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Artwork for Science unscripted

Science unscripted

DW
Mental Health
Germany
Psychology
Pregnancy
Burglary
Max Planck Institute
Social Norms
Climate Change
Covid-19
Procrastination
Dyslexia
Sleep Quality
FOMO
Mars
Smoking
Artificial Intelligence
Criminology
Wisdom
Homo Floresiensis
Neuroscience

The science stories that will actually change your day — and maybe make you laugh. Science unscripted is a podcast, radio show & YouTube channel driven by listeners. Hello from Germany :)

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes100Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesHealth & FitnessMental HealthScience

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Artwork for Science unscripted

Latest Episodes

Who can actually say what AI can (or can't) do? Maybe the guy who developed the 'box' it escaped from.

Ever freaked out about finding 'meaning' in your life? A new study might help you understand where that (uniquely human) feeling comes from. (Note: We published part 1 on June 15, 2025)

A single drug undid the damage in mice who'd suffered early-life trauma. Also, a contagious form of 'cringe avoidance' is spreading — and listen in to the soft sounds of Jurassic crickets.

If dogs could understand our faces... how could we prove that, scientifically? Also, AI gets banned from the classroom and a study that put heavy metal festival fans through.... some serious pain.

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Recent Guests

Torsten Holtz
Scientific director at the Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy
Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy
Episode: Is AI going to kill us?
Yuling Liu
Doctoral student in psychology
University of Texas at Dallas
Episode: Is your life meaningful? (pt. 2)
Matthias Schmidt
Researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, focusing on stress and resilience
Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry
Episode: Pathological cringe & a pill to 'delete' trauma
Yusra Drio
Colleague who conducted work on cringe and psychology, spoke with experts
DW (Deutsche Welle) science desk
Episode: Pathological cringe & a pill to 'delete' trauma
Raul Hernandez Perez
Researcher at Vienna University, dog neuroscience expert
Vienna University
Episode: Can a dog understand these facial expressions?
Jean-Louis van Gelder
Criminologist and psychologist, Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security, and Law
Max Planck Institute, Freiburg, Germany
Episode: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Scott Solomon
Teaching professor of Biosciences; author of Becoming Martian
Rice University
Episode: SpaceX & a low-g baby?
Carla Basel
Electrical engineer at UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley
Episode: SpaceX & a low-g baby?
Clivia Lysowski
Cell biologist; immunology researcher
University of Bonn and University Hospital Bonn
Episode: The 'Google maps' inside a pigeon's liver

Hosts

Connor
Host of Science Unscripted; guides interviews and topics with a curious, approachable style
Gabe
Co-host who discusses science topics and participates in interviews

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 219 ratings
  • I agree with Esspen

    You have just the right blend of fact and funny. Please come back! I need a Science Unscripted fix!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bogmommy
    Canada2 months ago
  • My favorite podcast

    This is my favorite podcast…both educational and entertaining. So disappointed when it’s not “updated weekly”!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Esspenn
    Canadaa year ago
  • GREAT Show

    Bold , Fresh , Friendly! I thank you for every episode, especially the tough ones, personally. People are forgetting to star each time they listen ‘cause your show is a “5”!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ALittleChaotic
    United Statesa year ago
  • Awesome podcast

    I make it habit of trying to catch this podcast on CBC Radio early Sunday mornings. Very insightful yet not overwhelming with what’s happening in the world now. A must listen…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TiminAB
    Canada2 years ago
  • Hello

    Hello

    I am listening from west coast Vancouver Island.

    I used to listen late at night on CBC when I was not sleeping, then I retired (and sleep better) and found you as a pod cast. Love your podcast, very interesting. I love your comments, snorts, outrage and laughter. It makes me feel like we’re all talking together.

    Don’t change ! Your personal insights are interesting and helpful.

    Best Paulette

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Paulettewestcoast
    Canada2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Strong blend of research and banter keeps complex topics engaging.
Thoughtful scientific discussion with accessible delivery.
Praises broad guest mix and top-tier institutions.

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Talking Points

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Pathological cringe & a pill to 'delete' trauma
Q: Could there be a future treatment that reduces the long-term impact of trauma?
Researchers are exploring drugs that modulate stress signaling pathways (like FKBP5) given during or shortly after traumatic experiences to prevent lasting social and behavioral deficits, though practical, ethical, and long-term considerations are still being studied.
Pathological cringe & a pill to 'delete' trauma
Q: What is cringe content or cringe behavior, and why is it spreading in Gen Z culture?
Cringe is second-hand embarrassment arising from perceived social norm violations; it spreads because online surveillance and constant sharing amplify reactions and discourage vulnerability, leading to a chilling effect where people avoid showing genuine emotion.
Can a dog understand these facial expressions?
Q: What are the implications for future research or practical applications with pets?
The findings could guide future studies on extended emotion perception in dogs and potentially inform training or welfare practices, while acknowledging limitations and the need for more data across broader conditions.
Can a dog understand these facial expressions?
Q: Did you find evidence that dogs can distinguish between different negative emotions, and where in the brain does this show up?
Yes, the data indicate different brain regions respond to different negative emotions, with the caudate showing reward-related activity and other regions differentiating between emotions like fear and anger.
Can a dog understand these facial expressions?
Q: What emotions did you test, and how did you present them to the dogs?
Four emotions were shown (happiness, sadness, anger, fear) using pictures of unfamiliar people while the dogs were scanned to observe which brain areas reacted, aiming to identify distinct neural responses.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Science unscripted

What is Science unscripted about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A science-focused show that translates research into accessible, real-world stories across topics like future tech, space, biology, psychology, and health. Episodes feature academic experts and practitioners who illuminate cutting-edge findings, discuss policy and society, and bring practical takeaways for curious listeners. The tone blends scientific rigor with friendly banter, making complex topics approachable for a broad, educated audience who enjoys bite-sized experiments, thought-provoking questions, and clear connections to everyday life. A standout aspect is the consistent inclusion of researchers from top institutions, offering data-backed context alongside hosts' relatable commentary and humor.

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Which podcasts are similar to Science unscripted?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Science unscripted:

1. Inside Europe
2. Quirks and Quarks
3. Ideas
4. The Sunday Magazine
5. Day 6

How many episodes of Science unscripted are there?

Science unscripted launched 19 years ago and published 100 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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What guests have appeared on Science unscripted?

Recent guests on Science unscripted include:

1. Torsten Holtz
2. Yuling Liu
3. Matthias Schmidt
4. Yusra Drio
5. Raul Hernandez Perez
6. Jean-Louis van Gelder
7. Scott Solomon
8. Carla Basel

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