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
The science of ageing, with Dr Andrew Steele
Dr Andrew Steele, computational biologist and author of Ageless, explains what happens in our bodies as we get older, and why some species don’t seem to age at all.
24 min
377
The James Webb Space Telescope, with Stuart Clark
Astronomer and science journalist Stuart Clark tells us everything we need to know about the most important, high-risk space mission of the decade.
27 min
378
Algae, with Ruth Kassinger
Science writer Ruth Kassinger, author of Bloom: From Food to Fuel, The Epic Story of How Algae Can Save Our World, tells us everything we need to know about this bizarre organism, from the animal that grows algae in its fur to why we should be inc...
24 min
379
Consciousness and comas, with Dr Adrian Owen
Cognitive neuroscientist Dr Adrian Owen explains how he’s been able to communicate with patients in vegetative states and comas, and what consciousness is like for a patient in this condition.
31 min
380
Eating for your brain, with Kimberley Wilson
Kimberley Wilson, a psychologist, nutrition expert and Great British Bake Off finalist, explains what we should eat to keep our brains healthy.
32 min
381
Gravity, with Marcus Chown
Science writer Marcus Chown tells us everything we need to know about gravity, from Isaac Newton’s apple falling from a tree to Einstein’s general relativity.
28 min
382
Brain myths with Dr Lisa Feldman-Barrett
Lisa debunks some common misconceptions about the brain and explains how our grey matter really works.
28 min
383
Dog behaviour, with Mat Ward
Mat Ward, author of What Dogs Want, debunks the myths of dog behaviour, and explains how to get your pup ready for your return to the office.
31 min
384
Health hacks, with Dr Michael Mosley
Dr Michael Mosley, host of the podcast Just One Thing, explains the simple lifestyle changes we can all make to improve our health and wellbeing.
30 min
385
UK wildlife, with Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin
The presenters of Autumnwatch and Chris and Meg's Wild Summer tell us about all the different types of wildlife you can see right here in the UK.
31 min
386
Psychology of evil, with Dr Julia Shaw
Criminal psychologist Dr Julia Shaw tells us how false memories can sway a trial and whether evil truly exists.Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius, dive deeper with Instant Genius Extra, where you’ll find longer, richer discussions a...
34 min
387
Mental Shortcuts, with Prof Marcus du Sautoy
Professor of mathematics Marcus du Sautoy reveals how thinking like a mathematician can help you make better decisions in all aspects of life.
33 min
388
Endangered foods, with Dan Saladino
Food journalist Dan Saladino tells us all about endangered foods, and what we could stand to lose if these foods disappear.
28 min
389
Poisons, with Dr Raychelle Burks
Chemist Dr Raychelle Burks tells us all about poisons, from how to tell what substance was used, to whether there are any poisons that are undetectable.
29 min
390
The nature of time, with Colin Stuart
Astronomy author and speaker Colin Stuart explains why time has an arrow, its intimate relationship with space, and why it's impossible to go back in time and kill Hitler.
27 min
391
CRISPR, with Prof Fyodor Urnov
Prof Fyodor Urnov tells us how CRISPR is already changing the lives of people with genetic disorders, and why it’s essential that gene editing therapies are accessible to all.
29 min
392
Science denial, with Lee McIntyre
Lee tells us about why science denial is on the rise, from flat-Earthers to anti-vaxxers, and where conspiracy theories come from in the first place.
30 min
393
The decline of the insects, with Prof Dave Goulson
Entomologist Dave Goulson is the author of Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse. He tells us how we can save the bugs and why they’re so important.
28 min
394
Migraines, with Dr Katy Munro
Headache specialist, author and podcast host Dr Katy Munro tells us what goes on in your body during a migraine.
29 min
395
Procrastination, with Dr Fuschia Sirios
Dr Fuschia Sirios, well-being researcher from The University of Sheffield, unpacks the psychology of procrastination – from why we do it, to how to stop.
23 min
396
Childhood, with Dr Emma Byrne
Dr Emma Byrne, author of How to Build a Human, tells us about the hidden science of childhood.
21 min
397
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
398
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
399
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
400
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