Instant Genius

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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.

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665 episodes
Updated Sunday

Episodes665

Newest first

May 17, 2021 · 29 min
Could 'counterfactuals' solve the biggest problems in physics?
Physicist Chiara Marletto, author of The Science of Can and Can't, explains what counterfactuals are and how they can show us the whole picture.
May 10, 2021 · 37 min
What happens to you after 40 days with no natural light?
Fifteen volunteers spent 40 days in a cave with no natural light or clocks. Most of them want to go back.
May 3, 2021 · 27 min
Why do humans make music?
Musicologist Michael Spitzer explains how humans evolved to make music and why it makes us want to dance.
Apr 26, 2021 · 27 min
The future of human flight, with real-life Iron Man Richard Browning
Browning invented the 'Jet Suit', which can fly one person through the air at speeds of 135km/h.
Apr 19, 2021 · 29 min
Why realistic humanoid robots need to learn to lip-sync
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.
Apr 12, 2021 · 1 hr 6 min
How to understand statistics in the news and when to trust them
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.
Apr 5, 2021 · 22 min
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.
Mar 29, 2021 · 44 min
The creator of Bellingcat on using the internet to investigate global affairs
Eliot Higgins tells the story of how a group of amateur hobbyists ended up taking on Russian spies.
Mar 22, 2021 · 44 min
Prof Avi Loeb on what 'Oumuamua tells us about the problem with modern physics
In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, astrophysicist Prof Avi Loeb explains why he thinks 'Oumuamua was of alien origin.
Mar 15, 2021 · 38 min
Meet the computer scientist teaching an AI to play Dungeons and Dragons
In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, we talk to Lara Martin about her research into teaching artificial intelligence to tell stories.
Mar 8, 2021 · 39 min
International Women’s Day: The forgotten female scientists of history
Science historians Anna Reser and Leila McNeill tell us about the women who engaged in science throughout history but don’t always get remembered.
Mar 1, 2021 · 28 min
How to maximise your motivation, according to a neuroscientist
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.
Feb 21, 2021 · 34 min
Inside the February issue with the BBC Science Focus team
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.
Feb 15, 2021 · 49 min
Mental health and your brain: What happens when it goes wrong
In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, Dean Burnett explains the neuroscience of mental health problems.
Feb 8, 2021 · 26 min
Why rewilding success stories make us hopeful for the future
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.
Feb 1, 2021 · 22 min
The psychology of the sea shanty: Why work songs are such earworms
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.
Jan 25, 2021 · 30 min
Team talk: Beating pandemic burnout, the seasons of you and a daring giraffe rescue
The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine discuss what's inside the January 2021 issue.
Jan 18, 2021 · 48 min
Why you can’t multitask (and why that’s a good thing)
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.
Jan 11, 2021 · 37 min
How virtual reality is helping patients with phobias, anxiety disorders and more
Professor Daniel Freeman explains how VR can be used to treat a variety of mental health problems.
Jan 4, 2021 · 47 min
How a scientist used viruses to save her husband’s life from a superbug
We talk to Professor Steffanie Strathdee, an AIDS researcher who saved her husband's life with a forgotten, hundred-year-old cure.