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Short Wave

NPR
Greater Honey Guide
Honey Hunting
Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Climate Change
Naked Mole Rats
Hadza
NPR
Gray Wolves
Tomatoes
Clownfish
Migratory Species
Bees
Racism
Appendix
Radiation
Skywalker Gibbons
In Vitro Fertilization
Domestic Violence
Kenya
Tanzania

New discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines — in just under 15 minutes. It's science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber for science on a different wavelength.If you're hooked, try Short Wave Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/shortwave

PublishesDailyEpisodes1860Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AstronomyLife SciencesScience

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Artwork for Short Wave

Latest Episodes

Subatomic particles, gravity wells and the beginning of the universe – these are difficult and mysterious concepts that are better understood with storytelling and metaphor. That’s exactly theoretical physicist Chanda Prescod-Weinstein’s tack in the ... more

In a new National Geographic docuseries, viewers get a look inside a bee hive. The series is called Secrets of the Bees — and since there’s nobody we know who loves bees more than entomologist Sammy Ramsey, we brought him on the show to share some of... more

Lots of people count on helium. From MRI machines and semiconductor manufacturing to pressurizing rockets and detecting leaks, helium is used globally for much more than party balloons. So when there’s a shortage, like right now, the effect is far-re... more

Scientists estimate somewhere between 5%-35% of people do not get sick from the flu despite being exposed to the virus that causes it. Now, researchers may have figured out why. The team looked at mouthwash samples from 19 healthcare workers who, des... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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

Mingxue Shen
Lead researcher
Unknown (study lead)
Episode: Never had the flu? Scientists may know why
Dr. Eli Friedman
Sports scientist
Cedars-Sinai
Episode: Never had the flu? Scientists may know why
Mariam Ferreira Garcia
Virologist
Fasabio Foundation
Episode: Never had the flu? Scientists may know why
Nell Greenfield-Boys
NPR science correspondent reporting from Kennedy Space Center
NPR
Episode: Why is NASA going to the moon again?
Jeff Bromfield
Science correspondent
NPR
Episode: Space news: Project Hail Mary, Artemis, data centers
Scott Detro
Co-creator of the space-news segment idea
NPR
Episode: Space news: Project Hail Mary, Artemis, data centers
Peter Annin
journalist and executive director of the Burke Center for Ecosystem Research
Burke Center for Ecosystem Research / Lake Superior, Wisconsin
Episode: What's up with recycled wastewater's PR problem?
Hilary Dugan
Freshwater researcher
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Episode: The world’s freshwater is getting saltier. Why?
Filippo Menga
Political geographer
University of Bergamo
Episode: The world has a groundwater problem. Can we solve it?

Hosts

Regina Barber
Co-host and producer, known for her engaging storytelling and emphasis on science with creativity and humor.
Emily Kwong
Host of Short Wave, skilled at making intricate scientific topics accessible and engaging for a broad audience.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 9k ratings
  • Artemis

    It’s my favorite science podcast, you’re well prepared team I love it, today I listened the show for NAsa Artemis, beautiful launch today , I think other issue to return moon is the challenge or race vs China

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ramenergy
    United States8 days ago
  • Like listening to an old friend

    I really enjoy listening to Regina Barber talk with guests. She’s always fully engaged with whoever she’s interviewing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jeff_in_VA
    United States10 days ago
  • For every nerdy person

    Short, interesting facts about science. Love the commitment and passion of scientist and scientific journalists nerding about random facts. Thank you 🥰🤩

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mirnaana
    Austria25 days ago
  • Immediate Listen!

    I never miss an episode, and frequently share with friends and family. They are informative, thoughtful, positive, and focused - always worth the time. I end each episode feeling more informed about our world, and it’s an important shot of positivity in my news-heavy podcast feed, without feeling like complete escapism.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LauraVH
    Canadaa month ago
  • Vax show

    Typical NPR misinformation. Use the AI of your choice for Thimerosal…..there are alternatives. I’m unfollowing this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nickname360
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

The mix of expert guests and diverse topics keeps listeners coming back for more.
Fans appreciate the brevity and accessibility of episodes, making learning enjoyable.
Positive feedback often highlights the show's ability to explain science without overwhelming complexity.
Content is informative and engaging, presenting science in a relatable way.
Listeners value the humor intertwined in discussions, making complex topics more digestible.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why is NASA going to the moon again?
Q: What comes after Artemis II in terms of a Moon landing timeline?
A landing would require a lunar lander; NASA has contracted with SpaceX and Blue Origin, and a landing could happen as early as 2028 if lander tests go well, though many consider that optimistic.
Why is NASA going to the moon again?
Q: How close will they get to the Moon on this flyby?
They will approach roughly four to six thousand miles from the Moon, far closer to the Moon than Earth is from them, though not a landing.
Why is NASA going to the moon again?
Q: Okay, so when will they decide whether or not to head out to the moon?
The decision comes about one day into the mission, after initial checks, if everything looks good they proceed with the trans-lunar injection to send them toward the Moon.
Synthetic Cells: The Next Bioengineering Frontier
Q: Why is building a cell from scratch so important?
It is essential to realize the promises of bioengineering by enabling full control and understanding of cellular components, which could unlock green energy, new medicines, and more predictable biology.
The world’s freshwater is getting saltier. Why?
Q: What are the practical solutions communities can adopt to reduce salt in water?
Solutions include reducing road-salt use, adopting liquid brine for pre-storm applications, calibrating trucks to pavement temperature, using cleaner brining practices, and investing in water treatment as a last resort when needed.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Short Wave

What is Short Wave about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Topics explored include a wide range of scientific findings encompassing astronomy, health, and psychology. Listeners can expect discussions on structures like the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, the complexities of health conditions such as tinnitus, and the impact of diet and AI on mental health. Noteworthy is the podcast's ability to distill complex scientific subjects into digestible content, typically spanning under 15 minutes, making it accessible and engaging for a broad audience. This focus on brevity, creativity, and humor differentiates it from more traditional science podcasts, offering a pleasant educational experience for all ages.

Where can I find podcast stats for Short Wave?

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

How many listeners does Short Wave get?

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What are the audience demographics for Short Wave?

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How many subscribers and views does Short Wave have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Short Wave 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 Short Wave?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Short Wave:

1. The Indicator from Planet Money
2. Consider This from NPR
3. Throughline
4. Planet Money
5. Up First from NPR

How many episodes of Short Wave are there?

Short Wave launched 7 years ago and published 1860 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 Short Wave?

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 Short Wave?

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

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What guests have appeared on Short Wave?

Recent guests on Short Wave include:

1. Mingxue Shen
2. Dr. Eli Friedman
3. Mariam Ferreira Garcia
4. Nell Greenfield-Boys
5. Jeff Bromfield
6. Scott Detro
7. Peter Annin
8. Hilary Dugan

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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