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 two bite-sized masterclasses 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.
Follow us on X: @SFIGPod
401
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
402
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
403
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
404
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
405
The body clock, with Prof Russell Foster
Neuroscientist Prof Russell Foster explains how our circadian rhythms control functions throughout our entire bodies.
29 min
406
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
407
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
408
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
409
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
410
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
411
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
412
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
413
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
414
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
415
The Neuroscience of Grief, with Mary-Frances O’...
Neuroscientist and psychologist Mary-Frances O’Connor explains the latest thinking on what happens to our brains when we experience grief and loss.
26 min
416
Hyenas with Prof Adam Hart
Prof Adam Hart explains why zoologists find Hyenas so fascinating, why they're so unlike other mammals and how having a few hyenas around isn't such a bad thing.
24 min
417
How biology got females wrong, with Lucy Cooke
Zoologist Lucy Cooke explains how biologists often overlook the female animal when it comes understanding the sexes in the natural world. She dispels some of the most stubborn myths that surround the female of the species and reveals what happened when...
28 min
418
Preparing for disaster, with Michał Zalewski
Computer security expert Michał Zalewski explains what disasters we should be preparing for, and what simple, straight-forward things we can do to have the biggest impact.
20 min
419
The metaverse, with Prof David Reid
Virtual reality expert Prof David Reid explains the metaverse – a new form of internet focused on interactivity that we could all be experiencing very soon.
18 min
420
Mindwandering, with Moshe Bar
Cognitive neuroscientist Moshe Bar explains what the brain does when it goes wandering and how you can use the act of mindwandering – or daydreaming as some might call it – to give your mood and creativity a boost.
37 min
421
Crows, rooks and ravens, with Dr Kaeli Swift
Ornithologist Dr Kaeli Swift tells us all about corvids, from their lifestyle and intelligence to how you can befriend a crow.
25 min
422
The science of Intimacy, with Dr Michelle Drouin
Psychologist Dr Michelle Drouin, author of Out of Touch: How to Survive an Intimacy Famine, explains why intimacy, both physical and emotional, is essential for our mental health.
35 min
423
Breathing, your hidden superpower, with James N...
Science journalist James Nestor explains why so many of us are breathing wrong, and why it matters.
29 min
424
The origin and evolution of mammals, with Dr El...
Palaeontologist Dr Elsa Panciroli takes us 300 million years back in time to an age long before the rise of the dinosaurs to chart the evolution of some of our most ancient ancestors.Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius, dive deeper w...
28 min
425
Gut health, with Dr Megan Rossi
Dietician and nutritionist Dr Megan Rossi explains why your gut health is important, and how you can improve it without cutting out your favourite foods.
23 min