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Artwork for Shirtloads of Science

Shirtloads of Science

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
Dark Matter
Black Holes
Australia
Biodiversity
Astrophysics
University Of Sydney
Vaping
Carbon Dioxide
Wikipedia
Neutron Stars
Generative AI
Public Health
Mathematics
Nobel Prize
Misinformation
Fossil Fuels
Neutrinos
Sunblock

Dr Karl's a curious optimist. Join him as he explores the latest developments in science with leading researchers and communicators. And remember, it's never too late for a happy childhood. Series Producer: Isabelle Benton Technical Producer: Maya Cook Contact: shirtloadspodcast@gmail.com

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes473Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhysicsEarth SciencesScience

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Artwork for Shirtloads of Science

Latest Episodes

Motor journalist Toby Hagon returns to Shirtloads of Science for round two on electric vehicles. Toby shares how he got into motoring journalism and what the job really involves. We break down 400V vs 800V batteries, charge cycles, and the reality of... more

Motor journalist Toby Hagon joins Shirtloads of Science to talk all things electric vehicles. We break down the often-confused difference between kilowatts and kilowatt-hours, compare EVs against petrol cars on performance, energy use, and cost, and ... more

Associate Professor Anai Gonzalez-Cordero joins us on Shirtloads to explore the remarkable world of stem cells and how they can develop into almost any cell in the human body! She explains how her team is using stem cell technology to better understa... more

What if evolution isn't just about the survival of the fittest? Rowan Hooper, senior editor at New Scientist, joins Shirtloads to discuss his new book Togetherness - a challenge to the idea that nature is defined purely by competition. From the fig a... 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

Toby Hagon
Guest, co-host on Shirtloads of Science
Shirtloads of Science
Episode: Charged Up: All Things Electric Vehicles With Toby Hagon (486)
Anai González Cordero
Guest scientist discussing stem cells, organoids, and retinal therapies
Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI)
Episode: Growing Mini Retinas To Fight Blindness With Anai Gonzalez-Cordero (485)
Rowan Hooper
Senior editor at New Scientist
New Scientist
Episode: Beyond "Survival of the Fittest" with Rowan Hooper (484)
Richard Scolyer
Professor of pathology and melanoma researcher, Australian of the Year recipient
Melanoma Institute Australia; University of Sydney
Episode: In Dedication: Richard Scolyer on Risk, Hope and Radical Cancer Treatment (483)
Dr. Ann Jones
Doctor of History, science communicator about nature and animals
ABC
Episode: Beasts Behaving Badly with Dr. Ann Jones (482)
Alex Campbell
Assoc. Prof. of marine ecology
University of Sunshine Coast
Episode: Seaweed! The Humble Organism Fighting Climate Change with Assoc. Prof. Alex Campbell (481)
Nick Fuller
Weight-management researcher and clinician
University of Sydney / Charles Perkins Center
Episode: Why Weight Loss Drugs Don't Work On Their Own Dr. Nick Fuller (480)
Peter Lee
President of Microsoft Research for the entire universe (as introduced)
Microsoft Research
Episode: Inside Microsoft's Global Research Lab With Dr. Peter Lee (479)
Dietmar Müller
Professor of geophysics
University of Sydney
Episode: The (Not So) Boring Billion with Prof. Dietmar Müller (478)

Host

Dr Karl
Host of Shirtloads of Science

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • Inkredible

    Greatest show of all time 🇦🇺

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Squidkid🦑
    Australia3 months ago
  • Love your work Carl!

    One of the only podcasts I ever listen to, and for good reason! Carl has all the Lo pics down pat and explains them in very easy-to-understand ways. Would definitely recommend to anyone

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    no-one in particuluar
    Australia7 months ago
  • More STEM Please

    I love the STEM podcasts the most. But something here for everybody.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Robneedsacoffee
    Australiaa year ago
  • Would get 5 sars if

    If the audio level could be boosted about 20 dB, we hearing-impaired might learn a lot from this material.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    iRichard1941
    United Statesa year ago
  • Bad

    👎👎👎👎👎👎

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    0.0🔪
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Show is seen as a reliable source for up-to-date science across disciplines.
Listeners praise deep science without jargon and strong host engagement.
Some listeners wish for louder audio in a few episodes.
Guests are consistently respected experts with clear, accessible explanations.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#16
United States/Science/Physics
Apple Podcasts
#6
Canada/Science/Physics
Apple Podcasts
#7
United Kingdom/Science/Physics
Apple Podcasts
#167
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#198
Canada/Science
Spotify
#9
Australia/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Seaweed! The Humble Organism Fighting Climate Change with Assoc. Prof. Alex Campbell (481)
Q: But how do seaweeds actually contribute to climate solutions beyond forest restoration?
Seaweeds sequester carbon in their tissues and, when farmed, can trap carbon in sediments; they also offer practical routes like reducing cattle methane when included in feed, and they can be used to produce biofuels and bioproducts, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Seaweed! The Humble Organism Fighting Climate Change with Assoc. Prof. Alex Campbell (481)
Q: Wow. So I'm guessing, as you have told me, Dr. Alex, that seaweed is the wrong name.
Seaweed is not a weed; it is a primitive, plant-like organism with diverse forms, life cycles, and ecological roles, including deep connections to carbon cycling and food webs.
Beasts Behaving Badly with Dr. Ann Jones (482)
Q: How do elephants metabolize alcohol and what does that mean for their behavior?
The discussion covers a gene called ADH7, found in humans but absent or nonfunctional in elephants, meaning elephants are more vulnerable to alcohol at lower doses; this is tied to evolutionary metabolism and energy extraction from fermented fruits, not to widespread drunkenness in elephants.
Beasts Behaving Badly with Dr. Ann Jones (482)
Q: What do we know about parrots with opioid exposure in Tasmania and other regions?
Ann describes how crop pests in regions with legal opium crops lead parrots to consume high-fat poppy seeds; while there could be short-term effects, the researchers believe the behavior is driven by calorie-rich foods rather than addiction, and they discuss variability in drug metabolism across bird species.
Beasts Behaving Badly with Dr. Ann Jones (482)
Q: Now, tell me about the speeding ducks.
Ann explains the Swiss incident with a mallard clocked at 52 kph, discusses the repeated date seven years apart, and uses expert input from the local police chief to assess whether it could be a real recurring event or a hoax, highlighting the interplay between folklore and evidence in science communication.

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 Shirtloads of Science

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

The show surveys a broad range of scientific frontiers, from cellular biology and translational medicine to ecology, astronomy, physics, and climate science. Episodes commonly feature expert researchers breaking down complex ideas—retinal organoids and gene therapy, symbiosis and evolution, cancer immunotherapy, animal behavior, seaweed as a climate solution, weight-management science, AI in research, deep-time geology, dark matter detection, and the health implications of everyday choices like coffee and honey. Across conversations, the host balances rigorous science with accessible explanations and practical takeaways, often highlighting real-world impacts, policy context, and the human stories behind scientific progress. A standout aspec... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Shirtloads of Science?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Shirtloads of Science:

1. Dr Karl Podcast
2. The Science Show
3. Science Friction
4. What The Duck?!
5. What's That Rash?

How many episodes of Shirtloads of Science are there?

Shirtloads of Science launched 10 years ago and published 473 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 Shirtloads of Science?

Recent guests on Shirtloads of Science include:

1. Toby Hagon
2. Anai González Cordero
3. Rowan Hooper
4. Richard Scolyer
5. Dr. Ann Jones
6. Alex Campbell
7. Nick Fuller
8. Peter Lee

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