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Quirks and Quarks

CBC
Climate Change
Biodiversity
Covid-19
Artificial Intelligence
Dark Matter
NASA
Artemis II
Trees
Plastic Pollution
Paleontology
Carbon Sequestration
Urban Heat Islands
Dog Science
Moon
Canada
Chimpanzees
Microplastics
Dark Energy
Boreal Forest
Carbon Emissions

CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks covers the quirks of the expanding universe to the quarks within a single atom... and everything in between.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes28Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Earth SciencesScience

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Artwork for Quirks and Quarks

Latest Episodes

Cocaine and many other chemicals and drugs are found in many waterways, but especially around wastewater treatment plants. Scientists exposed wild juvenile Atlantic salmon to cocaine and its byproduct to see how it impacted their behaviour in the wil... more

IDEAS, hosted by Nahlah Ayed is a weekday podcast that explores how ideas shape our world.

“One of your tribe is enough.” That’s what Margaret Rossiter was told when she said she wanted to study female scientists in the ‘70s. Nevertheless, Rossiter ... more

Seabird poop plays a surprising role in bringing life to barren islands, spreading nutrients throughout the ocean, and even creating wealth for an ancient human empire.

PLUS:

* The precursors of written language go back a lot earlier than we thoug... more

We tend to think of animals like snakes, rats and even cockroaches as pests, but in her new book, biologist Marlene Zuk says there's a lot we can learn from these less than desirable creatures, if we just give them a chance.

PLUS:

* A case of mist... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dr. Erin McCollum
Associate Professor of Aquatic Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Sweden/SLU
Episode: Cocaine in waterways makes salmon roam further, and more…
Dr. Platine Jardin
Equine behavior and welfare researcher
French Institute for Horse and Riding (IFCE)
Episode: Cocaine in waterways makes salmon roam further, and more…
Dr. Philip Holliger
Molecular biologist
University of Cambridge
Episode: Cocaine in waterways makes salmon roam further, and more…
Margaret Rossiter
Groundbreaking historian of women in science
Cornell University (historian)
Episode: Introducing IDEAS | How a historian found the lost women of science
Katie Hafner
Journalist
New York Times (former); Lost Women of Science
Episode: Introducing IDEAS | How a historian found the lost women of science
Sally Gregory Colstead
Professor Emerita, history of science
University of Minnesota
Episode: Introducing IDEAS | How a historian found the lost women of science
Ellen Abrams
Assistant Professor, Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology
University of Toronto
Episode: Introducing IDEAS | How a historian found the lost women of science
Ilsa Holland
Poet and historian; co-author of On This Day She
Independent author
Episode: Introducing IDEAS | How a historian found the lost women of science
Jo Bell
Co-author of On This Day She
Independent author
Episode: Introducing IDEAS | How a historian found the lost women of science

Host

Bob McDonald
Host known for engaging the audience with clear explanations of complex scientific concepts and enjoyable discussions with guests.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • Long time listener

    I’ve been listening for years. When the news bums me out, I enlist this podcast as my main source of “cool science news that doesn’t actually bum you out and actually helps promote feelings of excitement for the future”. Also, fun story. It’s podcasts like these that got me interested in science in the first place. I’m now in research, and I think about how impactful science communicators are; the ones that make learning accessible and fun. I hope they continue inspiring young people for years t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    britt_diane
    Germany2 months ago
  • Bob is great

    Bob does a really good job of helping the story along and expanding on some of the more complex material. Interesting topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kevint6221
    Canada2 months ago
  • Sciency Fun for Nerds

    Long time listener and still can’t get enough!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Speaking Truth to the Internet
    United States2 months ago
  • The GOLD STANDARD for Science Communicators

    No one does it better than Bob McDonald! I look forward to each episode and always learn something.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    YGlen
    United States4 months ago
  • Bob M

    All episodes

    Are fantastic!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dog walker17
    Canada5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and clarity in explaining complex scientific ideas.
Listeners highlight the show as a long-time favorite, showcasing a strong connection to the science community.
The host is praised for being an excellent communicator and making science accessible to all.
Many enjoy the variety of topics, from astronomy to climate change, providing something for everyone.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cocaine in waterways makes salmon roam further, and more…
Q: How close would you say AI scientist systems are to matching human scientists in capability?
The line of work is moving rapidly, and current AI can perform the entire arc from idea generation to experimental design and even writing papers, but it is presently comparable to a first or second-year graduate student in depth and rigor, with the trend line pointing toward rapid improvement and potential near-term breakthroughs.
Moving beyond animal testing, and more…
Q: What does this say about the evolution of vocal learning and breathing control in marine mammals?
The findings suggest that the evolution of breathing control is tightly linked to vocal learning, with specialized brain pathways that enable learned calls and flexible communication, beyond what is seen in less vocal species like certain canids.
Moving beyond animal testing, and more…
Q: How did you study the brains to see how these seals vocalize and learn new sounds?
They used high-resolution imaging techniques developed for human brains to examine brains post-mortem, identifying multiple neural pathways that control vocalization and the presence of bypass connections in pinnipeds.
Moving beyond animal testing, and more…
Q: What made you want to look at what's driving the range of vocalizations in this group of marine mammals?
The researcher explained a background in graduate work and prior experimental observations with trained seals, leading to questions about how a few individuals could produce more flexible vocalizations, and how brain circuits support that capability.
Bonobo females bully the boys, and more…
Q: What was the key takeaway from the DART mission in terms of real-world applicability?
The data show that even a small momentum transfer, when accumulated over time, can measurably shift an asteroid's orbit, and the momentum enhancement parameter beta can be used to predict deflection effectiveness for different asteroid scenarios.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Quirks and Quarks

What is Quirks and Quarks about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on a broad range of scientific topics, this podcast explores everything from complex cosmic phenomena to intricate biological systems. Recent episodes have tackled subjects such as the effects of space debris on the atmosphere, animal behaviors dictated by their habitats, and cutting-edge research in climate science. Unique discussions include insights into the movement of sea stars, the survival strategies of beluga whales, and the ecological impacts of microplastics, offering listeners a well-rounded view of contemporary scientific challenges and discoveries. The engaging and approachable style of the host makes intricate topics accessible, appealing to both science enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.

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How many listeners does Quirks and Quarks get?

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What are the audience demographics for Quirks and Quarks?

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How many subscribers and views does Quirks and Quarks have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Quirks and Quarks 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 Quirks and Quarks?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Quirks and Quarks:

1. Ideas
2. Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
3. White Coat, Black Art
4. The Debaters
5. Laugh Out Loud

How many episodes of Quirks and Quarks are there?

Quirks and Quarks launched 20 years ago and published 28 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 Quirks and Quarks?

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 Quirks and Quarks?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Quirks and Quarks 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.

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What guests have appeared on Quirks and Quarks?

Recent guests on Quirks and Quarks include:

1. Dr. Erin McCollum
2. Dr. Platine Jardin
3. Dr. Philip Holliger
4. Margaret Rossiter
5. Katie Hafner
6. Sally Gregory Colstead
7. Ellen Abrams
8. Ilsa Holland

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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