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Short Wave

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes1765Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
AstronomyLife SciencesScience

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Artwork for Short Wave

Latest Episodes

It's World Anesthesia Day tomorrow! So, we invite you to take a deep breathe. Picture a relaxing scene. Maybe a beach in Tahiti, your toes in the sand, a cold drink in hand. Now imagine your favorite music playing in the background. If Dr. Alopi Pate... more

Marijuana is decriminalized or legal in some form in multiple states. But, because it’s illegal on the federal level, states have had to build their own regulatory infrastructure. Without a centralized body to guide them, regulations in one state can... more

There are more human cells in your body than there are stars in the Milky Way galaxy! Cells are the fundamental building blocks of life but that doesn’t mean they are simple – biology still doesn’t have a full picture of how exactly a living cell wor... more

Weather in the tropics is decidedly different than it is in the middle latitudes. It turns out, so are the weather systems – the factors that create things like the daily temperature and humidity! Historically, most weather forecasting models have be... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Angel Adamas Corraliza
Tropical meteorologist and recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship, recognized for his research in atmospheric science and meteorology.
MacArthur Foundation
Episode: Why The Tropics Have A Weather Forecasting Problem
Katherine Wu
Science journalist at The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: Solved: The Potato Origin Mystery
Dr. Arash Javanbakht
Psychiatrist from Wayne State University and author of Afraid
Wayne State University
Episode: The Science Of Fear And Horror Movies
Ben Hamilton
Research scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
NASA
Episode: Nature Quest: How High Will Sea Levels Rise?
Rebecca Hersher
Climate reporter at NPR
NPR
Episode: Nature Quest: How High Will Sea Levels Rise?
Noonok Pham
Adjunct professor at Tulane University and Katrina survivor
Tulane University
Episode: Why Do Some Hurricane Survivors Thrive After Disaster?
Katie Burns
Researcher studying endometriosis
Episode: A Surprising Cause Of Endometriosis Could Lead To Cure
Meredith Wadman
Science journalist covering endometriosis research
Episode: A Surprising Cause Of Endometriosis Could Lead To Cure
Helen Tager-Flusberg
Professor emerita at Boston University and founder of the Coalition of Autism Scientists
Boston University
Episode: Tylenol and Autism: What’s True and What Isn’t

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 8.3k ratings
  • Made me care about new things!

    I’ve never really been into the question of space exploration but listening to their episode called “The strongest evidence yet of life on Mars” made me care about the subject and its implications for humanity.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Julie N headed to COS
    United Statesa month ago
  • 6 stars

    What a great way to hear about science happening and the best part - kids can appreciate it too!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scrabble is cool
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love this show

    Each episode delves into a new discovery that I find fascinating. Love this show!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    New news junky
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 States2 months 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 States2 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.

Why Legal Weed Isn’t Always Safe
Q: What did you learn in Oregon regarding cannabis regulations?
Oregon's regulatory body has cracked down on several labs for THC inflation, indicating efforts to ensure safety in their cannabis market.
Why Legal Weed Isn’t Always Safe
Q: So, Sydney, like marijuana is now legal in some form in many states. What's the difference on how weed is regulated versus like how pharmaceuticals are regulated in the US?
Weed on the federal level is illegal, while pharmaceuticals must be approved by the FDA through clinical trials, meaning states are figuring it out on their own.
What Are Flies Doing In The Middle Of The Ocean?
Q: How can these sounds help marine biologists?
They can help decipher which fish are thriving in an area, their mating habits, and migration patterns, providing insights into the reef's health.
What Are Flies Doing In The Middle Of The Ocean?
Q: So a new study out in the journal Nature Plants found that trees in the Amazon rainforest have increased in size on average in the last three decades. What does this mean?
The trees grew by about 3% each decade on average, which is more than expected, but the Amazon is still threatened by deforestation and climate change.
What Are Flies Doing In The Middle Of The Ocean?
Q: So what exactly are these flies doing out there?
They're a type of fly called a hoverfly, an unsung pollinator that migrates hundreds of miles, which explains why they're in the middle of the ocean.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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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. Planet Money
3. Consider This from NPR
4. Throughline
5. Up First from NPR

How many episodes of Short Wave are there?

Short Wave launched 6 years ago and published 1765 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

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Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Short Wave. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Short Wave?

Recent guests on Short Wave include:

1. Angel Adamas Corraliza
2. Katherine Wu
3. Dr. Arash Javanbakht
4. Ben Hamilton
5. Rebecca Hersher
6. Noonok Pham
7. Katie Burns
8. Meredith Wadman

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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