
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
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 1777 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ScienceLife SciencesAstronomy | |||

Cosmic dust can tell scientists about how ice covered Earth during the last ice age. This dust is leftover debris from asteroids and comets colliding in space and this dust constantly rains down on our planet. Researcher Frankie Pavia from the Univer... more
Recently, health influencers on Instagram and TikTok have been vocal about the side effects of hormonal birth control. Check out the most popular videos on the subject, and you’ll hear horror stories about sex drive and skin texture, depression and w... more
Scientists know why leaves turn yellow in the fall: Chlorophyll breaks down, revealing the yellow pigment that was there all along. But red? Red is a different story altogether. Leaves have to make a new pigment to turn red. Why would a dying leaf do... more
Around 250 million years ago, one of Earth’s largest known volcanic events set off The Great Dying: the planet’s worst mass extinction event. The eruptions spewed large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, temperatures rose globally and o... more
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Nice NPR show with a daily dose of science. Wide ranging topics from biology to medicine to the environment. Hosts seem well-informed, they read real scientific papers, and have academic guests on the show.
Suggestions: Best episodes are those connected to current events. Also, make sure to choose papers from high-impact journals (for example, Nature Communications is not so great even if Nature is in the title.
I’ve been a fan since the start and it’s a great start to my day, with short fun, meaningful and relevant science content. Keep up the great work as it’s much appreciated and needed in today’s world!
Great show, daily science in a short, easy to listen to pod!
I am a mechanical engineer. To get through college I had to take physics and chemistry, lots of calculus, electrical engineering, thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid dynamics. But you don’t need any of that to follow and love this show! In fact, who really wants to read a scientific report anyway? This show breaks scientific concepts down in terms that are understandable, concise, and fun. I tell everybody I know to follow this show!
I love science, and “Short Wave” is a great way to get more scientific news integrated into my daily routine. You will learn something new every episode!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Spotify | #8 | |
Apple Podcasts | #2 | |
Apple Podcasts | #10 | |
Apple Podcasts | #2 | |
Apple Podcasts | #8 | |
Apple Podcasts | #16 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Each episode features concise explorations of scientific topics, ranging from planetary discoveries and genetics to the complexities of pharmaceuticals and environmental impacts. By inviting experts across various fields, the discussions often intertwine personal narratives with broader scientific insights, making the content both educational and relatable. The hosts employ creativity and humor to keep the format engaging, appealing to a wide audience keen on understanding science's relevance in everyday life. Notably, each episode seeks to demystify complex concepts in an accessible way, catering to both seasoned science enthusiasts and casual listeners alike.
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Short Wave launched 6 years ago and published 1777 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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Recent guests on Short Wave include:
1. Frankie Pavia
2. Anjana Khatwa
3. Elsa Che
4. Dr. Jessica Shepherd
5. Allison Richards
6. Dr. Carolyn Goh
7. Thea Chassen
8. Danielle Decarle
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