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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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1430Founded21 years ago
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Life SciencesNatural SciencesScience

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Artwork for Science Friday

Latest Episodes

In 2020, Jennifer Doudna shared the Nobel Prize in chemistry for the development of the gene-editing technique CRISPR. Along with related techniques, it has become an essential tool in genetics, allowing specific sections of genetic code to be cut an... more

In late September 2026, NASA announced that a new telescope called PRIMA was getting a green light and advancing to something called Phase B of the development process. But what does that mean exactly? How does a billion-dollar space project get thou... more

Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is one of the most prominent voices in the climate movement. She’s a marine biologist by training, but as she saw the effects of the climate crisis intensify, she took on more public-facing advocacy work.

Her work is expansiv... more

In the new movie “Whalefall,” a scuba diver (Austin Abrams) gets accidentally swallowed by a sperm whale. What follows is a tense battle against time and the whale’s digestive system, to escape before his air supply runs out.

But could a whale actu... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Francis Halzen
Hildale and Gregory Bright Professor in the Physics Department, University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison / IceCube Neutrino Observatory
Episode: The Nobel winner searching for deep-space neutrinos in Antarctica
David Byrne
Artist, musician and author of Sleeping Beauties
Author, Sleeping Beauties
Episode: How important ideas get reawakened, with David Byrne
John Wilson
Documentary filmmaker
Episode: 'The History of Concrete' with John Wilson
Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz
National Geographic Explorer and biologist leading the Bolivian Felid Research and Conservation Program
Bolivian Felid Research and Conservation Program
Episode: The tilcayo is the new wild cat on the block
Jason Cryan
Executive Director, Natural History Museum of Utah
Natural History Museum of Utah
Episode: Are natural history museums going extinct?
Barbara Thiers
Former Director of the Herbarium, New York Botanical Garden
New York Botanical Garden
Episode: Are natural history museums going extinct?
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?

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 7.9k ratings
  • concussion episode

    We needed a more aggressive followup questioning when the interviewees answer to a study showing 25% of the participants will have brain injuries leading to CTE. The response was, it needs more study.

    How cruel! The activity should be halted immediately! Participants paying a torturous price and the family and community pick ip the bill!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    A14obx
    United States20 days ago
  • Great series, but ANNOYING COMMERCIALS

    I love this series! However, there’s no way to listen without suffering insipid commercial interruptions. I’d pay for a commercial-free subscription if they offered one.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Saurolophus
    United States21 days ago
  • Spark of Life

    The range of topics and depth of interview never ceases to amaze! Thank you for raising the bar and keeping us young by stretching our minds.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ro31415926
    Canada21 days ago
  • Not quite as advertised

    They spend about half the time talking about everything but the actual topic itself.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Benjamin Russack
    United States23 days ago
  • Please let guests direct their own narrative

    I love Science Friday and tune in for world-class research, but there is a recurring dynamic when female scientists are interviewed. Flora Lichtman frequently presses female guests on how difficult their gender made their career path or repeatedly asks leading questions to extract stories of sexism. Even when a scientist explicitly states that wasn't her experience and tries to steer back to her research, the questioning persists. It feels reductive to force a pre-packaged struggle narrative ont... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Frangelica the Ferret
    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.

The Nobel winner searching for deep-space neutrinos in Antarctica
Q: What are neutrinos and why are we interested in them?
Neutrinos are nearly massless, charge-free particles that travel at near-light speed, capable of passing through almost everything; they offer a unique way to look at the universe since they can reveal processes and sources we can't see with photons, especially at very high energies.
How important ideas get reawakened, with David Byrne
Q: What advice do you have for waking up a dormant idea, or knowing when to push and when to step back?
The guidance centers on testing for cultural readiness, finding a smaller entry point, and recognizing when pressure to push an idea is inappropriate or mis-timed.
How important ideas get reawakened, with David Byrne
Q: That takes a lot of imagination from the jump, right?
Byrne agrees and elaborates that imagining something not yet seen is central to scientific breakthroughs and artistic leaps, citing how cross-medium thinking can illuminate complex ideas.
How important ideas get reawakened, with David Byrne
Q: Why this? Why did you want to do this in this format now?
David Byrne explains the concept came from seeing a science paper term and realizing the broader applicability to arts and literature, and the format offers a way to explore ideas across disciplines with accessible storytelling.
The tilcayo is the new wild cat on the block
Q: When did you first meet the Tilkayo and start realizing it might be a new species?
The discovery began with a wild kitten found in the Yungas forest; subsequent observations at Senda Verde and genetic analyses eventually distinguished it from known Leopardus tigrinus, a process that took years of careful validation.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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

How many episodes of Science Friday are there?

Science Friday launched 21 years ago and published 1430 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?

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What guests have appeared on Science Friday?

Recent guests on Science Friday include:

1. Francis Halzen
2. David Byrne
3. John Wilson
4. Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz
5. Jason Cryan
6. Barbara Thiers
7. Sofia Sheikh
8. Tyler Powell

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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