StarTalk Podcast
Matt O’Dowd’s Favorite Object in the Universe
Astrophysicist Matt O'Dowd explains how quasars, supermassive black holes, and gravitational lensing are revealing the universe's deepest secrets, with AI becoming essential for future discoveries.
Overcoming Fear, with Alex Honnold
World-renowned free solo climber Alex Honnold and neuroscientist Dr. Heather Berlin dissect the science of fear, revealing how extreme preparation and controlled surrender enable peak performance and risk management.
Steven Spielberg Believes in Aliens
Steven Spielberg and screenwriter David Koepp discuss how their new film, 'Disclosure Day,' explores the public's 'right to know' about aliens, the critical role of empathy in storytelling, and the balance between scientific accuracy and entertainment in sci-fi.
Do Colliding Pulsars Create All of the Universe’s Gold? | Cosmic Queries #112
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Negin Farsad tackle diverse cosmic questions, from the practicality of space fueling stations and the origins of gold to debunking lunar myths and contemplating the natural evolution of AI.
What Are We Replacing the ISS With? With Ariel Ekblaw
As the International Space Station nears decommissioning, a new era of commercial, self-assembling space stations and off-world industries is emerging, promising unprecedented opportunities for biotech, energy, and AI data centers.
What Would Happen To Earth If Jupiter Stopped Rotating? | Cosmic Queries #111
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice tackle a grab bag of cosmic questions, from Jupiter's rotation and the future of space telescopes to the philosophical implications of AI and the nature of humor across civilizations.
Quarks, Space Explosions, & Comparing Holes | Cosmic Queries #110
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Paul Mecurio tackle fan questions on black holes, the Roche limit, the impossibility of sound in space, and the fundamental forces governing our universe, all while exploring the human need for connection and intellectual safety.
There Is No AI Really (It’s Just People), with Jaron Lanier
Jaron Lanier, a pioneer in VR and a prominent tech critic, argues that AI is not a creature but a collaboration of human data, and that the internet's problems stem from a singular business model of 'influence generation' and a flawed understanding of information as 'free and infinite'.
An Astrobiologist Pieces Together How Life Started
Astrobiologist Betul Kachar reveals how resurrecting ancient enzymes and understanding Earth's 'evolutionary singularities' can unlock solutions for humanity's future and the search for extraterrestrial life.
The Science of Gardening, with EpicGardening
Explore the scientific principles behind modern and future gardening, from urban homesteading and hydroponics to sustaining life in space and addressing global food system challenges.
Answering Questions All About Aliens, with Charles Liu
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Charles Liu explore the scientific and philosophical implications of alien life, from the physics of interstellar travel to the societal impact of first contact and the human tendency to project our own fears onto extraterrestrials.
Zero Point Energy, New Phases of Matter and the Weight of the Universe | Cosmic Queries #108
Explore the universe's fundamental questions, from the non-extractable zero-point energy and the omnipresence of photons to the true nature of gravity and the measurable weight of the cosmos.
Busting Nutrition Myths with Dr. Jessica Knurick
Dr. Jessica Knurick, a PhD nutritionist, debunks prevalent nutrition myths, exposes the influence of lobbying on dietary guidelines, and explains why the field is so susceptible to fads.
Did Life Come From An Asteroid? With Harold Connolly Jr.
Explore how asteroid sample return missions like Osiris-Rex are revealing the universe's primordial ingredients for life and the early solar system's geological secrets.
Neil deGrasse Tyson Confronts Andy Weir on the Science of Project Hail Mary
Andy Weir, author of 'Project Hail Mary,' details his rigorous scientific world-building process, from designing an alien species based on exoplanet conditions to integrating complex physics like relativity into his plot.
Scientists Who Got In Trouble for Being Right, with Matt Kaplan
Explore how groundbreaking scientists, from Galileo to the Nobel-winning mRNA pioneer, faced ridicule, exile, and even fraud for their discoveries, revealing the powerful non-scientific forces shaping scientific progress.
Exploring Hidden Dimensions with Brian Greene
Theoretical physicist Brian Greene unpacks the universe's most mind-bending concepts, from the many-worlds multiverse to the fabric of spacetime woven by quantum entanglement, with Neil deGrasse Tyson.
The StarTalk Team Has More Questions for Neil | Burning Question Pt. 4
Neil deGrasse Tyson tackles burning questions from his team, covering everything from the weight of Earth and the simulation hypothesis to AI, education reform, and a cosmic perspective on life and death.
How We’re Trying to Detect Dark Matter Particles, with Katherine Freese
Theoretical physicist Katherine Freese reveals cutting-edge methods for detecting dark matter, from billion-year-old rocks to 'dark stars' observed by the James Webb Telescope, and challenges prevailing theories on dark energy.
The Books That Shaped My Childhood
Neil deGrasse Tyson recounts the pivotal books from his childhood and college years that ignited his passion for science, shaped his communication style, and even led to the coining of 'Manhattanhenge'.
Space Solar Farms, Blue Straggler Stars, & Earth’s Escape Plan
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice tackle cosmic queries, from the physics of black holes and artificial gravity to the viability of space solar farms and moving Earth from its orbit.
Are We Creating Objective Reality or Finding it? With Charles Liu | Cosmic Queries #107
This episode explores the philosophical and scientific implications of observation on reality, the nature of information and entropy, and the cutting-edge methods astronomers use to decipher the universe's most profound mysteries, from the Big Bang to distant galaxies.
Ask Neil Anything, January 2026 | Free Patreon Exclusive
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice tackle listener questions ranging from simulation theory glitches and black hole physics to the etymology of 'nice' and Star Trek's vision of a conflict-free future.
Do We Need New Math to Understand the Universe? With Terence Tao
Mathematician Terence Tao discusses how pure and applied mathematics drive scientific discovery, from accelerating MRI scans to grappling with the universe's biggest mysteries and even the simulation hypothesis.
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