Rephonic
Artwork for Science Weekly

Science Weekly

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

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes465Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Science Weekly

Latest Episodes

It’s just a week until the first whistle of the 2026 World Cup. To mark the occasion, Madeleine Finlay talks to Ian Sample about the science behind the tournament. It’s likely to be one of the hottest ever World Cups, and scientists have written to F... more

Humans have been wondering why we sleep for thousands of years. Is sleep’s purpose rest and relaxation, memory consolidation or maybe cognitive processing? In the last 15 years, scientists have discovered another possible explanation – waste disposal... more

Last month at Beijing’s half marathon, a robot named Lightning beat the human world record by nearly seven minutes. It’s the latest in a string of AI-powered milestones that have got people wondering whether robots are about to enter our everyday liv... more

Home red-light therapy devices have exploded in popularity as masks, body wraps and mittens promise to reduce wrinkles, redness and even acne. But do the claims stack up, and what other benefits are scientists investigating? Ian Sample hears from his... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Dr. Angel Foster
Abortion provider who mails abortion pills nationwide
MAP - Massachusetts Medication Abortion Access Project
Episode: Stateside with Kai and Carter: why the fight over abortion pills is only just beginning
Daniela Manno
Clinical epidemiologist
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Episode: Ebola: how does it spread and can the outbreak be contained?
Stacey Abrams
A political leader and voting rights advocate who rose to prominence after the 2018 Georgia governor race
Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate / voting rights advocate
Episode: Stateside with Kai and Carter: Stacey Abrams on why gutting of the US Voting Rights Act is ‘evil’
Mattha Busby
Health, human rights and environment journalist
The Guardian
Episode: Strange trip: why Trump is backing psychedelics
Patrick Barkham
Natural history writer
The Guardian
Episode: 100 years on Earth: celebrating David Attenborough’s birthday
Jonathan Ball
Professor of Tropical Disease Biology
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Episode: Hantavirus explained: how does it spread and who is most at risk?
Rebecca Seal
Food and health writer
The Guardian
Episode: Food intolerances: how do you know if you have one?
Aisha Down
Reporter covering artificial intelligence for The Guardian
The Guardian
Episode: Mythos: are fears over new AI model panic or PR?
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

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
  • stuff "0ff Duty"

    I am not interested in listening to "Off Duty"

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    amcqu
    Australia3 months ago
  • Awww

    Love

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Exlibris.
    Germany4 months ago
  • I really appreciate the short episodes with as much science and credibility as can be squeezed in.

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

    Thank you for this informative and well researched Podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maggihr
    Austria6 months ago
  • Wiggy woggy

    Get a life

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tru Voordwire
    Canada7 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
#109
United States/Science
Spotify
#6
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#12
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#62
Canada/Science
Spotify
#30
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#34
Australia/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ebola: how does it spread and can the outbreak be contained?
Q: Daniela, what exactly is Ebola and what happens if you're infected?
Ebola is a severe viral infection with a progression from fever and fatigue to diarrhea, vomiting, and possible multi-organ failure; transmission is primarily through direct contact with body fluids, not through the air, and outcomes depend on early identification and supportive care.
Ebola: how does it spread and can the outbreak be contained?
Q: Tell us a bit about what we know so far in terms of when did this outbreak begin, how many people have been affected, and where is it happening?
The outbreak likely started weeks ago in the Ituri region of the DRC, with hundreds of suspected cases and a high death toll; it is moving across borders toward Uganda, which raises regional containment concerns.
Can a name change transform PCOS outcomes for women?
Q: What is PMOS and why was the name change pursued?
PMOS reflects a broader, non-ovary-centric understanding of the condition, emphasizing hormonal and metabolic aspects and improving awareness among clinicians, researchers, and patients so that diagnosis, treatment, and policy aren't constrained by an outdated label.
Stateside with Kai and Carter: why the fight over abortion pills is only just beginning
Q: What is the Comstock Act, and why is it relevant now?
The Comstock Act is a 19th-century anti-obscenity law that could be used to criminalize mailing abortion-related materials, threatening widespread access if revived or enforced.
Stateside with Kai and Carter: why the fight over abortion pills is only just beginning
Q: What is the significance of shield laws, and how do they affect cross-state care?
Shield laws protect providers from prosecution in other states when they ship pills across state lines; they create a legal barrier but may be challenged as courts revisit enforcement and scope.

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 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

Where can I find podcast stats for Science Weekly?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Science Weekly. 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 Weekly and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Science Weekly get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Science Weekly, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Science Weekly?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Science Weekly, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Science Weekly have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Science Weekly 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 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. More or Less

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?

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

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Science Weekly?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Science Weekly. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Science Weekly?

Recent guests on Science Weekly include:

1. Dr. Angel Foster
2. Daniela Manno
3. Stacey Abrams
4. Mattha Busby
5. Patrick Barkham
6. Jonathan Ball
7. Rebecca Seal
8. Aisha Down

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days