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The Life Scientific

BBC Radio 4
Forensic Science
DNA Profiling
Criminal Justice
Lord Mountbatten
Covid-19
Forensic Science Ireland
Theoretical Physics
Carbon Dioxide
Public Health
Food Security
Human Brain
Climate Change
Dinosaurs
Paleontology
Nuclear Energy
Astrophysics
Human Evolution
Healthcare
Population Ageing
Quantum Mechanics

Professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientists about their life and work, finding out what inspires and motivates them and asking what their discoveries might do for us in the future

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes344Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SciencePersonal JournalsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Life Scientific

Latest Episodes

In July 1545, King Henry VIII watched from Southsea Castle on England's south coast as his fleet sailed out to face the French - only to witness his prized warship, the Mary Rose, sink before his eyes.

Raised from the Solent in 1982, the ship is no... more

"My ideas are often labelled as impossible, or useless, or both. Usually when people say that I'm on the right track."

George Church is a geneticist, molecular engineer, and one of the pioneers of modern genomics. He's also someone who makes a habit... more

Movies might have us believe that bomb disposal comes down to cutting the right wire. In fact, explosive devices are complex and varied - and learning how to dispose of them safely involves intense training, as well as the ability to stay calm under ... more

Many people will be familiar with Parkinson’s disease: the progressive brain disorder that causes symptoms including tremors and slower movement, leading on to serious cognitive problems. You might not know that it’s the fastest-growing neurological ... more

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Recent Guests

Gareth Collett
Retired British Army Brigadier General and engineer specializing in bomb disposal.
University of Wales Trinity St David
Episode: Gareth Collett on a career in bomb disposal
Sonia Gandhi
Clinician scientist specializing in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's disease.
University College London and Francis Crick Institute
Episode: Sonia Gandhi on building model brains to tackle Parkinson’s disease
Mark O'Shea
A Professor of Herpetology and scientific associate in herpetology at the Natural History Museum.
University of Wolverhampton
Episode: Mark O'Shea on close encounters with venomous snakes
Pratibha Gai
Professor Emeritus of Chemistry at York University, pioneer in electron microscopy
York University
Episode: Dame Pratibha Gai on training atoms to do what we want
Claudia de Rham
Professor of Theoretical Physics at Imperial College London, focusing on massive gravity.
Imperial College London
Episode: Claudia de Rham on playing with gravity
Liz Morris
Glaciologist and emeritus associate at the University of Cambridge's Scott Polar Research Institute
University of Cambridge
Episode: Liz Morris on Antarctic adventures and the melting polar ice sheets
Brian Schmidt
Nobel Prize-winning astrophysicist and professor at Australian National University
Australian National University
Episode: Brian Schmidt on Nobel Prize-winning supernovae and the joys of making wine
Jacqueline McKinley
Principal osteoarchaeologist with Wessex Archaeology and expert in cremation and burial practices.
Wessex Archaeology
Episode: Jacqueline McKinley on unearthing bones and stories at Britain's ancient burial sites
Jonathan Shepherd
Emeritus Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Cardiff University and director of the Crime, Security and Intelligence Innovation Institute.
Cardiff University
Episode: Jonathan Shepherd on a career as a crime-fighting surgeon

Host

Jim Al-Khalili
Host of The Life Scientific, a physicist known for engaging interviews with leading scientists.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • Misinformation on climate

    05/12/2023: Sir Harry Bhadeshia on the choreography of metals: interesting and clearly an expert in his field, but why does he believe co2 is a pollutant when it’s vital for life! Also, taxing steel manufacture is madness and will deprive the developing countries, where Sir H comes from, from cheap steel to catch us up economically and reduce poverty/inequality!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Swiss-wilson
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Small is beautiful!

    Such a difficult subject to attempt to enlighten the listener. Great job

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    yamduck
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Not much science

    20 minute life story and only 6 minutes science :(

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    krikukac
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Love this pod

    An excellent podcast, especially (and at last) the interview with Anthony Fauci. The host, Jim Al-Khalili,is brilliant.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jjlm77
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Very good

    I love this podcast it’s so fun and interesting also all the experts are so fascinating.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    99bubble12
    United Kingdom7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Reviews highlight the engaging and respectful style of the host, which fosters a natural conversation.
Listeners appreciate the diverse range of guests and their fascinating personal stories in science.
Some critiques express that episodes can spend more time on personal narratives rather than scientific content, suggesting a desire for a balance between storytelling and detailed science discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#169
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#13
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#80
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#51
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#91
Italy/Science
Apple Podcasts
#135
France/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sonia Gandhi on building model brains to tackle Parkinson’s disease
Q: How does Sonia's research using stem cells advance our understanding of Parkinson's?
Sonia's research allows her to create models of human brain cells in a dish, which helps study the origins and development of Parkinson's disease at a cellular level.
Sonia Gandhi on building model brains to tackle Parkinson’s disease
Q: What are the common early symptoms of Parkinson's that people may experience?
People may experience a movement disorder, tremor, stiffness, and slowing of movements, along with symptoms like losing their sense of smell and depression before the movement disorder sets in.
Kevin Fong on medical planning for Mars and Earth-based emergencies
Q: What sort of facilities are there on a spaceship or on the International Space Station?
Your average London ambulance is far better equipped than the Space Station.
Kevin Fong on medical planning for Mars and Earth-based emergencies
Q: What are your tips for anyone planning on intergalactic travel?
Don't go, it's very dangerous and there's a significantly non-zero chance that you won't survive.
Dame Pratibha Gai on training atoms to do what we want
Q: Why is seeing the reaction in real time important?
It allows us to observe the changing catalysts to determine which are beneficial and which are detrimental to the reaction.

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 The Life Scientific

What is The Life Scientific about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Featuring conversations with leading scientists, this series offers a unique insight into their lives, motivations, and groundbreaking research. Guests range from esteemed Nobel laureates to lesser-known yet equally fascinating figures in the scientific community, all sharing compelling narratives that connect personal experiences with their scientific journeys. The host guides discussions that not only unravel the intricacies of various scientific fields—including physics, biology, and environmental science—but also highlight the human stories behind the discoveries, making complex topics accessible to a general audience. The focus on personal narratives intertwined with scientific inquiry sets it apart as a must-listen for anyone interest... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Life Scientific?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Life Scientific:

1. BBC Inside Science
2. Science In Action
3. More or Less
4. Curious Cases
5. Unexpected Elements

How many episodes of The Life Scientific are there?

The Life Scientific launched 14 years ago and published 344 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 The Life Scientific?

Recent guests on The Life Scientific include:

1. Gareth Collett
2. Sonia Gandhi
3. Mark O'Shea
4. Pratibha Gai
5. Claudia de Rham
6. Liz Morris
7. Brian Schmidt
8. Jacqueline McKinley

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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