Whimsical Wavelengths - A Science Podcast
Canadian Volcanologist & Geophysicist: Jeffrey Mark Zurek, PhD, PGeo | Science CommunicatorWinner of the 2026 Science Podcast of the Year (American Writing Awards) and the 2026 PopCon Podcast Award for Science and Technology, Whimsical Wavelengths is an independent natural sciences and earth science podcast hosted by volcanologist Dr. Jeffrey Zurek, offering high-level science for the endlessly curious.
Eschewing bite-sized science for a deep, honest look at how research actually works,... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 57 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Earth SciencesNatural SciencesScience | |||
Listen to this Podcast
Latest Episodes
Nature has spent billions of years perfecting energy transfer using microscopic iron-sulfur clusters, invisible atomic engines driving cellular respiration, metabolism, and charge transfer across all kingdoms of life. Mimicking this biological effici... more
A landslide into an Alaskan fjord displaced enough water to trigger the second largest recorded tsunami with a run up of 481 meters up the opposite shore in August 2025. This time Dr. Jeffrey Zurek sits down with University of Calgary geoscientist Dr... more
In this episode of Whimsical Wavelengths, Dr. Jeffrey Zurek sits down with Dr. Katherine Borden, a professor at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, to explore the ancient and vital protein eIF4E (or 4E). Long misunderstood as a sim... more
Season 3 kicks off by flooding the auditory landscape with a deep dive into glacier outburst floods. This episode explores the Missoula Floods, the historical war of ideas between uniformitarianism and catastrophism, and the lonely scientific journey... more
Recent Guests
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Reviews
- Fun, Educational, and Covers Many Bases
Smart, genuinely fun science podcast hosted by Dr. Jeff Zurek. It goes beyond headlines and gets into peer-reviewed research and the people behind it - which is the part I like best. There's a good mix of interviews, science history, and a few genuinely bad dad jokes peppered in. If you like learning how science actually gets figured out by the people who do the figuring, without it feeling like a lecture, this one’s worth subscribing to.
Apple Podcasts5GummysMomma
United States9 months ago - Family-friendly, science storytelling
We initially checked out this podcast while looking for a new family podcast to listen to and spark discussion while in the car for long commutes and roadtrips. It does work great for that - especially the more “historical” episodes.
But my middle schooler found the episodes so engaging and accessible that he asked to listen in his free time instead of waiting for the next long car ride. Not exactly my goal, but you can’t complain about an educational show your tween actually wants to enjoy!
Apple Podcasts5MsContinentJumperUnited States9 months ago - So entertaining!
This is one of those podcasts that I am so grateful I stumbled across. It’s full of the things I’ve always wondered about broken down in a way I can understand them AND make me laugh at the same time I’m learning about them. You will not regret adding this show to your playlist!
Apple Podcasts5Lynny2525United States9 months ago - Whimsical Wavelengths is hands-down my favorite science podcast right now!
Dr. Jeffrey Zurek has the perfect balance of real, cutting-edge research (often with the actual scientists who wrote the papers) and hilarious dad jokes that had me laughing out loud while learning about everything from pterosaurs to ice cream chemistry. It’s smart, entertaining, and never feels stuffy. New episodes every two weeks are always worth the wait. Highly recommend for anyone curious about science!
Apple Podcasts5Kayla HeitzUnited States10 months ago - Jeff jeff jeff
My old friend (i meant his age :p ) one of the kindest souls I know is finally doing what he’s always dreamed of, what he’s always been so passionate about. Every part of this podcast feels alive: thoughtful, engaging, and rich with science, all wrapped in Jeff’s signature humour and contagious excitement. I couldn’t be prouder, and I couldn’t enjoy it more.
Apple Podcasts5never gonna use it
Canadaa year ago
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #219 | United States/Science/Earth Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #127 |  United Kingdom/Science/Earth Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #138 | Canada/Science/Earth Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #37 |  Italy/Science/Earth Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #132 |  Germany/Science/Earth Sciences |
Apple Podcasts | #18 |  Israel/Science/Earth Sciences |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Whimsical Wavelengths
What is Whimsical Wavelengths about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A deeply informed science show that centers on how science actually works, not just the results. Episodes explore a wide range of topics—from volcanology and geophysics to planetary science, climate phenomena, and the history and policy of science—with a focus on process, uncertainty, and the human aspects of research. Listeners get access to field experiences, expert guests, and thoughtful conversations that connect data, models, and real-world implications. The program often features guest researchers and practitioners who bring practical perspectives from academia, industry, and fieldwork, making complex topics approachable without sacrificing rigor. A standout angle is the emphasis on the messy realities of discovery—data limits, evolvi... more
Where can I find podcast stats for Whimsical Wavelengths?
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How many listeners does Whimsical Wavelengths get?
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What are the audience demographics for Whimsical Wavelengths?
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How many subscribers and views does Whimsical Wavelengths have?
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Which podcasts are similar to Whimsical Wavelengths?
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How many episodes of Whimsical Wavelengths are there?
Whimsical Wavelengths launched 2 years ago and published 57 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 Whimsical Wavelengths?
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What guests have appeared on Whimsical Wavelengths?
Recent guests on Whimsical Wavelengths include:
1. Gwendolyn Bailey
2. Dan Sugar
3. Dr. Katherine Borden
4. Abigail Thiel
5. Dr. Stuart Willis
6. Dr. Ina Ganguly
7. Dr. Chris Fisher
8. Thomas Karpiak
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.