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Instant Genius

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300 episodes

Whether you’re curious about getting healthy, the Big Bang or the science of cooking, find out everything you need to know with Instant Genius. The team behind BBC Science Focus Magazine talk to world-leading experts to bring you two bite-sized masterclasses on a new subject each week.

More about the show

New episodes are released every Monday and Friday and you can subscribe to Instant Genius on Apple Podcasts to access all new episodes ad-free and all old episodes of Instant Genius Extra.

Watch full episodes of Instant Genius on BBC Science Focus Magazine's YouTube channel.

Follow us on X: @SFIGPod

Episodes page 2 of 6

  1. Why walking more is the best thing you can do to boost your health

    · 32 min · S1 E446

    Over thousands of years, human beings evolved to walk upright on two legs, efficiently and over long distances. But these days, thanks to changes in our lifestyles, we’re becoming more sedentary than ever, and this is…

  2. How ultrasound tech could save hedgehogs

    · 36 min · S1 E445

    Hedgehogs are in decline all over Europe. These prickly little fellas are faced with so many threats – in their rural habitats, in our gardens, and on our roads. But new research about hedgehog hearing could help us…

  3. Why ADHD is so challenging to diagnose

    · 37 min · S1 E444

    Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is currently thought to affect around one in 20 of the world’s population, making it one of the most prevalent types of neurodivergence. Despite this, the condition is…

  4. Inside the project helping the hard of hearing listen to music

    · 26 min · S1 E443

    The vast majority of us take listening to and appreciating music for granted. But for those of us living with hearing loss, continuing to enjoy our favourite songs, symphonies or dance tracks can be something of a…

  5. Why your Neanderthal genes may be affecting your health

    · 30 min · S1 E442

    There’s so much we don’t know about Neanderthals. Our stocky, muscular relatives went extinct around 40,000 years ago, leaving a trail of mystery in their wake – about what they were like, how they lived, and why they…

  6. Don't miss the upcoming Science of Sound Miniseries!

    · 0:30 · Trailer

    Would you like to hear about the fascinating new discoveries astronomers are making by listening to distant stars? Learn about the cutting edge tech scientists are using to help the hearing impaired listen to music or…

  7. How to help your brain thrive in a rapidly changing world

    · 44 min · S1 E441

    For thousands of years, the evolution of the human race has been driven by natural selection and the passing on of genes that have helped us to thrive in the environments we live in. However, in current times, advances…

  8. How to break free from imposter syndrome

    · 32 min · S1 E440

    No matter our level of ability, talent or achievement, at times some of us feel like we’re a fraud and have simply been blagging our way to success. This is known as imposter syndrome. While it’s not formally…

  9. The dawn chorus – why birds sing at the break of day

    · 28 min · S1 E439

    In springtime, as the Sun rises, the early morning air is filled with the glorious sound of birdsong. This is known as the dawn chorus. But why exactly are birds so vocal at this time of the day, what purpose does it…

  10. How to save the planet’s forests

    · 34 min · S1 E438

    Forests cover around one-third of all landmass on Earth and, as such, play a key role in the ecological health of the entire planet. However, thanks to decades of exploitation, climate pressures and natural disasters,…

  11. How flowers played a key role of the evolution of life on Earth

    · 32 min · S1 E437

    For most of us, our experience of flowers is limited to sending a bouquet to our loved ones on special occasions or perhaps picking up some pretty plants from the garden centre to cheer up our homes. But if we take a…

  12. How chemistry underpins every area of our lives

    · 35 min · S1 E436

    While we may not always be consciously aware of it, chemical processes are busy whirring away every second of every day, no matter what we’re doing or where we look. Be it the reactions that continuously occur in our…

  13. How to engage more deeply with the natural world

    · 24 min · S1 E435

    Perhaps due to poor weather, the COVID pandemic, or a simple lack of motivation, these days many of us spend a lot of our time indoors. However, wherever we live, there are always opportunities to get out into nature…

  14. You’ve been pooping wrong, but here’s how to fix it

    · 36 min · S1 E434

    Smelly, dirty and a bit embarrassing – we tend to treat our poo as a private matter, to be dealt with in the bathroom and then stringently ignored. But, while we may not want to discuss toilet time at the dinner table,…

  15. Why it’s not too late to reverse Earth’s extinction crisis

    · 31 min · S1 E433

    Planet Earth is currently facing its sixth mass extinction event, with hundreds of species of plants and animals being lost for good every single day. For the first time in history, this devastating loss of the world’s…

  16. Why gout is on the rise, and how to lower your risk

    · 27 min · S1 E432

    If you were to mention the term gout, the chances are that most of us would think of the gluttonous sovereigns of yesteryear who ended up with the condition after years of gorging on rich foods and drinking fortified…

  17. How our intimate relationship with animals shaped human evolution

    · 33 min · S1 E431

    Thanks to our highly developed brains, sophisticated ability to communicate and use of advanced technology, it can be easy to think that we humans are separate from, and even superior to, the animals we share the Earth…

  18. Why our brains struggle to keep up with a rapidly changing world

    · 35 min · S1 E430

    The human brain is undoubtedly one of the true marvels of nature. But many of the neural mechanisms that evolved to keep our ancestors alive over thousands of years are now leaving us feeling dissatisfied, anxious and…

  19. Why we need to save ugly, creepy, scary and misunderstood animals

    · 36 min · S1 E429

    The natural world is filled with a rich tapestry of creatures, each occupying a unique evolutionary niche that helps to keep the ecosystems they live in functioning healthily. But the truth is, over the centuries, we…

  20. How we look at the Universe with a radio

    · 44 min · S1 E428

    There’s an entire cosmos hidden from our human eyes. The only way to see it is by looking at the Universe with a radio. We talk to Dr Emma Chapman about how she uses radio telescopes to reveal the cosmic mysteries of…

  21. The best ways to spot a liar

    · 38 min · S1 E427

    How can we tell if someone we’re speaking to is being economical with the truth? Oftentimes, we’re told that the primary telltale signs lie in the use of body language – maybe someone is avoiding eye contact, touching…

  22. Why understanding what makes us hungry is key to weight loss

    · 43 min · S1 E426

    Chances are that if any of us are looking to drop a bit of excess weight, the first thing we’ll attempt is to cut down the number of calories we’re consuming. For decades, we’ve been told that balancing the number of…

  23. How to slash your dementia risk in 12 weeks

    · 35 min · S1 E425

    Around the world, more than 50 million people are living with some form of dementia – a number expected to triple by 2050 as populations age. But the thing is, dementia is often talked about as a kind of genetic…

  24. Why connecting with others is vital for our mental health

    · 38 min · S1 E424

    Statistics show that half of us will experience a mental health condition of some kind by the time we turn forty. Could this be due to the increasing pressures and looming crises we’re currently facing in the modern…

  25. How metabolism really affects your health, weight and wellbeing

    · 31 min · S1 E423

    Whether we’re working at a desk in an office, running a marathon or even asleep in bed, our bodies are host to thousands of chemical processes that are continually converting the food we eat into energy and repairing…

  26. What faces reveal about us and the societies we live in

    · 32 min · S1 E422

    The human face contains more than 40 muscles, giving us an ability to visually express our thoughts and emotions that is unique in the animal kingdom. This has perhaps led to a long-held obsession to uncover the many…

  27. How our planet connects to the Solar System around it

    · 31 min · S1 E421

    We often think of our planet as an isolated island, solitary and cut off from the cosmic ocean it resides in. But the truth is, Earth is intimately connected with the Universe surrounding it. What’s more, by learning…

  28. How AI could help us create life from scratch

    · 29 min · S1 E420

    For the last several billion years, all life on Earth has progressed according to the rules of evolution by natural selection – a step-by-step process that has given rise to the fascinating complexity and beauty of all…

  29. What happens in our brains and bodies when we fall in love

    · 41 min · S1 E419

    The chances are that if any of us were asked to describe what it feels like to be in love we’d turn to art, poetry or music to help give us the answer. But what does science have to say about this uniquely human…

  30. Why gradual change is the true driving force of innovation

    · 34 min · S1 E418

    Over the past several decades, many technologists and policy makers have sought out huge, disruptive shifts in thinking in almost every area of science, business and commerce in the hope that they’d help to drive…

  31. Why we need to rethink our concept of evil

    · 37 min · S1 E417

    If most of us are put on the spot and asked to name acts that we think would define a person as evil, it’s likely our minds would turn to murderers, rapists and war criminals, to name a few. But could it be that this…

  32. The hidden ways the Internet and social media are shaping healthcare

    · 34 min · S1 E416

    From famous actors and pop stars to the legions of social media influencers with millions of views, it seems almost everyone has something to say about the best ways to boost our health and wellbeing. But is this trend…

  33. How to break free from the negative cycle of overthinking

    · 37 min · S1 E415

    While the human mind is capable of great insight, original thoughts and acts of tender kindness towards others, it can also, at times, act like our own worst enemy. Feelings of worthlessness, shame and disappointment…

  34. How paleoartists bring dinosaurs to life

    · 36 min · S1 E414

    From the terrifying, hulking beasts portrayed in blockbuster movies to the friendly, charismatic characters often found in children’s cartoons, dinosaurs have made their way into almost every corner of popular culture.…

  35. Why mental resilience is a skill we can all learn

    · 27 min · S1 E413

    At some points in our lives, we all face challenges or setbacks or find ourselves in difficult situations that can ultimately have a profound effect on our mental health and wellbeing. During such times, we need to…

  36. The hidden scoring systems running our lives

    · 37 min · S1 E412

    In the world of games, scoring systems establish a framework that provides us with clear challenges, motivation, and ultimately delivers a huge amount of fun and pleasure. However, on the flip side, the increasing…

  37. How to beat burnout in an increasingly fast-paced world

    · 38 min · S1 E411

    These days, it can be easy to feel like we have too much to do and too little time to do it in. This can lead to many of us feeling overwhelmed, or in extreme cases, can lead to burnout – a state of profound physical,…

  38. Why your next best friend may be an AI

    · 35 min · S1 E410

    Over the last several decades, the world has seen artificial intelligence undergo a rapid transformation. Since its beginnings in the 1950s as speculative theorising and novel thought experiments, AI has blossomed into…

  39. How the arts can keep our bodies and brains healthier for longer

    · 30 min · S1 E409

    For many of us, consuming or making art – be it listening to music, playing an instrument, reading a book, painting a watercolour or attending a dance class – is seen as a pastime or hobby, a fun way to spend an…

  40. Why social connection is vital for our health and well-being

    · 38 min · S1 E408

    There’s little doubt that we humans are a deeply social species; in many ways, our interactions with others define the very essence of who we are. But in recent times, studies have shown that we’re connecting with one…

  41. Why the new era of life-saving drugs starts with plants

    · 34 min · S1 E407

    Chances are that if you open your bathroom cabinet, many of the medicines you find there were first discovered by studying the chemical processes of the plants that grow all around us. But with 450,000 plant species…

  42. How to beat the alarming increase in childhood allergies

    · 25 min · S1 E406

    Currently, around 40 per cent of children in the UK have been diagnosed with an allergy of some form or another – the most common being food allergies, eczema, asthma, and hay fever. Why is this number so alarmingly…

  43. Our Universe could be trapped inside a black hole with no way out

    · 46 min · S1 E405

    It sounds like a theory plucked from the page of a science fiction novel, but according to Enrique Gaztañaga from the University of Portsmouth, our entire Universe could be trapped inside a black hole. It's a…

  44. The real story behind Jurassic Park’s most controversial dinosaur

    · 32 min · S1 E404

    Chances are that when most of us think of spinosaurs our minds will turn to the hulking, predatory sail-backed dinosaur that famously took down a T. Rex in the Jurassic Park movies. But thanks to their highly…

  45. How neuroscience is reshaping our understanding of free will

    · 41 min · S1 E403

    How much control do we have over our actions and decisions? For most of us, it’s likely that the answer is that, of course, all of the choices we make are our own. But it’s long been argued by some scientists and…

  46. How to listen to what animals are trying to say

    · 36 min · S1 E402

    It’s likely that if any of us step and of our front doors and take a moment to listen to what’s going on around us, we’ll hear the vocalisations of dozens of different animals. But why are they making these sounds and…

  47. How widening our palates can help feed, and save, the planet

    · 30 min · S1 E401

    It’s currently thought that around one billion people worldwide aren’t getting enough protein to meet their daily needs. Alongside this, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the large-scale farming of livestock and…

  48. Why not getting enough sleep plays havoc with our emotions

    · 25 min · S1 E400

    Many of us will have experienced changes in our emotional states after failing to get a good night’s sleep. Maybe we find that we lose our temper more easily or that we’re more likely to feel sad or upset. But what…

  49. How to combat the planet’s growing issue of food waste

    · 32 min · S1 E399

    According to the United Nations, around one-third of all the food currently produced across the planet is being lost or wasted, oftentimes before it even reaches our plates. As well as the loss of essential sources of…

  50. The hidden forces driving the AI bubble

    · 55 min · S1 E398

    This episode was recorded on November 6th 2025. Artificial intelligence has been the movement of the moment in recent years. Since it burst to prominence in 2022, hundreds of millions of people have started using AI…

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