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
526
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
527
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
528
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
529
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
530
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
531
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
532
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
533
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
534
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
535
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
536
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
537
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
538
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
539
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
540
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
541
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
542
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
543
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
544
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
545
Sue Black: What stories do our skeletons tell?
Professor Sue Black reveals how forensic anthropologists search for the criminal secrets that are etched on the bones of victims.
44 min
546
Professor Trevor Cox: Was Stonehenge an ancient...
Engineers have 3D-printed a scale model of Stone Henge in order to investigate the effect its structure would have had on conversations, rituals, and music.
29 min
547
Dr Julia Shaw: Why do we do bad things?
Criminal psychologist Dr Julia Shaw says we should ditch the idea of ‘evil’ and instead try to understand people who do bad things.
42 min
548
James Hamblin: Should we all stop showering?
Five years ago, Dr James Hamblin stopped showering. He says most ‘skincare’ might actually be harming us, and wants to challenge what it means to be clean.
36 min
549
Katie Mack: How will the Universe end?
Astrophysicist Dr Katie Mack explains five possible apocalypses, from the Universe gradually fading out to a ‘quantum bubble of death’.
40 min
550
Rana el Kaliouby: What if computers could read ...
Rana el Kaliouby believes that software needs to be able to detect our emotions and cognitive states. She explains how she’s teaching AI to do just that.
34 min