The Numberphile Podcast
Episodes
Rockets, Religion & Rejection - with Destin Sandlin from Smarter Every Day
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Destin Sandlin discusses missile testing, astronaut applications, and why he created the wildly popular YouTube channel Smarter Every Day.YouTube vers...
The Man Who Loves Weather - with Chief Meteorologist Dan Harris
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Dan Harris is a chief meteorologist at the UK Met Office - https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/See him talking weather equations on Numberphile - https://you...
The Storm is Coming - with Hugo Duminil-Copin
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The ups and downs of winning the coveted Fields Medal, with 2022 winner Hugo Duminil-Copin.See our main video from this interview - https://youtu.be/J...
Making Math Videos in Ukraine - with Sashko Olenchenko
09 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sashko Olenchenko is doing a masters in mathematical physics with a sideline making videos on YouTube - occasionally interrupted by drone attacks from...
Everything You Wanted To Know About Numberphile - with Brady Haran
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Brady answers all manner of viewer questions about Numberphile - and a few unrelated topics too.Learn more about Jane Street’s Internships at - http...
The Indecisive Statistics Professor - with Chris Oates
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Oates is a professor of statistics at Newcastle University - he got there despite being somewhat indecisive about his career.This episode was ma...
Counting Crayons - with Po-Ling Loh
14 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Po-Ling Loh is an American theoretical statistician based at the University of Cambridge. She discusses her childhood, choosing a university, and her ...
BREAKING NEWS: The Largest Known Prime Number
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There’s a new largest known prime number and we speak to all the key players, including the discoverer Luke Durant. Also featured in the podcast are...
The Secret Math Journal - with Ellen Eischen
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ellen Eischen is a professor of mathematics at the University of Oregon. Here she discusses creativity, collaboration - and a “secret” journal she...
Winnie the Math Whiz - with Danica McKellar
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Catch a video version of this episode at: https://youtu.be/xMAiBBxQGZIDanica McKellar is best-known for portraying girl-next-door Winnie Cooper in The...
The Hyper-Curious Billionaire - Jim Simons (1938-2024)
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast marks the passing of James Harris Simons, better-known as Jim.The interviewees are John Ewing, David Eisenbud and Andrew Millis.The Simon...
A Very Bad Estimator - with Donald Knuth
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Donald Knuth is unquestionably a legend of computer science and mathematics - but he is bad at estimation and grew up with a “rhinoceros attitude”...
The Math of Movies - with Walt Hickey
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Data journalist Walt Hickey looks deep into the numbers behind movies, TV shows, and all types of popular culture.Walt’s new book is You Are What Yo...
Finding Your Place - with Federico Ardila
23 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Federico Ardila is a combinatorialist at San Francisco State University. He’s Colombian and in this episode he talks candidly about the struggles an...
Yes, I accept the Fields Medal - with James Maynard
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Oxford mathematician James Maynard explains why he feared accidentally refusing the most famous prize in mathematics. Watch this full interview on Yo...
An A-Class Reject - with Ed Copeland
21 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
He dreamed of being a great cricketer - but his love for equations led Ed Copeland to a career in theoretical physics.Check out opportunities with epi...
A Chain of Chance - with Michael Merrifield
18 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Episode sponsored by Jane Street - check out their latest opportunities - https://www.janestreet.com/join-jane-street/overview/ Professor Michael Mer...
Finding a Path - with Tatiana Toro
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Toro is the new director of the Simons Laufer Mathematical Sciences Institute (SL Math). SL Math website - https://www.msri.org/ Announcem...
An Educated Adult - with Tadashi Tokieda
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tadashi at Stanford - https://mathematics.stanford.edu/people/tadashi-tokieda Tadashi videos on Numberphile - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P...
The Orchid Room and Cancer - with Hannah Fry
29 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Hannah Fry discusses her cervical cancer diagnosis - and subsequent attempt to make sense of it all. Making Sense of Cancer - Showing on BB...
A Passion for Big Numbers (and Liverpool FC) - with Tony Padilla
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tony Padilla is known on Numberphile for tackling the big numbers... But by day he's a cosmologist at the University of Nottingham. Tony's also a life...
The First and Last Digits of Pi
14 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Three One Four: A Number of Notes - http://mkweb.bcgsc.ca/pi/piday2022/ The project is a collaboration between Martin, Gregory Coles, and Emma Beauxi...
An Infinite Debt - with Christopher Havens (Prisoner #349034)
13 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Catch this episode on YouTube - https://youtu.be/DPyWf4cI548 The Prison Mathematics Project - https://www.prisonmathproject.org/about/ The Paper: Li...
The Little Star - with Zvezdelina Stankova
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mathematician Zvezdelina Stankova was born in Bulgaria and is now a teaching professor at UC Berkeley. Zvezda's webpage - https://math.berkeley.edu/~...
Google's 'DeepMind' does Mathematics
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A breakthrough paper is published about using artificial intelligence to do mathematics - we discuss it with DeepMind's Alex Davies and Professor Marc...
Making Sense of Infinity - with Asaf Karagila
28 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From high school drop-out to set theorist, Asaf Karagila shares his journey towards infinity. Asaf is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at the University o...
A Chance at Immortality - with Marcus Du Sautoy
26 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mathematical greatness can strike at any time - even on the train between Oxford and London. Marcus is the Simonyi Professor for the Public Understan...
The Naked Mathematician - with Tom Crawford
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Tom Crawford has been known to strip to his underwear in the interests of math education. He is an Early Career Teaching and Outreach Fellow at Oxf...
Beauty in the Messiness - with Philip Moriarty
03 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Experimental physicist Phil Moriarty works with temperamental microscopes and individual atoms. Today's topics include Ireland, mathematics, failing a...
The High Jumping Cosmologist - with Katie Mack
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Astrophysicist Katie Mack discusses Twitter, athletics, mathematics, and the small matter of the fate of the Universe. Katie Mack's website And her Tw...
Rockstar Epidemiologists - with Adam Kucharski
02 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Adam Kucharski is among a number of epidemiologists who has suddenly been thrust into the limelight. We discuss his career and the current state of th...
Statistics and Saving Lives - with Jennifer Rogers
11 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Jennifer Rogers discusses coronavirus vaccinations, the media, and her own path to medical statistics. Jennifer Rogers website, with links t...
Why Study Mathematics - with Vicky Neale
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Vicky Neale's latest book is about why people should study mathematics - but why did SHE study mathematics? Dr Neale's website - with links to her ...
Club Automatic - with Alex Bellos
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Author and puzzle guru Alex Bellos talks about mathematics, writing, reviews, and his early days running a nightclub. Check out Alex's books on Amazon...
Quiz Shows and Math Anxiety - with Bobby Seagull
23 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
School teacher Bobby Seagull is well-known for appearing on a quiz show - but there's much more to his story. Episode sponsored by Brilliant - brillia...
Nursery Rhymes and Numbers - with Alan Stewart
05 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Nursery Rhymes and Numbers - with Alan Stewart A team of composers and musicians have joined forces to re-imagine classic nursery rhymes with new coun...
The Importance of Numbers - with Tim Harford
12 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Economist Tim Harford on the importance of numbers and statistics. Tim Harford's website has links to most of his projects Tim's book How to Make the ...
Why Did The Mathematician Cross The Road? - with Roger Penrose
08 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Roger Penrose is one of the biggest names in mathematics AND physics. Here he talks about sibling rivalry, Stephen Hawking, having ideas, and toil...
The Third Cornet - with Katie Steckles
23 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Katie Steckles is a mainstay of the mathematics communications scene and a regular in our videos. Here she discusses her life at school, university...
The Mathematical Showman - Ron Graham (1935-2020)
13 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tributes to mathematician Ronald Graham - a man of many talents. Our guests include Steve Butler, Tom Leighton, and Joe Buhler Ron Graham 'fan' webpag...
The Numeracy Ambassador - with Simon Pampena
01 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Speaking with Simon Pampena, Australia's National Numeracy Ambassador who once dreamed of being a Jedi. Simon Pampena website Videos with Simon on Num...
The Happy Twin - with Ben Sparks
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest is Ben Sparks - teacher, math populariser, and Numberphile regular. Ben Sparks website Videos with Ben on Numberphile Video of Tim Sparks pe...
The Parker Quiz - with Matt Parker
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Parker takes a quiz prepared by Brady. The YouTube version of this quiz contains a few visuals. Do you like quizzes and puzzles and interactive c...
The Accidental Streamer - with 3blue1brown
19 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Grant Sanderson from 3blue1brown returns to the podcast to talk about live-streaming lessons, tracing coronavirus, and a technical mishap. Support thi...
The Legendary John Conway (1937-2020)
13 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We pay tribute to John Horton Conway - with clips from the man himself, plus contributions from Siobhan Roberts, David Eisenbud, Colm Mulcahy and Tony...
Crystal Balls and Coronavirus - with Hannah Fry
10 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Hannah Fry made a film two years ago which predicted the coronavirus pandemic with chilling accuracy. Dr Hannah Fry's website - links to all her st...
Gondor Calls For Aid - with Kit Yates
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mathematical biologist Kit Yates discussing the coronavirus pandemic. Kit Yates website Kit on Twitter The Royal Society's call to arms for mathematic...
Champaign Mathematician - with Holly Krieger
13 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
From Illinois to Cambridgeshire, Holly Krieger’s path to mathematics was an unusual one. Holly’s webpage And her publications Watch Holly on Numbe...
Coffin Problems - with Edward Frenkel
03 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Edward Frenkel's fascinating mathematical journey - from the Soviet Union to the United States. Edward's website Love and Math - Edward's book via Ama...
The Badly Behaved Prime - with James Maynard
10 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
James Maynard is making waves in the world of prime numbers - we spoke to him in his office at Oxford University. James is appointed a professor And w...
Fame and Admiration - with Timothy Gowers
22 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Fame and Admiration - with Timothy Gowers Fields Medallist Sir Timothy Gowers discusses his career - and the role of ‘begrudging admiration’ in ma...
The Number Collector - with Neil Sloane
14 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We speak with Neil Sloane - creator and keeper of the famed ‘On-line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences’. OEIS Sequences we featured from the OEIS ...
The C-Word - talking Calculus with Steven Strogatz
17 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We record at the Royal Society in London, with Isaac Newton's original calculus papers. Infinite Powers by Steven Strogatz Steve's author page on Amaz...
The Singing Banana - with James Grime
20 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
From a difficult school to serving two terms as president of the juggling club - James Grime discusses his mathematical journey. James Grime website -...
The Offensive Lineman - with John Urschel
14 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
John Urschel is studying for a PhD in mathematics - and played three seasons of professional football in the NFL. Mind and Matter - by John Urschel an...
A Proof in the Drawer - with David Eisenbud
07 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
David Eisenbud's entertaining stories about mathematics are a fascinating glimpse into how math works - how it really works. MSRI - where David is dir...
Parker Square - with Matt Parker
24 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Standup mathematician Matt Parker opens his heart to reveal... a standup comedian who loves mathematics. This is the link for 'Humble Pi' - signed fir...
The Math Storyteller - with Simon Singh
11 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Author and campaigner Simon Singh talks about his fascinating career, a famous legal case, and his attempts to change the way mathematics is taught in...
The Klein Bottle Guy - with Cliff Stoll
08 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Computer hackers, Klein bottles and searching for a lost teacher - Cliff Stoll is a man with stories to tell. Cliff's Klein bottle website The man wit...
Delicious Problems - with Hannah Fry
16 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Math celebrity Hannah Fry tells us about her life as public intellectual and thought leader - plus her as-yet unreleased novel 'Free as a Bird', writt...
Fermat’s Last Theorem - with Ken Ribet
22 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Ken Ribet is the president of the American Mathematical Society. He played a key role in the proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem. Ken Ribet’s home page...
The Hope Diamond - with 3blue1brown
05 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Grant Sanderson makes incredibly popular math videos - but his views on math education may surprise you. 3blue1brown on YouTube Grant's 'Hope Diamond'...