Rephonic
Artwork for Particles of Thought

Particles of Thought

GBH
Artificial Intelligence
Black Holes
Genetics
Fusion Energy
Evolution
De-Extinction
Dark Matter
Mars
Microbes
Vocal Learning
Dark Energy
Mathematics
Consciousness
General Relativity
Dire Wolves
Dinosaurs
Primordial Black Holes
Natural Selection
Flow State
Thwaites Glacier

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes87Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Particles of Thought

Latest Episodes

Hakeem has hot takes on space. For instance, the moon is a planet.

In Hakeem’s new book, Why Do We Exist?, he shares big ideas about the universe. Why do so many stars come in pairs? How likely is extraterrestrial life? What if there was no frictio... more

Our host flips the interview and shares his humble beginnings before science superstardom. 

Hakeem opens up about a childhood moving between some of America's toughest neighborhoods, surviving drugs, and overcoming addiction. Luckily, an encyclopedi... more

Earthquakes can be more powerful than atomic bombs.

Luckily, Harvard geophysicist John Shaw has ideas on how to beat them. What really causes earthquakes? How can cities and buildings be engineered to survive them? John and Hakeem trace the science ... more

We can cause earthquakes. 

Geophysicist John Shaw joins Hakeem to reveal how humans have been triggering earthquakes for decades, and in some cases, it’s on purpose. John explains how an experiment 50 years ago turned earthquakes on and off and clar... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Joy of Why
The Joy of WhySteven Strogatz, Janna Levin and Quanta Magazine
Radiolab
RadiolabWNYC Studios
Science Friday
Science FridayScience Friday and WNYC Studios

Recent Guests

Caitlin Saks
Senior producer and NOVA Remix host
NOVA
Episode: Pluto Is a Planet. So Is the Moon.
John Shaw
Structural geologist and applied geophysicist, Harvard professor and Vice Provost for Research
Harvard University
Episode: Full Interview: Earthquake’s Buried Truth
Dennis Whyte
Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering, MIT
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Episode: Full Interview: The Fusion Future
Federico Rossano
Researcher introduced as guest on primate communication
Episode: Secret Language of Apes
Brent Minchew
Glaciologist with joint appointment at Caltech and MIT
Caltech/MIT
Episode: Full Interview: How to Save The “Doomsday Glacier”
Jordan Ellenberg
Mathematician and author
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Episode: Full Interview: The Hidden Math Behind Everything
Ella Al-Shamahi
Paleoanthropologist and archaeologist
Independent researcher; discussed roles and discoveries
Episode: Full Interview: Hobbits, Neanderthals, and Dragon Man
Daniela Rus
Dr. Daniela Rus, a leading AI and robotics researcher
MIT CSAIL
Episode: Full Interview: The Future of AI and Us
Wendy Suzuki
Dr. Wendy Suzuki, neuroscientist
New York University (NYU)
Episode: Full Interview: Anxiety Hacking

Host

Hakeem Oluseyi
Host of the show

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 226 ratings
  • Sorry Lostjar

    Great show with a great host. I have rarely heard anyone engage so many smart people in such interesting conversations. Very relatable, very informative.

    Keep telling us about the future. And the past. And math. And even about that awful AI.

    Thanks

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KnackerMan
    United States2 months ago
  • When the data center is your dishwasher.

    Millions of dollars, and countless hours of research to make an AI-powered car that can roll your windows down! Is this a joke! Stop indulging these AI psychos. Stop telling us what future we should want. And get a slightly less credulous host, please. Or don’t, because I won’t listen again.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Lostjar
    United States3 months ago
  • 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 States4 months 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 States8 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 States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners applaud clear explanations of complex topics and engaging guest lineups.
Audience feedback highlights the host's curiosity and approachable delivery.
Some critics want tighter focus on science and fewer jokes, but most praise the depth and accessibility.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#75
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#89
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#99
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#138
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#152
Singapore/Science
Apple Podcasts
#157
Philippines/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Our Host Tells All
Q: What motivated that pivot beyond a scientist towards an educator of science and a popularizer of science?
Teaching astronomy showed him that students could gain confidence and see science as accessible. He felt using his abilities to support students and address educational inequality was more fulfilling than research alone.
Our Host Tells All
Q: At what point did you realize you were interested in science?
Oluseyi says his interest began very young through taking things apart, mixing chemicals and experimenting with fire. Reading about Einstein and relativity later gave him a lasting focus on physics.
Pluto Is a Planet. So Is the Moon.
Q: Is there life in the galaxy?
Oluseyi estimates that around one in a billion star systems could have multicellular life, amounting to roughly 100,000 systems in the Milky Way. He also estimates billions of worlds could host simple life.
Pluto Is a Planet. So Is the Moon.
Q: What motivated this book? Why did you decide to write it?
Oluseyi wanted to share his unconventional ideas and provide a cohesive cognitive map of reality, inviting more people to participate in thinking about the universe.
How to Survive the Big One
Q: What do builders have in their toolbox to overcome earthquake challenges, and can these measures extend from a single building to a community?
Measures include shear bracing and retrofits, base isolation, and damping systems. Building codes and coordinated investment can improve safety across a broader built environment.

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 thought-provoking science interview show that blends deep-dive conversations with accessible explanations. Episodes frequently explore mathematics, AI, neuroscience, archaeology, and human evolution, often linking abstract ideas to real-world technology and everyday life. Guests range from mathematicians and AI researchers to paleoanthropologists and neuroscientists, producing a mix of rigorous analysis and engaging storytelling. The host's curiosity and ability to translate complex topics into clear, entertaining dialogue seem to be a standout trait, and the show often features cutting-edge research and cross-disciplinary connections that can appeal to both scientists and general listeners interested in big-picture science.

Noteworthy e... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Particles of Thought?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Particles of Thought. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Particles of Thought and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Particles of Thought get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Particles of Thought, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Particles of Thought?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Particles of Thought, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Particles of Thought have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Particles of Thought 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 Particles of Thought?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Particles of Thought:

1. NOVA Presents
2. The Joy of Why
3. Radiolab
4. Science Friday
5. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas

How many episodes of Particles of Thought are there?

Particles of Thought launched a year ago and published 87 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Particles of Thought from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Particles of Thought?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Particles of Thought. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Particles of Thought?

Recent guests on Particles of Thought include:

1. Caitlin Saks
2. John Shaw
3. Dennis Whyte
4. Federico Rossano
5. Brent Minchew
6. Jordan Ellenberg
7. Ella Al-Shamahi
8. Daniela Rus

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days