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

Nov 21, 2018 · 33 min
There is no Plan B for planet Earth – Lord Martin Rees
Astronomer Royal Lord Martin Rees explains how unless we make significant changes now, the prospects for the human species are beginning to look bleak.
Nov 14, 2018 · 27 min
What NASA’s InSight will tell us about Mars - Bruce Banerdt
By drilling into the surface of Mars, NASA’s InSight mission could help us discover more about the structure of the Red Planet, and maybe help us understand the formation of other planets.
Nov 7, 2018 · 22 min
The genetic hunt for the Loch Ness Monster - Neil Gemmell
Professor Neil Gemmell on his project to survey the genetic diversity of Loch Ness using cutting-edge environmental DNA techniques, and maybe find clues about the Loch Ness Monster.
Oct 31, 2018 · 43 min
Robin Ince: Inside the mind of a comedian
Comedians often take to the stage to talk about the quirks of the human race, and comedian Robin Ince has years of experience in that area. In his new book, he’s adding insights from neuroscientists and psychologists to talk about creativity, imaginati...
Oct 24, 2018 · 28 min
How to get a good night’s sleep - Alice Gregory
Sleep psychologist Prof Alice Gregory on the science behind a satisfying slumber
Oct 17, 2018 · 39 min
What makes a robot a robot? – Dr Lucy Rogers
This week we speak to Dr Lucy Rogers, who casts aside any Hollywood depictions of skull-crushing Terminators, and look at the real-life robots that are making a positive impact in our lives.
Oct 10, 2018 · 26 min
Finding the fun in science - Dara Ó Briain
Comedian Dara Ó Briain thinks the word nerd has been co-opted by too many people who don’t deserve it: Infinity Wars fans, for example. Studying maths and mathematical physics at university, he’s a true nerd, with a favourite science joke that backs th...
Oct 3, 2018 · 37 min
The psychology of suicide - Jesse Bering
Psychologist and science writer Jesse Bering explains the factors that lead someone to take their own life, and how we might be able to help those who are at risk.
Sep 26, 2018 · 38 min
What we got wrong about pandas and teenagers
Scientists Lucy Cooke and Sarah-Jayne Blakemore’s books have been shortlisted for the Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize. They tell us the unexpected truth about animals and the secret life of the teenage brain.
Sep 19, 2018 · 26 min
How to invent everything - Ryan North
How helpful would you be if you were stranded in the past? Ryan North imagined telling people how cool computers are, but if they asked him how to make one, he’d be stumped. So he did some research, and in his hilarious new book he’s teaching us how to...
Sep 12, 2018 · 45 min
Why aren't there more women in science?
Girls are not picking as many STEM A-levels as boys, while professional female scientists are dropping out of the field. Is it time for change? In this episode we talk to four women currently working in STEM about their experiences, the problems faced ...
Sep 5, 2018 · 29 min
Identifying Jack the Ripper - David Wilson
Five violent murders were committed by a man dubbed ‘Jack the Ripper’ between August and November 1888 in Whitechapel. Criminologist David Wilson and actor Emilia Fox, with the help of the country’s leading criminal investigators, apply the latest scie...
Aug 30, 2018 · 38 min
Why AI is not the enemy - Jim Al-Khalili
Jim Al-Khalili explains how artificial intelligence has changed the world, who benefits from it, and why we probably shouldn’t be afraid of it destroying humanity.
Aug 22, 2018 · 29 min
Could these gloves be the future of music?
Imogen Heap has pushed the creative boundaries in the creation of electronic music, but now she is using technology a different way that she hopes will create a fairer and more inclusive future for musicians. She talks to us about how blockchain could ...
Aug 16, 2018 · 18 min
What's going on with the weather? - Dann Mitchell
This summer has been one of the hottest on record, so we asked climate change researcher Dann Mitchell what has caused the summer heatwave, can we expect more, and is there anything we can do about it?
Aug 8, 2018 · 43 min
What asteroids can tell us about our Solar System
What asteroids can tell us about our Solar System
Aug 1, 2018 · 28 min
Wildfires: past, present and future
Geologist Prof Andrew Scott on our complex relationship with wildfires
Jul 25, 2018 · 51 min
Inequality in Science
Women are underrepresented in science, and some experts are asking whether there are biological reasons why. Meanwhile, racial studies are creeping back into mainstream science. We talk to Angela Saini about the science of gender and race, and about ho...
Jul 18, 2018 · 29 min
What’s the deal with algorithms?
Algorithms are everywhere. They can make our lives easier, by curating our Twitter feeds and Netflix suggestions. But they can also be bad. They lack empathy and we can become too reliant on their logical abilities, putting ourselves and others at risk...
Jul 11, 2018 · 44 min
Mike Garrett: Is there anybody out there?
There are 100 billion stars in our Galaxy – surely we can’t be the only intelligent lifeform out there? In this week’s Science Focus Podcast we speak to Mike Garrett, the Director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, about the search for extraterre...