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The Rest Is Science

Goalhanger
Cancer Research
Cancer Research UK
Mathematics
Fluid Dynamics
Naked Mole Rats
Infinity
Curiosity
Goal Hanger
Crying
Psychology
Black Holes
Water
Emotional Tears
Magnetism
Chocolate
Animal Deception
Mechanical Pencils
Artificial Intelligence
Quantum Computing
Dark Matter

Join mathematician Professor Hannah Fry and science creator Michael Stevens (Vsauce) as they dig into the weird scientific questions that often go unexplored. Welcome to The Rest Is Science, a show that sits in the fascinating space between what we think we know, and what we actually know. Why do we assume we understand things like time, randomness, or even gravity? Once you start questioning thes... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes84Founded10 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhysicsMathematicsScience

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Artwork for The Rest Is Science

Latest Episodes

The mukbang phenomenon is comfort viewing for millions, yet for others the sound of chewing, slurping and everyday mouth noises is enough to trigger instant anger, disgust and distress. Why do the sounds soothe one person and enrage another?

In this... more

In this episode of Field Notes, Professor Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens (Vsauce) begin with a Persian word for a smell Hannah cannot detect on a freshly washed plate.

From the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis and Russian words for blue to emotions and identi... more

What is the fastest, cheapest and possibly worst way to get into space?

Could a nuclear explosion launch a manhole cover beyond the Earth’s atmosphere?

And could space elevators, skyhooks or launch loops one day replace rockets?

In this episode, P... more

Michael Stevens keeps a small museum of unusual timepieces on his desk: a clock that runs backwards, a watch built to be read in complete darkness, and one whose entire face simply says "now."

Each is a miniature experiment in the psychology of time... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Recent Guests

Steven Pete
Person with congenital insensitivity to pain; discussed by the hosts
Independent subject discussed in episode
Episode: Your Brain Invents Pain. Here's Why.
Gordon Carrera
National security journalist
The Rest Is Classified
Episode: "A Grim Enemy For Reasons We Do Not Yet Comprehend"
David McCloskey
Author and former CIA analyst
The Rest Is Classified
Episode: "A Grim Enemy For Reasons We Do Not Yet Comprehend"
Dominic Sanbrook
Rest Is History host and The Book Club organizer
Rest Is History
Episode: Introducing: The Book Club - Never Let Me Go

Hosts

Hannah Fry
Co-host and mathematician; frequent collaborator with Michael Stevens on science communication.
Michael Stevens
Co-host, science creator; founder of Vsauce; central figure in science communication.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 5.9k ratings
  • So interesting

    OKG!!! I listened to this for the first time and I could not stop listening! Please never stop making new content because it’s so educational and interesting! I love you guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Therestisscience#1 fan
    United States12 days ago
  • Love the Pod…Hate the Ads!

    Michael & Hannah bounce off one another really well and make learning weird stuff fun. It’s so good I haven’t missed a single pod but, my goodness, the frequency and length of the ads is extremely frustrating. The fact that every single ad is for Cancer Research just makes me mentally switch off if I can’t get to the skip button. If you’re going to run so many ads at least vary them a bit!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kezza1919
    United Kingdom12 days ago
  • One more little step

    A little note for the Goalhanger folks - you can have two women hosting a podcast if you’d like. You’ve clearly noticed that two men can do it, and you’ve now fully grasped that a man AND a woman can do it. One more step guys… just one more step.

    Along that vein - Hannah brilliant, as always.

    Don’t like the American bloke.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    lorcoops
    United Kingdom15 days ago
  • Enjoyable podcast

    A combination of fascinating insights, random options and 5 minute adverts 🤷‍♂️

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    JimmyTheWheels
    United Kingdom17 days ago
  • Fun

    I always leave better than I came and with fun topics to discuss with friends and family

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    .Naniso.
    United States18 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Some reviews note strong chemistry but occasional sarcasm or humor may not land for every listener.
A subset wishes for more guest variety or fewer sponsor reads.
Audience appreciates deep dives into underexplored science questions and real-world implications.
Listeners praise the accessible but rigorous explanations and the engaging chemistry between hosts.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Hannah Ranks Michael's Bizarre Watches
Q: Is mathematical ability mainly about number sense or self-belief?
While number sense helps, self-efficacy—belief in one's ability to do math—significantly influences performance, with cultural and educational contexts shaping how confident people feel about solving problems.
Hannah Ranks Michael's Bizarre Watches
Q: Why does the brain sometimes seem irrational if it is Bayesian?
Because humans are not perfect calculators; emotions and evolved instincts tilt how we weigh evidence, leading to decisions that seem irrational even though they follow Bayesian updating under noisy, real-world conditions.
Hannah Ranks Michael's Bizarre Watches
Q: What is Bayesian reasoning in simple terms?
Bayesian reasoning is updating your guess about what is true as you receive new evidence, starting from a prior belief and adjusting it with the likelihood of the new data. It never claims absolute certainty, only probabilistic updating.
Hannah Ranks Michael's Bizarre Watches
Q: How often do our emotions mess with Bayesian reasoning, and can we still reason well under strong feelings?
Emotions bias the weighting of new evidence against prior beliefs, but Bayesian thinking still operates by updating beliefs; the key is how much weight you give to new data versus existing beliefs, especially under fear, love, or anger.
Why Is It A Colour Wheel & Not A Line?
Q: How does space agencies such as NASA communicate with satellites, space probes and rovers in a way where they cannot be hacked?
Older probes were harder to hack due to distance and limited capabilities, but modern satellites use encryption and authentication; hacking has happened via IT network vectors, prompting stronger security measures, though complete immunity is unrealistic.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Rest Is Science

What is The Rest Is Science about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A science-focused show hosted by Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens explores curious, often overlooked questions at the intersection of physics, mathematics, and everyday life. Episodes blend accessible explanations of complex ideas with playful banter, real-world experiments, and thoughtful context about how science shapes our understanding of reality. Listeners can expect deep dives into topics like perception, energy storage, curiosity, and the social dynamics of science communication, all delivered with a mix of rigor, humor, and accessibility. The format often includes quick practical demonstrations, audience questions, and sponsor segments, making dense concepts feel tangible and relevant. Notably, the duo emphasizes the human side of sci... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Rest Is Science?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Rest Is Science:

1. The Rest Is Politics
2. The Rest Is Entertainment
3. The Rest Is Classified
4. More or Less
5. The Rest Is History

How many episodes of The Rest Is Science are there?

The Rest Is Science launched 10 months ago and published 84 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 Rest Is Science?

Recent guests on The Rest Is Science include:

1. Steven Pete
2. Gordon Carrera
3. David McCloskey
4. Dominic Sanbrook

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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