In Our Time: Science - Podcast Rankings and reviews

These podcasts are perhaps the best I’ve heard at going deep into detail about a scientific topic and breaking down complex science into understandable concepts for the layperson. And this is all due to the host, who asks probing questions, challenges guests’ statements, and corrals wayward discussions back on topic. Though he can be condescending (more so to women guests) at times. The topics are interesting, informative, and vary across many scientific disciplines. The guests are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Recommended for the teacher, student, and science enthusiast.

This podcast covers a wide range of scientific topics, particularly on how we got to know what we know. It surveys areas of science and the history of scientists and discoveries, philosophies, and historic thinking. The host discusses these things with experts who lay out the thoughts and events that produced our modern society. This is an eye opening podcast, along with other "In Our Time" podcasts. One learns both how much there is to know, and how little one does know. But you have to start some time; it might as well be now.

Very much enjoyed this (“Hybrids” is my first exposure). This is a discussion not a lecture. This is the discussion one might want before embarking on a deep dive. Context. Some interesting anecdotal examples of this concept or that. Of course, science is also history... as ideas emerge and change shape. This is here too. Listening to these participants is easy and pleasant. A lovely balance of concision and precision of speaking/moderating with the wit and humanity that makes all good conversations pleasant. I would love to sit in a room with these people and sip some coffee and listen for hours. In fact: I plan to. The reading list is useful. Execution is excellent (technically... sound quality etc). What world where I can listen to things like this! Thank you so much. Can’t wait to listen again. H in Texas USA. Again: Thank you all so much.

Melvin Bragg is a host from a different era: knighted for his public radio work, a writer himself, he prepares extensively for each program and holds the guests to a much higher standard than do hosts in almost all other podcasts around these days. Yes he is direct and sometimes rude, probably more so to female guests than male guests (although it’s obvious that some of his favorites are women, eg Angie Hobbes), but at least some instances are actually maneuvers whereby he keeps the guests on topic and in check. The intelligence and articulateness of some of his repeating guests are stunning: I can spend all day listening to Marcus du Sautoy and Ian Stewart on math, Edith Hall on Ancient Greece, or Anthony Grayling on philosophy, and he brings on sometimes independent researchers with extremely unconventional and yet interesting ideas. I take notes on each program as they are so dense in contents. Dislikers can go listen to politically correct hosts politely interview a carefully curated list of racially and ethnically diverse guests (I say this as a colored woman academic), but I take In Our Time with its actual focus on intelligent inquiry and genuine curiosity any day.