Unstable Fluid Podcast

Kat Phillips & Thomas Rintoul

0.0 (0)
Science
Updated Semiweekly

A mathematician and an astrophysicist walk into a bar... Join Kat and Thomas from the Sci-Comm Collective as they break down (and break down) physics, maths, and their experiences navigating academia.

12/09/2025

11: That's Not What Quantum Means!

In this episode, Thomas and Kat are joined by Meagan Hough, a final year PhD student at the University of Bristol working in Quantum Physics. They discuss Meagan's journey to academia, their experiences being neurodivergent in academia, and their recently published Physics World article. Meagan's Article in Physics World: https://physicsworld.com/a/unique-minds-why-accommodating-neurodivergent-scientists-matters/ Meagan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quantadragon Video Version: https://youtu.be/Ko7GyB4bd70 ~~ Follow our socials ~~ Instagram: https://instagram.com/UnstableFluidPodcast Email: unstablefluidpodcast@gmail.com Join Thomas' Discord to discuss the Podcast: https://discord.gg/fzTFrhH8vY ~~ See our hosts elsewhere ~~ Thomas' YouTube: https://youtube.com/ThomasRintoul Thomas' Twitch: https://twitch.tv/ThomAstroSci Kat's Twitch: https://twitch.tv/KatDoesMaths

50 min
10/28/2025

10: Why is space sticky?

In this episode, Thomas and Kat discuss viscosity - essentially, how fluids stick to themselves - and how some of them behave very strangely! Ooblek on the space station: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDLNsLqS3vE Video Version: https://youtu.be/jIx3-5Qjkew ~~ Follow our socials ~~ Instagram: https://instagram.com/UnstableFluidPodcast Email: unstablefluidpodcast@gmail.com Join Thomas' Discord to discuss the Podcast: https://discord.gg/fzTFrhH8vY ~~ See our hosts elsewhere ~~ Thomas' YouTube: https://youtube.com/ThomasRintoul Thomas' Twitch: https://twitch.tv/ThomAstroSci Kat's Twitch: https://twitch.tv/KatDoesMaths

44 min
08/16/2025

9: Brain go brrr....

In this episode, Thomas and Kat discuss managing your time and mental health as a PhD student or academic. They discuss their own challenges and how they've tried to overcome these. In this episode, we discuss Spoon Theory and how we and others have found it useful for describing how our brains function and interact with the academic environment. We want to acknowledge the origin of Spoon Theory in the chronic illness community. Read more at the link below. Spoon Theory: https://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ Video Version: https://youtu.be/eWI91pwRGxM ~~ Follow our socials ~~ Instagram: https://instagram.com/UnstableFluidPodcast Email: unstablefluidpodcast@gmail.com Join Thomas' Discord to discuss the Podcast: https://discord.gg/fzTFrhH8vY ~~ See our hosts elsewhere ~~ Thomas' YouTube: https://youtube.com/ThomasRintoul Thomas' Twitch: https://twitch.tv/ThomAstroSci Kat's Twitch: https://twitch.tv/KatDoesMaths

57 min
07/01/2025

8: Why is Space Flat!?

In this episode, Thomas and Kat discuss the many objects in space which appear to be flat and the why and how of this very common phenomenon seen in planets, solar systems, black holes and entire galaxies! Video Version: https://youtu.be/eWI91pwRGxM ~~ Follow our socials ~~ Instagram: https://instagram.com/UnstableFluidPodcast Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/UnstableFluid Email: unstablefluidpodcast@gmail.com Join Thomas' Discord to discuss the Podcast: https://discord.gg/fzTFrhH8vY ~~ See our hosts elsewhere ~~ Thomas' YouTube: https://youtube.com/ThomasRintoul Thomas' Twitch: https://twitch.tv/ThomAstroSci Kat's Twitch: https://twitch.tv/KatDoesMaths

51 min
03/24/2025

7: Find yourself a designated extrovert

In this episode, Thomas and Kat discuss networking as an early career researcher and how to handle those early conferences when you know no one. Video Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlRets66VX4 ~~ Follow our socials ~~ Instagram: https://instagram.com/UnstableFluidPodcast Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/UnstableFluid Email: unstablefluidpodcast@gmail.com Join Thomas' Discord to discuss the Podcast: https://discord.gg/fzTFrhH8vY ~~ See our hosts elsewhere ~~ Thomas' YouTube: https://youtube.com/ThomasRintoul Thomas' Twitch: https://twitch.tv/ThomAstroSci Kat's Twitch: https://twitch.tv/KatDoesMaths

59 min
10/24/2024

6: Space Out!

In this episode, Thomas and Kat discuss some actual science exploring density and diffusion on human scales and on slightly more astronomical scales too! Video Version: https://youtu.be/TRSG-KhzSCg ~~ Follow our socials ~~ Instagram: https://instagram.com/UnstableFluidPodcast Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/UnstableFluid Email: unstablefluidpodcast@gmail.com Join Thomas' Discord to discuss the Podcast: https://discord.gg/fzTFrhH8vY ~~ See our hosts elsewhere ~~ Thomas' YouTube: https://youtube.com/ThomasRintoul Thomas' Twitch: https://twitch.tv/ThomAstroSci Kat's Twitch: https://twitch.tv/KatDoesMaths

40 min
09/12/2024

5: We're not dead!

In this episode, Thomas and Kat discuss travelling as academics, and Kat has some big news! Video Version: https://youtu.be/vlGzztnJt5o ~~ Follow our socials ~~ Instagram: https://instagram.com/UnstableFluidPodcast Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/UnstableFluid Email: unstablefluidpodcast@gmail.com Join Thomas' Discord to discuss the Podcast: https://discord.gg/fzTFrhH8vY ~~ See our hosts elsewhere ~~ Thomas' YouTube: @ThomasRintoul Thomas' Twitch: https://twitch.tv/ThomAstroSci Kat's Twitch: https://twitch.tv/KatDoesMaths

1h 13m
03/13/2024

4: Reading and Writing? In STEM subjects!?

In this episode, Thomas and Kat discuss academic reading and writing, how to find and read papers, and share their opinions on writing and the writing style of other academics. Video Version: https://youtu.be/cVzo-AWFlM0 ~~ Follow our socials ~~ Instagram: https://instagram.com/UnstableFluidPodcast Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/UnstableFluid Email: unstablefluidpodcast@gmail.com Join Thomas' Discord to discuss the Podcast: https://discord.gg/fzTFrhH8vY ~~ See our hosts elsewhere ~~ Thomas' YouTube: https://youtube.com/ThomasRintoul Thomas' Twitch: https://twitch.tv/ThomAstroSci Kat's Twitch: https://twitch.tv/KatDoesMaths

51 min
02/08/2024

3: PhD Your Way to Success

In this episode, Thomas and Kat discuss applying and interviewing for PhDs, then actually talk about fluids! Video Version: https://youtu.be/ChMlbLczrLs ~~Chapters~~ 00:00 - Intro and Hosts have a catch up 06:17 - PhD Interviews 26:55 - PhD Applications 38:35 - FLUIDS!!! ~~ Follow our socials ~~ Instagram: https://instagram.com/UnstableFluidPodcast Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/UnstableFluid Email: unstablefluidpodcast@gmail.com Join Thomas' Discord to discuss the Podcast: https://discord.gg/fzTFrhH8vY ~~ See our hosts elsewhere ~~ Thomas' YouTube: @ThomasRintoul Thomas' Twitch: https://twitch.tv/ThomAstroSci Kat's Twitch: https://twitch.tv/KatDoesMaths

56 min
11/30/2023

2: Ready, Set, Code

In this episode, Thomas and Kat have a catch up after launching the pilot last episode, talk about starting out on a PhD and discuss the use of computer code in academia.

1h 8m
09/13/2023

1: Pilot

Welcome to the Unstable Fluid Podcast - brought to you by The Sci Comm Collective (TSCC). In this pilot episode, Thomas and Kat discuss who they are, the research they do, how universities prepare their students and their journies into PhD study.

1h 8m

11 Episodes

Creator

Kat Phillips & Thomas Rintoul
Years Active

2023 - 2025
Episodes

11
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Unstable Fluid Podcast

Unstable Fluid Podcast

Episodes

11: That's Not What Quantum Means!

10: Why is space sticky?

9: Brain go brrr....

8: Why is Space Flat!?

7: Find yourself a designated extrovert

6: Space Out!

5: We're not dead!

4: Reading and Writing? In STEM subjects!?

3: PhD Your Way to Success

2: Ready, Set, Code

1: Pilot

About

Information