What The If?
Episodes
REPOPULATE The Earth!
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we dive into a thought-provoking journey of what could happen if humanity had to restart on Earth after different timeframes due to a...
STEAM World!
23 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our podcast episode embarks on a thought-provoking adventure led by the curiosity of Lars from Sweden. Imagine a society where modern conveniences and...
The HOLODECK
16 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode takes a leap inspired by the latest in AI video generation to explore the concept of the Star Trek holodeck. Imagine a future wher...
TARDIGRADE Powered Humans!
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into the microscopic world of tardigrades as we explore the astonishing resilience of these tiny creatures. From the depths of space to the highe...
Holographic TEACHERS!
02 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into a world where the chalkboard meets the hologram in this riveting episode of "What The IF"! Join Philip, Matt, and Gaby as they venture into ...
SHOCK Week!
13 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In our latest episode, we're diving into a wild world where electric shocks can lead to new genes! Picture this: zebrafish larvae in a tank, minding t...
MUSIC of Gravitational Waves: Beyond The IF!
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We've got a special treat for you! Usually reserved exclusively for our Patreon supporters, we're sharing a "Beyond The If" segment with everyone this...
MUSIC of Gravitational Waves! With C. Renee JAMES
05 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for an enthralling podcast episode where hosts Matt, Gaby, and Philip, along with guest C. Renée James, dive into the captivating world of gr...
BRAIN Swap!
29 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into an electrifying journey of mind-bending possibilities with Matt, Gaby, and Philip on the latest episode of "What The If." This rollercoaster...
Santa's Physics Extravaganza: Beyond The IF!
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We've got a special treat for you! Usually reserved exclusively for our Patreon supporters, we're sharing a "Beyond The If" segment with everyone this...
Santa's Physics Extravaganza!
22 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to a holiday special episode of "What The If?" where we merge the festive spirit with the wonders of science! 🎅🌌 This time, we're tackli...
SLEEP No More!
10 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey, "What The IF" fans! This is Philip, and together with Gaby, we've brewed up a sleep-deprived adventure in our latest episode. We dive into the wo...
Silent But DEADLY
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there, science enthusiasts and curious minds! It's Gaby and Philip here from What The IF, and we've got a hilariously explosive episode for you! 🌌...
Throw It ALL In The CRISPR!
10 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hi there, Gaby and Philip here from the "What The If" podcast! In our latest episode, we're slicing into the sensational world of CRISPR - that revolu...
Ultra Massive ASTEROID!
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there, science enthusiasts and curious minds! We're inviting you on a cosmic journey with us in our latest podcast episode. We're diving into the ...
Ultra QUIET City!
27 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our newest listener, Suzanne, asks, "What The IF cars didn't have horns?" It's a question we all ask on those days when the traffic jam outside our wi...
BULK Over Beauty!
20 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there, science aficionados! It's Gaby, Matt, and Philip here. Ever wondered what would happen if nature's playbook was rewritten, where "survival ...
Martinis On VENUS!
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there, fellow science enthusiasts! It's Philip, Gaby, and Matt, back with another electrifying episode. Thanks to a stellar challenge from our Sup...
BEES Control The Weather!
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there, science enthusiasts! Gaby and Philip here, and we're about to take you on a flight of fancy you won't forget. Ever imagined a world where b...
Scoop Of EARTH!
29 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hold onto your seats as Philip and Matt take you on a space adventure like no other! This time, we're asking the zany question: What if we took a rand...
Alien MUMMIES!
16 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there, science enthusiasts! It's Philip, Matt, and Gaby back at it with another riveting episode of "What The IF?". Ever imagined aliens stranded ...
X-Ray Vision!
08 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey folks, it's Matt, Gaby, and Philip here with a brand new episode that's all about peering into the unseen — a deep dive into the world of X-rays...
MUON Madness!
01 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this week's episode, "MUON Madness!", Matt and I dive into the enigmatic world of muons. If you're scratching your head wondering what muons are, y...
Human SWARM!
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there, science enthusiasts! It's Philip here. Remember to don your goggles, hazmat suits, and an open mind as Gaby Paniccia and I dive deep into o...
Recording BRAINS!
18 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hello, fellow science enthusiasts! It's Philip here, inviting you to dive into the latest episode of "What The IF?" with Gaby and me. This week, we st...
Space JUNK!
11 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there, fellow Iffers! It's Philip here, and do I have a treat for you. Dive into our latest episode, "Space JUNK!", an electrifying rollercoaster ...
FROZEN Time Travel!
04 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of "What The IF?", we, Matt, Gaby, and Philip, start by musing about a hypothetical meal with a young, pre-beard Abraham Lincoln. We t...
Space Vacuum MONSTERS!
28 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s cover art is by our Super IFFer listener, Josh Haberman! It’s inspired by our episode “Underwater Civilizations” and he says, it’s i...
Underwater CIVILIZATION
21 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the latest episode of "What The IF?" titled "Underwater Civilization". Join hosts Philip, Gaby, an insightful virologist from Rockefeller U...
Radical SENSATIONS!
14 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hold onto your headphones, folks! In this eye-opening episode of "What The If?", our intrepid podcasters, Philip, Matt, and Gaby, contemplate an unfat...
LIFE from Phosphorous!
07 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this exciting episode of "What The If?" Philip, Matt, and Gaby delve into a cosmic "What If?" scenario that's full of scientific discoveries and hi...
Blade Runner REPLICANTS
30 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Blade Runner REPLICANTS by Philip Shane, Matt Stanley, Gabrielle Paniccia
Living FOREVER!
23 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this riveting episode of "What The IF?", join hosts Philip and Gaby as they strap on their metaphorical goggles and gear to deep dive into the capt...
Meet The Star Trek COMPUTER!
16 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
🚀 Blast off to the 23rd Century in this hilarious and thought-provoking episode of "What The IF?" Join your host, Philip, as he chats with an unexp...
ICE Insanity!
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We salute our newest Patreon members. Thank you: Connie, Martin, and Dan! --- Welcome to an icy exploration of reality on this episode of "What The ...
MYST Linking Books to OTHER WORLDS
02 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey there IF-ers, this is Philip and Matt coming at you with another mind-bending episode of "What The IF?" Dan, our listener and a super cool Patreon...
REMOTE Control BRAINS!
26 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever pondered what it would be like if you could control anything with your brain, like a universal remote control? Buckle up, because on this episode...
ADA Lovelace - PROGRAMMER #1
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready to hitch a ride in our time machine because this episode of "What The IF?" takes you all the way back to the 19th century, to have a virtual...
Mr. SPOCK In The House!
12 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Are you ready to boldly go where no podcast has gone before? Grab your hazmat suit, don your protective goggles, and prepare to take a thrilling leap ...
BATS - With Emily Driscoll!
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready to spread your wings and BE a BAT! We welcome Science Journalist and Video Producer Emily DRISCOLL as we explore the fascinating world of ec...
Humans to MARS! With Chris Carberry of EXPLORE MARS
28 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On the eve of the 2023 Humans To Mars Summit in Washington, DC we blast off with this week's hilariously out-of-this-world episode of "What The IF?" w...
SPACE Is An OCEAN!
21 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready for another episode of our off-the-wall, science-themed podcast! In honor of reaching one million views, we're diving into an outlandish wha...
Robot CARS! With Robert PEPPER
14 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Buckle up, folks, because this podcast episode takes you on a wild ride! 🚗 Join Matt, Philip, and special guest Robert Pepper L2SFBC as they explor...
OXYGEN Overload!
07 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hold your breath (or don't!) as Philip and Gaby take a lighthearted leap into the wacky world of doubled oxygen levels in this uproarious episode of "...
AMOK Intelligence with special guest HAL 9000!
01 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week on "What The IF?," join us as we welcome a very special guest, the iconic AI from 2001: A Space Odyssey, HAL 9000! In this light-hearted, of...
One TIME ZONE To Rule Them All!
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey, IFfers! Ready to bend time itself? In this hilarious episode, we dive into a world where time zones are thrown out the window, like an old, broke...
DINOSAUR Hospital!
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you're a fan of dinosaurs, you won't want to miss this episode of "What The IF?" titled "Dinosaur Hospital!" Hosts Philip, Gaby, and Matt are joine...
COSMIC String Attack!
11 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Buckle up, folks! The latest episode of "What The IF?" is an absolute cosmic ride. In this mind-bending episode we answer long time listener and Super...
Bad PLACEBO!
05 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this week's show, we ask: what if everything was a placebo? Yep, we're diving into the mind-bending world of sugar pills and the crazy notion that ...
Artificial IF-telligence!
26 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is all about what happens when your computer falls head over heels in love with you. Yes, you heard that right! We're talking about compu...
Super Duper SUPERCONDUCTORS
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
WHALE Sized HUMANS!
11 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
More Scientific BREAKTHROUGHS Than EVER!
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
ZOMBIE Fungus! The Science of "The Last of Us"
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
TOXOPLASMA Gondii!
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
METEOR Rain!
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
FUSION Fiesta!
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
When CONSTANTS Get Shaky!
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What The IF returns with an all NEW show! Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us...
No Opposable Thumbs?
05 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes, join The Non-Opposition Party! Our long time listener Nigel of Portsmouth, UK ascends...
Stop! In The Name of LAVA
22 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes, the fearless and fabulous DR. ROBIN GEORGE ANDREWS joins us for an explosive IF! Rob...
2022-02-11 Eat ANYTHING!
15 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
An encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes! --- Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOU...
Animals TALK Back!
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
Atoms The Size of LEGOS!
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
An encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes! Check out our membership rewards at Patreon.com/Whattheif Don’t miss an episode! Subsc...
Life Inside The STARLINK Sphere!
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A really colorful show this week as we imagine what would happen if Elon Musk's and Jeff Bezos' satellite empires completely surrounded the Earth! --...
The Milky Way Is ALIVE - With Dr. Moiya McTier!
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our special guest this week is Dr. Moiya McTier, “Folklorist to the stars & Astrophysicist to the folks.” Dr. McTier is the host of the popular s...
Criminal COCKATOOS!
16 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
Alastair REYNOLDS & Brain RADIO!
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A very special episode. One of the world’s greatest living science fiction authors, ALASTAIR REYNOLDS returns to the show! Al riffs with us on a con...
PIG Necromancy?
02 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's IF is ripped from the headlines! Read the article in The New York Times: "A ‘Reversible’ Form of Death? Scientists Revive Cells in Dead ...
CANCER Virus Hunters -- with Gregory J. Morgan!
26 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest is Gregory J. Morgan, an associate professor specializing in the history and philosophy of science at Stevens Institute of Technology. His n...
A Nation Without SANITATION!
19 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
Monkeypox UPDATE
12 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
Ancient MAYAN Astronomy!
05 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest is Gerardo Aldana, Professor of Chicano Studies at UC Santa Barbara and Author of “Calculating Brilliance: An Intellectual History of Maya...
FLOATING Continents!
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
AIRSHIPS With Joe Scott!
22 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
Galileo Sees The WEBB Images!
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
Beware ET Bearing GIFTS!
08 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
The AETHER - Part 2!
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
The AETHER Is All Around YOU
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
Carl SAGAN & The Alien MIND
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
GENDER Free World
10 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
QUANTUM Internet!
03 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
Pickpocketing GENES?
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
Panspermia? PANSPERMIA!
20 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
ZAP That Cancer AWAY - with Dr. Frank KEARLY!
13 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Apologies for the audio in this episode.) Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have ...
POWER In The WILD with Lee Alan Dugatkin!
06 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif --- Our guest today is Lee Alan Dugatkin, an animal behaviorist, evolutionary biol...
How To REBOOT Your Civilization
29 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
Summiting On MARS with Chris Carberry!
22 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif --- What the IF your next awesome science conference were taking place... on MAR...
Gecko STICKY Power!
15 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
Quantum STEAMPUNK - With Theoretical Physicist Nicole Yunger Halpern!
08 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif --- Our guest this week is the time traveling, super imaginative theoretical phy...
The BBC Spaghetti Trees!
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We celebrate APRIL FOOLS DAY by taking on one of the greatest news pranks ever, The BBC Spaghetti Tree hoax. From jokes to facts... grab your basket a...
Science Class in... Ancient Babylon!
25 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards! Visit us at Patreon.com/Whattheif Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send ...
The Mechanics of LUCK
18 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at [email protected] and let us know wha...
AMOK Daylight Savings TIME!
12 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at [email protected] and let us know wha...
Get Parasite, Get Sexy?
04 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Gaby read an article in the Atlantic called "The Never-Aging Ants With a Terrible Secret: A parasite gives its hosts the appearance of youth, and an u...
Ultra VAX? Bring It!
02 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
(Producer's note: Kudos to our listener Gary from Atlanta who discovered a tech glitch in the previous upload of this episode. This is a fixed version...
Atoms The Size of LEGOS!
20 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Check out our membership rewards at Patreon.com/Whattheif Don’t miss an episode! Subscribe at WhatTheIF.com Enjoy the show and keep on IFFin'!
Eat ANYTHING!
11 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Got an IF of your own? Want to have us consider your idea for a show topic? Send YOUR IF to us! Email us at [email protected] and let us know wha...
YOUR Personal Role In Space Exploration — w/The PLANETARY SOCIETY’s Casey Dreier
04 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Solar System is in your hands! Careful, don't drop it, but do keep it warm... by exploring it! The awesome DAY OF ACTION, led by The Planetary S...
No FOSSIL FUEL For You!
30 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Patreon Update: We have another Patreon member, Don from Pennsylvania who has joined at the $10/month “Clockwork Universe” Tier where he receives ...
Berenstain Bears & The MESHUGGENA EFFECT
22 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to our newest Patreon member, KEN! You, too, can support the show and get awesome rewards by joining us at Patreon.com/WhatTheIf -- see you th...