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IFLScience - The Big Questions

by IFLScience
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Latest episodes

  • What Actually Is A Fossil?

    October 22, 2026 · 55 min

    The fossilization process makes it possible for us to study ancient life that dates back millions – even billions – of years.  Like detectives piecing together clues, palaeontologists can look for fragments of ancient ecosystems and piece…

  • Are Artificial Intelligence Chatbots Safe?

    October 8, 2026 · 17 min

    We live in an age of large language model artificial intelligence, making it possible to have lengthy conversations with a computer. These systems will discuss anything you want. Recipes. How-to guides. Even medical advice. But can we…

  • Just How Queer Is The Natural World?

    September 24, 2026 · 38 min

    Gay penguins and fish that change sex? How about birds engaging in lesbian behavior? We delve into the natural world and its often underreported queer behaviors that have frequently been steeped in historical prejudices and biases.   From…

  • What's The Next Frontier In Dementia Research?

    September 10, 2026 · 1 hr 12 min

    Improving the detection and treatment of dementia is at the forefront of 21st-century neuroscience. As with many gnarly problems, experts are not united on how best to approach this. Some research garners lots of attention from press and…

  • How Close Are We To Talking To Animals?

    August 27, 2026 · 42 min

    Do you ever wish you could talk directly to your pet? Or have the Eliza Thornberry or Dr Dolittle experience for real? Unravelling the mysteries of animal speech might be closer than you think with Project CETI’s work on decoding sperm…

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  • Can AI Be Conscious?

    August 13, 2026 · 22 min

    Large language models, often called artificial intelligence (AI), are everywhere nowadays. There is potential in the use of this form of AI, but also many drawbacks. Lots of excitement, plenty of concerns. The biggest worry? That AI could…

  • Are "Natural Disasters" On The Rise?

    July 30, 2026 · 45 min

    As global temperatures continue to rise, heatwaves, wildfires, droughts, floods, and storms are becoming more numerous, lasting longer, and affecting places that were never built to withstand them. Understandably, many people feel…

  • How Do You Name A New Species?

    July 16, 2026 · 32 min

    The world of taxonomy is a puzzling one. Some species names are grand, some are funny, some are seemingly unoriginal. Others are a hat tip to Indigenous Peoples or geographical places, while some isolate a single scientist or celebrity…

  • Could AI find A Cure For Cancer?

    July 2, 2026 · 38 min

    Amid all the recent noise around generative AI, it’s easy to overlook the fact that there are scientists across almost any field you could think of who have been using artificial intelligence in their work – sometimes for decades. This…

  • Should We Send Signals To Aliens?

    June 18, 2026 · 25 min

    We don’t know if life exists beyond Earth. If it does, we don’t know if these lifeforms have technology like us or maybe even better. Perhaps they could detect us? Despite the unknowns, humans have sent messages to the stars in an attempt…

  • Can Magic Be Used As A Tool In Science?

    December 23, 2025 · 21 min

    What is magic? Rabbits out of hats? Card tricks? Someone in a sparkly outfit getting sawn in half? Well, yes, but it’s also about defying expectations. To psychologist and magician Dr Gustav Kuhn, founder of the UK’s only MAGIC Lab, it’s…

  • Searching For Nessie: IFLScience Takes On Cryptozoology

    October 31, 2025 · 35 min

    In this bonus Halloween special episode of The Big Questions, IFLScience takes on the “mystery” of the Loch Ness Monster. Although it’s been nearly 100 years since Nessie was first brought to international attention, no one has provided…

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About the show

From saving the planet to understanding ourselves, this podcast sees experts discuss the major topics of our times. Hosted by IFLScience’s Dr Alfredo Carpineti, Rachael Funnell, Dr Russell Moul, Laura Simmons, and Eleanor Higgs.