What The If?
Philip Shane, Matt Stanley, Gabrielle PanicciaLearn how to think like EINSTEIN! Every week we learn science running imaginative thought experiments. Our brilliant guests are some of the world’s greatest science fiction writers, scientists & science communicators. Leap into a journey to answer the most fascinating question in the universe: What The IF?
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 441 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Science | |||
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Latest Episodes
In honor of the 25th anniversary of the MIR SPACE STATION's spectacular farewell reentry, we're featuring an encore of our August 11, 2023 episode about what happens when SPACE JUNK takes over the sky! --- Hey there, fellow Iffers! It's Philip here, ... more
What the if you could read minds — but only when someone's nearby? Congratulations, your subway commute just became a psychic nightmare. Babies would blast unfiltered emotional chaos straight into your skull, your dog would telepathically loop images... more
Right now, billions of particles are popping in and out of existence in your pocket. That's not a metaphor — that's quantum mechanics. Inspired by a YouTube video from Anton Petrov about virtual particles turning into real matter, this week's thought... more
What the if you got zapped by a shrink ray while walking past the physics department and your only hope of survival was convincing a colony of ants to take you in? Lycaenid butterfly caterpillars have been pulling this con for millions of years, hack... more
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Reviews
- Cheap and lazy
The use of AI generated slop for a podcast that evidently has the financial backing to pay artists is both insulting and genuinely just really cheap.
Do better. This stinks
Apple Podcasts1glytxh
United Kingdom6 months ago - Great show
I enjoy this show. There’s always something I learn when I listen to it.
Apple Podcasts5Reavis Creavis
United States5 years ago - Entertaining and educational!
This podcast is a fun way to explore alternate realities using scientific reasoning. I love how it opens the mind to new and intriguing scenarios. I can’t wait to listen to all the episodes! Great podcast! Thanks for putting this together!
Apple Podcasts5Flash-no-More
Canada5 years ago - Great fodder for the brain…
…when Philip Shane and Prof. Matt Stanley delve into one of their scientific / technological / cultural ”what the ifs”. The best that I know the responses from Matt Stanley are mainly improvised on the spot (which gave me a weird tangent, as the voice of Matt sounds very similar to the know-it-all droid C-53 from Mission-to-Zyxx, an equally improvised, albeit fully fictional, great podcast)
Apple Podcasts5MooseMeister
Germany5 years ago Super fun!
Podcast Addict55 years agoPlumberDan
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #167 |  South Africa/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #250 |  New Zealand/Science |
Talking Points
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Frequently Asked Questions About What The If?
What is What The If? about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Listeners typically encounter imaginative thought experiments that blend science with speculation, spanning physics, biology, space, and technology. Hosts guide conversations with guests who bring real-world expertise, grounding speculative scenarios in science while maintaining a playful, accessible tone. Episodes often mix rigorous explanations with humor, pop culture references, and audience-friendly takeaways, making complex ideas approachable for curious, educated listeners who enjoy thinking about “what if” from multiple angles. A notable strength is the ongoing collaboration between a documentary filmmaker and a science historian, plus recurring appearances by researchers and science communicators from top institutions, which helps k... more
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How many listeners does What The If? get?
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What are the audience demographics for What The If??
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How many subscribers and views does What The If? have?
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Which podcasts are similar to What The If??
These podcasts share a similar audience with What The If?:
1. Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science
2. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
3. StarTalk Radio
4. Space Nuts: Astronomy Insights & Cosmic Discoveries
5. Quirks and Quarks
How many episodes of What The If? are there?
What The If? launched 9 years ago and published 441 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 What The If??
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for What The If??
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What guests have appeared on What The If??
Recent guests on What The If? include:
1. Gaby Paniccia
2. Matt Stanley
3. David Kaiser
4. Dr. Kirby Runyon
5. Dr. Robin George Andrews
6. Ian Durham
7. Dr. Kiki
8. Chris Carberry
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.