StarTalk
By Curved Light Productions
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Podcast Description
StarTalk bridges the intersection between pop culture and pop science, covering subjects like space travel, extraterrestrial life, the Big Bang, the future of Earth and the environment, and other breaking news from around the universe. The podcast is hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson and presented by DISCOVER magazine, and it airs as a radio show in select markets. For more info, visit http://startalkradio.net/
| Name | Description | Released | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 |
StarTalk: The Astronaut Session, Part 2 | Astronaut Mike Massimino and the comedy crew discuss how space telescopes like Hubble (which Mike repaired) and Kepler are being used to search for planets orbiting far-distant stars. | 2/6/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2 |
StarTalk: Live at the Bell House-The Astronaut Session | Astronaut Mike Massimino and three comedians discuss how space adventure can be an extraordinary combination of comedy and cosmic discovery, from astronaut diapers and the dangers of pop rocks to spacewalking above the Earth. | 1/30/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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3 |
StarTalk: Time Capsule | Revisit some of the best highlights of our Season 2 shows. This show includes interview excerpts with Whoopi Goldberg, John Hodgman, Nichelle Nichols, Phil Plait, and Morgan Freeman. | 1/17/12 | Free | View In iTunes |
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4 |
StarTalk: A Conversation with Whoopi | Oscar-winning actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg joins Neil to talk about her love of science, and how it eventually led to her role as Guinan on Star Trek, The Next Generation. | 12/12/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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5 |
StarTalk: When Science Crashes the Party | Janeane Garofalo joins the show to engage in political warfare, exploring the divide between Democrats and Republicans, and their furious debates over scientifically driven issues that affect our lives. | 12/5/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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6 |
StarTalk: Time Lords--The Science of Keeping Time | The Nerdist Chris Hardwick joins us this week for an upbeat discussion of clocks, calendars, and leaps in time. | 11/15/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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7 |
StarTalk: Spooky Science | Paranormal investigator Joe Nickell talks to us from beyond our corporeal plane; Mary Roach provides a post-mortem on the history of spiritualism; and Phil Plait, the Bad Astronomer, devilishly dissects our favorite ghost movies. | 10/31/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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8 |
StarTalk: The Big Bang Theory | Neil talks with Bill Prady, co-creator and writer of the hit CBS show, David Saltzberg, professor of physics and astronomy at UCLA and science advisor to the show. From romantic relationships to religion to reflections on relativity, learn about the many ways "The Big Bang Theory" uses science to shine a light on society. | 10/24/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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9 |
StarTalk: Spaceward Bound | After sending NASA astronauts into low-Earth orbit for 30 years, the Space Shuttle program is over. Neil talks with the final shuttle crew about how will we now make the great leap into space. | 10/10/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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10 |
StarTalk: Live at the Bell House, Part 2 | Actor Alan Alda, comedian Eugene Mirman, and more great guests discuss the state of science literacy and take audience questions that explore just how weird and funny science can be. | 10/3/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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11 |
StarTalk: Live at the Bell House | Actor Alan Alda, comedian Eugene Mirman, and more great guests engage in a hilarious discussion about aliens, black holes, asteroid Apophis, and the end of the universe. | 9/26/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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12 |
StarTalk: The Music of the Spheres | From the physics of sound to the healing power of song, groove to the universal sway of music with guests Moby and Jonathan Coulton. | 9/20/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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13 |
StarTalk: 9/11 Memorial | On September 11, 2001, the United States was hit by the biggest terrorist attack in our nation?s history. Ten years later, we talk with people from different professions to discuss how the event affected them then and now. | 9/12/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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14 |
StarTalk: Making the Fur Fly | Animals have been our companions, co-workers, and food since before the dawn of civilization; more recently, they've also become our lab rats. The president of PETA, argues that, thanks to new techniques, we'll soon be able to eat meat and do science "without the patter of little feet." | 8/22/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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15 |
StarTalk: Revolving Around the Sun | Once worshipped as a God, we now know the Sun is one of many similar stars in a relatively quiet region of the galaxy. See the Sun with new eyes as we discuss the many ways this ball of plasma illuminates our past, present and future. | 8/15/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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16 |
StarTalk: Through the Wormhole | Morgan Freeman joins the show to discuss his Science Channel program. From the birth of the universe to the end of time, this series addresses some of the most long-lasting and quandaries facing science and philosophy. | 8/8/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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17 |
StarTalk: The Physics of Superheroes, the Sequel | Doctor Manhattan of Watchmen can use quantum mechanics. Professor X uses electromagnetism. Doctor Solar has power over the periodic table. Neil and James Kakalios talk about when science goes super. | 7/27/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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18 |
StarTalk: NASA and Nichelle Nichols | Through her ground-breaking role as Star Trek?s Chief Communications Officer Lt. Uhura, Nichelle Nichols became a passionate advocate to get women and minorities involved in real-world space exploration. | 7/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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19 |
StarTalk: On the Bridge to Equality | In much of the past, the future was depicted as being a time when there were no people of color?a scary prospect, especially if you happen to be a person of color. And that's why Star Trek's Uhura, played by Nichelle Nichols, was such a revelation. | 7/12/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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20 |
StarTalk: Making Cents of Money | Bestselling personal finance author and TV host Suze Orman gives us her two cents about investing, the economic meltdown, and the impact of science on the financial world. MIT's Andrew Lo guides us on a non-random walk down Wall Street. | 6/28/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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21 |
StarTalk: Time Travel at the Movies | Neil discusses and Phil Plait, the ?Bad Astronomer,? lead a journey to the land of time travel movies, including Planet of the Apes, Back to the Future, Bill & Ted?s Excellent Adventure, Star Trek, and the Terminator series. | 6/13/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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22 |
StarTalk: Let There Be Light | Space telescopes and other technology act as our spy-glasses on a realm that's entirely invisible to the naked eye: the huge swaths of the electromagnetic spectrum that are not in the narrow band of visible light. | 6/6/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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23 |
StarTalk: The Political Science of The Daily Show | Neil and Jon Stewart talk about Jon's love for science, scientists as guests on The Daily Show, and the cosmic connections that unite us all?because even New Jersey is made of star stuff. | 5/26/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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24 |
StarTalk: Climate Confusion | Extreme weather events around the world are dominating the news, making people wonder whether climate change is the culprit for all these catastrophes. A few experts drop by the StarTalk studio to discuss the science and politics of climate and weather. | 5/16/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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25 |
StarTalk: The Physics of Superheroes | James Kakalios tells us about the physics principles of the caped crusaders; Lee Silver discusses animals that have super-abilities that could expand the limits of human biology; Eugene Mirman imagines what it would be like to leap tall buildings in a single bound. | 5/4/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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26 |
StarTalk: Science at the Movies | How much of the science presented on the silver screen is accurate? Phil Plait, the "Bad Astronomer," joins Neil and comedian Leighann Lord to review the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of science in the movies. | 4/19/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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27 |
StarTalk: The Cosmic Chemistry of Cosmetics | Derived from the Greek word kosmos, meaning "order," cosmetics have been used since ancient times to fine tune our appearance. From old poisons like belladonna and lead-based paints to tanning beds and the neurotoxin Botox, cosmetics are serious--and seriously dangerous--business. | 4/4/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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28 |
StarTalk: Are You Out of Your Mind? | Oliver Sacks, author of best-selling books on brain disorders, including "Awakenings" which was made into an Oscar-nominated film, discusses some strange cerebral shenanigans that can shape our senses. | 3/28/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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29 |
StarTalk: A Violent Earth | Neil delves into the science behind the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Physicist and author Michio Kaku discusses the science of nuclear power and the problems facing the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. | 3/21/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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30 |
StarTalk: Cosmic Cuisine | Anytime humans venture beyond home, they need to have some snacks for the road. Dr. Charles Bourland, who developed food for astronauts for 30 years, propounds on the preparation and packaging that goes into making food fit for space. | 3/16/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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31 |
StarTalk: Appetite for Destruction | The fossil record shows that time and time again, life has suffered major population crashes and extinctions, often due to conditions caused by life at the time. Will human beings' self-destructive behavior eventually bring us to our knees? | 3/7/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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32 |
StarTalk: A Conversation with John Hodgman | "Will you donate your body to be stuffed and put on display (at the American Museum of Natural History)?" This is one of the many questions John Hodgman poses to Neil during their monumental meeting of minds. | 3/5/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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33 |
StarTalk: Tour of the Solar System | Every now and then it's good to take a tour around your own backyard. Space scientists Steve Squyres and Heidi Hammel, comedian Chuck Nice, and Bill Nye the Science Guy join Neil in a look around our own corner of the cosmos. | 3/2/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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34 |
StarTalk: Matters of the Heart | From Aristotle's misguided meanderings to modern open heart surgery. Guest: Dr. Daryl Hoffman, cardiac surgeon, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York. | 2/28/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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35 |
StarTalk: Time Capsule | In this episode, we highlight a few star moments from our constellation of past shows. | 2/10/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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36 |
StarTalk: The Physics of Football | Neil discusses the science of the gridiron with astrophysicist Charles Liu, comedian Chuck Nice, and three brainy members of the NY Giants. | 2/1/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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37 |
StarTalk: Out-of-this-World UFO Show | Have you ever seen mysterious lights in the sky, or glimpsed an alien spacecraft? This show provides a probing yet playful discussion about Unidentified Flying Objects. | 1/24/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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38 |
StarTalk: Wit and Wisdom about Wine | In this spirited toast to the science of wine, Neil, wine jedi Jennifer Simonetti-Bryan, and comedians Lynne Koplitz and Brian Malow dive deep into everyone's favorite juice, discussing everything from the elements that go into creating a fine wine to the technology that will change wine in the future. | 1/18/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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39 |
StarTalk: A Space-Age Cathedral | Neil takes a close look at the International Space Station, one of the most ambitious, interesting, and expensive objects ever constructed. | 1/12/11 | Free | View In iTunes |
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40 |
StarTalk: Holiday Lights | Neil talks about winter sky constellations, Santa's sleigh ride, and the astronomy behind the Star of Bethlehem with comedian co-hosts Chuck Nice and Leighann Lord. The stars are brightly shining as Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, Vatican astronomer Brother Guy Consolmagno, and Bill Nye the Science Guy drop in on the festivities. 'Tis the season for some spectacular science. | 12/23/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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41 |
StarTalk: Science Is Fierce | Do sci-fi classics like Star Trek provide a glimpse into future fashions? Neil chats with stylist James Aguiar of Full Frontal Fashion about the dance between science fiction and style. | 12/17/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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42 |
StarTalk: An Alien's Guide to Earth | Jon Stewart is the first guest of the new season. He and Neil discuss the Daily Show book, "Earth: A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race." Addressed to aliens who visit our planet long after humans have gone extinct, this book is all that's left to document the world as we know it. Lynne Koplitz returns as Neil's co-host to investigate this hilarious encyclopedia humanica. | 12/10/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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43 |
StarTalk: Pop Space | -- | 10/12/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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44 |
StarTalk: Science and Art | Geometry, physics and the other sciences describe the world we live in, and artists often play with these properties in their own imaginative investigations. From the drawings of Leonardo Da Vinci to high tech computer graphics, Neil and Lynne paint a picture of how science has inspired art through the ages. | 10/5/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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45 |
StarTalk: Pseudoscience | Mark Twain once said, "Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please." Proponents of pseudoscience adhere to this adage, but are their distortions deliberate, the result of scientific ignorance, or due to a deep desire for extraordinary possibilities? | 9/28/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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46 |
StarTalk: What's Funny About Space? | Our season finale features the incomparable comedian Joan Rivers. In this episode, she provides color commentary for a Red Carpet parade of previous show topics, including space tourism, the anniversary of Apollo 11, and the search for alien life (both in space and in Hollywood!). | 9/21/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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47 |
StarTalk: Time Travel | Time marches on? except in astrophysics. Einstein taught us that time is a coordinate in space, and it's all relative. Learn about the weird physics of our universe that could make time travel possible. Standing in for Lynne Koplitz this week is J. Richard Gott, author of "Time Travel in Einstein?s Universe." | 9/14/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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48 |
StarTalk: Space Spin-Offs | Technology tuned to the stars, brought down to Earth. Learn about the many products in our lives that were developed because of the space program. | 9/7/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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49 |
StarTalk: The Science of Star Trek | The Star Trek TV and movie series imagine a bright future for humans in space, one in which we explore alien worlds with the aid of advanced technology. Because the writers tried to include as much realistic science as possible within the fictional framework, the stories have been an inspiration for students, scientists, inventors? and anyone interested in pondering our destiny on Earth and beyond. | 8/31/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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50 |
StarTalk: The Search for Aliens | Do you want to believe? Seth Shostak of SETI talks about his hunt for aliens in this show about the search for life beyond Earth. | 8/24/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 50 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
Completely tone-deaf casting of the co-host
Okay. Lynn Koplitz bothers me tremendously on this show. I probably wouldn't be as bothered, except for one major, major thing: in our culture, it has been readily assumed that women don't understand and don't care to understand sciences. A woman's voice comes through my headphones and says things like "When you start blah blah blahing about science, I don't care and no one else cares", then the soothing, competent male voice comes on to gently explain it to her? I would rather women not be involved in science podcasts if their level of involvement is akin to Barbie saying 'Math is hard.'
Neil. You already make science understandable for the average person. Science Barbie is not a welcome addition to your repertoire.
Good show, could be great...
I love Neil deGrasse Tyson and enjoy hearing him explain the cosmos. The only thing keeping this show from 5 stars is the cohost Lynne Koplitz. Seems like a nice person and I understand her purpose as the cohost to keep Neil's astrophysics talk in check, but I already feel Neil is good at that. So she just dumbs down the conversation too much, which can come across as annyoing and uncomfortable at times. Anyhow, as a testiment to how interesting Neil is, you could put someone running nails down a chalkboard next to him and I probably would still tune in and listen ;)
I really wanted to like this podcast, but . . .
It's sort of an "Astronomy for Dummies" show, seemingly targeted at teenagers and young adults who never paid much attention to this sort of thing before. Everything is presented in quick little sound bites that barely scratch the surface of the subject matter. Interviews with interesting guests are unfortunately chopped up into tiny segments that make it difficult to get anything out of them. Tyson spends far too much of the show engaging in idle banter with his irritating "comedienne" co-host, whose main attributes are a grating, Fran Drescher-type voice, and a tiresome "I'm just a dumb girl; this science stuff is confusing and boring!" schtick (Then why are you on the show?). It's a shame, really; I feel Dr. Tyson's talents are wasted here. Perhaps this format works in radio, but I think it fails as a podcast. With a little tweaking, such as replacing the co-host and a adding a bit more depth to the material, this could be a good podcast (and perhaps still be a good radio show).
