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Science · GBH

NOVA Presents

by GBH

Ever wonder what's really going on in the world of science? We've got you covered. Join us for conversations with the researchers making tomorrow's breakthroughs, deep dives into the universe's biggest mysteries, and clear explanations of the discoveries that matter most. We're talking climate breakthroughs, space mysteries, AI developments, and quantum leaps, all explained by the people doing the work. Whether you're curious about breaking headlines, fascinated by black holes and alien worlds, or ready for mind-bending conversations with brilliant scientists, NOVA Presents delivers four incredible series that make complex science feel like chatting with your smartest friend. For over 50 years, NOVA has been your trusted guide to understanding the world, now we're bringing that same curiosity and clarity straight to your ears. Come explore with us. Discover more NOVA content and subscribe to our YouTube channel. 

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Full Interview: Earthquake’s Buried Truth

Earthquakes can be more powerful than atomic bombs. Luckily, Harvard geophysicist John Shaw has ideas on how to beat them. What really causes earthquakes? How can cities

Oct 22
1 h 13 min

The Quakes We Cause

We can cause earthquakes.  Geophysicist John Shaw joins Hakeem to reveal how humans have been triggering earthquakes for decades, and in some cases, it’s on purpose. Joh

Oct 20
20 min

How to Survive the Big One

We can’t predict earthquakes, but we can beat them. Geophysicist breaks down what actually keeps people alive when the ground starts shaking. From flexible buildings to

Oct 15
25 min

The Quake Equation

Big earthquakes can change the Earth’s rotation. And Harvard geophysicist John Shaw says these giant events can teach us a lot. He traces our understanding from ancient

Oct 13
31 min

Full Interview: The Fusion Future

There is a near-limitless energy source to power our world, and it may be almost here.  Dennis Whyte shares with Hakeem that we're closer than ever to bottling the power

Oct 8
1 h 30 min

Fusion and the Future of Space

Dennis Whyte has designed a fusion reactor for Mars, and it turns out the red planet has plenty of fusion fuel. The MIT nuclear scientist joins Hakeem to explore fusion's

Oct 6
28 min

How to Build a Star

Dennis Whyte helped spark a multi-billion-dollar industry from a spool of tape. The nuclear scientist and entrepreneur explains the nitty gritty of nuclear fusion through

Oct 1
30 min

Fusion Energy is Coming

Dennis Whyte studies the physics that powers every star in the universe, and he says it can power your house, too. Now the CEO of the UK’s Atomic Energy Authority and nuc

Sep 29
35 min

Full Interview: Cracking Animal Language

Federico Rossano convinces Hakeem that animals have a lot more to say than we've given them credit for. The cognitive scientist shares the origin story behind his record-

Sep 24
1 h 19 min

Secret Language of Apes

Federico Rossano says the secret to speaking with apes is trust. For primates, the world is full of high-stakes friends and foes, and of course, there are always predator

Sep 22
21 min

What Are Dogs Saying?

Federico Rossano caught dogs doing something that looks a lot like telling jokes. The cognitive scientist shares what he learned from speaking with dogs. Dogs can smell,

Sep 17
29 min

How Dogs Talk

Federico Rossano didn't care about talking dogs until science made it impossible to ignore. The cognitive scientist joins Hakeem to reveal how a viral social media trend

Sep 15
32 min

Full Interview: How to Save The “Doomsday Glacier”

Brent Minchew could have a plan to stop Thwaites Glacier, AKA the “Doomsday Glacier”, cold in its tracks. That’s good news because if this one glacier slips into the sea,

Sep 10
1 h 28 min

From Marine One to Mission Antarctica

Brent Minchew responded to the Pentagon on September 11th, 2001. Before he was a glaciologist at Caltech, he was a marine aboard the Marine One presidential helicopter an

Sep 8
30 min

Glacier Rescue

Brent Minchew has a plan that could  stop the “Doomsday Glacier” in its tracks, and we don’t even need new technology to do it. The Caltech glaciologist returns to unveil

Sep 3
38 min

The Glacier That Could Change the World

Brent Minchew is an expert on the glacier that could devastate the world’s coastlines. As a glaciologist at Caltech, he's spent his career tracking Thwaites Glacier, AKA

Sep 1
25 min

Full Interview: The Hidden Math Behind Everything

Jordan Ellenberg tells Hakeem that math isn't just about numbers. It's about everything. The mathematician and bestselling author shares how AI models are trained through

Aug 27
1 h 16 min

Certainty Is Overrated

Jordan Ellenberg finds mathematical certainty overrated. Calming our fear of the unknown, the mathematician joins Hakeem to explore why math, contrary to popular belief,

Aug 25
25 min

Next Dimension Geometry

Jordan Ellenberg says geometry isn’t about shapes. It’s about distance. In a tour of geometry far stranger than anything from high school, the mathematician breaks down h

Aug 20
27 min

AI’s Hidden Math

Jordan Ellenberg has good news: artificial intelligence is just math you can actually understand. The mathematician joins Hakeem to pull back the curtain on how large lan

Aug 18
28 min

Chart trend

Position in the Science chart (US), last 90 days.

#43
all-time peak
2
days in the top 50 since Aug 2025

Chart positions

Where NOVA Presents ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 22, 2026).

#135 ▲ 8 Science US

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