Top 10 STEM Podcasts to listen to
The number of people listening to podcasts in the UK has been increasing year upon year, with an estimated 21.2 million listeners tuning in back in 2022.
And with so many points of interest and discussion to hand (and in our ears), it is no surprise that STEM related podcasts are increasing too.
From emerging scientific studies to navigating the waters of being a woman in STEM, there is a podcast to suit your tastes.
So, we’ve rounded up the top 10 podcasts in STEM to listen to and to keep your brain ticking over happily whether you are on the commute, cooking in the kitchen, or just want to unearth some more information on a sunny Sunday.
STEM Insights Podcast
Launching back in October 2022, STEM Learning has launched 2 series of podcasts to listen to. Aimed at helping educators turn the latest research into practice, their education team is equipped with years of teaching experience. In this podcast, the team apply their knowledge to discuss all the latest news, research, and hot topics to implement in the classroom.
You can read more and stream via different listening services here.
Unprofessional Engineering
Designed for those interested in science, technology, machinery, engineering and the history behind the day to day, Unprofessional Engineering is a child-friendly, introductory podcast to help encourage childrens’ interest in STEM. For those who are not so keen on STEM, Unprofessional Engineering is designed to welcome listeners of all abilities - perfect for those looking to learn more or develop skills.
Each week the duo break down an engineering topic in a way that everyone can understand, appreciate, and learn from.
You can stream the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
STEM-Talk
For more of a dive into the topics and areas within STEM, STEM-Talk covers a large amount of ground from new discoveries in the study of nutritional ketosis to MARS and NASA’s search for life.
With over 165 episodes and content covering an hour plus, there is plenty to get stuck into when it comes to learning more about the world we live in and beyond.
Listen to STEM-Talk on Apple Podcasts
STEMulating Conversations with Dr. Q
For students preparing to enter the workforce to seasoned senior professionals, this podcast is designed to be a resource for those with a background in STEM to understand more about their career options.
The show is built around non-scripted STEMulating Conversations with those who started out doing research in labs before moving into different areas. Episodes cover discussions spanning technical and interpersonal topics.
It aims to answer questions that may have gone unanswered until now, and help encourage the ability to attain a satisfying career in STEM, particularly for those not sure how to make the transition.
Listen and stream more episodes here.
Freakonomics radio
The hidden side to everything in the world often goes undetected, but not for Freakonomics co-author, Stephen J. Dubner. This podcast answers the big questions such as how do we decide who to partner with? What more can we learn about wolves? Why is it less safe to drive in a car than to fly in a plane?
From search engines to pollution, human behaviour to technology, Freakonomics uncovers the sides of things we know exist in the world but do not dwell too closely on.
You can listen here or find links where to stream on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or YouTube.
The Economics of Everyday Things
We hear a lot about tech giants such as Amazon and Meta, or emerging brands dominating the apparel market such as Gymshark, but what about girl scout cookies? How did they become a billion-dollar business in the U.S? And what about deciding which snacks are in the vending machines we walk by?
In The Economics of Everyday Things, journalist Zachary Crockett dives into the amazing stories behind the everyday, distilling into bite-sized chunks we can all digest on the go.
You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or YouTube - whichever suits your streaming preferences.
This Podcast Will Kill You
United by the disenchantment in academia, Graduate students Erin and Erin were studying disease ecology closer than most. When they met, they wanted to share their love of epidemics and bizarre medical mysteries with the wider world - not just friends and colleagues.
Though many of us are still reeling from or trying to forget about Covid, this podcast is designed to cover all sorts of topics - just be careful if you’re a sensitive eater and find yourself listening over dinner!
Episodes – This Podcast Will Kill You
Houston We Have a Podcast
Whilst it may be tempting to label this podcast “out of this world”, for those looking to hear directly from NASA look no further.
This podcast covers everything from the Earth’s orbit to the Moon and Mars, with the official podcast of the Johnson Space Center in Houston diving into different topics weekly. With in-depth conversations with astronauts, scientists, and engineers who make it possible, you might need some time to come back down to earth after listening.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts
Women Tech Charge
Coming from the Evening Standard, Women Tech Charge is the podcast that covers everything technology from fashion to finance.
Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon, MBE and CEO of www.stemettes.org hosts a candid, inspiring and welcoming conversation with inventors, entrepreneurs and even real-life spies. There are success stories, learnings from failures, inventions and ideas - all things to help fuel the fire of being in tech, woman or otherwise.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
BBC Sounds
Often known for their radio playlists, did you know BBC Sounds also has Science podcasts available?
Episodes cover bird flu outbreaks in cows, questioning why we find ourselves doom scrolling, all the way through to the Planet Earth podcast.
Whatever mood you find yourself in and topic your interest is piqued by, there is an episode for you.
Find more episodes here on BBC Sounds - Science Podcasts
From black holes to economic downturns, how molecules properly work to getting more information on what it’s like to work in STEM, there are podcasts out there covering all ground.
Which one will you be tuning in to?