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Science Weekly

The Guardian
Climate Change
Aging
Donald Trump
Amazon Rainforest
Public Health
Artificial Intelligence
Obesity
Mars
Health Risks
Diabetes
Covid-19
Mental Health
Nutrition
Alcohol
Elon Musk
Microplastics
Weight Loss
Psychology
Climate Crisis
The Guardian

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

Social media is awash with content about food intolerances and the symptoms to look out for. But figuring out whether you actually have one, and what’s triggering it, is surprisingly difficult. One avenue people are gravitating towards is at-home tes... more

Madeleine Finlay sits down with science editor Ian Sample to hear about some of the winners of the Breakthrough Prize, which held its ceremony in LA last weekend. Each prize is worth $3m and they’re awarded in physics, maths and life sciences. Madele... more

Earlier this month the AI company Anthropic said it had created a model so powerful that, out of a sense of responsibility, it was not going to release it to the public. Anthropic says the model, Mythos Preview, excels at spotting and exploiting vuln... more

Madeleine Finlay sits down with co-host and science editor Ian Sample to discuss three eye-catching stories from the week, including a review into the effectiveness of a new class of Alzheimer’s drug that was once hailed as a game-changer in slowing ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sophia Hayes
Professor of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis
Episode: Helium: the invisible gas that powers AI, and why it’s in short supply
David Molyneux
Professor Emeritus of Tropical Disease Biology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Episode: Can we eradicate a second human disease?
Heather Massey
Associate Professor at University of Portsmouth, Extreme Environments Laboratory
University of Portsmouth
Episode: Sauna and cold plunge: where does the evidence stand?
Jan Wörner
Former Director General of the European Space Agency
European Space Agency
Episode: Does going to the moon still matter?
Ian Sample
Science Editor at The Guardian
The Guardian
Episode: Transporting the most expensive and volatile substance on Earth
Christian Smorra
Scientist running the antimatter transport project
CERN
Episode: Transporting the most expensive and volatile substance on Earth
Michael Pollan
Author of A World Appears, A Journey Into Consciousness
Author, Journalist
Episode: What sets human consciousness apart from AI?
Jennifer Blagg
Attorney who represents Alex Villa in the appeal
Attorney, Blagg & Blagg (as introduced in episode)
Episode: Off Duty: The Crime
Dr. Eliza Gil
Clinical lecturer specializing in infectious disease
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Episode: Meningitis explained: who is most at risk?

Hosts

Madeleine Finlay
Host of Science Weekly; affiliated with The Guardian
Ian Sample
Science Editor and co-host; provides editorial context

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings
  • stuff "0ff Duty"

    I am not interested in listening to "Off Duty"

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    amcqu
    Australiaa month ago
  • Awww

    Love

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Exlibris.
    Germany2 months ago
  • I really appreciate the short episodes with as much science and credibility as can be squeezed in.

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

    Thank you for this informative and well researched Podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maggihr
    Austria5 months ago
  • Wiggy woggy

    Get a life

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tru Voordwire
    Canada5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some criticisms mention episode crusts or promotional plugs affecting pacing.
Listeners praise the show for balanced, informed science coverage and clear host-guest dynamics.
Many cite accessibility and practical takeaways, even on complex topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#72
United States/Science
Spotify
#7
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#7
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#33
Canada/Science
Spotify
#29
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#20
Italy/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What sets human consciousness apart from AI?
Q: What is the simplest definition of consciousness?
Consciousness is subjective experience, implying there is someone to have the experience with a point of view, which makes it inherently private.
Does going to the moon still matter?
Q: What is the current plan for Artemis II and how does it differ from earlier missions?
Artemis II is planned as a four-astronaut lunar flyby to test life-support and other systems in deep space, serving as a stepping stone rather than a landing mission, with Artemis III aimed at a moon landing later.
Was Iran really building a nuclear weapon?
Q: Kelsey, just give me a potted history of Iran's nuclear ambitions, and were their actions consistent with those goals?
Iran's nuclear ambitions evolved from early civil nuclear work to a period where the regime pursued weaponization as a deterrent, especially during the Iran-Iraq War and as a leverage tool; however, there was no clear evidence that a final decision to weaponize was ever made, and diplomacy continued at times, with negotiations showing flexibility.
Meningitis explained: who is most at risk?
Q: First off, what is meningitis?
Meningitis is inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi; in this outbreak, the bacterial form MenB is the focus, and it is particularly dangerous because it can spread quickly in close-contact settings like universities and schools.
What’s behind the injectable peptide craze?
Q: What are the risks of using unregulated peptide products?
The guests describe risks including unpredictable side effects, lack of rigorous testing, and the danger of associating all peptides with medical or therapeutic benefits, which could undermine trust in legitimate peptide research.

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 Weekly

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

The show offers concise, journalist-led explorations of contemporary science, technology, health, and the environment. Recent episodes foreground global energy geopolitics, AI and warfare, and cutting-edge health and biology topics, often featuring expert guests and researchers who break down complex science for a wide audience. Across topics, the tone remains accessible, aiming to connect policy, research, and real-world impacts without overloading listeners with jargon. A few episodes stand out for tackling controversial funding in science, the societal implications of new technologies, and health questions with practical takeaways for everyday readers and professionals alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for Science Weekly?

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How many subscribers and views does Science Weekly have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Science Weekly?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Science Weekly:

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

How many episodes of Science Weekly are there?

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.

How do I contact Science Weekly?

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 Weekly?

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What guests have appeared on Science Weekly?

Recent guests on Science Weekly include:

1. Sophia Hayes
2. David Molyneux
3. Heather Massey
4. Jan Wörner
5. Ian Sample
6. Christian Smorra
7. Michael Pollan
8. Jennifer Blagg

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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