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The World, the Universe and Us

New Scientist
Climate Change
Mars
Dark Matter
Artificial Intelligence
Alzheimer's Disease
Space Exploration
Chimpanzees
NASA
Sleep
Cancer
Microbiome
Cannabis
Neuroscience
Black Holes
Coral Reefs
Geoengineering
Human Evolution
Loneliness
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 weeklyEpisodes435Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for The World, the Universe and Us

Latest Episodes

Episode 367

Some people are genetically destined to develop Alzheimer’s disease. But one man who carried the devastating mutation seems to have escaped it entirely - and scientists think it may be because of his job.

Doug Whitney inherited the rare... more

Episode 366

A Pluto-sized object in the outer solar system has shocked scientists. It’s so tiny that it shouldn’t have an atmosphere - but it does.

Object 2002 XV93, known as a plutino, is a small rock floating about in the Kuiper belt - a doughnut... more

Episode 365

Craig Venter, one of the world’s most influential geneticists, has died aged 79. He leaves behind an incredible - and complicated - legacy.

Venter is primarily known for playing a leading role in the sequencing of the human genome. Late... more

Episode 364

Global temperatures are rising faster than ever - and with a strong

El Niño on the way, scientists are warning we could temporarily breach 2°C of warming above pre-industrial levels. While other models suggest it may only hit 1.75°C, ei... more

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Recent Guests

Roger Highfield
Former editor, Science Museum science director
Science Museum, London
Episode: Craig Venter’s Legacy: The Most Influential Geneticist Since Watson and Crick
Michael Marshall
Former New Scientist journalist
New Scientist
Episode: Craig Venter’s Legacy: The Most Influential Geneticist Since Watson and Crick
Suzanne Simard
Forest ecologist, bestselling author
University-affiliated research; author of Finding the Mother Tree and When the Forest Breathes
Episode: The Wood Wide Web: The Forest Discovery That Sparked a Backlash
Jim Smith
Professor of Environmental Science specializing in radiation pollution
University of Portsmouth
Episode: Chernobyl 40 Years On: Legacy of the World’s Worst Nuclear Disaster
Alec Luhn
Climate reporter
Episode: A “Super El Niño” Is Coming - And It Could Trigger Global Climate Chaos
Ali George
New Scientist staffer
New Scientist
Episode: Genetic analysis reveals how the Neanderthals went extinct
Alice Klein
Reporter
New Scientist
Episode: The Male G-Spot Has Finally Been Found
Paul Behrens
Professor at Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford
Oxford Martin School
Episode: Food shock is inevitable due to the Iran war – and it could get bad
Boris Roebel
Researcher quoted on preservation and revival feasibility
Nectome
Episode: Scientists Can Now Preserve a Brain After Death - What’s Next?

Hosts

Dr. Rowan Hooper
Host and co-host, with a strong background in science journalism and expertise in various scientific topics.
Dr. Penny Sarchet
Host and co-host, known for her engaging storytelling and interview skills, contributing diverse scientific knowledge.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 925 ratings
  • 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
    Australia18 days 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 Kingdom3 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 Kingdom4 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 Kingdom7 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
    Canada8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The scientific depth and the variety of expert guests are praised for keeping the content fresh and relevant.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and informative discussions, noting the hosts' ability to make complex scientific topics accessible and entertaining.
Some criticism arises regarding the podcast's entertainment value overshadowing the scientific rigor, with occasional concerns about bias in discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#124
United States/Science
Spotify
#16
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#17
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#63
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#23
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#128
Italy/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Craig Venter’s Legacy: The Most Influential Geneticist Since Watson and Crick
Q: Mike, do you want to start us off really by talking about that story, that iconic story of the race to get it done?
Mike Marshall outlines the two-track race between the public Human Genome Project and Venter's private efforts, noting tensions, collaboration maneuvers, and the eventual near-simultaneous publication of draft genomes, with broader implications for data sharing and public trust.
Record Heat, Wildfires and Drought - The Climate Crisis Is About To Accelerate
Q: What is the significance of the Hootman-Abrolhos Islands coral find?
The corals showed remarkable resilience under extreme heat, with zero bleaching observed even as heat exposure thresholds were exceeded, suggesting genetic and symbiotic factors that could inform reef protection and restoration strategies elsewhere.
Britain’s First Astronaut on the New Race to the Moon | Helen Sharman
Q: Were you nervous, Helen, watching that?
Helen Sharman describes being nervous mainly about re-entry and the heat-shield performance, and expresses relief and wonder once the crew was safely back, highlighting how close attention to the spacecraft's design and trajectory is crucial for crew safety.
A “Super El Niño” Is Coming - And It Could Trigger Global Climate Chaos
Q: Alec, remind us what exactly is El Niño to begin with.
El Niño is a natural climate pattern where the trade winds weaken, warm water shifts eastward across the Pacific, and the warmer surface waters heat the atmosphere, leading to various weather changes around the globe.
Genetic analysis reveals how the Neanderthals went extinct
Q: Ali, what is the significance of the recent findings on interbreeding, and who was doing the mating?
Genetic evidence suggests that Neanderthals were often the fathers in interbreeding events with modern humans, not the other way around, indicating a complex pattern of mating during that period.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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?

Exploring a wide range of scientific topics, this podcast covers everything from the evolution of intelligent life and consciousness to pressing issues like climate change and the mysteries of dark matter. Each episode features engaging discussions hosted by two knowledgeable journalists, who bring in expert scientists to provide depth and context to the most relevant developments in the field. The blend of humor and insightful commentary offers listeners both entertainment and education, making complex ideas accessible and interesting. This podcast stands out for its optimistic tone and commitment to enlightening its audience about the wonders of science in today's uncertain world.

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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. Unexpected Elements
5. The Life Scientific

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

The World, the Universe and Us launched 6 years ago and published 435 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. Roger Highfield
2. Michael Marshall
3. Suzanne Simard
4. Jim Smith
5. Alec Luhn
6. Ali George
7. Alice Klein
8. Paul Behrens

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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