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IFLScience - The Big Questions

IFLScience
Paleontology
Black Holes
Loch Ness Monster
Climate Change
Dinosaurs
Cryptozoology
Octopus
Scottish Highlands
Artificial Intelligence
Reproduction
Animal Rights
Loch Ness
Neuroscience
Alligator
Birds
Solar System
Chillingham Castle
Animal Sentience
Environmental Impact Of Farming
Games

From saving the planet to understanding ourselves, this podcast sees experts discuss the major topics of our times. Hosted by IFLScience’s Dr Alfredo Carpineti, Rachael Funnell, Dr Russell Moul, Laura Simmons, and Eleanor Higgs.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes60Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AstronomyLife SciencesScience

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Artwork for IFLScience

Latest Episodes

Improving the detection and treatment of dementia is at the forefront of 21st-century neuroscience. As with many gnarly problems, experts are not united on how best to approach this. Some research garners lots of attention from press and public alike... more

Do you ever wish you could talk directly to your pet? Or have the Eliza Thornberry or Dr Dolittle experience for real? Unravelling the mysteries of animal speech might be closer than you think with Project CETI’s work on decoding sperm whale language... more

Large language models, often called artificial intelligence (AI), are everywhere nowadays. There is potential in the use of this form of AI, but also many drawbacks. Lots of excitement, plenty of concerns. The biggest worry? That AI could become cons... more

As global temperatures continue to rise, heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, floods, and storms are becoming more numerous, lasting longer, and affecting places that were never built to withstand them. Understandably, many people feel unsettled by this g... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Fernando Gonzalez
Medical doctor and postdoctoral researcher at Gothenburg University
University of Gothenburg
Episode: What's The Next Frontier In Dementia Research?
Anna Mallach
Edmond and Lily Safra Research Fellow at Imperial College London
Imperial College London
Episode: What's The Next Frontier In Dementia Research?
Ben Goult
Professor of Mechanistic Cell Biology, University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
Episode: What's The Next Frontier In Dementia Research?
David Gruber
Project CETI founder and CEO, Distinguished Professor of Biology
Project CETI, CUNY
Episode: How Close Are We To Talking To Animals?
Dr Alex Hanna
Sociologist of technology, Director of Research at Distributed AI Research Institute (DARE)
Distributed AI Research Institute (DARE)
Episode: Can AI Be Conscious?
Dr. Samantha Montano
Disasterologist and emergency management expert
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Episode: Are "Natural Disasters" On The Rise?
Paul Barret
Paleontologist, dinosaur specialist
Natural History Museum, London
Episode: How Do You Name A New Species?
Florian Markowetz
Professor of Computational Oncology at the University of Cambridge; Senior Group Leader at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute
University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute
Episode: Could AI find A Cure For Cancer?
Vishal Gajjar
Astronomer at the SETI Institute
SETI Institute
Episode: Should We Send Signals To Aliens?

Hosts

Dr Alfredo Carpineti
Host of The Big Questions; Space and Physics Editor
Rachael Funnell
Host of The Big Questions

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 61 ratings
  • Stuff

    Get rid of the damn background music!!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Xanthan Gum
    Germany9 months ago
  • Has potential

    The solar flare episode was the first one I’ve listened to from this podcast. I would 100% listen to a podcast hosted by the guest, Dr. French. His voice was clear, easy to understand, and he was excited to be speaking about his specialty which amped up my interest.

    The host seemed very detached, the sound quality was muffled and it sounded like he was in a bathroom trying not to be heard. He didn’t seem interested in the topic being discussed and his “that’s very interesting” comments fell fla... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    CrisTuck
    United States3 years ago
  • Awesome

    Nothing else but awesome talks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Billy Benjo
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Love the content but

    The sound quality is terrible. The hosts don’t really engage with the guests and it seems awkward. Too many frontloaded ads. But the Content as I said, is good.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Ichegoya
    United States3 years ago
  • Director

    This is a great podcast series!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fuzzzbal
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Positive comments frequently mention the value of practical insights and breadth of topics.
Several reviews note sound quality and interview pacing as areas for improvement.
Feedback is mixed on host engagement, with some listeners wanting more dynamic interviewing and flow.
Listeners praise the content and guest lineup for delivering solid scientific discussion.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Close Are We To Talking To Animals?
Q: What does the future look like for translating whale language, and will it apply to other cetaceans?
The team envisions progressively translating more complex behaviors over five to ten years, with potential transfer of findings to other toothed whales and possibly broader cetacean communication as data and methods improve.
How Close Are We To Talking To Animals?
Q: How do AI and machine learning fit into their work, given the gaps in non-human language data?
AI is used to model patterns and predict contexts, but humans with deep domain knowledge guide interpretation, validate outputs, and help curate data to prevent nonsense or hallucinations from language models.
How Close Are We To Talking To Animals?
Q: What is the core goal of Project CETI, and how do you approach studying whale language?
The core goal is to listen to and translate whale communication using a combination of underwater recording, robotics, and human linguistic insight, with AI aiding pattern discovery while humans provide essential species-specific interpretation.
Could AI find A Cure For Cancer?
Q: What are the main barriers to translating AI research into clinical practice?
Barriers include getting clinicians and pharma on board with biomarkers, the time and complexity required for clinical adoption, and ensuring scalable translation through startups and clear pathways to patients.
Could AI find A Cure For Cancer?
Q: What are some concrete successes AI has had in cancer research?
Two major examples are the Capsule Sponge test aided by AI to detect precancerous changes more efficiently, and the use of global genomic signatures to guide therapy and inform drug development, both showing real patient impact.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About IFLScience

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

The show brings experts from science, technology, and policy to unpack big questions shaping our world. Recent topics span dementia research and biomarker science, AI consciousness and ethics, disaster preparedness and climate resilience, timekeeping and history, as well as imaginative explorations like de-extinction and cryptozoology. Episodes tend to blend rigorous scientific framing with practical implications for healthcare, conservation, technology, and society, often featuring researchers, practitioners, and policy-minded guests who translate complex topics into accessible insights. The format appears to emphasize broad intellectual curiosity, interdisciplinary connections, and a willingness to challenge conventional boundaries betwee... more

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Which podcasts are similar to IFLScience?

These podcasts share a similar audience with IFLScience:

1. IFLScience - We Have Questions
2. Part-Time Genius
3. Science Friday
4. Big Picture Science
5. Stuff To Blow Your Mind

How many episodes of IFLScience are there?

IFLScience launched 5 years ago and published 60 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 IFLScience?

Recent guests on IFLScience include:

1. Fernando Gonzalez
2. Anna Mallach
3. Ben Goult
4. David Gruber
5. Dr Alex Hanna
6. Dr. Samantha Montano
7. Paul Barret
8. Florian Markowetz

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