The Infinite Monkey Cage

BBC Podcasts
  • 4.7 (1.8K)
  • SCIENCE
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY
The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast

Early access to the BBC's hit science comedy show

$4.99/mo or $49.99/yr after trial

Brian Cox and Robin Ince host a witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists' eyes.

  1. Introducing... Uncharted with Hannah Fry Series 2

    3 DAYS AGO

    Introducing... Uncharted with Hannah Fry Series 2

    From exposing fraud to finding true love, mathematician Hannah Fry follows the numbers on thrilling adventures of data and discovery. Join her for Series 2 of Uncharted.

    17 min

  2. AUG 21

    Alien Life - Russell Kane, Lisa Kaltenegger and Chris Lintott

    Are we alone in the universe? Brian Cox and Robin Ince venture to Glastonbury in the search for alien life and are joined in their galactic quest by comedian Russell Kane and astronomers Lisa Kaltenegger and Chris Lintott. They imagine the sorts of worlds that might best host alien life, how some of the biological and technological signatures of alien life might appear as well as how evolution might shape this life. They discuss some of the mysterious signatures that have appeared as well as how hard it is to really know what you're looking for and how objects like faulty microwaves have muddied the alien-finding waters. Producer: Melanie Brown Exec Producer: Alexandra Feachem BBC Studios Audio production

    42 min

  3. AUG 14

    An Unexpected History of Science - Rufus Hound, Matthew Cobb, Victoria Herridge and Keith Moore

    Brian Cox and Robin Ince raid the archives of the Royal Society to reveal an unexpected history of science with guests Rufus Hound, Tori Herridge, Matthew Cobb and Keith Moore. Together they explore some of the surprising and wackiest scientific endeavours undertaken by early members of the Royal Society from the discovery of sperm to testing the insect repelling properties of unicorn horn. They hear how a beautiful book on fish almost scuppered Newton's Principia Mathematica and why a guide to the fauna of Switzerland ended up including depictions of dragons. Producer: Melanie Brown Exec Producer: Alexandra Feachem BBC Studios Audio production

    43 min

  4. AUG 7

    What a Gas! - Dave Gorman, Mark Miodownik and Lucy Carpenter

    Brian Cox and Robin Ince talk hot air as they explore the pivotal role of gasses in our lives. Joining them to add some CO2 to the mix is material scientist Mark Miodownik, chemist Lucy Carpenter and comedian Dave Gorman. They discuss how humans came to even understand it existed in the first place as well as how many of the innovations in modern society have been underpinned by this mostly invisible and odourless substance. We laud the humble (or is it noble?) gas and its key role in technological innovation - from using laughing gas in anaesthesia to the combustion engine and of course the most important of all, the power source behind squirty cream. Producer: Melanie Brown Exec Producer: Alexandra Feachem BBC Studios Audio production

    43 min

  5. JUL 31

    Extreme Exploration - Anneka Rice, Mike Massimino, Britney Schmidt and Jess Phoenix

    Brian Cox and Robin Ince venture to the home place of exploration in Porto, Portugal at the Explorers Club as they discuss science at the extremes of exploration. Joining them is volcanologist Jess Phoenix, astronaut Mike Massimino, astrobiologist and oceanographer Britney Schmidt as well as adventurer and broadcaster Anneka Rice. They discuss breaking robots under the Antarctic ice shelf, chasing after narco-traffickers to retrieve a rock hammer and how viewing the earth from the vantage point of space can profoundly influence how you feel about humanity. Producer: Melanie Brown Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem BBC Studios Audio Production

    43 min

  6. JUL 24

    'Beastly Bodies' Kids Special - Steve Backshall, Jess French and Adam Kay

    Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined by adventurer and naturalist Steve Backshall, veterinarian Jess French, and comedian and former doctor Adam Kay, as they are put to the test by an audience of curious children at Cheltenham Science Festival. We find out who would win in a battle between a shark and a crocodile (the answer involves a tennis court), why dogs don’t sweat like humans, whether macrophages might help us overcome antibiotic resistance and if AI might one day enable us to understand and directly communicate with animals. Producer: Melanie Brown Exec Producer: Alexandra Feachem BBC Studios Audio Production

    43 min

  7. JUL 17

    Science of Board Games - Jess Fostekew, Marcus du Sautoy and Dave Neale

    Brian Cox and Robin Ince go past jail, climb a ladder and build a civilisation as they explore the science behind our favourite board games. Joining them in the library (or was it the conservatory?) is mathematician Marcus du Sautoy, who discusses the global history of games as well as his tips for winning at Monopoly. Joining him is games designer and play researcher Dave Neale who explains how key games are to developing a theory of mind, alongside Jessica Fostekew, comedian and gaming enthusiast who admits to becoming a more ruthless gamer as time goes by. Producer: Melanie Brown Exec Producer: Alexandra Feachem BBC Studios Audio Production

    43 min

  8. JUL 10

    The Wonder of Trees - Dame Judi Dench, Tony Kirkham and Tristan Gooley

    Brian Cox and Robin Ince leaf through the latest tree science with Dame Judi Dench, Tony Kirkham and Tristan Gooley. Dame Judi Dench shares her great love for treekind and describes how over time she has come to create a small woodland in her garden and how meaningful that is for her. Tony Kirkham, former head of Kew Arboretum and Gardens, shares some of the amazing journeys he's been on to find unusual and rare trees around the world. Navigator Tristan Gooley has spent a lifetime learning how to read trees, he explains how nearly everything on a tree can provide clues into the environment around it and how elements like leaf shape and colour can help us to use trees as a compass to navigate our way. Producer: Melanie Brown Exec Producer: Alexandra Feachem BBC Studios Audio production

    42 min
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Early access to the BBC's hit science comedy show

$4.99/mo or $49.99/yr after trial

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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
1,757 Ratings

About

Brian Cox and Robin Ince host a witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists' eyes.

Information

  • Channel
    BBC Podcasts
  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2009 - 2024
  • Episodes
    216
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2024
  • Show Website
    The Infinite Monkey Cage
  • Provider
    BBC Studios Distribution Limited

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