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Parkinson's Disease
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Vagus Nerve
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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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1414Founded21 years ago
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Life SciencesNatural SciencesScience

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Artwork for Science Friday

Latest Episodes

In 2024, scientists using instruments on board the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft spotted a new large impact crater on the surface of the moon. Tyler Powell joins host Flora Lichtman to describe what they found, and what scientists are learn... more

It’s a conversation at playgrounds and in classrooms: parents and teachers worry that kids who spent formative years at home during the COVID-19 pandemic are set back, emotionally, socially or academically. But what does science say? Did stay-at-home... more

Football season is upon us and a new study is making headlines. Researchers found that roughly 1 in 4 NFL players will develop CTE, a neurodegenerative disease, in their lifetime. While most of us are not professional athletes, concussions are still ... more

For celiac disease sufferers, avoiding gluten is the only way to avoid symptoms. But that’s not always easy to do. Researchers are working on new treatments, including one that targets interleukin-15, a chemical that can cause some of the damage in c... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sofia Sheikh
Technosignature research scientist
SETI Institute
Episode: Examining a new lunar crater + searching for signs of alien technology
Tyler Powell
Planetary scientist
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Episode: Examining a new lunar crater + searching for signs of alien technology
Teena Shetty
Neurologist and concussion expert; founder of Teena Shetty MD Concussion Clinic in New York City
Teena Shetty MD Concussion Clinic; Weill Cornell Medical College
Episode: How do concussions affect the brain?
Maureen Leonard
Clinical Director of the Center For Celiac Research And Treatment at Mass General Hospital for Children
Mass General Hospital for Children; Harvard Medical School
Episode: Are new treatments for celiac disease on the horizon?
Andrea Lincoln
Computer science professor at Boston University and advisory board member for the Alignment Project at the AI Security Institute
Boston University; Alignment Project at AI Security Institute
Episode: Everyone is calling for safer AI. So what does that mean?
Vinod Vaikuntanathan
Cryptographer at MIT and founding member of the Institute for Responsible Superintelligence
MIT
Episode: Everyone is calling for safer AI. So what does that mean?
Jessi Halligan
Underwater Archaeologist and Associate Professor at Texas A&M
Texas A&M University
Episode: Underwater archeology reveals clues about Ice Age humans
Haunani Kane
Assistant Professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, studies climate impact on islands, reefs, and island people
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Episode: Climate change is increasing hurricane risk for Hawaiʻi
John A. Rogers
Professor at Northwestern University and director of the Querrey-Simpson Institute of Bioelectronics
Northwestern University
Episode: Bringing hard electronics into soft and squishy bodies

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 7.9k ratings
  • Love this podcast!

    The topics are wide ranging, and the information is well researched. You never know what the new topic will be; it’s like opening a surprise gift every weekday. I’m proud to be a monthly supporter.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    blau1202
    United Statesa month ago
  • Science Friday

    Great show! Always fascinating and informative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JeffS51
    United Statesa month ago
  • Informative

    Each daily segment opens up a whole new world. Thank you Ira and Flora.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BabsGG
    United Statesa month ago
  • Smarter than ever!

    I have been listening to this show for years, and have learned so much along the way. I didn’t think anyone could be as good as Ira, but Flora is his equal: both are skilled interviewers, have wonderful voices, and bring a broad understanding of science to the job. They ask all the questions I want to ask, and many more I wouldn’t have thought of. Thanks, and keep up the wonderful program.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Joneswoman
    United Statesa month ago
  • Even better than before

    I have always loved this program and podcast, but in the last year it’s really sounding great. The topics are broad, the guests are well chosen, and the entire listening experience is fun. You can tell the hosts love their jobs! I also like how the program has been broken and into shorter pods, making the listening experience easier throughout the week and allowing me to determine which stories to prioritize. Science Friday makes me feel like no subject in science is beyond my grasp or interest.... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dannyd310
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critics note perceived political bias in certain episodes.
Audiences value accessible, thoughtful science storytelling with strong guest expertise.
Listeners praise the show's infectious curiosity and engaging hosts.
Fans describe the show as consistently informative and inspiring for lifelong learners.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Examining a new lunar crater + searching for signs of alien technology
Q: What makes radio signals a particularly effective method for searching for technosignatures?
Radio signals are low-energy and can be transmitted over interstellar distances with less absorption by interstellar gas and dust, plus they can be highly information-dense when properly modulated, making them practical for detecting intelligent information across the galaxy.
Examining a new lunar crater + searching for signs of alien technology
Q: Are you indeed excited about the discovery of the new crater and its implications for lunar science?
Yes, it's a rare event that provides a pristine window into impact processes and microclimates on the Moon, allowing us to tease out subtle surface changes that haven't been degraded by subsequent impacts.
Hot flashes, hormone therapy, and the science of perimenopause
Q: Why was hormone therapy historically controversial, and what has changed recently?
The WHI raised concerns about breast cancer and heart risks in older populations, but long-term follow-ups showed minimal net harm and meaningful symptom relief for many, leading to renewed, individualized use of hormone therapy especially for those in the right age window.
Hot flashes, hormone therapy, and the science of perimenopause
Q: Do we know why perimenopause hits some people harder than others?
There are identifiable factors like race/ethnicity, socioeconomic stressors, and overall health determinants that correlate with more severe symptoms, but individual biology also varies, making symptoms highly personalized.
What is lymphatic drainage, anyway?
Q: Tim, what is the lymphatic system and what does it do?
Tim explains that the lymphatic system consists of vessels throughout the body, helping to maintain tissue fluid, serving as a conduit for immune signals to lymph nodes, and absorbing dietary lipids in the gut, with the system lacking a central pump and relying on vessel contraction to move fluid toward the bloodstream.

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?

Listeners tune in for a wide range of science and tech topics, often featuring researchers, engineers, physicians, and space professionals who explain complex ideas in accessible terms. Episodes frequently cover cutting-edge research, space exploration, public health, environmental science, and the human side of scientific work, including ethics, policy, and everyday applications. The show regularly highlights interdisciplinary work, strong storytelling, and the human impact of science, making it a solid fit for curious, educated audiences who want practical takeaways and context from experts. Notably, the program tends to blend rigorous analysis with engaging hosts and compelling guests, which can help demystify science for a broad audienc... more

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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. Science Magazine Podcast
3. Short Wave
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 1414 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. Sofia Sheikh
2. Tyler Powell
3. Teena Shetty
4. Maureen Leonard
5. Andrea Lincoln
6. Vinod Vaikuntanathan
7. Jessi Halligan
8. Haunani Kane

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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