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 | 449 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Science | |||
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Latest Episodes
Behind every voice you've come to love on this show is a life full of stories you've never heard. With our eighth anniversary just around the corner, we're doing something we've never done: each of us takes a turn in the guest's chair to answer all t... more
Listener Kevin Towers asks: what the if the internet made everyone use their real, traceable name? No usernames. No masks. No hiding behind a clever handle at 2am. In this universe, every comment you fire off comes permanently stapled to your actual ... more
What the if Lamarck was right? Stanford historian Jessica Riskin, author of "The Power of Life," is our guide into a universe where living things aren't passive passengers waiting for evolution to happen to them, but the active architects of their ow... more
What the if you were born on the Moon and Earth was the alien planet? Picking up from last month's cliffhanger, our travelers from the lunar surface finally touch down — and nothing about this place is what they expected. There's some physics, some b... 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 Kingdom9 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 Addict56 years agoPlumberDan
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #171 |  South Africa/Science |
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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?
This show blends science, thought experiments, and accessible storytelling to explore how scientific ideas could play out in imaginative scenarios. Episodes range from evolution, space biology, and physics to language, ecology, and technology, often inviting researchers or lecturers to ground playful hypotheticals in real science. A standout pattern is the lively banter between a documentary filmmaker host and a science historian/physicist co-host, plus a rotating roster of expert guests who illuminate complex topics with clarity and humor. The format and guest mix make it especially appealing to curious listeners who enjoy learning through creative “what if” experiments and real-world context, without sacrificing entertaining storytelling.... more
Where can I find podcast stats for What The If??
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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?
To see how many followers or subscribers What The If? 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 What The If??
These podcasts share a similar audience with What The If?:
1. This Week in Science – The Kickass Science Podcast
2. Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science
3. Escape Pod
4. Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe
5. The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week
How many episodes of What The If? are there?
What The If? launched 9 years ago and published 449 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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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for What The If??
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What guests have appeared on What The If??
Recent guests on What The If? include:
1. Kevin Towers
2. Jessica Riskin
3. Helina Alemayehu
4. Danny Bate
5. Ethan Rappaport
6. Gaby Paniccia
7. Matt Stanley
8. David Kaiser
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.