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
476
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
477
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
478
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
479
Team talk: Beating pandemic burnout, the season...
The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine discuss what's inside the January 2021 issue.
27 min
480
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
481
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
482
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
483
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
484
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
485
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
486
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
487
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
488
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
489
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
490
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
491
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
492
Exploring the deep sea - Everything you ever wa...
Marine biologist Dr Jon Copley tells us about the weird and wonderful life that lives far below the waves, and what it's like to explore in a submarine.
26 min
493
Deep sea habitats - Everything you ever wanted ...
Marine biologist Dr Jon Copley tells us about the weird and wonderful life that lives far below the waves, and what it's like to explore in a submarine.
32 min
494
Deep sea creatures - Everything you ever wanted...
Marine biologist Dr Jon Copley tells us about the weird and wonderful life that lives far below the waves, and what it's like to explore in a submarine.
39 min
495
The Science Focus team: What's inside November'...
The team behind BBC Science Focus magazine discuss food myths, algorithms, hybrid cars and nudibranchs as we dive into the November issue.
43 min
496
Prof Linda Scott: Why is there still economic i...
Economist Prof Linda Scott talks about her work in women's economics and explains her idea for an '80 per cent Christmas' to close the gender pay gap.
40 min
497
Everything you ever wanted to know about… cance...
Dr Kat Arney explains exactly what cancer is, what causes it and the exciting future of treatment.
42 min
498
Hugo Zeberg: How could Neanderthal genes affect...
We talk to assistant professor Hugo Zeberg about his research into whether people with Neanderthal genes are more severely affected by COVID-19.
13 min
499
Matt Parker, Helen Arney and Steve Mould: What ...
We speak to the ‘three spoken nerds’ about science comedy, the incredible facts of ice, and their new Podcast of Unnecessary Detail.
51 min
500
Merlin Sheldrake: How have fungi shaped the world?
Our lives have always been entangled with fungi, says biologist Merlin Sheldrake, and the future of this relationship is full of possibility.
38 min