Best Alfredo Carpineti Podcasts (2025)

1
Is De-extinction Really Possible? 41:03

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4d ago41:03

41:03

De-extinction. It’s not a word many of us were thinking about just a decade ago, but it’s one that we’re getting ever more familiar with. The de-extinction company Colossal Biosciences has set its sights on de-extincting 5 key species whose extinction is thought to have either been caused, or heavily contributed to, by humans: the woolly mammoth, t…

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Are We In The Anthropocene? 43:45

18d ago43:45

43:45

In March 2024, geologists rejected the proposal that we are in a new geological era: the Anthropocene, a time dominated by human activity on the planet. And yet, the evidence of our impact on the Earth’s ecology and climate continues to mount up around us. So how could this decision make sense given everything going on in the world today? To dig th…

1
Why Darkness Matters 24:02

1M ago24:02

24:02

You can’t save the dark skies without convincing people it matters, and education is crucial to this. Across the world, so many are working on that specific aspect, and we will hear from some of these extraordinary communicators in this episode. The episode features: Rayan Khan, founder of Cosmic Tribe Shweta Kulkarni, founder of AstronERA Dr John …

1
What Will The Fossils Of The Future Look Like? 35:23

1M ago35:23

35:23

Today’s rubbish may well be the fossils of tomorrow. Plastic bags, old pens, cheap clothing, or even chicken bones are all examples of possible “technofossils”, rapidly accumulating debris and detritus that may come to represent the story of humanity in the geological record long after we’re gone. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Host Dr Russell…

1
To Protect A Common Heritage 29:10

1M ago29:10

29:10

The battle against light pollution goes through policy and legislation. Certain regions of the world are actually in a better situation than you might think. While the road ahead is long, we talked to those who are paving the way. The episode features: Yana Yakushina, lawyer at the Space Court Foundation Rayan Khan, founder of Cosmic Tribe Dr John …

1
Where The Dark Skies Are 31:29

2M ago31:29

31:29

For most people, a dark enough sky can only be accessed on holiday, away from cities. There is a growing movement of astrotourism, so we look into what that’s like, and how it helps the fight against light pollution. The episode features: Rayan Khan, founder of Cosmic Tribe Megan Eaves, author of Nightfaring Shweta Kulkarni, founder of AstronERA Da…

1
Will We Ever Have A Universal Flu Vaccine? 31:02

2M ago31:02

31:02

Lining up for your seasonal flu shot is an annual ritual, but what if it didn't have to be this way? Wouldn't it be great if we could develop a universal vaccine that could protect us against all current and future virus strains? Host Laura Simmons speaks to Dr Florian Krammer, a professor in vaccinology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sin…

1
Vanishing Stars, Vanishing Nature, Vanishing Health 28:08

2M ago28:08

28:08

This episode of Starless focuses on the impact of light pollution. How has anthropogenic light changed the world in less than two centuries? The full impact is not completely understood, but what we know makes for a very concerning tale. The episode features: Dr Michelle Wooten, Assistant Professor of Astronomy Education at the University of Alabam…

1
Fading To Black: The Dark Skies Movement 26:26

2M ago26:26

26:26

In this introductory episode, we will be talking about dark skies and light pollution in general, and what some organizations are doing to protect the night sky, as well as some of the misconceptions about reducing light pollution. Featuring: Rayan Khan, founder of Cosmic Tribe Megan Eaves, author of Nightfaring Shweta Kulkarni, founder of AstronER…

1
How Has The Internet Changed The Way We Use Language? 30:58

2M ago30:58

30:58

Language can evolve surprisingly quickly, and nothing has sped it up quite like the invention of the Internet. So, how does it affect how we communicate, not just on our devices but offline, IRL? Join host Tom Hale, senior journalist at IFLScience, as he discusses this and more with Internet linguist Dr Gretchen McCulloch, where they explore the or…

1
How Do Black Holes Shape The Universe? 25:04

2M ago25:04

25:04

Of all the celestial bodies, none induce awe and fear in equal measure quite like black holes. They are incredible astrophysical objects and there are plenty of reasons why they are so iconic. In their supermassive form in particular, they have influenced the formation and evolution of galaxies, and more. Host Dr Alfredo Carpineti sat down with ast…

1
Are We Living Through A Sixth Mass Extinction? 38:07

3M ago38:07

38:07

While climate change, species extinctions, and increasing carbon dioxide levels might feel like media buzzwords at this point, they all remain very real threats to biodiversity across the globe, and by extension, the future of our planet. Some have even argued that these are warning signs that we are living through a sixth mass extinction. Host Ele…

1
Would You Rather Go To Space Or The Bottom Of The Sea? 31:23

3M ago31:23

31:23

The expanse of space and the oceanic abyss hold a fascination for humanity; extreme environments where our bodies and technology are pushed to their limits, yet we continue to explore. We take this tongue-in-cheek question seriously and pose it to astronauts and explorers who have done both. Join co-hosts Dr Alfredo Carpineti and Katy Evans as they…

1
IFLScience The Big Questions - Season 5 Coming Soon 1:10

4M ago1:10

1:10

We're back! Here's what to expect this season, starting June 19, 2025. If you missed any previous episodes, catch up here: IFLScience The Big QuestionsBy IFLScience

1
Concerning Space-Time 20:18

9M ago20:18

20:18

For the 2024 Christmas Special, we tackle Special Relativity and Chris's issues with time dilation and relativity in general! Link for Invisible Rainbows

1
Why Do Humans Love Playing Competitive Games? 25:34

9M ago25:34

25:34

It’s the holiday season, and what better time to gather your loved ones together and absolutely trounce them in an hours-long board game marathon? Humans have been playing and enjoying competitive games for centuries. For this special episode of The Big Questions, host Laura Simmons sat down with Kelly Clancy, neuroscientist and physicist, and auth…

1
Britain’s Most Haunted Castle: IFLScience Takes On The Supernatural 1:05:13

11M ago1:05:13

1:05:13

Welcome to IFLScience’s first-ever Halloween podcast special, bringing you a feature-length episode of The Big Questions as we take on the UK’s most haunted castle. We journeyed to Northumberland up by the Anglo-Scottish border to spend the night in Chillingham Castle, a place that allegedly boasts an above-average number of ghosts. We wanted to ex…

1
Are Octopuses Sentient? 32:19

12M ago32:19

32:19

It’s no secret that octopuses are intelligent – but are they sentient? And how is that reflected in the way that they’re treated? Host Rachael Funnell is joined by Sy Montgomery, author of Secrets of the Octopus, and Sophika Kostyniuk, Managing Director at the Aquatic Life Institute, to discuss the evidence for octopuses’ sentience, and how that co…

1
What Would A Human On Mars Look Like? 31:50

12M ago31:50

31:50

Are humans done evolving – or could settling on an alien world with an environment unlike Earth’s take us on a different evolutionary trajectory? Host Tom Hale is joined by Scott Solomon, author and professor of bioscience at Rice University, to discuss the myriad ways Homo sapiens may continue to evolve on Earth, and how future human settlements o…

1
Are The Drugs Of The Future Coming From The Deep Ocean? 28:49

1y ago28:49

28:49

Antibiotic resistance is a major health concern. We now have several harmful microbes that have evolved into versions unaffected by common treatments. To find new antibiotics scientists are looking further afield, including in the ocean. Host Dr Alfredo Carpineti speaks to Dr Sam Afoullouss, a marine scientist at the University of South Florida, ab…

1
Introducing 'We Have Questions' Our New Science Podcast 1:58

1y ago1:58

1:58

Coming soon: join IFLScience as we explore the questions nobody thought to ask but everyone wants the answers to. Get the behind-the-scenes conversations from CURIOUS magazine’s We Have Questions interviews, as we hunt down the experts to answer some of science’s stranger questions. Until then, catch up with the E-magazine here: https://www.iflscie…

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How Did Dinosaurs Have Sex? 33:19

1y ago33:19

33:19

Where do baby dinosaurs come from? It’s a question that’s been burning in the collective brain of the IFLScience team for some time. In this episode, host Rachael Funnell speaks with science writer and palaeontologist Riley Black to find out what science has discovered so far about the sex lives of dinosaurs.…

1
How Will The Solar System End? 26:37

1y ago26:37

26:37

Our Solar System is very stable. Planets, dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets go forth in their orbit without trouble. But it won't be like this forever. The future of the solar system will have major changes in the Sun and in the planets. We spoke with astronomer Dr Jon Zink to cast our mind's eye far into the future and explore the end of the so…

1
Can We Make Dogs Live Longer? 29:37

1y ago29:37

29:37

Hinging our happiness on animals known to have a significantly shorter lifespan than our own was, in hindsight, a bad idea. Saying goodbye to a pet is an incredibly painful time in a person’s life, but what if there were a way we could help our pets live longer, better lives? That’s exactly what Celine Halioua has been exploring as CEO and founder …

1
What Was Egyptian Sky Iron? 19:22

1y ago19:22

19:22

Chris and I decided to find out when humans realized that meteorites came from beyond Earth: it could be a lot older than it was once thought! Egyptologist Dr Victoria Almansa-Villatoro joins us to discuss meteorite artifacts and intriguing hieroglyphs from Ancient Egypt.

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Is Evolutionary Biology Sexist? 34:28

1y ago34:28

34:28

Science can’t be sexist, we hear you cry, it’s methodical, rational. And yet science is carried out by humans who are often a product of the time and place they operate in, struggling to overcome intrinsic biases and outside influence. Host Katy Evans is joined by zoologist and presenter Lucy Cooke, author of Bitch: A Revolutionary Guide to Sex, Ev…

1
For How Long Have Humans Believed In Aliens? 17:48

1y ago17:48

17:48

We are talking about ancient aliens. (No, not the racist conspiracy theory!) We look into the concept of extraterrestrials over history and how it originated. Who were the first recorded people who pondered about life outside Earth?

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How Is Climate Change Impacting Our Health? 39:11

1y ago39:11

39:11

It’s no secret that the planet is getting warmer, but how are our bodies responding to increased exposure to extreme conditions? From record-breaking temperatures to an uptick in severe weather warnings, the consequences of the climate crisis are all around – so how is climate change impacting our health? This is The Big Question host Rachael Funne…

1
How Does Sound Spread In Space? 13:28

1y ago13:28

13:28

In this episode, we tackle the classic concept of sound in space, what can we measure, and why it is important that some sound waves move through the cosmos.

1
Why Are We The Only Surviving Human Species? 28:31

1+ y ago28:31

28:31

Homo sapiens – us – are the only surviving human species. The question, and it is a big one, is why? Who were the species that came before us, or lived alongside us, and what happened to them? Host Dr Alfredo Carpineti is joined by Professor Chris Stringer, human evolution research lead at the Natural History Museum, London, to explore the journey …

1
Could We Tell If We Were In A Middle Of A Galaxy Merger? 22:24

1+ y ago22:24

22:24

Our position inside the Milky Way doesn't give us an advantageous view of our galaxy. But that doesn't mean we haven't found a way around it. Joined by Dr GyuChul Myeong, we explore how we make sense of the Milky Way and its past collision with the Gaia-Sausage galaxy. If you are interested in my book, here is a link to the crowdfunding page.…

1
Can You Save A Dying Star? 15:44

1+ y ago15:44

15:44

In the last episode, we looked at how stars end up dead. So Chris has an important follow-up: can you find a way to heal and save a dying star? #InvisibleRainbows

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Do All Stars Expand When They Die? 12:35

1+ y ago12:35

12:35

Our Sun and many other stars will become larger later in life. But is this a condition common to all stars? Guest questioner Francis wonders about the future of stars and their ultimate demise!

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Black Diamonds Are Actually Extraterrestrials - Feat. Dr David Pegg 19:57

1+ y ago19:57

19:57

In this episode, we tackle the peculiar carbonado diamond, a black diamond that looks very different from the glittering gems we might be more familiar with. And we will discover that its origin might be out of this world! Carbonado Diamond going on auction Invisible Rainbows

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Can Planets Truly Have One Climate? 18:08

1+ y ago18:08

18:08

Planets in sci-fi are often portrayed as having a single climate, but how truthful is that idea? This audience question gets the full treatment from Alfredo & Chris as they deal with the tatooines, hoths, risas, synnaxes of the real universe!

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Hunting The Great Mexican Eclipse 15:47

1+ y ago15:47

15:47

Join us in this unplanned video & audio diary as we go after the April 8 total solar eclipse in Mexico. For the video version: https://youtu.be/SR00jigmgR0?si=LKLYaoqvq_YaUo6V For #InvisibleRainbows: https://unbound.com/books/invisible-rainbows

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IFLScience - Break It Down 2:29

1+ y ago2:29

2:29

Here is a little teaser for our brand new podcast: Break It Down! Coming soon to a podcast app near you...By IFLScience

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Would You Eat Plant-Based Meat For Christmas Dinner? 33:55

2y ago33:55

33:55

During the holiday season, many of us will be tucking into delicious meals which may well include a whole host of meats. But have you ever thought about going meat-free this time of year? With concerns over the impact of meat consumption on the planet, thoughts are turning to the future of the industry and how the tastes and textures that many peop…

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XS23 - Cosmicomics 100 13:10

2y ago13:10

13:10

The Astroholic Explains Xmas Special is inspired by Italo Calvino's Cosmicomics on the 100th anniversary of the author's birth. Join us for an imaginative tale, not fantasy nor sci-fi, but one based on science facts: the formation of elements in stars and how they spread across the universe. ✨ And if you are interested in my book, here is a link to…

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Exclusive - Invisible Rainbows Excerpt 5:44

2y ago5:44

5:44

I'm writing a book all about the astronomy we do with the light we cannot see with our own eyes. It's called Invisible Rainbows and features astronomers from all around the world. If you are interested in finding out more and maybe pledge for a copy, click on this link.

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Are We Ready For The Next Massive Solar Flare? 23:02

2y ago23:02

23:02

Solar activity goes through cycles. The main one is about 11 years long and its maximum is marked by powerful eruptions of electromagnetic radiation known as solar flares, as well as releases of plasma known as coronal mass ejections. The most powerful known flare happened in 1859 and led to telegraph stations catching fire across the US, and North…

1
How Are Glaciers Changing In A Warming World? 13:29

2y ago13:29

13:29

The climate crisis is affecting glaciers across the world in myriad ways. Dramatic melting, steep declines, and overall reduction in mass are some of the changes seen in both polar glaciers and the mountainous peaks of every continent. Understanding these changes requires understanding how we monitor these enormous ice masses. The health of glacier…

1
Are E-fuels The Future Of Aviation? 34:46

2y ago34:46

34:46

As much as everyone enjoys flying abroad for their holidays, the cost of the climate impact might be making people think twice. So what can we do? Aside from paying to offset the carbon, the emergence of a new industry is hoping to change the way we fly. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) or e-fuels are looking to replace traditional fuels as a much…

1
What Is Ancient Ice Telling Us About The Future? 11:22

2y ago11:22

11:22

There are many methods that allow us to look back into Earth’s past and study its climate, including the collection of ice cores. Extracting ancient ice from deep inside some of the most remote glaciers can reveal how our planet has changed over millions of years. But it’s not just about the past: what is ancient ice telling us about the future? Ho…

1
What Is Space Weather And How Does It Affect Us? 15:37

2y ago15:37

15:37

The Sun shapes what goes on in space around our planet. Plasma from our star is continuously thrown at Earth in the form of solar winds or coronal mass ejections, changing the shape of the magnetic field, and affecting the atmosphere and anything in it, like the satellites that we depend on. These changes are part of what we call space weather. Hos…

1
61 - What's Beyond The Edge Of The Visible Universe? - Feat Professor Peter Coles 24:34

2y ago24:34

24:34

In this episode, Alfredo and Chris are joined by cosmologist Professor Peter Coles. Together they explore the limits of the visible universe, whether finite or infinite, why there is no center, and what might be beyond the most distant region we can see.

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How Does A Quantum Computer Work And How Will They Change The World? 32:50

2y ago32:50

32:50

The path beyond the limits of regular computers, even the most powerful supercomputer, lies with the theory of quantum mechanics. Quantum computing promises to change the world, but how do quantum computers work, and how close are we to this fabled new approach to computation? Host Dr Alfredo Carpineti spoke with Professor Winfried Hensinger, Profe…

1
60 - Before The Big Bang 15:35

2y ago15:35

15:35

We don't know and will likely never know what happened before the Big Bang, but Chris is curious about it, so we take a journey in the land before time and space!

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Can We Save A Species On The Very Brink Of Extinction? 25:19

2y ago25:19

25:19

In this age of climate change, habitat loss, and destruction of the natural world, we take an in-depth look at one endangered species in particular: the northern white rhino. Just two females remain in the world and neither are capable of carrying a pregnancy. With such constraints in place, we ask the experts if it's possible to save a species on …

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59 - Lunacy! Or Conspiracy Theories About The Moon's Origin 17:53

2y ago17:53

17:53

Conspiracy theories and misconceptions about the Moon extend far beyond the Moon-landing! In this episode, we take a trip 4.5 billion years into the past to witness how Luna came to be.