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
501
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
502
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
503
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
504
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
505
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
506
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
507
Team talk: Beating pandemic burnout, the season...
The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine discuss what's inside the January 2021 issue.
27 min
508
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
509
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
510
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
511
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
512
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
513
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
514
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
515
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
516
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
517
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
518
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
519
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
520
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
521
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
522
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
523
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
524
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
525
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