Instant Genius

Whether you’re curious about getting healthy, the Big Bang or the science of cooking, find out everything you need to know with Instant Genius. The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine talk to world-leading experts to bring you a bite-sized masterclass on a new subject each week.


New episodes are released every Monday and Friday and you can subscribe to Instant Genius on Apple Podcasts to access all new episodes ad-free and all old episodes of Instant Genius Extra.


Watch full episodes of Instant Genius on BBC Science Focus Magazine's YouTube channel.

Science
Technology
276
Life on Mars, with Lewis Dartnell
Lewis Dartnell, an astrobiologist and research scientist and the University of Westminster, explains what we might find in the search for life on Mars.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
31 min
277
What has caused the heatwave and drought, with ...
Prof Dann Mitchell, a climate scientist at the University of Bristol, reveals what has caused the current heatwave and drought, and what the future outlook could be.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
14 min
278
Drought, with Kevin Hiscock
Kevin Hiscock, a professor of environmental sciences at the University of East Anglia, unpacks the problems the UK is facing with drought and how to tackle them.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
28 min
279
Instant Genius Update
We are now giving you double Instant Genius each week! From Monday 8th August 2022 you'll get a new episode from us every Monday&nbsp;<strong>and</strong>&nbsp;Friday. For those subscribed&nbsp;via Apple Podcasts&nbsp;Subscription&nbsp;service you will now receive all new Instant Genius episodes completely ad free.<br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
0 min
280
Seashells with Dr Helen Scales
Marine biologist, broadcaster and author Dr Helen Scales tells us all about seashells, where to find them, and what they can reveal about their inhabitants.
27 min
281
Inside the mind of a bee, with Prof Lars Chittka
<p>How smart can an insect be? Lars Chittka, a professor of sensory and behavioural ecology and Queen Mary, University of London unpacks the incredible depth of intelligence exquisitely packed into the mind of a bee.</p><br><p>Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius, dive deeper with Instant Genius Extra, where you’ll find longer, richer discussions about the most exciting ideas in the world of science and technology. Only available on Apple Podcasts.</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
37 min
282
Deepfakes, with Sam Gregory
Technologist Sam Gregory explains what deepfakes are and why they have seen a sudden rise.
20 min
283
The evolution of human childhood, with Dr Brenn...
Anthropologist Brenna Hassett, author of Growing Up Human, explains why our super-long childhood is so weird compared to the rest of the animal kingdom.
26 min
284
The science of crabs, with Peter Davie
<p>Marine ecologist Peter Davie, author of Crabs: A Global Natural History, tells us about the biology and behaviour of these crustaceans.</p><br><p>Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius, dive deeper with Instant Genius Extra, where you’ll find longer, richer discussions about the most exciting ideas in the world of science and technology. Only available on Apple Podcasts.</p><br /><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
32 min
285
Meteorites, with Dr Tim Gregory
Cosmochemist Dr Tim Gregory tells about the exciting science of space rocks.
26 min
286
Animal senses, with Ed Yong
Science writer Ed Yong tells us about the staggering diversity of animal senses, from dogs’ powerful sense of smell to birds’ incredible colour vision.
25 min
287
Sloths, with Dr Rebecca Cliffe
Dr Rebecca Cliffe, founder and executive director of the Sloth Conservation Foundation, busts the myths around these loveable animals and explains just how bizarre their biology is.
31 min
288
Bitcoin, with Brett Scott
Brett Scott, author of Cloudmoney, explains how cryptocurrencies work, and why he believes Bitcoin will never be a true currency.
21 min
289
COVID numbers, with Professor Sir David Spiegel...
What story do the statistics tell about the pandemic? Sir David Spiegelhalter, the non-executive director the UK Statistics Authority, explores what lessons we’ve learned over the last two years.
24 min
290
The science of dreams, with Sidarta Ribeiro
Neuroscientist Sidarta Ribeiro speaks to us about what is going on in our brains when we dream.
29 min
291
The body clock, with Prof Russell Foster
Neuroscientist Prof Russell Foster explains how our circadian rhythms control functions throughout our entire bodies.
29 min
292
Dog intelligence, with Jules Howard
Zoologist Jules Howard, author of the new book Wonderdog, tells us how smart our pet pooches really are.
33 min
293
The first stars in the Universe, with Dr Emma C...
Physicist Dr Emma Chapman tells us everything we know – and everything we don’t – about the first stars to exist after the Big Bang.
23 min
294
Lichens, with Kerry Knudsen
Lichenologist Kerry Knudsen, from the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, tells us all about the biology of lichens.
22 min
295
The origins of religion, with Robin Dunbar
Robin Dunbar, a professor of evolutionary psychology, explains why spirituality and religion took root in early humans
34 min
296
Sound in the animal kingdom, with David George ...
Biologist David George Haskell, author of Sounds Wild and Broken, explains how and why the animal kingdom evolved to communicate by sound.
29 min
297
Corals, with Dr Jamie Craggs
Coral expert Dr Jamie Craggs tells us all about the biology of corals and reveals why they are so important for the planet.
19 min
298
Oral Health, with Dr Kami Hoss
Dentist Dr Kami Hoss explains how to take care of our teeth, debunking myths about plaque, cavities, fluoride and more.
34 min
299
The animal kingdom’s mathematicians, with Brian...
Brian Butterworth, author of Can Fish Count, explains how animals approach counting and mathematics, and how they are more like humans than you might expect.
20 min
300
Blood sugar and your health, with Jessie Inchauspé
Jessie Inchauspé, author of Glucose Revolution, explains how spikes in our blood sugar are affecting how well we function on a day-to-day basis, and even speeding up the ageing process.
20 min