Short Wave
NPRNew 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
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 1917 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | AstronomyLife SciencesScience | |||
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Latest Episodes
Yamal and Messi aren’t the only stars of the World Cup finals. If you’ve been watching any of the games, you’ve probably stared directly at a huge, unsung hero: the turf. Turf grass science is a real thing, and it’s John Sorochan’s area of expertise.... more
At Short Wave, we love a good brain. Which is why we’ve had a lot of conversations over the years with NPR’s neuroscience reporter, Jon Hamilton. Jon’s been writing about brains for over 15 years, from tiny brain organoids that grow in a dish, to fru... more
What if there were a great ape species that could live over 1,000 years? That’s basically Heliconius in the butterfly world. The insects live around 25 times longer than their butterfly cousins, and scientists think they have one clue as to why: poll... more
In the age of AI, what differentiates humans from robots? What makes humans … human? To find answers, many people are studying consciousness: our capacity for experience. But doctors and researchers still have a long way to go when it comes to findin... more
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Reviews
- Trash burning episode is very disappointing.
I normally love this show. But this felt like PR for the water incineration industry. Why were the industry representatives referred to as “experts” over and over, and the science-based non-profit representative not? And it didn’t even explain that the industry reps were from the waste incineration industry. And how can you even do a longish piece like this without mentioning the chemicals created by burning plastics like dioxins and furans that are so toxic and long lasting? This felt like PR,... more
Apple Podcasts4Greenmgreen
United States19 days ago - Everyday science
I enjoy the science tidbits that I would otherwise never know about like the LA micro forest. Thank you Emily and team for reminding us of the importance and miracles of science and nature!
Apple Podcasts5Nickel Bridge FanUnited States2 months ago - Less politics more science
Their politics I can do without but the science is what keeps me coming back!
Apple Podcasts50626chrasUnited States2 months ago - Not always 100% on, but love it!
There are a few little bits I would tweak, but overall I really appreciate this podcast getting some important (& fun) info. to the public. Thank you!
Apple Podcasts5Shel LynnUnited States2 months ago - Pole position
•EPISODE 1235 “The Great Antarctic Food Web Puzzle”. Unlistenable. Why do Americans refuse to pronounce “Antarctica” correctly?
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•EPISODE 1297 “When Eavesdropping Pays Off” in which a guest uses the non-word “nother” (twice in one sentence).
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•EPISODE: “Why is NASA going to the moon again?” In which the host confuses “disinterest” (impartiality) with “uninterest” (Meh).
Apple Podcasts3(Gibberer)
Australia3 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Spotify | #9 | United States/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #4 | United States/Science/Life Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #16 | United States/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #3 |  Canada/Science/Life Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #8 |  United Kingdom/Science/Life Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #14 | Canada/Science |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Short Wave
What is Short Wave about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Short form science show delivering bite-sized explorations of new discoveries, puzzling questions, and the science behind headlines in under 15 minutes. Episodes mix interviews with researchers and journalists, accessible explanations, and a light, humorous tone to make complex topics approachable for a broad audience. Notable strengths include a diverse set of guest experts, clear takeaways, and a knack for connecting lab findings to everyday life and current events. The format tends to spotlight timely topics—from health and environment to space and technology—while maintaining a consistent, human-centered storytelling style that appeals to curious listeners who want credible context without heavy jargon.
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. Planet Money
3. Throughline
4. Science Friday
5. Consider This from NPR
How many episodes of Short Wave are there?
Short Wave launched 7 years ago and published 1917 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?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Short Wave?
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What guests have appeared on Short Wave?
Recent guests on Short Wave include:
1. Katie Wu
2. Marcello Massimini
3. Adrian Owen
4. Tim Bain
5. Liyad Mudrik
6. Anil Seth
7. Melissa Guzman
8. Da Ming Yang
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.