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
Dec 9, 2025 • 26min
A Simple Way To Measure Knots Has Come Unraveled
Layla Sloman, a science and mathematics writer, dives into the fascinating world of knot theory. They discuss the importance of classifying knots and the complexities involved in this mathematical pursuit. Layla highlights a groundbreaking discovery that undermines previous theories about knot differentiation and introduces the concept of the unknotting number. Examples like the trefoil knot showcase these ideas, leading to counterintuitive results. Intriguingly, new research opens doors for fresh explorations in knot theory and its real-world applications.
14 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 9min
Audio Edition: How a Problem About Pigeons Powers Complexity Theory
Explore the fascinating pigeonhole principle and its surprising implications in math and computer science. Discover the distinction between constructive and nonconstructive proofs, and how the principle leads to new complexities. Learn about APEP, a novel complexity class linked to empty pigeonholes, and how Claude Shannon’s ideas weave into this narrative. The discussion also reveals challenges in verifying missing solutions and the groundbreaking research connecting randomness and complexity.
Dec 2, 2025 • 30min
What Happens When Lakes Stop Mixing
Rachel Nuwer, a science journalist and Quanta contributing writer, shares her field experiences at Crater Lake, revealing the lake's striking clarity and its ecological importance. They discuss how climate change is affecting lake mixing and the potential consequences, such as oxygen loss and toxic blooms. Nuwer contrasts Crater Lake with Northern Italian lakes facing severe mixing issues and highlights the need for local interventions. The conversation dives into the challenges of monitoring these vital ecosystems and reflects on the relationship between humans and nature.
28 snips
Nov 25, 2025 • 30min
Game Theory, Algorithms and High Prices
Ben Brubaker, a computer science writer for Quanta Magazine, explores the intriguing intersection of algorithms and pricing in the retail world. He discusses how competition can falter when automated algorithms inadvertently lead to rising prices, complicating traditional views of collusion. Brubaker also explains learning algorithms, revealing how they adapt to competitors' pricing. The conversation dives into research simulations showing emergent collusive behaviors and the contentious definitions surrounding this issue, ultimately shedding light on the complexities of modern pricing strategies.
29 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 27min
Why Are Waves So Hard to Grasp?
Joseph Howlett, a math staff writer at Quanta Magazine, dives into the enigmatic world of ocean waves and their complex mathematical descriptions. He explains why even simple waves pose a challenging puzzle for mathematicians, discussing the difficulties in fluid dynamics and the Euler equations. The conversation reveals how tiny disturbances can lead to chaotic results in waves and explores cutting-edge simulations that uncover instability patterns. With a blend of history and modern research, Howlett connects these mathematical findings to real-world observations.
24 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 27min
Sleep Is Not All or Nothing
Yasemin Saplakoglu, a science staff writer for Quanta Magazine, dives into the fascinating world of sleep and wakefulness transitions. She explains that sleep is a spectrum, highlighting the groggy mixed states of the brain. Discover how hypnagogic states can spark creativity, with techniques used by famous figures like Salvador Dalí and Thomas Edison. Yasemin also discusses sleep disorders and local sleep, revealing intriguing insights into how parts of our brain can nap while we're awake. This exploration opens the door to potential sleep therapies.
13 snips
Nov 6, 2025 • 13min
Audio Edition: A New Proof Smooths Out the Math of Melting
Discover the intriguing world of mean curvature flow and how it smooths melting surfaces. Learn about the breakthrough proof from Bamler and Kleiner that confirms singularities remain simple. Explore the historical roots of this mathematical concept, from metallurgy to modern applications. Discuss the fascinating challenges posed by pinch-point singularities and the notorious 'evil catanoid.' This enlightening dive into geometry and topology unveils the potential for significant advancements in the field.
10 snips
Nov 4, 2025 • 25min
The Mystery of Early Universe’s Little Red Dots
In this episode, Charlie Wood, a physics staff writer at Quanta Magazine, discusses groundbreaking discoveries about early-universe astrophysics. He explains how the James Webb Space Telescope is reshaping our understanding of the cosmos, revealing mysterious 'little red dots' and an unusual naked black hole without a hosting galaxy. Charlie explores possible origins for these phenomena, including primordial collapse and runaway mergers, and argues that these findings challenge existing models of black hole formation, suggesting a more complex cosmic history.
4 snips
Oct 28, 2025 • 27min
A Biography of Earth Across the Age of Animals
Peter Brannen, a science writer and Quanta contributor, dives into Earth's climate history and the pivotal role of CO2. He discusses the extremes of past climates and contrasts today's stability with perilous historical periods. Brannen explains how scientists reconstruct these climates through an impressive range of fossil data and models. He emphasizes the urgent need to understand anthropogenic climate changes, warning that our current cold climate is an anomaly. His insights reveal not just Earth's past, but also humanity's precarious future.
13 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 14min
Audio Edition: ‘Paraparticles’ Would Be a Third Kingdom of Quantum Particle
Discover a groundbreaking proposal that introduces paraparticles, a new category of quantum particle, distinct from fermions and bosons. Explore Ji-Wan Wong's mathematical breakthrough during the pandemic that led to this exciting theory. Learn about how these particles could enable new states of matter and might be created in exotic materials. The conversation delves into stricter rules of indistinguishability and the potential for experimental realization using quantum simulators. Theoretical yet tantalizing, paraparticles could reshape our understanding of quantum physics!
