Best Streaming Spires Podcasts Podcasts (2025)

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In Memory Of Paul Fowler 36:15

Play Pause

2h ago36:15

36:15

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Paul Fowler, a dear friend and colleague of Nick’s, who sadly passed away. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Paul’s family. Nick and Jules begin by sharing your latest comments, questions, and opinions—keep them coming! They then dive into the drama of the Bol d’Or, where BMW came agonizingly close bu…

1
Avian Affairs 38:08

4h ago38:08

38:08

Syma and Tim talk to Professor Joan Strassmann about the social life of birds. We cover a range of topics she writes about in her excellent new book, including flocking, social roosting, mating together, and raising chicks in a commune. Learn about redshanks seeking safety in numbers to neotropical cuckoos building communal nests and then pushing o…

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Where Are the Brits in MotoGP? – with Niall Mackenzie 33:35

10d ago33:35

33:35

This week on Racing Back, Nick and Jules are joined by none other than the legendary Niall Mackenzie. Together, the trio dive into all the action and storylines from Misano, look ahead to the prestigious Bol D’or endurance, and preview the thrills of BSB at Assen. They also take a deep dive into one of the sport’s hot topics: the lack of British ri…

1
Better Late Than Never! 34:54

13d ago34:54

34:54

The boys are back - Better late than never! We welcome back the the good Doctor Martin Raines to ease our ailments! The team talk Barcelona, Magny-Cours, Yamaha V4's and review some of your comments and questions across our socials. Next week we have the fantastic Niall Mackenzie joining us, so get your questions lined up and if not already subscri…

1
Locked Out, Lights Out, But Never Off Air! 34:19

21d ago34:19

34:19

Disaster strikes before the microphones even switch on: Nick manages to lock himself out and ends up loitering in the porch like a soggy stray cat, while Jules suffers a full-blown power outage and is left podcasting by candlelight. But nothing—not keys, not rain, not electricity—can stop the Racing Back duo from hitting record. They set the stage …

1
Your Questions Answered! 36:10

28d ago36:10

36:10

This week on Racing Back MotoGP, Nick and Jules dive into YOUR questions! 🎙️ If you’ve been following us on YouTube, you might just hear your name get a mention. And if not this time, keep interacting—the guys love hearing from you and will get to your questions in future episodes. We also look back at an incredible race at Cadwell Park 🏁 before sh…

1
We Want To See Greatness! 37:27

1M ago37:27

37:27

This week on Racing Back MotoGP, Nick and Jules are once again joined by MotoGP statistics guru Dr. Martin Raines for another lively and insightful discussion. Nick clears up last week’s little circuit mix-up (with a big thank you to our listeners for making it our best week yet!). The trio look ahead to the new Hungarian circuit, reflect on Cadwel…

1
The Decline of the Primate Handyman 46:18

1M ago46:18

46:18

Tim and Syma talk to Professor Dora Biro about animal behaviour and cognition. Want to know why your kitten behaves differently from you, or discover that chimps become less competent at using tools as they age? This is the podcast episode for you. You can read Dora’s recent paper on tool use in chimps here: https://elifesciences.org/articles/10541…

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From Stats to Stories: Celebrating MotoGP’s Biggest Milestones 30:32

2M ago30:32

30:32

This week, Nick and Jules welcome MotoGP statistics royalty, Martin Raines, for an unmissable deep dive into the sport’s history and numbers. With the Hungarian GP at Balaton Park Circuit just around the corner and the 1000th Premier Class 500cc GP on the horizon, there’s no better time to celebrate the milestones, legends, and stories that make Mo…

1
Waspish Behaviour 42:32

2M ago42:32

42:32

In this weeks episode, Tim and Syma get the run down on wasps, courtesy of Seirian Sumner, entomologist and behavioural ecologist. Will Syma now forgive the wasps, following a recent encounter? Seirian's book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Endless-Forms-Secret-World-Wasps/dp/0008394512/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0 Our sponsor for this episode is Grace and Garbo!…

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Dressing Gowns, Endurance, and the Great Lost Talent 37:33

2M ago37:33

37:33

In this jam-packed episode of Racing Back with Nick Harris and Julian Ryder, Jules takes the reins for a deep dive into the fascinating world of the FIM Endurance Championship. Can he convince Nick—the voice of MotoGP—to embrace the long-haul racing life? From there, our two-wheeled historians take a hilarious detour into the past, revisiting one o…

1
"Racing Back" – Episode 11: "Back to Brazil" 39:06

2M ago39:06

39:06

This week on Racing Back, Nick and Jules shift their focus to South America with plenty of excitement and nostalgia. The big news? The 2026 MotoGP race calendar is out—and Brazil is back on the map! The pair reflect on what this means for the sport and share memories of all things South American. Jules takes us off the beaten track and into one of …

1
Planet Hunters: Secrets of the Exoplanet Boom 40:27

2M ago40:27

40:27

Tim and Syma talk to Ray Pirrehumbert, author of Planetary Systems: A Very Short Introduction, about planets orbiting far away stars. They learn how these distant objects that we will never visit are detect, a little bit about a few of them, and how we might detect life on a far-away planet. If you are interested where aliens might live, this is th…

1
Double Figures, Double Trouble! 37:41

2M ago37:41

37:41

In this milestone 10th episode of Racing Back, Nick and Julian celebrate hitting double figures by diving into all things two-wheeled and fast! The duo kicks off by looking back at the recent MotoGP action from Brno, where Nick confesses his fondness for bars of the drinking kind over the tyre-pressure variety, leaving Julian to delve into the tech…

1
The Madness of the Silicon Valley Ultra-rich 45:32

2M ago45:32

45:32

Tim and Syma talk to Adam Becker about his stunning new book, "More Everything Forever". They explore how the philosophy of effective altruism aligns with flawed scientific ideas about how humanity can create super-intelligent AI before colonizing the galaxy. The philosophy is as flawed as the science. Your likes and subscriptions are really import…

1
Fossils and Feathers: Rethinking What We Know About Dinosaurs 36:48

2M ago36:48

36:48

Tim and Syma talk to dinosaur expert, Roger Benson, from the American Museum of Natural History. They learn why there were no small dinosaurs, how the animals lived their lives, and why they are relevant today. Interested in #T.Rex #Diplodocus or #Velociraptor? This is the episode for you. Our sponsor for this episode is Grace and Garbo! Thank you.…

1
Sachsenring Surge & Brno Bound 37:44

2M ago37:44

37:44

Nick and Jules are back in the saddle for Episode 9 of Racing Back, diving into a jam-packed MotoGP weekend at Sachsenring, where a record-breaking crowd of 256,000 brought the noise and the passion! With two Brits locking out pole position, and Turn 1 proving to be chaos central, there’s no shortage of drama to unpack. The duo also look ahead to B…

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Sachsenring & Brno: Cold War Thrills & High-Side Spills! 32:20

3M ago32:20

32:20

This week on Racing Back, Nick and Julian rev up for a double-header of legends: Sachsenring and Brno. But as always, it’s not just about looking forward—it’s about racing back through history. Join our dynamic duo as they dig into a treasure trove of memories from these two iconic circuits. From the gritty glory days of MZ bikes and the daring def…

1
New antibiotics are needed to change the game. 21:45

3M ago21:45

21:45

Syma gives the second annual Ibn Sina lecture in Bradford City Hall. The event was hosted by the Muslim Institute and the Lord Mayor of Bradford. She discusses her work on using computer simulations to understand how harmful bacteria protect themselves. It is important we understand how they do this, so we can thwart them with new antibiotics. To v…

1
Racing Back Ep7 - Second Fiddle and Sibling Rivalries 38:18

3M ago38:18

38:18

In this seventh episode—fittingly numbered for the legendary Barry Sheene—Nick and Jules rewind the action from Assen, where the racing was fierce and the stories ran deep. Yamaha celebrated its 75th anniversary in style, a milestone that got the hosts thinking about legacy—both in teams and in families. Álex Márquez continues to chase that elusive…

1
Jonathan Amos The Voice Behind BBC Science A Day in the Life 35:42

3M ago35:42

35:42

In This episode Tim & Syma talk to Jonathan Amos - recently retired science correspondent at the BBC. Jon talks us through his fascinating journey falling in love science through exposure to it via journalism and then going to study it more formally. From setting up the BBC website to breaking some of the big science stories - Jon tells his story h…

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Racing Back – Episode 6: Mugello Magic & Assen Awaits 32:35

3M ago32:35

32:35

Fresh off a spectacular weekend in Mugello, Racing Back returns as Nick and Jules unpack the ongoing resurgence of Marc Marquez, who continues to defy expectations and dominate headlines. With adrenaline still pumping, attention now turns to the Cathedral of Speed—Assen. The Dutch TT is one of the most iconic events in motorcycle racing, and the qu…

1
Life’s Left Turn: The Strange Science Behind Molecular Asymmetry 34:11

3M ago34:11

34:11

Some biological molecules can be left handed or right handed - the sugars that are found in nucleic acids are right handed, whereas 19 of the 20 amino acids that make up proteins are left handed. And intriguingly samples of amino acids found on meteorites such as those brought back from the OSIRIX-REx missing from Bennu were present in mixtures con…

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Racing Back | Episode 5: Fire and Brimstone in the Tuscan Hills 36:00

3M ago36:00

36:00

This week, Nick and Julian rev up for Mugello — a cathedral of speed nestled in the heart of Tuscany, where legends are made and hearts are broken. With Ducati’s temple just over the hill, the burning question: Will Pecco Bagnaia continue his dominant streak, or is Marc Márquez about to steal the crown and shake up the standings? It’s not just abou…

1
The Good the Bad and the Migrant 47:54

3M ago47:54

47:54

Migration is in the news continuously and everyone has an opinion. What does the science of migration reveal? Tim and Syma talk to Ian Goldin, an expert on the pros and cons of migration and migrants. Ian's book: http://oldstreetpublishing.co.uk/100/the-shortest-history-of-migration Do you have any questions you would like to ask Tim and Syma? Drop…

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How did the diversity of life come about? 44:41

3M ago44:41

44:41

This week Tim and Syma talk to Max Telford, author of The Tree of Life: Solving Science's Greatest Puzzle published by John Murray. They explore LUCA, penis worms, and other oddball species. Max's book 'The Tree Of Life' can be found here: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/max-telford/the-tree-of-life/9781399806374/ Do you have any questions you wo…

1
TT Must Be Over, the Sun Is Out! 38:43

4M ago38:43

38:43

Buckle up for another fast-paced episode of Racing Back! With the Isle of Man TT wrapped up and rare sunshine breaking through, we dive straight into this week’s hottest headlines in the world of two wheels. 🏁 Toprak Razgatlıoğlu signs for MotoGP – The Turkish sensation makes his long-anticipated leap, and we break down what this means for the grid…

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Science Explainer: Recent Mount Etna Eruption 8:19

4M ago8:19

8:19

In our latest science explainer release Syma chats to David Pyle, world renowned volcanologist, about the recent Mount Etna eruption.By Tim Coulson And Syma Khalid

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Question and Answer Time! 34:33

4M ago34:33

34:33

In this episode Syma and Tim conduct a Q and A session for the many fantastic questions that have been hitting our email inbox over the last three months or so. They also review some of their favourite episodes so far. Do you have any questions you would like to ask? Drop us a line at: [email protected] Or leave a comment on our Yo…

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🏍️ MotoGP Secrets, Toilet Truths & TT Tales | Nick & Julian Unfiltered! 🎙️ 46:41

4M ago46:41

46:41

In this no-holds-barred episode, Nick and Julian dive into the chaos and charm of two-wheel racing – weather permitting at the Isle of Man TT, of course! From MotoGP’s best-kept secret – Aragon – to some questionable geography, things get hilariously off-track before going deep on 800cc vs. 990cc machines: were they really trying to slow things dow…

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It's TT Time! 37:11

4M ago37:11

37:11

In this episode, Nick and Julian dive into the thrilling, dangerous, and legendary world of TT racing, with a spotlight on the iconic Isle of Man TT. Buckle up as the duo explores the rich history of one of the most extreme motorsport events on the planet — and its modern-day resurgence and growing global coverage. Nick, in a slightly less-than-sob…

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The Science Of Football 38:32

4M ago38:32

38:32

Surely there is not much more to football than kicking a ball.? Wrong, There is a whole science behind it. Professor Robbie Wilson explains his work in this area and even puts Tim and Syma through their paces in the park! Our sponsor for this episode is Grace and Garbo! Thank you. https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/GraceandGarbo 'At Grace and Garbo we ar…

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Science Explainer: Why is it so hard to kill bacteria? 6:13

4M ago6:13

6:13

In this explainer, Syma discusses some of the methods bacteria use to defend themselves from attack from external threats such as antibiotics. These ostensibly simple organisms have elaborate and sophisticated defence mechanisms which is why it is so hard to kill bacteria.By Tim Coulson And Syma Khalid

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Why Wolves Don’t Change Rivers 47:54

4M ago47:54

47:54

Dan MacNulty has studied the wildlife in Yellowstone National Park since 1995. His research, and that of his colleagues, has revealed that the narrative that wolves have changed the park, leading to forests coming back, and rivers being diverted is not true. The Yellowstone story is more complicated than you might think, and endlessly fascinating. …

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Kickstart – Legends, Privateers & Oval Pistons 35:40

4M ago35:40

35:40

In the debut episode of Racing Back, hosts Nick and Julian fire up the engines and set off on a thrilling journey through the golden age of MotoGP and superbike history. With a rich blend of passion and nostalgia, they dig deep into their encyclopedic memories, bringing legendary names back to life – from the charismatic Barry Sheene and fearless K…

1
Science Explainer: New Funding for US based scientists looking to move to the UK. 3:24

4M ago3:24

3:24

Tim breaks down a game-changing shift in global science research: as U.S. funding for future research faces uncertainty, UK funding agencies are seizing the moment—offering incentives to attract scientists currently working in the US to relocate and thrive in the UK.By Tim Coulson And Syma Khalid

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Break Barriers: Women, the Physical Sciences Need You Now! 3:36

4M ago3:36

3:36

In this short bonus episode Syma talks to Philipp Kukura. Philipp led the development of a technique called mass photometry which enables tracking the movement of individual proteins. Here he briefly describes the technique, but importantly emphasises the need for more women in the areas of instrument and technology development in the physical scie…

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Why Ginger Cats Are Mostly Boys (and Why Some Wolves Are Black!) 3:23

5M ago3:23

3:23

In this third quick hit explainer of the week. Why are most ginger cats male? Simple genetics — the orange fur gene is on the X chromosome. Males only need one to flaunt that fiery coat, while females need two, making ginger ladies much rarer. And as for wolves — not all are grey! Some are black. Nature loves a remix.…

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How To Build A Sustainable World 55:16

4M ago55:16

55:16

If we don’t build a more sustainable world our civilisation will collapse, potentially in the coming decades. Paul Behrens spends his time researching our impact on the world, and working out how civilisation can transition to a sustainable future. Covering multitudes of Lego to plant-based diets and solar power, we explore how we can create a civi…

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AI Undermines Health Science 5:15

4M ago5:15

5:15

In our second quick-hit explainer episode this week, Tim breaks down how AI might be disrupting—not advancing—health science. Is the hype overshadowing real medical insight? Tune in for a sharp take on where AI could be leading us astray.By Tim Coulson And Syma Khalid

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Why Is There A Universe? Why Is There Something Rather Than Nothing? 5:20

4M ago5:20

5:20

In this quick bonus episode, Tim breaks down one of science’s most intriguing mysteries as featured in BBC News today: the difference between matter and antimatter. Join us for a bite-sized explainer that sheds light on the surprising facts behind this cosmic puzzle!By Tim Coulson And Syma Khalid

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The Quantum Revolution: Lee Smolin’s Bold Theory to Unite Physics 32:58

5M ago32:58

32:58

Theoretical physics has two theories at its core that are not straightforward to link – quantum mechanics and general relativity. Lee Smolin, one of the world’s greatest living theoretical physicists, has spent his career working out why the theory of quantum mechanics is incomplete and how it might link to general relativity. He is an advocate of …

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Special Edition- Can academia provide solutions to threats to biodiversity? 1:09:49

5M ago1:09:49

1:09:49

Biodiversity is under threat, and there are many ongoing efforts to help save it, including from within universities. But are academic contributions doing any good? Our cohost Tim Coulson discussed this topic with Professor Dame EJ Milner-Gulland in the Oxford Martin School (OMS) in April. Thanks to Carlyn Samuel, OMS and the OMS team for hosting t…

1
Should we fear AI? 55:32

5M ago55:32

55:32

Artificial intelligence is a modern-day technology that will impact the way we live much as past innovations like mastering fire, and inventing the printing press, home computers and the internet changed civilisation. But what exactly is it, how does it work, and what are the opportunities and risks of its continued development? We talk to Chris Su…

1
Natural and artificial genetic hybrids: dogs, coyotes and dire wolves. PART 2 33:56

5M ago33:56

33:56

Colossal Bioscience has brought genetic variation back from the grave. It is a remarkable technological achievement, but is it species de-extinction? In this second part of this podcast we talk to Professor Peter Hudson FRS, a world-leading ecologist, who is concerned by Colossal’s claims and what they might mean.…

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Natural and artificial genetic hybrids: dogs, coyotes and dire wolves. 38:28

5M ago38:28

38:28

Colossal Bioscience has brought genetic variation back from the grave. It is a remarkable technological achievement, but is it species de-extinction? We talk to Professor Bridgett vonHoldt, a world-leading dog geneticist, who was involved in Colossal Bioscience’s recent dire wolf de-extinction work that has caused some controversy. In part 2 of thi…

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Will Zombie ants be the last of us? 5:04

5M ago5:04

5:04

A bonus episode in which Tim and Syma discuss how the zombie ant-based creatures seen on popular dystopian future drama Last of Us are based on real fungi (Cordyceps) which infect ants - and then exploit the now zombie ants to produce more fungi, killing the ants in the process. Yes it’s a bit gruesome, but it’s science!…

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SPECIAL EDITION - Interview with David Baker 2024 Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry 12:23

6M ago12:23

12:23

Syma and Tim are joined by Nobel Laureate David Baker, one of the winners of the 2024 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for his work on computational protein design. This follows the interview with Tim Jenkins, and Susana Vasquez in Episode 7 who worked with David. After the interview Tim asks Syma to explain in simple terms the process of protein design a…

1
De-mything the hype around de-extinction 8:26

6M ago8:26

8:26

Colassal says it has de-extincted an animal. Is this a dire wolf or a dire mistake? Join Tim and Syma on this short bonus edition!By Tim Coulson And Syma Khalid

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Snake venom 'milkers' beware the proteins and not the snake! 41:59

6M ago41:59

41:59

Proteins are the workhorses of life, with thousands overseeing and getting involved in reactions within our cells. Biologists have long dreamed of being able to make designer proteins to do specific tasks, and recently a team of scientists have made this happen. Syma and Tim talk to researchers who designed, and then made, a protein that neutralise…