Rephonic
Artwork for Big Brains
Human Rights
International Relations
Climate Change
Naming and Shaming
Political Polarization
PFAS
Geopolitical Relationships
Meta Norms
Drinking Water
Environmental Science
Universal Periodic Review
Public Diplomacy
Alzheimer’s Disease
Cancer
Israel and Palestine
China
Iran
Saudi Arabia
Psychology
University Of Chicago

Big Brains explores the groundbreaking research and discoveries that are changing our world. In each episode, we talk to leading experts and unpack their work in straightforward terms. Interesting conversations that cover a gamut of topics from how music affects our brains to what happens after we die.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes208Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationScience

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Artwork for Big Brains

Latest Episodes

The internet and social media have transformed the way in which we hear and understand music today—and online communities and platforms from YouTube to TikTok have changed how music circulates and ultimately goes viral. Why do some pop stars have mor... more

Can you imagine a world in which a wearable device, like a smartwatch, could move your fingers to strum the guitar or play the drums? That kind of technology is part of the innovative research coming out of the Human-Computer Integration Lab at the U... more

YouTube

What does it mean to see beneath the surface — of the human body, the brain, or even the universe itself? In his new book, The Future of Seeing: How Imaging Is Changing Our World, Prof. Daniel Sodickson of NYU explores the future of imaging: How tech... more

YouTube

Few ideas have gripped the public imagination quite like the idea of the “psychopath.” From Hollywood thrillers to true-crime podcasts, popular culture has led us to believe that psychopaths are dangerous and biologically distinct from the rest of us... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Pedro Lopes
Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Chicago and director of the Human-Computer Integration Lab.
University of Chicago
Episode: How Wearable Tech Will Heighten Our Senses and Abilities, with Pedro Lopes
Daniel Sodickson
Professor at NYU and one of the world's leading researchers on modern MRI innovation.
NYU
Episode: How Full-Body MRIs Could Predict Your Long-Term Health, with Daniel Sodickson
Rasmus Rosenberg Larsen
Assistant professor of forensic epistemology and author of "Psychopathy Unmasked"
University of Toronto
Episode: Is There Such A Thing As A Psychopath?
Nicole Rust
Neuroscientist studying brain memory and disorders
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: Why We Haven’t Solved Brain Disorders—And How To Fix It, with Nicole Rust
Edwin Kite
A member of the science team for the Mars Curiosity Rover and a professor of Geophysical Sciences at the University of Chicago.
University of Chicago
Episode: Life On Mars: Is It Possible For Humans? with Edwin Kite
Matthew Campen
Professor at the University of New Mexico and a leading researcher on microplastics.
University of New Mexico
Episode: How Microplastics Are Invading Our Bodies, with Matthew Campen
Jerry Avorn
Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, author of the book Rethinking Medications
Harvard Medical School
Episode: Are Your Medications Safe And Effective?, with Jerry Avorn
Jacob Bean
Astrophysicist at the University of Chicago studying the atmospheres of exoplanets.
University of Chicago
Episode: Meet The ‘Planet Hunter’ Searching For Alien Life, with Jacob Bean
Jens Ludwig
Professor at the University of Chicago and director of the university's crime lab.
University of Chicago
Episode: How To Stop Gun Violence Before It Starts, with Jens Ludwig

Host

Paul Rand
Host of the podcast, known for his ability to engage with complex subjects and facilitate thought-provoking discussions.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 678 ratings
  • Background track annoying

    The subtle music in the background is very distracting and takes away from what the guest is saying. It sounds overproduced for no reason.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    IMO_2000
    Australia4 months ago
  • Insightful concepts

    Friends, This podcast is full of sound, well-researched advice from professional panels and interviews. Never a dull episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TagBerg
    United States4 months ago
  • 21st century Pseudoscience

    In the 19th century it was Phrenology.

    In the 20th century it was Eugenics.

    And now we have Polygenic Indices?

    What a CROCK!

    Very sophisticated STORY, but not science.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JL From NYC
    Canada7 months ago
  • Above the herds

    I don’t know how I found the Big Brains podcast, but I am so happy I did. High quality, concise, well researched, and edited content every episode. Guests are always interesting and I learn something every time I listen. 100% recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lone Resident
    United States7 months ago
  • Well done

    Excellent topics and guests. Thoughtful, and thought provoking

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Kai'mana
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the well-researched topics and expert guests, often praising the informative and engaging nature of the discussions.
Some feedback highlights concerns regarding the audio quality and production choices, with suggestions for a more straightforward format.
Overall, there's a strong sentiment towards the podcast being a valuable educational resource for understanding complex scientific concepts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#224
United States/Science
Apple Podcasts
#62
Italy/Science
Apple Podcasts
#78
Denmark/Science
Apple Podcasts
#181
Austria/Science
Apple Podcasts
#213
Singapore/Science
Apple Podcasts
#241
Colombia/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is There Such A Thing As A Psychopath?
Q: What changed in the 90s when it started getting noticed in the criminal justice system?
A Get Tough on Crime movement created a demand for tools to identify problematic individuals, which led to increased research and cultural fascination with psychopathy.
Is There Such A Thing As A Psychopath?
Q: What is psychopathy and where did this term come from?
Psychopathy is an idea that dates back to the 1700s related to a perceived disorder that impacts moral judgment, later maturing into a personality disorder recognized in clinical settings.
Why We Haven’t Solved Brain Disorders—And How To Fix It, with Nicole Rust
Q: So when we think about depression as a condition, what have we learned and why do you think it's not enough?
We can't put someone in a brain scanner and determine whether or not they're going through a depressive or a psychotic episode.
Why We Haven’t Solved Brain Disorders—And How To Fix It, with Nicole Rust
Q: What do you mean by that and why it's of concern?
Not all of the conditions we'll be talking about today are diseases, and some of them we might even not want to call them disorders.
How To Use Nature To Restore Your Focus, with Marc Berman
Q: What benefits does interacting with nature provide?
Interacting with nature can replenish directed attention, improve mental health, and even enhance physical health outcomes like recovery from injuries.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Big Brains

What is Big Brains about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Groundbreaking research and discoveries are the primary focus of this engaging series, which features conversations with leading experts from various fields. Each episode explores a wide range of subjects, such as the impact of technology on human abilities, latest advances in medical imaging and preventative healthcare, and mysteries surrounding psychopathy and brain disorders. The content is accessible and informative, making it suitable for a diverse audience eager to understand complex scientific topics without overwhelming jargon. Noteworthy is the podcast's commitment to dissecting cerebral subjects in a relatable manner, often illuminating contemporary issues through the lens of deep academic insights.

Where can I find podcast stats for Big Brains?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Big Brains. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Big Brains and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Big Brains get?

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How many subscribers and views does Big Brains have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Big Brains has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Big Brains?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Big Brains:

1. Capitalisn't
2. The Pie: An Economics Podcast
3. Hidden Brain
4. Freakonomics Radio
5. Science Friday

How many episodes of Big Brains are there?

Big Brains launched 8 years ago and published 208 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Big Brains?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Big Brains?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Big Brains from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Big Brains?

Recent guests on Big Brains include:

1. Pedro Lopes
2. Daniel Sodickson
3. Rasmus Rosenberg Larsen
4. Nicole Rust
5. Edwin Kite
6. Matthew Campen
7. Jerry Avorn
8. Jacob Bean

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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