Startalk Radio

How does lightning work? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck break down the legendary science and inventions of Benjamin Franklin, live with chief editor of The Benjamin Franklin Papers, Ellen Cohn and Benjamin Franklin himself!NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/a-key-a-kite-startalk-live-with-benjamin-franklin/Thanks to our Patrons Andrew Herron, Bhargava Kandada, and Mark Roop for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

Are we “wired for weed”? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly weed out the myth from the science behind marijuana with neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School and director of the MIND Program, Dr. Staci Gruber.NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.Thanks to our Patrons Zero Chill, Matthew Rozak, Matej Michňák, and Gino Colauto for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: Daniel Oberhaus, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

Mining on the moon? Owning an asteroid? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice answer questions about the private space industry, the role of NASA, and the future of space law with former Deputy Administrator of NASA, Lori Garver. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-nasa-v-billionaires-with-lori-garver/Thanks to our Patrons ​​Adam Connelly, ManDarin, Sergio, Glenn Carter, Anthony Schena, David Lenwell, Bruno Anyangwe, Christopher Soliz, Roslyn Goddard, and Chris Jones for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: NASA Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

What happened before The Big Bang? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Matt Kirshen answer questions about inflation theory, multiverses, the cosmic microwave background, and the possible end of the scientific method with cosmologist Brian KeatingNOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-big-bang-bonanza-with-brian-keating/Thanks to our Patrons Jack McCarty, Mira Killian, David, Colleen OLeary, Kelia Hamilton, Lucas Charlston, Brad Z, Clueless Gamer, Billy, and larry hall for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: NASA/Goddard/WMAP Science Team, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

What’s the best shot in basketball? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly break down the physics behind what makes the Skyhook so effective, as well as one of the greatest eras with basketball greats, Jamaal Wilkes, Michael Cooper, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.Thanks to our Patrons Chris Quinn, Devon Romano, Jack Thurman, Israel Jarvis, Ace Warner, Mallory L Anderson, Putin Ontheriz, Zachary Kleier, and Jose Jaime for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: PROPOLI87, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

What are the oceans like on Enceladus? Neil deGrasse Tyson explores the oceans of other planets in the search for alien life with planetary scientist Kevin Hand, oceanographer Julie Huber, and comedians, Eugene Mirman, Ellie Kemper, and John Mulaney!NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/extraterrestrial-oceans-startalk-live/Thanks to our Patrons ​​Nate Gilman, Amy Morton, erika brennan, Rob Cordes, Tyler Pitts, Arya Menon, Jessie Desmond, Beth Leitch, Zach, and Karen Berthot for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: Pablo Carlos Budassi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

What happens when two galaxies collide? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic cohost Chuck Nice answer questions about explosions, asteroids, quarks, and all things that go BOOM. Was our Big Bang someone elses Big Rip?NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/cosmic-queries-cosmic-collisions/Thanks to our Patrons badutjelek2000, Dominik Appl, Justin Quinones, Sandra Makela, REGAN MCGEE, Dana S., Howard Clemetson, George Sharabidze, GR 只, and RK Threethreethree for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: NASA Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

How is CTE different from a concussion?  Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly discuss concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, with former NFL lineman, Leonard Marshall, and neuroscientist, Heather Berlin, PhD.NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.Thanks to our Patrons Walter Johnson, Ali AlWaheedy, Armen Gevorgyan, Jenny K Leasure, WIGwigWIG, Denny, MaKayla A Holloway, Anna Dupre-Whiting, Allain Brideau, and David for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: Garpenholm, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

How do you identify human remains? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice explore DNA and the task to identify the remains of missing soldiers with biomedical scientist Tim McMahon and forensic anthropologist Franklin Damann. What is the DPAA?  NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/forensics-dna-and-identifying-missing-soldiers/Thanks to our Patrons Jon Scherer, Thibault Deckers, Jimmy Jam, Evan Cooper, Barnato, Justin Ross, James Nichols, Lori, Emilie Talles, and Roy Slettbakk for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: Doctoroftcm, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

Is Western science always the best science? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Marcia Belsky discuss Indigenous methods to combat climate change with Indigenous scientist and author Dr. Jessica Hernandez. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.Thanks to our Patrons Jennifer E Carr, Ruben, Peter Kellner, Michele Bontemps, eric secrist, Zebulon C, Travis Ryan Otter, Matthew Young, SevereFLIPPER, and Cleo K for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: Antonio Campoy, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

How fast does cheese roll down a hill? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly walk us through the physics behind the weirdest sports: cheese rolling, belly flopping, face slapping and more with astrophysicist Charles Liu. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.Thanks to our Patrons Scott Schekk (shek), Kristine May, Jacob godman, Chelsea Dolloff, Daniel Lopez,Dustin G, Michael McManus, Genesis Martinez, Kinetik Plastik, and Pavel Bains for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: Coyau / Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

What properties are fundamental to the universe? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice take a deep dive into multiverses, inflation theory, wormholes, and quantum entanglement with particle physicist Brian Cox.NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.Thanks to our Patrons Tony Thompson, Kevin the Sommelier, Verne Thomas Inman, PhD, Claudio Carletti, James Weldon, Satoshi Watanabe, Keegan Matthews, Sandy Moir, Jim Flatt, and Mason Grogan for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: Pablo Carlos Budassi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

What is the science behind meditation? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Marcia Belsky discuss mental health, meditation, and the theory of consciousness with former news anchor, Dan Harris and neuroscientist Heather Berlin, PhD. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free herehttps://www.startalkradio.net/show/mind-over-matter-with-dan-harris-and-heather-berlin/Thanks to our Patrons Mikaël Boisvert, James Cleghorn'lee, Chris Lee, Jason Sanders, Ozzzy, Ryukote, Denese Washam, Autumn McCuen, Bill Kervaski, and Keoni for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: GerryShaw, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

Say it with us: mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cell. On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly discover the original horse power, equine physiology, and the science behind the Kentucky Derby. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/horsepower-with-dr-sarah-white-springer/Thanks to our Patrons Cosmic Scapegoat, Tom Kearns, Valeri Williams, Zeki Majed, Ethan Fink, Mariano Quiroga, John Marc Roberson, Fredrik Östervald, Crimson, and Colt for supporting us this week.Photo Credit:  Bill Brine, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

What if the dinosaurs had a space program? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore what Earth Day meant for the dinosaurs, how batteries work, and changing our infrastructure, with creator of Atlas Obscura, Dylan Thuras. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/things-you-thought-you-knew-dinosaurs-batteries/Thanks to our Patrons Renee Morss, Rob L, Peter Stinchcomb, Larry Kwartowitz, Samii McLendon, Michaela Negus, Michael Henderson, Jun Del Rio, Ana Davidson, and Dominick Marciano for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: ​​Don Davis (work commissioned by NASA), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

What solutions exist to fix climate change? On this Earth Day, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice answer Qs about real-world solutions and aspects of climate change you might not be thinking about, with atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe, PhD. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/cosmic-queries-climate-solutions-with-katherine-hayhoe-phd/Thanks to our Patrons Georgeanne Lavery, Pete Key, Barbara Perlik, Taurohylax, Matt Berry, Frank B, Scott Allen, Jason Cidras, Alan Of Wales, and kathy jo kroener for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: NASA Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

Are human bodies good for space? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly discover the effects of space on the human body and if we are ready for long-haul missions with astronaut Leland Melvin and space doc, Dr. Sheyna Gifford. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/humans-in-space-with-astronaut-leland-melvin-and-dr-sheyna-gifford/Thanks to our Patrons John Moehrke, Scott Williams, Mike Trujillo, Josue Diaz, Walter Flaat, Semyon Torfason, Craig Smart, Elissa DiPierro, OnlineBookClub.org, and Nic Stock for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

What kinds of ologies are out there? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore and answer questions about the vast world of niche sciences with science communicator and host of “Ologies,” Alie Ward. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.Thanks to our Patrons Mike S, Luke, Frank (Hopper) Cross, Timur Sultanov, Skyeletta Ramona, Matt W, Bennett Saunders, Vincent Lee, George Gao, and Bob Soltys for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: Chocolateoak, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

What science concepts have we not seen in fiction? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice sit down with actor and national treasure LeVar Burton to discuss future science, storytelling, and to answer fan questions. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.Thanks to our Patrons Gabriel Paavola, Robert Marchal, DarenW, Im The Wiener Dog, vamsee krishna jayanthi, Stan Russell, Balackey, Chris Page, Paul Anderson, and Angy Phillips for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: NASA/Don Pettit, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.

What are Van der Waals forces? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly explore the fascinating world of surfaces, biomimicry, and Formula 1 with physicist and author of Sticky: The Science of Surfaces, Laurie Winkless. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/sticky-science-the-force-be-with-you-with-laurie-winkless/Thanks to our Patrons Artist formerly known as James Smith, Joseph Strasser, Salvatore Scuiri, Kyle Dagg, Luke Ehlers, Paul Bowe, Jason R.Y. Rankin, Ann Young, Jasam Mohammed, and Jan Bojarp for supporting us this week.Photo Credit: Peter Heeling, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts to listen to new episodes ad-free and a whole week early.