

Sing for Science
Talkhouse
Sing For Science is a science and music podcast produced with Talkhouse where musicians talk to scientists about science as it connects to their most famous songs. Created and hosted by New York musician, Matt Whyte, the podcast’s goal is to increase science literacy for as many people as possible by reaching a variety of different musicians’ fan bases. Listeners come to the show through their love of music and leave with a new piece of knowledge. Science literacy and respect for expertise are perhaps more vital now than ever before. The show’s chief tenet is that a more science and scientific process literate society can only contribute towards greater support for more fair, evidence-based policy in government. Sing For Science is listener supported; please contribute today at singforscience.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 12, 2025 • 1h 4min
Encore: Duran Duran: Save a Prayer (Particle Physics with Brian Cox)
Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes and Particle Physicist Brian Cox discuss time travel, the intersection of politics and science and more!

Jan 22, 2025 • 45min
Encore: Blondie: Rapture (Climate Science with Michael Mann)
This episode originally aired on Feb 2, 2022.Debbie Harry and Chris Stein, co-founders of Blondie speak with climatologist Dr. Michael Mann about ancient climate history, the relationship between agriculture and climate, preventing climate catastrophe and much more.

Jan 1, 2025 • 59min
LABS: Christine and the Queens and Matteo Cantiello on Plasma Physics
Star stuff! And lots of it. In this episode we chat with Rahim Redcar from Christine and the Queens and physicist, Matteo Cantiello about plasma - the most abundant form of matter in our universe: what is it, what’s it do and where is it found. We also cover extraterrestrial intelligence, the origins of life on earth, panspermia, Spirituality with a capital “S” and more.

Dec 11, 2024 • 1h 1min
Hank Azaria/Moe The Bartender: Flaming Moe's (Simpsons Neuroscience with Dr. Kevin Ochsner)
Join Simpsons favorite, Moe The Bartender and his human counterpart Hank Azaria for a lively conversation with Social Neuroscientist, Dr. Kevin Ochsner. We talk about the legendary “Flaming Moe’s” Simpsons episode from both Moe’s and Hank’s perspectives, how and why our brains are wired to thrive in social contexts like Moe’s Tavern, Hank’s experience recovering from alcoholism, the neural underpinnings of practicing acceptance and more! Recorded live at the Forum Theater/Columbia University on October 8, 2024.

Nov 20, 2024 • 54min
LABS: Patricia Cornwell and Dr. Avi Loeb on Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Recorded Live at the Museum of Science in Boston on October 8, 2024 as part of the Reno Family Foundation Symposium Series. #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Patricia Cornwell and Harvard astrophysicist Dr. Avi Loeb discuss the uncanny resemblance between Dr. Loeb and the primary murder victim in Patricia’s latest book “Identity Unknown”, the likelihood of alien life beyond our solar system, the connections between science research and detective work, playing nice with AI and more.

Oct 30, 2024 • 39min
SOFI TUKKER: Bread (Bread Science with Dr. Maria Ortiz)
Recorded Live at the Emory Ideas Fest at Emory University’s Oxford Campus on September 22, 2024. Global dance music stars SOFI TUKKER celebrate the release of their bread themed album Bread with a conversation about the science that makes bread so delicious and universal. Joining us is food scientist Dr. Maria Ortiz who runs the popular Instagram page “All You Knead Is Bread”. We talk bread chemistry, bread culture, pandemic sourdough, carb free bread, the redeeming qualities of white flour and then some! Dr. Maria Ortiz is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Functional Food Lab of North Carolina A&T State University, specializing in the development of healthy, high-fiber bakery products.

Oct 9, 2024 • 49min
LABS: Questlove and Dr. Susan Engel on Nurturing Ideas in Children
Live at WSA in New York City on September 24, 2024. Academy Award‒winning filmmaker, drummer, DJ, producer, director, culinary entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson talks with Williams College pioneering developmental psychologist, Dr. Susan Engel about his debut children’s picture book The Idea in You. The book was written to inspire kids to find and follow their own creative voice. We talk about Questlove’s childhood, his creative roadblocks, his current relationship to supporting his inner child, Susan’s pioneering work researching curiosity in children and what we know about how children come up with ideas. This podcast was produced in collaboration with Water Street Projects, NEW INC and the New Museum.

Sep 25, 2024 • 1h 2min
Jermaine Dupri: Welcome To Atlanta (Cultural Anthropology with Joycelyn Wilson)
Recorded Live at the Emory Ideas Fest at Emory University’s Oxford Campus on September 20, 2024. Join Atlanta Music Icon Jermaine Dupri and Georgia Tech ethnographer Dr. Joycelyn Wilson for a conversation about how Atlanta grew to become a cultural phenomenon. We go into detail about Jermaine’s start in the music business through school talent shows, Joycelyn’s theory about how one superintendent during the 1970s-80s helped elevate Atlanta’s post-civil rights creative class, cultural appropriation, Drake and more.

Aug 28, 2024 • 1h 8min
LABS: Peggy Seeger and Prof. Tim Coulson on Eco-Feminism
Recorded Live at the Museum of Natural History in Oxford, England on August 8th, 2024. Folk icon Peggy Seeger talks with Oxford University Biology Professor Tim Coulson about her experience as feminist, ecologist, activist, mother, musician, Seeger and more. Eco Feminism can be defined as a branch of feminism and political ecology that explores the connections between women and nature. The theory argues that the oppression of women and the degradation of our natural environment are linked and caused by patriarchal, capitalist systems. Further, ecofeminist theory calls for an egalitarian, collaborative society in which there is no one dominant group. Professor Coulson provides compelling context from scholarship to further amplify these ideas including description of pre-patriarchal societies, the importance of educating women in developing countries and more.

Aug 7, 2024 • 1h 4min
Encore: Living Colour: Cult of Personality (Psychology of Fascism with Ruth Ben-Ghiat)
This episode originally aired on 11/18/2020. In this encore episode, Vernon Reid and Corey Glover from the band Living Colour join us for a discussion with NYU fascism and propaganda professor, Dr. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, about the fascism playbook, how authoritarian regimes end, fascism and the illusion of authenticity, modern examples like Trump, and Billy Joel’s smashed piano.