at FIFA
FIFA
Episode: FIFA Data Scientists Explain Match Momentum (EP 49)
Arron Ackerman
Team lead for football performance analysis at FIFA
FIFA
Episode: FIFA Data Scientists Explain Match Momentum (EP 49)
Michael Blanton
Director of the Carnegie Observatories
Carnegie Observatories
Episode: Dr. Michael Blanton on Open Data, Galaxy Surveys, and the Future of Astronomy (EP 43)
Dan Gilman
Astrophysicist
University of Chicago
Episode: How Scientists Actually Study Dark Matter (EP 42)
John Mulchaey
President of Carnegie Science and former director of the Carnegie Observatories
Carnegie Science
Episode: Dr. John Mulchaey on Carnegie Science and the Future of Astronomy (EP 41)
Daniel Toker
Brain scientist, UCLA/USC, Nature Neuroscience author
UCLA/USC
Episode: Can AI Help Wake Coma Patients? The Science of Consciousness (EP 35)

Hosts

Krishna Choudhary
Co-host, PhD; physicist; science communicator
Lester Nare
Host, commentator; engages with guests and makes complex science accessible

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 574 ratings
  • One of the best Podcasts out there

    I listen to a lot of different kinds of podcasts but when it comes to science it’s FFP or Startalk. Thanks for all you guys do!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DocB603
    United Statesa month ago
  • Instant fan

    They cover a really broad range of topics across science, super interesting and distilled down for the curious non experts

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    scottydoodah
    United Statesa month ago
  • Obnoxious Editing

    Hats off to anyone practicing science communication, Krishna and Lester included. But they have habit of starting episodes with an ad where someone is literally screaming which is agitating af. They’ll also cut away mid episode to an ad that’s obnoxious and twice as loud as their speaking voices 1/10 of a second earlier. You’re creating a bad listening experience. Run your ads. Just do it less obnoxiously.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Dylon Myers
    United Statesa month ago
  • Genuinely great pod, Audio Level issues make it a challenge

    Lester. My guy, my captain. Love the pod. Big fan. However, your mix is way too low relative to the commercials in your episodes and relative to every other podcast on this app. I never do this but I have to say something.

    I have to really crank up the volume to hear you both which would be fine but then when you cut to commercial my ears/speakers are blown out with the massive jump in audio level.

    Your audio levels may “look good” on your end but your show does not exist in a vacuum, look a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    CoopCoopJamJam
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best science podcast show ever !!

    The passion man , the passion is infectious !

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Paraggp
    United Kingdom3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some criticism about loud ads and audio balance during episodes.
Praise the host banter and ability to simplify complex ideas for non-experts.
Listeners praise clear explanations and deep dives into diverse science topics.
Listeners value the breadth of topics from astronomy to biology and the hosts' enthusiasm.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#26
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#38
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#32
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#60
United Kingdom/Science
Spotify
#44
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#73
Australia/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Scientists Actually Study Dark Matter (EP 42)
Q: How do you actually study dark matter if you can't see it directly?
Researchers use gravitational lensing to infer the presence and properties of dark matter clumps by observing how gravity distorts the light from background sources; comparing these distortions with simulations helps constrain dark matter theories.
How Scientists Actually Study Dark Matter (EP 42)
Q: What is dark matter and why do we think it exists?
Dark matter is matter that interacts only via gravity, not electromagnetism, which explains why galaxies rotate as if more mass exists than what we can see; multiple independent lines of evidence—from galaxy dynamics to the cosmic microwave background—converge on its existence.
Winter Olympics Deep Dive: Ice Physics, Performance Pressure, and Climate Change (EP. 26)
Q: What do you think about the recent choking incidents in Olympic sports?
It highlights the immense pressure athletes face and the neuroscience behind performance anxiety.
From Cells to Circuits to Crystals — 2025 Nobel Prizes Unpacked (EP. 11)
Q: What does peripheral immune tolerance mean?
It is the mechanism that prevents our immune system from attacking our own body tissues.

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 From First Principles

What is From First Principles about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two hosts deliver rigorous, accessible briefings on the week's biggest science stories, spanning physics, space, AI, energy, and biotech. Episodes blend deep-dive explanations with practical storytelling, historical context, and lively banter, helping curious listeners understand not just what happened, but why it matters and how it connects to broader science and society. Notable strengths include a clear two-person dynamic anchored by a physicist and a curious interlocutor, long-form explorations of complex topics, and a consistent emphasis on explaining concepts from first principles for non-experts. A standout trait is the show's willingness to tackle high-level ideas with engaging visuals into the narrative and a data-driven mindset, w... more

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From First Principles launched a year ago and published 54 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 From First Principles?

Recent guests on From First Principles include:

1. Juan Busso
2. Arron Ackerman
3. Michael Blanton
4. Dan Gilman
5. John Mulchaey
6. Daniel Toker

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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