Decided that it might be a good idea to stop getting your scientific information from TikTok doctors and that one friend who swears essential oils can cure literally everything? Welcome to Science Vs, the podcast where Australian truth-seeker Wendy Zukerman and her team of evidence-obsessed producers dive into everything from orgasms to UFOs with more peer-reviewed studies than you can shake a lab coat at.
But with hundreds of episodes where should you start? I’ve put together the absolute best episodes that showcase what makes this show special. Get ready for a journey through the greatest hits of hypothesis testing – lab goggles optional, critical thinking required.
Fertility Cliff: Is It Real?
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How fertile are you, really? This episode investigates the science behind biological clocks and declining fertility in both men and women. Join experts Prof. Lauren Wise, Dr. Mary Sabatini, and Prof. Allan Pacey as they explore egg freezing options and tackle concerns about dropping sperm counts.
How Bats Break Science
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Want to live forever? These flying mammals might have the secret. Meet the surprisingly durable bat – nature’s virus-fighting, age-defying wonder. Professors Emma Teeling and Matae Ahn explain how these leather-winged Methuselahs laugh in the face of deadly diseases and keep partying well past their expected expiration date.
When Your Eyes See Lies
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Three bizarre science tales from Tasmania’s Beaker Street Festival: Wendy and Joel unpack a mysterious corpse with bite marks in an unusual place, a rare condition that makes everything look tiny, and the truth behind a popular myth about lemming behavior.
Fracking
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Science Vs investigates whether fracking’s reputation as an environmental menace is deserved. In this groundwater-meets-groundtruth episode, experts Robert Jackson, Peter Rabinowitz, and Bob Howarth join forces with Pennsylvania local James Hughes and Seneca Resources’ team to separate fact from friction. Spoiler alert: flammable tap water makes for great YouTube videos, but the reality might not be as explosive as we think.
The Mystery of the Man Who Died Twice
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Oh, you know, just your typical case of a mystery corpse with a stolen ID. But grandma wasn’t having it – she went full detective mode and accidentally revolutionized crime-solving along the way. U.S. Marshal Elliott, Dr. Press, and Phil Nichols spill the tea on how one determined grandmother’s quest for answers helped create a whole new field of forensics (whether law enforcement was ready for it or not).
Organic Food
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Is organic food worth the hype (and cash)? Join farmers Mark, Andy, and Brian Reeves, along with scientists Dr. Bradbury, Prof. Curl, and Prof. Ramankutty as they peel back the layers on everyone’s favorite overpriced produce. Warning: may contain traces of actual science and a hefty serving of sticker shock.
Nuclear Power – what are the Risks?
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Nuclear power’s safety record comes under scrutiny in this examination of major accidents including Fukushima, Chernobyl, and Three Mile Island. Dr. Spencer Wheatley, Dr. Jonathan Samet, and Palo Verde executive Jack Cadogan explain the real risks of meltdowns and radiation exposure, with an inside look at America’s largest nuclear facility.
Probiotics: Scam or Superfood?
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Kombucha, kefir, and other probiotic-packed foods promise to work magic on your microbiome—boosting gut, brain, and immune health. But is your microbiome really that important, and do probiotics actually deliver? We dive into the science with biomedical engineer Ilana Brito, immunologist Dr. Yasmine Belkaid, psychiatry professor Ted Dinan, and microbiologist Dr. Namrata Iyer.
Microplastics: How Worried Should You Be?
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Microplastics are showing up everywhere—our blood, our lungs, and even our family jewels! But what exactly are they doing to us? And what about the chemicals in plastics—could they be throwing our hormones out of whack? We get the scoop from reproductive biologists Prof. Patricia Hunt and Prof. Fred vom Saal, along with pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Anne-Simone Parent.
What the Hell is at the Edge of Space?
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Thanks to the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have uncovered some seriously bizarre stuff in the early Universe—so bizarre, in fact, that it’s making some nerds second-guess our entire understanding of reality.
Ozempic: Is It Scarier Than We Thought?
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A year ago, this podcast checked out these weight loss drugs—since then, they’ve blown up in popularity (and drama). Stomach troubles? Muscle loss? Even suicide risks? Should we be panicking? We ask endocrinologist Dr. Vibha Singhal, neuroscientist Dr. Nora Volkow, and gastroenterologist Dr. Michael Camilleri if it’s time to freak out.
Vegans: Are They Right?
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Are vegans as righteous as they think? We’re digging into whether ditching meat is actually better for the planet and our health. To get the facts, we talk to environmental researcher Joseph Poore, historian Prof. Connie Hilliard, anthropologist Prof. Katharine Milton, and nutrition researcher Prof. Roman Pawlak.
Hydration: Are You Drinking Enough Water?
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Celebrities and wellness influencers rave about water as the ultimate cure-all for health and beauty. But do these claims hold up? And how much water is actually necessary for good health? Experts Professor Hollie Raynor, Professor Stavros Kavouras, and Dr. Tamara Hew-Butler weigh in on the facts.
Chiropractors
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Can chiropractors provide relief for back pain or other conditions? The discussion features chiropractor Carl Cleveland III, physical therapist Anita Gross, neurophysiologist Dr. Marcello Costa, and Kaity Sawrey’s parents.
Alcohol: A Pour Decision?
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For years, the idea that a glass or two of wine benefits health has been widely accepted. However, recent studies suggest that even small amounts of alcohol may be harmful. So, what’s the truth? Is moderate drinking actually risky? To explore this, epidemiologist and nutritionist Prof. Eric Rimm, psychologist Prof. Tim Stockwell, and cancer researcher Dr. Susan Gapstur share their insights.
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