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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
Dark Matter
Kilogram
Space Exploration
Lichen
Carbon
Symbiosis

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes413Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for The world, the universe and us

Latest Episodes

Episode 346

The world is running out of water, with many countries suffering from significant water shortages. We’re now having to rely on groundwater that takes thousands of years to replenish – so what can we do? One group says, to save us from wo... more

Episode 345

More than 8,500 years ago, ancient people crossed the ocean to the remote island of Malta for the first time. Long before compasses or sails were invented, these prehistoric people navigated the seas on logs, using the stars to travel va... more

Episode 344

Elon Musk has announced he wants to merge SpaceX with another of his companies, xAI, and launch one million satellites into space. One reason - according to Musk - is to eventually harness the entire power of the sun, a sci-fi sounding i... more

Episode 343

The task of growing human brains in a lab has taken a step forward. Scientists have been creating brain organoids since 2013, but have now grown blood vessels in them for the first time. These mini brains resemble the developing cortex -... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Maggie Aderin
Space scientist and TV presenter
James Webb Space Telescope
Episode: How ancient humans crossed the vast ocean; Brain training for dementia; Life of science legend Maggie Aderin
Rutger Bregman
Bestselling author and historian, known for works like Moral Ambition and Humankind
Episode: Rutger Bregman on the crisis of moral ambition; Why primates have same-sex relationships; Living longer is easier than you think; Bizarre method to fight climate change
Anna Merril
Professor of Sustainability and Planning with experience living in Greenland
Aalborg University
Episode: Why does America want Greenland?; Mystery of dark DNA; Ozempic weight rebound
Ruth Mottram
Climate scientist at the Danish Meteorological Institute
Danish Meteorological Institute
Episode: Why does America want Greenland?; Mystery of dark DNA; Ozempic weight rebound
Martin Stendel
Climate scientist monitoring Greenland's ice
Danish Meteorological Institute
Episode: Why does America want Greenland?; Mystery of dark DNA; Ozempic weight rebound
Nick Gray
Founder of G-Tech, a British design company
G-Tech
Episode: Humans are finally heading back to the moon; Cheaper weight loss drugs are coming; Milestone for LSD trials; Promise of new carbon tax
Bryan Johnson
Tech millionaire and longevity pioneer
Episode: Top Science Stories of 2025 | The New Scientist Features Special
Alec Luhn
Researcher discussing interspecies cooperation between orcas and dolphins
Episode: Orcas and dolphins are now hunting together; Genetic root of psychiatric conditions; Black hole stars and cosmic ecology
Steve Pretty
Musician and guest, band leader of Hackney Colliery Band
Episode: The origin and evolution of music: Steve Pretty plays the conch

Hosts

Dr Rowan Hooper
Co-host with expertise in science journalism, focusing on bringing complex scientific discussions to a broader audience.
Dr Penny Sarchet
Co-host with a strong focus on translating scientific knowledge into engaging dialogue for audiences across disciplines.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 901 ratings
  • 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 Kingdom22 days 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 Kingdoma month 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 Kingdom5 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
    Canada5 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 States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the hosts' ability to break down complex scientific concepts into digestible and engaging content.
However, many highlight the uplifting nature of the show, often describing it as a bright spot in their week.
Some listeners express concerns about perceived political bias or a shift in tone towards more polarizing discussions.
Overall, the podcast maintains a loyal following with listeners praising its informative and optimistic approach to science.
There is a mix of positive feedback for the balance of information, humor, and listeners' continuous learning.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#239
United States/Science
Spotify
#15
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#21
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#149
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#42
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#16
Ireland/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How ancient humans crossed the vast ocean; Brain training for dementia; Life of science legend Maggie Aderin
Q: Maggie, what prompted you to write your autobiography?
The inspiration came from her work in science communication where she shares her story and encourages children to chase their dreams.
Humans are finally heading back to the moon; Cheaper weight loss drugs are coming; Milestone for LSD trials; Promise of new carbon tax
Q: How will the carbon border tax affect international trade and industries?
It aims to equalize competition for EU industries working to decarbonize by imposing tariffs on goods from countries without carbon regulations.
Humans are finally heading back to the moon; Cheaper weight loss drugs are coming; Milestone for LSD trials; Promise of new carbon tax
Q: What are the key elements of the upcoming LSD trials?
Two major trials will investigate LSD's effectiveness in reducing anxiety, which were previously hindered due to its legal status.
Humans are finally heading back to the moon; Cheaper weight loss drugs are coming; Milestone for LSD trials; Promise of new carbon tax
Q: What advancements are anticipated in weight loss drugs this year?
The approval of Orphoglipron, a small molecule drug that could be cheaper and easier to manufacture compared to current options.
Humans are finally heading back to the moon; Cheaper weight loss drugs are coming; Milestone for LSD trials; Promise of new carbon tax
Q: What can we expect from space missions in the upcoming year?
A significant event is the Artemis II mission, which will see astronauts orbit the moon, paving the way for future lunar landings.

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 The world, the universe and us

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

Covering a wide array of topics from the evolution of intelligent life to the intricacies of climate change, this podcast invites listeners to feed their curiosity and explore scientific wonders in an engaging and accessible manner. Each episode typically features expert guests alongside the knowledgeable hosts, offering insights that blend current scientific research with relevant global challenges. Discussions often touch on emerging technologies, environmental issues, and the quests to uncover unfathomable mysteries like dark matter, creating a rich tapestry of information for those seeking to understand the world around them. Particularly notable is its ability to balance complex topics with a sense of optimism while maintaining a conve... more

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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 Weekly
3. The Naked Scientists Podcast
4. The Life Scientific
5. Unexpected Elements

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

The world, the universe and us launched 6 years ago and published 413 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 The world, the universe and us?

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

1. Maggie Aderin
2. Rutger Bregman
3. Anna Merril
4. Ruth Mottram
5. Martin Stendel
6. Nick Gray
7. Bryan Johnson
8. Alec Luhn

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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