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Science Weekly

The Guardian
Climate Change
Donald Trump
Aging
Amazon Rainforest
Diabetes
Mars
Obesity
Public Health
Alcohol
Mental Health
Elon Musk
The Guardian
Weight Loss
Artificial Intelligence
Testosterone
Nutrition
Microplastics
Memory Formation
Health Risks
Chronic Lyme Disease

Twice a week, the Guardian brings you the latest science and environment news

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes465Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for Science Weekly

Latest Episodes

Madeleine Finlay is joined by Ian Sample, Guardian science editor, to discuss three eye-catching science stories including an investigation that has identified four distinct types of thinker. Also on the agenda is the unprecedented cyclosporiasis out... more

Madeleine Finlay travels to the Rothbury estate in Northumberland, in north-east England. It’s a piece of land that has been in the same family for 700 years, but now it has been put up for sale and the UK’s Wildlife Trusts are trying to raise £30m t... more

Saunas and cold plunge pools are popping up everywhere in the UK, bringing fiery heat and icy cold to a beach, city farm or park near you. Their users will be ready with all the reasons why it’s good for both the mind and the body. But what’s the evi... more

In this episode from January 2026, Ian Sample puts listeners’ questions about dreams and nightmares to Dr Michelle Carr, the director of the Dream Engineering Laboratory in Montreal’s Centre for Advanced Research in Sleep Medicine, and the author of ... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Dr. Michelle Carr
Dream scientist; Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Addictology at the University of Montreal; directs the Dream Engineering Lab
University of Montreal
Episode: Revisited: The surprising science of dreams and nightmares
Beverly Claire Wainwright
Tea expert and former participant in episode one
Tea estate expert
Episode: Revisited: A Scottish tea mystery, episode three – a bag for life
David Burslem
Professor researching plant origins
University researcher
Episode: Revisited: A Scottish tea mystery, episode three – a bag for life
Amanda Lloyd
Dr., Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth University
Episode: Revisited: A Scottish tea mystery, episode three – a bag for life
Manfred Beckman
Dr., Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth University
Episode: Revisited: A Scottish tea mystery, episode three – a bag for life
Paul Zuccarra
Tea industry commentator
Unspecified
Episode: Revisited: A Scottish tea mystery, episode three – a bag for life
Stuart Wilson
Investigator from Food Standards Scotland
Food Standards Scotland
Episode: Revisited: A Scottish tea mystery, episode three – a bag for life
Richard Ross
Grower and commentator on the Scottish tea project
Independent grower/observer
Episode: Revisited: A Scottish tea mystery, episode three – a bag for life
Isla Henderson
Tea grower in Scotland
Independent tea grower
Episode: Revisited: A Scottish tea mystery, episode three – a bag for life

Hosts

Kai Wright
Co-host and commentator.
Madeleine Finlay
Host of Science Weekly; Guardian science journalist.
Ian Sample
Guardian Science Editor; science journalist.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings
  • Not science

    I thought this was supposed to be a science podcast not a political podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Annz000
    United States3 months ago
  • stuff "0ff Duty"

    I am not interested in listening to "Off Duty"

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    amcqu
    Australia5 months ago
  • Awww

    Love

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Exlibris.
    Germany6 months ago
  • I really appreciate the short episodes with as much science and credibility as can be squeezed in.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Aurorespera
    8 months ago
  • Thankful for this Podcast

    Thank you for this informative and well researched Podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maggihr
    Austria8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality guests and credible discussions are common positives.
Listeners appreciate concise, well-researched science coverage.
Some criticisms note occasional pacing or plugs for other Guardian shows.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#120
United States/Science
Spotify
#6
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#10
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#67
Canada/Science
Spotify
#31
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#30
Australia/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Revisited: The surprising science of dreams and nightmares
Q: Shaun asks why some people have more nightmares and what factors contribute to nightmare frequency.
Nightmares are linked to stress, adversity, and trauma in waking life; individuals who are more emotionally or sensorily sensitive may experience more vivid and frequent nightmares, though occasional nightmares can be normal and only require attention if they become disruptive.
Revisited: The surprising science of dreams and nightmares
Q: Anissa asks how dreaming changes from childhood to old age and what science knows about dreaming over a lifetime.
Science shows that dream recall and dream frequency tend to decline with age, and the variety of dream themes decreases, suggesting the dreaming life becomes less diverse but remains present across the lifespan.
‘Beautiful blobs’: can scientists build life from scratch?
Q: Why do you think this is a starting point rather than a living cell?
Because it lacks robustness and full autonomy; its survival depends heavily on the surrounding environment, and it cannot yet sustain homeostasis or produce all essential proteins on its own, indicating it's a foundational platform rather than life as we typically define it.
‘Beautiful blobs’: can scientists build life from scratch?
Q: So what is this spud cell made of and how does it function?
The spud cell is a small, water-filled sphere with a fatty-like membrane that contains a tiny genome; it can grow and divide, absorb nutrients from its surrounding medium, and relies on external ribosomes and enzymes from the medium to make proteins and perform basic functions.
Fungi: the invisible force protecting our planet
Q: So you were there to map the fungi on the island. How did you do it?
The team conducted fieldwork across atolls, established soil cores and grids, collected samples from native forests and invaded palm areas, then brought samples to the lab to extract fungal DNA and identify the partners, with a focus on understanding the dependence of Pisonia trees on Tomentella fungi.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Science Weekly

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

The show typically features conversations with leading scientists, journalists, and policy experts, covering current science, health, environment, and technology topics. Episodes balance in-depth explanations of complex topics with practical takeaways, often bringing in frontline researchers, investigative reporters, and influential thinkers to illuminate how science and policy intersect in everyday life. A few episodes stand out for tracing the human impact of policy shifts, evaluating emerging technologies, or unpacking global health and climate issues with credibility and clear storytelling. This mix makes it useful for listeners who want reliable, well-sourced science analysis and context for ongoing debates, from health policy to energ... more

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1. The Audio Long Read
2. Today in Focus
3. BBC Inside Science
4. The World, the Universe and Us
5. Politics Weekly America

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Science Weekly launched 20 years ago and published 465 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Science Weekly?

Recent guests on Science Weekly include:

1. Dr. Michelle Carr
2. Beverly Claire Wainwright
3. David Burslem
4. Amanda Lloyd
5. Manfred Beckman
6. Paul Zuccarra
7. Stuart Wilson
8. Richard Ross

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