Instant Genius
Episodes
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...
The first stars in the Universe, with Dr Emma Chapman
08 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Physicist Dr Emma Chapman tells us everything we know – and everything we don’t – about the first stars to exist after the Big Bang. Once you’...
Lichens, with Kerry Knudsen
01 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Lichenologist Kerry Knudsen, from the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, tells us all about the biology of lichens. Once you’ve mastered the ...
The origins of religion, with Robin Dunbar
24 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Robin Dunbar, a professor of evolutionary psychology, explains why spirituality and religion took root in early humans. Once you’ve mastered the bas...
Sound in the animal kingdom, with David George Haskell
17 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Biologist David George Haskell, author of Sounds Wild and Broken, explains how and why the animal kingdom evolved to communicate by sound. Once you’...
Corals, with Dr Jamie Craggs
10 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Coral expert Dr Jamie Craggs tells us all about the biology of corals and reveals why they are so important for the planet. Once you’ve mastered the...
Oral Health, with Dr Kami Hoss
03 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dentist Dr Kami Hoss explains how to take care of our teeth, debunking myths about plaque, cavities, fluoride and more. Once you’ve mastered the bas...
The animal kingdom’s mathematicians, with Brian Butterworth
27 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Brian Butterworth, author of Can Fish Count, explains how animals approach counting and mathematics, and how they are more like humans than you might...
Blood sugar and your health, with Jessie Inchauspé
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jessie Inchauspé, author of Glucose Revolution, explains how spikes in our blood sugar are affecting how well we function on a day-to-day basis, and...
The Neuroscience of Grief, with Mary-Frances O’Connor
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Neuroscientist and psychologist Mary-Frances O’Connor explains the latest thinking on what happens to our brains when we experience grief and loss. ...
Hyenas with Prof Adam Hart
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Prof Adam Hart explains why zoologists find Hyenas so fascinating, why they're so unlike other mammals and how having a few hyenas around isn't such ...
How biology got females wrong, with Lucy Cooke
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Zoologist Lucy Cooke explains how biologists often overlook the female animal when it comes understanding the sexes in the natural world. She dispels ...
Preparing for disaster, with Michał Zalewski
21 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Computer security expert Michał Zalewski explains what disasters we should be preparing for, and what simple, straight-forward things we can do to ha...
The metaverse, with Prof David Reid
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Virtual reality expert Prof David Reid explains the metaverse – a new form of internet focused on interactivity that we could all be experiencing ve...
Mindwandering, with Moshe Bar
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Cognitive neuroscientist Moshe Bar explains what the brain does when it goes wandering and how you can use the act of mindwandering – or daydreaming...
Crows, rooks and ravens, with Dr Kaeli Swift
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ornithologist Dr Kaeli Swift tells us all about corvids, from their lifestyle and intelligence to how you can befriend a crow. Once you’ve mastered ...
The science of Intimacy, with Dr Michelle Drouin
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Psychologist Dr Michelle Drouin, author of Out of Touch: How to Survive an Intimacy Famine, explains why intimacy, both physical and emotional, is es...
Breathing, your hidden superpower, with James Nestor
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Science journalist James Nestor explains why so many of us are breathing wrong, and why it matters. Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Gen...
The origin and evolution of mammals, with Dr Elsa Panciroli
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Palaeontologist Dr Elsa Panciroli takes us 300 million years back in time to an age long before the rise of the dinosaurs to chart the evolution of so...
Gut health, with Dr Megan Rossi
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dietician and nutritionist Dr Megan Rossi explains why your gut health is important, and how you can improve it without cutting out your favourite foo...
The science of ageing, with Dr Andrew Steele
27 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Andrew Steele, computational biologist and author of Ageless, explains what happens in our bodies as we get older, and why some species don’t see...
The James Webb Space Telescope, with Stuart Clark
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Astronomer and science journalist Stuart Clark tells us everything we need to know about the most important, high-risk space mission of the decade. On...
Algae, with Ruth Kassinger
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Science writer Ruth Kassinger, author of Bloom: From Food to Fuel, The Epic Story of How Algae Can Save Our World, tells us everything we need to kno...
Consciousness and comas, with Dr Adrian Owen
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cognitive neuroscientist Dr Adrian Owen explains how he’s been able to communicate with patients in vegetative states and comas, and what consciousn...
Eating for your brain, with Kimberley Wilson
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kimberley Wilson, a psychologist, nutrition expert and Great British Bake Off finalist, explains what we should eat to keep our brains healthy. Once y...
Gravity, with Marcus Chown
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Science writer Marcus Chown tells us everything we need to know about gravity, from Isaac Newton’s apple falling from a tree to Einstein’s general...
Brain myths with Dr Lisa Feldman-Barrett
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lisa debunks some common misconceptions about the brain and explains how our grey matter really works. Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant...
Dog behaviour, with Mat Ward
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mat Ward, author of What Dogs Want, debunks the myths of dog behaviour, and explains how to get your pup ready for your return to the office. Once yo...
Health hacks, with Dr Michael Mosley
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Michael Mosley, host of the podcast Just One Thing, explains the simple lifestyle changes we can all make to improve our health and wellbeing. Onc...
UK wildlife, with Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin
24 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The presenters of Autumnwatch and Chris and Meg's Wild Summer tell us about all the different types of wildlife you can see right here in the UK. ...
Psychology of evil, with Dr Julia Shaw
17 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Criminal psychologist Dr Julia Shaw tells us how false memories can sway a trial and whether evil truly exists. Once you’ve mastered the basics with...
Mental Shortcuts, with Prof Marcus du Sautoy
10 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Professor of mathematics Marcus du Sautoy reveals how thinking like a mathematician can help you make better decisions in all aspects of life. Once yo...
Endangered foods, with Dan Saladino
03 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Food journalist Dan Saladino tells us all about endangered foods, and what we could stand to lose if these foods disappear. Once you’ve mastered the...
Poisons, with Dr Raychelle Burks
26 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Chemist Dr Raychelle Burks tells us all about poisons, from how to tell what substance was used, to whether there are any poisons that are undetectabl...
The nature of time, with Colin Stuart
19 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Astronomy author and speaker Colin Stuart explains why time has an arrow, its intimate relationship with space, and why it's impossible to go back in ...
CRISPR, with Prof Fyodor Urnov
12 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Prof Fyodor Urnov tells us how CRISPR is already changing the lives of people with genetic disorders, and why it’s essential that gene editing thera...
Science denial, with Lee McIntyre
05 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lee tells us about why science denial is on the rise, from flat-Earthers to anti-vaxxers, and where conspiracy theories come from in the first place. ...
The decline of the insects, with Prof Dave Goulson
29 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Entomologist Dave Goulson is the author of Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse. He tells us how we can save the bugs and why they’re so im...
Migraines, with Dr Katy Munro
22 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Headache specialist, author and podcast host Dr Katy Munro tells us what goes on in your body during a migraine. Once you’ve mastered the basics wit...
Procrastination, with Dr Fuschia Sirios
15 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Fuschia Sirios, well-being researcher from The University of Sheffield, unpacks the psychology of procrastination – from why we do it, to how to ...
Childhood, with Dr Emma Byrne
08 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Emma Byrne, author of How to Build a Human, tells us about the hidden science of childhood. Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius,...
Calories, with Dr Giles Yeo
01 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Trust Me, I’m a Doctor’s Giles Yeo tells us about the history of calorie counting and whether there’s such thing as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ cal...
Sleep, with Dr Matthew Walker
25 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Matthew Walker, professor of neuroscience, tells us about how sleep evolved and what happens when we don’t get enough. Once you’ve mastered the...
The science of pain, with Dr Monty Lyman
18 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Monty Lyman, author of The Painful Truth, tells us what pain really is, how the placebo effect works, and why our emotions have a huge effect on t...
Forensic anthropology, with Prof Sue Black
11 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Prof Sue Black explains the science behind identifying a body at a crime scene. Warning: This episode contains a frank and academic discussion about f...
Personality change, with Dr Christian Jarrett
04 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cognitive neuroscientist Dr Christian Jarrett tells us all about what forms personality traits – and the simple ways to change yours. Once you’ve ...
Hidden geometry, with Jordan Ellenberg
27 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mathematician Jordan Ellenberg tells us about his book, Shape, and why geometry is about so much more than triangles and circles. Once you’ve master...
The Neanderthals, with Dr Rebecca Wragg Sykes
20 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Rebecca Wragg Sykes tells us all about Neanderthals, and reveals how they continue to shape our view about deep human history. Once you’ve master...
The golden age of dinosaur discovery, with Prof Steve Brusatte
17 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Prof Steve Brusatte tells us how the latest findings in palaeontology have turned our picture of dinosaurs on its head. Once you’ve mastered the bas...
The Big Bang, with Prof Jim Al-Khalili
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jim Al-Khalili, a theoretical physicist and Professor of Public Engagement in Science, tells us about the origins of the Universe. Once you’ve maste...
Your brain chemistry and you, with Ginny Smith
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Science journalist and presenter Ginny Smith tells us about the chemicals that run your brain. Once you’ve mastered the basics with Instant Genius, ...
The science of cooking, with Dr Stuart Farrimond
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Food scientist, doctor and TV presenter Stuart Farrimond tells us about how you can use science to upgrade your cooking. Once you’ve mastered the ba...
The end of the Universe, with Dr Katie Mack
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Theoretical astrophysicist, author and one of Twitter’s most-followed scientists Dr Katie Mack tells us about the Universe's ultimate fate. Once you...
Welcome to Instant Genius
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The podcast that gives you the chance to be an expert in everything. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about you...
How AI and androids could shape the music of the future
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
While Daft Punk may have sadly split, machine-created music may be about to skyrocket in popularity. Not only are artificial intelligence neural netwo...
Could 'counterfactuals' solve the biggest problems in physics?
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Most laws of physics tell us what must happen. Throw a ball in the air and it will come back down. But physicist Chiara Marletto, a Research Fellow at...
What happens to you after 40 days with no natural light?
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Around two months ago, a group of 15 people – scientists, explorers and medics – travelled deep into a cave in the south of France. The expedition...
Why do humans make music?
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our lives are full of music, from the songs we sing along to on the radio to the orchestral scores that bring a film to life. But why is it that human...
The future of human flight, with real-life Iron Man Richard Browning
26 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast, we talk to the "real-life Iron Man" – not Marvel's Tony Stark, but inventor Richard Browning. H...
Why realistic humanoid robots need to learn to lip-sync
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast, commissioning editor Jason Goodyer speaks to Dr Carl Strathearn, a research fellow at the School...
How to understand statistics in the news and when to trust them
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast, editor Daniel Bennett speaks to Tom Chivers and David Chivers. Tom is a veteran science journali...
The bizarre biology of the mantis shrimp
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is your favourite animal? If you know anything about the mantis shrimp, it might well be your top pick. Dwelling in shallow tropical waters, thes...
The creator of Bellingcat on using the internet to investigate global affairs
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, we speak to Elliot Higgins, the founder of Bellingcat. If you haven’t heard that name before, then y...
Prof Avi Loeb on what 'Oumuamua tells us about the problem with modern physics
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In 2017, the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii spotted an interstellar object passing by Earth for the first time. Shortly after, Harvard’s Prof Avi L...
Meet the computer scientist teaching an AI to play Dungeons and Dragons
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us have had a one-to-one interaction with artificial intelligence. Whether that’s through an automated chat service for customer service, or...
International Women’s Day: The forgotten female scientists of history
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today is International Women’s Day, and in this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, online assistant Sara Rigby talks to science historians Anna R...
How to maximise your motivation, according to a neuroscientist
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As the UK enters its 13th month of lockdown restrictions and home-working, many surveys cite a slump in mental wellbeing and general productivity. But...
Inside the February issue with the BBC Science Focus team
21 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, we chat through the February 2021 issue of the magazine, which is on sale now. Managing editor Alice Li...
Mental health and your brain: What happens when it goes wrong
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the UK, one in four people experience a mental health problem each year. The reality of living with common problems like depression and anxiety is ...
Why rewilding success stories make us hopeful for the future
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
There are few places left on Earth that have been untouched by humans, and biodiversity is being lost at an unprecedented rate. Luckily, there are amb...
The psychology of the sea shanty: Why work songs are such earworms
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
2021 has got off to a strange start, with a surprising trend sweeping the internet: sea shanties. This ancient genre of music has exploded in populari...
Team talk: Beating pandemic burnout, the seasons of you and a daring giraffe rescue
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, we chat through the January 2021 issue of the magazine, which is on sale now. Editor Dan Bennett opens ...
Why you can’t multitask (and why that’s a good thing)
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Humans' ability to turn thoughts into actions has enabled us to change the world. But we've never been great at getting two things done at once. Under...
How virtual reality is helping patients with phobias, anxiety disorders and more
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In the New Year issue, we cover the biggest ideas that you need to understand in 2021, and in the past few episodes of the podcast we’ve been talkin...
How a scientist used viruses to save her husband’s life from a superbug
04 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast, we're joined by AIDS researcher Professor Steffanie Strathdee. In 2015, Strathdee's husband was ...
Marcus Chown: Does the Big Bang really explain our Universe?
28 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In the New Year issue of BBC Science Focus Magazine, we cover the biggest ideas that you need to understand in 2021. Over the next few episodes of the...
End of year roundup: The non-COVID science that brought us joy in 2020
24 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been a long and strange year, and most of our attention has been focussed on the coronavirus. So, in this bonus episode of the Science Focus Po...
Prof John Drury: The psychology of lockdowns
21 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode of the Science Focus Podcast, we talk to Prof John Drury, a behavioural psychologist based at the University of Sussex who spec...
Dr Pete Etchells: Do video games encourage gambling behaviour?
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Science Focus Podcast, we're joined by Dr Pete Etchells, a professor of psychology with a particular interest how video games affect ...
Christmas Lectures 2020: How can we look after our planet?
07 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Started by Michael Faraday in 1825, and now broadcast on national television, the Christmas lectures bring a science topic to our screens over three n...
Inside the December issue with the BBC Science Focus team
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Science Focus Podcast, we chat through the December 2020 issue of the magazine, which is on sale now. The issue is all about t...
Genes and heredity - Everything you ever wanted to know about... the biology of life with Sir Paul Nurse
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For this instalment in the Everything you ever wanted to know about... series, we’ve sourced questions from Google, our listeners and the Science F...
Cells - Everything you ever wanted to know about... the biology of life with Sir Paul Nurse
23 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
For this instalment in the Everything you ever wanted to know about... series, we’ve sourced questions from Google, our listeners and the Science F...
Dr Douglas Vakoch: Should we try to contact aliens?
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode, I’m talking to Dr Douglas Vakoch, President of Messaging Extraterrestrial Intelligence, or METI. We talk about whether we ...
Exploring the deep sea - Everything you ever wanted to know about... the deep sea with Dr Jon Copley
13 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Dr Jon Copley. Jon is a marine biologist, specialising in the deep sea. He went on the first mini sub dive to the world’s dee...
Deep sea habitats - Everything you ever wanted to know about... the deep sea with Dr Jon Copley
11 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Dr Jon Copley. Jon is a marine biologist, specialising in the deep sea. He went on the first mini sub dive to the world’s dee...
Deep sea creatures - Everything you ever wanted to know about... the deep sea with Dr Jon Copley
09 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest this week is Dr Jon Copley. Jon is a marine biologist, specialising in the deep sea. He went on the first mini sub dive to the world’s dee...