Best Matthew Setchell Podcasts (2026)

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The North Pole Unwrapped - Russell Kane, Felicity Aston and Lloyd Peck 42:22

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13d ago42:22

42:22

In this Christmas episode of The Infinite Monkey Cage, Brian Cox and Robin Ince head to the North Pole to explore the dazzling science behind the northern lights, the extreme adaptations that help animals - and even Santa Claus - survive the Arctic cold, and how the Earth’s magnetic field might just guide him home. Joining the monkeys are comedian …

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Monkey Business - Robin Dunbar, Dave Gorman and Jo Setchell 42:30

20d ago42:30

42:30

In perhaps the monkiest Infinite Monkey Cage episode there’s ever been, Brian Cox and Robin Ince attempt to uncover the secrets of love, lust and friendship in primates. Swinging by to offer a hand (or tail) are evolutionary psychologist Robin Dunbar, anthropologist Jo Setchell, and comedian Dave Gorman. Together the panel explores Dunbar’s number …

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Shayne Grove: Connectivity, Security and why we hate BYOD 59:29

25d ago59:29

59:29

In this episode, Matthew Setchell interviews Shayne Grove, Chief Sales Officer at Schools Broadband, discussing the evolution of school connectivity, the impact of multi-academy trusts, and the challenges of security and safeguarding in educational IT systems. They explore the rise of alternative networks, the implications of BYOD policies, and the…

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Head in the Clouds - Owain Wyn Evans, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Amanda Maycock 42:24

27d ago42:24

42:24

Robin Ince and Brian Cox look up to the heavens as they try to ‘de-mistify’ the foggy science of clouds. They’re joined by Cloud Appreciation Society founder Gavin Pretor-Pinney, climate scientist Amanda Maycock, and former weather presenter and drummer Owain Wyn Evans, for a whirlwind tour of our too often-overlooked aerial realm. The panel explor…

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Imogen Ley-Clowes - Branding Beyond Logos: The EdTech Perspective 43:22

29d ago43:22

43:22

In this episode of EdTech People, Matthew Setchell interviews Imogen Ley-Clowes, a branding expert in the educational technology sector. They discuss the importance of branding, marketing strategies tailored for educational audiences, and the role of trust and authenticity in building a brand. Imogen shares insights on rebranding challenges, the si…

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Fusion – Ria Lina, Yasmin Andrew and Howard Wilson 42:14

1M ago42:14

42:14

Robin Ince and Brian Cox get all fired up, overcome their natural repulsion and come together for this stellar episode on nuclear fusion. They’re joined by plasma physicist Yasmin Andrew, fusion scientist Howard Wilson and comedian Ria Lina to uncover the secrets of star-making here on our planet. Together the panel discovers how the sun fuses atom…

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Jack Marshall - "We need to learn by doing." 1:35:56

1M ago1:35:56

1:35:56

In this episode of EdTechPeople, Matthew Setchell speaks with Jack Marshall, the Senior IT Operations Manager at DRB Ignite. They discuss the evolving role of IT in education, the importance of practical experience over formal qualifications, and the need for a supportive team culture. Jack shares insights on learning by doing, the value of mentors…

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What’s the deal with eels? – Lucy Porter, David Righton and Caroline Durif 42:26

1M ago42:26

42:26

Fishing rods at the ready, Brian Cox and Robin Ince attempt to reel in a creature that has baffled scientists since Aristotle: the eel. Wriggling in to help them uncover the mysteries of one of nature’s slimiest subjects are marine scientists David Righton and Caroline Durif, and comedian Lucy Porter. How do eels navigate such vast distances so dee…

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What’s the time? - Marcus Brigstocke, Leon Lobo, Louise Devoy 42:18

2M ago42:18

42:18

Robin Ince and Brian Cox wind up at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich – arguably the centre of time – to uncoil the mysteries of what time is and how on Earth (…and on moon) we keep track of it. Taking the time to join them are comedian Marcus Brigstocke, curator of the Royal Observatory Louise Devoy, and Head of the National Timing Centre Leon Lo…

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Mind-reading Computers – Phil Wang, Anne Vanhoestenberghe and Luke Bashford 42:42

2M ago42:42

42:42

For once, Brian Cox and Robin Ince are on the same wavelength – with thinking caps firmly on, they plug into the science of brain-computer interfaces. Helping them decode the tech are neuroscientist Luke Bashford, biomedical engineer Anne Vanhoestenberghe, and comedian Phil Wang. Together the panel switches on to the possibilities of using implante…

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Illuminating Light - Jess Wade, Russell Foster and Bridget Christie 42:23

5M ago42:23

42:23

What is light? How has it shaped our understanding of the universe, our biology, and even our culture?In this illuminating episode Brian Cox and Robin Ince shine a spotlight on the fascinating science and history of light. From sun and circadian rhythms to the dazzling complexity of quantum, they explore how humans have understood and been influenc…

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Moths v Butterflies - Katy Brand, Jane Hill and Chris Jiggins 42:08

5M ago42:08

42:08

What really separates a moth from a butterfly? Is it just a matter of day and night, or is there more to this fluttering feud than meets the eye?Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince flap into the fabulous world of Lepidoptera with Professor Jane Hill, Professor Chris Jiggins, and comedian Katy Brand. Together, they chase colourful wings through scien…

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Technofossils - Sarah Gabbott, Mark Miodownik and Aurie Styla 42:26

5M ago42:26

42:26

Brian Cox and Robin Ince dig deep into the strata of an imagined human history to unearth the curious concept of technofossils. Joined by paleobiologist Sarah Gabbott, material scientist Mark Miodownik and comedian and tech enthusiast Aurie Styla the panel unearth how the everyday objects that we throw away today compare to fossils of the past. Tog…

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The Mighty Spud - Sandy Knapp, Glenn Bryan and Susan Calman 42:43

5M ago42:43

42:43

Robin Ince and Brian Cox get out the ketchup and peel back the layers of one of the most versatile and beloved foods - potatoes. From the science of starch to the surprising role potatoes have played in history, we’re digging deep to uncover the truth behind the mighty spud.Chipping into the conversation are botanist Sandy Knapp, geneticist Glenn B…

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How to Build the Perfect Athlete - Helen Glover, Hugh Dennis, Steve Haake and Emma Ross 42:22

6M ago42:22

42:22

Brian Cox and Robin Ince are limbering up for a high-performance episode all about what it takes to build the perfect athlete.Joining them on the track are physiologist Dr Emma Ross, sports engineer Professor Steve Haake, Olympic rowing legend Helen Glover, and comedian Hugh Dennis - who’s getting into gear and reliving his cycling adventures in th…

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Should We Settle in Space? - Tim Peake, Kelly Weinersmith and Alan Davies 42:46

6M ago42:46

42:46

Brian Cox and Robin Ince blast off into a cosmic controversy as they ask, should humanity become an interplanetary species? At Harwell Campus, a space science innovation hub, they’re joined by astronaut Tim Peake, biologist and Royal Society prize winning author Kelly Weinersmith, and comedian Alan Davies to explore the science, ethics, and challen…

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201st Birthday Bonanza - Mel Giedroyc, Deborah Meaden and Nish Kumar 42:35

6M ago42:35

42:35

Get ready for a landmark episode of The Infinite Monkey Cage as we celebrate our 201st show! Brian Cox and Robin Ince invite a lively panel of celebrity guests to pose their burning scientific questions to a top-tier team of scientists.Mel Giedroyc is tunnelling into the world of engineering, asking how we build and operate trains under some of the…

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James Paveley - Navigating the EdTech Landscape 1:11:03

6M ago1:11:03

1:11:03

In this episode of EdTech People, host Matthew Setchell welcomes James Paveley, who shares his journey in educational technology, discussing his experiences with managed services, the importance of building trust in IT relationships, and the role of school business professionals. They delve into the challenges of cybersecurity in schools, the signi…

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Brett Griffin - "The future is integration." 58:45

7M ago58:45

58:45

In this episode of EdTech People, host Matthew Setchell speaks with Brett Griffin, founder of Pupil Progress, about the challenges and innovations in educational technology. Brett shares his journey from being a teacher to creating a platform that simplifies data tracking and monitoring for schools. They discuss the importance of technology in redu…

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Carl Curless - Transforming Education Through Data Analytics 54:14

7M ago54:14

54:14

In this episode of Ed Tech People, Matthew Setchell interviews Carl Curless, head of data and analytics at the Endeavour Learning Trust. They discuss the evolving role of data in education, particularly within multi-academy trusts, and the transition from traditional systems like SIMS to cloud-based management systems such as Arbor. Carl shares ins…

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Chris Byers - Navigating the Evolution of EdTech 1:28:39

8M ago1:28:39

1:28:39

In this episode of EdTech People, Chris Byers discusses the evolution of educational technology in schools, starting from the National Grid for Learning project to the current landscape dominated by cloud technology and cybersecurity challenges. The conversation explores the impact of academy groups on IT management, the shift towards cloud solutio…

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Phil Wakeman - "Maybe we shouldn't give everyone laptops" 1:00:13

8M ago1:00:13

1:00:13

Summary In this episode of EdTechPeople, Matthew Setchell interviews Phil Wakeman, the Regional ICT Manager for Academy Transformation Trust. Phil shares his extensive experience in the education technology sector, discussing the challenges and opportunities in managing IT services across multiple academies. The conversation covers topics such as f…

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Maria Smith - "I wanted to make a product that does everything. 55:31

8M ago55:31

55:31

In this episode of Ed Tech People, host Matthew Setchell speaks with Maria Smith, the founder of Admicity, a software solution designed to streamline school administration processes. Maria shares her journey from working as an admissions officer in a school to identifying the inefficiencies in the system and creating a product that automates workfl…

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Tim Line - "This is a whole school thing, not just an IT problem." 1:05:54

9M ago1:05:54

1:05:54

In this episode, Matthew Setchell speaks with Tim from Secure Schools about the critical role of cybersecurity in education. They discuss the unique challenges schools face in securing their digital environments, the importance of implementing effective cybersecurity measures, and the need for a cultural shift within schools to prioritise cybersecu…

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Nature's Shapes - Dave Gorman, Sarah Hart and Thomas Woolley 42:27

10M ago42:27

42:27

Brian Cox and Robin Ince unpick the hidden codes behind the shapes we see in nature with mathematicians Sarah Hart & Thomas Woolley and comedian Dave Gorman. The panel marvel at how evolution so often beats mathematicians to finding the most elegant solutions, after all, it’s had millennia to experiment. How do trees achieve the optimal distributio…

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The Sound of Music - Brian Eno, Sam Bennett and Trevor Cox 42:43

10M ago42:43

42:43

Brian Cox and Robin Ince explore the history of music recording, joined by acoustics professor Trevor Cox, music professor Sam Bennett and musician and producer Brian Eno. Together they guide us through the evolution of sound recording, a space in which technology hasn’t stood still since its advent in the mid-1800s. We hear the very first recognis…

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Saturn v Jupiter - Katherine Parkinson, Paul Abel and Michele Dougherty 42:21

10M ago42:21

42:21

Brian Cox and Robin Ince referee as Saturn and Jupiter square up to each other in a planetary face-off. Representing Team Saturn is space physicist Professor Michele Dougherty, and in the opposite corner is Dr Paul Abel on Team Jupiter. Katherine Parkinson judges this cosmic contest, casting the final vote to decide who will be awarded the coveted …

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Adventures on Ice - Darren Harriott, Liz Morris, Christoph Salzmann and Felicity Aston 42:32

10M ago42:32

42:32

Robin Ince and Brian Cox venture into the captivating and surprisingly mysterious realm of ice. Joining them on this cool adventure are former ice dancer Darren Harriott, glaciologist Liz Morris, polar explorer Felicity Aston and ice chemist Christoph Salzmann. From beautifully formed snowflakes to ice shelves in Antarctica, our guests discuss the …

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How selfish are we really? - Jo Brand, Matti Wilks and Steve Jones 42:26

10M ago42:26

42:26

Brian Cox and Robin Ince kindly open the door for each other as they step into understanding altruism, asking why humans have evolved to help each other. Joining them to explore the human tendency to be kind is evolutionary biologist Steve Jones, psychologist Matti Wilks and comedian Jo Brand. Starting with the animal kingdom, we probe the biologic…

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Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Phil Wang, Ana Ferreira and Chris Jackson 42:40

11M ago42:40

42:40

Brian Cox and Robin Ince slice deep into the lesser-explored world beneath us. To join them on the journey from the crust to the core they are joined by seismologist Ana Ferreira, geologist Chris Jackson and comedian Phil Wang. School children learn about the make-up of the Earth with an image depicting the Earth's core, mantle and crust layered ne…

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Caroline Pardoe: "Leadership requires bravery and risk-taking." 58:03

11M ago58:03

58:03

In this episode of Ed Tech People, Matthew Setchell interviews Caroline Pardoe, an assistant head at Blue Coat School, discussing her journey in EdTech, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Caroline shares her experiences of navigating the challenges of digital transformation in education, the importance of collaboration and digital tools in …

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Phil Birchinall - "Content is king, but context rules." 52:51

11M ago52:51

52:51

In this episode of EdTech People, Matthew Setchell interviews Phil Birchinall, Senior Director of Immersive Content at Discovery Education. Phil shares his extensive journey in EdTech, starting from the classroom to his current role, emphasizing the importance of creating engaging educational content that sparks curiosity among students. He discuss…

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An Unexpected History of the Body 42:25

1y ago42:25

42:25

Brian Cox and Robin Ince uncover the unexpected history of the body in the archives of the Royal Society with special guests Prof Helen King, Sir Mark Walport, Keith Moore and Ed Byrne. Together they dissect some of the most surprising and peculiar beliefs that have been held about the body over the last 500 years, from wandering-womb hypotheses to…

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Is Extinction the End? 42:27

1y ago42:27

42:27

Brian Cox and Robin Ince dig into de-extinction asking, could we and should we resurrect creatures of the past? They are joined by geneticist Adam Rutherford, palaeontologist Susannah Maidment and comedian/virologist Ria Lina. Extinction has played a significant role in shaping the life we see on Earth today. It is estimated around 95% of species t…

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Fantastic Elastic 42:44

1y ago42:44

42:44

Brian Cox and Robin Ince expand their knowledge of elasticity with Olympian Bryony Page, comedian Jessica Fostekew & experts Dr Anna Ploszajski and Prof James Busfield from Queen Mary University of London. What makes stretchy things stretch? Together our panel journey through different applications of elastic materials and examine, at the molecular…

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The Science of Baby Making 42:00

1y ago42:00

42:00

Brian Cox and Robin Ince investigate the science of baby making - don’t worry, all theory, no practice! They are joined by Professor Joyce Harper, Dr Ben Steventon and comedian Sara Pascoe to discuss how just two cells can turn into trillions, or in other words, how an embryo can turn into an embryologist. The embryo-building processes across speci…

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Abid Patel - "Printers should disappear from schools." 1:14:18

1y ago1:14:18

1:14:18

In this episode of EdTechPeople, host Matthew Setchell engages with Abid Patel, IT Director at Newham Community Learning, discussing his journey in educational technology, the evolution of IT roles in schools, and the challenges faced in staffing and budgeting. They explore the importance of continuous learning, the competition between Google and M…

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Starless World 42:25

1y ago42:25

42:25

Brian Cox and Robin Ince consider how different our understanding of the universe would be without the stars. They are joined by Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Roberto Trotta and comedian John Bishop who illuminate all that we have learnt from the stars and how different life would be without them. Every culture has looked up at the night sky, but why are w…

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Hedgehogs 42:34

1y ago42:34

42:34

Brian Cox and Robin Ince emerge from the hedge row waking up their guests from hibernation to discuss the fascinating lives of Britain’s favourite mammal, the hedgehog. They are joined by hedgehog experts Hugh Warwick and Sophie Lund Rasmussen (also know as Dr Hedgehog), and by broadcaster and poet Pam Ayres. Sophie Lund Rasmussen has crowd sourced…

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The Cyber Codebreakers 42:30

1y ago42:30

42:30

Brian Cox and Robin Ince head to Bletchley Park with comedian Alan Davies, and cyber experts Victoria Baines and Richard Benham to decode cyberwarfare and discuss its future. As computers have shrunk from the size of rooms to fitting in our jacket pockets, our cyber sleuths explore the changing nature of cyber-attacks and defence. They decipher the…

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Tom Newton - Protecting schools from internet nasties. 1:06:41

1y ago1:06:41

1:06:41

In this episode of EdTechPeople, Matthew Setchell interviews Tom Newton, VP of Product at SmoothWall, discussing the evolution of education technology, the importance of safeguarding in schools, and the challenges faced in the industry. Tom shares his journey from software development to product management, emphasizing the need for community and co…

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Jake Moran - Apprentice to Help Desk Lead 46:46

1y ago46:46

46:46

SummaryIn this episode of EdTech People, host Matthew Setchell interviews Jake, an IT professional with a unique journey from retail to education technology. Jake shares his experiences in IT support, discussing the diverse challenges faced in educational settings, the importance of customer interaction, and the shift towards more efficient help de…

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Alien Life - Russell Kane, Lisa Kaltenegger and Chris Lintott 42:22

1+ y ago42:22

42:22

Are we alone in the universe? Brian Cox and Robin Ince venture to Glastonbury in the search for alien life and are joined in their galactic quest by comedian Russell Kane and astronomers Lisa Kaltenegger and Chris Lintott. They imagine the sorts of worlds that might best host alien life, how some of the biological and technological signatures of al…

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An Unexpected History of Science - Rufus Hound, Matthew Cobb, Victoria Herridge and Keith Moore 42:32

1+ y ago42:32

42:32

Brian Cox and Robin Ince raid the archives of the Royal Society to reveal an unexpected history of science with guests Rufus Hound, Tori Herridge, Matthew Cobb and Keith Moore. Together they explore some of the surprising and wackiest scientific endeavours undertaken by early members of the Royal Society from the discovery of sperm to testing the i…

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What a Gas! - Dave Gorman, Mark Miodownik and Lucy Carpenter 42:56

1+ y ago42:56

42:56

Brian Cox and Robin Ince talk hot air as they explore the pivotal role of gasses in our lives. Joining them to add some CO2 to the mix is material scientist Mark Miodownik, chemist Lucy Carpenter and comedian Dave Gorman. They discuss how humans came to even understand it existed in the first place as well as how many of the innovations in modern s…

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Extreme Exploration - Anneka Rice, Mike Massimino, Britney Schmidt and Jess Phoenix 43:00

1+ y ago43:00

43:00

Brian Cox and Robin Ince venture to the home place of exploration in Porto, Portugal at the Explorers Club as they discuss science at the extremes of exploration. Joining them is volcanologist Jess Phoenix, astronaut Mike Massimino, astrobiologist and oceanographer Britney Schmidt as well as adventurer and broadcaster Anneka Rice. They discuss brea…

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'Beastly Bodies' Kids Special - Steve Backshall, Jess French and Adam Kay 42:39

1+ y ago42:39

42:39

Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined by adventurer and naturalist Steve Backshall, veterinarian Jess French, and comedian and former doctor Adam Kay, as they are put to the test by an audience of curious children at Cheltenham Science Festival. We find out who would win in a battle between a shark and a crocodile (the answer involves a tennis court)…

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Science of Board Games - Jess Fostekew, Marcus du Sautoy and Dave Neale 43:11

1+ y ago43:11

43:11

Brian Cox and Robin Ince go past jail, climb a ladder and build a civilisation as they explore the science behind our favourite board games. Joining them in the library (or was it the conservatory?) is mathematician Marcus du Sautoy, who discusses the global history of games as well as his tips for winning at Monopoly. Joining him is games designer…

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The Wonder of Trees - Dame Judi Dench, Tony Kirkham and Tristan Gooley 42:29

1+ y ago42:29

42:29

Brian Cox and Robin Ince leaf through the latest tree science with Dame Judi Dench, Tony Kirkham and Tristan Gooley. Dame Judi Dench shares her great love for treekind and describes how over time she has come to create a small woodland in her garden and how meaningful that is for her. Tony Kirkham, former head of Kew Arboretum and Gardens, shares s…

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The Infinite Monkey's Guide To… Audience Favourites (Pt 2) 22:16

1+ y ago22:16

22:16

`This week it's over to you the listeners, as we hear some of your favourite moments from The Infinite Monkey Cage. Comedian Claire Hooper hears about the mating rituals of spiders, which use several of their legs in this complex process. But she discovers the females of the species get their own back by eating the males once the deed is done. Come…