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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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes50Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Earth SciencesScience

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Artwork for Quirks and Quarks

Latest Episodes

DNA samples from the oldest living land animal show how good genes and limited biochemical wear and tear have given a giant tortoise named Jonathan an extended lifespan. The genetic switches that control the genes for DNA repair and metabolism more c... more

We talk to two of this year’s newest Nobel Laureates, Dr. Karl Deisseroth and Peter Hegemann, about their discoveries in optogenetics, a technique that has transformed what we know about the brain — all thanks to a light-detecting algal protein.

Als... more

Black holes are voracious eaters, but they’re also quite messy, and often after devouring a star, they’ll let out a big burp, launching jets of high energy particles through space. Now, in a recent study, a team of astrophysicists has figured out the... more

The El Niño underway in the Pacific Ocean is a natural climate phenomenon but its warming effects are being boosted by climate change. Researchers recently used corals growing around the Galapagos Islands to create a local temperature record of the o... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Karl Deisseroth
Stanford University Professor of Bioengineering, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; 2026 Nobel Laureate
Stanford University
Episode: Nobel laureates share their winning science
Peter Hegemann
Professor of Experimental Biophysics, Humboldt University; 2026 Nobel Laureate
Humboldt University
Episode: Nobel laureates share their winning science
Kelsey Hoos
Assistant Professor, School of Nutrition Sciences, University of Ottawa
University of Ottawa
Episode: Nobel laureates share their winning science
Johanna Wagstaff
CBC Senior Meteorologist and host of What On Earth?
CBC
Episode: Nobel laureates share their winning science
Kelly Lambert
Professor of Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Richmond
University of Richmond
Episode: Nobel laureates share their winning science
Dr Adele Goodwin
Forest Research Foundation Fellow at ICRAR/Curtin University
Curtin University / International Center for Radio Astronomy Research
Episode: How feasting black holes time their burps
Dr Fernando Montalegro Zapata
Canadian Professor of Sensory Biology
University of Lincoln
Episode: How feasting black holes time their burps
Dr Miriam Barreto
Wolverine researcher
University of Calgary
Episode: How feasting black holes time their burps
Dr Andrew Tanenzow
Canada Research Chair in Climate Change and Northern Ecosystems
Trent University
Episode: How feasting black holes time their burps

Host

Bob McDonald
Host known for guiding conversations on space, biology, and earth science with accessible explanations.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.9k ratings
  • Entertaining and informative

    Science made accessible and fun for all. A delight to listen to it

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Alexu57
    Canada11 days ago
  • Best science show, not just a podcast

    I’ve been listening to ‘Quirks and Quarks’ for years, along with other science podcasts, and none of them are as good.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lady Triangle
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great for beginners /and/ experts

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    prolepessa
    Canada5 months ago
  • 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
    Germany7 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
    Canada7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate the show's breadth and approachable science storytelling.
Listeners praise clear explanations and engaging questions from the host.
High-quality science content that stays accessible to non-experts.
Consistently cited as a top science podcast for general audiences.
Guests shine under thoughtful, well-prepared interview style.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Pumas vs. penguins, and other clever carnivores
Q: First of all, how common is it these days to get two apex predators in a landscape like Yellowstone?
It's increasingly common due to reintroductions and recolonization; however, the two species occupy different niches and interactions vary with prey availability and habitat features that offer escape terrain.
Sweat, comets and dino milk. It’s our summer question show!
Q: What would happen to our earth if we no longer had a moon?
The moon stabilizes Earth's rotation and tides; without it, days would be shorter, weather would be more extreme, and life-supporting coastal ecosystems would face dramatic disruption.
Great white sharks in hot water, and more…
Q: What happens if the oceans keep warming—what options do these animals have?
Different species may either redirect blood flow to lose heat, dive deeper to cooler waters, or move to higher latitudes, and some populations are already shifting ranges.
Great white sharks in hot water, and more…
Q: Is there a threshold as we're hearing about the oceans getting warmer?
The study suggests that as fish get bigger, particularly warm-bodied ones, it becomes harder to shed heat, increasing the risk of overheating in warmer waters.
Great white sharks in hot water, and more…
Q: Tell me about that. What does this warmer temperature do to their bodies and their metabolic rate?
Warmer body temperatures increase metabolic rate, making these mesothermic fish hungrier and requiring more energy and food, which could strain individuals and populations as waters warm.

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?

The program consistently explores a broad spectrum of science, from deep-space phenomena and planetary defense to cutting-edge biology, climate science, and technology. Episodes frequently blend in-depth interviews with researchers from top universities and labs with accessible explanations, delivering tangible takeaways on topics like tracking space debris with seismic sensors, imaging black holes, and evolving understanding of mammalian and marine biology. A standout aspect is the ability to connect complex research to real-world questions and public interest, often featuring cross-disciplinary methods and fieldwork that illuminate how science informs everyday life and future innovations.

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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. As It Happens

How many episodes of Quirks and Quarks are there?

Quirks and Quarks launched 20 years ago and published 50 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.

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What guests have appeared on Quirks and Quarks?

Recent guests on Quirks and Quarks include:

1. Karl Deisseroth
2. Peter Hegemann
3. Kelsey Hoos
4. Johanna Wagstaff
5. Kelly Lambert
6. Dr Adele Goodwin
7. Dr Fernando Montalegro Zapata
8. Dr Miriam Barreto

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