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Quirks and Quarks

CBC
Climate Change
Boreal Forest
Melting Ice
Tree Growth
Sea Ice
Paleoecology
Tree Lines
Carbon Cycling
Covid-19
White Pine
Greenland Ice Sheet
Earth Day
Biodiversity
Primate Behavior
Brain Fog
Indigenous Knowledge
Serengeti Migration
Paleontology
Volcanic Eruptions
Geothermal Energy

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
ScienceEarth Sciences

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Artwork for Quirks and Quarks

Latest Episodes

We may share a common ancestor with chimpanzees, but somewhere along the evolutionary line to us, our brains took a major detour. New research suggests that chimpanzees can rationally weigh evidence, a trait that used to be thought as uniquely human.... more

An unassuming fossilized slab in the basement of a museum in Brazil turned out to be 110-million-year-old dinosaur vomit, and inside that vomit were the bones of two strange, seagull-sized pterosaurs.

PLUS:

* Loss of fresh groundwater is now the l... more

On this week’s episode of Quirks & Quarks, it's our ever-popular and always satisfying Holiday Listener Question Show that includes: 

Why did a Canadian astronaut's eyesight change when she went to space? 

How is the dust inside our homes changing?... more

In 2000, Quirks & Quarks celebrated its 25th anniversary by travelling forward in time — to 2025 — to find out how science had changed in the years since. In this fictitious future, our present, Zargon the robot, wakes up a Bob McDonald clone from th... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. James Famiglietti
Global Futures Professor in the School of Sustainability
Arizona State University
Episode: New dino species in another dino's vomit, and more
Dr. Aline Ghilardi
Professor of Paleontology at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
Episode: New dino species in another dino's vomit, and more
Dr. Patrick Carroll
Professor of Psychology at Ohio State University
Ohio State University at Lima
Episode: New dino species in another dino's vomit, and more
Dr. Stephen Barr
Associate Professor of Virology at Western University
Western University
Episode: New dino species in another dino's vomit, and more
Dr. Bill Robinson
Professor of Immunology and Rheumatology at Stanford University
Stanford University
Episode: New dino species in another dino's vomit, and more
Dr. Roel Vertigal
Assistant Professor in Human-Computer Interaction at Queen's University
Queen's University
Episode: Predictions about science in 2025, recorded 25 years ago
Dr. Anne Gibbons
HANA Professor of Medical History at Queen's University
Queen's University
Episode: Predictions about science in 2025, recorded 25 years ago
Dr. Bart Natterfield
Associate Professor of Observational Cosmetology at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
Episode: Predictions about science in 2025, recorded 25 years ago
Brian Feeney
Team leader of the DaVinci Project, a Canadian attempt to put a human in space
DaVinci Project
Episode: Predictions about science in 2025, recorded 25 years ago

Host

Bob McDonald
Host of a well-respected science communication platform with a rich history of engaging diverse scientific topics and enthusiastic guests.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.8k ratings
  • Bob M

    All episodes

    Are fantastic!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dog walker17
    Canadaa month ago
  • Excellent Show for Everyone

    I love this show. Bob McDonald asks the perfect questions. I feel like I truly understand the subject being discussed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MontanaSue79
    United Statesa month ago
  • The Science Show that started it all

    Quirks and Quarks has been broadcasting all of my adult life. It is Always at the cutting edge of new science. Love the variety of topics and less of a political take than podcasts such as Science Friday.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Caruncle
    United States3 months ago
  • An all-time classic

    An all-time classic podcast from a radio show that’s been running 40 years now! I’ve been listening to the show since the mid 90s and never tired of it. It’s absolutely incredible and it’s host, Bob, is a master communicator!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    klartext
    Australia4 months ago
  • Superb!

    Always fascinating!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Carrie Lisa
    Canada8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast effectively blends education with entertainment, making it enjoyable for both serious science enthusiasts and casual listeners.
The host is recognized for their exceptional communication skills, making intricate scientific concepts understandable to a broader audience.
Listeners appreciate the insightful and engaging science discussions, often learning about complex topics in an accessible way.
There is a strong sense of nostalgia from longtime listeners, many of whom have followed the podcast for decades, indicating a deep-rooted appreciation for its legacy.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

New dino species in another dino's vomit, and more
Q: What does the discovery about EBV mean for lupus treatment?
It could lead to targeted therapies that eliminate only the EBV-infected B cells rather than all B cells.
New dino species in another dino's vomit, and more
Q: How does HIV hide in the body?
HIV infects hostile cells and can integrate into the DNA, laying dormant in non-active regions of the genome.
New dino species in another dino's vomit, and more
Q: What are the implications if groundwater depletion continues?
It could threaten food prices, economic growth, and the availability of water for energy production.
Dust? Tongues? Uranus? It’s our Holiday Question Show!
Q: What can be said about the tilt of Uranus and its moons?
The tilt of Uranus likely resulted from a significant impact during its formation and its moons and rings align with the planet's equator due to gravitational interactions.
Dust? Tongues? Uranus? It’s our Holiday Question Show!
Q: How do bees manage to not get stuck in their own honey?
Bees are remarkable, clean, and highly organized insects that handle liquids with precision and groom themselves and each other.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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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?

This podcast provides an engaging exploration of diverse scientific topics, focusing on groundbreaking research and discoveries across various fields such as environmental science, paleontology, and space exploration. Listeners can expect in-depth discussions that connect complex scientific concepts with real-world implications, such as the impact of climate change on ecosystems and the intricate relationships within food webs. The engaging narrative often features expert guests who share their insights and findings, making complex ideas accessible and intriguing for a broad audience. Noteworthy elements include a commitment to fusing current scientific research with practical applications, ensuring every episode is both informative and tho... more

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How many listeners does Quirks and Quarks get?

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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. The Sunday Magazine

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?

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What guests have appeared on Quirks and Quarks?

Recent guests on Quirks and Quarks include:

1. Dr. James Famiglietti
2. Dr. Aline Ghilardi
3. Dr. Patrick Carroll
4. Dr. Stephen Barr
5. Dr. Bill Robinson
6. Dr. Roel Vertigal
7. Dr. Anne Gibbons
8. Dr. Bart Natterfield

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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