
Learning about science is a life-long mission that doesnât have to stop when the school bell rings. Satisfy your curiosity about the worldâs most captivating scientific mysteriesâfrom outer space to your inner mindâwith great science podcasts.
Whether youâre a biology nerd, scatology (poop) obsessed, or an avid futurist, thereâs bound to be a good science podcast for you. Expand your knowledge about the science of music or discover the latest medical developments while listening to a range of experts. Hear from fellow science nerds like TVâs most beloved scientist, Bill Nye, and the seventh grade cult science podcaster, Tai Poole.
Weâve curated a list of the best science podcasts using recommendations from Podyssey's community of podcast lovers who also adore science as much as they do podcasts.
No matter what your current science knowledge is, youâll discover highly accessible and entertaining podcasts suitable for all ages and interests. And even if youâre already an expert in a particular field, youâll still find hilarious science stories and strange histories thatâll guarantee to have you wonder about the unfamiliar again.
Want to save this list to listen later? Weâve conveniently curated them all for you in this playlist:
1. Startalk Radio
Ever want to get lost in the stars and the deep space? This best physics podcast by astrophysicists and planetarium director, Neil deGrasse Tyson breaks down astronomical concepts in a hilarious and fun way. With the help of guests from the likes of Elon Musk, Anthony Bourdain, comedians, and scientific exports, his podcast explores all aspects of our vast universe.
Most Recommended Episode
Cosmic Queries: The Great American Eclipse
49:57 | Aug 18th, 2017
2 RECOMMENDATIONS
Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, and broadcast meteorologist Joe Rao are here with everything you need to know about the August 21st total solar eclipse, called âthe Great American Eclipse.â Keep look...Show More
2. Invisibilia
Invisibilia is a podcast that reveals the hidden forces influencing our behaviour. This is one of the best psychology podcasts that explores abstract themes like emotions, ideas, and beliefs. Itâs deeply engrossing nature will make you ponder lifeâs greatest questions and the undefined phenomena of the world.
Most Recommended Episode
52:13 | Apr 12th, 2019
18 RECOMMENDATIONS
Invisibilia is a show that runs on empathy. We believe in it. But are we right? In this episode, we'll let you decide. We tell the same story twice in order to examine the questions: who deserves our ...Show More
3. Ologies
Ologies breaks down the science behind biology, ecology, psychologyâand all the other ologies! Hear funny and obscure science stories that will make you want to break out your lab coat and science goggles. From scatology (the study of poop), psilocybin (magic mushrooms) to slug sex, itâs a hyper informative podcast that will get you nerding out for all things weird science! This best biology podcast will make you wish you learned this in high school biology class.
Most Recommended Episode
Awesomeology (GRATITUDE FOR LITTLE THINGS) with Neil Pasricha
1:26:23 | Nov 24th, 2020
6 RECOMMENDATIONS
Gratitude: whatâs the deal? Does it really make us happier? Even when the world seems terrible? Or is being appreciative a bunch of hokey flim-flam? Author Neil Pasricha started a blog of 1000 Awesome...Show More
4. Twenty Thousand Hertz
Interested in sound engineering? Check out Twenty Thousand hertzâa fascinating and technical top science podcast about the world's most recognizable and interesting sounds. Youâll learn everything from spooky sound design, plants making music to how Netflix created their iconic sound logo.
Most Recommended Episode
29:37 | Oct 21st, 2019
10 RECOMMENDATIONS
Singing with others is a powerful form of expression. That's why the composer Eric Whitacre started the Virtual Choir; an experiment that connects singers from every corner of the globe. In this episo...Show More
5. Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine
Sawbones is the best medical podcast that investigates medical history in a gross, funny, and educational way. If youâre looking to learn about medical practices, diseases, viruses and the COVID-19 pandemic, this medicine podcast will be your cure!
Most Recommended Episode
42:40 | Oct 25th, 2019
2 RECOMMENDATIONS
William Goldman wrote in The Princess Bride "True love is the best thing in the world, except for cough drops." This week on Sawbones, we ruin them. We're really sorry, Bill. Music: "Medicines" by The...Show More
6. Gastropod
What do you discover in the intersection of food science and history? Gastropod! This podcast fills you up with bite-sized food facts spanning topics from ancient feasts, farming in space and CRISPR (a technology that can be used to edit genes). This food science podcast will guarantee to make you one smart cookie.
Most Recommended Episode
Itâs Tea Time: Pirates, Polyphenols, and a Proper Cuppa
44:27 | Aug 1st, 2017
9 RECOMMENDATIONS
This week, Gastropod tells the story of two countries and their shared obsession with a plant:Â Camellia sinensis, otherwise known as the tea bush. The Chinese domesticated tea over thousands of years,...Show More
7. Science VS
From the award-winning Gimlet Media, Science Vs is hosted by the science journalist, Wendy Zuckerman. Her enthusiasm and smarts will inject you with a dose of science fun in your day. The rigorously fact-checked episodes sift through the actual science behind news-worthy topics, fads, and opinions from DNA kits and effects of 5G to probiotic foods and anti-vaxxers.
Most Recommended Episode
Magic Mushrooms: Trip Through the Science
38:12 | Dec 10th, 2020
4 RECOMMENDATIONS
Magic mushrooms have hit the headlines, with people saying that shrooms cured their depression and anxiety. But is this for real? How can taking a trip on psychedelics fix your brain? Today, magic mus...Show More
8. The Infinite Monkey Cage
The Infinite Monkey Theorem says a monkey can write a Shakespeare play if you give it a typewriter and enough time. But what if you put two scientists and a comedian in a cage for 45 minutes for a decade? Youâll get a funny science podcast called The Infinite Monkey Cage that will answer life's greatest mysteries like âAre humans still evolving?â and âWhat is life?â. If you enjoy a splash of British humor with your scientific mysteries, then this top science podcast from the BBC will be your cup of tea.
Most Recommended Episode
40:33 | May 25th, 2020
2 RECOMMENDATIONS
Brian Cox and Robin Ince are back for new series, for now at least, as they take an upbeat look at all the different ways our Universe might end. They are joined by legendary comedians Steve Martin an...Show More
9. Flash Forward
Flash forward to potential tomorrows with this top futurist podcast hosted by award-winning science journalist Rose Eveleth. This pod first helps you imagine what the future looks like with an immersive fictional sketch at the beginning of each episode. Then dive deep into forward-looking topics from sex robot warranties to fecal transplant black markets to the future of crime on the moon. Sounds ridiculous? Just listen to this podcast, because youâll find that the future is closer than you think.
Most Recommended Episode
Enter The Alternate Timeline (SEASON FINALE!)
1:01:18 | Jan 5th
3 RECOMMENDATIONS
Todayâs episode is the LAST OF THE SEASON! And we're getting weird. What if there wasn't just this one timeline, this one universe, but tons and tons of and tons of universes all around us all the tim...Show More
10. Science Rules! with Bill Nye
Bill Nye the Science Guy is backâthis time in your ears! TVâs favorite scientist is joined by different field experts and famous guests to answer questions from curious listeners. Get answers to burning everyday questions like "How often should I really be washing my pillowcase?â, find out how we can fix racism in science, and hear how supermodel Karlie Kloss is inspiring girls to code.
Most Recommended Episode
48:06 | Dec 31st, 2020
1 RECOMMENDATION
It turns out being happy, or becoming happier is possible with a bit of effort. Weâre joined by happiness expert and host of The Happiness Lab, Dr. Laurie Santos to talk about her research into human ...Show More
11. The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week
Straight from the editorial room of Popular Science magazine, their science editors get together to share the creepiest and weirdest things theyâve learned that week while writing their articles. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how science journalists do their work and what scientific curiosities are on the top of their minds.
Most Recommended Episode
The Beauty of Corpses, Zombie George Washington, Solar-Powered Telegraphs
39:54 | Aug 29th, 2018
1 RECOMMENDATION
The weirdest things we learned this week range from a plan to bring George Washington back from the dead to a solar storm that powered telegraphs with no batteries. Whose story will be voted "The Weir...Show More
12. The Episodic Table of Elements
If each element in the periodic table can tell its story, what would they say? Meet The Episodic Table of Elements where âhistory class visits the chemistry labâ. Each episode of this chemistry podcast is dedicated to tracing the history and stories of a different element on the periodic table. Find out how erbium makes the internet work and how cobalt in beers was making Canadian sick. Get ready for a 118-episode journey exploring the chemical building blocks of life.
Most Recommended Episode
25:01 | Dec 17th, 2018
1 RECOMMENDATION
Cobalt is a tricksy little element, which means the scientists who've dealt with it the most are some of the cleverest people to have ever walked the Earth.
13. Tai Asks Why
Tai Poole may be a mere 11 years old, but he asks and finds answers to life's biggest questions in his cult science podcast. Follow Tai as he speaks to experts and friends to get to the bottom of the science of questions like why some people fall in love and why others bully. Ponder the vast world through the curious mind of a child with this Webby award-winning family-friendly podcast.
Most Recommended Episode
21:42 | Oct 23rd, 2018
6 RECOMMENDATIONS
Love is weird. How can this thing take over your body and bend it to its will? Tai looks to science, philosophy and his mom for answers.
If youâre hungry for more scientific knowledge, check out these playlists curated by members of the Podyssey community: