Feed your brain: The 30 best science podcasts for curious minds (2024 edition)

Science podcasts can cover a wide range of subjects within the scientific field, including topics such as physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, geology, and many more. They can be hosted by scientists or science enthusiasts, and often feature interviews with experts in various fields.

These podcasts can take different formats, such as educational, news-based, or investigative journalism, depending on the focus and the goals of the podcast. Some science podcasts are geared towards a general audience, while others may be more technical and aimed at professionals within a specific scientific field.

Listeners can learn about the latest scientific breakthroughs, scientific history, the intersection of science with society and politics, and the impact of science on our daily lives. Some science podcasts also discuss current scientific controversies, debates, and issues of ethics, as well as the process of scientific research and its challenges.

Overall, science podcasts are a great resource for anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of science and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field. We have compiled a list of the 30 best science podcasts to help satisfy your curiosity and feed your love of science.

So whether you're a science enthusiast or just looking to expand your knowledge, read on to discover some of the most informative and entertaining science podcasts out there (listed in no particular order).

Also check out our other curated podcast lists.

	Radiolab
	Radiolab's insatiable curiosity takes listeners on a journey of profound inquiry, employing investigative journalism to uncover answers. Each episode has the potential to transport you through the realms of science, legal history, and even the intimate lives of individuals residing in far-flung corners of the globe. The program has gained notoriety for its inventive soundscapes, fusing information with music to create an immersive listening experience. Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser serve as the show's hosts.
	Science Rules! with Bill Nye
	Fans of Bill Nye's popular 90s TV show, Bill Nye The Science Guy, will surely enjoy listening to their favorite science enthusiast in this fresh format. Listeners can expect to explore a diverse range of perspectives on the workings of the world and the scientific principles behind nearly every aspect of our lives. Each episode typically features a guest expert who is an expert in a specific scientific field, and they discuss the latest developments and research in that field. The podcast also takes listener questions, which are often answered by the guest expert. The show is currently on hold.
	StarTalk Radio
	StarTalk Radio is a podcast hosted by the popular astrophysicist and captivating orator, Neil deGrasse Tyson. The show tackles the fascinating and often mind-bending world of cosmic inquiries. With a unique blend of humor, pop culture references, and space-related science, deGrasse Tyson delivers a compelling and informative podcast that's engaging for listeners. His distinct personality and style bring flair to complex scientific concepts, making the show both enjoyable and educational.
	Short Wave
	A daily science podcast that explores new discoveries, scientific phenomena, and science-related stories. The show covers a wide range of topics, from the latest research in physics, biology, and chemistry to the intersection of science and culture, health, and technology. Hosted by Maddie Sofia, the podcast features interviews with scientists and experts in various fields, as well as stories about the science behind everyday objects and events. The show aims to make science accessible and engaging to a broad audience, and it often focuses on the human stories behind scientific discoveries. Typical episodes of Short Wave cover topics such as the neuroscience of happiness, the role of bacteria in our bodies, the science of sleep, and the chemistry of wine.
	Stuff to Blow Your Mind
	Hosted by Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick, this podcast delves into some of the most bizarre and intriguing aspects of science. From the complexities of neurology to the mysteries of outer space and the nature of evolution, this mind-bending podcast takes its listeners on an adventure with each episode. The show covers a broad range of topics, allowing listeners to explore the areas that pique their interest or enjoy the full experience of this fascinating series. Stuff to Blow Your Mind isn't afraid to explore the more unconventional and thought-provoking questions surrounding science.
	Mindscape
	Sean Carroll's Mindscape is a highly acclaimed podcast presented by Wondery that covers a diverse range of topics related to science, society, philosophy, culture, arts, and ideas. The podcast's name accurately reflects its content, with each episode exploring an array of science-related topics, such as black holes and neurology. The show is formatted as an interview, with Sean posing complex and thought-provoking questions to guests about popular science and cultural trends. By blending science with other fields, Mindscape caters to a wide variety of interests and offers something for everyone.
	Overheard at National Geographic
	Overheard at National Geographic is a podcast that explores fascinating conversations and stories shared within the walls of the iconic National Geographic headquarters. As a pinnacle of science, photography, geography, and world history publications, it's no surprise that the magazine's headquarters is home to some intriguing discussions. The show's hosts, Peter Gwin and Amy Briggs, bring to life a diverse array of topics, from secret underwater worlds to cheetah trafficking, through weird and wonderful stories. Additionally, the podcast delves into tough issues and pressing matters affecting our world today, making it a compelling and informative listen.
	The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe
	This podcast aims to promote critical thinking and scientific skepticism. Hosted by Dr. Steven Novella and a panel of experts, the show explores various topics related to science, skepticism, and the paranormal. Each episode features discussions of recent scientific news, interviews with experts in various fields, and critical examinations of popular beliefs and claims. The panel applies scientific reasoning and critical thinking to assess the validity of claims and to separate fact from fiction. Overall, the show is dedicated to promoting scientific literacy and rational thinking in a fun and engaging way. It is aimed at anyone who is interested in science, skepticism, and critical thinking, regardless of their background or level of expertise.
	ScienceVS
	This show explores various scientific topics and attempts to separate fact from fiction. In each episode, the host, Wendy Zukerman, investigates a different subject, such as climate change, GMOs, or the effects of certain drugs. The show takes a deep dive into the available research and interviews experts to help understand the nuances of the topic. Along the way, the host also examines common misconceptions and myths surrounding the topic and tries to provide clarity on what the scientific evidence suggests. The show's goal is to help listeners better understand the science behind some of the most pressing issues of our time.
	Stuff You Should Know
	A popular educational podcast that covers a wide variety of topics in an entertaining and engaging way. Hosted by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, the show aims to explore and explain the world around us by diving into subjects as diverse as science, history, culture, and technology. Each episode of the podcast focuses on a specific topic and provides an in-depth look at it through research, interviews, and discussion. Some of the most popular episodes have covered topics such as the history of chocolate, the science of happiness, the physics of time travel, and the truth behind conspiracy theories. The hosts of Stuff You Should Know use a conversational and humorous style to make complex topics accessible and enjoyable for listeners.
	Ologies
	A show hosted by Alie Ward that explores various scientific fields and disciplines, or ologies, through interviews with experts in each field. Each episode of the podcast focuses on a different ology, ranging from traditional scientific fields like biology and astronomy to more obscure areas like cephalopodology and exoplanetology. The show is known for its lighthearted and humorous approach to science, making complex topics accessible and entertaining for listeners. The goal of the Ologies podcast is to promote scientific curiosity and inspire listeners to learn more about the incredible diversity of fields and disciplines that make up the world of science.
	Hidden Brain
	A popular science podcast that explores the unconscious patterns and biases that shape our behavior, decisions, and relationships. Hosted by social science correspondent Shankar Vedantam, the show combines storytelling, interviews, and research to uncover the unseen forces that drive human behavior. Each episode explores a different aspect of human psychology and social behavior, such as the impact of social media on our mental health, the psychology of conspiracy theories, the science of happiness, the effects of unconscious bias, and the psychology of political polarization. The podcast draws on insights from a range of academic disciplines, including psychology, neuroscience, sociology, and economics, to offer listeners a deeper understanding of the complex forces that shape our lives.
	Invisibilia
	A podcast produced by NPR that explores the invisible forces that shape human behavior – things like beliefs, emotions, and ideas. The show features interviews with researchers, experts, and ordinary people who have experienced unusual or remarkable psychological phenomena, and seeks to explain what drives human behavior and why we think, feel, and act the way we do. Each episode typically focuses on a different theme or topic, such as fear, memory, or personality, and includes personal stories, scientific research, and insightful commentary from the show's hosts and guests. Through its engaging storytelling and in-depth exploration of the mysteries of the human mind, Invisibilia offers a fascinating look into the invisible forces that shape our lives.
	Science Friday
	A weekly podcast and radio show that covers the latest news and discoveries in science, technology, and the natural world. The show is hosted by Ira Flatow and features interviews with scientists, engineers, and other experts who are working on cutting-edge research in a variety of fields. Each episode typically focuses on a particular theme or topic, such as climate change, artificial intelligence, or space exploration, and includes discussions with experts in the field, as well as listener call-ins and questions.
	BrainStuff
	The podcast, produced by HowStuffWorks and hosted by Jonathan Strickland, a writer and podcaster who has covered science and technology for over a decade, explores a wide range of topics related to science, technology, history, and culture. Some of the topics covered on the BrainStuff podcast include: Science and technology news, including new discoveries, research, and inventions; history and culture, including the origins of words and phrases, cultural traditions, and notable events; environment and sustainability, including climate change, renewable energy, and conservation; health and wellness, including mental health, nutrition, and exercise; trange and unusual phenomena, including myths, legends, and unsolved mysteries.
	Infinite Monkey Cage
	A science-based comedy panel show that is presented as a podcast by the BBC. The show is hosted by physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince, and it features a rotating panel of experts in science, philosophy, and culture. The show is a combination of comedy and science, with the panelists discussing and exploring various topics in science and technology in a humorous and entertaining way. Some of the topics covered on the show include: The Infinite Monkey Cage aims to make science and technology accessible and entertaining for a general audience. The show is known for its irreverent humor and for its ability to make complex scientific concepts understandable and engaging. Each episode is recorded in front of a live audience, which adds to the energy and spontaneity of the show.
	Science Talk
	Scientific American's Science Talk is a weekly show that covers a wide range of science topics, including physics, biology, medicine, technology, and more. The podcast features interviews with experts in various scientific fields, discussions of current events in science, and reports on the latest research findings. Hosted by Scientific American editor-in-chief Laura Helmuth, the podcast offers in-depth coverage of a variety of scientific topics, from the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and machine learning to the history of the universe and the latest developments in climate science. The podcast also features occasional segments on science communication, exploring how scientists can effectively communicate their work to the public, as well as interviews with prominent science writers, educators, and advocates.
	The Naked Scientists
	The show focuses on science, technology, and medicine. It is hosted by a team of scientists and science journalists based at the University of Cambridge in the UK. The podcast aims to make science accessible to a broad audience, and it covers a wide range of topics, from the latest scientific research to science news and current events. The podcast features interviews with scientists and experts in various fields, as well as discussions among the hosts about scientific topics and ideas. The show also includes experiments and demonstrations that help to illustrate scientific concepts in a fun and engaging way.
	Big Picture Science
	Hosted by the SETI Institute, Big Picture Science is a podcast that explores the latest developments in science and technology, with a focus on big-picture ideas and the ways that science shapes our understanding of the world. The show covers a wide range of topics, including physics, biology, astronomy, and technology, as well as issues related to science and society, such as science education and communication. Hosted by Seth Shostak and Molly Bentley, the show features interviews with scientists and experts in various fields, as well as discussions among the hosts about scientific topics and ideas. The show also includes segments that explore the history of science, the ways that science is portrayed in popular culture, and the ethical and social implications of scientific discoveries.
	The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week
	This show podcast explores strange, obscure, and surprising stories from the world of science and history. The podcast is hosted by the editors of Popular Science magazine and features discussions of strange and unexpected facts, along with interviews with experts in various fields. Each episode features three segments, with each host sharing the weirdest thing they learned that week. The topics covered on the show can range from the strange history of medicine to bizarre animal behavior to surprising facts about the universe. The show aims to be both informative and entertaining, and it offers a fun and engaging way to learn about science and history. The hosts have a great sense of humor and a talent for storytelling, and the show is filled with fascinating facts and stories that are sure to surprise and delight listeners.
	Nature Podcast
	A weekly podcast that covers a wide range of topics related to science, technology, and medicine. The podcast is produced by the journal Nature, one of the most prestigious scientific journals in the world. The show features interviews with researchers and experts in various fields, as well as discussions of recent scientific breakthroughs, interesting research papers, and current events in science. The podcast also includes segments that explore the science behind current news stories, explain scientific concepts in an accessible way, and provide updates on the latest research in different areas of science. Some of the topics include biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, technology, health, and environmental science. The podcast is designed to be accessible to both scientists and non-scientists, making it a great resource for anyone interested in learning about the latest developments in science and technology.
	60-Second Science
	The 60-Second Science podcast is a short-form podcast produced by the scientific journal, Scientific American. As the name suggests, each episode of the podcast is approximately 60 seconds in length and provides a brief summary of a recent scientific discovery, study or news item. The podcast covers a wide range of scientific topics, including physics, chemistry, biology, neuroscience, and technology. It is designed to provide listeners with a quick and easy way to stay up-to-date on the latest scientific research and discoveries in a format that is easy to consume. In addition to the regular episodes, the show also features longer episodes that provide more in-depth coverage of certain topics. These longer episodes typically feature interviews with researchers or experts in a particular field and provide a more detailed analysis of a particular scientific concept or discovery.
	Planetary Radio
	A weekly podcast that covers the latest news and discoveries related to space exploration and astronomy. The podcast is produced by The Planetary Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing space exploration and promoting the search for extraterrestrial life. The podcast features interviews with scientists, engineers, and other experts in the field of space exploration, as well as discussions of recent space missions, astronomy news, and the latest discoveries in the field. The podcast also includes segments that explore the history of space exploration, the science behind various space missions, and the challenges facing the exploration of our solar system and beyond.
	The Science of Philosophy
	Hosted by Tarek Zaher, a philosopher and cognitive scientist, the podcast explores the intersection of philosophy and science, focusing on questions related to the nature of consciousness, the mind-body problem, free will, and the scientific study of consciousness. Each episode features an interview with a philosopher or scientist who is working at the cutting edge of research in the field. The conversations are wide-ranging and cover a range of topics related to the science of consciousness and the philosophical implications of recent scientific research. Some of the topics include the neural correlates of consciousness, the nature of subjective experience, the philosophical implications of quantum mechanics, and the role of the body in shaping our perception and understanding of the world. The podcast is designed to be accessible to both scientists and non-scientists, and it aims to promote a deeper understanding of the philosophical questions that arise from our scientific investigations into the nature of consciousness and the mind.
	The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry
	Produced by the BBC, the show explores scientific mysteries and answers questions from curious listeners. Each episode of the podcast focuses on a different scientific mystery, such as "Why do some people hate coriander?" or "Can dogs sense earthquakes before they happen?" The podcast is hosted by Dr. Adam Rutherford, a geneticist and science writer, and Dr. Hannah Fry, a mathematician and complexity scientist. The hosts use a mix of scientific expertise and humor to investigate these questions, and they often speak with other experts in the field to get to the bottom of each mystery. Along the way, they explain scientific concepts in an accessible way, making the podcast suitable for both scientists and non-scientists.
	Everything Hertz
	A podcast that covers a wide range of topics related to academic research, scientific communication, and the scientific process. The podcast is hosted by Dan Quintana, a researcher in the field of psychology, and James Heathers, a data scientist and science communicator. The show features interviews with scientists, researchers, and other experts in various fields, as well as discussions of recent scientific papers, debates in the field of science, and issues related to scientific communication and reproducibility. The hosts also cover practical topics related to academic research, such as the use of statistics, the design of experiments, and the publication process. The podcast is designed to be accessible to both scientists and non-scientists, and it aims to promote a better understanding of the scientific process and the challenges that researchers face in their work. It also covers topics related to the culture of academic research, such as mental health and the work-life balance of researchers.
	The Science of Happiness
	Produced by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley, the podcast explores the science behind happiness and well-being, and provides practical tips and strategies for living a happier and more fulfilling life. Each episode of the podcast features interviews with experts in the fields of psychology, neuroscience, and other related fields, as well as stories from people who have found happiness and meaning in their lives. The podcast covers a range of topics related to happiness, including gratitude, mindfulness, resilience, compassion, and social connections. The hosts of the podcast use scientific research to provide evidence-based strategies for improving happiness and well-being. They also provide practical advice for incorporating these strategies into daily life. The podcast is designed to be accessible to both scientists and non-scientists, and it aims to provide listeners with the tools they need to lead happier, more fulfilling lives.
	Flash Forward
	Flash Forward is a science and speculative fiction podcast that explores possible futures and asks "What If?" questions. Each episode of the podcast takes a different possible future scenario, such as "What If We All Lived in Virtual Reality?" or "What If We Stopped Sleeping?", and explores the potential consequences and implications of that scenario. The host of the podcast, Rose Eveleth, combines interviews with experts in various fields with creative storytelling and sound design to create immersive and thought-provoking episodes. In addition to exploring future scenarios, the podcast also covers issues related to science and society, such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and healthcare. The podcast aims to promote critical thinking and imagination, and to encourage listeners to consider the possible consequences of our current decisions and actions.
	Freakonomics Radio
	Freakonomics Radio explores the hidden side of economics and the world around us. The podcast is hosted by economist Steven Levitt and journalist Stephen Dubner, who use their expertise to take a unique and unconventional approach to economics and the social sciences. The show uses interviews, data analysis, and storytelling to provide insights and answers for a wide range of topics, including business, technology, healthcare, and education. The show is known for its engaging and thought-provoking content, and for its ability to tackle complex topics in an approachable and entertaining way.
	Unexplainable
	Vox's Unexplainable is a science and history podcast that explores some of the most intriguing and mysterious questions of our world. Each episode of the podcast delves into a different topic, such as "The Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle" or "The Impossible Math of the Simpsons," and uses expert interviews, historical research, and storytelling to explore the topic in depth. The podcast is hosted by science journalist Noam Hassenfeld, and aims to provide listeners with a greater understanding of the mysteries and phenomena that surround us. It also seeks to address common misconceptions and myths, and to provide a scientific and historical perspective on each topic.