Instant Genius
Episodes
How to Retire in Good Health, with Tania Wiseman
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Thinking about retiring? Or maybe someone in your family is. Hopefully, we’ll all reach the age where we can at some point. But how can we navigate ...
The psychology of why we feel ghostly presences, with Ben Alderson-Day
11 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At our core, humans are deeply curious about the unknown – and ghostly spirits are no exception. From Hamlet to The Sixth Sense to Ghostbusters, the...
How to spot a narcissist, with Dr Erica Hepper
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Be it in the office or at home, it’s likely there’s at least one narcissist in your life. But what exactly are the key traits of narcissism? Are n...
Solving the UK’s water pollution problem, with Dr Tanja Radu
04 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Currently only 14 per cent of UK rivers are rated as having a ‘good’ ecological status. Agricultural runoff and the release of untreated sewage ar...
Why perfectionism is on the rise and how we can combat it, with Thomas Curran
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we speak to Thomas Curran, Assistant Professor of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the London School of Economics and author ...
The hidden ways ocean currents change our world, with Helen Czerski
28 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You may have heard the phrase ‘we know more about the moon than the deep sea’ – it’s now an old phrase, dating back to 1948. In fact, we actua...
Inside the mind of a dog, with Prof Alexandra Horowitz
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we speak to Alexandra Horowitz, professor of canine cognition at Barnard College, Columbia University and author of Inside of a Dog –...
Breasts, with Dr Philippa Kaye
21 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It goes without saying that breasts get a lot of attention. But less focus is given to the science behind them: why do we have them? Why are they all ...
Time travel, with Lawrence Krauss
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From HG Well’s The Time Machine, to Doctor Who and Back to the Future, time travel has become a beloved staple of science fiction. But will humans e...
Body language myths, with Prof Geoff Beattie
14 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Want to get better at interpreting body language? Well, most books on the topic are unlikely to help you. At least, that’s the argument of Geoff Bea...
AI’s fight to understand creativity, with Ahmed Elgammal
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Artificial intelligence has seeped into the art world, creating incredible paintings, winning art competitions, and turning amateurs into Picasso. But...
How to boost your creativity, with Hilde Ostby
07 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever had an ‘aha’ moment? The point where your thoughts somehow finally coalesce into a revelation? Or have you ever wondered where your creative ...
Ultra-processed Food with Dr Chris van Tulleken
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever struggled to put that packet of biscuits back in the cupboard after opening them? Or found yourself dialling for your favourite takeaway...
How the battle for space will change the world, with Tim Marshall
30 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As space travel becomes more common, questions are being raised over laws in space, how it will be split up amongst countries and even the risk of pot...
Out-of-body experiences, with Dr Jane Aspell
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Out-of-body experiences have long fascinated humans, with accounts of people feeling as if they’ve floated above their own bodies going back thousan...
A bold new theory of dyslexia, with Prof Usha Goswami
23 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
About 1 in 10 people in the UK have dyslexia, which is a neurological difference that can result in difficulties learning to read and write. But what ...
The fight to keep our brains private, with Nita Farahany
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the not too distant future, we could all be wearing wearables that scan our brain waves, understanding how we feel, think and act. Before then, aut...
The science of hay fever, with Sam White
16 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hay fever is something huge parts of the population deal with every year, but what actually causes it, is it genetic and is it something that is faced...
The multiverse, with Lord Martin Rees
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The idea of the multiverse, a hypothetical group of coexisting multiple universes, has long been a staple of science fiction books and movies but the ...
Synchronizing your body clock, with Prof Russell Foster
09 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Your body clock, or circadian rhythm, doesn’t just influence your energy levels throughout the day. Recent studies have revealed that your internal ...
The origin of the Universe, with Prof Thomas Hertog
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When the University of Leuven professor of theoretical physics Thomas Hertog first met famed cosmologist Stephen Hawking he found himself confronted w...
How human disease changed history, with Dr Jonathan Kennedy
02 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Over time, we have become infected with various viruses, bacteria and other microorganisms, which have had a huge impact on our evolution and history....
Art and the brain, with Susan Magsamen
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At one time or another it’s likely that we’ve all experienced the profound effect that engaging with art can have on us. Be it listening to a favo...
Overcoming insomnia, with Prof Guy Leschziner
26 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you suffer from insomnia, you’ve probably heard the same old advice before: don’t drink caffeine in the afternoon, get plenty of exercise durin...
UK wildlife, with Dr Philip Wheeler
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
BBC’s Wild Isles, presented by Sir David Attenborough, is currently showing on Sunday evenings. The series showcases British wildlife, shining a li...
When humans become prey, with Adam Hart
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when fearsome predators like tigers, lions and crocodiles live alongside humans? Ecologist Adam Hart explores how conservation works when...
Key lessons from the world’s longest happiness study, with Prof Robert Waldinger
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What are the most important, achievable things you can do to live a happier life? It’s a big question that’s been researched for many years by Rob...
Social anxiety, with Dr Ellen Hendriksen
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Research suggests that – unless you’re a psychopath – you’ve experienced anxiety about a social situation at some point. But why? What is it t...
Future of transportation, with Paris Marx
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Will we soon see self-driving cars and fancy city automation? Or will existing transport finally improve? We spoke to Paris Marx, author of the book R...
Earth’s inner core, with Dr Jessica Irving
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A recent study carried out at Peking University has found that Earth’s inner core, a giant ball of iron located in the middle of the planet, is slow...
Snakes, with Prof Mark O’Shea
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you love them or are frightened of them, you cannot deny that snakes are fascinating, adaptable creatures. They are found on every continent e...
The extraordinary psychology of Déjà vu, with Dr Akira O'Connor
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sorry if we’ve already asked, but do you know what causes déjà vu? Or why you experience it less as you get older? Just in case you're unsure, we ...
Winter storms, with Alex Deakin
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Storm Otto caused havoc across Scotland last week. Yet it was unusual in that it was the first named storm to hit our shores this autumn and winter. ...
The science of lying, with Professor Richard Wiseman
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Think you can tell when someone’s being dishonest with you? Think again. Richard Wiseman, a professor of the public understanding of psychology at t...
Fungal infections, with Dr Rebecca Drummond
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The World Health Organisation recently released a report stating that fungal infections currently kill around 2 million people a year and that they pr...
How to get more time in your day, with Dr Ashley Whillans
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Constantly feeling like you never have enough hours in your day? Then you’re actually experiencing what psychologists call ‘time famine’. And it...
The world’s ageing population and the ticking demographic time bomb, with Prof Jane Falkingham
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It was recently reported that China has entered an era of negative population growth, after demographic statistics revealed a drop in numbers for the ...
The science of persuasion, with Prof Vanessa Bohns
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How strong are your powers of persuasion? Probably a lot greater than you realise. That’s according to social psychologist Vanessa Bohns, professor ...
Light pollution, with Dr Greg Brown
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A recent study carried out by the Globe at Night project – a citizen science program involving more than 50,000 observations from volunteers around ...
How to enhance your focus with sound, with Dr Nick Perham
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What music will improve your concentration most? Could the hubbub of a coffee shop increase your attention span? And what’s the deal with white nois...
How ChatGPT could revolutionise education, with Sam Illingworth
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
ChatGPT is a tool that can create essays, poems, full movie script and more from a simple worded prompt. We spoke to Sam Illingworth, an associate pro...
The electrome, with Sally Adee
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Every cell in our body – bones, skin, muscle, nerves – has a tiny voltage, like a battery. This bioelectricity enables our brains to send messages...
Big Garden Birdwatch, with Adrian Thomas
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From 27-29 January the RSPB (The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) will invite the nation to count the birds in our green spaces. Adrian Thom...
Emotions, with Dr Dean Burnett
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered what is happening in your body and brain when you feel an emotion? How to better cope with negatives ones? Or why we even have them in t...
Biodiversity, with Dr Andrew Terry
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In December 2022, representatives from governments and other official bodies from around the world met in Montreal for COP15: The UN Biodiversity Conf...
How to change your habits, with Dr Gabija Toleikyte
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Struggling to form a new habit? Or kick an unhelpful one? While behaviour change is doubtlessly difficult, it can be made easier with a few simple psy...
The food of the future, with Evan Fraser
30 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Will we be eating lab-made meats in the future, or will vegetarianism be the new norm? And what will happen to the world’s thriving farming culture?...
Forensic science comes to the Christmas Lectures, with Professor Dame Sue Black
23 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever heard someone say: “I know them like the back of my hand”? It turns out the back of your hand can actually provide a forensic scientist with ...
Zombie viruses in the Arctic, with Dr Arwyn Edwards
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The world’s polar regions are melting. Beneath the ice lurks all kind of microbes, but how much of a threat do they really present? Microbiologist D...
Brain-controlled machines, with Tom Carlson
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Controlling machines with brain waves sounds like something ripped from a science-fiction book, and yet this is something happening today. We spoke to...
Vitamin D, Dr Gail Rees
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
During winter months, over 15% of UK adults are estimated to have a vitamin D deficiency. But what exactly does vitamin D do in our bodies? And is it ...
Bird flu, with Dr Alastair Ward
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This year around the globe, an estimated 160 million domestic birds have died as a result of avian flu. But why has the virus spread so widely? And co...
Mars in opposition, with Dr Stu Clark
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week Mars will be lit up by our Sun, providing astronomers and amateur stargazers a wonderful chance to study the Red Planet. Astronomer and auth...
Genetic testing, with Sir Peter Donnelly
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Professor of Statistical Science at the University of Oxford, and founder and CEO of Genomics PLC, Sir Peter Donnelly tells us about exactly what gen...
Robins, with Helen Wilson
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Christmas is just around the corner, and what bird is more associated with the festive season than the robin? In this episode, we chat to Helen Wilson...
How our lives are being gamified, with Adrian Hon
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you’re learning a new skill, trying to get healthy or simply progressing at work, you’ve likely experienced gamification. We speak to Adri...
The future of UK space science, with Andrew Kuh
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Andrew Kuh is the Exploration Technology Manager at the UK Space Agency. He explains the UK’s involvement with NASA’s Artemis 1 mission and the ex...
What the Nordic people can teach us about a winter mindset, with Kari Leibowitz
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The collective misery as the nights draw in and the days feel impossibly short is palpable at this time of the year. But it doesn’t have to feel thi...
Climate breakdown, with Prof Bill McGuire
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Instant Genius, McGuire explains why it is now practically impossible for us to keep climate change on the right side of the 1.5-d...
Sleep disorders, with Dr Alice Vernon
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Instant Genius, Dr Vernon speaks to us about sleep disorders, or parasomnias. She tells us how scientific attitudes towards sleep ...
Kindness, with Claudia Hammond
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today, the world can feel like a bit of an unkind place. But according to Claudia Hammond, a psychologist and BBC Radio 4 presenter, that isn’t nece...
Heating and Health, with Dr Radha Modgil
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With energy bills skyrocketing of late, many of us are thinking twice before putting the heating on, or maybe not even putting it on at all. But what ...
The e-waste dilemma, with Josh Lepawsky
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Is your smartphone becoming more environmentally friendly? Are tech companies doing enough to reduce their carbon footprint? Josh Lepawsky, a research...
COVID in waste, with Dave O’Connor and Marc Johnson
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Jason speaks to virologists Dave O’Connor and Marc Johnson from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. For the past year they hav...
Irrational thinking and beliefs, with Steven Pinker
23 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Are we innately rational or irrational beings? What’s the common psychology that leads people to be sucked into conspiracy theories? Cognitive scien...
Flies, with Dr Erica McAlister
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, we moan about them biting us, landing on our food and invading our picnics, but did you know that flies are extremely important pollinators? And ...
Medical Detection Dogs, Dr Claire Guest
16 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can animals sniff out cancer? Absolutely they can! It turns out that a dog’s incredible sense of smell can sniff out prostate cancer from a urine sa...
Holding the Universe in your hands, with Dr Kimberly Arcand
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What if you could hold a supernova in the palm of your hand? Or what if you could listen to a black hole? Dr Kimberly Arcand, a data visualiser for NA...
The science of learning music, with Adriana Barton
09 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Picking up an instrument is something we’ve all done, or thought about doing. But what is actually going on in our brains when we do? We talk to hea...
The science and soul of music, with prof Susan Rogers
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Why do you love the songs that you do? Why does music have such a powerful hold over us? Can you love music without being musical? Neuroscientist prof...
Faecal transplants, with Dr Benjamin Mullish
02 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Food and Drink Administration in the States has recently recommended the use of faecal transplants to treat various bacterial infections. We spoke...
The future of self-driving cars, with Jack Stilgoe
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jack Stilgoe, a professor of science and technology policy, talks us through the future of self-driving cars, upcoming changes to the law surrounding ...
The heart, with Sian Harding
25 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sian Harding, author of The Exquisite Machine: The new science of the heart, explains how the heart works, how to keep it healthy and the future of r...
Jupiter in opposition, with Dr Jonathan Nichols
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On Monday 26 September, Jupiter will make its closest approach to Earth for 59 years, giving astronomers and stargazers a unique opportunity to observ...
Spider season, with Prof Adam Hart
18 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s that time of year again when we start to notice spiders coming into our homes. But what is the cause of this so-called ‘spider season’ and ...
NASA’s DART asteroid deflection mission, with Tim Gregory
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Geologist and chemist Tim Gregory tells us what to look out for when NASA’s DART spacecraft completes its year-long journey and crashes into an aste...
Dung beetles, with Sally-Ann Spence
11 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dung beetles are incredibly important insects. They keep fields clean by munching through dung, help aerate soil, and act as a food source for various...
Artemis’s First Launch, with Libby Jackson
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last couple of weeks Artemis has had two failed attempts at its first launch. Libby Jackson, the Exploration Science Manager for the UK space...
Space weather, with Sean Elvidge
04 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jason Goodyer talks with Sean Elvidge on everything you need to know about weather in space. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...
Bringing back the Tasmanian tiger from extinction, with Helen Pilcher
01 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When we bring back a species after it’s gone extinct, are we bringing back the real thing? Would we create a woolly mammoth or a hairy elephant? Bio...
The science of James Bond gadgets, with Kathryn Harkup
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Kathryn Harkup, author of Superspy Science, talks us through the science of the craziest gadgets, schemes and fatalities in the James Bond series. Hos...
How plants solve crimes, with Prof David Gibson
26 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You can’t escape plant matter. It’s everywhere. That’s why forensic botany – the study of plants to help investigate crime – is so powerfu...
Future of artificial intelligence, with Kate Darling
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Kate Darling, a researcher specialising in human-robot interaction at the MIT Media Lab talks to us about artificial intelligence and tells us why ...
Life on Mars, with Lewis Dartnell
18 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Lewis Dartnell, an astrobiologist and research scientist and the University of Westminster, explains what we might find in the search for life on Mars...
What has caused the heatwave and drought, with Prof Dann Mitchell
14 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Prof Dann Mitchell, a climate scientist at the University of Bristol, reveals what has caused the current heatwave and drought, and what the future ou...
Drought, with Kevin Hiscock
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Kevin Hiscock, a professor of environmental sciences at the University of East Anglia, unpacks the problems the UK is facing with drought and how to t...
Instant Genius Update
07 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We are now giving you double Instant Genius each week! From Monday 8th August 2022 you'll get a new episode from us every Monday and Friday. For tho...
Seashells with Dr Helen Scales
07 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Marine biologist, broadcaster and author Dr Helen Scales tells us all about seashells, where to find them, and what they can reveal about their inhabi...
Inside the mind of a bee, with Prof Lars Chittka
31 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How smart can an insect be? Lars Chittka, a professor of sensory and behavioural ecology and Queen Mary, University of London unpacks the incredible d...
Deepfakes, with Sam Gregory
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Technologist Sam Gregory explains what deepfakes are and why they have seen a sudden rise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
The evolution of human childhood, with Dr Brenna Hassett
17 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Anthropologist Brenna Hassett, author of Growing Up Human, explains why our super-long childhood is so weird compared to the rest of the animal kingdo...
The science of crabs, with Peter Davie
10 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Marine ecologist Peter Davie, author of Crabs: A Global Natural History, tells us about the biology and behaviour of these crustaceans. Once you’ve ...
Meteorites, with Dr Tim Gregory
03 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Cosmochemist Dr Tim Gregory tells us about the exciting science of space rocks. Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius, dive deeper wit...
Animal senses, with Ed Yong
26 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Science writer Ed Yong tells us about the staggering diversity of animal senses, from dogs’ powerful sense of smell to birds’ incredible colour vi...
Sloths, with Dr Rebecca Cliffe
19 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Rebecca Cliffe, founder and executive director of the Sloth Conservation Foundation, busts the myths around these loveable animals and explains jus...
Bitcoin, with Brett Scott
12 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Brett Scott, author of Cloudmoney, explains how cryptocurrencies work, and why he believes Bitcoin will never be a true currency. Once you’ve maste...
COVID numbers, with Professor Sir David Spiegelhalter
05 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What story do the statistics tell about the pandemic? Sir David Spiegelhalter, the non-executive director the UK Statistics Authority, explores what l...
The science of dreams, with Sidarta Ribeiro
29 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Neuroscientist Sidarta Ribeiro speaks to us about what is going on in our brains when we dream. Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius,...
The body clock, with Prof Russell Foster
22 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Neuroscientist Prof Russell Foster explains how our circadian rhythms control functions throughout our entire bodies. Once you’ve mastered the basic...
Dog intelligence, with Jules Howard
15 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Zoologist Jules Howard, author of the new book Wonderdog, tells us how smart our pet pooches really are. Once you’ve mastered the basics with Insta...