
CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks covers the quirks of the expanding universe to the quarks within a single atom... and everything in between.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 35 | Founded | 20 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ScienceEarth Sciences | |||

From camping out on 'bird poop island,' chasing down wild dogs in Madagascar, or even looking for bombs in a bog in Ottawa –– no one quite does summer like scientists. This week, we revisit some of the hijinks that Canadian researchers got up to last... more
Quirks & Quarks has been taking your burning science questions for half a century. And while we thought we might have answered every question there is to answer over the years, our listeners proved there are always more fascinating head-scratchers fo... more
Some of the oceans biggest, most powerful predators, like certain sharks and tuna, are “mesothermic” or warm-bodied. Running hot allows them to rapidly convert their food to energy and heat, helping them swim faster and hunt in cold waters. But that ... more
Gold miners working in the Yukon regularly find ancient ground squirrel burrows throughout the permafrost, many containing fossilized feces. Researchers analyzing these well-preserved poop piles found they contain some of the oldest DNA ever recovere... more
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The first science radio program/podcast I listened to and after all these years still the best. A great magazine of the newest science news, presented by an interviewer who is both knowledgeable and able to draw out explanations that anyone can understand. Even my young kids love it.
Bob Macdonald is a treasure.
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
Bob does a really good job of helping the story along and expanding on some of the more complex material. Interesting topics.
Long time listener and still can’t get enough!
No one does it better than Bob McDonald! I look forward to each episode and always learn something.
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 | #5 | |
Apple Podcasts | #126 | |
Apple Podcasts | #129 | |
Apple Podcasts | #1 | |
Apple Podcasts | #4 | |
Apple Podcasts | #13 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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The show blends accessible explanations of current science with lively conversations that span biology, physics, space, climate, and the history of science. Episodes frequently pair host-led storytelling with expert guests—from university researchers to science journalists—to explore unusual phenomena, big questions about the cosmos, and practical implications for everyday life. Notable strengths include a wide topic range, a talent for making complex ideas relatable, and a track record of featuring archival material and archival science history to provide context. This approach helps listeners feel informed and inspired, whether they're casual science fans or professionals seeking clear, engaging explanations of cutting-edge research and i... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Quirks and Quarks:
1. Ideas
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3. White Coat, Black Art
4. The Debaters
5. As It Happens
Quirks and Quarks launched 20 years ago and published 35 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 Quirks and Quarks include:
1. Nicholas Payne
2. Izumi Shimada
3. Valentina Elche
4. Karen Conkley
5. Sarah Jobson
6. Isaac Asimov
7. Logan James
8. Samuel Mayer
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