Instant Genius

Science #195

Whether you’re curious about getting healthy, the Big Bang or the science of cooking, find out everything you need to know with Instant Genius. The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine talk to world-leading experts to bring you a bite-sized masterclass on a new subject each week.New episodes are released every Monday and Friday and you can subscribe to Instant Genius on Apple Podcasts to access all new episodes ad-free and all old episodes of Instant Genius Extra.Watch full episodes of Instant Genius on BBC Science Focus Magazine's YouTube channel.

What contraception is doing to our bodies – and what we’ll use in future
Apr 20, 2025 – 42:33
How to hack your brain to make better decisions
Apr 17, 2025 – 37:22
How to actually see the Northern lights
Apr 13, 2025 – 32:01
Why a healthy ocean is vital for the survival of the human race and planet Earth
Apr 10, 2025 – 33:45
Food science: Why fermentation is the future of food
Apr 6, 2025 – 25:21
The science behind the stunning phenomenon of the Northern Lights
Apr 3, 2025 – 28:43
Food Science: How to become an expert baker through science
Mar 30, 2025 – 32:28
The biggest unsolved mysteries of the quantum realm
Mar 28, 2025 – 27:13
Food Science: The fascinating science of cheesemaking
Mar 24, 2025 – 36:49
How birds’ bizarre mating rituals have played a key role in their evolution
Mar 21, 2025 – 34:05
Food Science: How eating chocolate boosts your brain, heart and gut health
Mar 17, 2025 – 25:26
Why OCD is a serious, debilitating mental condition, not just a need for cleanliness or order
Mar 14, 2025 – 29:22
How truth and honesty are key to tackling the climate crisis
Mar 10, 2025 – 34:09
How to combat uncertainty in a post-truth world
Mar 7, 2025 – 29:31
How AI is helping us to understand how our brains learn
Mar 3, 2025 – 26:55
What our coastlines can tell us about the planet’s past and future
Feb 28, 2025 – 34:34
How to see through misleading numbers and statistics
Feb 24, 2025 – 43:46
Prostate cancer: What is it and why is it so often missed?
Feb 21, 2025 – 39:01
Don't miss the upcoming Food Science miniseries!
Feb 19, 2025 – 00:35
What meteorites tell us about life on Earth and the Universe
Feb 17, 2025 – 29:28
How psychology can help us see through propaganda
Feb 14, 2025 – 32:01
How psychology can help us unlock the power of saying ‘no’
Feb 10, 2025 – 36:24
How science is tackling one of the most common causes of sight loss
Feb 7, 2025 – 28:16
How our brains create our sense of self
Feb 3, 2025 – 37:48
How body image pressures lead to steroid use
Jan 31, 2025 – 30:28
Healthy Start: How small behavioural changes help manage stress
Jan 27, 2025 – 30:15
How music therapy can heal our bodies and brains
Jan 24, 2025 – 36:21
Healthy Start: How taking up new hobbies can boost your mental health
Jan 20, 2025 – 26:01
How science can help us tackle racism
Jan 17, 2025 – 44:58
Healthy Start: How to cut down your social media use
Jan 13, 2025 – 30:44
Why smell is our most underrated sense
Jan 10, 2025 – 32:25
Healthy Start: How to make goals and stick to them
Jan 6, 2025 – 29:51
The power of optimism
Jan 3, 2025 – 32:33
Don't miss the upcoming Healthy Start miniseries!
Jan 1, 2025 – 00:36
What happens in your body when you eat
Dec 20, 2024 – 32:25
How to combat flooding
Dec 16, 2024 – 34:57
How belonging to tribes shapes our culture
Dec 13, 2024 – 45:30
The science of manipulation
Dec 9, 2024 – 33:17
How the internet shaped how we speak
Dec 6, 2024 – 32:34
Feeding the world’s growing population
Dec 2, 2024 – 25:13
How extinction can protect future animals
Nov 29, 2024 – 34:13
How opening our eyes, ears and noses can help us deepen our relationship with wildlife
Nov 25, 2024 – 37:30
The psychology of anger
Nov 22, 2024 – 29:51
How to beat the winter blues
Nov 18, 2024 – 34:31
Why being cynical is harming your health
Nov 15, 2024 – 32:45
How to Hack Your Sleep: How not getting enough sleep affects your health
Nov 11, 2024 – 28:11
The genetic evolution and future of humankind
Nov 8, 2024 – 30:07
How to Hack Your Sleep: The science of bizarre sleep phenomena
Nov 4, 2024 – 28:56
The fascinating history of science
Nov 1, 2024 – 28:34
How to Hack Your Sleep: What to eat to get better sleep
Oct 28, 2024 – 27:29

Recent Reviews

XXVI

Always interesting

The episodes are always interesting
Palunargar

Topics are always relevant and interesting

I always find the topics very interesting and the interviews are great. It never disappoints!
meg0930

.

I really like this podcast and the content however I’m not untested in the deeper dive, I wish you could take a leaf out of the BBC history and split the deeper dive episodes and the main episodes up so you are not inundated with the extra subscription episodes.
oliviabaker13

Engaging, educational, and entertaining! ⭐

As an aspiring life-long learner, this podcast is a must-listen. The Science Focus team features so many incredible guests. Together with their guests, they take potentially complicated topics and present the information in a fun and engaging way. Definitely recommend listening and subscribing!
mandy macmillan

Hannah N

The interviewer of the doctor who saved her husband's life from a superbug was an absolute idiot! Why did he find it necessary to giggle throughout the entire interview? Her account was fascinating, he was an annoying distraction.
AnnaB68

Big Bang ep

Great episode! One piece of advice for the hostess: try not to giggle as a response while your guest is talking. A word, or even silence, is better. Good luck!
kateblahblah

Great

Sue Biack rocks! She wants to be an afticulated skeleton when she grows up so she can still teach anatomy. 😁