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Artwork for The world, the universe and us

The world, the universe and us

New Scientist
Cannabis
Climate Change
THC
Microbial Fermentation
Dolphins
Endocannabinoid System
Royal Flying Doctor Service
COP28
Cannabinoid Research
Environmental Impact
Folded Landscapes
Environmental Activism
Fungi
Wilderness
Kilogram
Dark Matter
Space Exploration
Symbiosis
Lichen
Paul Erdős

From the evolution of intelligent life, to the mysteries of consciousness; from the threat of the climate crisis to the search for dark matter, The world, the universe and us is your essential weekly dose of science and wonder in an uncertain world. Hosted by journalists Dr Rowan Hooper and Dr Penny Sarchet and joined each week by expert scientists in the field, the show draws on New Scientist’s u... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes399Founded6 years ago
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NewsScience

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Artwork for The world, the universe and us

Latest Episodes

Episode 332

For only the second time, the genome of an ancient Denisovan has been sequenced - thanks to the discovery of a 200,000-year-old tooth found in a Siberian cave. This ancient member of the human family has long been a mystery, so this geno... more

Episode 331

This week sees the broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK of a documentary called Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a dictator. Geneticists have managed to find a DNA sample from Adolf Hitler and have sequenced it and verified it, and now we have his... more

Episode 330

COP30 is nearly upon us - and this climate conference may be the most crucial so far. In a year where we’ve seen the first major global tipping point reached, destructive wildfires raging in Los Angeles and much more, joint action has ne... more

Episode 329

America’s health data system is in crisis. The US government has been bleeding public health experts – many of whom run crucial public health surveys and databases which help identify, monitor and respond to health threats across the cou... more

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Recent Guests

Bill Bryson
Science writer and author
Episode: New genome of ancient human; 95% of us have a dormant virus that causes disease; Formula E cars faster than F1; Bill Bryson joins the pod!
Turi King
Geneticist at the University of Bath, known for identification of Richard III's remains
University of Bath
Episode: Why the claims about Hitler’s genome are misleading
Alex Kay
Historian of Nazi Germany at Potsdam University
Potsdam University
Episode: Why the claims about Hitler’s genome are misleading
Simon Evans
Climate journalist and deputy editor at Carbon Brief
Carbon Brief
Episode: COP30: The world's climate future hinges on this meeting
Daniel Yon
Neuroscientist and psychologist
Birkbeck
Episode: Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special)
Anjana Khatwa
Geologist and author
Not specified
Episode: Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special)
Chamkaur Ghag
Physicist at UCL
UCL
Episode: Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special)
John Gunning
Sumo Writer for the Japan Times
Japan Times
Episode: First climate tipping point triggered; Man controls another person's body by brain implant; health worries over sumo wrestlers
Irene Di Giulio
Biomedical engineer at King's College London working on supporting astronauts with disabilities
King's College London
Episode: Space 2075: How Humanity Will Live, Work and Make Drugs off-planet | Live Recording at the Royal Society

Hosts

Dr Rowan Hooper
Co-host focused on enlightening audiences about current scientific discoveries and their societal implications.
Dr Penny Sarchet
Co-host with a role in deepening discussions around science and contemporary issues, bringing in expert viewpoints.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 879 ratings
  • Love it

    This is a great podcast for anyone wanting to get a clear and accessible introduction to the latest developments in science. The hosts do a wonderful job of guiding listeners through complex ideas in a way that’s both engaging and entertaining. I especially enjoy listening to Dr Penny’s sweet voice, which makes the experience even more delightful. Keep up the excellent work! ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nipuna (Nix)
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • One of the best podcasts overall!

    Looking forward to it every week! Love the hosts, I could listen to them talking about science and being super fun and witty for hours. I recommend listening to everyone -- keeps you informed, questioning, and lifts the mood!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dausmaus
    Canada2 months ago
  • Surprisingly luddite

    I’ve been listening on and off for a few years and in that time I’ve been consistently surprised by a luddite, sceptical undercurrent in these discussions. Take for example a recent episode on LLMs, where the bulk of the time focused on how poorly they function and how unethical it is to use them. I can imagine if this were set 140 years ago, we would be hearing about how unreliable the automobile functions compared to horses or the velocipede and how unethical it is to even try driving one.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    ssabo
    United States5 months ago
  • Love the refresh

    I love the revamped show. Still keeps the New Scientist integrity, but also sets itself apart. Two thumbs up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BARRYFAN12
    United States6 months ago
  • Excellent - as always

    Always informative and fun. And btw - since this weeks episode was on the subject - listening to NS is one of the best ways to use your smartphone or tablet

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AMLMN
    Canada8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the engaging and informative nature of the content, often highlighting how it fosters curiosity and optimism about scientific advancements.
There are mixed reactions to the show's political undertones, with some criticizing the perceived bias while others value the broader discourse on societal implications of science.
The hosts are praised for their ability to convey complex topics in an accessible manner, enhancing understanding and interest among a diverse audience.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#200
United States/Science
Spotify
#17
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#18
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#187
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#42
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#215
Italy/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The collapse of America’s health data system; How sleep affects your focus; Life on Mars in liquid veins?
Q: So what's the link? Why do we necessarily lose our attention or focus when there's this quick surge of cleaning?
It's not totally clear why the cleaning affects attention, but researchers hope to discover the connection to improve cognitive function even when deprived of sleep.
The collapse of America’s health data system; How sleep affects your focus; Life on Mars in liquid veins?
Q: Can you explain to us the kind of data that the US is losing or missing out on, and why that's such a bad thing?
Some key surveys impacted include the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the national vital statistics system, which are critical for monitoring public health issues.
COP30: The world's climate future hinges on this meeting
Q: To be honest, I think it sort of does add up. Let me start by accentuating the positive.
There has been significant progress since the COP process started, though challenges remain, particularly around polarization and political will.
COP30: The world's climate future hinges on this meeting
Q: Simon, can you tell us a bit about what Carbon Brief is doing to cover COP? Because you're doing loads, aren't you?
Carbon Brief is putting out a huge amount of content designed to help journalists, negotiators, and politicians navigate the complexities of COP30, including a new all-access package called the COP 30 Insider Pass.
Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special)
Q: How do we tackle the increased rates of conspiracy theory beliefs?
It's a complex issue that seems connected to how neurochemicals in our brains adjust our perception of reality amidst environmental changes.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The world, the universe and us

What is The world, the universe and us about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Episodes focus on a wide array of scientific explorations, ranging from climate change and health advancements to the latest discoveries in neuroscience and space exploration. The discussion often highlights contemporary issues like the implications of human emotions towards climate action and the intersection of science with societal challenges. Unique aspects include the emphasis on storytelling and the emotional responses that drive public engagement with scientific topics. This blend of rigorous science and relatable narrative aims to inspire curiosity and optimism while tackling complex global issues.

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To see how many followers or subscribers The world, the universe and us 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 The world, the universe and us?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The world, the universe and us:

1. BBC Inside Science
2. Science In Action
3. Science Weekly
4. The Naked Scientists Podcast
5. CrowdScience

How many episodes of The world, the universe and us are there?

The world, the universe and us launched 6 years ago and published 399 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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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.

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What guests have appeared on The world, the universe and us?

Recent guests on The world, the universe and us include:

1. Bill Bryson
2. Turi King
3. Alex Kay
4. Simon Evans
5. Daniel Yon
6. Anjana Khatwa
7. Chamkaur Ghag
8. John Gunning

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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