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Artwork for The Shape of the World

The Shape of the World

Shape of the World Studios
Cities
Nature
Primatology
Nighthawk
Geology
Earth As Living Entity
Deep Time
Empathy
Humor
Salt Lake City
Feminism
Chicago Nighthawk Project
Urban Ecology
London
Timefulness
Rats
Neuroscience
Daylighting
Swimmable Cities
Thames

A Podcast About Cities, Nature and People

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes50Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Natural SciencesNatureScience

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Artwork for The Shape of the World

Latest Episodes

This episode was originally published in 2021, but we're bringing it back because the questions landscape architect Sarah Cowles asks—about which kinds of nature get space in our cities—feel particularly urgent right now. As debates over land, develo... more

As the founder and principal at site design group ltd., a Chicago-based urban design and landscape architecture firm, Ernest (“Ernie”) Wong has spent over three decades transforming overlooked spaces into places where people can gather, play, rest, w... more

Ornithologist Doug Stotz is a key player in the Field Museum of Natural History’s strenuous effort to safeguard threatened landscapes, galvanize community stewards, and advance action-oriented science research. Doug’s long tenure at the museum is on ... more

Each of the largest cities on Earth plays host to hundreds of thousands of dogs. Many megalopolises contain millions of dogs within their municipal borders. Whether those dogs are privately owned (and perhaps pampered in chic apartments), community-o... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Chris Rommer-Lee
Architect based in London; co-founder of Swim Ball Cities and Future Lidos; swimming consultant
Swim Ball Cities, Future Lidos
Episode: Back in the Swim of Things (Ep. 44)
Edward Warden
President of Chicago Ornithological Society and co-founder of the Chicago Nighthawk Project; works at The Nature Conservancy
Chicago Ornithological Society; The Nature Conservancy
Episode: Nighthawk: The Voice of Twilight (Ep. 43)
Samara Greenwood
PhD candidate in History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
Episode: How to Make a Myth, and Then Debunk It (Ep. 42)
Ronnie Pessetto
Executive Director of Seven Canyons Trust
Seven Canyons Trust
Episode: Where Did All the Rivers Go? (Ep. 41)
Sophie Lucido Johnson
Author of Kin, The Future of Family; cartoonist for The New Yorker
The New Yorker; School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Episode: Friendship, Bushtits, and the Vastness of Everything (Ep. 40)
Peggy Mason
Professor of neurobiology at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
Episode: The Warm Glow of Helping (Update)
Marcia Bjornerud
Professor of geosciences and environmental studies; author
Lawrence University
Episode: How Thinking Like a Geologist Can Change the World (Update)
Ferris Jabr
Contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine and author of Becoming Earth
New York Times Magazine; Author, Becoming Earth
Episode: Is the Earth Alive?

Host

Jill Riddell
Host of The Shape of the World. Associated with the Office of Modern Composition in various episode contexts.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 69 ratings
  • Insightful

    Jill always takes her interviews in interesting directions that end with insightful little tidbits that can be translated to how we view the world. I always find myself thinking about the episodes months after. Plus it’s very soothing

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JackieDayBrown
    United Statesa month ago
  • Welcome Back!

    I’m so excited your podcast is back. Today I learned about lichens, and how their symbiosis represents the connectivity that our current world needs. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @lotsalawley
    United Statesa year ago
  • 11/10

    Wow. I don’t often leave podcast reviews, but this one simply never misses. Every episode draws out a new piece of joy, wonder, and intrigue from the world. It’s endlessly engaging, subtly witty, and impeccably produced. Often times, it feels like I’m right there in the room with Jill and her guest, being ushered gently through a conversation that leaves me with a still, happy heart. I’m not a scientist by trade, and this podcast makes the whole field feel far more accessible and relevant to me.... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emma RMS
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great Podcast

    Concise and makes me think!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Maru💛🌿
    United States6 years ago
  • Unique Aproach!

    I am not usually one to seek out environment based podcasts and I throughly enjoyed this! The topics are interesting and avoids the drone of some educational podcasts! I was today years old when I found out I have been wrongly referring to multiple octopus as octopi.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MFELAU
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The show's production quality and guest variety are repeatedly highlighted as strengths.
Listeners praise accessible science storytelling and the host's thoughtful interviewing.”
Audience feedback often notes the relevance of episodes to urban life and climate action.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Friendship, Bushtits, and the Vastness of Everything (Ep. 40)
Q: How do you view the role of humor in discussing serious topics like the environment and mortality?
Humor provides a way to engage with heavy subjects without being overwhelmed; it helps people connect, share, and keep going through tough times by making the conversation feel safe and human.
Friendship, Bushtits, and the Vastness of Everything (Ep. 40)
Q: What was it like the first time your cartoon was accepted by The New Yorker, and how did that feeling shape your work?
The moment was euphoric and uniquely joyful, especially during the pandemic; it reinforced how meaningful it is to create and be recognized, fueling continued collaboration and laughter with a writing partner.
Friendship, Bushtits, and the Vastness of Everything (Ep. 40)
Q: Are cartoonists among the coolest professions in the world, and why do you love it?
Yes, because humor helps reveal deeper truths and connects people; it's a joyful, collaborative craft that creates shared moments of understanding.
How to Make a Myth, and Then Debunk It (Ep. 42)
Q: Samara, is it possible that those women critiquing primatology at that time might turn out in the future to actually be wrong?
Samara emphasizes that feminist critiques opened up the field to more complex, inclusive data, while acknowledging that scientific claims can be revised, but their core contribution was revealing hidden biases and broadening the evidence base.
How to Make a Myth, and Then Debunk It (Ep. 42)
Q: Tell us about second wave feminism and the women who began writing a history of that science and a critique of that science of primatology.
The discussion outlines how second wave feminism in the 1960s–70s questioned deep assumptions about women's roles, leading scientists like Sally Slocum to challenge the hunter/military models and to emphasize female agency in primatology.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Shape of the World

What is The Shape of the World about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, science-curious program exploring how cities shape nature and how nature, in turn, reshapes urban life. Episodes center on practical, place-based themes like transforming waterways into public spaces, daylighting rivers, urban wildlife, and the social dynamics of science and storytelling. Guests range from architects and urban planners to geologists, ecologists, and neuroscientists, offering grounded perspectives on policy, design, and everyday sustainability. The show stands out for its human-centered approach, clear hosts, and ability to translate complex science into accessible narratives that connect people with their environments—often tying in real-world projects and community impact.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Shape of the World?

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How many listeners does The Shape of the World get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Shape of the World?

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How many subscribers and views does The Shape of the World have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Shape of the World 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 Shape of the World?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Shape of the World:

1. The Daily
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Modern Love
4. Hidden Brain
5. Up First from NPR

How many episodes of The Shape of the World are there?

The Shape of the World launched 8 years ago and published 50 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 Shape of the World?

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 Shape of the World?

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What guests have appeared on The Shape of the World?

Recent guests on The Shape of the World include:

1. Chris Rommer-Lee
2. Edward Warden
3. Samara Greenwood
4. Ronnie Pessetto
5. Sophie Lucido Johnson
6. Peggy Mason
7. Marcia Bjornerud
8. Ferris Jabr

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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