Why This Universe?

98 - An Improbable Quantum Ghost Story (Ft. David Kaplan)

19 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

An unlikely change in the theory of quantum mechanics would lead to bizarre new conclusions. Our guest talks us through non-linear quantum mechanics, ...

97 - The Schrödinger Equation: The Heart of Quantum Mechanics

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Quantum mechanics is full of surprises. But somehow, the theory is captured almost entirely in a single equation. Today we explore the Schrödinger eq...

96 - The Making of Particle Fever (Ft. David Kaplan)

24 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the years leading up to the Large Hadron Collider's first experiments, the physics community was buzzing with curiosity and excitement about w...

95 - Would Aliens Have the Same Physics? (Ft. Daniel Whiteson)

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

If we met aliens, could we communicate through physics? Daniel Whiteson explores this question on today's episode. For more, check out his new bo...

38 - The Nobel Prize's Greatest Misses (2025 Update)

13 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of Nobel prize season, we remember some people whose important work in the past has been overlooked by the Nobel committee.For ad-free episod...

94 - Inside the Hubble Tension (Ft. Adam Riess)

29 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our universe is expanding. But when physicists measure how fast this expansion rate is, they get two different answers. Hear what this crisis means fr...

93 - The Moment Dark Energy Appeared (Ft. Adam Riess)

15 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Adam Riess recounts the moments of his Nobel prize-winning discovery that our universe is expanding at an accelerating rate, powered by a mysterious e...

AUA: Changing Dark Energy, Twin Paradox, and What's Next for CERN

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We answer your questions. To listen to our backlog of ask-us-anything episodes for free, head to our Patreon, or join for $3/month to submit your ques...

AUA: The Early Universe, Quantum Interpretations, and Asteroids

09 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

To listen to our backlog of past ask-us-anything episodes for free, head to our Patreon, or join for $3/month to ask us questions: https://www.patreon...

92 - What Cosmology Has in Store for 2025 (Ft. Dan Scolnic)

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn what exciting cosmology results and potential discoveries await us in 2025!For exclusive ask-us-anything episodes, join us for just $3 a month o...

91 - What Neutrinos Reveal About the Milky Way

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A discovery last year reveals our galaxy in a whole new light - except it's not light, it's neutrinos! Learn what this discovery can teach u...

90 - Quintessence: Is Dark Energy Changing? (Ft. Sean Carroll)

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is it possible that dark energy is not a constant, but rather is changing over time? Sean Carroll talks to us about how our understanding of dark ener...

89 - A Dark Matter Vibe Check

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dan and Shalma have a candid conversation about the state of dark matter research, and the ways the field has changed over the last few years.For excl...

88 - Why Does Our Universe Exist At All? (Ft. Sean Carroll)

23 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Why does something exist, rather than nothing? Special guest Sean Carroll helps us explore this deep philosophical question.For ad free episodes and o...

87 - The Good and the Bad of Peer Review

02 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There has been some criticism of the process scientists use to check each other's work. Today we take a deep dive into peer review to determine h...

28 - How Noether's Theorem Changed Physics (Rerun)

05 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how Noether's profound mathematical theorem relating symmetries to conservation laws is deeply woven into the physics of the universe. Enjo...

86 - The Life and Death of Stars

02 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We explore the diverse world of stars in the universe, from those similar to our Sun to those totally unrecognizable.For ad free episodes and other ex...

85 - Our Sun: Present, Past and Future

17 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is all about the star in our front yard - the sun. Learn how it came to be, how it has changed, and how will it change in the fut...

84 - The Search For New Worlds (ft. Josh Winn)

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hear how the search for exoplanets has developed, and what surprises it has brought so far.For ad free episodes and other exclusives, join us for just...

83 - Witnessing a Revolution in Particle Physics (Ft. Chris Quigg)

13 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today we hear from someone who bore witness to the so-called “November Revolution” of particle physics in 1974.For ad free episodes and other excl...

82 - Science Vs. Pseudoscience

29 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Pseudoscience can sometimes be hard to distinguish from the real thing. Today we discuss how philosophers of science have thought about this problem.F...

81 - Ancient Greek Astronomy

15 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The first episode in a new mini-series on philosophical problems in cosmology - Today we start with the origins of Western science and learn what the ...

80 - (April Fools 2024) A Surprising Discovery Shaking Up Modern Cosmology

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hear how a recent discovery of the motions of galaxies is changing how cosmologists are thinking about our universe.For ad free episodes and other exc...

79 - NanoGRAV's Big Gravitational Wave Discovery (Ft. Chiara Mingarelli)

18 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Last year, an experiment called NanoGRAV made a surprising discovery of gravitational waves using pulsars around the universe. Special guest Chiara Mi...

78 - The Life of a Science Journalist (Ft. Katrina Miller)

04 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What's it like bringing science to the most general public audiences? How do you distill complex results into short news-worthy articles without ...

77 - All About Quantum Computing (Ft. Henry Lamm)

05 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Quantum computing makes big promises, but how does it work? What is the real state of quantum computing today? Special guest Henry Lamm answers our qu...

76 - Do We Live in a Simulation?

22 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is the world around us real, or are we living in someone's computer program?Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsman.com/why-th...

75 - Physics in Extreme Locations (Ft. Daniel Baxter & Alexandra Rahlin)

08 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We hear two physicists describe their lives collecting data in remote locations, from deep underground in an active mine and from the South Pole.Our n...

8 - Is Space Flat or Curved?

18 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how the geometry of space defies our intuition, and why it gave Einstein so much anxiety.Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegs...

74 - The Copernican Revolution (Ft. Aviva Rothman)

04 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we visit a turning point in the history of science: the discovery that the Earth is not at the center of the cosmos.Our new merch is available h...

73 - Life Beyond Earth (Ft. Avi Loeb and Garrett Graff at the Chicago Humanities Festival)

20 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Dan moderates a lively discussion on extraterrestrial life at the Chicago Humanities Festival.Our new merch is available here: https://www.shalmawegsm...

72 - The Physics Of Music (Ft. Tim Cohen)

06 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Where does the musical octave come from? What makes a C note a C? Why do different instruments sound different? Special guest Tim Cohen comes on to an...

71 - How the Universe Got Its Structure

23 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We tell the story of how the Universe developed large scale structure, starting from the Big Bang to today. It could have all turned out very differen...

70 - WTU Live: Will Intelligent Life Persist in the Universe? (ft. Daniel Holz and Diana Powell)

10 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why This Universe hosts it's first ever live episode taping featuring guests Daniel Holz and Diana Powell. We discuss the possibility of intellig...

Special Announcement + ChatGPT On Unifying Quantum Mechanics and Relativity

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

CORRECTION: We misspeak about the time of the event in the episode, we are really on at 3-4 pm CST! Apologies!Why This Universe is going live on Octob...

69 - An Update on Modified Gravity (MOND)

28 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

While physicists overwhelmingly agree about the existence of dark matter, a select group of people aren't convinced. Instead, they believe we mus...

68 - The Age of the Universe

14 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are debunking the recent paper that claims our universe is much older than previously thought.For ask-us-anything segments and other exclusiv...

6 - Your Tour Through Quantum Weirdness (Rebroadcast)

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We are celebrating our 3 year anniversary with a throwback to one of our earliest episodes! Entanglement, wave-particle duality, and uncertainty - her...

67 - When Science Meets Spirituality (Ft. Alan Lightman)

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest Alan Lightman takes us through a fascinating discussion of consciousness, and tells us how he reconciles spirituality with his materiali...

66 - When Space Was Filled With Music

03 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shortly after the Big Bang, space was densely packed with enough stuff for sound to travel through it. What was producing sound in this era, and how c...

65 - Should We Build a Muon Collider? (Ft. Cari Cesarotti)

22 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest Cari Cesarotti tells us why so many particle physicists are itching to build a whole new type of particle collider.Crew CollectiveA podc...

64 - The Journey to the Big Bang

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Big Bang is well accepted today as the leading theory of how our universe evolved over time - but in today's episode, we talk through all the...

63 - The Question of Consciousness (Ft. David Chalmers)

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Can consciousness be explained by physics, or does it appeal to something beyond materialism? Philosopher guest star David Chalmers talks to us about ...

47 - Boltzmann Brains: Could Reality Be An Illusion? (Rebroadcast)

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A whirlwind of questions brings us to an odd conclusion: could reality be an illusion created by a quantum fluctuation of a brain? This is a rebroadca...

62 - JWST and the Earliest Galaxies in the Universe (ft. Mike Boylan-Kolchin)

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Astronomers' newest telescope, JWST, just discovered galaxies that formed earlier than previously thought possible. What does this discovery mean...

61 - Could the Large Hadron Collider Destroy the World?

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Before the LHC turned on in 2008, many feared that it would create a dangerous black hole that would destroy the world. Were any of those fears well-f...

60 - The Search for Extra Dimensions

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how extra dimensions of space might appear to us, and what physicists have done to try to find them.To support our show and get ad-free episodes...

59 - The End of Everything (Ft. Katie Mack)

09 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest Katie Mack talks to us about how the universe might end.To support our show and get ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $...

58 - The Risks of Science Populism

12 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In today's different type of episode, we talk about the risks of a subtle kind of scientific misinformation.Support the show

57 - String Theory Part 3: Duality

21 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode will hurt your brain, or your money back.To support our show and get ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join us for $3 a month on Pat...

56 - An Icy Neutrino Interruption

07 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We interrupt our regular episodes to cover the exciting new discovery that the IceCube Neutrino Observatory announced on November 3rd, 2022.To support...

55 - String Theory Part 2: The First Superstring Revolution

24 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We pick up the story of string theory and explore the explosion of interest it experienced in the mid 1980s.For ad-free episodes and other exclusives,...

54 - String Theory Part 1: What Is It?

03 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last time, we introduced the biggest open problem in theoretical physics - the problem of combining gravity with quantum mechanics. In this first part...

53 - Why We Need a Theory of Quantum Gravity

12 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Quantum mechanics and general relativity are two of the most successful theories of science ever, but they don't necessarily fit together. Learn ...

52 - The Large Hadron Collider and All Its Glory

22 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We pick up last episode's theme of particle colliders and dive into the most exciting one running today - the LHC. What is it, how does it work, ...

51 - Why Physicists Love Smashing Particles Together

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For the past century, physicists have been building particle colliders as a way to learn about the fundamental laws of physics. Today we talk about wh...

50 - The Black Hole At the Center of the Milky Way

11 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On May 12, 2022 astronomers revealed an image of the supermassive black hole at the center of our Milky Way galaxy. Today we tell the story of what ma...

49 - When the Universe Changed in an Instant

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Just like water changing to ice when it freezes, there were times in the universe's early history when reality changed in almost an instant. Toda...

48 - A Wrong Picture Of Cosmology

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When cosmology was still an infant science, a daring physicist wrote a theory of the beginning of time.  We revisit this theory and see what value we...

13 - Does Quantum Mechanics Imply a Multiverse? (Rebroadcast)

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we explore different interpretations of quantum mechanics, from Copenhagen to the many-worlds hypothesis, in an attempt to uncover what quantum ...

47 - Boltzmann Brains: Could Reality Be An Illusion?

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A whirlwind of questions brings us to an odd conclusion: could reality be an illusion created by a quantum fluctuation of a brain?For ad-free episodes...

46 - The Cosmic Rays Raining Down On Us

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here on Earth, we are constantly being showered by particles from outer space called cosmic rays. What do we know about where these particles really c...

25 - Do Extra Dimensions Exist? (Rebroadcast)

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we are rebroadcasting an earlier episode all about extra dimensions - How many dimensions of space are there? Could there be extra dimensions th...

45 - The Wide World of Exoplanets (ft. Diana Powell)

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Special guest Dr. Diana Powell gives us the lay down on the field of exoplanet research, and on how these recent discoveries may shed light on the que...

44 - Our Deepest Theory: Quantum Field Theory

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we attempt to break down the basics of quantum field theory - our deepest theory of physics yet.For ad-free episodes and other exclusives, join ...

43 - Is Physics the Most Fundamental Subject?

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Some people like to claim that psychology is just applied biology, which is just applied chemistry, which is just applied physics, and so on. Is there...

42 - The Signal That Could Be the Dark Matter

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dan shares one of the biggest stories of his career - his discovery of an excess of gamma rays at the center of the Milky Way. Is this a sign of dark ...

41 - The Hubble Tension: The Biggest Fight in Astronomy (ft. Wendy Freedman)

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When different groups of astronomers measure the expansion rate of space, they get different answers. Who's right? Or are they both right, and ne...

40 - How Will JWST Change Astronomy?

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we dive into the world's shiny new space telescope - JWST. Learn why are physicists and astronomers are so excited about it, and what new s...

23 - Does Physics Allow for Free Will? (Rebroadcast)

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Can free will exist in a universe described by the laws of physics? Listen to this re-broadcast of one of our favorite episodes.Crew CollectiveA podca...

39 - Why Do Science Communication? (ft. Daniel Whiteson and Jorge Cham)

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Daniel Whiteson and Jorge Cham talk to us about what science communication means to them.Listen to their podcast, Daniel and Jorge Explain the Univers...

A Special Neutrino Update! (ft. Pedro Machado)

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we unpack the latest neutrino results from Fermilab's MicroBoone experiment. Special guest Pedro Machado helps us understand what they mean...

38 - The Nobel Prize's Greatest Misses

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of Nobel prize season, we remember some people whose important work in the past has been overlooked by the Nobel committee.Support us on Patr...

37 - How Neutrinos Might Be Hinting at Dark Matter

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The neutrino's non-zero mass is an anomaly, but one that leads to a promising new dark matter candidate - the sterile neutrino. Could this be it?...

36 - The Neutrino's Quantum Superpower

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we discuss neutrino oscillations - their ability to transform between different types – and the quantum mechanics that makes it possible. Sup...

35 - The Chaos Underlying Everything (ft. David Grier)

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the chaotic motion that underlies even the most ordered structures, including life.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisu...

34 - Should Beauty Guide Physicists?

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Some physics theories are admired for being beautiful, but does that mean they are more likely to be true? Or could chasing beauty lead us astray?Supp...

33 - Our Love Affair With Supersymmetry

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hear why supersymmetry was special enough to win over physicists hearts, and why faith in it might be dying out.Crew CollectiveA podcast about the wil...

32 - The Mystery of the Higgs Boson's Mass

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we explore one of the biggest and most frustrating open problems of particle physics - the hierarchy problem.Support us on Patreon: https://www....

31 - If You Give an Astronomer a Neutrino

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how astronomers are using invisible particles to see what we've never seen before!Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuni...

30 - The Oldest Picture of the Universe

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the oldest light in the universe - the cosmic microwave background - and how it became a treasure trove of cosmological insight.Support us...

29 - How the Big Bang Won the Debate About the Beginning of Time

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hear what proved to physicists that the universe started with the Big Bang - and the one person who was never convinced.Support us on Patreon: https:/...

28 - How Emmy Noether Changed Physics Forever

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how a profound mathematical theorem relating symmetries to conservation laws is deeply woven into the physics of the universe.Support us on Patr...

12 - The Fight Between Modified Gravity and Dark Matter

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A rerun of one of our favorite episodes ever. Some physicists have considered the possibility that dark matter might not exist - and that instead, it&...

3 - What in the World is Anti-Matter?

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A re-post of one of our favorite early episodes. Learn how special relativity and quantum mechanics come together to make an odd prediction about matt...

27 - What Does the Muon g-2 Result Mean for Physics?

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Get our introduction to the measurement that might prove the Standard Model wrong!Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/whythisuniverseCrew C...

26 - Did Inflation Rip Apart the Early Universe?

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Big Bang theory leaves us with some open questions, and the theory of inflation might have the answers.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon....

25 - Could Extra Dimensions Exist?

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How many dimensions of space are there? Could there be extra dimensions that are hidden from view?Crew CollectiveA podcast about the wild, weird, and ...

24 - Breaking Down the Standard Model

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Take a deep dive into (a contender) for the most successful theory of physics ever!Crew CollectiveA podcast about the wild, weird, and deeply human si...

23 - Does Physics Allow for Free Will?

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Can free will exist in a universe described by the laws of physics? Crew CollectiveA podcast about the wild, weird, and deeply human side of cosmic s...

22 - The Particle That Might Do It All (Axions!)

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we talk about the theoretical particle at the forefront of current research. Learn how axions might explain not one but *two* open problems in p...

21 - The Quantum Mechanics of Black Holes

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Here's what happens when we introduce quantum mechanics to one of the weirdest objects in the universe. Hint - things get hairy.Crew CollectiveA ...

20 - Everything To Do About Black Holes

04 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we talk about black holes - from their early history to their role in the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physics. Crew CollectiveA podcast about the wild,...

19 - Why Does Science Work?

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Does science get us closer to understanding what the universe is actually like, or is it just a useful tool to build technology with? Today we get phi...

18 - Could a Hyper-Advanced Civilization Resist Dark Energy?

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

If life in the universe survives into the far future, it will eventually come face to face with the accelerating expansion of the universe caused by d...

The State of The Universe #81 - Dr. Daniel Whiteson - The Standard Model and Its Many Quirks!

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today our feed is getting taken over by Brendan Drachler to bring you an episode of his show, The State of the Universe!Science moves at an impossibly...

17 - Why Haven't We Met Aliens?

16 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Are there other intelligent civilizations out there, or are we alone here on Earth? And what have we done to try to find them?Crew CollectiveA podcast...

16 - Where Is Life in the Universe?

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What does it takes for a planet to support life? How different could extraterrestrial life be from what we see on Earth?Crew CollectiveA podcast about...

15 - What are Grand Unified Theories?

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

These theories aim to explain all of the fundamental forces (except gravity) in one neat package. How does it work?Crew CollectiveA podcast about the ...

14 - Why Does Time Move in One Direction?

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What in the laws of physics differentiates between past and future? Is there a physical reason that time always moves forward? Crew CollectiveA podca...