

Futureproof with Jonathan McCrea
Newstalk
Jonathan responds to your texts and tweets, is joined in studio for all the latest science stories for Newsround and speaks to one of our two guests featured on the show.
Listen and subscribe to Futureproof with Johnathan McCrea on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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Listen and subscribe to Futureproof with Johnathan McCrea on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.
You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 24, 2025 • 17min
Extra: How do new planets form?
Guest: Dr Christian Ginski, School of Natural Sciences at the University of Galway

Jun 22, 2025 • 30min
Vacuuming DNA & Is the ocean darkening?
Guests:Dr David Duffy, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Disease Genomics at the University of FloridaDr Thomas Davies, Associate Professor of Marine Conservation at the University of Plymouth

Jun 15, 2025 • 47min
'Mr Mummy' on King Tut's tomb and performing a mummification
Guests:Eoin Murphy & Shelley BradyDr Bob Brier AKA Egyptologist 'Mr Mummy'

Jun 10, 2025 • 14min
Extra: Lyme Disease
They’re tiny, silent, and often go unnoticed – but their bite can change your life. Ticks are on the rise in Ireland, and with them, a disease that’s both underreported and often misunderstood: lyme disease. Joining us is Dr Eoin Healy, retired research associate at UCC’s School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Jun 9, 2025 • 33min
Is The Earth's Core Leaking?
The Earth’s core was thought to be a sealed vault 3,000 kilometers beneath our feet, isolated from the layers above. But now, new evidence is shaking that assumption to its core. Is the earth’s core leaking? Professor Matthias Willbold from the Department of Geochemistry and Isotope Geology at the University of Göttingen in Germany joins Jonathan to discuss.Also featured, Newsround with Dr Tara Shine from Change by Degrees and Dr Jessamyn Fairfield from the University of Galway.

Jun 3, 2025 • 13min
Extra: Imperfect Genetics
Guest: Laurence Hurst, Professor of Evolutionary Genetics at the University of Bath and the author of ‘The Evolution of Imperfection’

Jun 1, 2025 • 38min
The Future of Fibre Optic Cables
Guests:Professor David Webb, Professorial Research Fellow at Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies at Aston University in the UKDr Shelley Brady of DCUDr Shane Bergin of UCD

May 25, 2025 • 45min
Documentary Special: “Is There Anybody Out There?”
Are we alone in the universe? Could there be other civilisations out there that we could possibly contact?In 1961, Astrophysicist Frank Drake tried to formulate an equation that could answer these questions.Today, we have finally reached a technological level that allows us to search for signs of life and technology on planets in distant star systems.So, “Is There Anybody Out There?”We’ll be asking that question on this very special episode of Futureproof...Guests:Sean Jordan - Associate Professor in Biogeochemistry and Astrobiology at Dublin City University @SeanFJProfessor Johanna Vos - Astrophysicist specialising in exoplanet atmospheres in Trinity College Dublin @TCD_physicsProfessor Lisa Kalteneger - Professor of Astronomy at Cornell and current Director of the Carl Sagan Institute @KalteneggerLisa

May 20, 2025 • 16min
Extra: Could There Be Life On Mars?
Guest: Dr Clare Cousins, Reader in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of St Andrews

May 18, 2025 • 32min
The Man Who Endured 200 Snake Bites
Guests:Susan Kelleher of DCULaura Hayes of DIASTim Friede