
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 | Weekly | Episodes | 406 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ScienceNews | |||

Episode 339
Humans are finally going back to the moon. NASA’s Artemis II mission is set to launch in April, taking four astronauts in a loop around the moon. If it goes well, it’ll set the stage for a lunar landing by Artemis III - bringing us close... more
Episode 336
Looking for something great to read or watch on TV over the festive period? We’ve got you covered. In a special edition of the podcast, we share our favourite books, TV and films of 2025 - for those moments when you need a break from the... more
Episode 337
As we reach the end of the year, catch up on some of New Scientist’s most exciting and thought-provoking features of the past twelve months.
For decades we’ve got autism in girls all wrong. Symptoms present quite differently in girls to... more
Episode 336
In an unlikely turn of events, orcas and dolphins have been observed teaming up - to hunt and kill massive chinook salmon in the pacific. Given that orcas sometimes prey on dolphins, what’s going on? Despite the promising signs of cooper... more
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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! ❤️
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!
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.
I love the revamped show. Still keeps the New Scientist integrity, but also sets itself apart. Two thumbs up!
Always informative and fun. And btw - since this weeks episode was on the subject - listening to NS is one of the best ways to use your smartphone or tablet
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 | #141 | |
Spotify | #21 | |
Apple Podcasts | #6 | |
Apple Podcasts | #77 | |
Apple Podcasts | #20 | |
Apple Podcasts | #169 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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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1. BBC Inside Science
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4. Unexpected Elements
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The world, the universe and us launched 6 years ago and published 406 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. Bryan Johnson
2. Alec Luhn
3. Steve Pretty
4. Bill Bryson
5. Turi King
6. Alex Kay
7. Anjana Khatwa
8. Chamkaur Ghag
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