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The Science Show

ABC Australia
Climate Change
Australia
Radio National
Education
Biodiversity
Nanotechnology
Ultrasound
Geology
The Bragg Prize
Sir Clarence Lovejoy
Henry Sutton
Australian Conservation Foundation
Human Nature
Amazon Rainforest
Bird Flu
Astronomy
Anglo-Australian Telescope
Social Media
Principia Mathematica
Mathematics

The Science Show gives Australians unique insights into the latest scientific research and debate, from the physics of cricket to prime ministerial biorhythms.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes396Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatural Sciences

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Artwork for The Science Show

Latest Episodes

When raised lead levels were noticed in Los Angeles last year, a chemist — who usually examines asteroids — quickly saw that the fires that ravaged the region in January 2025 were to blame.

Major international airports in the Middle East have been closed this week due to the war with Iran, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded. So, what happens after a major airspace closure?

How do pilots know where they should fly? And... more

Robyn Williams reports from the 2026 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Backyard sprinklers have transformed the Aussie urban landscape. But their path to domination of our suburbs was haphazard — and hinged on the inventions of several knockabout tinkerers. Meanwhile with a rapidly drying climate, we may need to re-cons... more

Key Facts

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

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Amy Briggs
The Science Unit's Amy Briggs
ABC
Episode: Lab Notes: Why air traffic won’t return to normal for months
Sadiq Parikh
CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
AAAS
Episode: How the US came close to losing half its science funding
Kirsten Bibbins Domingo
Editor-in-chief of JAMA and the JAMA Network; professor of epidemiology and biostatistics and medicine
JAMA
Episode: How the US came close to losing half its science funding
Ian Gilby
Professor, research scientist at Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Episode: How the US came close to losing half its science funding
Kat Hobbater
Professor, primatology at St. Andrews University
University of St Andrews
Episode: How the US came close to losing half its science funding
Roger Windhurst
Professor; discusses space telescopes and instrumentation
Episode: How the US came close to losing half its science funding
Jonas Zmidsinus
Professor; discusses detectors for astrophysics
Caltech
Episode: How the US came close to losing half its science funding
Dr. Laura Driessen
Astronomer from the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
Episode: Lab Notes: Why buying a star name is nonsense
Professor Adam Brum
From Griffith University, part of the team researching the cave's archaeological history.
Griffith University
Episode: Ancient humans lived in an Indonesian cave until Homo sapiens arrived

Hosts

Belinda Smith
Co-host with a background in science communication, frequently discussing current scientific research and insights.
Robyn Williams
Host with extensive experience in science journalism, well-known for engaging storytelling and in-depth interviews with scientific experts.
Jonathan Webb
Host known for his analytical approach to scientific discussions, bridging complex topics with audience-friendly perspectives.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Not just Australia’s treasure

    I live on the opposite side of the world (Pacific Northwest) and have been a faithful listener for more than 20 years. It certainly gives a little taste of life and science in Australia, but it’s important to note that science is absolutely first-rate. Belinda Smith has recently come on as co-host and is a very capable addition to Robyn’s formidable skill set.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Michael Carnes
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great show! And thanks!

    Ann makes learning fun. I’m a new immigrant (3 years now) and enjoy listening to the show. It’s informative with enough humour so you look forward to new episodes. Good on ya Doc!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mike_mcmullen
    Australia7 months ago
  • Wonderful

    The mixing of arts and politics only serves to underline the presenter’s skill and the central place science occupies in our broader world. Doesn’t treat you like an idiot. Wonderful broad science show with great pieces on wildlife, physics, and advances in medical technology. Outstanding presenter is one of the best interviewers on all radio.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DavidCecil
    Australiaa year ago
  • Congratulations Robin Williams and staff.

    Yesterday’s Science Show was even more brilliant than usual especially Prof Tom Griffiths. A million thanks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    POL!!!!
    Australia2 years ago
  • Amazing!

    The most in-depth, digestible, and compelling show I’ve found in a while. Such a valuable resource!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bennybobobo
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mixed opinions regarding the blend of science with arts and politics, with some finding it enriching and others preferring a stricter focus on hard science.
Many highlight the hosts' engaging presenting skills and the array of expert guests featured.
Listeners appreciate the show's deep dives into fascinating scientific topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Lab Notes: Why air traffic won’t return to normal for months
Q: What makes the network unable to absorb a sudden regional shutdown?
The global network operates near capacity under normal conditions, with limited spare capacity at major hubs; closures force reroutes that stress alternate routes and airports, creating bottlenecks and delays that propagate.
Lab Notes: Why air traffic won’t return to normal for months
Q: How do pilots navigate when a region's airspace is closed?
Pilots follow NOTAMs, use waypoints and radar to monitor weather and plan reroutes, and rely on air traffic control to coordinate with airports and airlines for safe landings and departures.
Lab Notes: Skincare, pregnancy and a minefield of mixed messages
Q: Is there any data on whether they're safe or whether they're at risk?
There is limited data on over-the-counter retinoids, but typically they are gentler and some studies show they do not lead to increased birth defects.
Lab Notes: Skincare, pregnancy and a minefield of mixed messages
Q: What does the evidence say about these different types and the risks?
Oral retinoids are not recommended due to proven birth defects, while the risks for topical retinoids are less clear, with some evidence suggesting safety.
Lab Notes: Skincare, pregnancy and a minefield of mixed messages
Q: What are these retinoids?
Retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that come in different forms and are known for their benefits in skincare.

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 The Science Show

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

Audiences can expect a stimulating exploration of a wide range of scientific topics, where expert guests share their insights on recent research and discoveries. From wildlife conservation strategies to the urban transformation surrounding electric vehicles, discussions often blend history, ethics, and environmental concerns with advancements in technology and science. The content not only emphasizes scientific findings but also encourages critical thinking about societal issues tied to these developments. With its unique format, it distinguishes itself through a blend of humor, storytelling, and informative analysis, making complex scientific concepts accessible to a general audience.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Science Show?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Science Show. 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 The Science Show and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Science Show get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Science Show, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Science Show?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Science Show, 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 The Science Show have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Science Show 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 The Science Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Science Show:

1. Health Report
2. What's That Rash?
3. Big Ideas
4. Science Friction
5. Rear Vision — How History Shaped Today

How many episodes of The Science Show are there?

The Science Show launched 21 years ago and published 396 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 The Science Show?

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 The Science Show?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Science Show 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 The Science Show?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Science Show. 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 The Science Show?

Recent guests on The Science Show include:

1. Amy Briggs
2. Sadiq Parikh
3. Kirsten Bibbins Domingo
4. Ian Gilby
5. Kat Hobbater
6. Roger Windhurst
7. Jonas Zmidsinus
8. Dr. Laura Driessen

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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