Physics World Stories Podcast

Physics World

Physics is full of captivating stories, from ongoing endeavours to explain the cosmos to ingenious innovations that shape the world around us. In the Physics World Stories podcast, Andrew Glester talks to the people behind some of the most intriguing and inspiring scientific stories. Listen to the podcast to hear from a diverse mix of scientists, engineers, artists and other commentators. Find out more about the stories in this podcast by visiting the Physics World website. If you enjoy what you hear, then also check out the Physics World Weekly podcast, a science-news podcast presented by our award-winning science journalists.

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20 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes20

Newest first

Friday · 37 min
From pit stop to plant food: how Grand Prix crowd’s urine becomes fertilizer
Discover how a circular, science-backed solution is turning human waste into a sustainable resource – one loo at a time
June 26 · 1 hr 7 min
Beyond the data: art meets climate at the edge of the world
Arctic odysseys, video games and other creative ways to confront the climate emergency
May 22 · 1 hr 7 min
Back to the Moon: inside the Artemis II mission
Exploring the first crewed Artemis mission, the future of lunar exploration and how spaceflight could help inspire greener technologies on Earth
April 29 · 31 min
Oppenheimer unfiltered: rare recordings released to the public
Newly released audio interviews reveal a personal, reflective side of Robert Oppenheimer
March 31 · 1 hr 6 min
Exploring the astrophysics behind Project Hail Mary
Author Andy Weir and astrophysicist Becky Smethurst unpack the physics in the new Hollywood space epic
February 27 · 53 min
Chernobyl at 40: physics, politics and the nuclear debate today
Jim Smith reflects on the 1986 disaster and how it still shapes public perception of nuclear power
January 23 · 51 min
Cosmic time capsules: the search for pristine comets
Ancient icy wanderers like comet 3I/ATLAS, spotted in July 2025, can reveal secrets of our cosmic origins
Dec 17, 2025 · 48 min
Forging a more inclusive new generation of physicists
Learn about CUWiP+, a special event to build connection and confidence among women and non-binary students
Nov 19, 2025 · 39 min
Quantum 2.0: Paul Davies on the next revolution in physics
Peering into a near future where quantum science blends with AI. What are the implications for science, society and the arts?
Oct 27, 2025 · 45 min
Queer Quest: a quantum-inspired journey of self-discovery
Exploring how quantum ideas can inspire liberation, identity and community
Sep 23, 2025 · 30 min
Training for the stars: Rosemary Coogan on becoming an astronaut
Inside the training, science and imagination that inspire ESA’s new generation of astronauts
Aug 19, 2025 · 51 min
Overlooked pioneers from quantum history
This episode of Physics World Stories explores a new book that restores women to the early history of quantum mechanics
Jul 23, 2025 · 56 min
Entangled expressions: where quantum science and art come together
A journey into the artist-in-residence programme at the Yale Quantum Institute
Jun 24, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Painting the unseen: visualizing the quantum world
From swirling oil paints to the grin of a Cheshire cat, this Physics World Stories episode brings quantum science to life
May 27, 2025 · 47 min
The Physics Chanteuse: when science hits a high note
Songs, science and satire collide in this month’s Physics World Stories podcast with Lynda Williams
Apr 30, 2025 · 52 min
Alternate quantum realities: what if Heisenberg stayed at home?
Kevlin Henney discusses his new quantum-themed flash fiction and the power of short stories
Mar 24, 2025 · 1 hr 3 min
AI and the future of physics
How artificial intelligence is accelerating discoveries – and raising profound questions – about the future of physics
Feb 17, 2025 · 52 min
Threads of fire: uncovering volcanic secrets with Pele’s hair and tears
Hear from volcanologists about these stunning geological phenomena and the thrill of working in volcanic landscapes
Jan 24, 2025 · 57 min
Helgoland: leading physicists to gather on the tiny island where quantum mechanics was born
100 years since Heisenberg made his mythical trip, a select group of quantum researchers will retrace his footsteps
Dec 13, 2024 · 1 hr
From physics to filmmaking: Mark Levinson on his new documentary, The Universe in a Grain of Sand
Towards a unified vision of nature, humans and machines