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Artwork for Particles of Thought

Particles of Thought

GBH
Black Holes
Genetics
De-Extinction
Dark Matter
Evolution
Microbes
Vocal Learning
Dark Energy
Consciousness
Mars
General Relativity
Dire Wolves
Dinosaurs
Primordial Black Holes
Natural Selection
Flow State
Artificial Intelligence
Deepfakes
Animal Communication
Genetic Engineering

Ready to break your brain? Particles of Thought, the hit video podcast from the producers of NOVA is back with new mind-expanding conversations with scientists on the edge. Host Hakeem Oluseyi dives into how to hack your own anxiety, the surprising connection between dark matter and black holes, the secrets of animal communication, the hidden geometry shaping our world, and even what it means to b... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes59Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for Particles of Thought

Latest Episodes

Daniela Rus has built a robot you can swallow, and that is one of the less surprising things her lab is working on. At MIT's CSAIL, she is leading research at the frontier where artificial intelligence meets the physical world, and the results are un... more

Daniela Rus wants to put AI in your pocket, your car, and your dishwasher. In fact, she has already started. As one of the world's leading AI and robotics researchers, she is building a future where artificial intelligence doesn't live in a distant d... more

Wendy Suzuki hopes you have anxiety—good anxiety. She thinks that feeling you try to avoid could actually be your edge! Wendy joins Hakeem to explore how anxiety can be harnessed, rather than eliminated, and how it connects to two other powerful forc... more

Wendy Suzuki says the key to a beautiful brain is friendship, and she joins Hakeem to discuss why human connection can extend your life. By studying certain animals, like prairie voles who develop intense love bonds, we can understand what’s going on... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Wendy Suzuki
Neuroscientist who discusses anxiety and its potential benefits
New York University
Episode: Good Anxiety
Steve Brusatte
Paleontologist, author of The Story of Birds
University of Edinburgh
Episode: How Birds Survived the Asteroid
Dave Kaiser
Physicist and cosmologist discussing dark matter and primordial black holes
Episode: Full Interview: Dark Matter = Black Holes?
David Kaiser
Physicist, MIT professor, co-author on dark matter and primordial black hole work
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Episode: Hunt for Mini Black Holes
Kirk Johnson
Paleontologist and museum director (as introduced by episode title)
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Episode: How Many Leaves Are on a Tree? | Kirk Johnson
Janna Levin
Theoretical physicist and professor, known for work on black holes
Barnard College
Episode: Black Hole Geometry Will Warp Your Brain | Janna Levin
Heather Berlin
A neuroscientist and expert on the psychology of fame.
Episode: How Fame Affects the Brain | Heather Berlin
Sean B. Carroll
Evolutionary biologist and author
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Episode: The Evolution of Venom & Antivenom | Sean B. Carroll
Peter Girguis
Astrobiologist and researcher on life in extreme environments
Harvard University
Episode: How To Recognize Alien Life | Peter Girguis

Host

Hakeem Oluseyi
Host of Particles of Thought

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 168 ratings
  • Keep it up Dr!

    Found this first on PBS, then started listening on podcast format. Keep it up, Dr, Oluseyi!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KimSails
    United States24 days ago
  • My favorite podcast

    From the first episode, this became my favorite podcast in roughly 25 years of listening to podcasts. It’s engaging, enlightening, entertaining, informative, and fun all at once.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jeevdhhsbbesbhehs
    United States5 months ago
  • On point science communication 10/10

    This podcast definitely lives up to the standard I would expect from Nova. Hakeem is a wonderful host and brings his curiosity to each conversation. Also the guest line up is incredible. I’m always excited to see when a new episode drops!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nickname8375
    United States6 months ago
  • Excellent listen!

    Love this podcast. It’s mind-bending, paradigm-shifting, and awesome. So grateful to the host and his guests for communicating complex concepts in terms someone like me (ie. not a scientist) can understand.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kellllley k
    United States7 months ago
  • what a treat!!

    Love this podcast…it never disappoints with it’s constantly engaging and brilliant guests. Thank you, Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi, you’re such an awesome interviewer and your thirst for knowledge is wonderfully infectious

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Madyjules
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, feedback highlights deep, thoughtful science conversations with excellent guests.
One review notes a desire for tighter focus on science and less jokey humor.
The show is described as engaging, accessible, and mind-expanding.
Listeners praise the host's curiosity and the quality of guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#217
United States/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Real World vs “Jurassic World"
Q: What role does AI play in your current research and how might it change paleontology going forward?
AI helps with analyzing footprints and constructing mammal family trees more rapidly, offering probabilistic insights while still requiring human interpretation to validate results, which could accelerate discoveries and tool development.
Real World vs “Jurassic World"
Q: How do you balance scientific accuracy with storytelling on a big-budget film set?
You aim for accuracy where it matters and let cinematic needs drive some creative choices, but you package the science in a way that audiences can relate to and remember, so the dinosaurs feel real while serving the plot.
Real World vs “Jurassic World"
Q: How did you become involved with Jurassic World and what was your initial reaction to the project?
I was invited to join the team when Colin Trevorrow reached out to talk about bringing more scientifically accurate dinosaurs with feathers into the films, and I found the collaboration exciting because it allowed science to reach a huge audience through story-driven cinema.
Good Anxiety
Q: What is good anxiety and why should we care about it?
Good anxiety is the activation energy that motivates protective action; it can be harnessed to focus, plan, and execute more effectively rather than being suppressed, which would blunt motivation and learning.
Full Interview: T. rex to Birds
Q: Are birds truly dinosaurs, and what does that mean for evolution?
Birds are literally dinosaurs, evolving from theropods and representing a feathered, flight-capable offshoot that survived the asteroid event; this reframes the entire story of life on Earth and shows continuity between ancient ecosystems and today's biodiversity.

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 Particles of Thought

What is Particles of Thought about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A science-focused interview show hosted by a passionate physicist who guides conversations with leading researchers and science communicators. Episodes cover a wide range of topics—from evolution and brain science to cosmology and climate phenomena—delivering deep dives that are both rigorous and accessible to non-specialists. Noteworthy is the host's curious, friendly style and the lineup of guests who frequently push the boundaries of public understanding, making complex ideas feel relatable. The format often blends thoughtful questions with vivid explanations, appealing to curious listeners who want to expand their mental models without needing a technical background.

Where can I find podcast stats for Particles of Thought?

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How many listeners does Particles of Thought get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Particles of Thought?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Particles of Thought:

1. NOVA Presents
2. Radiolab
3. Hidden Brain
4. Throughline
5. Science Friday

How many episodes of Particles of Thought are there?

Particles of Thought launched a year ago and published 59 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 Particles of Thought?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Particles of Thought?

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What guests have appeared on Particles of Thought?

Recent guests on Particles of Thought include:

1. Wendy Suzuki
2. Steve Brusatte
3. Dave Kaiser
4. David Kaiser
5. Kirk Johnson
6. Janna Levin
7. Heather Berlin
8. Sean B. Carroll

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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