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Let's welcome our guest writer Nicole Hardy

As you may have noticed, more and more people are willing to spend hours listening to a scientist explaining a particular phenomenon or concept. Are you one of those trying to figure out scientific terms or futurological theories and learn about the latest research in quantum biology? Well, podcasts will surely come in handy! 

Today, we are exploring why they are so popular in the visual age, how to choose the right one for you, and where to find the best English-speaking podcasters. Chances are, our guide will make you fall in love with this amazing type of content!

Some Background Information

The text is dead! At least, everyone says so. Even those countries that read the most are now more open to pictures or videos. But in fact, the text is alive. But now it’s easier... to listen to it.

Typically, science podcasts are programs in which a host talks in the first person or invites guests to discuss a given topic: intestinal function, new genetic research, the future of AI, black holes, and so on. This diversity is one of the most remarkable benefits of this format.

The popularity and revival of podcasts can be easily explained by the requirements of the modern world and the information field where we all find ourselves. We constantly absorb information (both for work and study, as well as for our own interests). It’s truly convenient when someone has structured it for you and presents it in an easy-to-understand way.

A study conducted by the Knight Foundation revealed a profile of the average podcast listener. Users aged 25-35 listen to podcasts the most – more than 10 hours per week. Most people prefer to listen to podcasts on the go, for example, while commuting to or from work.

This, in general, is the main benefit of such content for this generation: the ability to perform several actions simultaneously. Also, almost 100% of listeners recommended a specific podcast to their friends and acquaintances. 

So, the main listeners are the progressive, creative middle-class youth who are open to new information but lack the time to absorb all the content they are interested in by reading.

Why Are Science Podcasts So Popular?

Podcasts in science are experiencing a new wave of popularity due to the following reasons: 

• Saving time in the era of multitasking. Good science podcasts allow the comfort of listening on the road (which takes up a huge amount of time in our lives), when doing sports (a preferred combination for many podcast listeners), and when performing any other routine task that doesn’t require full concentration.

In fact, we are all looking for ways to be in two places at once, especially students who have a ton of deadlines. If you have to submit a school assignment and don’t have much time left (or want to spend it doing something else), try outsourcing. Reach out to professionals, asking them to write my essay for me, and they will complete a task of any complexity. This way, you will eliminate unnecessary stress and improve your academic performance.

• The effect of presence. Many users give another pretty good reason why they are willing to spend their time listening to podcasts. This is the attachment that we form to the podcasters. We trust them and empathize and laugh with them. This is especially true for interviews. Audio content gives the user a much clearer sense of involvement in the conversation than video content, which immediately puts a boundary between the user and a particular device.

• Overabundance of content. According to the latest estimates, 328 million terabytes of data are created each day. In such a flow, it is quite difficult to keep up and determine the value of information. In this case, a podcast is an excellent assistant in sorting content correctly.

• Opportunity for self-development. The perfect combination of entertaining and educational content guarantees ease of perception. Listeners can be inspired by examples of outstanding personalities, learn from them, and gain insights. 

• Relevance. The value of information in podcasts is much higher than that on the radio or TV shows. After all, you are absorbing what is relevant to you here and now.

• Improved emotional state. The creators of science fiction podcasts are usually talented and joyful. In some way, a listener can escape their routine and dive into something that excites them. 

How To Choose A Podcast You Like?

We’ve collected the popular types of top science podcasts, so start with what interests you the most: 

• Monologue. To keep the audience interested, the podcaster must have good erudition, quick reactions, charisma, and an engaging story to tell. By the way, this format will help you not only gain knowledge but also learn from the author how to present information.
• Dialogue. Listening to a conversation or discussion between two people may be more captivating than a “one-voice” speech. Two different opinions on the same topic can make any conversation lively.
• Interview. Basically, you can simply choose an expert you like or trust and listen to episodes they participate in.
• Talk show. This is the most free and vibrant format, which offers a discussion of a current topic or situation. Often, the hosts, like guests, change from episode to episode. It may not have a specific script, only a rough outline, which allows such a podcast to be unpredictable.

The Best Science Podcasts

Now, you know how science podcasts popularize learning and what formats are available to the audience. It’s time to get into practice and listen to them!

You can start by checking out bCast — there are collections of podcasts on a variety of topics and tips on how to create your own if you get inspired!

1. The Naked Scientists

This is a podcast from Cambridge University researchers who explain complex scientific concepts in clear terms. Each episode lasts about an hour and is divided into separate folders: news from the world of science, answers to listener questions and interviews with invited scientists.

2. Big Picture Science

Weekly podcast episodes about modern scientific research feature prominent scientists, government and commercial sector employees (including NASA), critics, etc.

3. StarTalk Radio

The host of this podcast is an American astrophysicist, popularizer of science, and one of the most charismatic scientists in the world, Neil deGrasse Tyson. He discusses space travel, extraterrestrial life, the Big Bang, and the future of Earth. Each week, he interviews special guests.

4. Distillations Podcast

The hosts explore issues at the intersection of science, culture, and history, such as how scientific discoveries in chemistry have influenced technological progress.

5. BBC History of the World in 100 Objects

In each episode, the director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, talks about a single item, from an ancient mummy of an Egyptian priest or a statue of a Seated Buddha in Gandhara to a credit card and a phone charger. McGregor believes that tools, instruments, art, and jewelry can tell as much as history books.

6. The Wired UK Podcast

This is a versatile podcast about technology. In 40 minutes of broadcast, the presenters discuss five news stories about virtual reality, fingerprint databases, and other difficult concepts.

7. Note to Self

A podcast from a New York radio station introduces listeners to how new technologies and the Internet are changing our lives. You will find out whether you are being eavesdropped on your iPhone and what dossier Facebook has collected on you. 

8. Stuff You Should Know

The podcast hosts answer completely different questions. Some of them have probably occurred to you, and some will definitely surprise you: robot weddings and copyrights, pepper spray and the benefits of a credit card, etc. Even if you’re not seeking specific information to learn, you’ll still have a great time.

9. Nature Podcast

Nature, a magazine with a 150-year history, has launched its own podcast. Each episode highlights the main topics from the latest printed issue and presents them in an accessible form. 

10. MinuteEarth

Another selection of scientific facts about planet Earth is presented by MinuteEarth. Here, you can learn about the origin of deserts, the maximum height of mountains, temperature changes in the Earth’s atmosphere, etc. 

11. This Week in Tech

The main news about modern technologies and software will help you always stay up to date with the latest trends. With weekly updates, the show invites experts to discuss or evaluate a specific device. 

12. Stuff From The Future

Produced by the BBC, the show tries to predict the future development of science and technology. New episodes are released weekly and mention facts regarding scientific and technological advancements. 

The Future Of Podcasting

• Overall, voice commerce will gain momentum over the next 3 years and reach over $80 billion annually as more companies provide cross-platform and personalized experiences.
• Listener demographics will expand thanks to AI. One of Google’s latest AI models translates audio into different languages while preserving one’s voice. In other words, to translate an audio recording, podcasters no longer need to convert it into text.
• More and more companies will invest in podcasting. The popularity of this format makes it a useful communication tool for brands. For example, The Telegraph and The Financial Times use podcasts to reach new audiences. In addition, podcasting allows companies to increase brand awareness, build a positive image, find a connection with listeners, and, as a result, turn them into customers. 

Conclusion

The boom in science podcasts is taking place due to the ease of listening and the variety of topics to suit every taste. Complex subjects are now super accessible and entertaining to a broad audience. The audio format is very convenient – it fits perfectly into everyone’s routine and rhythm of life. In addition, podcasts offer answers to questions that you would not ask yourself. It’s a great way to stay educated while being entertained. 

So, figure out when you prefer to absorb new information (on your way to work, while training, when walking your dog, etc.), experiment with different types of podcasts, and then you will definitely find a podcast that will win your mind and heart. Good luck!