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Artwork for StarTalk Radio

StarTalk Radio

Neil deGrasse Tyson
Black Holes
Artificial Intelligence
Gravitational Waves
Quantum Physics
Neuroscience
Dark Energy
Dark Matter
Quantum Mechanics
Astrophysics
NASA
Cosmology
Climate Change
Astrobiology
Consciousness
Big Bang
Time Travel
Mathematics
Gravity
Physics
General Relativity

Science, pop culture, and comedy collide on StarTalk Radio! Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist and Director of New York's Hayden Planetarium, and his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities, and scientific experts explore astronomy, physics, and everything else there is to know about life in the universe. New episodes premiere Tuesdays. Keep Looking Up! Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes1104Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationScience

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for StarTalk Radio

Latest Episodes

Can we influence the strong nuclear force? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Paul Mecurio answer grab bag questions about sci-fi laser guns, the Roche Limit, how we interact with the fundamental forces, and more!

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this ent... more

Is the internet too far gone or can we still fix it? Neil deGrasse Tyson, and co-hosts Negin Farsad and Gary O’Reilly, sit down with Jaron Lanier, Microsoft scientist, and father of virtual reality, to diagnose what went wrong with the web, how it’s ... more

How bright is the Earth from the moon? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice have fun with the sun’s reflectivity, discuss light pollution, and explore the electromagnetic light spectrum: how does sunscreen work?

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to t... more

What is a starquake? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Matt Kirshen explore asteroseismology, the sun, and what’s happening on the insides of stars with astrophysicist Conny Aerts.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this enti... 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.

Recent Guests

Jaron Lanier
Computer scientist; Internet pioneer; author of 10 Arguments for Deleting Your Social Media Accounts
Microsoft (Prime Unifying Scientist); Author
Episode: Fixing the Internet with Jaron Lanier
Conny Aerts
Professor of astro-seismology, dual appointment in Belgium and the Netherlands
KU Leuven; Radboud University
Episode: Cosmic Queries – Starquakes with Conny Aerts
Kevin Espiritu
Gardening YouTuber extraordinaire
Epic Gardening; Epic Homesteading
Episode: Homesteading on the Moon with Kevin Espiritu
Paul McCurio
Guest appearing alongside Neil and Gary
Episode: Busting Nutrition Myths with Jessica Knurick
Jessica Knurick
Nutritionist with a large online following
Episode: Busting Nutrition Myths with Jessica Knurick
Harold Connolly Jr.
Founding chair, professor in the Department of Geology, Rowan University; Mission Sample Scientist for OSIRIS-REx
Rowan University / OSIRIS-REx
Episode: Secrets of Asteroid Bennu with Harold Connolly Jr.
Andy Weir
Author of the novel Project Hail Mary
Author/Writer
Episode: Project Hail Mary with Andy Weir
Matt Kaplan
Science correspondent at The Economist, author of Told You So
The Economist
Episode: Told You So! with Matt Kaplan
Katie Freese
Director of the Weinberg Institute for Theoretical Physics, UT Austin
University of Texas at Austin
Episode: Dark Universe Decoded with Katherine Freese

Host

Neil deGrasse Tyson
Host of StarTalk Radio; Astrophysicist; Director of Hayden Planetarium

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 34.7k ratings
  • Good, but could be better

    It is a good show, but the negativity against the idea of god is very displeasing and intrusive.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Redshovel827
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great!

    I love the sharing of knowledge along with the humor.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    qtrolazyg
    United Statesa month ago
  • I’m done this show sucks

    I’m sick of racist atheist chuck nice and Neil’s forced laugh. Not even funny. Calls him self Lord. Blasphemous. Severe TDS.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Skiboysw
    United Statesa month ago
  • Too liberal

    Supposed to be unbiased but constantly promoting Obama liberal agenda

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Kkxhhsxbkk
    Canadaa month ago
  • Love it for content, hate it for commercial breaks

    I love Neil and Chuck for discussions and content that they provide. I hate the commercial breaks so I unfollowed it here and continue to watch them on other platform.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Isasik
    Polanda month ago

Listeners Say

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

Shows strong science communication, accessible explanations, and engaging guests; chemistry between hosts is a highlight.
Generally praised for humor, educational value, and guest diversity, with occasional critiques about pacing or getting sidetracked.
Some listeners feel politics or politics-adjacent banter can be off-topic or polarizing at times, which may detract for a subset of viewers.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Fixing the Internet with Jaron Lanier
Q: What do you think is the core issue with the current direction of internet platforms and VR?
The core issue is the dominant, narrow business model that prioritizes influence and engagement over broad, inclusive utility. This leads to centralized power, reduced creativity, and systems designed to maximize profit rather than human flourishing. A more diverse ecosystem of business models and a focus on data dignity could realign incentives toward healthier technology.
Homesteading on the Moon with Kevin Espiritu
Q: How do you start growing food in a small urban space?
Kevin explains starting from a tiny balcony, then expanding to a third-of-an-acre yard with a YouTube channel to document progress and learn in public, encouraging people to start small and scale up.
Cosmic Queries – Total Darkness
Q: What would you propose to maximize humanity's telescope capabilities with global budgets?
An array of telescopes on the far side of the Moon, spanning all electromagnetic windows to avoid Earth's radio noise and clouds, enabling observations across the spectrum including gravitational waves and neutrinos that aren't strictly electromagnetic.
Exploring Hidden Dimensions with Brian Greene
Q: What is the current state of string theory, and why hasn't it made a testable prediction yet?
String theory has yielded deep theoretical insights and mathematics, notably in black holes and quantum gravity, but it has not yet produced a testable prediction at accessible energy scales, so its status is healthy but not conclusively proven.
Told You So! with Matt Kaplan
Q: When did science begin to tear free from religious or established authority, and what does that mean for modern science?
It started with figures like Galileo during the Renaissance, who used observation and reason to challenge accepted beliefs, establishing a model where evidence guides conclusions even when it clashes with authority.

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 StarTalk Radio

What is StarTalk Radio about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show blends science with pop culture and humor, featuring astrophysicists, researchers, and comedians who explain complex topics in accessible ways. Across episodes, listeners are treated to deep dives into physics, cosmology, AI, and space exploration, often tied to contemporary media, technology, and current events. The format typically balances rigorous science with entertaining banter, guest expertise, and relatable demonstrations, making high-level ideas approachable for curious non-specialists while still offering depth for seasoned enthusiasts. Noteworthy strengths include a strong host pair known for clear explanations and engaging banter, frequent expert guests from academia and industry, and a lively mix of sci‑fi references,... more

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How many listeners does StarTalk Radio get?

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How many subscribers and views does StarTalk Radio have?

To see how many followers or subscribers StarTalk Radio 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.

How many episodes of StarTalk Radio are there?

StarTalk Radio launched 17 years ago and published 1104 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 StarTalk Radio?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for StarTalk Radio?

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What guests have appeared on StarTalk Radio?

Recent guests on StarTalk Radio include:

1. Jaron Lanier
2. Conny Aerts
3. Kevin Espiritu
4. Paul McCurio
5. Jessica Knurick
6. Harold Connolly Jr.
7. Andy Weir
8. Matt Kaplan

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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