StarTalk Radio

Why does the universe exist? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice answer fan questions about black holes, wormholes, the expansion of the universe and more! What are our options to solve the crisis in cosmology? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-why-are-we-here/ Thanks to our Patrons Fadi Hayek, Keml...

What makes some people better at focusing? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly learn about the neuroscience behind concentration and performance with neuroscientist Heather Berlin, PhD. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/neuroscience-of-focus-with-heather-berlin/ Photo Credit: https://www.scientif...

Can there be life on planets without magnetic fields? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice discuss exoplanets, extraterrestrials, and answer extraordinary questions from our fans with astrobiologist, David Grinspoon.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-silicon-aliens-with-david-grinspoon/ Thanks to ou...

How did we achieve nuclear fusion? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice learn about thermonuclear fusion, the world’s most powerful lasers, and harnessing nuclear power with operations manager at The National Ignition Facility, Bruno Van Wonterghem. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons Gavin Mallow, Willest74, Isaac Labbe, Allen, a...

What’s the fastest a car can accelerate? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly explore goal size to goal scoring ratios, the doppler effect, and the maximum acceleration for a car.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here:  https://startalkmedia.com/show/things-you-thought-you-knew-why-size-matters/ Photo Credit: Sarah Stierch, CC BY 4...

What do you dream of while working on Inception? Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt to explore time travel, dreams, and the science and philosophy behind his projects.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/going-deeper-with-joseph-gordon-levitt/ Thanks to our Patrons Victor Ray Rutledge, David, Ben...

What is thermonuclear fusion? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice break down the Department of Energy’s breakthrough, thermonuclear fusion at the center of stars, supernovae, and how stars are born. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/things-you-thought-you-knew-fun-with-fusion/ Thanks to our Patrons Manny Baez, Car...

What makes ice slippery? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly uncover the complex physics of ice and cool facts we’re still learning about it with physicist and author, Laurie Winkless.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/slippery-science-the-physics-of-ice/ Photo Credit: Sharon Mollerus, CC BY 2.0...

Could there be life under the icy surface of Europa? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic Chuck Nice explore interplanetary missions, asteroid mining, and other exciting launches with the Director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Laurie Leshin. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-the-future-of-the-nasa-jet-propulsi...

What is the rocket equation? How do airplanes fly? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic Chuck Nice go through some things you thought you knew about how airplanes fly, x-rays, and how to fuel a rocket.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/things-you-thought-you-knew-up-up-and-away/ Photo Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky, Public domain, vi...

What type of time travel is in A Christmas Carol ? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice answer fan questions on time travel, paradoxes, and wormholes with theoretical physicist, Brian Greene. Did Ebenezer Scrooge get pulled through a wormhole?  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/past-present-future-time-travel-with-...

What physics are at play in The FIFA World Cup? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, and Gary O’Reilly explore all the science of soccer with physics professor John Eric Goff. Is this year’s official ball made for scoring goals? NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/physics-of-the-2022-world-cup-with-john-eric-go...

Is our universe inside a black hole? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice answer questions about wormholes, quasars, white holes, and more with astrophysicist Charles Liu. What would a wormhole look like to us?  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Photo Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to Siriu...

Is it time to update the constellations? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Matt Kirshen dive into astrophysics, folklore, and our ancient connection to the stars with astrophysicist Moiya McTier, Ph. D.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons Viny Adomonis, Thomas Blankenhorn, Weston Daniel L., Lauren Scott, and Aaryan...

What does it take to count cards? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly explore blackjack, quantitative thinking, and the journey from MIT blackjack player to angel investor with Semyon Dukach, Managing Partner at One Way Ventures.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Photo Credit: ElooKoN, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe...

Would you want to live forever? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and author, inventor, and futurist Ray Kurzweil discuss immortality, longevity escape velocity, the singularity, and the future of technology. What will life be like in 10 years?  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/could-we-someday-live-forever-with-ray-k...

How will the war in Ukraine impact future generations? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson learns about disaster relief and helping child refugees with co-founder of Ukraine Children’s Action Project and pediatrician, Irwin Redlener.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Photo Credit: UP9, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to...

Could you play Quidditch on Jupiter? Javelin on Mars? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly answer fan questions about low-gravity physics, the weight of Thor’s hammer, aerodynamics and more with astrophysicist Charles Liu.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-geek-time-with-charles-li...

How did humans come to create society? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Yuval Noah Harari, historian and author of “ Sapiens” & “ Unstoppable Us ,” discuss our species’ ability to cooperate, the role of artificial intelligence, and more. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/inventing-society-with-yuval-noah-harari/ T...

How fast is a porta-potty slingshot? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and professional stuntman and comedian, Steve-O, break down the science of Jackass, explosions, and what it takes to survive the laws of physics.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-stuntman-physics-with-steve-o/ Thanks to our Patrons...

Can you give a robot a sense of touch? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly, learn about soft robotics, sensors, and understanding human physiology with co-founders of Organic Robotics Corp, Professor Robert Shepherd and Ilayda Samilgil.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Photo Credit: Tyler Nienhouse, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe...

Why do rational people believe irrational things? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice break down media literacy, the psychology behind conspiracy theories, and how to combat our cognitive biases with author and science historian, Michael Shermer. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons Zachary Vex, Alexandru Dolipschi, Chris Knopp, Gianni Gae...

Can we bring people back from the dead? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice discuss restoring dead cells, the nature of consciousness, Frankenstein's monster, zombies, and more with neuroscientist, David Andrijevic and consciousness expert, George Mashour.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Thanks to our Patrons Darrell McClendon, Baby Daddy, Chip Towner, Ma...

What is exit velocity? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly explore parabolas, measuring the speed of an object using the Doppler effect, and other physics in baseball.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free. Photo Credit: Andrew nyr, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new ep...

Neil has his own asteroid?! On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Marcia Belsky answer fan questions about different types of asteroids with Marina Brozovic, orbital dynamicist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-asteroid-hunters-with-marina-brozovic/ Tha...