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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
Environmental Impact
Cannabinoid Research
Environmental Activism
Folded Landscapes
Fungi
Wilderness
Kilogram
Space Exploration
Lichen
Carbon
Paul Erdős
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes402Founded6 years ago
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Artwork for The world, the universe and us

Latest Episodes

Episode 335

Exercise has been shown to shrink tumours by 60 per cent. A new study shows another link between regular exercise and cancer prevention, this time revealing that muscle cells may outcompete cancer cells for energy - basically starving th... more

Episode 334

Which sperm is the oldest sperm - the ancestor sperm that came before all others? Well, you might think it links back to an ancient animal that came before us, but the oldest sperm may actually predate animals altogether. We explore this... more

Episode 333

It’s not often you get to see or hear someone playing music on a conch shell. So prepare yourself for a musical treat with musician and podcaster Steve Pretty, who brings into the studio a trumpet and a collection of his favourite conche... more

Episode 332

For only the second time, the genome of an ancient Denisovan has been sequenced - thanks to the discovery of a 200,000-year-old tooth found in a Siberian cave. This ancient member of the human family has long been a mystery, so this geno... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Steve Pretty
Musician and guest, band leader of Hackney Colliery Band
Episode: The origin and evolution of music: Steve Pretty plays the conch
Bill Bryson
Science writer and author
Episode: New genome of ancient human; 95% of us have a dormant virus that causes disease; Formula E cars faster than F1; Bill Bryson joins the pod!
Turi King
Geneticist at the University of Bath, known for identification of Richard III's remains
University of Bath
Episode: Why the claims about Hitler’s genome are misleading
Alex Kay
Historian of Nazi Germany at Potsdam University
Potsdam University
Episode: Why the claims about Hitler’s genome are misleading
Carissa Wong
Health reporter
Episode: The collapse of America’s health data system; How sleep affects your focus; Life on Mars in liquid veins?
Anjana Khatwa
Geologist and author
Not specified
Episode: Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special)
Chamkaur Ghag
Physicist at UCL
UCL
Episode: Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special)
Daniel Yon
Neuroscientist and psychologist
Birkbeck
Episode: Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special)
John Gunning
Sumo Writer for the Japan Times
Japan Times
Episode: First climate tipping point triggered; Man controls another person's body by brain implant; health worries over sumo wrestlers

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 885 ratings
  • 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 Kingdom2 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
    Canada3 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 States6 months ago
  • Love the refresh

    I love the revamped show. Still keeps the New Scientist integrity, but also sets itself apart. Two thumbs up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BARRYFAN12
    United States7 months ago
  • Excellent - as always

    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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AMLMN
    Canada8 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
#20
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#27
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#136
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#64
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#10
Ireland/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The origin and evolution of music: Steve Pretty plays the conch
Q: What can studying instruments like this tell us about the origins of creativity more generally?
Studying instruments like the conch shell reveals the deep and intricate connection between music and human emotions, highlighting the various functions of music across cultures and its ability to express complex feelings that words cannot articulate.
The evolution of sperm and the enduring mystery of the scrotum; How our brain rewires itself 4 times in life; The (real) disaster scenarios of imminent climate breakdown
Q: What did the National Emergency Briefing reveal about the state of the world?
Experts warned that environmental breakdown is escalating faster than expected and emphasized the dire consequences of inaction on climate change.
The collapse of America’s health data system; How sleep affects your focus; Life on Mars in liquid veins?
Q: So what's the link? Why do we necessarily lose our attention or focus when there's this quick surge of cleaning?
It's not totally clear why the cleaning affects attention, but researchers hope to discover the connection to improve cognitive function even when deprived of sleep.
The collapse of America’s health data system; How sleep affects your focus; Life on Mars in liquid veins?
Q: Can you explain to us the kind of data that the US is losing or missing out on, and why that's such a bad thing?
Some key surveys impacted include the National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the national vital statistics system, which are critical for monitoring public health issues.
COP30: The world's climate future hinges on this meeting
Q: To be honest, I think it sort of does add up. Let me start by accentuating the positive.
There has been significant progress since the COP process started, though challenges remain, particularly around polarization and political will.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
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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?

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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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 In Action
2. BBC Inside Science
3. Science Weekly
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 6 years ago and published 402 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. Steve Pretty
2. Bill Bryson
3. Turi King
4. Alex Kay
5. Carissa Wong
6. Anjana Khatwa
7. Chamkaur Ghag
8. Daniel Yon

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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