This Week in Science – The Kickass Science Podcast
Dr. Kirsten Sanford Science Media
The kickass science and technology radio show that delivers an irreverent look at the week in science and technology.
Episodes
To Mow or Not to Mow...
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Nobel Intent, To Mow or Not to Mow, Russian Plague? Space Signals, Orangutan Play Dates, Geck-ohhhhhh, Making Myelin, Threading the Neuron, Behind the Anxiety, and Much More! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And […] The post 07 October, 2026 – Episode 1078 – To Mow or Not to Mow… appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Surviving in Hot Water
This Week: Hot Water, New Cat, Zika, Air Filtration, Shrimp & Spiders, Beetle Family, Two Brains, Injectable Vision, Mushrooms, Sleep Cells, and Much More Hot Science!
Reasons to Think About Rome
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Roman Success, Moon Eater, Cryosperm, Space Mirror, Roman Roads, Mosquito Toilet, Vipers, Shags, Mouse Brains Fly Brains, and Much More Science to think about! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you […] The post 16 September, 2026 – Episode 1076 – Reasons to Think About Rome appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
How to Win in Science
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Ig Nobel Winners, Distracted Dog Walkers, Dino Eggs, Ai Kerfuffle, Poop Color, Beautiful Bird Calls, Rebuild the Brain, Red Blood Treatment, Walk it Off, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. […] The post 09 September 2026 – Episode 1075 – How to Win in Science appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
The Butterfly Effect
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: El Nino, Eye in the Sky, Big Dark Matter, Beauty Bias, The Butterfly Effect, Gut-Brain Connection, Raindrops, Alzheimers, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find […] The post 02 September, 2026 – Episode 4 – The Butterfly Effect appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
What's Up With Weather in the West?
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Interview W/Daniel Swain, Weather & Climate Science, Pulsating Mass, Bad Aging Science?, Get Vaccinated!, Baby Brained, and Much More! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all […] The post 26 August, 2026 – Episode 1073 – What’s Up With Weather in the West? appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Did Science Find It Yet?
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Cancer Vaccine, Holotypes, Supercentenarians, Cheesy News, Spiders, Think Well, Sugar Babies, Body Movement, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast […] The post 19 August, 2026 – Episode 1072 – Did Science Find It Yet? appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Five Slimes To Rule Them All
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Unnatural Viruses, Platypus Rehab, Black Hole Star, Bacteria for Babies, Elven Coral, 5 Slimes, Analysis Paralysis, Monkey See, Trust Selectivity, LLM Study, and Much More! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that […] The post 12 August, 2026 – Episode 1071- Five Slimes To Rule Them All appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Welcome to the NEW Golden Age
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Politics, Making a Golden Age, Money Ai, Space Tiles, Bubbles, Ants, Dodos, Awkward Robots, Sleep, and Much More! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all the […] The post 05 August, 2026 – Episode 1070 – Welcome to the NEW Golden Age appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
The Dish on Disease-in-a-Dish
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Interview W/Dannielle Engle, PhD, Pancreatic Cancer, Gut Memories, Memorable Brain Changes, and Much More Science to Dish About! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all the […] The post 29 July, 2026 – Episode 1069 – The Dish on Disease-in-a-Dish appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Invasive Science
This Week: Interview W/Dana Page, Feral Pigs, Prescribed Burns, Climate Change, Plant Cheese, and Much More Science!
Uncanny Science
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Culture, Uncanny Valley Monkeys, Koala Cure, Hidden Fish, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you are looking […] The post 15 July, 2026 – Episode 1067 – Uncanny Science appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Shrinking Cephalopod Brains, Science!
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Orbital Weapons, Vanta Black Satellites, Emotional Bees, Old Enzymes, Light Tech, Sex-changing Spiders, Cephalopod Brains, Cry For Health, Brain Damage, Preventing Trauma, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember […] The post 8 July, 2026 – Episode 1066 – Shrinking Cephalopod Brains, Science! appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Lighting Up the Skies
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Spudcell, Colossal Effort, Planigales, Homo Naledi, Crocodile Brians, Snails, Overies, and Much More Science Lighting Up the Skies! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all the […] The post 1 July, 2026 – Episode 1065 – Lighting Up the Skies appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Deploy The Quantum Science!
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: .Gov vs .US, Cleaning Phones, Mines and Rain, Pod Presence, Pterosaur Wings, Bilingual Brains, Laugh Lines, Eyes, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS […] The post 24 June, 2026 – Episode 1064 – Deploy The Quantum Science! appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
The Ladies Want Smarts
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: The Underground, Climate Change Survey, Forever? Chemicals, Blood Thinning, Dead Whales, Zebra Finch, Scared Pregnant Mice, Contagious Fear, Sneaky Spiders, Knee Pain, Bird Brains, Gamer Critics, and Much More Science Smarts! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on […] The post 17 June, 2026 – Episode 1063 – The Ladies Want Smarts appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
We're Going Science Supersonic
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Supersonic Planes, Galactic Winds, SpiderCam, Electric Squirts, Owl Brilliance, Neural Disappointment, Fructose Failing, Turning Left, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all […] The post 10 June, 2026 – Episode 1062 – We’re Going Science Supersonic appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Science Needs You!
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: New Science Rules, Mosquitoes, Bad Food, Bad Gut, Wild Pigs, Pigeon Hypotheses, Bower Bird Bonanza, Octopus Mirror Attack, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find […] The post 5 June, 2026 – Episode 1061 – Science Needs You! appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Under the Sea Science Venting
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Interview w/Dr. Andrew Thaler, Watching Wildlife, New Octopus, Cucumber Bits, Backrooms, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If […] The post 27 May, 2026 – Episode 1060 – Under the Sea Science Venting appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Humpty Dumpty Sat On the Science
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Urban Animals, Human Birth, Happy Mice, Eye Plants, Bug Killing Medicine, Colossal Shells, and Much More! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. […] The post 20 May, 2026 – Episode 1059 – Humpty Dumpty Sat On the Science appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Unicorns Are Real
This Week: Interview w/Alaina Levine, Science Unicorns, Cancer Gone, Carnivorous Plants, Outdoor Cats, Carnivorous Rice, Gluca Gone, Insect Pain, Wings, Sleepy Time, and Much More!
Science de Mayo
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Guest Host Philip Shane, Death Of A Great Mind, Plastic Heat, Fish Filth, Swedish Power, Double Trouble, Sweet Myelin, Folding Proteins, Baby Mom Yawns, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. […] The post 06 May, 2026 – Episode 1057 – Science de Mayo appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
What Is Science Worried About?
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Bye-Bye Science Board, Fluoride, Coffee, Bees Love Viruses, Sexist Birds, Yawns, Melatonin, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. […] The post 29 April, 2026 – Episode 1056 – What Is Science Worried About? appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
What's The Earth Worth?
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Interview W/Sara Kobilka, Slowing Currents, Hard Freeze, It’s All Connected, Plant Lives, Cocaine Salmon, This Is New, Mars Stuff, and Much More Earth Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that […] The post 22 April, 2026 – Episode 1055 – What’s The Earth Worth? appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Science isn't so taxing
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Physics, Solar Wood, Motherhood Kills, Sunbirds Suck, Octopi, Limb Regeneration, Chatty Cetaceans, Ai is Bad, Hearing The Universe, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find […] The post 15 April, 2026 – Episode 1054 – Science isn’t so taxing appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
To The Moon, Artemis!
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Guest Host Brian Dunning, Humans Around the Moon, Faster Than Light, Localizing Carbon, Voorhies Law?, Mouse Aging is FTL, ADHD MGMT, Forced Decisions, Cognitive Surrender, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or […] The post 08 April, 2026 – Episode 1053 – To The Moon, Artemis! appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Science myths defanged!
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Hot Plants, Blair’s Animal Oopsie, Sounds About Right, In-infinite Cloning, Male Fruit Fly Flirting, Platypodes, Control Factors Mouse Vision, and Much More Sciencer! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can […] The post 25 March, 2026 – Episode 1052 – Science myths defanged! appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Gnaw On This For a Bit
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: European Ignobel, NIH, Tamper-Free Viruses, Origami Vaccines, Garbled Messages, Brain Cell Centers, Gnawing Need, and Much More Science to Gnaw on! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS […] The post 11 March, 2026 – Episode 1051 – Gnaw On This For a Bit appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
This Week in Blair's Animal Corner
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Animal Science, Bats, Caribou, Dogs, Fish, and Much More! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you are looking for science podcasts […] The post 4 March, 2026 – Episode 1050 – This Week in Blair’s Animal Corner appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Stabilizing The Changing Brain
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Interview W/Nicola Allen PhD., Stabilizing The Brain, Space Alerts, Artemis, Bouba Kiki, Birder Brains, Drunken Apes, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS […] The post 25 February, 2026 – Episode 1049 – Stabilizing The Changing Brain appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
When Do We Know Enough?
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Life on Mars, Interstellar Water, Snakes, PFAS, Wind Farms, Sea Silk, Frogs, Zebra Finches, Organoids, Brain Training, Alzheimer’s, and Much More Science to Know! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that […] The post 18 February, 2026 – Episode 1048 – When Do We Know Enough? appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Let's Pretend With Some Science!
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Twilight ALAN Problems, YouTube, Sea Lion Moms, Apes Play Pretend, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you […] The post 11 February, 2026 – Episode 1047 – Let’s Pretend With Some Science! appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Just A Little Duct Tape & Science
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Story Updates!, Vapor Tracking, Roadkill, Lanternfly, Worms, Caterpillars, Conservation, Prediction From Memory, SpacexAi, Defining Consciousness, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in […] The post 4 February, 2026 – Episode 1046 – Just A Little Duct Tape & Science appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Snakes on a train?
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Nasal Vaccine, Artificial Light & Pollen Season, EVs, Train Snakes, Heavy Hoppers, Hot Tubbin Macaque, Howlers, Language, Parkinsons, Dread, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And, remember that you […] The post 28 January, 2026 – Snakes on a train? appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Why Tilt at Windmills?
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Interview with Dr. Clare Fieseler, Windmill, Acetaminophen, Fight Aging, Artificial Light & Pollen, Bloody Mossies, T. rex, Hot Tubbin, Howler Monkeys, Cow Tools, Cow Food, and Much More! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or […] The post 21 January, 2026 – Episode 1044 – Why Tilt at Windmills? appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
The Uncertainty of Science
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Hot Waters, Plastic Bombshell?, The Desert, African EV’s, Red Hair Reason, Queen Bees, AI Issues, Deer Scrapings, Pore Problems, Rhythm Recognitions, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And, remember […] The post 14 January, 2026 – Episode 1043 – The Uncertainty of Science appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Sanitize Your Timeline with Science
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: COVID Cases, Surprising Survival, Oldest Humans?, Old Poison, 400-year-old shark eyes, Bacterial Brains, Treating Alzheimer’s Disease, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And, remember that you can find TWIS […] The post 7 January, 2026 – Episode 1042 – Sanitize Your Timeline with Science appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Tilting at Tumbleweeds
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Space Gum, Dinosaur Dots, Elephants & Bees, Kids & Dogs, Glyphosate Ghostwriting, Tilting Tumblebots, Necroprinter, And Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And, remember that you can find TWIS in […] The post 10 December, 2025 – Episode 1041 – Tilting at Tumbleweeds appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
What's in a Name?
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: NREL Rename, Red Head Problems, Too Hot for Plants, Cat Companions, Visualize Science, Battery Battering, And Much More in The Name of Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And, remember that you […] The post 03 December, 2025 – Episode 1040 – What’s in a Name? appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
TWISgiving Gratitude
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Virtual Brain, Cockroach Cuddles, Lactaid Appreciation, Gratitude for Understanding Ourselves, And Much More! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And, remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. If you […] The post 26 November, 2025 – Episode 1039 – TWISgiving Gratitude appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
What Does the Bin Chicken Say?
What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Seagulls, Bad References, Bin Chicken, Woodpeckers, Parasitic Animals, Wolves and Crabs, Animal-Free Brains, Bye-bye Memories, Baby Hacking, And Much More! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And, remember that you can find TWIS […] The post 19 November, 2025 – Episode 1038 – What Does the Bin Chicken Say? appeared first on This Week in Science - The Kickass Science Podcast.
Science & Wine Roulette
This Week: Causing Disease, Malaria, Education Interrupted, Super Nova Shape, Super Nova Questions, Horny Bee, Lady Brains, Brain Fixes, Organoid Issues, Memory Growth, and Much More Science & Wine!
The Verifiable Science Show
This Week: Interview with Virginia Gewin, Scientific Destruction, AI Wildlife, Recreating People, Baby T. Rex, Crab Homes, Biggest Web, Antibiotic Brain Health, Memory, And Much More Science!
TWISoween 2025
This Week: Whale Poop, Midnight Songbats, Vole Teeth, Multi-Species Walking Paths, Rats that hunt Bats, And Much More TWISoween!
What Do Aliens Know Anyway?
This Week: Interview with Dr. Daniel Whiteson, It's Jupiter's Fault, Squirrels, Metabolic Limits, Pandas, Mini-Brains, Flatworms, Flying, Lead Brains, And Much More Aliens!
Free to be Science-y
This Week: Nobel Prize Time, Tired Blood, Cheesy Spider Feet, What Are You Eating?, Connected States, Intersex spider found, Leafcutter Ants, Dolphin Alzheimers, ChatGPMouseBrain, Nanoparticles, and Much More Science!
This One Is For the Fearless
This Week: Cassini, Fungal Evolution, Swimming Jaguars, Mouse Microbes, Cancer News, Lizard Snake, Dodo Birds, Electricity & Crabs, Cold Robot, Getting Oldest, Junk Food Brain, and Much More Fearless Science!
How to Pronounce Acetaminophen
This Week: It's Ig Nobel Season!, Cats!, Fish, Extinct Herbivores, Magic Mushrooms, Plastic Brains, Astrocyte Conductors, Social Spiders, and Much More Science to Pronounce!
Interview: Science Under Siege
This Week: Interview with Dr. Michael E. Mann and Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., about Science Under Siege.
Sentient Meat Science
This Week: Life on Mars, HomoNaledi, Koala Vaccines, Bugs Against Cancer, Human Bees, Earthquake Energy, Alcoholic Chimps, Bad Math, Clone Ants, and Much More Science!