Natural Sciences

The Science of Everything Podcast

James Fodor

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.

172 episodes

Episode 164: Gauge Theory and the Higgs Boson 30 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 5 min We conclude our series on the standard model with an introduction to gauge theory. We discuss how the requirement of local gauge invariance generates interaction terms in the Lagr…

Episode 163: The Standard Model of Particle Physics 8 Aug 2026 · 45 min An introduction to the particles and forces that constitute the standard model of particle physics. After some historical background, we introduce each of the three fundamental fo…

Episode 162: Human Evolution 30 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 26 min Beginning with primitive Cynodonts in the late Permian, we our evolutionary development through Mesozoic mammaliaforms, the divergence of monotremes from marsupials and placentals…

Episode 161: Dinosaurs and Other Ancient Reptiles 1 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 33 min A survey of extinct animal species from the Permian through the Cretaceous periods. We discuss important differences between anapsids, synapsids, and diapsids, and then review div…

Episode 160: The Evolution of Animals 1 May 2026 · 1 hr 23 min A journey through the evolutionary history of animals, beginning with the split of the metazoans from protists about 760 million years ago and ending with the rise of the amniotes…

Episode 159: Quantum Electrodynamics Part 2 1 Apr 2026 · 45 min Continuing from quantum electrodynamics part 1, here we explore the mathematical machinery used to compute interactions between particles, including propagators, Feynman diagrams,…

Episode 158: Quantum Electodynamics Part 1 1 Mar 2026 · 51 min A detailed look into the physics and mathematics of quantum electrodynamics, the theory of how light and matter interact. We discuss the generalisation of the Schrodinger equation…

Episode 157: The Geologic Time Scale 17 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 2 min A survey of the Earth's history through the lens of the geologic timescale. We begin with a discussion of the terminology of geochronologic units and how they are specified using…

Episode 156: Fossils and Dating Methods 30 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 11 min An introduction to the techniques used to study the history and ages of geological speciments. We begin with an overview of chronostratigraphy, covering principles of relative dat…

Episode 155: Embryology and Development 24 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 10 min An introduction to the process of development, beginning with fertilisation and covering the stages of blastocyst formation, implantation into the uterus, gastrulation and its con…

Episode 154: Magnetic Resonance Imaging 23 Sept 2025 · 1 hr 32 min An overview of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), beginning from the basic physics of nuclear magnetic resonance, and covering the use of radiowaves to excite nuclear spin states,…

Episode 153: Low Carb Diets 9 Jun 2025 · 1 hr 14 min A review of the carbohydrate insulin model of obesity and the related proposal that low carbohydrate diets are superior to traditional low fat diets. I begin with a discussion of…

Special Episode: Brain Preservation and Abolishing Death 4 May 2025 · 1 hr 16 min An interview with Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston, author of the book 'The Future Loves You: How and Why We Should Abolish Death'. We begin by discussing how best to define death, focus…

Episode 152: Obesity, Diabetes, and Hypertension 29 Mar 2025 · 1 hr 17 min A review of the science between the metabolic syndrome, including discussion of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. We discuss the pathophysiology of how enlargem…

Episode 151: Diet and Nutrition 1 Feb 2025 · 1 hr 15 min An introduction to human nutrition, in which we discuss the nutritional importance and role of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, before considering the effect…

Episode 150: How Home Appliances Work 31 Dec 2024 · 1 hr 17 min An exploration into the exciting world of home appliances and devices. We begin with a journey through the kitchen, discussing the design and operating principles behind the refri…

Episode 149: The Psychology of Personality 30 Nov 2024 · 45 min An introduction to the psychological study of personality, beginning with a definition of what is and is not personality and a brief history of the development of the field from F…

Episode 148: Control of Gene Expression 30 Sept 2024 · 1 hr 9 min An introduction to the processes by which cells control which genes are expressed. We begin with an overview of why genetic regulation is necessary and the key stages where such r…

Episode 147: Genetic Mutation and Repair 31 Aug 2024 · 1 hr 14 min Here we survey of the causes and consequences of genetic mutation, including a discussion of mechanisms of endogenous and induced mutations, rates of mutation, types of single nuc…

Episode 146: Mendelian Genetics and Inheritance 29 Jul 2024 · 1 hr 23 min An introduction to classical Mendelian genetics, in which we discuss Mendel's experiments with peas and the laws of heredity that he discovered, including inheritance of one allel…

Episode 145: Relativity and Black Holes 30 Jun 2024 · 1 hr 26 min Continuing our series on General Relativity, we discuss the derivation of the Schwarzschild metric as a vacuum solution to Einstein's Field Equations, and analyse the physical mea…

Episode 144: Anthropogenic Climate Change 29 May 2024 · 1 hr 19 min Our climate change series concludes with a discussion of the various lines of evidence indicating that recent warming is the result of human-produced greenhouse gases, including g…

Episode 143: Climate Modelling 28 Apr 2024 · 1 hr 6 min 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 tha…

Episode 142: The Greenhouse Effect 30 Mar 2024 · 1 hr 23 min 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 inter…

Episode 141: Natural Climate Change 29 Feb 2024 · 47 min 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 disc…

Episode 140: A History of Earth's Climate 31 Jan 2024 · 50 min 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 temperat…

Special Episode: Dinosaurs in Popular Culture 23 Dec 2023 · 1 hr 13 min 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 o…

Episode 139: Cybersecurity and Cryptocurrencies 15 Oct 2023 · 1 hr 18 min An introduction to cryptography, internet security, and cryptocurrency, beginning with an overview of RSA cryptography and covering the use of public and private keys and their in…

Episode 138: Biochemistry and Metabolism 31 Aug 2023 · 59 min A discussion of the metabolic pathways involved in breaking down proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids into simple components, extracting their energy, and building back up into mor…

Episode 137: The Digestive System 23 Jul 2023 · 1 hr 7 min 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 an…