23 Best Technology and Science Podcasts

Instead of listening to the radio or randomly watching cat videos on YouTube, why not spend your time constructively and listen to some interesting and informative podcasts.

This hand-picked selection of technology and science podcasts is sure to pique the interest of science and tech enthusiasts, as well as those with a moderate interest in these subjects.

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What are some of the best science and technology podcasts around?

And so, without further ado, here are some of the best science and technology podcast's out there. As you can imagine, the following list is far from exhaustive and is in no particular order.

1. Naked Scientists Podcast is put on by the Cambridge University-based Institute of Continuing Education

Platform: thenakedscientists.com

Main topic: General interest science, biology, chemistry, physics, and technology.

The Naked Scientists is brought to you by the Cambridge University-based Institute of Continuing Education (ICE). Contributors range from scientists and doctors to communicators and educators who all share a passion for helping the general public engage in science, technology, and medicine.

The podcast was launched in 2001 by Chris Smith and was, at the time, was one of the few science podcasts. Today, it is incredibly popular, with over 50 million downloads in the last 5 years alone. 

2. BBC Science podcasts have something for everyone

Platform: BBC

Main topic: Various, including science and technology, physics, space, and many more.

The BBC has produced a wide range of science, technology, and other specialist podcasts that are bound to tickle the fancy of any curious mind. They range from the 'catch-all' 5 Live Science Podcast to those focusing on a single subject, like mathematics or physics. 

Their podcasts are often hosted by prominent scientists, who are experts in their field and the podcasts have very high production quality.

3. Science Friday podcast is an award-winning science and tech podcast

Platform: sciencefriday

Main topic: Science and technology.

Science Friday, or SciFri for short, is an award-winning podcast site that produces informative podcasts on everything from outer space to the tiniest microbe.

According to their own site, "Science Friday is the source for entertaining and educational stories about science, technology, and other cool stuff". This site reaches around 1.8 million listeners every week and features interviews with prominent scientists and experts like Elon Musk and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

4. StarTalk featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson is fantastic

Platform: startalkradio.net/YouTube/ Sirius XM Insight Channel 121/iTunes Podcasts/Google Play Music/SoundCloud/Stitcher/TuneIn

Main topic: Science, pop culture, and comedy with "clarity, humor, and passion."

StarTalk first started in 2009 and has since become one of the most popular science-related podcasts around. It focuses mainly on space, science, and popular culture but stands out from the crowd because it's hosted by the popular astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. 

The podcast is now widely available on its own website and many other platforms and has branched out into a full-fledged radio talk show. If you like humor, astrophysics, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, this one is a must for you.

5. The Infinite Monkey Cage is hosted by Brian Cox

Platform: BBC/BBC 4 /Tunein/YouTube

Main topic: General Interest Science.

The Infinite Monkey Cage, hosted by scientist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince, brings enthusiasts together in one place to discuss the basics of science. Subjects range from forensic science to quantum physics and everything in between.

Self-described as a "Witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists' eyes," this podcast series is both fun and informative in equal measures. A real treat for science and technology enthusiasts.

6. Flash Forward talks about the future of tech

Platform: flashforwardpod/Apple Podcasts

Main topic: Future Technology and Science.

According to their website, "Flash Forward is a podcast about the future. Each episode we take on a possible (or not so possible) future scenario — everything from the existence of artificial wombs, to what would happen if space pirates dragged a second moon to Earth." 

It has been featured on many science and technology websites like Popular Science, Planet Money, and many more and was named one of the Best Podcasts of 2016 by Apple Podcasts.

7. Main Engine Cut Off Is Dedicated to Space Exploration

Platform: mainenginecutoff/Spotify

Main topic: Primarily concerned with spaceflight, exploration, space technology, space policy, and strategy.

Main Engine Cut Off is a blog and podcast run by Anthony Colangelo. His mission is to keep his listeners updated on the latest space missions, Astro-strategy, and general life outside Planet Earth. 

This podcast and blog are ideal for any budding astronaut or space enthusiast. You can also support his endeavors via Patreon or his online shop if you feel so inclined.

8. 60-Second Science gives you minute-long info-packed blasts

Platform: scientificamerican/Tunein/Itunes

Main topic: News and updates on the latest scientific and technological developments.

As the name suggests, this podcast brings all the latest news in science in weekly, one-minute-long information blasts. Hosted by the Scientific American team, it brings you quick reports and commentaries on the latest goings-on in the world of science.

Scientific American is one of the longest-running and well-respected scientific publications around. In fact, it the U.S.'s longest continuously-published magazine and has been bringing its reader's unique insights into the world of science and technology for over 170 years.

9. The Skeptics' Guide to The Universe is one of the most popular podcasts out there

Platform: skepticsguide/Itunes/Tunein

Main topic: News on the world of science and pseudoscience.

The Skeptics Guide to The Universe brings listeners weekly updates on the world of science and pseudoscience. Its format is both entertaining and informative, and promotes critical thinking and reasoning skills, with a mission to improve public understanding of science in general.

It is one of the most popular science podcasts on iTunes, and for good reason. It first aired in May 2005 and has grown exponentially ever since.

10. Stuff You Should Know Is really stuff you should know

Platform: stuffyoushouldknow/iTunes/Spotify/Tunein

Main topic: "Explores the science behind the Stuff You Should Know about everything from genes to the Galapagos."

Stuff You Should Know, hosted by Charles Bryant and Josh Clark, is a regular podcast that covers a wide variety of subjects. It primarily concerns itself with science and technology but delivers information in an interesting and entertaining format. 

According to its website it "covers lots of interesting facts about all the common things around us and how they work."

11. The Future Thinkers podcast is dedicated to the evolution of tech

Platform: futurethinkers/YouTube/iTunes/Spotify

Main topic: Science and technology.

Co-hosted and produced by Euvie Ivanova and Mike Gilliland, the Future Thinkers Podcast focuses on the evolution of technology, society, and consciousness. It asks and attempts to answer, profound questions like “What does the future of humanity hold, and how can we help create it?” or ”How can we create societies where all human beings thrive?”, and “What is the nature of reality and consciousness?”

The pair are self-described digital nomads who travel the world exploring cultures and alternative lifestyles and out-there thinking. The podcast has feated in the top podcasts in Forbes, BBC, and iTunes. 

12. The Story Collider is an interesting take on a science podcast

Platform: storycollider/soundcloud/iTunes

Main topic: Dedicated to the stories behind science and art.

The Story Collider is a nonprofit organization that focuses on personal stories about science. It was founded in 2010 and has spent the last 11 years working with scientists, exploring their personal journies of discovery.

"The Story Collider believes that now, more than ever, science is a part of everyone’s lives. We believe that everyone has a story about how science has impacted them — whether they’re physicists or comedians, neuroscientists or writers, geologists or cops, doctors or bartenders" explains its about page.

13. Quirks and Quarks is another award-winning podcast

Platform: cbc/iTunes

Main topic: Focuses on the men and women behind the latest science, technology, medical, and environmental discoveries.

Quirks and Quarks is an award-winning Canadian national science program. It started out on the radio and now features weekly podcasts. Currently presented by Bob McDonald, it provides listeners with up-to-date information on the latest in cutting-edge scientific and technological discoveries.

Each week a different scientific and technological innovator is featured and it examines topics ranging from the quantum level to the cosmos. It also, from time to time, explores the ethics and political implications for new developments in science and technology.

14. Stuff to Blow Your Mind certainly will

Platform: stufftoblowyourmind/iTunes/Stitcher

Main topic: This podcast explores "neurological quandaries, cosmic mysteries, evolutionary marvels and the technological underpinnings of our transhuman future."

Hosted by Robert Lamb and Joe McCormick, "Stuff to Blow Your Mind" is a journey 'down the rabbit hole' of science and technology. Its mission is to take its listeners to the very edge of human understanding.

The podcast began in 2010 as "Stuff From the Science Lab". It was rebranded later that year and has had a few key figures replaced over the years since its founding.

15. The Nature podcast provides highlights from its main publication

Platform: nature/Stitcher/iTunes

Main topic: Features highlights from Nature magazines' weekly content on science, nature, and technology.

The Nature Podcast is a weekly, high production quality podcast that highlights content from the magazine's weekly publication. It includes news and interviews with key players in science and technology as well as in-depth commentary and analysis from its science reporters.

16. Physics Central is all about physics

Platform: physicscentral/YouTube

Main topic: Physics.

Produced by the American Physics Society (which represents over 48,000 physicists) this podcast focuses on scientific meetings and publications to explain the importance of physics to the general public. Their weekly podcasts help answer questions on how just about everything works, and keeps listeners updated on the latest developments in the field.

This podcast connects listeners with the leading players in physics and aims to make physics fun, interesting, and engaging.

"We'll describe the latest research and the people who are doing it and if you want more, where to go on the web. So stick with us. It's a big, interesting world out there, and we look forward to showing you around."

17. The Science Show is a long-form science podcast

Platform: abc/iTunes/Stitcher

Main topic: Focuses on providing unique insights into the latest in scientific research and debate. Subjects cover all the sciences.

This science podcast provides 'old school' long-format episodes that "dive deep into a huge variety of fascinating topics." The Science Show is great if you want to stay ahead of the curve in scientific research, discovery, and at times, scandal. 

It is one of the longest-running science-related programs in Australia and is a real treat. It is hosted by Robyn Williams (not the late actor) and is both insightful and entertaining at the same time.

18. Radiolab is a science podcast dinosaur

Platform: wnycstudios/iTunes

Main topic: Science and technology.

Radiolab is a 'golden oldie' when it comes to podcasts. It has been around since 2002 and is still going — for a good reason. Its hosts excel at drawing in and entertaining audiences with their well-researched and fascinating science stories.

There is some forced comedy at times, and their newer material tends to incorporate less science-specific subjects but its back catalog contains some real gold. 

Their description details that the show has won Peabody Awards, 'for its investigative use of radio to make science accessible to broad audiences,' and in 2011, one of its creators received a MacArthur Genius grant. The show has an archive of hundreds of episodes and has toured in sold-out shows nationwide." 

19. Science Vs. will challenge your preconceptions

Platform: gimletmedia/Soundcloud/iTunes

Main topic: This science podcast focuses on challenging fads, trends, misconceptions and the 'opinionated mob' to find out the truth.

Science Vs., from Gimlet Media, leans towards the more controversial side of science and technology. Previous episodes have tackled challenging issues like the link between gun ownership and violent crime, the reasons for obesity, and whether we should embrace renewable energy 100%.

This science podcast is great for those who like to hear science and tech news backed up with hard facts. It is also perfect for those who like to be well-stocked with ideas for dinner conversations.

20. Hubblecast will take you into outer space

Platform: spacetelescope/YouTube

Main topic: This video podcast is all about the Hubble Mission, but also branches out into stranger-than-science-fiction topics. 

Technically speaking, Hubblecast is more of a videocast than a podcast, but it's an interesting distraction, to say the very least.

Produced in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA, Hubblecast shows stunning imagery and high-quality CGI animations.

It's a great introduction to astronomy and the Hubble mission but is also a nice way to unwind after a long day. 

21. TED Radio Hour tells you all you need to know about tech

Platform: iTunes/Tunein/NPR

Main topic: General interest science, science, and technology.

Coming from NPR's TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) series this weekly podcast features the best TED talks on new technology, innovation, inventions, and human nature. It is hosted by Guy Raz and has been entertaining and informing its listeners since 2013.

Each episode tends to focus on a single subject and generally includes co-presenters from around the world. 

22. Vertasium is very interesting indeed

Platform: veritasium/YouTube

Main topic: General interest science, physics, and engineering.

Although Veritasium is technically speaking a Vlog rather than a podcast, we've included it for the quality and breadth of the subjects its addresses.

Started by Derek Muller in January of 2011, the channel has grown considerably, with around 8.13 million subscribers at the time of writing. In Muller's own words, the channel focuses on "addressing counter-intuitive concepts in science, usually beginning by discussing ideas with members of the public".

Videos range from experiments to interviews with experts, dramatizations, and interviews with the public to uncover and debunk common misconceptions.

23. Nate Butkus - the child science podcaster

Platform: Soundcloud/iTunes

Main topic: Zoology, Biology, Science.

Started in 2015, when Nate was only five years old, his first podcast was an interview with his mother. Today, most of his podcasts last around 14 minutes and typically reach 3,000 listeners. 

This podcast is more tailored to children, rather than adults, and is an entertaining way to explore the sciences. The age-old adage, "out of the mouths of babes," is certainly true for Nate, who shows that the main ingredient for investigation is pure curiosity.

And that, ladies and gentleman, is your lot for today. With so much material to work from, you are bound to stumble on something you like.