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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
Cancer
Human Evolution
Neuroscience
Geoengineering
Loneliness
Antarctica
Coral Reefs
Black Holes
Health Conditions
Dark Energy
Neanderthals
Global Warming

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 weeklyEpisodes474Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNews

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Artwork for The World, the Universe and Us

Latest Episodes

Episode 406

The glymphatic system is the brain’s waste disposal system - responsible for clearing out harmful toxins that build up during the day.

Now a new mouse study has connected reduced glyphatic flow to Alzheimer’s disease. And because this g... more

Episode 405

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a major system of ocean currents that plays a vital role in Earth’s climate. If it collapses, the consequences could be catastrophic. We could see ice-age level winters in Europe... more

Episode 404

Jonathan the tortoise was born in the year 1832, on a beach in the Seychelles. 194 years later and Jonathan is still alive, celebrating his birthday. How exactly has he managed to survive for so long?

Jonathan is a giant tortoise and th... more

Episode 403

A new species of feathered dinosaur has been discovered - and it looks like a supercharged magpie with teeth. Fossil evidence and an artist’s reconstruction show the dinosaur looks remarkably like a bird - yet it’s not actually an ancest... more

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Recent Guests

Michael Marshall
Science writer
New Scientist
Episode: How Your Brain Cleans Itself - And What Happens When It Goes Wrong
Madeleine Cuff
Climate reporter
New Scientist
Episode: If the AMOC Collapses - Could We Reverse the Damage?
Alec Luhn
Climate reporter
New Scientist
Episode: If the AMOC Collapses - Could We Reverse the Damage?
Enrique Rodriguez
Researcher on mitochondria
University College London
Episode: Secrets of the World’s Longest-Lived Animals
Steve Brusatte
Paleontologist, University of Edinburgh; author
University of Edinburgh
Episode: New Fossil Shows Birds Weren’t the Only Dinosaurs to Evolve Flight
Caitlin Moran
Author of How to Be Hopeful
Author, How to Be Hopeful
Episode: How to Be Hopeful: Caitlin Moran and New Scientist Look to the Future
Jacob Aron
Journalist contributing to AI and tech coverage
New Scientist
Episode: THIS Is What You Need To Worry About With The Rise Of AI
Matt Sparkes
Journalist focusing on science and technology
New Scientist
Episode: THIS Is What You Need To Worry About With The Rise Of AI
Timothy Revell
Journalist covering science and AI,
New Scientist
Episode: THIS Is What You Need To Worry About With The Rise Of AI

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 959 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
    Australia3 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
    Australia6 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 Kingdom9 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 Kingdom9 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
#113
United States/Science
Spotify
#12
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#19
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#73
Canada/Science
Spotify
#44
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#27
Australia/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

If the AMOC Collapses - Could We Reverse the Damage?
Q: Maddie, I always thought that AMOC was one of these classic tipping points, meaning that once it's changed state, that's it, you can't change it back.
Cuff explains that one climate-model study found the AMOC could recover after global cooling, but the modeled recovery required a cooling rate that is not currently feasible. The result comes from one model and cannot establish how the real-world AMOC would behave.
If the AMOC Collapses - Could We Reverse the Damage?
Q: Can you explain a bit more about how an early warning system would work? I mean, what I don't really get is that by the time we know if and when it's definitely going to happen, isn't it too late?
Luhn describes three steps: estimate Greenland's freshwater input, identify and monitor precursors such as the sub-polar gyre, and communicate the resulting risk assessments to policymakers and businesses. He says the system could combine observations and models to issue regular updates, though its effectiveness and whether decision-makers would act remain uncertain.
How Your Brain Cleans Itself - And What Happens When It Goes Wrong
Q: How clear of a link is there between the functioning of your glymphatic system and protecting or laying the groundwork for neurodegenerative conditions in later life?
Mouse studies repeatedly associate reduced glymphatic flow with Alzheimer's-like symptoms, and human studies confirm brain flow and reduced flow after sleep loss. Direct evidence that reduced flow causes Alzheimer's in people is not yet available.
How Your Brain Cleans Itself - And What Happens When It Goes Wrong
Q: So I said it was like a waste disposal system, but perhaps can you describe it for us a bit? You know, it's not literally a network of pipes, is it? Or is it?
Marshall explains that unlike the body's lymphatic system, the brain has no lymphatic tubes. Fluid flows through perivascular spaces around blood vessels, bounded by astrocyte end feet.
How to Be Hopeful: Caitlin Moran and New Scientist Look to the Future
Q: Why do you think the brain and mental health keep inspiring hope for the future?
Catherine de Lange and Caitlin Moran discuss how advances in brain research, real-time brain imaging, and better understanding of anxiety and depression are opening new avenues for treatment and resilience, making the brain a central beacon of optimism.

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?

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

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

The World, the Universe and Us launched 7 years ago and published 474 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. Michael Marshall
2. Madeleine Cuff
3. Alec Luhn
4. Enrique Rodriguez
5. Steve Brusatte
6. Caitlin Moran
7. Jacob Aron
8. Matt Sparkes

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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