Unexpected Elements
BBC World ServiceThe 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.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 337 | Founded | 13 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Science | |||
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Latest Episodes
75 years ago, Walt Disney's Alice in Wonderland hit our screens, welcoming us into a technicolour, topsy-turvy world of eccentric characters – including the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit and many more.
On Unexpe... more
If you were lucky enough to be at rapper Pitbull's recent concert in Hyde Park in London, you would have been greeted by a sea of bald caps. A Guiness World record-breaking sea of 22,141 bald caps. And, in honour of this incredible feat, the Unexpect... more
As the film adaptation of the Odyssey bursts onto screens around the world this week, here at Unexpected Elements we’re undertaking our own epic journey through science – all inspired by the ancient Greek epic.
First, we discover the tiny virus that... more
A mysterious vigilante in Mexico nicknamed “Batman” has inspired the Unexpected Elements team to investigate the science of superheroes.
First up, we explore whether a Batman’s presence can actually change human behaviour. One unusual psychology exp... more
Key Facts
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Reviews
Love! Great tangents.
Podcast Addict56 months agobluestemowner- Pls do this
Can you pls do a K-pop demon hunters episode ty
Apple Podcasts5Hananatet 29
Australiaa year 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 Podcasts2Tubbytum
United Kingdoma year ago - Perfect!!
Not to quick!!
Apple Podcasts4Tobr13
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 Podcasts2TubbytumUnited Kingdom2 years ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #186 |  United States/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #80 | United Kingdom/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #95 |  Canada/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #82 | Italy/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #153 | Australia/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #53 |  Ukraine/Science |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Unexpected Elements
What is Unexpected Elements about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A science-focused interview show that covers a wide array of topics from infectious disease naming and environmental monitoring to space, robotics, and animal biology. Episodes mix expert commentary, quirky case studies, and listener questions, with hosts guiding conversations across disciplines to reveal connections between science, society, and technology. Noteworthy strengths include a diverse guest slate, a cadence that balances rigorous explainers with accessible storytelling, and an openness to explore both cutting-edge research and historical context. Potential listeners who enjoy curious, globally sourced science stories and fresh perspectives on how science intersects everyday life are likely to find it engaging.
Where can I find podcast stats for Unexpected Elements?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Unexpected Elements. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Unexpected Elements and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does Unexpected Elements get?
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What are the audience demographics for Unexpected Elements?
Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Unexpected Elements, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.
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 Naked Scientists Podcast
5. Science Weekly
How many episodes of Unexpected Elements are there?
Unexpected Elements launched 13 years ago and published 337 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.
View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.
How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Unexpected Elements?
Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Unexpected Elements. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.
What guests have appeared on Unexpected Elements?
Recent guests on Unexpected Elements include:
1. Elizabeth MacDougall-Shackleton
2. Paulo Bittencourt
3. Steve Simpson
4. Rodrigo Medellín
5. Kelly Weinersmith
6. Paul Adepoju
7. Ekuleo Shalafiani
8. Candice Bailey
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.