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Quirks and Quarks

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

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

There's been a growing movement to develop new technologies to replace at least some of the animals used in scientific research. Researchers across Canada are working to create these tools, to usher in a new animal-free era for medical science.

PLUS... more

On their mission around the moon, Jeremy Hansen and his crewmates will become the only four people on Earth to ever lay eyes on the entire far side of the moon. Since joining the space program, the Artemis astronauts have been undergoing intensive ge... more

New research confirms that dogs were the first animal to form a domestic relationship with humans, dating back to the end of the last Ice Age almost 16,000 years ago.

PLUS:

* Constructing shelters out of Martian soil may be possible with bacterial... more

An unusual hellscape of a planet found 34 light years from Earth has a deep ocean of molten magma surrounded by noxious, hot, rotten egg-type fumes. It just may be the most uninhabitable alien landscape we've ever come across.

PLUS:

* Neanderthal ... more

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Recent Guests

Gordon Osinski
Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Western University
Western University
Episode: What we hope to see on the far side of the moon, and more…
Ivo Verhaya
Zoo archaeologist, PhD candidate
University of Tubingen / Lower Saxony State Office for Cultural Heritage
Episode: What we hope to see on the far side of the moon, and more…
Claire Bedbrook
Bioengineer and neuroscientist
Stanford University
Episode: What we hope to see on the far side of the moon, and more…
Kevin Hall
Nutrition and metabolism scientist
NIH / Stanford (co-author)
Episode: What we hope to see on the far side of the moon, and more…
Anders Bergström
Evolutionary geneticist, University of East Anglia and Francis Crick Institute
University of East Anglia; Francis Crick Institute
Episode: Dogs have been by our side for 16,000 years, and more...
Thomas Green
Behavioral ecologist and sexologist, University of St. Andrews
University of St. Andrews
Episode: Dogs have been by our side for 16,000 years, and more...
Eric Korpela
Astronomer, UC Berkeley; director of SETI at Home
University of California, Berkeley
Episode: Dogs have been by our side for 16,000 years, and more...
Vishal Gajjar
Staff astronomer, SETI Institute; Breakthrough Listen project scientist, UC Berkeley
SETI Institute; Breakthrough Listen
Episode: Dogs have been by our side for 16,000 years, and more...
Forrest Rogers
Postdoctoral fellow, Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University
Princeton University
Episode: Dogs have been by our side for 16,000 years, and more...

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
    Germany25 days 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
    Canadaa month ago
  • Sciency Fun for Nerds

    Long time listener and still can’t get enough!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Speaking Truth to the Internet
    United Statesa month 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 States3 months ago
  • Bob M

    All episodes

    Are fantastic!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dog walker17
    Canada4 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.

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.
Belugas swap mates for survival, and more…
Q: What mating strategy did you think they had?
Initially, it was thought that there might be a polygynous system, where dominant males would control the breeding, but findings revealed a more flexible system with both males and females swiping mates.
Belugas swap mates for survival, and more…
Q: What was the main goal of your mission this time?
The goal was to collect data to build a forecast of the glacier over the coming years and decades, focusing on understanding its impact on global sea level.
Polar bears are thriving in Svalbard, and more...
Q: How close are you to doing this in humans?
We aim to target debilitating components of memories rather than erasing entire memories.
Polar bears are thriving in Svalbard, and more...
Q: How did scientists go about investigating how well the bears are doing over there?
They tranquilized the bears from helicopters to measure their body condition.

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?

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. Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly
2. Ideas
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 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. Gordon Osinski
2. Ivo Verhaya
3. Claire Bedbrook
4. Kevin Hall
5. Anders Bergström
6. Thomas Green
7. Eric Korpela
8. Vishal Gajjar

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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