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Unexpected Elements

BBC World Service
Climate Change
Artificial Intelligence
Traffic
Covid-19
Antarctica
Ants
Dog Aging Project
COP28
Hurricane Melissa
Neighbours
Malaria
Black Worms
Loneliness
Space Shuttle
Weather Forecasting
Plankton
Grief
Wildfires
Vaccines
Cricket World Cup

The news you know, the science you don’t. Unexpected Elements looks beyond everyday narratives to discover a goldmine of scientific stories and connections from around the globe. From Afronauts, to why we argue, to a deep dive on animal lifespans: see the world in a new way.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes326Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for Unexpected Elements

Latest Episodes

An outbreak of hantavirus on the MV Hondius cruise ship has us looking at the unexpected science around the disease. First up, why is this outbreak such an unusual occurrence?

Then, what's in a name? We look at how diseases are named, and why the s... more

Sir David Attenborough is arguably the world’s favourite broadcaster, and this week he’s blowing out the candles on his 100th birthday cake. Inspired by his significant birthday, we decided to uncover the biology behind centenarians. What are Sir Dav... more

The blockade on the strait of Hormuz has led to an unexpected consequence – condom prices are set to increase by up to 30 percent! This has us delving into all things contraception, starting with koala hormone implants, the lengthy process of providi... more

On 26th April 1986, Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine exploded, releasing vast amounts of radiation. Now, 40 years later, it remains the worst nuclear accident in history.

Using the Chernobyl anniversary as a starting point,... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

CrowdScience
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Recent Guests

John Amory
Professor of Medicine at UW Medical Centre in Seattle, expert on male contraception
University of Washington
Episode: The soaring price of condoms
Helen Anne Curry
Professor of the History of Technology, Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Tech
Episode: Chernobyl: 40 years later
Emmanuel Samani
Health and Science Journalist
Biomedic
Episode: Chernobyl: 40 years later
Lee Berger
Associate Professor at Melbourne Veterinary School
University of Melbourne
Episode: The ribbiting science of frogs
Ambroise Wonkam
Geneticist, Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: Is everyone accounted for?
Karen Lloyd
Microbial biogeochemist, author of Intraterrestrials
University of Southern California
Episode: Putting science on the map
Robin George Andrews
Science journalist and author of How to Kill an Asteroid
Book author, science journalist
Episode: A bumper edition
Alex Sinclair
Professor at University of Birmingham, Headache Services
University of Birmingham
Episode: A bumper edition
Nicole Ackersman
Researcher studying neurodegeneration in goats
Dr. Nicole Ackersman, neurodegeneration researcher
Episode: A bumper edition

Hosts

Marnie Chesterton
Host of Unexpected Elements, engaging with a variety of scientific and cultural topics.
Caroline Steel
Co-host and contributor to various discussions and insights on scientific topics.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Love! Great tangents.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    bluestemowner
    3 months ago
  • Pls do this

    Can you pls do a K-pop demon hunters episode ty

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hananatet 29
    Australia8 months ago
  • Woman hour

    This should be a good program but with.altered narrative, very female view. I think woman’s hour around science with hint of anti men.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Tubbytum
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Perfect!!

    Not to quick!!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Tobr13
    Italya year ago
  • Woman hour

    This should be a good program but as expected with. Most BBC let’s alter narrative, very female view. I think woman’s hour around science with hint of anti men

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Tubbytum
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the variety of topics and engaging presentation style, often highlighting the informative nature of the discussions.
Some feedback points towards the audio quality being inconsistent, which can detract from the listening experience.
There's a noted enjoyment of unique perspectives and connections drawn between science and everyday life, making it a recommended listen for those interested in educational content.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#83
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#38
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#65
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#45
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#150
Italy/Science
Apple Podcasts
#229
Germany/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The soaring price of condoms
Q: Can you give us, John, a potted history of attempts to make the male contraceptive?
Attempts began in the 1950s, but early compounds had significant side effects; after the female pill launched, research paused and then restarted in the 1980s with WHO-led efforts using testosterone, which faced regulatory and practical challenges, including injections and non-responders; more recent work focuses on gels and non-hormonal methods with ongoing phase studies and regulatory considerations.
Chernobyl: 40 years later
Q: Is glass a liquid?
The guest explains that glass is technically a liquid in terms of atomic structure, but in practice behaves as a solid because it does not flow under normal conditions; cooling from a molten state to a rigid form without crystallization is how it becomes solid.
The science of ageing
Q: What are blue zones, and how reliable is the data behind longevity claims?
The guest and hosts discuss the controversial data around blue zones, including cross-checking aging claims with birth records and demographic data, and the importance of robust methods.
The science of ageing
Q: Camilla, where would you like to go from our headline on aging?
She pivots to discussing brain aging and later introduces the blue zones, highlighting the complexity of longevity beyond simple diet and lifestyle claims.
A bumper edition
Q: Could the DART mission realistically defend us against a city-killer asteroid, and what are the time requirements?
Deflection works best with several years to plan; the smaller-scale test showed deflection through momentum transfer and rubble ejection, but for a real threat, long lead time is essential.

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 Unexpected Elements

What is Unexpected Elements about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A unique exploration of science in everyday life, this podcast dives into a variety of captivating topics that challenge conventional narratives. Listeners can expect engaging discussions on diverse subjects, from the complexities of animal lifespans to the intersection of culture and science seen in Afronauts. Noteworthy episodes tackle themes such as the psychology behind arguments and the scientific implications of societal issues. This approach not only informs but also invites listeners to view the world through a scientific lens, making it a thought-provoking experience.

Where can I find podcast stats for Unexpected Elements?

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How many listeners does Unexpected Elements get?

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How many subscribers and views does Unexpected Elements have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Unexpected Elements 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.

Which podcasts are similar to Unexpected Elements?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unexpected Elements:

1. CrowdScience
2. BBC Inside Science
3. Discovery
4. The Life Scientific
5. The Naked Scientists Podcast

How many episodes of Unexpected Elements are there?

Unexpected Elements launched 13 years ago and published 326 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 Unexpected Elements?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Unexpected Elements?

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What guests have appeared on Unexpected Elements?

Recent guests on Unexpected Elements include:

1. John Amory
2. Helen Anne Curry
3. Emmanuel Samani
4. Lee Berger
5. Ambroise Wonkam
6. Karen Lloyd
7. Robin George Andrews
8. Alex Sinclair

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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