Short Wave

by NPR
5,621

New discoveries, everyday mysteries, and the science behind the headlines — in just under 15 minutes. It's science for everyone, using a lot of creativity and a little humor. Join hosts Emily Kwong and Regina Barber for science on a different wavelength.

If you're hooked, try Short Wave Plus. Your subscription supports the show and unlocks a sponsor-free feed. Learn more at plus.npr.org/shortwave

Recent Episodes
  • Will Bark For Science
    Mar 5, 2025 – 13:41
  • Reviving The Woolly Mammoth ... With Mice
    Mar 4, 2025 – 10:14
  • What It's Like Taking Alzheimer's Drugs
    Mar 3, 2025 – 12:51
  • When Batteries Get A Face Lift, So Do Renewables
    Feb 28, 2025 – 13:40
  • This Radio Wave Mystery Changed Astronomy
    Feb 26, 2025 – 12:18
  • Extracting Brains ... For Science
    Feb 25, 2025 – 11:27
  • What Happens While You're Under Anesthesia?
    Feb 24, 2025 – 14:01
  • This Is Your Brain On Dessert
    Feb 21, 2025 – 08:07
  • Party In Peru: New Critters Just Dropped
    Feb 19, 2025 – 09:59
  • When AI Cannibalizes Its Data
    Feb 18, 2025 – 13:23
  • Could This Particle 'Clean Up' A Cosmic Mystery?
    Feb 17, 2025 – 14:17
  • Lessons in Love From Voles
    Feb 14, 2025 – 11:07
  • Stopping A Deadly Disease On Apache Lands
    Feb 12, 2025 – 14:02
  • What Happens Inside A Top-Secret U.S. Nuclear Facility?
    Feb 11, 2025 – 13:30
  • The Dangers Of Mirror Cell Research
    Feb 10, 2025 – 13:22
  • How Physics Could Make Big Crowds Safer
    Feb 7, 2025 – 10:04
  • Microbes: It's Complicated
    Feb 5, 2025 – 14:25
  • Why Black Holes Are More Than They Seem
    Feb 4, 2025 – 12:50
  • Not All Nature Comebacks Are Equal
    Feb 3, 2025 – 12:22
  • 10 Technologies To Watch
    Jan 31, 2025 – 12:09
  • Farts To The Rescue
    Jan 29, 2025 – 13:56
  • The Latest On Bird Flu
    Jan 28, 2025 – 13:18
  • Moths, Owls And Fungi With Over 20,000 Sexes...Oh My!
    Jan 27, 2025 – 13:29
  • Peeing Is Contagious!
    Jan 24, 2025 – 08:30
  • Where Are We In The Quest To Find Alien Life?
    Jan 22, 2025 – 12:13
  • How Will Future Forests Survive Climate Change?
    Jan 21, 2025 – 13:55
  • The Science Behind The FDA Ban On Food Dye Red No. 3
    Jan 20, 2025 – 10:13
  • All Of Life Has A Common Ancestor. What Was LUCA?
    Jan 17, 2025 – 13:07
  • Some Dinos Had Feathers. Did They Fly?
    Jan 15, 2025 – 13:18
  • Bone Marrow Cells: Key To Vaccine Longevity?
    Jan 14, 2025 – 08:48
  • The Science Behind Wildfire Smoke
    Jan 14, 2025 – 13:59
  • What Are California's Santa Ana Winds?
    Jan 10, 2025 – 10:07
  • Fluoride: Fact vs. Fiction
    Jan 8, 2025 – 12:27
  • How Two Veterans Developed The Same Rare Brain Condition
    Jan 7, 2025 – 11:34
  • The Great Space (Clock) Race
    Jan 6, 2025 – 14:31
  • Jimmy Carter's Triumph Over The Guinea Worm
    Jan 4, 2025 – 12:40
  • The Dubious World's Largest Snowflake Record
    Jan 3, 2025 – 11:00
  • The Trouble With Zero
    Jan 1, 2025 – 12:19
  • The Biggest Health Stories of 2024
    Dec 31, 2024 – 18:22
  • Bird Backpacks Could Help This Parrot Bounce Back
    Dec 30, 2024 – 13:44
  • Why These Squirrels Are Eating Meat
    Dec 27, 2024 – 10:16
  • Will GMOs Bring Back The American Chestnut Tree?
    Dec 25, 2024 – 14:13
  • Hear Christmas Carols And Talk To Santa On Ham Radio
    Dec 24, 2024 – 10:07
  • How Does An Airplane Stay In The Air?
    Dec 23, 2024 – 15:10
  • The First Woman To Get A New Kind Of Kidney Transplant
    Dec 20, 2024 – 14:22
  • This Huge Mining Pit Is About To Be A Lake
    Dec 18, 2024 – 13:47
  • Why Big Tech Wants Nuclear Power
    Dec 17, 2024 – 14:27
  • How Racism – And Silence – Could Hurt Your Health
    Dec 16, 2024 – 14:23
  • What's A Weather Forecast Worth?
    Dec 14, 2024 – 09:18
  • Conan The Bacterium's Superpower: Resisting Radiation
    Dec 13, 2024 – 08:49
Recent Reviews
  • Sunflower Painter
    Great show
    Great show! Lively, engaging, and smart.
  • itunes-not user friendly
    The topics are good
    The little girl voices oohing over “hard” or “new” basic scientific words is nauseating. I’ve finally had enough.
  • Shredder2025
    Too much music
    What is up with the music during the dialogue? Why don you guys find the compulsion to play it? It’s distracting and detracts from the dialogue. I often find myself focusing on the music as the main part and the dialogue becomes background noise, especially when the guest speaker is not loud and clear and English is not the first language. Please stop the music during dialogue! And please stop playing that infuriating, and odious “space music” whenever there’s a show about the cosmos; don’t need it. The cosmos is mesmerizing enough on its own. Just let the dialogue overwhelm the ears with crisp, clear, loud, vociferous sounds. For example, with the Something you should know podcast, or Money Matters with Ken Moraif podcast. Learn from those!!!
  • Tkotoo
    Lessons In Love From Volvos
    From this ‘Short Wave’ episode of the Volvos and how their oxytocin help them to pair with another (preciously, regardless of interference), there are times I feel I experience slight too often, but at such rate it teaches you things if you pay really close attention to whatever episode you may encounter. It disciplines you, and at same is very much appreciative. - s.jxn - ga
  • Ratttaffe
    Science Lover's fave
    Great delivery of science-oriented facts and education for the non-professional in a quick 10-15 minutes. a wide range of topics. a good balance between serious info with just a touch of humor or silliness.
  • Oliver GC
    Great podcast
    “Short Wave” is a scientific podcast that brings a different perspective to complex topics. Both hosts, Emily and Regina, can share these difficult ideas with the listener using a casual and fun language that even kids will enjoy. Having listened to some of their episodes, I can assure you that they will make you want to research more about anything that was talked during the 15-minute episode.
  • BurgerBeanyB@y21
    Short wave rave
    I love this podcast, every night I listen to it. This podcast is about every thing science usually after they spend some time researching. I highly recommend you listen to this podcast if you are interested in science and want to learn.
  • Nahyan A
    Short Wave
    This is a great podcast. So much information! They answer interesting questions and is really entertaining and captivating. There is videos that are actually worth listening to and are full of really cool and engaging information.Thank you!
  • MaxWoodstock
    Great Podcast
    Worth listening to
  • Sethro_Yerhat
    phrasing
    "In pop culture, squirrels are often seen as jerky"
  • Latho717
    Maddie Christmas to me!
    What a treat to hear Maddie Sofia’s voice for Christmas/Hanukkah. Thanks for this and happy holidays.
  • Pluto’s protest
    More people should learn physics
    As stated above…dumb questions and dumb reactions…
  • DubExpress
    Leftist MSM propaganda
    The double speak is nauseating. 2+2=5 don’t you understand? Tell me you understand 2+2=5 say it. Say it now! Ridiculous hosting.
  • Keepersuperfan
    Good podcast
    This is a great podcast!! I’m only 13 and I love science and learning all these little factoids. I’m not a nerd about it, but I think it’s really interesting. I don’t like all the ads which is why I put a four star review but otherwise great podcast!!!
  • Cytokine stormy
    Podcast review
    Terrific podcast giving a detailed brief on a science related subject every day and encouraging female involvement in male dominated fields
  • Shuwanbo
    Getting Affected
    The recent episodes sound like a bunch of silly, affected girls. Way too much ridiculous, she speak. Come on girly girly gals, it’s a science podcast, not a bachelorette party.
  • sciencepyar
    Enjoyable podcast
    The hosts can be annoying and one of the hosts says like as every other word. Like stop saying like Besides the hosts interesting topics and guests
  • k8wma
    Interesting content terrible hosts
    Gah the upspeak! The overproduction! The pointless commentary. Unlistenable.
  • Lil Curtis with a switch
    Interesting
    I would recommend this podcast it is short and funny and really interesting. This podcast has guest that are smart and funny and they keep us up to date with what’s happening in the world. This podcast is really good, funny, and it also gives us interesting facts about the topics they are talking about.
  • Nate_jacian
    Good podcast, but too many ads
    Overall, this podcast is really educational for how short every episode is. I found it really easy to put it on while I was busy doing something else. My only complaint has to be the three ads that are in every episode. It takes away from the already short run time from the podcast, especially when it’s inserted into the middle of something really interesting.
  • J Aneth
    It’s good, the ads are okay
    Overall, I believe that this podcast is light-hearted and educational. I enjoyed listening to their space-related episodes because they were very informational. The only criticism I have, however, is the ridiculous amount of ads at the beginning, middle, and end of each episode. Unfortunately, the ads take away from each episode’s overall runtime, which is already short itself, and content value.
  • Water bottle45
    Fun science
    Overall the podcast is good if you love learning about random science facts and facts that could be useful or are fun to know.
  • EddieTooFaded
    Good Podcast but L Ads
    This podcast is very well produced with very good content, an approachable take to said subjects , and a good cast of hosts. There are very few issues with this podcast but the elephant in the room is the frequency at which ads pop up. But the quality of the content makes up for the ad to content ratio.
  • Oskarbu
    A podcast of gaslighting and racism
    The “Short Wave” podcast, in general, exemplifies the art of gaslighting rather than offering genuine insights. Across various episodes, the podcast tends to present information in a way that manipulates and confuses its audience rather than providing clear, evidence-based analysis.
  • Annie Jordan6
    Great Show, Too Many Ads
    Love the informative topics and the bite-sized episodes. However, there are too many ads for how short the show is. 2-3 ad breaks for a 15 minute show is too many ads.
  • asdfghjkl12345🏀
    Snowflake
    On 2/2/24, smooth d tickle really took time to publicly whine about this show. 🤣 The term snowflake seems ironically perfect for this guy. Great show!! You know you’re doing something right if smooth d tickle can’t handle it.
  • n0nehm
    Good Science, Great People and Pod!
    Thanks, Regina, Emily, et al. Keep up the great work!
  • Fran from PT
    Outstanding!
    The Folks they interview are so thoughtful, interesting and knowledgeable. Short Wave-Plus is one of my most favorite podcasts. I listen to it every day during the week.
  • NeutronPressure
    Terrible Ad To Content Ratio
    I’ve been a member of my local public radio for decades, and the fact that this podcast has a significantly lower content-to-ad ratio than the for-profit podcasts I listen to is insulting. Why did I donate all these years to get more advertising in your podcast than anywhere rlse? And on top of it, it seems like every other week that subscription only episodes show up in my feed and stay there as if the non subscription version was forgotten. No, I’m not paying a monthly fee to individual shows as a public radio member. I gave you plenty of money already. I get times are tough but to hear NPR shilling for energy companies, reading their greenwashing messages and helping them blame the consumer is sickening. Or plugging for online therapy companies who got caught (and fined a pittance for) sharing patient data with advertisers. Sickening. Strip away the ads (oops, “sponsor messages”) and fix the chronic “we forgot to release the non-subscription version” issues, and you have a somewhat decent podcast that has improved a bit lately by focusing a bit more on the science and a bit less on the storytelling without eliminating it. But I probably should just unsubscribe (and cancel my membership) and save the frustration.
  • Mogadeet1451
    Stop calling scientists “nerds”
    The content is excellent, but the hosts sound like school teachers working hard to get a bunch of middle school kids excited about science. I really hate that researchers are always described as “nerds” about their subject. It sounds so juvenile. Are you going to call oncologists “cancer nerds”? Know your audience. If someone is listening to this podcast, they are likely already interested in science. You don’t have to work so hard to be enthusiastic.
  • JustOneTree
    Overproduced - Used to be 5 Stars
    Good hosts, interesting topics, & knowledgeable guests. Unfortunately it’s hard to hear them speaking with the overpowering “background” music & unnecessary sound effects. It used to be added to just the intro/end (which is fine) but now there’s music pretty much the whole time. This overproduction has made one of my favorite podcasts unlistenable
  • Smooth d tickle
    No thanks, you racists.
    I am really disappointed by these women being sexist and racist against men and whites. Also, the content stinks.
  • 😀😁😃😆😄😃😁😀😃😀😁😍😍😍
    Response to a reviewer
    When was their ever easiest and sexiest comments I’ve been listening for several years now and have not heard one. Great podcast! Don’t listen to the negative reviews!
  • Nickifiable
    Timely divisive refreshes
    I find it interesting you chose to renew an episode from March of 2022 today about - who would be affected most by overturning Roe - I am a democrat, but y’all be stirring up controversial topics at opportunistic times.
  • Bad Bad Bad and more Bad
    Disappointing
    Simple and infantile ideas presented as a big deal.
  • ScatchNsniff
    Love/hate
    I disagree with a recent comment I read. Maddie and Emily are great. I am not really a fan of Aaron Scott. I'm sure he is a brilliant human but he acts as if he is completely lost and aloof and it is unbecoming. Used to be my daily go to. Now I just skip.
  • tessygy
    Much better with new hosts
    Ever since the show got rid of Maddie and Emily, the show’s quality has increased 10 fold. It’s still lighthearted and fun without coming off as immature or annoying. Love my little daily dose of science!
  • EagleTheBruin
    Educational, interesting, and fun!
    This show serves up such interesting bits of science news that you otherwise wouldn’t hear about. It can also offer practical insights. With all the doom and gloom out there, this show does wonders to restore my faith in the future and humanity.
  • soharaking
    Social Justice Warriors
    You gotta admire one thing about NPR over any other news source. affirming today’s victims with Yesterdays history
  • OGTKOR
    Great podcast
    This is an awesome podcast! Recommend for all ages.
  • Ddocman123
    Very political
    I used to love this podcast, but over the last few years I’ve noticed that they insert political views about race and gender in nearly every episode. These are certainly valid topics to talk about, but it feels very forced and detracts from the actual science. For example, in the latest episode “What is Math?” they go from talking about what imaginary numbers are straight into talking about how math was historically dominated by “European white men”. A good few minutes were spent on that topic instead of talking about how cool math is. Why is that necessary in a science podcast?
  • NigelHorne
    Too focussed on Biology and rude presenters
    Interesting enough, but rarely covers physics and almost never covers chemistry or geology. After years of listening to it, the openly racist and sexist comments have, however, warn me down.
  • @cjeffersondavis
    NPR junky disappointed
    I just subscribed to Short Wave podcast today 8/3/23 & listened to my first episode (a review on the Oppenheimer movie 🎥) which I enjoyed immensely. My disappointment stems from my expectation (probably miss informed) that the annual subscription was add free. The episode was 12 minutes, of which approximately 2 were consumed by “contributing supporter’s” commercial ads. Need I say more?
  • DapperToad
    I sincerely want to be obsessed with you
    I really want to love this podcast. I find the subjects and information fascinating, but I find myself frustrated for the first few minutes of every episode wanting to get to the substance. I sincerely wish these were edited down — remove some of the filler back and forth and long introductions and jump right in. I’m not opposed to some personality and liveliness but I find the episodes can be tedious to get to the meat or point. It’s starting to get under my skin. Hook me right away with a deep dive into the science, take out some of the filler commentary that can linger. Please!! Consider tightening the format to a more bite sized immersion and let the fun come through naturally. I will love you, and I know I can’t be alone. I sincerely want to be obsessed with you.
  • Accesette
    Love this podcast but…
    I absolutely hate that they never mark the episodes that are repeated. I don’t have have an issue with them repeating episodes, but I’d like to know if the one in my feed is one I’ve heard before. I don’t know how many times I’ve been listening to an episode & think that I’ve heard it before. I do a quick search & find that I have. Every other podcast that I listen to will mark their repeat episodes except the his one. How hard is it to put the word “repeat” in the episode title or description? Considering they even change the names of the repeated episodes it makes me think that they are trying to pass off their repeats as new content.
  • 221155phl
    Everyone needs to listen
    Digestible for all. This is my absolute #1 favorite podcast, I’ve been listening for a long time. As we are in the midst of a solar flare I’m thankful for learning about them here. It’s been haunting me since I heard the episode lol. Thankful I have learn about real life events and phenomena through Short Wave so I have a slightly better understanding of things around me to the universe. Everyone should listen to this, love you guys and what you’re doing! Such valuable stuff!
  • Pure garbage,garbage
    I loveeee ShortWave!!
    Short wave is my favorite NPR show! Please do not cancel or minimize efforts towards this show! The journalism efforts that go into informing the audience with so much information along with science facts and findings on each topic is amazing and amazingly well done! Spoke with facts, un-biased, and wonderful podcast overall! 5/5, recommend to everyone I know! Love you ShortWave!
  • wander in meadows
    just found
    what a wonderful podcast to stumble upon—informative, poetic (yes, science can be), alas then I hear it will be no longer? Please reconsider!
  • Capt Chem
    Less giggling, please!
    Good content, hard to take seriously with all the giggling.
  • crussellmo
    Always interesting
    Sometimes I can’t find anything to listen to, but there’s always a treasure trove of fascinating articles that open my mind to a new aspect of an old world on your show. Thank you so much for your work!
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