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Artwork for The World, the Universe and Us

The World, the Universe and Us

New Scientist
Climate Change
Mars
Dark Matter
Alzheimer's Disease
Artificial Intelligence
Chimpanzees
Microbiome
Sleep
NASA
Cancer
Space Exploration
Human Evolution
Neuroscience
Black Holes
Coral Reefs
Geoengineering
Loneliness
Antarctica
Health Conditions
Dark Energy

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes465Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNews

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Artwork for The World, the Universe and Us

Latest Episodes

Episode 397

The first evidence has been discovered that Denisovans lived in south-west China. This ancient species of human spent over 100,000 years in the region and left behind incredible artefacts that tell us how they lived.

64,000 fragments of... more

Episode 396

A devastating climate disaster has killed at least 1,200 people in Nepal. A mass of ice and rock came crashing down off the Langtang mountain into the valley below. The climate crisis has made events like this much more likely.

This is ... more

Episode 395

Dark matter particles may have finally been spotted for the first time. LUX-ZEPLIN is the most sensitive dark matter detector on Earth - and what it’s discovered has the potential, if confirmed, to shake up all of physics.

Despite makin... more

Episode 394

A new technique using a woman’s own fat cells has been used to reconstruct her breast without silicone implants. By injecting her own tissue into a dissolving scaffold, it’s hoped this technique will make breast augmentation safer.

Trad... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Bethan Davies
Professor of Glaciology
University of Newcastle
Episode: The Nepal Disaster: How Climate Change is Reshaping the World
Alec Luhn
Reporter
The World, the Universe and Us
Episode: The Nepal Disaster: How Climate Change is Reshaping the World
Katya Rubia
Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience
King's College London
Episode: ADHD Is Not a Myth - What the Science Really Says
Caroline Williams
Science writer and author who has ADHD
Independent writer / New Scientist contributor
Episode: ADHD Is Not a Myth - What the Science Really Says
Catherine Bollard
Pediatric immunologist involved in TAAT research
Children's National Hospital, Washington DC
Episode: New Treatment Saves Children With Terminal Brain Cancer
Catherine Loveday
Neuropsychologist
University of Westminster (as introduced)
Episode: Latitude Special: Why Festivals Make You Live Longer; Clearing Alzheimer’s Proteins from the Brain;Clouds Made of Rocks and Rubies; Orcas Blow Up Giant Fish
Steve Pretty
Musician
musician known for On the Origin of Pieces podcast
Episode: Latitude Special: Why Festivals Make You Live Longer; Clearing Alzheimer’s Proteins from the Brain;Clouds Made of Rocks and Rubies; Orcas Blow Up Giant Fish
Hannah Wakeford
Astronomer/Astrophysicist
University or research institution as introduced
Episode: Latitude Special: Why Festivals Make You Live Longer; Clearing Alzheimer’s Proteins from the Brain;Clouds Made of Rocks and Rubies; Orcas Blow Up Giant Fish
Leah Crane
Space reporter, invited guest for this episode
New Scientist
Episode: The Most Promising Alien Planet We've Ever Found?

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 946 ratings
  • mostly advertising

    This is science journalism 10% of the time, ads and advertorials for the rest. You don't do science by press release.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    amcqu
    Australia2 months ago
  • Misleading disinformation

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dadai5m
    Australia5 months ago
  • A BS publication full of propaganda

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    OG yes indeed
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Much too light and opinion-based

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    td14573
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • 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 Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is considered a reliable source for staying current on diverse science topics and trends.
Some listeners feel coverage can be opinionated or sensational at times and prefer tighter scientific balance.
Guests are generally seen as credible and well-informed, contributing depth across science domains.
Listeners appreciate accessible, engaging science storytelling with credible experts.
Some reviews note heavy advertising and occasional perceived bias or political framing.
The format and depth are valued by long-time listeners who seek context and practical implications of scientific findings.
Overall, the show is praised for curiosity, breadth of topics, and strong hosts, though criticisms exist around ad-load and occasional sensationalism.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#89
United States/Science
Spotify
#11
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#13
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#64
Canada/Science
Spotify
#45
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#21
Australia/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Scientists Find Best Evidence Yet For Dark Matter
Q: Why is xenon used in the LZ detector, and what makes a high-energy event significant?
Xenon provides a large nucleus for potential interactions, increasing the likelihood of rare WIMP events; a higher-energy interaction could indicate a more complex or collective interaction with the nucleus, which would shape interpretations and subsequent searches.
Scientists Find Best Evidence Yet For Dark Matter
Q: What would a confirmed dark matter signal mean for current physics theories?
A confirmed signal would mandate updating the standard model to accommodate a new dark matter particle, potentially altering our understanding of fundamental forces and prompting reexaminations of existing theories, while also guiding future detector designs and funding priorities.
Why Humans Like Bigger Breasts - And a New Way to Augment Them
Q: What do early results suggest about safety and tissue quality?
Early trials show no safety concerns and indicate the process takes about a year for tissue to fill the scaffold and another year or two for complete dissolution; patients report the feel becoming more natural once the scaffold has disappeared, though long-term data is still needed.
Why Humans Like Bigger Breasts - And a New Way to Augment Them
Q: How does the new fat-and-scaffold technique work in practice?
Fat is harvested via liposuction and injected into a scaffold placed in the breast. The lattice scaffold holds the fat in place; over time, the scaffold dissolves and new tissue grows along the lattice, integrating with existing tissue to form a natural-looking breast.
Why Humans Like Bigger Breasts - And a New Way to Augment Them
Q: Alice, breast augmentation is sometimes seen almost as something of a frivolous surgery—could you talk us through what it's actually used for?
Breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic surgery and is used not only to increase size but also for breast reconstructions after mastectomies, to restore volume after pregnancy and breastfeeding, and in gender-affirming surgeries; the history even notes the first documented augmentation in 1893 was in a mastectomy context.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

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?

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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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. Science Weekly
2. BBC Inside Science
3. The Naked Scientists Podcast
4. CrowdScience
5. Unexpected Elements

How many episodes of The World, the Universe and Us are there?

The World, the Universe and Us launched 7 years ago and published 465 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The World, the Universe and Us?

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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. Bethan Davies
2. Alec Luhn
3. Katya Rubia
4. Caroline Williams
5. Catherine Bollard
6. Catherine Loveday
7. Steve Pretty
8. Hannah Wakeford

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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