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Unexpected Elements

BBC World Service
Climate Change
COP28
Black Worms
Cricket World Cup
Indigenous Rights
Nature
Ecosystem Dynamics
Virtual Meetings
Tunneling
Red Sea
Neuralink
Random Acts Of Kindness Day
Australia
India
Quantum Tunneling
Coral Conservation
Science Diplomacy
Microbiome
Biodiversity
Ethics Of Mind Reading

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes293Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for Unexpected Elements

Latest Episodes

This week marks 200 years since the first steam train pulled passengers over 26 miles of north-east England’s countryside, and started a revolution. Jump on board for show filled with train tales.

We explore Mumbai’s lunch delivery system – train ba... more

For International Talk Like a Pirate Day on 19th September, we dig up a treasure chest full of pirate-inspired science.

First up, we peer down our microscopes at a bacterium that takes its inspiration from a pirate warship. Next, we turn our attenti... more

The inauguration of Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam has us looking at how we decide when, where, and even whether to build dams.

But humans aren’t the only ones building dams – Loren Taylor of the Beaver Institute joins us to talk all about natur... more

A dinosaur with metre-long spikes has been discovered. The species, Spicomellus afer, is from the Jurassic Period and is the oldest example of a group of animals called ankylosaurs.

The scientists behind the research have dubbed the new dinosaur th... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Loren Taylor
Ecologist with the Beaver Institute
Beaver Institute
Episode: Some dam awesome science
Dr. Edward Hurme
Researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour
Max Planck Institute
Episode: Where do beaches come from?
Dr. Ken Carter
Professor of Psychology at Emory University and author of the book Buzz! Inside the Minds of Thrillseekers, Daredevils and Adrenaline Junkies
Emory University
Episode: Mountains of overtourism
Professor James Cutler
Professor from the University of Michigan's Department of Aerospace Engineering
University of Michigan
Episode: Why do we follow trends?
Laura Michie
Restoration Programme Director at Mangrove Action Project
Mangrove Action Project
Episode: Floods, mangroves and rampaging tractors
Dr. Judith Akello
Principal Research Scientist at Kenya's Marine and Fisheries Research Institute
Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute
Episode: Floods, mangroves and rampaging tractors
Robert Rock
Landscape architect overseeing the wildlife crossing project in California.
Wallace-Annenberg Wildlife Crossing
Episode: Traffic science
Dr. Derek Fabel
Director of Research at the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
Episode: How dust affects the world
Professor Yousuke Kaifu
A Biological Anthropologist at the University of Tokyo who studies ancient human migration.
University of Tokyo
Episode: Cargo ships, chemical spills and caribou

Hosts

Marnie Chesterton
Host of Unexpected Elements, a science communicator with a background in journalism and broadcasting.
Caroline Steel
Host of Unexpected Elements and experienced in science communication, exploring connections between everyday life and scientific narratives.
Camilla Mota
Journalist with a focus on cultural and scientific topics, providing insights into the connections between society and science.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Pls do this

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hananatet 29
    Australia20 days 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 Kingdom2 months ago
  • Perfect!!

    Not to quick!!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Tobr13
    Italy7 months 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 Kingdom8 months ago
  • way too "funny"

    Too "entertaining", light banter, too chatty by far, the depth of a coffetable. Examples don't explain anything, they only illustrate what you still fail to explain in the first place.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    ndjuxhhehaijdbehbbxk
    Germany10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience feedback indicates a desire for even deeper dives into specific topics, suggesting that some find certain episodes too superficial.
The podcast is known for creating connections between science and everyday life, making it relatable and educational.
Some criticisms include concerns about the audio quality in certain episodes, indicating a desire for improved production values.
Listeners appreciate the engaging storytelling and the exploration of a wide range of scientific topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#143
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#52
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#154
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#79
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#220
Germany/Science
Apple Podcasts
#250
Italy/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Some dam awesome science
Q: How do you think you can hold your breath for?
The average person can hold their breath between 30 and 90 seconds, but a Croatian freediver set a record of 29 minutes and 3 seconds by breathing pure oxygen before the dive.
Punk rock science
Q: Why do some bees live longer than others?
Some bees, particularly winter bees which do not forage, live longer because they experience less stress than those who forage intensely in summer.
Punk rock science
Q: How do you create heavy metals?
Heavy metals can be created through rapid neutron capture processes in neutron stars or magnetars, especially during energetic flares.
Punk rock science
Q: What are heavy metals?
Heavy metals are elements heavier than iron, which require extreme and specialized environments for their production, typically from processes such as neutron capture in stars.
Mountains of overtourism
Q: What is thrill seeking and would you put people who want to climb Everest in the thrill seeking category?
Thrill seeking is defined as sensation seeking, where high sensation seekers pursue those sensations despite the risks. Climbers of Everest typically fall into this category due to their desire for adventure and acceptance of inherent dangers.

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?

Featuring an exploration of overlooked scientific narratives and engaging stories from around the globe, the content often intertwines various disciplines to deliver compelling insights. Topics cover everything from environmental issues, such as climate change and conservation, to psychological studies, the intricacies of human behavior, and even the science behind common trends and pop culture phenomena. The podcast is characterized by its willingness to challenge conventional narratives and inspire listeners to reconnect with the scientific aspects of the world and their everyday lives.

Where can I find podcast stats for Unexpected Elements?

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How many listeners does Unexpected Elements get?

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What are the audience demographics for Unexpected Elements?

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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. Science In Action
2. CrowdScience
3. BBC Inside Science
4. Discovery
5. The Naked Scientists Podcast

How many episodes of Unexpected Elements are there?

Unexpected Elements launched 12 years ago and published 293 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Unexpected Elements from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Unexpected Elements?

Recent guests on Unexpected Elements include:

1. Loren Taylor
2. Dr. Edward Hurme
3. Dr. Ken Carter
4. Professor James Cutler
5. Laura Michie
6. Dr. Judith Akello
7. Robert Rock
8. Dr. Derek Fabel

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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