
The Science of Everything Podcast
I discuss a variety of topics in both the natural and social sciences, exploring the many fascinating insights that the scientific method yields about the world around us.
Latest episodes

9 snips
May 29, 2024 • 1h 19min
Episode 144: Anthropogenic Climate Change
Explore the undeniable human impact on climate change, backed by compelling scientific evidence. Discover how greenhouse gas emissions are driving up global temperatures and causing alarming sea level rise. Delve into the economics of renewable energy and the benefits of various mitigation strategies. Learn about the complex challenges of energy storage and the need for comprehensive solutions. Finally, understand the importance of global cooperation and individual actions to combat this pressing crisis.

Apr 28, 2024 • 1h 6min
Episode 143: Climate Modelling
An overview of climate models, beginning with a summary of the major types of models, and then a more detailed disussion of hte primitive equations and parameterised feedbacks that characterise the widely used Atmospheric General Circulation Models. We also discuss techniques for model validation and some evidence regarding the accuracy of various climate models. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 142: The Greenhouse Effect.
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Mar 30, 2024 • 1h 23min
Episode 142: The Greenhouse Effect
A detailed discussion of the greenhouse effect and its impact on Earth's climate. We begin with a discussion of Earth’s energy budget, the various greenhouse gases and their interactions with longwave radiation, and a summary of major sources of greenhouse gas emisions. We then examine the mechanisms of the greenhouse effect in more detail using the idealised greenhouse model and radiative transfer models. We conclude with an analysis of the sensitivity of Earth's climate to changes in greenhouse gas concentrations, and how this interacts with the atmospheric lapse rate. Recommended prelistening is Episode 141: Natural Climate Change.
If you enjoyed the podcast please consider supporting the show by making a PayPal donation or becoming a Patreon supporter.
https://www.patreon.com/jamesfodor
https://www.paypal.me/ScienceofEverything

Feb 29, 2024 • 47min
Episode 141: Natural Climate Change
An overview of the natural mechanisms by which climate changes over time. Beginning with an introduction to the concepts of radiative forcing and climate sensitivity, we then discuss solar forcing, orbital changes, volcanic eruptions, and silicate weathering, covering how each process operates and the effects it has on Earth's climate over varying periods of time. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 140: A History of Earth's Climate.
If you enjoyed the podcast please consider supporting the show by making a PayPal donation or becoming a Patreon supporter.
https://www.patreon.com/jamesfodor
https://www.paypal.me/ScienceofEverything

Jan 31, 2024 • 50min
Episode 140: A History of Earth's Climate
A journey through the history of Earth's changing climate, in which we explore how Earth's climate has fluctuated over the past billion years. After reviewing the various temperature proxies used to estimate past climactic conditions, we discuss the varying hothouse and icehouse periods of Earth's history, the onset of the Quarternay Ice Age, the current interglacial period, the anomoly of the Younger Dryas, the Medieval Warm Period and Little Ice Ages, and the rapid rise in temperatures during the twentieth century. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 90: Climate Systems.
If you enjoyed the podcast please consider supporting the show by making a PayPal donation or becoming a Patreon supporter.
https://www.patreon.com/jamesfodor
https://www.paypal.me/ScienceofEverything

Dec 23, 2023 • 1h 13min
Special Episode: Dinosaurs in Popular Culture
In this special collaboration with I Know Dino podcast, we discuss the history and impact of dinosaurs in popular culture and media. We cover the history of the scientific study of dinosaurs and how their presentation in media has changed over time with new discoveries, and what aspects of their behaviour and appearance tend to be presented accuracy or inaccurately. We also discuss lesser-known aspects of understanding dinosaurs, such as how changes in the atmosphere and ecosystem would affect dinosaurs of they were to be alive today.
If you enjoyed the podcast please consider supporting the show by making a PayPal donation or becoming a Patreon supporter.
https://www.patreon.com/jamesfodor
https://www.paypal.me/ScienceofEverything

Oct 15, 2023 • 1h 18min
Episode 139: Cybersecurity and Cryptocurrencies
This podcast covers topics such as RSA cryptography, transport layer security, blockchain technology, and the pros and cons of using cryptocurrencies as a form of currency. It discusses the importance of storing passwords in hashed form, explores the concept and workings of cryptocurrencies, including their decentralized nature and the blockchain technology that supports them. It also discusses the concept of forking cryptocurrency and its value, as well as the challenges in regulating cryptocurrencies and the issue of accidental loss.

5 snips
Aug 31, 2023 • 59min
Episode 138: Biochemistry and Metabolism
A discussion of metabolic pathways breaking down proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids; The central role of acetyl-CoA and how pathways intersect; Exploring lipolysis, beta oxidation, and amino acid deamination; Conversion of molecules into acetyl-CoA and anabolism; Reversible and irreversible reactions in biochemistry; Building carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids; Limitations in lipid usage; Sneak peek of upcoming topics.

4 snips
Jul 23, 2023 • 1h 7min
Episode 137: The Digestive System
A journey through the digestive system, beginning with the mouth and progressing through the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine, we consider the structure and function of all key components of the gastrointestinal tract and their roles in facilitating the metabolism of our food. We also discuss the contribution of accessory organs, including the liver, gall bladder, and pancreas. We conclude by considering a few myths about digestion. Recommended pre-listening is Episode 25: Tissues, Organs and Systems.
If you enjoyed the podcast please consider supporting the show by making a PayPal donation or becoming a Patreon supporter.
https://www.patreon.com/jamesfodor
https://www.paypal.me/ScienceofEverything

20 snips
May 11, 2023 • 1h 25min
Episode 136: Introduction to General Relativity
An introduction to the conceptual and mathematical framework of Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. We begin by considering the key insight of gravity as a geometric phenomenon, and how the curvature of spacetime by matter explains the equality of inertial and gravitational mass. We then discuss the mathematics of general relativity, including geodesics, differential manifolds, covariant derivatives, the metric tensor, Christoffel symbols, the Riemann curvature tensor, the Ricci tensor, and the energy-momentum tensor. The episode concludes with a derivation and explanation of the significance of Einstein's Field Equations. Recommended pre-listening is Episodes 114 and 115: Special Relativity 1 and 2.
If you enjoyed the podcast please consider supporting the show by making a PayPal donation or becoming a Patreon supporter.
https://www.patreon.com/jamesfodor
https://www.paypal.me/ScienceofEverything