The Quanta Podcast
Quanta Magazine
Exploring the distant universe, the insides of cells, the abstractions of math, the complexity of information itself, and much more, The Quanta Podcast is a tour of the frontier between the known and the unknown. In each episode, Quanta Magazine Editor-in-Chief Samir Patel speaks with the minds behind the award-winning publication to navigate through some of the most important and mind-expanding questions in science and math. Quanta specifically covers fundamental research — driven by curiosity, discovery and the overwhelming desire to know why and how. Join us every Tuesday for a stimulating conversation about the biggest ideas and the tiniest details.(If you've been a fan of the Quanta Science Podcast, it will continue here. You'll see those episodes marked as audio edition episodes every two weeks.)
Episodes
Mentioned books
21 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 22min
How Smell Guides Our Inner World
Yasemin Saplakoglu, a Quanta Magazine staff writer with a focus on biology, dives into the fascinating world of smell. She explores how our perception of scents varies dramatically—like the difference between seeing bananas and nail polish remover in the same molecule. The conversation touches on the deep connection between smell and memories, the neuroscience behind olfaction, and intriguing research on how these scents trigger emotions. They also highlight how advancing olfactory technology can help detect health issues, showcasing the complexity of our noses and their profound impact on our lives.
34 snips
Jul 31, 2025 • 25min
Audio Edition: How ‘Event Scripts’ Structure Our Personal Memories
Discover the fascinating world of how our brains construct memories using 'event scripts.' Neuroscientists reveal that our experiences, from airport trips to marriage proposals, are organized into narrative frameworks. These mental blueprints not only shape what we remember but also influence our emotional responses. Innovations in brain imaging shed light on how these scripts evoke consistent memory patterns, highlighting the intricate connection between neuroscience and personal narrative. Dive into the captivating science behind how we remember our lives!
27 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 30min
When ChatGPT Broke an Entire Field
John Pavlus, a contributing writer for Quanta Magazine, dives into the transformative journey of natural language processing (NLP) since the arrival of large language models like ChatGPT. He shares insights from interviews with 19 NLP researchers, revealing their mixed emotions—some excitement and some concern—about the rapid changes in their field. The discussion touches on how traditional research methods are becoming obsolete, the ethical dilemmas posed by AI, and how advancements in NLP are driving new scientific discoveries.
28 snips
Jul 22, 2025 • 28min
Is Mathematics Mostly Chaos or Mostly Order?
Jordana Cepelewicz, a math editor at Quanta Magazine, guides listeners through the mind-bending world of infinity in mathematics. They discuss how different sizes of infinity can exist, revealing the surprising equivalence between odd and even numbers. The conversation touches on Cantor's diagonal argument and the complexity of set theory, showcasing the rich interplay of chaos and order in mathematical concepts. They even explore the connections between mathematics and literature, with a nod to Jorge Luis Borges, offering a fresh perspective on mathematical exploration.
26 snips
Jul 17, 2025 • 17min
Audio Edition: After 20 Years, Math Couple Solves Major Group Theory Problem
A passionate mathematician dedicates two decades to solving the challenging Mackay Conjecture in group theory. The journey unfolds her unwavering commitment and the deep personal connections made along the way. Together with her partner, they break new ground in abstract mathematics, sharing innovative strategies and rich historical context. Their success not only marks a significant achievement but also highlights the power of collaboration in the world of math.
19 snips
Jul 15, 2025 • 21min
When Did Nature Burst Into Vivid Color?
Join Molly Herring, a contributing writer for Quanta Magazine who specializes in evolution and marine biology, as she dives into the colorful world of nature. They discuss the vibrant uses of color by animals, from attracting mates to signaling danger. Delving into the complexities of phylogenetic trees, Molly explains how traits can reappear across species and reveals intriguing examples like human and octopus eye evolution. Plus, discover the unique communication tactics of mantis shrimp, whose sound-making abilities rival those of elephants.
65 snips
Jul 8, 2025 • 29min
Is Gravity Just Rising Entropy?
George Musser, a science journalist with a focus on physics and cosmology, dives into the intriguing concept of entropic gravity. He discusses how gravity might stem from the universe's tendency toward disorder, challenging traditional views from Newton to Einstein. Musser explores the relationship between quantum information and gravitational attraction, examining how mass interacts with qubits. The conversation also touches on emergent space-time, dark matter, and the compelling links between gravity, entropy, and the fabric of reality.
15 snips
Jul 3, 2025 • 8min
Audio Edition: How Noether’s Theorem Revolutionized Physics
Dive into the fascinating world of Emmy Noether's groundbreaking theorem, where fundamental physical laws emerge from simple symmetries. Discover how her insights revolutionized our understanding of conservation laws in energy and momentum, significantly influencing both relativity and quantum physics. Explore the challenges she faced as a pioneering woman in a male-dominated field and see how her legacy continues to shape modern physics, connecting the dots between symmetry and the universe's fundamental rules.
41 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 25min
How Amateurs Solved a Major Computer Science Puzzle
Ben Brubaker, a notable computer science staff writer for Quanta Magazine, dives into the fascinating world of the Busy Beaver puzzle. He shares how a diverse online community came together, solving a computer science conundrum that baffled experts for over 40 years. The discussion reveals insights about Turing machines, the collaborative dynamics behind amateur problem-solving, and the implications of Busy Beaver numbers. Brubaker also reflects on the passion that drives enthusiasts to tackle such intricate challenges in computation.
30 snips
Jun 24, 2025 • 26min
The Mysterious Math of Turbulence
In this lively discussion, Joe Howlett, a math writer for Quanta, delves into the complex world of turbulence. He explains the concept of superdiffusion and its significance in understanding fluid dynamics. With vivid anecdotes from the historic Gordon Bennett Cup balloon race, Joe illustrates the unpredictability faced by pioneers—a metaphor for the chaos in mathematics today. The conversation also touches on the elusive Navier-Stokes equations, revealing profound mathematical insights that connect to real-world applications like weather forecasting and kayaking.
