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.
376
Calories, with Dr Giles Yeo
Trust Me, I’m a Doctor’s Giles Yeo tells us about the history of calorie counting and whether there’s such thing as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ calories.
27 min
377
Sleep, with Dr Matthew Walker
Dr Matthew Walker, professor of neuroscience, tells us about how sleep evolved and what happens when we don’t get enough.
28 min
378
The science of pain, with Dr Monty Lyman
Dr Monty Lyman, author of The Painful Truth, tells us what pain really is, how the placebo effect works, and why our emotions have a huge effect on the pain we feel.
30 min
379
Forensic anthropology, with Prof Sue Black
Prof Sue Black explains the science behind identifying a body at a crime scene. Warning: Some listeners may find this episode uncomfortable.
32 min
380
Personality change, with Dr Christian Jarrett
Cognitive neuroscientist Dr Christian Jarrett tells us all about what forms personality traits – and the simple ways to change yours.
24 min
381
Hidden geometry, with Jordan Ellenberg
Mathematician Jordan Ellenberg tells us about his book, Shape, and why geometry is about so much more than triangles and circles.
30 min
382
The Neanderthals, with Dr Rebecca Wragg Sykes
Dr Rebecca Wragg Sykes tells us all about Neanderthals, and reveals how they continue to shape our view about deep human history.
36 min
383
The golden age of dinosaur discovery, with Prof...
Prof Steve Brusatte tells us how the latest findings in palaeontology have turned our picture of dinosaurs on its head.
34 min
384
The Big Bang, with Prof Jim Al-Khalili
Jim Al-Khalili, a theoretical physicist and Professor of Public Engagement in Science, tells us about the origins of the Universe.
16 min
385
Your brain chemistry and you, with Ginny Smith
Science journalist and presenter Ginny Smith tells us about the chemicals that run your brain.
32 min
386
The science of cooking, with Dr Stuart Farrimond
Food scientist, doctor and TV presenter Stuart Farrimond tells us about how you can use science to upgrade your cooking.
24 min
387
The end of the Universe, with Dr Katie Mack
Theoretical astrophysicist, author and one of Twitter’s most-followed scientists Dr Katie Mack tells us about the Universe's ultimate fate.
32 min
388
Welcome to Instant Genius
The podcast that gives you the chance to be an expert in everything.
0 min
389
How AI and androids could shape the music of th...
Prof Nick Bryan-Kinns discusses whether artificial intelligence is the new frontier for the music industry.
23 min
390
Could 'counterfactuals' solve the biggest probl...
Physicist Chiara Marletto, author of The Science of Can and Can't, explains what counterfactuals are and how they can show us the whole picture.
26 min
391
What happens to you after 40 days with no natur...
Fifteen volunteers spent 40 days in a cave with no natural light or clocks. Most of them want to go back.
34 min
392
Why do humans make music?
Musicologist Michael Spitzer explains how humans evolved to make music and why it makes us want to dance.
24 min
393
The future of human flight, with real-life Iron...
Browning invented the 'Jet Suit', which can fly one person through the air at speeds of 135km/h.
24 min
394
Why realistic humanoid robots need to learn to ...
Dr Carl Strathearn tells us about how to get robots out of the Uncanny Valley and why Data from Star Trek is an inspiration for his work.
27 min
395
How to understand statistics in the news and wh...
Tom Chivers and David Chivers, authors of How to Read Numbers, explain how to make sense of the stats you see in the news about health and risk.
63 min
396
The bizarre biology of the mantis shrimp
We speak to Dr Martin How about the mantis shrimp's unique vision, deadly weaponry and curious communication.
19 min
397
The creator of Bellingcat on using the internet...
Eliot Higgins tells the story of how a group of amateur hobbyists ended up taking on Russian spies.
41 min
398
Prof Avi Loeb on what 'Oumuamua tells us about ...
In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, astrophysicist Prof Avi Loeb explains why he thinks 'Oumuamua was of alien origin.
42 min
399
Meet the computer scientist teaching an AI to p...
In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, we talk to Lara Martin about her research into teaching artificial intelligence to tell stories.
35 min
400
International Women’s Day: The forgotten female...
Science historians Anna Reser and Leila McNeill tell us about the women who engaged in science throughout history but don’t always get remembered.
36 min