# The 28 best science podcasts in 2026.

Markdown copy of https://realalpha.app/best/science-podcasts/ on Real Alpha, the best minutes from long interviews with the people building AI. Cite and link the page, not this copy.

[Best podcasts](https://realalpha.app/best/) · Updated Oct 28, 2026

As of Oct 28, 2026, Real Alpha’s ranking of 5 science podcasts puts Huberman Lab, StarTalk, Into the Impossible With Brian Keating, Sean Carroll's Mindscape and The Joy of Why at the top, by the minutes worth watching cut from each. We follow 84 long-form podcasts and cut those minutes from their episodes. These are the shows we follow that scientists host, talking with the scientists doing the work: on physics and space, math, life and the mind. This list ranks the 5 we follow that fit it: the 3 we’ve cut 12 moments from, then 2 we haven’t cut yet. Then come 23 more we don’t follow, A to Z. It changes as we cut more.

**How we rank:** Each moment we’ve cut from a show earns a point, plus one when an AI builder is the one talking. Its episode’s points are multiplied by how many people watched it on YouTube: once at 100,000 views, half as much again for each tenfold more and half less for each tenfold fewer. A moment’s points halve every year after its episode came out. Each show is scored on its five best episodes by those points, so posting more often doesn’t lift it. Shows we follow but haven’t cut from yet come after, by the views their episodes usually get on YouTube.

1. **[Huberman Lab](https://realalpha.app/shows/huberman-lab/)**
   Huberman Lab is a big general interview show we follow for its AI and tech guests, hosted by Andrew Huberman, with a new episode about twice a week.
   Top guests: [Fei-Fei Li](https://realalpha.app/builders/fei-fei-li/), [Terry Sejnowski](https://realalpha.app/people/terry-sejnowski/)
   [Start with: AI can explore futures humans cannot test directly](https://realalpha.app/s/ai-can-explore-futures-humans-cannot-test-directly/)
2. **[StarTalk](https://realalpha.app/shows/startalk/)**
   StarTalk is a science interview show, hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice, with a new episode about twice a week.
   Top guests: [Morgan McSweeney](https://realalpha.app/people/morgan-mcsweeney/)
   [Start with: Visceral fat can matter more than the number on the scale](https://realalpha.app/s/visceral-fat-can-matter-more-than-the-number-on-the-scale/)
3. **[Into the Impossible With Brian Keating](https://realalpha.app/shows/into-the-impossible/)**
   Into the Impossible With Brian Keating is a long-form conversation show on research and big ideas, hosted by Brian Keating, with a new episode about twice a week.
   Top guests: [Max Tegmark](https://realalpha.app/people/max-tegmark/)
   [Start with: AI labs can keep the public in the dark](https://realalpha.app/s/ai-labs-can-keep-the-public-in-the-dark/)
4. **[Sean Carroll's Mindscape](https://realalpha.app/shows/mindscape/)**
   Sean Carroll's Mindscape is a science interview show, hosted by Sean Carroll, with a new episode every week.
   Not cut yet. Its episodes usually get about 31,000 views on YouTube.
5. **[The Joy of Why](https://realalpha.app/shows/joy-of-why/)**
   The Joy of Why is a science interview show, hosted by Steven Strogatz and Janna Levin, with a new episode every two weeks.
   Not cut yet. Its episodes usually get about 17,000 views on YouTube.

## 23 more science podcasts we don’t follow

We don’t follow these, so they aren’t ranked. Here they are A to Z, each linking to where you can listen.

- **[Ask a Spaceman!](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-a-spaceman/id958825741)**
  Ask a Spaceman! is an astrophysicist’s answers to listeners’ questions about space and time, hosted by Paul M. Sutter.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ask-a-spaceman/id958825741)
- **[Astronomy Cast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/astronomy-cast/id191636169)**
  Astronomy Cast is a weekly show that takes one astronomy topic at a time, from the planets to cosmology, hosted by Fraser Cain and Pamela Gay.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/astronomy-cast/id191636169)
- **[Big Picture Science](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-picture-science/id73329638)**
  Big Picture Science is a weekly show on the surprising links across science and technology, hosted by Seth Shostak and Molly Bentley.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/big-picture-science/id73329638)
- **[Brain Inspired](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-inspired/id1428880766)**
  Brain Inspired is a show of interviews where neuroscience and AI meet, hosted by Paul Middlebrooks.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brain-inspired/id1428880766)
- **[Breaking Math](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breaking-math-podcast/id1201114838)**
  Breaking Math is a show on the math behind science, technology and AI, hosted by Autumn Phaneuf and Noah Giansiracusa.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breaking-math-podcast/id1201114838)
- **[Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daniel-and-kellys-extraordinary-universe/id1436616330)**
  Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe is a show where a particle physicist and a biologist explain the universe, from black holes to parasites, hosted by Daniel Whiteson and Kelly Weinersmith.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daniel-and-kellys-extraordinary-universe/id1436616330)
- **[Hidden Brain](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750)**
  Hidden Brain is a show on the science of how our minds work and why we do what we do, hosted by Shankar Vedantam.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750)
- **[Houston We Have a Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/houston-we-have-a-podcast/id1262594123)**
  Houston We Have a Podcast is NASA’s weekly show on human spaceflight, from the Johnson Space Center.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/houston-we-have-a-podcast/id1262594123)
- **[The Infinite Monkey Cage](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-infinite-monkey-cage/id343580439)**
  The Infinite Monkey Cage is the BBC’s comic panel show on science, with scientists and comedians as its guests.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-infinite-monkey-cage/id343580439)
- **[Many Minds](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/many-minds/id1499167824)**
  Many Minds is a show every two weeks on how humans, animals and AI think, sense, feel and learn, hosted by Kensy Cooperrider.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/many-minds/id1499167824)
- **[Nature Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nature-podcast/id81934659)**
  Nature Podcast is the journal Nature’s weekly show on the best stories in science.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nature-podcast/id81934659)
- **[Ologies with Alie Ward](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ologies-with-alie-ward/id1278815517)**
  Ologies with Alie Ward is a show where a science correspondent asks a different -ologist about their field each week, hosted by Alie Ward.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ologies-with-alie-ward/id1278815517)
- **[Planetary Radio](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/planetary-radio-space-exploration-astronomy-and-science/id91689834)**
  Planetary Radio is the Planetary Society’s weekly show on space exploration, with the scientists and engineers doing it, hosted by Sarah Al-Ahmed.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/planetary-radio-space-exploration-astronomy-and-science/id91689834)
- **[Radiolab](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110)**
  Radiolab is WNYC’s show of deep questions across science and history, known for its sound design, hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/radiolab/id152249110)
- **[Science Friday](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-friday/id73329284)**
  Science Friday is WNYC’s show of science stories, from outer space to the microbes in our bodies.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-friday/id73329284)
- **[Science Magazine Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-magazine-podcast/id120329020)**
  Science Magazine Podcast is the journal Science’s weekly show on new research and science news.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-magazine-podcast/id120329020)
- **[Science Quickly](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-quickly/id189330872)**
  Science Quickly is Scientific American’s short show on new science, hosted by Rachel Feltman.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-quickly/id189330872)
- **[Science Vs](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-vs/id1051557000)**
  Science Vs is Spotify Studios’ show that finds out what’s fact and what’s not on fads and hot topics.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-vs/id1051557000)
- **[Short Wave](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/short-wave/id1482575855)**
  Short Wave is NPR’s show on new discoveries and the science behind the headlines, in under 15 minutes, hosted by Emily Kwong and Regina Barber.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/short-wave/id1482575855)
- **[Space Nuts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries/id1080090608)**
  Space Nuts is an astronomer’s twice-weekly show of astronomy news and listeners’ questions, hosted by Fred Watson and Andrew Dunkley.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/space-nuts-astronomy-insights-cosmic-discoveries/id1080090608)
- **[Speaking of Psychology](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speaking-of-psychology/id705934263)**
  Speaking of Psychology is the American Psychological Association’s show on new psychology research.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/speaking-of-psychology/id705934263)
- **[This Podcast Will Kill You](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-podcast-will-kill-you/id1299915173)**
  This Podcast Will Kill You is a show on the biology, history and epidemiology of one disease at a time, hosted by Erin Welsh and Erin Allmann Updyke.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-podcast-will-kill-you/id1299915173)
- **[Unexplainable](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unexplainable/id1554578197)**
  Unexplainable is Vox’s show on the mysteries science hasn’t solved yet, hosted by Noam Hassenfeld, Julia Longoria, Byrd Pinkerton and Meradith Hoddinott.
  [Listen on Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unexplainable/id1554578197)

## The same shows, by what they cover

### Best physics and space podcasts

1. 02 [StarTalk](https://realalpha.app/shows/startalk/)
2. 03 [Into the Impossible With Brian Keating](https://realalpha.app/shows/into-the-impossible/)
3. 04 [Sean Carroll's Mindscape](https://realalpha.app/shows/mindscape/)
4. 05 [The Joy of Why](https://realalpha.app/shows/joy-of-why/)
5. Ask a Spaceman!
6. Astronomy Cast
7. Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe
8. Houston We Have a Podcast
9. The Infinite Monkey Cage
10. Planetary Radio
11. Space Nuts

### Best math podcasts

1. 05 [The Joy of Why](https://realalpha.app/shows/joy-of-why/)
2. Breaking Math

### Best biology podcasts

1. 01 [Huberman Lab](https://realalpha.app/shows/huberman-lab/)
2. 05 [The Joy of Why](https://realalpha.app/shows/joy-of-why/)
3. Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe
4. Ologies with Alie Ward
5. This Podcast Will Kill You

### Best neuroscience and psychology podcasts

1. 01 [Huberman Lab](https://realalpha.app/shows/huberman-lab/)
2. Brain Inspired
3. Hidden Brain
4. Many Minds
5. Speaking of Psychology

### Best science news podcasts

1. Nature Podcast
2. Science Friday
3. Science Magazine Podcast
4. Science Quickly
5. Short Wave

## Questions

### What is the number one science podcast?

Huberman Lab is the number one science podcast in Real Alpha’s ranking of 5, as of Oct 28, 2026. It has 6 moments cut from 2 episodes, 3 with an AI builder talking, mostly on training data and robotics.

### What is the best podcast to learn about science?

In Real Alpha’s ranking, the best of the physics and space podcasts is StarTalk (No. 2), and of the neuroscience and psychology podcasts, Huberman Lab (No. 1).

### How does Real Alpha rank science podcasts?

Each moment we’ve cut from a show earns a point, plus one when an AI builder is the one talking. Its episode’s points are multiplied by how many people watched it on YouTube: once at 100,000 views, half as much again for each tenfold more and half less for each tenfold fewer. A moment’s points halve every year after its episode came out. Each show is scored on its five best episodes by those points, so posting more often doesn’t lift it. Shows we follow but haven’t cut from yet come after, by the views their episodes usually get on YouTube. Then come the shows we don’t follow, unranked, A to Z.

## More lists, ranked the same way

- [Best AI podcasts](https://realalpha.app/best/ai-podcasts/) Sources, All-In, Training Data and 61 more
- [Best tech podcasts](https://realalpha.app/best/tech-podcasts/) Sources, All-In, Lightcone and 42 more
- [Best coding podcasts](https://realalpha.app/best/coding-podcasts/) Latent Space, The Pragmatic Engineer, The Peterman Pod and 12 more
- [Best business podcasts](https://realalpha.app/best/business-podcasts/) All-In, Training Data, Lightcone and 47 more
- [Best investing podcasts](https://realalpha.app/best/investing-podcasts/) All-In, Training Data, Sourcery and 26 more
- [Best finance podcasts](https://realalpha.app/best/finance-podcasts/) All-In, BG2, Prof G Markets and 16 more
- [Best interview podcasts](https://realalpha.app/best/interview-podcasts/) Sources, All-In, Training Data and 71 more
- [Best sports podcasts](https://realalpha.app/best/sports-podcasts/) 24 sports podcasts
- [Best political podcasts](https://realalpha.app/best/political-podcasts/) 20 political podcasts