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.
451
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
452
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
453
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
454
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
455
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
456
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
457
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
458
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
459
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
460
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
461
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
462
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
463
Team talk: Beating pandemic burnout, the season...
The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine discuss what's inside the January 2021 issue.
27 min
464
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
465
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
466
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
467
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
468
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
469
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
470
Dr Pete Etchells: Do video games encourage gamb...
We talk to psychology professor Pete Etchells about whether certain game mechanics might be encouraging gambling behaviour away from the TV.
40 min
471
Christmas Lectures 2020: How can we look after ...
We talk to Chris Jackson, Helen Czerski and Tara Shine about the fossil record, oceans and carbon emissions.
33 min
472
Inside the December issue with the BBC Science ...
The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine discuss aliens, parasite-inspired medicine and an exciting new competition.
32 min
473
Genes and heredity - Everything you ever wanted...
For part two of our biology podcast series, Sir Paul Nurse talks genes, heredity, evolution and Erasmus Darwin.
20 min
474
Cells - Everything you ever wanted to know abou...
Geneticist Sir Paul Nurse explains why cells are the building blocks of life on Earth in part one of our biology podcast series.
21 min
475
Dr Douglas Vakoch: Should we try to contact ali...
Dr Douglas Vakoch, President of Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence, talks about how and why we should signal our existence to alien civilisations.
27 min