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.
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Welcome to Instant Genius
The podcast that gives you the chance to be an expert in everything.
0 min
402
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
403
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
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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
405
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
406
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
407
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
408
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
409
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
410
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
411
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
412
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
413
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
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How to maximise your motivation, according to a...
In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, neuroscientist Dr Gabija Toleikyte explains where motivation comes from and how to make the most of it.
26 min
415
Inside the February issue with the BBC Science ...
The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine discuss artificial intelligence storytelling, a flying car airport and exciting new developments in the study of dark matter.
32 min
416
Mental health and your brain: What happens when...
In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, Dean Burnett explains the neuroscience of mental health problems.
46 min
417
Why rewilding success stories make us hopeful f...
Dr Andrea Perino tells us about the benefits of rewilding, whether it's acres of forest or just a tiny patch in your back garden.
24 min
418
The psychology of the sea shanty: Why work song...
The psychology of a great sea shanty, the psychology of a great sea shanty, the psychology of a great sea shanty, earl-y in the morning.
19 min
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Team talk: Beating pandemic burnout, the season...
The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine discuss what's inside the January 2021 issue.
27 min
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Why you can’t multitask (and why that’s a good ...
Our brain's ability to work towards a goal has enabled us to achieve many great things, but we aren't very good at doing things in tandem. We speak to neuroscientist Prof David Badre to find out why.
45 min
421
How virtual reality is helping patients with ph...
Professor Daniel Freeman explains how VR can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems.
34 min
422
How a scientist used viruses to save her husban...
We talk to Professor Steffanie Strathdee, an AIDS researcher who saved her husband's life with a forgotten, hundred-year-old cure.
45 min
423
Marcus Chown: Does the Big Bang really explain ...
Science writer Marcus Chown tells us about the Big Bang, dark matter, inflation, and what we still don't know about the formation of our Universe.
46 min
424
End of year roundup: The non-COVID science that...
The team discusses the bright spots in 2020, including our favourite scientific developments and the books and documentaries we've enjoyed.
42 min
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Prof John Drury: The psychology of lockdowns
Behavioural psychologist Prof John Drury tells us about why people respond to the restrictions differently and what the long-term effects lockdowns will be.
25 min