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Covering the outer reaches of space to the tiniest microbes in our bodies, Science Friday is the source for entertaining and educational stories about science, technology, and other cool stuff.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1285Founded21 years ago
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Life SciencesScienceNatural Sciences

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Latest Episodes

How do we know what we know? That's where science comes in—it gives us a method for testing our ideas and getting trustworthy results. But some researchers have warned that many scientific studies can't be replicated.

To find out how deep the proble... more

Movies may be a largely visual medium, but sound plays a huge role in setting tone, creating new worlds, and fleshing out characters. Sound designer Erik Aadahl has brought some of Hollywood’s iconic creatures to life with sound, like the Transformer... more

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound are prescribed for weight loss, diabetes, and blood-sugar management. But as more people use them, patients are reporting a decrease in cravings for drugs and alcohol. Researchers are now investigating w... more

Scientists recently published the first footage of a sperm whale birth, and it was a crowded ordeal. More than 10 other sperm whales were there for the delivery and helped keep the baby whale afloat—and not all of them were related to mom. How much d... more

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Recent Guests

Tim Errington
Senior Director of Research at the Center for Open Science
Center for Open Science
Episode: Why so many studies can’t be replicated
Abel Brodeur
Professor of Economics at the University of Ottawa and founder of the Institute for Replication
University of Ottawa; Institute for Replication
Episode: Why so many studies can’t be replicated
Erik Aadahl
Sound designer and editor on Project Hail Mary, Godzilla, Transformers, A Quiet Place
Project Hail Mary (sound design)
Episode: How a sound designer gave an alien its voice (and 250 words)
Sarah Carstens
Addictions Clinical Director of Outpatient Services
Penn Medicine's Princeton House Behavioral Health
Episode: Can GLP-1 drugs treat addiction?
Joseph Schacht
Associate Professor, Division of Addiction Science Prevention and Treatment, University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Episode: Can GLP-1 drugs treat addiction?
Shane Gero
Whale biologist
Carleton University; Project CETI
Episode: What a sperm whale’s birth tells us about whale culture
Kyle Chan
Fellow at the Brookings Institution who studies Chinese technology, development, and industrial policy
Brookings Institution
Episode: Is the US backing out of the electric vehicle market?
Kate Grumke
Senior Environmental Reporter for St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis Public Radio
Episode: Can algae help pull microplastics out of our water supply?
Susie Dai
Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
Episode: Can algae help pull microplastics out of our water supply?

Hosts

Flora Lichtman
Host of Science Friday, known for engaging storytelling and inquisitive nature.
Ira Flatow
Host of Science Friday, recognized for long-time contributions to science journalism.
Kathleen Davis
Producer and co-host contributing to content development and episode preparation.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 7.5k ratings
  • My little review

    I love listening to science Friday and always learn something new. I share it often with my friends.

    Thank you for this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PxlQuantZ
    United States24 days ago
  • Balance to Socials

    I love this show! The new shorter length is perfect for in the car. And it helps me feel like my brain is healthy, balancing out social media time!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NotAFanGirl3333
    United Statesa month ago
  • Keeps me informed

    This show regularly provides information I can use in my life and keeps me informed on matters that I may need to consider when I vote in the future.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    CLN57
    United Statesa month ago
  • Thanks!

    Great podcast, love the daily format

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jmoneyballin
    United Statesa month ago
  • This is what the Internet was supposed to feel like!

    First - thank you Ira for finding Flora - as she assumes a greater roll in “SciFri” I have come to the conclusion that you are a visionary. I should have trusted you when you first introduced her, but I am a creature of habit and not very accepting of changes to my routine. But, Flora, you have won me over - your happy, breezy, but always reverent style is the perfect antidote to our current predicament. I think you make me smile AT LEAST once an episode, and I often listen to two a day. And... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dr. Fabulous, esq
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mixed sentiments regarding the frequency of certain conversational habits by hosts that some find repetitive.
Overall, the hosts are frequently commended for their inquisitive interviewing style and genuine enthusiasm for the subject matter.
Listeners praise the podcast for its wide-ranging scientific topics and engaging conversations with knowledgeable guests.
Many appreciate the balance between depth and accessibility, allowing complex subjects to be easily understood.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why so many studies can’t be replicated
Q: What practical improvements are being observed in data sharing and replication?
There is an upward trend in data sharing, particularly in economics and political science, and more studies are master-reproduced across fields, though coding errors and incomplete sharing persist and need continued cultural and policy changes.
Why so many studies can’t be replicated
Q: Why was DARPA involved in SCORE and what makes SCORE different?
DARPA supported the SCORE project to explore how to assess confidence in research findings beyond binary published/unpublished judgments, emphasizing automation and tools to aid confidence assessment across a broad range of social science disciplines.
Is the US backing out of the electric vehicle market?
Q: Tell me about that.
Kyle explains that China's aggressive use of industrial policy—supported by local governments and infrastructure investments—has helped it push into EVs, batteries, and other clean technologies, while the US has relied more on market-driven approaches, delaying widespread adoption.
Artemis II test flight heads toward the moon
Q: What would happen if Earth lost its moon entirely and gradually, rather than suddenly?
The guest explains that life would initially be confused by the loss of the lunar clock affecting tides, circadian rhythms, and environmental cycles, with long-term effects including dramatic changes in tilt and climate, making the planet barren or uninhabitable for some forms of life until a new equilibrium is established.
Is Punch the monkey really just like us?
Q: You're a primatologist. Is this Punch story exciting for you or very annoying?
I've become interested because my students are curious about Punch, and that engagement has pulled me in; while I worry about sensationalism, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss primate behavior and the science behind it.

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 Science Friday

What is Science Friday about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides listeners with a wide-ranging exploration of various scientific topics, from astronomy to microbiology, offering engaging discussions that are both informative and entertaining. With a consistent focus on evidence-based science, it showcases expert guests who share their insights and research on pressing issues like climate change, health sciences, and emerging technologies. Unique perspectives are often brought to the forefront, enabling discussions on contemporary topics such as the impact of genetic research on understanding diseases or the implications of current environmental policies.

Where can I find podcast stats for Science Friday?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Science Friday. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Science Friday and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Science Friday get?

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What are the audience demographics for Science Friday?

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How many subscribers and views does Science Friday have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Science Friday 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 Science Friday?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Science Friday:

1. Radiolab
2. Short Wave
3. Science Magazine Podcast
4. Hidden Brain
5. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

How many episodes of Science Friday are there?

Science Friday launched 21 years ago and published 1285 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 Science Friday?

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 Science Friday?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Science Friday from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Science Friday?

Recent guests on Science Friday include:

1. Tim Errington
2. Abel Brodeur
3. Erik Aadahl
4. Sarah Carstens
5. Joseph Schacht
6. Shane Gero
7. Kyle Chan
8. Kate Grumke

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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