Dr Karl Podcast

Bionic eyes, poop schedules and aphantasia

25 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Does Halsey understand DNA properly? How long should we cryogenically freeze ourselves for? And can we learn how to remember everything?Join Lucy, Dr...

The age of space, explosive planets and black hole portals

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How much can a black hole consume? Would anything happen if we all jumped at once? And which planet would have the best gigs?Join Lucy, Dr Karl and s...

Disappearing poos, capsaicin receptors and cane toads

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What muscles are required for a yawn? How does jewellery affect our skin? And what's the connection between atoms and physical pain?Dr Karl answers t...

The speed of darkness, sticky spider webs and drinking snow

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How far into space could we hear the Js? What actually causes 'the runs'? And is drinking snow hydrating?Dr Karl answers these questions and more on ...

Hair loss, bone density and body glitter vs. sunscreen

27 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can you taste with just a sense of smell? Is it possible for your immune system to reset? And what causes period shits?Dr Karl and Dr Theresa Larkin ...

Hair of the dog, photographic memories and shingles

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Where does all our energy go when we die? Why do humans laugh? And is rain water or tap water better for plant growth?Dr Karl answers these questions...

Frozen vs fresh veggies, soap suds and nangs

13 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Would an invisible person be blind? Can you have too much muscle? And who teaches bees how to make honey?Dr Karl answers these questions and more on ...

Frisson, cryogenic freezing and thylacines

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What's the deal with Neil the Seal? Can you sniff a fart away? And what does sickness smell like?Dr Karl and Zoe Kean answer these questions and more...

Pollen peaks, jump scares and alcohol vs mood

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is there a link between albedo and climate change? Are four-leaf clovers really that lucky? And could ants rule the world?Dr Karl answers these quest...

Butt breathing, plovers and flammable water

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How will the universe end? What makes weight lighter in the pool? And with enough helium, could we float?Dr Karl answers these questions and more on ...

AI consciousness, sleep paralysis and onion tears

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do ants outweigh humans? Are we getting any more water on Earth? And why do dreams leave us on cliffhangers?Dr Karl answers these questions and more ...

Motion sickness, 3I/ATLAS and cross-breeding

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What would happen to the universe if we could time travel? How fast does the earth move? And at what point does our brain switch from awake to asleep...

The science of cringe, meat juice & psychedelic shrimp

02 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Will trees adapt to climate change? What causes migraine auras? And what happens in your body when you quit vaping?Dr Karl answers these questions an...

Fibre, the carnivore diet & drunk hamsters

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How does boiling water affect tea? What is the instant smell from a packet of salt and vinegar chips? And how do carbohydrates and protein interact i...

Smelly sneezes, stress seizures & sound proofing

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What's the correlation between black holes and time travel? Do batteries weigh less when they are empty? Why do some people develop indigestion later...

Wee-Lemons, Life On Mars & Moon Balloons

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Should you really be weeing on your lemon tree? How close are we to finding proof of life on Mars? And what would happen to a helium balloon in zero ...

BONUS: Parmigianas, shopaholics and small talk

10 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It turns out, you have A LOT of science (and not-science) questions for Dr. Karl - and he's going to answer them!

Hypnotism, Sunscreen and Simulation Theory

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What is the science behind Deja-Vu? Do we all see the same colours? Does cotton cause indigestion?Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple ...

BONUS: Life on Mars, bum cracks and the power of optimism

03 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It turns out, you have A LOT of science (and not-science) questions for Dr. Karl - and he's going to answer them!

Changing seasons, vape smoke and heat cream vs. hand lotion 

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What would happen if we all jumped at once? Is there anything a black hole can't swallow? And what cooks faster, baked or boiled sweet potato?Dr Karl...

Science with Dr. Karl LIVE - Hosted by Lucy Smith: Part Two!

23 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you listen on the radio every Thursday, on YouTube or from your podcast feed, we've taken the show you know and love and brought it to the li...

Manifestation, earthquakes and sun sneezes 

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why does saliva assist suction (get your head outta the gutter!)? Can our eyes really change colour? And which planet would host the best for gigs?Dr...

Science with Dr. Karl LIVE - Hosted by Lucy Smith: Part One!

16 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Whether you listen on the radio every Thursday, on YouTube or from your podcast feed, we've taken the show you know and love and brought it to the li...

3I/ATLAS, The Great Attractor and parent black holes

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What's on the other side of a black hole? How hot does 'hot' go? And seriously, what came first: the chicken or the egg?Dr Karl and Krystal De Napoli...

A Special Message from Dr. Karl!

09 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Karl is jumping into your feeds with a very important message!

Star colours, harvesting lightning and undiscovered elements

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why is gossip so irresistible? Which is faster between heating and cooling? And do we need to prepare for aliens this November?Dr Karl answers these ...

Second winds, fish farts and hot chips

31 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How old is space? Why do we need sleep? And what determines our poop schedule?Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy...

Nap sweats, drunk bugs and taste buds

24 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Was there rain during the ice age? Why do back scratches feel so good? And how does Dr. Karl start his day?Dr Karl answers these questions and more o...

Sleep inertia, space rocks and longevity pills

17 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is dirt as dirty as it seems? What's the purpose of a virus? And is Australia apocalypse-ready?Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j M...

Outback hygiene hacks, echidna entrées and a world without friction

10 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How do First Nations teachings inform modern-day science? Do animals love the same way humans do? And how do spiders find their way home?Dr Karl, Cor...

Queen bees, anaphylaxis and bee hotels

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do bees have different personalities? Can local honey really cure your allergies? And how can we support native bee populations?Bee expert Clancy Les...

Chocolate dreams, deep sea pressure and the Goldilocks Zone

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Could we evolve into sea being if we were in water enough? What causes knots in your muscles? And do fish ever get thirsty?Bianca Nogrady answers the...

Bee stings, broken hearts and brain rot

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why is the dead of night so cold? Can the Earth generate its own electricity? And can we clear up whether water is clear?Dr Karl answers these questi...

Aphantasia, smelling to survive and bionic vision

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it colder the closer we get to the Sun? Are stiff drinks or soft drinks better for fighting sickness? And can we recreate the human brain?Dr K...

Plastic sweat, alien life and how to be a morning person

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How did a crackle of cockatoos figure out a water bubbler? Why do we get weak - literally - when we laugh? And would having an exoskeleton be all it'...

Colder temperatures, dog lookalikes and colour perception 

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How scientifically accurate is Bee Movie? What would happen if the Earth had a twin? And what is Dr. Karl's favourite story?Dr Karl answers these que...

Slow-mo animals, breathing powers and the science of cat scratches

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Can we sniff our farts away? Are birthday twins just a coincidence? And why do menstrual cramps hurt more than stomach aches?Dr Karl answers these qu...

The origins of BBQ, fecal bacteria and the Seven Sisters

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is it possible to turn into your roommates? How did the living DNA code come to exist? And when did we first start using kitchen utensils?Dr Karl and...

Smoke alarms, airplane mode and chemtrails 

08 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Does blending ingredients in a smoothie destroy their nutrients? How do we distinguish between phantom smells and real smells? And are infrared sauna...

Meat glue, cold remedies and roadkill 

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What influences intelligence? Does the earth's rotation affect flight time? And what temperature will de-fog your windscreen?Dr Karl answers these qu...

Rollercoaster retirement, winking, and zombie stars

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why am I always running out of conditioner before shampoo? How come mozzies bite some people and not others? And does a dog's sense of smell give it ...

Alien planets, sea sickness 101 and the perfect chocolate

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is it possible to breathe through our ears? Why do we always queue in a snake form? And what's hiding in the rest of the ocean?    Dr Karl answers ...

Jet lag, dire wolves and scented farts

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What would happen if the Moon was bigger than Earth? How is sandpaper made? And does glue dry in space?Dr Karl answers these questions and more on tr...

Crime scenes, sweat logic and fighting misinformation

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do cortisol detoxes work? Can our bodies predict rain with pain? And is this Halsey lyric - ‘the father's DNA stays inside the mother for 7 years’...

Cloud seeding, endorphins and heartstrings

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Do animals have different blood types? How was the earth's core created? And back to basics - why is the sky blue?Bianca Nogrady answers these questi...

The ethics of genetics, teleporting earthworms and perfect naps

20 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why are we so helpless as babies? Are cats targeting people with allergies? And if we could bring back dinosaurs, would they survive?Zoe Kean answers...

Heterochromia, cold water therapy and time of death

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How does our body tell us we're thirsty? Do trees get cancer? And if the entire world flooded, could we all turn into fish people?  Bianca Nogrady ...

Patternicity, lemon tree wees and static electricity

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Where is wind going? Are ants able to predict rain? And why do sportspeople train at higher altitudes?Bianca Nogrady answers these questions and more...

Taste vs. smell, doomscrolling and insulated drink bottles

27 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Why does the contraceptive pill affect your dreams? Can your pet watch you weld? And is there a science behind the tension shifting in a room?Dr Karl...

Beached whales, earworms and the 'city killer' asteroid

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What are the most effective ways to decrease exposure to microplastics? Is there a link between planet alignment and weather patterns? And what would...

Panic attacks, dark matter and melting ice creams 

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the next step in human evolution? Are there any land animals that produce electricity? How do bees select their flowers?Dr Karl answers thes...

Cross-wiring, poison vs. venom and travelling farts

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What's the difference between AM and FM radio? Why does plucking our eyebrows make us sneeze? And how do you stop a fart from following you into the ...

Satellites, spicy breastmilk and noise-cancelling headphones

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is time an illusion? Do our brains lie to us after a late-night shift? And why did our bodies decide we don't need hairy feet?Dr Karl answers these q...

Solar urticaria, the mirage effect and friction explained

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What would it take to shift the Earth's axis? How does the body process radiation from the sun? And is memory an innate skill or something we learn?D...

Cat containment, cane toad consumption and the toxic male technique

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What invasive species tastes the best? What would happen if we eradicated feral cats? And how does your body respond when you start eating meat again...

Olfactory fatigue, genetic diseases and Facebook myths

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How long can humans survive without food? Why does coffee taste different when it goes cold? And will quantum computing and AI be the end of humanity...

A Summer of Science: The Body

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the last episode of our three-part summer series, we’ll be looking back at your best questions about the human body.We’ll delve into questions...

A Summer of Science: The Future

26 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of A Summer of Science, we’ll be looking back at your best questions about the future.We’ll dive into how reintroducing extinct a...

A Summer of Science: Space

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Over the next three weeks, we’ll be looking back at your best questions of 2024 and we’re kicking things off with space. In this episode we’ll...

Vitamin D, pesky flies and psychosis explained

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Does your blood type impact your dietary requirements? Is blue green algae safe to swim in? And why are there so many cicadas around this year? Dr K...

Doppler effect, the smell of rain and water intoxication

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can we really hear the ocean in a seashell? What is considered the "right" amount of water? And why do our ears pop when we have the windows down whi...

Ozempic, plant protein and food noise

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Does intermittent fasting affect your metabolism? Why do you feel nerves in your gut? And could hay fever reignite food allergies?Dr Karl and special...

Sperm competition, ring of fire and the late heavy bombardment 

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why do we have eyebrows? Is there a way to predict the future of evolution in humans? And what would our doctors ask Charles Darwin at a dinner party...

UV ratings, anxious sweats and morning people

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How does alcohol affect your sleep? Can energy be destroyed? And how do snakes stay so clean?Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mor...

Terraforming Mars, intergalactic travel and the Perseverance Rover

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What impact would living on Mars have on our bodies? Could we ever have 'Earth' on our identification? And how are the astronauts stuck on the Intern...

String theory, Benford's Law and the discovery of Pi

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is math a human invention or something we discovered? How many ways are there to count? And can math offer a solution to microplastics? Dr Karl and ...

Breath work, species adaptations and peak solar energy

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How realistic are shark attacks in movies? Why are there no monkeys in Australia? And how important are breathing exercises? Science communicators Z...

Shark repellants, going grey and the sixth sense

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Will humans ever evolve to be immune to cancer? How effective are shark bands for surfers? And are our dreams made of atoms? Science communicators ...

Hurricane Milton, the shadow biosphere and preventing CTE

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why do some people have a higher caffeine tolerance? How common is shingles in people under the age of 30? And why don’t any mammals have green fur...

Moo Deng, koala contraception and de-extinction efforts

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Do animals get jet lag? How do snakes dig holes if they have no arms? And what impact would the reintroduction of extinct animals have on existing sp...

Latchkey incontinence, sleep cycles and targeted pain relief

26 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why do I need to pee every time I get to my front door? How long could you survive in a car with just air conditioning? And does your sleep schedule ...

Chemo curls, tinnitus and Bluetooth explained

19 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are electric vehicles still better for the environment if you charge them with a non-renewable energy source? What happens if you hold your urine for...

Nocturnal teens, space hygiene and Chernobyl fungus

12 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How much air pollution do space launches cause? Why don’t babies get bad breath in the morning? And is it true your immune system doesn’t know y...

Wind farms, hair growth and inherited fears

05 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why does my Bluetooth speaker glitch when I'm using the microwave? Can fears be genetically passed down? And will there be another major evolutionary...

Spider silk, super human strength and wild winds

29 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How small does an animal need to be to survive a great fall? Is it safe to reheat tea or coffee in the microwave? And how are magnets made? Dr Karl ...

Fire ants, bees knees and metamorphic mush

22 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are we really eating spiders in our sleep? Do bees have knees? Why are cockroaches so resilient?Dr Karl, Dr. Robert Puckett and Jess Ward-Jones  ans...

AI consciousness, hugging trees and deep fakes

15 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can AI rewrite its own software? How much water would we need to take to the moon to make it inhabitable? And are robots going to take our jobs?Dr Ka...

Olympic emotions, sourdough starters and dominant hands

08 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why are we seeing Olympic records in some sports but not others? Does cracking your fingers actually give you arthritis? And if someone ate a diet of...

Exoplanets, slingshotting spacecrafts and the moon landing

01 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Are there more planets than grains of sand on earth? Does food go mouldy in space? And have we started training astronauts to visit Mars? Dr Karl an...

Birth control, stem cell modification and the orgasm gap

25 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is urine sterile enough to clean a wound? Why do our noses run so much in the cold? And can you change your sex drive?Dr Karl and Dr Naomi Koh Belic...

Cremations vs. burials, walking sharks and consciousness

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is height predetermined at birth? Could plants have memories? And when we die, is it more environmentally friendly to get cremated or buried? Dr Ka...

Cool burning, phantom vibrations and the other side

11 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

How do some trees survive extreme bushfires? Where did AI begin? And what's the climate change issue that's not getting enough coverage?For this NAI...

Ageing brains, poo colour and conspiracy theories

04 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why does it become harder to learn things as we get older? If you injured yourself in space, would it hurt as much as it would on earth? And why does...

Crying headaches, subtitles and human evolution

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can long term use of cannabis change your eye colour? Why do adults feel the cold more than kids? And what will the next stage of human evolution loo...

Blood types, nanny naps and the winter solstice

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why does our skin dry out more in winter? If you were born deaf and blind, how would you think? And is sparkling water just as hydrating as regular w...

Cryogenic freezing, cravings and the placebo effect

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What role do genetics play in determining how smart someone will be? Why are rainbows always the same shape and colour? And where do the vitamins in ...

Microplastics, genetic modification and fire vs ice

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If all planets are stuck in the sun's gravitational pull, what stops them from being completely pulled into the sun? Does melting cheese change its n...

Harnessing earthquakes, dog bellybuttons and baby clouds

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can we harness the power of earthquakes? Why don't dogs have bellybuttons like us? And why tf do you sometimes see one little cloud in a clear sky?Dr...

Irrational phobias, earthquakes and mathematics

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What kind of math formulas go into AI? What influences our biggest fears? And can humans acclimatise to every weather condition?Dr Karl and special g...

Aurora australis, op shop smells and photographic memory

16 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Can eating certain foods change the taste of bodily fluids? Why do I get congested after a night out drinking? And why does armpit hair stop growing ...

Wine sneezes, yawning vs. swallowing and dimensions...

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What's actually happening when you get the wind knocked out of you? Why does swallowing combat yawning? And could we ever visualise someone else's pa...

BONUS EP: Space farts, dog breath and the Laws of Entropy

09 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

If the whole population stood in one spot and ran would the earth spin like a treadmill? What would happen if gravity didn’t exist? And are farts p...

Planet-eating stars, Dreamtime astronomy and the Potato Radius

02 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why is it so dangerous to look directly at a solar eclipse? How do we know that all foods taste the same to every person? And the big question - do a...

Tick bites, dirty diamonds and the bacteria takeover

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why does my voice wobble when I have vulnerable conversations? Why does food taste different at different temperatures? And how do you grow seedless ...

Flushing etiquette, growing pains and heat vs temperature

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What impact does trauma have on your memory? Why do chillies burn your tongue and lips but not your throat? And could octopuses take over the world? ...

Cloning dinosaurs, inbreeding implications and the soft cheese crisis

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why do some medications reduce your sex drive? Why do dogs bite their own tail? And if you were preparing for the end of the world, what is the one m...

Tea wees, volcanic extinction and muscle loss

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is it about beans that make us fart? Why do we lose muscle so quickly? How does a drink's temperature impact its fizz?Dr Karl answers these ques...

Violent burps, sneezing erections and breathing bums

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why do old people have such a distinctive smell? What would happen if gravity suddenly doubled? And why do my limbs always swell during a flight?Dr K...

Shooting stars, astrology vs. astronomy and spaghettification

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is it possible to speed up or slow down the speed of sound? Will stars eventually become invisible to the naked eye? And what would happen if you too...

Space smells, flying headaches and nails

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What does space smell like? Is the youngest sibling technically more elite? And do bushfires burn at a lesser intensity when at higher altitudes?Dr K...