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Short Wave

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1753Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AstronomyLife SciencesScience

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Artwork for Short Wave

Latest Episodes

On Monday, the Trump administration linked the use of Tylenol with rising autism rates, but science doesn’t support that claim. Guest host Sydney Lupkin talks to autism researcher Helen Tager-Flusberg about how autism is studied, the findings from de... more

Food allergies have risen in the United States over the last few decades. Research suggests that 40 years ago the prevalence of food allergies was less than 1%. But today that number is closer to 6%. But this trend is not present in all countries — a... more

The anti-aging product market was worth roughly 53 BILLION dollars in 2024. One of the latest big trends: red light therapy. Social media is rampant with claims about all sorts of purported health benefits to using directed red light regularly … but ... more

Octopuses and their arms are a bit of a mystery.  Not because scientists don’t know how they work; they’re boneless hydrostats, made up of groups of muscles working together and capable of bending, twisting, elongating or shortening — like a frog’s t... 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.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Michelle Wong
PhD chemist and host of Lab Muffin Beauty Science
Episode: Should You Try Red-Light Therapy?
Daniel Cohen
Professor of bioengineering at Princeton specializing in regenerative medicine
Princeton University
Episode: The Surprisingly Long History Of Nose Jobs
Hemani Kalucha
Planetary scientist and recent PhD graduate from Caltech
Caltech
Episode: The Most Convincing Evidence Yet Of Life On Mars
Jon Hamilton
NPR correspondent and expert on brain-computer interfaces
NPR
Episode: Brain Implants Are Here — And Getting Better
Lee Hochberg
Critical care neurologist and vascular neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital
Massachusetts General Hospital
Episode: Brain Implants Are Here — And Getting Better
Erin Macdonald
Astrophysicist and scientific advisor for the Star Trek franchise
Star Trek
Episode: 'Interstellar': Time Dilation And Wormholes Explained
Dillon Pruett
Genetics researcher at Florida State University
Florida State University
Episode: Have a Stutter? It Could Be Inherited
Piper Below
Geneticist involved in stuttering research, co-author of the study
Vanderbilt University
Episode: Have a Stutter? It Could Be Inherited
Emily Corwin
Investigative journalist
APM Reports
Episode: Stopping SSRIs Can Be Hard. Researchers Are Unsure Why

Hosts

Regina Barber
Host of Short Wave, focusing on delivering accessible science stories with creativity and humor.
Emily Kwong
Co-host of Short Wave, known for her engaging storytelling and ability to simplify complex topics.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 8.2k ratings
  • I am getting smarter with every episode

    I almost always learn something unexpected and surprising and feel smarter after each podcast. Love these quick learning opps.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FloVicky
    United Statesa month ago
  • Enjoy scientist nerdiness

    Such a fun and fascinating podcast. Really enjoy the variety, but LOVE Sea Camp!

    You do a great job, asking the right questions as if you can hear our collective, ‘huh, how?’ I look forward to being greeted as a shortwaver with every podcast. Congratulations on a great podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Petkewec
    United Statesa month ago
  • Top Honors

    Wonderful show, pique,’s curiosity about everything around us with enthusiasm and appreciation. I enjoy it immensely. Thank you all. PS. I think every species would rejoice if humans reproduce less. Even Homo sapiens would benefit and survive well with less if us. Most populations fluctuate naturally, we can choose to do it. Or perhaps the increase of LBGT is nature at work to keep us in check.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rosallea
    United States3 months ago
  • Pole position

    •EPISODE 1235 “The Great Antarctic Food Web Puzzle”. Unlistenable. Why do Americans refuse to pronounce “Antarctica” correctly?

    ~

    •EPISODE 1297 “When Eavesdropping Pays Off” in which a guest uses the non-word “nother” (twice in one sentence).

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    (Gibberer)
    Australia3 months ago
  • Amazing podcast

    I was trying to find a podcast about science and this is the best one it’s interesting and well explained I can never stop listening to it and it’s relaxing and it’s everything a podcast should be I found it because my dad was listening to it and then I got obsessed with it thank you very much pls continue making these podcasts: )

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jihjhihuigyuirytghdyrsg
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many comments highlight the diversity of topics covered and the quality of the expert guests featured.
The quick, bite-sized analysis of various scientific topics is well-received, appealing to those with tight schedules.
Listeners appreciate the educational and engaging format, frequently learning surprising new information from each episode.
Some reviewers express discomfort with the light-hearted presentation style, suggesting it may feel condescending at times, though most find it refreshing.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Surprisingly Long History Of Nose Jobs
Q: Can you tell me why people in the past might need a nose job or a new nose entirely?
In historical contexts, people needed nose jobs due to punishments like chopping off noses for adultery, dueling injuries, and conditions such as syphilis that disfigured them, which was embarrassing and visible.
What Do Stem Cells Mean For The Future Of Parkinson's?
Q: Walk me through a stem cell transplant for Parkinson's. If a patient has this and they qualify, where do the stem cells come from?
Dr. Henchcliffe explains that stem cells for the transplant are sourced from lab-produced dopamine-producing cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells, and the process involves significant patient assessment.
What Do Stem Cells Mean For The Future Of Parkinson's?
Q: Can you explain what is happening in the brain of somebody who has this disease?
Dr. Henchcliffe describes that in Parkinson's, a protein called alpha synuclein becomes damaged and misfolded, leading to neuron loss and cognitive effects.
The Most Convincing Evidence Yet Of Life On Mars
Q: What has Perseverance found?
Perseverance found millimeter-size spots in the rocks that resemble ancient life features observed on Earth.
The Most Convincing Evidence Yet Of Life On Mars
Q: What is the evidence that's kind of been stacking up that there most likely was life on Mars at one point?
The evidence includes the discovery of organic matter-rich sediments and long-lasting water that are necessary for life development.

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 Short Wave

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

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.

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. Throughline
3. Planet Money
4. Up First from NPR
5. Consider This from NPR

How many episodes of Short Wave are there?

Short Wave launched 6 years ago and published 1753 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. Michelle Wong
2. Daniel Cohen
3. Hemani Kalucha
4. Jon Hamilton
5. Lee Hochberg
6. Erin Macdonald
7. Dillon Pruett
8. Piper Below

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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