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Artwork for Curious Cases

Curious Cases

BBC Radio 4
Tardigrades
Synesthesia
Radiation
Survival Mechanisms
Climate Change
Space Travel
Bubble Physics
Hygiene Practices
Five-Second Rule
Bacteria Transfer
Food Safety
Mirrors
Psychology
Lightning
Drought Resistance
Athletic Performance
Light Reflection
Online Dating
NASA
Music Perception

Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain tackle listeners' conundrums with the power of science!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes176Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for Curious Cases

Latest Episodes

One winter morning, listener Jane opened her curtains to find her car roof covered in breathtaking, fern-like frost so intricate it looked like a William Morris print. But how does something as ordinary as ice create patterns so beautifully complex? more

From pharaohs' tombs in Ancient Egypt and medieval currency, to priceless royal jewellery and Spandau Ballet songs - gold has been prized for millennia. But it's only really in the last century or so that we've started uncovering its usefulness in le... more

What exactly is 'phantom pain' and how does it work? Hannah and Dara investigate a medical phenomenon that's been known about for centuries but is often misunderstood; and involves masses of unanswered questions.

The condition 'phantom pain' is when... more

Tortoises have traditionally been the poster child for slowness. These ancient, armoured reptiles are solitary, territorial and all-too-often dismissed as dull.

In fact, tortoises have distinct personalities. They have changeable moods, can learn si... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dr. Thomas Whale
Physical chemist from the University of Leeds
University of Leeds
Episode: Frosty Fractals
Sarah Hart
Professor of mathematics at Birkbeck University
Birkbeck University
Episode: Frosty Fractals
Professor Christoph Salzmann
Professor of Physical and Materials Chemistry at UCL
University College London
Episode: Frosty Fractals
Graham Hutchings
Regis Professor of Chemistry at the University of Cardiff
University of Cardiff
Episode: Mining for Gold (GOLD!)
Frances Wall
Professor of Applied Mineralogy in the Camborne School of Mines at the University of Exeter
University of Exeter
Episode: Mining for Gold (GOLD!)
Tim Peake
British astronaut who flew to the space station in 2015 for six months.
Episode: Mining for Gold (GOLD!)
Tamar Makin
Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit
University of Cambridge
Episode: Phantom Pain
Lynn Williams
Upper limb amputee with personal experience of phantom limb pain
Episode: Phantom Pain
Carlos Roldan
Associate Professor in Pain Medicine
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Episode: Phantom Pain

Hosts

Hannah Fry
Co-host with a background in mathematics and science communication.
Dara Ó Briain
Co-host and comedian with a flair for science communication.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 7.7k ratings
  • Everyone should listen to this

    It’s seriously great (but where did Adam go no offence I liked him more)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Scientific Potato
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Kraw

    Kraw. Kraw Kraw caw (crackle) caw.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wtfsteve
    United States2 months ago
  • The BEST pod EVER! ⭐️❤️

    I listen to this whenever I possibly can and I love it!! So pleased there is a new series coming out!I’m so excited!! I think Dara is brilliant but one quick question, where did Adam go?! I didn’t get a goodbye! Thank you so much for all your wonderful podcasts!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SeaSurfSwim 🌊
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Indecipherable!

    I love Irish accents but this guy mumbles badly. The topic of viruses is fascinating but one female expert jabbered so fast it was impossible to understand! The American seemed to fade as if on a long distance phone line. The male expert was abrupt as if annoyed at being disturbed by idiots. Everyone interrupted the babble with laughter even though there was no joke. It was like an in crowd of brainy teens trying to impress each other and keep the dummies out!

    Some idiot is determined to updat... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JKneale
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Sorry to write this

    I loved this podcast along with Life Scientific and In Our Time. But as many have said, it is much less interesting now, seems dumbed down and the comedic elements add nothing as sound scripted and forced. Adam was the perfect host alongside Hannah, so why not at least replace him with another scientist? I only half listen now, and sorry it's not for me anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Rachmoonlanding
    United Kingdom3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The blend of humor with serious scientific inquiry is generally well-received, as it makes learning fun for a diverse audience.
Opinions are divided over changes in hosting, with some missing the original co-host while others appreciate the current dynamic.
Listeners appreciate the engaging way the hosts tackle complex scientific topics and the interactive nature of audience involvement.
Many express that the humor and lighthearted approach make the content more accessible and entertaining, enhancing their learning experience.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#103
United States/Science
Spotify
#14
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#224
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#4
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#43
Canada/Science
Spotify
#40
Australia/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Phantom Pain
Q: Is it common for patients with organ removal to experience phantom pain?
Phantom organ pain is less common than phantom limb pain but can happen, especially with organs that have a clear physical presence.
Phantom Pain
Q: What was the nature of the pain experienced by phantom limb patients?
The nature of the pain can be described as simultaneous crushing and burning, with some individuals also experiencing sudden spikes in pain intensity that can be debilitating.
Phantom Pain
Q: Can you explain just in a nutshell what we mean by phantom pain?
Phantom pain is the experience of pain coming from outside of your body after losing a limb or organ, where individuals can feel itchy, uncomfortable, or painful sensations from body parts that are no longer there.
Mysteries from the Final Frontier
Q: What sound do stars make?
Stars make sound waves that travel through them, detectable by astro-seismology, but those sound waves cannot travel through the vacuum of space to reach us directly.
Beam Me Up, Scotty!
Q: Is it the same Captain Kirk?
That's a deep philosophical question about identity, as it raises whether the new version retains the original's memories and experiences.

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 Curious Cases

What is Curious Cases about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast engages listeners with a blend of humor and science as hosts tackle a variety of listener inquiries that span intriguing scientific themes. Each episode typically combines expert insights with lighthearted storytelling, creating an accessible atmosphere for exploring complex questions. Listeners can expect to learn about everything from animal behavior and evolutionary biology to broader scientific concepts such as teleportation and climate impacts. Notably, the show has a unique format that invites audience participation, further enhancing the interactive experience while making science enjoyable for the curious and the informed alike.

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How many listeners does Curious Cases get?

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How many subscribers and views does Curious Cases have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Curious Cases?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Curious Cases:

1. The Infinite Monkey Cage
2. More or Less
3. Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
4. No Such Thing As A Fish
5. You're Dead to Me

How many episodes of Curious Cases are there?

Curious Cases launched 10 years ago and published 176 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 Curious Cases?

Recent guests on Curious Cases include:

1. Dr. Thomas Whale
2. Sarah Hart
3. Professor Christoph Salzmann
4. Graham Hutchings
5. Frances Wall
6. Tim Peake
7. Tamar Makin
8. Lynn Williams

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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