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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
Nature

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes332Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for Unexpected Elements

Latest Episodes

This week South Korea announced they will be adjusting the Civilian Controlled Zone that borders the demilitarised area between North and South Korea. The reshuffle will allow thousands of civilians to be able to move with more freedoms, but for the ... more

The spiralling cost and short supply of microchips – something the tech journalists have dubbed ‘RAMageddon’ – has the Unexpected Elements team investigating all things chip-related.

We start things off by finding out about a mini cervix-on-a-chip ... more

As the Fifa Men’s World Cup kicks off this week in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, football fever is everywhere – and this has the Unexpected Elements team exploring all things football.

First, we discover how it took eight years and 170 expe... more

Long live the king – of mangoes! In India the famed ‘king of mangoes’, the Alphonso mango, is in drastically short supply after a particularly bad bout of adverse weather. Inspired by the mango’s plight, the Unexpected Elements team takes a look at w... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

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The Naked Scientists Podcast
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Recent Guests

John Rogers
Professor of Materials Science and Biomedical Engineering
Northwestern University
Episode: The beautiful game
Rowan Hooper
New Scientist podcast editor and author
New Scientist
Episode: The beautiful game
Annie Mercier
Dr. Annie Mercier from Memorial University of New Finland
Memorial University of New Finland
Episode: Science bears fruit
Dr. Gimo Daniel
Dung beetle researcher
National Institute of Coleoptera, Brazil
Episode: Celebrating science on Africa Day
Katie Silver
Science journalist
Mexico/Mexico City context given in show
Episode: Unexpected enhancements
David Putrino
Professor in Rehabilitation and Human Performance at Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai (Performance 360)
Episode: Unexpected enhancements
Erica Hartman
Molecular biologist at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Episode: Hantavirus outbreak and what’s in a name
Nadine Johnston
Marine ecologist
British Antarctic Survey
Episode: One hundred years of Sir David Attenborough
John Amory
Professor of Medicine at UW Medical Centre in Seattle, expert on male contraception
University of Washington
Episode: The soaring price of condoms

Hosts

Alex Lathbridge
Host of Unexpected Elements
Marnie Chesterton
Host of Unexpected Elements

Reviews

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

    Podcast Addict
    5
    bluestemowner
    5 months ago
  • Pls do this

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hananatet 29
    Australia10 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 Kingdoma year 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.

Some listeners want deeper fact-checking and less surface-level banter.
The show blends accessible science with broad topics and great guests.
Listeners appreciate the diverse range of subjects and expert insights.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#132
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#63
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#66
Canada/Science
Apple Podcasts
#38
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#201
Italy/Science
Apple Podcasts
#20
New Zealand/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The beautiful game
Q: Can you explain the eccrine vs apocrine sweat glands and why eccrine sweat is easier to work with for wearables?
Eccrine sweat glands are more widespread and produce a thinner, clearer sweat, making it easier to collect and analyze with wearable sensors; apocrine glands produce thicker, more chemically rich sweat and are mainly in armpits and genital areas, which makes sampling more challenging.
Hantavirus outbreak and what’s in a name
Q: Why do we name diseases after places or people, and what are the implications?
The guests explain that naming conventions have historically reflected prestige and curiosity but can stigmatize places or people; WHO guidelines favor neutral, descriptive terms to reduce harm while still enabling clear communication.
One hundred years of Sir David Attenborough
Q: Do you think there is a fixed speed of sight in humans or does it vary?
The speed of sight varies by individual and context, influenced by distance, scene complexity, lighting, fatigue, and even brain health; some animals have much faster processing, like peregrine falcons.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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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 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?

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How many listeners does Unexpected Elements get?

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How many subscribers and views does Unexpected Elements have?

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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 332 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?

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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 Rogers
2. Rowan Hooper
3. Annie Mercier
4. Dr. Gimo Daniel
5. Katie Silver
6. David Putrino
7. Erica Hartman
8. Nadine Johnston

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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