Best Sixth Extinction Podcasts (2025)

1
Are We Living Through A Sixth Mass Extinction? 38:07

14d ago38:07

38:07

While climate change, species extinctions, and increasing carbon dioxide levels might feel like media buzzwords at this point, they all remain very real threats to biodiversity across the globe, and by extension, the future of our planet. Some have even argued that these are warning signs that we are living through a sixth mass extinction. Host Ele…

1
Outback hygiene hacks, echidna entrées and a world without friction 41:00

7d ago41:00

41:00

How do First Nations teachings inform modern-day science? Do animals love the same way humans do? And how do spiders find their way home? Dr Karl, Corey Tutt and Tiahni Adamson answer these questions and more for this NAIDOC Week special of Science Hour on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Queen bees, anaphylaxis and bee hotels 40:00

14d ago40:00

40:00

Do bees have different personalities? Can local honey really cure your allergies? And how can we support native bee populations? Bee expert Clancy Lester and Bianca Nogrady answer these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Chocolate dreams, deep sea pressure and the Goldilocks Zone 37:00

21d ago37:00

37:00

Could we evolve into sea being if we were in water enough? What causes knots in your muscles? And do fish ever get thirsty? Bianca Nogrady answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Would You Rather Go To Space Or The Bottom Of The Sea? 31:23

28d ago31:23

31:23

The expanse of space and the oceanic abyss hold a fascination for humanity; extreme environments where our bodies and technology are pushed to their limits, yet we continue to explore. We take this tongue-in-cheek question seriously and pose it to astronauts and explorers who have done both. Join co-hosts Dr Alfredo Carpineti and Katy Evans as they…

1
Bee stings, broken hearts and brain rot 41:00

28d ago41:00

41:00

Why is the dead of night so cold? Can the Earth generate its own electricity? And can we clear up whether water is clear? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
IFLScience The Big Questions - Season 5 Coming Soon 1:10

1M ago1:10

1:10

We're back! Here's what to expect this season, starting June 19, 2025. If you missed any previous episodes, catch up here: IFLScience The Big QuestionsBy IFLScience

1
Aphantasia, smelling to survive and bionic vision 39:00

1M ago39:00

39:00

Why is it colder the closer we get to the Sun? Are stiff drinks or soft drinks better for fighting sickness? And can we recreate the human brain? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Plastic sweat, alien life and how to be a morning person 43:00

1M ago43:00

43:00

How did a crackle of cockatoos figure out a water bubbler? Why do we get weak - literally - when we laugh? And would having an exoskeleton be all it's cracked up to be? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Colder temperatures, dog lookalikes and colour perception 41:00

2M ago41:00

41:00

How scientifically accurate is Bee Movie? What would happen if the Earth had a twin? And what is Dr. Karl's favourite story? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Slow-mo animals, breathing powers and the science of cat scratches 39:00

2M ago39:00

39:00

Can we sniff our farts away? Are birthday twins just a coincidence? And why do menstrual cramps hurt more than stomach aches? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Bec Charlwood.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
The origins of BBQ, fecal bacteria and the Seven Sisters 39:00

2M ago39:00

39:00

Is it possible to turn into your roommates? How did the living DNA code come to exist? And when did we first start using kitchen utensils? Dr Karl and Zoe Kean answer these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Smoke alarms, airplane mode and chemtrails 39:18

2M ago39:18

39:18

Does blending ingredients in a smoothie destroy their nutrients? How do we distinguish between phantom smells and real smells? And are infrared saunas safe? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Meat glue, cold remedies and roadkill 43:38

3M ago43:38

43:38

What influences intelligence? Does the earth's rotation affect flight time? And what temperature will de-fog your windscreen? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Rollercoaster retirement, winking, and zombie stars 39:16

3M ago39:16

39:16

Why am I always running out of conditioner before shampoo? How come mozzies bite some people and not others? And does a dog's sense of smell give it a better memory? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Jaimee Taylor-Nielsen.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Alien planets, sea sickness 101 and the perfect chocolate 38:05

3M ago38:05

38:05

Is it possible to breathe through our ears? Why do we always queue in a snake form? And what's hiding in the rest of the ocean? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Jaimee Taylor-NielsenBy Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Jet lag, dire wolves and scented farts 40:22

3M ago40:22

40:22

What would happen if the Moon was bigger than Earth? How is sandpaper made? And does glue dry in space? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Crime scenes, sweat logic and fighting misinformation 43:12

3M ago43:12

43:12

Do cortisol detoxes work? Can our bodies predict rain with pain? And is this Halsey lyric - ‘the father's DNA stays inside the mother for 7 years’ - scientifically accurate? Bianca Nogrady and Dr Theresa Larkin answer these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Cloud seeding, endorphins and heartstrings 40:53

4M ago40:53

40:53

Do animals have different blood types? How was the earth's core created? And back to basics - why is the sky blue? Bianca Nogrady answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
The ethics of genetics, teleporting earthworms and perfect naps 40:33

4M ago40:33

40:33

Why are we so helpless as babies? Are cats targeting people with allergies? And if we could bring back dinosaurs, would they survive? Zoe Kean answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Heterochromia, cold water therapy and time of death 40:17

4M ago40:17

40:17

How does our body tell us we're thirsty? Do trees get cancer? And if the entire world flooded, could we all turn into fish people? Bianca Nogrady answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Patternicity, lemon tree wees and static electricity 40:46

4M ago40:46

40:46

Where is wind going? Are ants able to predict rain? And why do sportspeople train at higher altitudes? Bianca Nogrady answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Taste vs. smell, doomscrolling and insulated drink bottles 40:10

5M ago40:10

40:10

Why does the contraceptive pill affect your dreams? Can your pet watch you weld? And is there a science behind the tension shifting in a room? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Beached whales, earworms and the 'city killer' asteroid 42:32

5M ago42:32

42:32

What are the most effective ways to decrease exposure to microplastics? Is there a link between planet alignment and weather patterns? And what would happen if an asteroid hit the earth? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Panic attacks, dark matter and melting ice creams 41:28

5M ago41:28

41:28

What’s the next step in human evolution? Are there any land animals that produce electricity? How do bees select their flowers? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Cross-wiring, poison vs. venom and travelling farts 40:33

5M ago40:33

40:33

What's the difference between AM and FM radio? Why does plucking our eyebrows make us sneeze? And how do you stop a fart from following you into the next room? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Satellites, spicy breastmilk and noise-cancelling headphones 43:54

6M ago43:54

43:54

Is time an illusion? Do our brains lie to us after a late-night shift? And why did our bodies decide we don't need hairy feet? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Solar urticaria, the mirage effect and friction explained 38:19

6M ago38:19

38:19

What would it take to shift the Earth's axis? How does the body process radiation from the sun? And is memory an innate skill or something we learn? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Cat containment, cane toad consumption and the toxic male technique 37:18

6M ago37:18

37:18

What invasive species tastes the best? What would happen if we eradicated feral cats? And how does your body respond when you start eating meat again after years of being vegetarian? Dr Karl and special guest Professor Phill Cassey answer these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.…

1
Olfactory fatigue, genetic diseases and Facebook myths 43:15

6M ago43:15

43:15

How long can humans survive without food? Why does coffee taste different when it goes cold? And will quantum computing and AI be the end of humanity? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
A Summer of Science: The Body 39:31

7M ago39:31

39:31

In the last episode of our three-part summer series, we’ll be looking back at your best questions about the human body. We’ll delve into questions like does drinking apple cider vinegar improve gut health? How effective are collagen supplements? And what happens if you hold your urine in for too long?…

1
A Summer of Science: The Future 41:24

7M ago41:24

41:24

In this episode of A Summer of Science, we’ll be looking back at your best questions about the future. We’ll dive into how reintroducing extinct animals might shape our future, if robots will take our jobs, and what cool burning is and the role it might play in an increasingly warmer climate.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Why Do Humans Love Playing Competitive Games? 25:34

7M ago25:34

25:34

It’s the holiday season, and what better time to gather your loved ones together and absolutely trounce them in an hours-long board game marathon? Humans have been playing and enjoying competitive games for centuries. For this special episode of The Big Questions, host Laura Simmons sat down with Kelly Clancy, neuroscientist and physicist, and auth…

1
A Summer of Science: Space 43:35

7M ago43:35

43:35

Over the next three weeks, we’ll be looking back at your best questions of 2024 and we’re kicking things off with space. In this episode we’ll answer things like is there any science behind astrology? Can you have sex in space? And do aliens really exist?By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Vitamin D, pesky flies and psychosis explained 40:31

7M ago40:31

40:31

Does your blood type impact your dietary requirements? Is blue green algae safe to swim in? And why are there so many cicadas around this year? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Doppler effect, the smell of rain and water intoxication 42:11

7M ago42:11

42:11

Can we really hear the ocean in a seashell? What is considered the "right" amount of water? And why do our ears pop when we have the windows down while driving? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Ozempic, plant protein and food noise 39:28

8M ago39:28

39:28

Does intermittent fasting affect your metabolism? Why do you feel nerves in your gut? And could hay fever reignite food allergies? Dr Karl and special guest Dr Clare Collins answer these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Sperm competition, ring of fire and the late heavy bombardment 39:07

8M ago39:07

39:07

Why do we have eyebrows? Is there a way to predict the future of evolution in humans? And what would our doctors ask Charles Darwin at a dinner party? Dr Karl and special guest Zoe Kean answer these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
UV ratings, anxious sweats and morning people 41:14

8M ago41:14

41:14

How does alcohol affect your sleep? Can energy be destroyed? And how do snakes stay so clean? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Terraforming Mars, intergalactic travel and the Perseverance Rover 36:22

8M ago36:22

36:22

What impact would living on Mars have on our bodies? Could we ever have 'Earth' on our identification? And how are the astronauts stuck on the International Space Station going? Dr Karl and special guest Dr Adrian Brown answer these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
String theory, Benford's Law and the discovery of Pi 42:22

9M ago42:22

42:22

Is math a human invention or something we discovered? How many ways are there to count? And can math offer a solution to microplastics? Dr Karl and special guest Matt Parker answer these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Britain’s Most Haunted Castle: IFLScience Takes On The Supernatural 1:05:13

9M ago1:05:13

1:05:13

Welcome to IFLScience’s first-ever Halloween podcast special, bringing you a feature-length episode of The Big Questions as we take on the UK’s most haunted castle. We journeyed to Northumberland up by the Anglo-Scottish border to spend the night in Chillingham Castle, a place that allegedly boasts an above-average number of ghosts. We wanted to ex…

1
Breath work, species adaptations and peak solar energy 41:09

9M ago41:09

41:09

How realistic are shark attacks in movies? Why are there no monkeys in Australia? And how important are breathing exercises? Science communicators Zoe Kean and Ruben Meerman answer these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Are Octopuses Sentient? 32:19

9M ago32:19

32:19

It’s no secret that octopuses are intelligent – but are they sentient? And how is that reflected in the way that they’re treated? Host Rachael Funnell is joined by Sy Montgomery, author of Secrets of the Octopus, and Sophika Kostyniuk, Managing Director at the Aquatic Life Institute, to discuss the evidence for octopuses’ sentience, and how that co…

1
Shark repellants, going grey and the sixth sense 41:31

9M ago41:31

41:31

Will humans ever evolve to be immune to cancer? How effective are shark bands for surfers? And are our dreams made of atoms? Science communicators Zoe Kean and Ruben Meerman answer these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Hurricane Milton, the shadow biosphere and preventing CTE 40:28

9M ago40:28

40:28

Why do some people have a higher caffeine tolerance? How common is shingles in people under the age of 30? And why don’t any mammals have green fur? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Jordan Barr.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
What Would A Human On Mars Look Like? 31:50

10M ago31:50

31:50

Are humans done evolving – or could settling on an alien world with an environment unlike Earth’s take us on a different evolutionary trajectory? Host Tom Hale is joined by Scott Solomon, author and professor of bioscience at Rice University, to discuss the myriad ways Homo sapiens may continue to evolve on Earth, and how future human settlements o…

1
Moo Deng, koala contraception and de-extinction efforts 42:17

10M ago42:17

42:17

Do animals get jet lag? How do snakes dig holes if they have no arms? And what impact would the reintroduction of extinct animals have on existing species? Dr Karl and special guest Dr Marissa Parrott answer these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Latchkey incontinence, sleep cycles and targeted pain relief 40:06

10M ago40:06

40:06

Why do I need to pee every time I get to my front door? How long could you survive in a car with just air conditioning? And does your sleep schedule matter as long as it's eight hours? Dr Karl answers these questions and more on triple j Mornings with Lucy Smith.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

1
Are The Drugs Of The Future Coming From The Deep Ocean? 28:49

10M ago28:49

28:49

Antibiotic resistance is a major health concern. We now have several harmful microbes that have evolved into versions unaffected by common treatments. To find new antibiotics scientists are looking further afield, including in the ocean. Host Dr Alfredo Carpineti speaks to Dr Sam Afoullouss, a marine scientist at the University of South Florida, ab…

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