The Joy of Why
Steven Strogatz, Janna Levin and Quanta Magazine“The Joy of Why” is a Quanta Magazine podcast about curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. The mathematician and author Steven Strogatz and the cosmologist and author Janna Levin take turns interviewing leading researchers about the great scientific and mathematical questions of our time. New episodes are released every other Wednesday.
Quanta Magazine is a Pulitzer Prize–winning, editorially ind... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 66 | Founded | 4 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Life SciencesScience | |||
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Latest Episodes
Birds are not merely descendants of dinosaurs — they are dinosaurs. For Yale evolutionary biologist and ornithologist Richard Prum, birds have been a lifelong passion and a window into some of evolution’s most intriguing mysteries.
In a wide-ranging... more
Every time data travels — from smartphones to the cloud, or across the vacuum of space — it relies on a silent but vigilant guardian in the form of error-correcting codes. These codes, baked into nearly every digital system, are designed to detect an... more
Most cosmologists agree that our universe had a beginning. But the finer details about the Big Bang remain a mystery. A history of everything would explain all, or so theoretical physicists hoped. In his final years, Stephen Hawking working with Thom... more
Climate models have changed the way we view the world. While effective, these models are imperfect, and scientists are constantly looking at ways to improve their accuracy and predictability.
MIT professor Elfatih Eltahir has spent decades developin... more
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- A real joy to listen to
I wait impatiently for every new episode, the hosts have such a good dynamic, the guests are incredible, the subject matters so interesting. Please keep giving us this amazing experience.
Apple Podcasts5khaliox
Switzerland2 months ago - Closed-minded co-host
This podcast has its moments, but it can hard to listen to, especially regarding the dynamics of the hosts.
Steve Strogatz will often interrupt the "why" questions of their guests of physics by unironically stating, "I don't think we're supposed to ask that question as scientists," or bemoan, "Where's the science in this?" anytime a "why question is brought up." Jana Levin will often try to talk him off the scientism ledge by gently suggesting that he may be missing the bigger picture.
Further... more
Apple Podcasts4Slater137
United States2 months ago - Wide-ranging *and* so interesting!!
I loved the previous podcast The Joy of X, and somehow missed this one. When I discovered it, I immediately subscribed, but saw that there were 63 episodes already. I thought, I might have to cut some out to get through this and catch up. I'm so glad I didn't!! I'm slowly make my way through and I have to say, each one is a gem: thorough, fascinating, with compelling guests, and all topics are discussed at a level so that most people with a little science background can appreciate them. I say th... more
Apple Podcasts5sparkymeb
Canada2 months ago - Great way to understand more about our reality.
I love how the topics are presented in order to grab the attention of anyone, regardless of their knowledge of physics or mathematics. The hosts, Janna and Steven do an amazing job of summarizing big concepts explained by the guests. I love everything I have learned by listening to this podcast and how it interconnects with the way I interact with nature and other people. I cannot say enough good things about out this podcast.
Apple Podcasts5Adrianlp5
Mexico2 months ago - Why did the Universe begging
Love the episodes - the ending of this episode reminded me of the Gödel IncompletenessTheorem - something like “in any sufficiently complex formal system, there will always be true statements that cannot be proven within that system itself”
Here, we’re hoping the observer writhing the system behave like an external observer which brings the correct conclusion. Which is, the observer from within is unable to even formulate any correct question based on the limitations of such observer.
Excelle... more
Apple Podcasts5WordPlayer500United States3 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #8 | United States/Science/Life Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #92 | United States/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #8 | Canada/Science/Life Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #15 |  United Kingdom/Science/Life Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #77 | Canada/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #168 | United Kingdom/Science |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Joy of Why
What is The Joy of Why about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Each episode engages listeners in the exploration of profound scientific and mathematical concepts, often featuring esteemed researchers who shed light on topics such as evolutionary biology, data integrity in technology, and the mysteries of the universe. The dialogue between the hosts and their guests is characterized by a blend of rigorous inquiry and accessible explanations, making complex ideas understandable to a broad audience. Notably, the podcast stands out for its invitation to examine 'why' certain phenomena occur, encouraging curiosity and deep thinking, while also showcasing the hosts' ability to articulate intricate ideas through compelling storytelling and humor. This unique focus on the 'why' behind scientific inquiry differ... more
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How many listeners does The Joy of Why get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Joy of Why?
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How many subscribers and views does The Joy of Why have?
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Which podcasts are similar to The Joy of Why?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Joy of Why:
1. The Quanta Podcast
2. Why This Universe?
3. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
4. Physics World Weekly Podcast
5. Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe
How many episodes of The Joy of Why are there?
The Joy of Why launched 4 years ago and published 66 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 The Joy of Why?
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What guests have appeared on The Joy of Why?
Recent guests on The Joy of Why include:
1. Rick Prum
2. Mary Wootters
3. Thomas Hertog
4. Elfatih Eltahir
5. Maria Chudnovsky
6. L. Mahadevan
7. Cumrun Vafa
8. Yang-Hui He
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.