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Quirks and Quarks

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

On this week's episode: tracking down a stellar explosion, climate apathy, arctic foxes are key in northern food web, why golf balls lip out of holes and making snake bites less deadly.

On this week's episode: studying a rare visitor to our solar system, eating saturated fats can mess with our internal clocks, holding hands with our 2 million year old ancestors, woodpeckers drill into trees like hammers, and the pros and cons of geo... more

On this week's episode: selling sunlight on demand, rhinos roamed Canada’s Arctic 23 million years ago, making a more precise parachute using kirigami, the winner of this year's prestigious Gerhard Herzberg Gold Medal and uncovering widespread scient... more

On this week's spooktacular episode: Wolves are afraid of the big bad human, methane spewing from Montreal’s largest snow dump, screaming babies make us hot to get our attention, baby pterosaurs died in a torrential storm and mind-controlling parasit... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dr. Danielle Fraser
Head of paleobiology at the Canadian Museum of Nature
Canadian Museum of Nature
Episode: Sleuthing out scientific fraud, and more...
Dr. Samantha Lawler
Astronomer at the University of Regina
University of Regina
Episode: Sleuthing out scientific fraud, and more...
Dr. David Wishart
Professor of biological and computing sciences, also the Canada Research Chair in Metabolomics and Precision Medicine at the University of Alberta
University of Alberta
Episode: Sleuthing out scientific fraud, and more...
Dr. Reese Richardson
Postdoctoral fellow in meta-science and computational biology at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Episode: Sleuthing out scientific fraud, and more...
Dr. David Melanson
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Polytechnique Montreal
Polytechnique Montreal
Episode: Sleuthing out scientific fraud, and more...
Dr. Peter Douglas
Associate Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at McGill University
McGill University
Episode: Rise of the zombie bugs, and more…
Dr. Nicolas Matava
Distinguished Professor of Neurosciences and Animal Behavior at the University of Saint-Etienne in France
University of Saint-Etienne
Episode: Rise of the zombie bugs, and more…
Dr. Leanna Zanette
Professor of Biology at Western University in London, Ontario
Western University
Episode: Rise of the zombie bugs, and more…
Mindy Weisberger
Science writer, producer, and author of Rise of the Zombie Bugs
Episode: Rise of the zombie bugs, and more…

Host

Bob McDonald
Host known for his engaging ability to simplify complex scientific topics and foster profound discussions with expert guests. Bob excels in making science enjoyable and accessible to listeners, encouraging curiosity and understanding.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 2.7k ratings
  • 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 States18 days 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
    Australia2 months ago
  • Superb!

    Always fascinating!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Carrie Lisa
    Canada6 months ago
  • Excellent

    Great podcast. Look forward to hearing it each week. Never know what you’re going to get.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Craig from Wongaling Beach
    Australia6 months ago
  • #1 for science stories, but I find many of them to be boring.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    KevinTranscona
    8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There is a noticeable appreciation for the podcast's educational value, with many stating that it cultivates a deeper understanding of various scientific fields while also being entertaining.
A few comments suggest that listeners from various backgrounds, including children and families, find the content relevant and enjoyable for multiple age groups.
Some listeners express long-term loyalty to the show, indicating a consistent history of delivering fascinating content over many years.
Listeners frequently praise the engaging and accessible manner in which complex scientific topics are presented, often highlighting the exceptional quality of guest interviews and the host's ability to make even intricate concepts understandable.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Moose are hot and bothered, and more...
Q: What did you find when you analyzed the tracking data of the moose?
The study showed large males move less in warm weather but still maintain their reproductive opportunities due to their fixed traits.
Moose are hot and bothered, and more...
Q: How do moose typically deal with heat?
Moose rely on behavioral changes since they lack sweat glands, making them heat-sensitive. They slow their movements and seek cooler habitats.
Celebrating 50 years of Quirks & Quarks!
Q: What role does AI play in the future of technology?
AI will be integrated into daily life but must be managed to avoid ethical dilemmas.
Celebrating 50 years of Quirks & Quarks!
Q: How do we need to innovate to meet the challenges of climate change?
We need renewables, better technologies like balcony solar panels, and improved battery technologies.
Celebrating 50 years of Quirks & Quarks!
Q: What can we do in the next 50 years to improve food security?
Broaden focus to include sustainability, nutrition, and technology to create healthier food systems.

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 Quirks and Quarks

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

This podcast is dedicated to making scientific concepts accessible and enjoyable for a broad audience, featuring discussions on a wide range of topics from environmental sciences to evolutionary biology. Episodes often highlight innovative research and feature interviews with experts across various scientific disciplines, focusing on recent studies, discoveries, and intriguing questions posed by listeners. The engaging storytelling and expert insights are paired with a captivating presentation style, making complex scientific ideas relatable and interesting to listeners of all backgrounds. Listeners consistently express a deep appreciation for the ability to learn new things, making this podcast a wonderful resource for anyone passionate ab... more

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How many listeners does Quirks and Quarks get?

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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. Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
2. Ideas
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?

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What guests have appeared on Quirks and Quarks?

Recent guests on Quirks and Quarks include:

1. Dr. Danielle Fraser
2. Dr. Samantha Lawler
3. Dr. David Wishart
4. Dr. Reese Richardson
5. Dr. David Melanson
6. Dr. Peter Douglas
7. Dr. Nicolas Matava
8. Dr. Leanna Zanette

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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