BA in Science

Shilling's Penny

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna discuss a BA who knew her way around engines, and that knowledge allowed her to save a nation.Find us on Patreon: patreon.com/bainsc...

Doctrine of Chances

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Maggie and Brynna discuss probability, Huguenots, and the origins of the internet.Find us on Patreon: patreon.com/bainscienceFeatured...

Captivating and Pleasurable

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna discuss a Swedish BA who doesn't have the name recognition he deserves, considering his VAST contributions to the fie...

Who Needs Friends When You Have Physcs

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Season 10 Brawl episode had to be epic and this doesn't disappoint. Maggie and Brynna bring you part one of a three-part brawl that involves o...

Prophet and Propagandist of Botany

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

One thing about BAs: they've got passion for their field of expertise. This is completely true for the BA that Maggie and Brynna discuss this week...

Not Just for Bond Villains

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna are pleased to welcome Ciaran O'Connor to the podcast this week. Ciaran is a bit of an expert on all things laser ablation and i...

From Engines to Gaming

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Maggie and Brynna circle back to a guy who we talked about a little bit all the way back in season 4, and we need to finis...

BONUS: Four Animals of the Apocalypse

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We know we talk about how fun Patreon is all the time, but maybe you didn't believe us. This episode is part of the Science that Brynna Hates seri...

Virtuoso Anatomist

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're back for Season 10!! On this episode, Maggie and Brynna tackle a guy who might have gotten a lot wrong, but he was still way more right than...

Season 10 Trailer

25 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Are you ready for it? Season 10 Starts September 3rd!

Happy Birthday Rosalind!

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's Rosalind Franklin's birthday, so we thought we'd re-release the episode we did on her in Season 6. If you're missing us this summ...

Expectations, pt 2

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In part two of the season 9 finale, Maggie and Brynna discuss the inheritor's powder and a woman who did not get away with murder.Find us on Patre...

Expectations, pt 1

07 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In part one of the season 9 finale, Maggie and Brynna talk about two BAs who made it a lot harder for people to come into their inheritances sooner th...

Putting the Pea in Punnett Square

28 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Byrnna discuss a monk who was VERY invested in the breeding habits of pea plants, and his work is how we know that two brown-eye...

Forwards and Backwards

21 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna discuss an oft-forgotten BA this week who made a huge impact on mass transit in the United States and around the world.Find us on Pa...

Snake Pit

14 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna get into the BS of unwitting human experimentation in mental health facilities in this week's episode. Find us on Patreon: patre...

Clever Clogs

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna love an over-achiever, and the BA they discuss this week is the very definition of that. It wasn't easy to squeeze even a small ...

Mathematical Mermaid

23 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Maggie and Brynna discuss a woman who had a fake husband and figured out how to find the conditions for where very real (a...

You Need To Calm Down

16 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna discuss a very chill BA who took on histamines because they were being too loud. But is it really the histamines, or some...

Pronoun Trouble

09 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For the Season 9 Brawl, Maggie and Brynna discuss two guys with huge egos, one of whom just kept holding a grudge. But were both of them to blame for ...

BRAT: Not Just a Season, a Whole Diet

02 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna discuss a woman who did her best for the children in her country and who may correctly be credited with giving us a way to get our d...

Blue Collar Chemistry

26 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna talk about a guy who had a few wild moments when he was young, but who became the father of organic chemistry and an exce...

Late Nights and Excesses

19 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Maggie and Brynna as they kick off Season 9 with a BA who lived a scandalous life even by today's standards, but also made a major contributi...

Season 9 Trailer

15 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're back and ready to entertain and inform with more wild and interesting stories of badass humans who also happened to do science.

Sounds like Something a Cultist Would Say, Part 2

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this last episode of Season 8, Maggie and Brynna discuss the impact Pythagoras has had on culture though the centuries, as well as the fact that th...

Sounds Like Something a Cultist Would Say

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In part 1 of the Season 8 Finale, Maggie and Brynna discuss the life and myths of one of the biggest names in mathematics. Find us on Patreon: BA in...

A Curious Love Affair

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna discuss a woman who would probably insist that you can teach an old dog new tricks. Or maybe an old rat. Find us on Patr...

Just Open the Box

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this season's BS episode, Maggie and Brynna discuss a physicist who perhaps had more drama in his personal life than BA in Science has ever dealt w...

Quinine and Chlorophyll and B12; oh my!

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode, Maggie and Brynna talk about an organic chemist who smoked, hated exercise, and was one of the most brilliant chemistry minds ...

The Brigand of Hotel Dieu

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna head back to the days of the French Revolution to talk about a French surgeon who did a little bit of everything, including make ene...

Whatever Turns Your Waterwheel

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're halfway through Season 8, and Maggie and Brynna are talking about a medieval Chinese BA who refurbished a giant landmark and brought the heavens...

Glancing Blows

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We don't often get to talk to our featured BA, but this week, we did! Joining Maggie and Brynna this week to talk about his life and his science is Dr...

The Rains in Africa

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for the Season 8 brawl! Maggie and Brynna discuss the explorers who tried to find the source of the Nile, but couldn't do it without fightin...

Rubber Ducks and Bugs

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna talk about a BA woman who changed the way we communicate with computers. Check us out on Patreon: BA in Science | creat...

More than Peanuts

18 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna discuss a guy from the US in the late 1800s who used his knowledge of plants to help poor farmers in the South. Check us out on Pat...

Helios

11 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna are officially back for season 8 with a BA who was a chemist, an artist, and an alleged murderer. Check us out on Patreon: BA in S...

Season 8 Trailer

04 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are you ready for Season 8?

It’s Pronounced NO-ble not no-BEL, Part 2

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In the Season 7 finale, Maggie and Brynna do a deep-dive into the chemistry and uses of noble gases. Find us on Patreon! BA in Science | creating A P...

It’s Pronounced NO-ble not no-BEL

15 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In part one of the Season 7 finale, Maggie and Brynna talk about the men who found new elements and figured out what to do with them. Eventually. Fin...

Invisible War

08 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna talk about two BAs who fought Nazis and the Japanese during WWII without ever leaving the US. Find us on Patreon! BA i...

Don't Cry for Me, Nuclear Fusion

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for a BS episode! This season, Maggie and Brynna talk about science that was complete BS at the time, but may one day be possible. Find...

Arche

17 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna discuss a BA from ancient times who dabbled in math, astronomy, and philosophy, and contributed in a big way to all of We...

A Ravishing Harmony

10 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna are talking about a French monk who was friends with Rene Descartes and wanted to make music a little more scientific. F...

Accidental Entrepreneur

03 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna talk about an Indian billionaire who got her start brewing beer. Featured BA: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Find us on Patreon! ...

Safer than Safe

27 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for a brawl! In this episode, two big names in the world of medicine took on polio - and each - other. Who was the real winner? Find us...

Outback Angel

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this listener-suggestion episode, Maggie and Brynna tackle a BA whose ideas on physical therapy helped countless children recover from a literally ...

Hammock Heir

13 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna bring you a BA today that Brynna has met in person and who got his start in a coal mining town. Find us on Patreon! BA in Science ...

Prince of Botanists

06 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna are back for season 7! In this episode, they discuss the guy who made it possible for Roadrunner and Coyote to teach fake Latin to k...

Season 7 Trailer

28 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We're Back with a bunch of new BAs and their wild science. First episode drops March 6th!

Hammer to Fall, Part 2

06 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna are back to wrap up Season 6 with a discussion on atomic weapons, the reality of making the Manhattan Project work, and the fallout ...

Hammer to Fall, Part 1

29 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In part 1 of the season 6 finale, Maggie and Brynna tackle the bios of the people behind the beginning of Big Science.

An Open Brain

15 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna discuss a Hungarian mathematician who had no interest in doing anything unless it was math. Solving problems, finding new...

Redhot Red

08 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna discuss an inventor this week who changed music forever.

Not As Helpful As You Thought

01 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, even with the best intentions, things go awry. Our BA today and the subject of our BS episode this season understands that all too well.

The Art of the Brain

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode, Maggie and Brynna discuss a Spaniard whose art and science both changed how we see the brain.

Where in the World

18 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna talk about a truly delightful human being whose math makes it possible for you to "in 400 ft, turn left".

The Boy Who Cried Rubber

11 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How does a man who did most of his science in his wife's kitchen become one of the most well-known names in a company he didn't even found? It...

The Fighting Four, Part 2

04 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for the epic conclusion of our brawl. We've got 4 contenders, 3 Nobel prizes, and one major discovery to discuss. Not to mention all...

The Fighting Four, Part 1

27 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's brawl time! this season's epic battle was too big to cram into one episode, so you're getting two! This week, Brynna introduces us to...

Dark Lady of DNA

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

No, not Cher's Dark Lady. Our Dark Lady and BA today got her nickname because her work directly led to the discovery of how DNA works. It also wil...

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Ball of Burning Gases

13 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sure we have stars and the sun and all that, but what are they made of? How do they work? Maggie and Brynna discuss the BA this week that found the an...

The Man Behind the Lab

06 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna are back for season 6! We're starting off with a BA who had some very strange habits, but when you view them through a 21st cent...

Season 6 Trailer

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We're back for another season of BAs! Join us on Wednesdays for new episodes starting Nov 6th.

The Difference Between Screwing Around and Science

24 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the Season 5 Finale, Maggie and Brynna continue their discussion of The Mythbusters and the way that their show made science truly BA for an entire...

I Reject Your Reality

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna begin their two-part season 5 finale with a bang, covering two BAs who brought the fun back to science.

Crimea River

10 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week Maggie and Brynna discuss a very well-known BA who gives major Joan of Arc vibes. Check out our Patreon! patreon.com/bainscience

Lemniscate

03 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week Maggie and a reluctant Brynna dive into the world of geometry, algebra, and analytic geometry. With a BA who was politically savvy during tu...

The Worst Smoothie

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's BS week and wow is that an accurate description of at least one portion of the story Maggie and Brynna have for y'all. But, unlike most o...

Do You Lie to Your Hygienist?

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna talk about a BA who knew that the best way to deal with teeth was BEFORE they started to have problems, not after. Check us out on ...

Lions and Monkeys and Metres, Oh My!

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we dive back into the geodesy pool and talk about how the meter came to be and why having a single prime meridian is vital to accurate trai...

Scents-ability

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna tackle a Frenchman living in Russia who joined the army and then got moved all over but ended up in Paris, designing perf...

Adjective Trouble

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The two major heavyweights in today's brawl are HUGE names in microbiology - sort of the first names in microbiology. But that didn't stop the...

Bonus Episode - The Cloud Appreciation Society

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie has a treat for you this week! In the Luke Howard episode (S5E3), she mentions an interview with the founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society....

King of Clouds

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If you've got a camera reel full of pictures of the sky, this is definitely the episode for you. Is there anything more relaxing than staring up at th...

Cotton Conundrum

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered what it is about cotton that makes it get so wrinkly in the wash? Our BA this week did. Maggie and Brynna will discuss a cool w...

The Disparate Dozen of the Enlightenment

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's finally Season 5! We're starting off with a panoply of BAs who went on a trip and it was a disaster. We've got a great start to the season with m...

Season 5 Trailer

18 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Season 5 coming March 1st, 2023!

Not Beautiful, Still Deadly

07 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the Finale of Season 4, Maggie and Brynna expand on the theme from episode 11: poisons, how they work, and the people who made them famous. Or infa...

Beautiful, Deadly Lady

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this first part of the Season 4 Finale, Maggie and Brynna talk about a necro-entrepreneur/poisoner, her poison of choice, and some other people who...

What the Fish Scales Know

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna head into the briny deep this week for an adventure with an explorer, scientist, and all around Badass.

Prime

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We're got another mathematician this week and Brynna is not excited. But Maggie is, and it turns out that the subject of the show had a complicated an...

Hola

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We've got some very treasonous BS today! Maggie and Brynna explore nuclear science (which is a lot) and talk about a little old lady who sold her coun...

Willful Wanderer

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Listener recommendation! One of our awesome listeners suggested our BA this week and it was a GREAT choice. If you're the kind of person who can't ima...

Final Frontier

17 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For possibly the first time, Maggie and Brynna picked a BA that has a birthday right when her episode is set to air, so we're releasing it a couple da...

Bonus Mini-Sode - Quackery

14 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

**Special Treat! This episode originally was posted to Patreon, and we're sharing it here because we love you!** GUYS! You cannot miss this episode! B...

Maybe Athletes Should Eat More Donuts

12 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna talk some serious biochem! If you're under the impression that a buildup of lactic acid is bad, you might learn a lot fro...

How Nazis Tried to Ruin Physics

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Time for a brawl! This week's episode focuses on two men who were VERY different in temperament and worldview, which led to name calling, general snot...

Drunk and Disorderly

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna cover a guy who spent a lot of time drunk and disorderly, but his legend and contributions are also somewhat disordered.

Dragon Doctor

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Would you invite a lizard to tea? Or invite a toddler to be chummy with a giant venomous reptile? Our BA today would! Maggie and Brynna explore the wo...

Enchantress of Number

14 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna are back for Season 4 and they're starting off with a bang! Our BA this week had scandalous parents, fascinating friends, and a bril...

Season 4 Trailer!

24 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Check out new episodes starting September 14th. Can't wait that long? Check out our Patreon to find bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/bainscienc...

Boldly Go

25 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna wrap up season 3 with the second half of their Hidden Figures Extravaganza. Space hasn't always been for tourists, and the women of ...

"Get the Girl(s)"

18 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for Part 1 of the Season 3 Finale! Maggie and Brynna are taking on three BAs this week and next who changed the face of math, science, and t...

The Last Man Who Knew Everything

11 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cover your butts, y'all! This is a long one, but how could we NOT spend a lot of time talking about a BA who really did know probably everything there...

Mechanickal Wizard

04 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Maggie and Brynna get into an inventor. Inventors are hard because they do a lot of stuff but aren't always good at writing it down. Find o...

Puttin' on the Ritz

27 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for another BS episode! As is becoming a theme with our BA episodes, this one is a little twisty. Maggie and Brynna get into the strange and...

Star Light, Star Bright…Dim…Bright…Dim

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna are back from a quick Spring Break with a sparkling episode on a fascinating astronomer who gave us the yardstick to measure the uni...

Rage to Know

06 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Maggie and Brynna get into some chemistry this week with a BA who designed one of the most prescribed drugs of all time.

Blue Collar Man

30 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week Maggie and Brynna discuss a listener-submitted BA who gave every appearance of being a lowly lab tech, but was in fact a gifted surgical tec...

Back in Black

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It's time for a brawl! In this GIANT episode, Maggie and Brynna take on one of the best-known feuds in all of science. This "electrifying" tale of two...