
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
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 460 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ScienceNews | |||

Episode 392
Ancient wildfires may have shaped the course of human evolution. A reconstruction of the environment in East Africa 1.75 million years ago suggests a particularly volatile period of climate change made our species adapt rapidly.
Climate... more
Episode 391
Brain tumours are the most common and most deadly form of solid tumours in children. But a brand new kind of immunotherapy has shown incredible promise, saving four terminally ill children.
By using a child’s own immune cells, this new ... more
Episode 390
In a special episode recorded live at Latitude Festival in England, we open with the finding that orcas in the Gulf of California have been making fish explode like piñatas. Sunfish are too large for orcas to get their teeth around, but ... more
Episode 389
Europe is burning through another summer of extreme heat. Temperatures are soaring across the continent, wildfires are forcing mass evacuations in France and Spain, and scientists warn that heatwaves are becoming more frequent, more inte... more
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This is science journalism 10% of the time, ads and advertorials for the rest. You don't do science by press release.
The nuclear energy episode so blatantly skews facts as to be disinformation. At one point it compared wind turbine engineer risk to nuclear waste. This channel is disinformation presented as impartial scientific information. Unfortunately I can’t give less than one star. Shame on the presenters and shame on the staff involved.
A company that has taken sponsorship from BP and Shell Oil has the gall to be Bitcoin bashing over extremely out dated arguments about Bitcoin and energy consumption. They know better, but they are owned by The Daily Mail who stand as an extreme right wing publication with interests in supporting the legacy banking and financial institutions. This publication cannot be trusted, full of bias and biased outside interests. Purposefully using all the outdated tropes and ignoring all the current fact... more
A show with science in the title shouldn’t be presenting opinions backed up with anecdotal or no evidence. Who cares what books the presenters have been reading, how they think the world is, and how they’d like it to be. I’ve read and enjoyed the magazine for years and this is a poor representation of 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! ❤️
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #124 | |
Spotify | #17 | |
Apple Podcasts | #20 | |
Apple Podcasts | #85 | |
Apple Podcasts | #46 | |
Apple Podcasts | #110 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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A weekly science podcast blending news, big ideas, and expert context across domains like climate, space, biology, and technology. Episodes frequently feature live events, interviews with researchers, and deep dives into how science intersects culture, policy, and everyday life. Notable strengths include accessible explanations of complex topics, a steady roster of credible guests, and a consistent curiosity-driven approach that aims to inspire optimism about scientific progress. It likely appeals to curious, educated listeners who want clear context for current science stories and practical implications for society and the future.
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These podcasts share a similar audience with The World, the Universe and Us:
1. BBC Inside Science
2. Science Weekly
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4. CrowdScience
5. The Naked Scientists Podcast
The World, the Universe and Us launched 7 years ago and published 460 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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Recent guests on The World, the Universe and Us include:
1. Catherine Loveday
2. Hannah Wakeford
3. Dr Sam Akbar
4. Chris Packham
5. Charlotte Cowie
6. Holly Bridge
7. Ian Graham
8. Genevieve von Petzinger
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