If you love science served with a side of absurdity, “The Infinite Monkey Cage” is probably already on your radar. Hosted by physicist Brian Cox and comedian Robin Ince, the show blends cutting-edge ideas with quick wit, curious guests, and a healthy dose of chaos. But with hundreds of episodes spanning everything from black holes to bees, it can be hard to know where to start, or which ones are worth a re-listen.
This post rounds up the very best episodes so you can jump straight into the funniest, most fascinating moments that the podcast has to offer.
The Magic of Mushrooms
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Brian Cox and Robin Ince explore the concealed realm of mushrooms and their relatives that exists below ground level. Accompanying them are life scientist Merlin Sheldrake and fungal expert Katie Field. The group discusses the mysterious existence of these organisms, encompassing their diverse reproductive systems numbering in the hundreds, their hunting tactics, and their essential contribution to the emergence of life on the planet.
In Praise of Flies
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Brian Cox and Robin Ince launch a fresh season of Infinite Monkey Cage by examining one of the most despised insect groups: flies. Joined by skeptic David Baddiel, advocate Dr Erica McAlister, and larva specialist Matthew Cobb, they explore why these creatures are essential. Can the experts convince David that flies deserve appreciation, or are they truly as repulsive as their reputation suggests?
The End of the Universe
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A fresh season examining various scenarios for the Universe’s demise. Joining them are comedic legends Steve Martin and Eric Idle, along with space scientist Katie Mack and cosmology expert Brian Greene. The group debates possible endings, from the Big Rip to the Big Crunch, or instant annihilation by a rapidly expanding bubble. They ultimately vote on their preferred apocalypse and reflect on what they’d hope to accomplish before the final curtain.
Antibiotics
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Brian Cox and Robin Ince welcome comic performer Chris Addison, leading health official Dame Sally Davies, and academic Martha Clokie to explore the evolution and prospects of antimicrobial medications.
Extreme Exploration
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The hosts head to the Explorers Club in Porto, Portugal to talk about science in extreme environments. They’re joined by volcanologist Jess Phoenix, astronaut Mike Massimino, astrobiologist and oceanographer Britney Schmidt, and adventurer Anneka Rice. Topics include busted robots under Antarctic ice, chasing narco-traffickers for a rock hammer, and how seeing Earth from space can change your view of humanity.
Origin of Numbers
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Brian Cox and Robin Ince team up with mathematician Dr Hannah Fry, comedian Matt Parker and neuroscientist Prof Brian Butterworth to explore where numbers came from and whether fish can count. They dig into the roots of counting and whether it began before humans even had language.
Hollywood in Space
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This episode takes a look at how accurately space movies portray science. They’re joined by astronauts Tim Peake, Nicole Stott and Susan Kilrain, plus Oscar-winning FX director Paul Franklin. The group fact-checks films like Gravity and The Martian, debates Robin’s Star Wars apathy, and revisits classics like Alien and 2001: A Space Odyssey to see which sci-fi ideas might one day be real.
Could it be magic?
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Brian Cox and Robin Ince explore the science behind magic with comedian Alan Davies, magician Laura London, and psychology of magic experts Richard Wiseman and Gustav Kuhn. They look at why sleight of hand fools us, how our minds get tricked, and even test a card trick on Alan to show how our choices aren’t always what they seem.
Higgs Boson
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Brian Cox and Robin Ince head to CERN’s Large Hadron Collider in Geneva to hunt for the Higgs Boson. They’re joined by comedian Katy Brand, actor Ben Miller and physicists Tevong You and Clara Nellist. Together they talk about party-worthy particles, how cosmology shapes collider experiments, and why the so-called “god particle” fascinates scientists.
Bees v Wasps
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The hosts debate a vital question: are bees or wasps better? Ecologist Dave Goulson champions bees, while entomologist Seirian Sumner defends wasps. Comedian Catherine Bohart acts as judge as they argue why both insects matter and deserve appreciation despite their sting.
Quantum Physics
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Physicist-turned-comedian Ben Miller joins Brian Cox and Robin Ince to talk about quantum physics and whether astrology has any genuine overlap with science. They also look at the world’s biggest scientific experiment, now underway in a massive underground tunnel near Geneva.
Should We Settle in Space?
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In this episode, the hosts debate whether humans should become an interplanetary species. At Harwell Campus, they’re joined by astronaut Tim Peake, biologist and author Kelly Weinersmith, and comedian Alan Davies to explore the science, ethics, and hurdles of settling on Mars or the Moon. They consider whether space colonization is bold progress or reckless escape, and discuss challenges like resources, radiation and even potato farming in space.
Are humans still evolving?
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Brian Cox and Robin Ince talk with David Baddiel, Professor Aoife McLysaght and Adam Rutherford about whether humans are still evolving. They discuss how medicine and technology affect natural selection, whether new traits might be emerging, and if we’ve reached “peak human” or are still changing as a species.
GCHQ
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Brian Cox and Robin Ince bring comedian Katy Brand to GCHQ, the hub of modern cryptography. They explore the evolution from codebooks and Enigma machines to today’s digital world, where everyday people unknowingly act as codebreakers and cryptographers.
Asteroids
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This episode navigates the asteroid belt with Dr Who actor John Bishop, planetary science expert Sara Russell, and astrophysicist Alan Fitzsimmons. They explore how these cosmic objects contain clues about the solar system’s formation, but caution against landing on one due to their surprisingly porous structure. The discussion highlights current space missions aiming to study or sample asteroids, emphasizing how this technology could be crucial for planetary defense and preventing catastrophic impacts.
Oceans: What Remains to Be Discovered?
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Brian Cox and Robin Ince team up with Andy Hamilton, Professor Jon Copley, and marine biologist Helen Scales to explore the mysteries and potential discoveries of the deep ocean. They discuss how this vast, unexplored frontier holds secrets that could offer extraordinary insights and practical applications. The conversation covers the enormous, diverse life forms, from microbes that might inspire new drugs to fight antibiotic resistance, to organisms like iron-shelled deep-sea snails and limpet teeth (the strongest natural material on Earth) that could lead to new, super-strong materials.
Read our review of The Infinite Monkey Cage