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Looking for a science comedy podcast that doesn't skimp on the details? We've got you. Join us once a month as three different science stories are dissected every month by the trio behind comedy phenomenon Festival of the Spoken Nerd. Stand-up mathematician Matt Parker, experiments maestro Steve Mould and geek songstress Helen Arney are experts at investigating things that might not seem particularly interesting on the surface, but become fascinating when you get down to the nitty and / or g ...
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Shift Run Stop is a free comedy podcast full to the brim with games, geeks and special guests.
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Each episode of The Science of Fiction picks a theme and discusses the science and non-science in fiction involving that theme, with hilarious results, a selection of tenuously-related music, and a constant stream of guest experts. Expect anything from the mechanics of time travel to advice on how to survive the impending zombie apocalypse!
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Another episode of the podcast that fears no detail, where Matt talks balls, Steve talks fiery rings and Helen sings a tortoise into space. - Matt's bit (00:55) - pre-order "Love Triangle" here! - Steve's bit (19:30) - Helen's bit (35:44) SHOW NOTES: Unfortunately our show notes are too big for Acast's margins to contain... head to the episode page…
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3.4 - Keep Your Trousers on, Archimedes
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Back once again after a seasonal break, Series 3 continues with some Ingenuity from Steve, some DOOM from Matt, and a song about the man, the myth, the mathematician Archimedes from Helen: - Steve's bit (00:55) - Matt's bit (18:36) - Helen's bit (39:56) SHOW NOTES: Unfortunately our show notes are too big for Acast's margins to contain... head to t…
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Series 3 brings 2023 to a close with a festive special that reaches the parts that other festive specials don't reach... 3D programmable tree lights, the real reason people kiss under the mistletoe and a disappointingly bleak Laboratory Christmas Party take us into the new year with more detail than anyone could possibly need or want. Thank you, as…
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3.2 - That’s Not What A UFO Looks Like
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Against all odds, Series 3 continues with a complicated automotive engineer from Helen, a complicated visual processing system from Steve, and a complicated restaurant triangulation problem from Matt: - Helen's bit (00:55) - Steve's bit (22:35) - Matt's bit (41:45) SHOW NOTES: Unfortunately our show notes are too big for Acast's margins to contain.…
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3.1 - For Your Local Definition Of "Down"
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In a surprise first episode of Series 3 (truly, no-one is more surprised than us to be popping up in your feed right now...) Steve tells the truth about the Prime Meridian, Helen brings a song from her new musical "Almost Astronauts", and Matt attempts to divert an apocalyptic future scenario - with maths: - Steve's bit (00:48) - Helen's bit (17:01…
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In the final episode of this series, Steve gives faint stars the side-eye, Helen sings a relatively short song about relativity and Matt gives a standing ovation to the desktop calculator that rerouted a space probe. Up, up and away! - Steve's bit (01:54) - Helen's bit (16:13) - Matt's bit (36:07) SHOW NOTES: Unfortunately our show notes are too bi…
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Steve, Helen and Matt introduce the final installment of their live shows, performed at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre. With sets from astrophysicist and emo kid Jen Gupta, NATO alphabet innovator (in-NATO-vator) Ted Hill, stand-up medic Matt Hutchinson and Rock ‘n’ Roll IT consultants Foxdog Studios. Also contains extra details from Steve talking abo…
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In this episode, Matt exposes false advertising in the Jigsaw Puzzle industry, Steve matches up what we know about the immune system, and Helen writes a new tune that fits an old song. If you like detail, have a listen. You’ll fit right in: - Matt's bit (01:28) - Steve's bit (19:23) - Helen's bit (32:56) SHOW NOTES: Unfortunately our show notes are…
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Matt, Helen and Steve introduce more favourite moments from their recent live shows, performed at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre. With comedian Rachel Wheeley talking about the Greenwich Time Signal, biochemical engineer Michael Sulu on the potentially fatal difference between tubes and pipes, and zoologist Hana Ayoob sharing the Honey Badger love. Pl…
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In this episode, Steve explains why all the molecules in your body are right handed, Matt bigs up the strong law of small numbers and Helen grabs the mic to get on the ones and twos. Stand by to receive details! - Matt's bit (1:10) - Steve's bit (18:19) - Helen's bit (32:49) - "One" Song from "Hello Numbers" (40:25) SHOW NOTES: Unfortunately our sh…
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Helen, Matt and Steve introduce the best bits of their recent live shows, performed at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre. With nerdy guest performers Dr Rohin Francis aka Medlife Crisis discussing why the human body isn’t really fit for purpose, and comedian Rosie Wilby on whether monogamy is truly dead. Plus the Nerds share their own unnecessary details…
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In a different kind of episode, our intrepid Detailers reveal three facts that they just could not believe the first time they heard them, but turned out to be true. The reproductive habits of barnacles, the unexpected mating call of the tawny owl and a freaky formula that draws a picture of itself all get the Unnecessary Detail treatment: - Helen'…
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In this episode, logical thought and raw emotion meet as Matt finds two numbers that say “I Love You”, Helen sings mathematical equations that are guaranteed to make your brain light up and Steve embarrasses himself with the science of blushing: - Steve's bit (00:51) - Matt's bit (11:15) - Helen's bit (30:13) SHOW NOTES: Unfortunately our show note…
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In this episode, Steve explains how computers talk to each other behind our backs, Helen co-writes a song with a popular internet search engine (if you can’t work out which one, Google it) and Matt brings an Oscar-winning algorithm to the table: - Steve's bit (00:56) - Matt's bit (16:18) - Helen's bit (36:24) SHOW NOTES: Unfortunately our show note…
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In this episode, Matt finds out how a runaway algorithm created the world’s most expensive book, Helen searches for the most singable fruit fly genes and Steve considers whether donating a kidney is easier than buying a house: - Steve's bit (00:46) - Helen's bit (11:05) - Matt's bit (37:30) SHOW NOTES: Unfortunately our show notes are too big for A…
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In this episode, Matt finds his portrait in a Prime Number, Helen sings about the biggest Prime Number ever discovered (at the time of recording) and Steve discovers the hot new trick that wild honey bees are using to defend themselves: - Steve's bit (00:52) - Matt's bit (13:33) - Helen's bit (26:12) SHOW NOTES: Unfortunately our show notes are too…
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In this episode, Steve discovers the greedy cup siphon hiding inside your loo, Matt delves into Joseph Bazalgette’s calculations for London’s sewer system and Helen teaches everyone how to flush a toilet, through the medium of song: - Steve's bit (00:48) - Helen's bit (11:48) - Matt's bit (28:03) SHOW NOTES: Unfortunately our show notes are too big…
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Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes as soon as they are released! Looking for a science comedy podcast that doesn't skimp on the details? We've got you. One starting point sets off three different science stories from the trio behind comedy phenomenon Festival of the Spoken Nerd. Stand-up mathematician Matt Parker, experiments…
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It’s part two of our bumper double Christmas Special! True ‘heads’ will remember us chatting to TV producer Adam Tandy on episode 1 of Shift Run Stop, an astonishing 12 years ago. Well, he’s back with tales of his adventures in the intervening years, including making The Detectorists, Inside Number 9 and the recent League of Gentlemen episodes. On …
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We have a special treat for you this year. A two-parter! Think of it as two halves of a glorious cracker, two stockings on a fireplace, two brussels sprouts rolling slowly under the fridge. In this episode we get to know comedian, writer, presenter and geek songstress Helen Arney of The Festival of the Spoken Nerd. Geek holidays, live music, BBC Mi…
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You climbed into your hosts' laps and, in a small voice, politely asked for an episode that will make this dreary Christmas temporarily more fun. Well, ask and you shall receive! Ho ho ho! No need for social distancing in the SRS grotto. The gifts have been sanitised, the Amazons have been Primed, even the weird lap thing is well-established. But o…
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In this final episode of Series 1, Steve talks about how plants transmit their genes, Helen eavesdrops on whales and Matt decodes spacecraft transmissions. Plus a song about the bravest little transmitter in the known universe: - Steve's bit (00:45) - Matt's bit (13:40) - Helen's bit (26:15) - The Philae Song (39:15) For tickets to live shows, nerd…
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Steve goes to war against rote learning; Matt tells us how ancient numbers affect what we can and can't name our dogs; and Helen's bit is elementary, my dear listener: - Matt's bit (00:50) - Steve's bit (11:15) - Helen's bit (22:00) - Helen's bonus brassy song (37:05) For tickets to live shows, nerd merch, our mailing list and more, visit: festival…
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In this episode, Steve talks about a sticky effect, Matt gets us tangled up in stick knots, and Helen gets stuck into sticky numbers: - Steve's bit (00:45) - Matt's bit (10:15) - Helen's bit (22:05) For live shows, merch, mailing list and more, visit: festivalofthespokennerd.com. Want to get in touch? We’re on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or email …
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In this episode, Helen investigates a curious ring that lives in the sea, Steve contemplates the meaning of life itself and Matt brings along some bagels: - Helen's bit (00:45) - Matt's bit (11:05) - Steve's bit (19:55) For tickets to live shows, nerd merch, our mailing list and more, visit: festivalofthespokennerd.com. Want to get in touch? We’re …
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In this episode, Steve tries to measure distant stars with his thumb, Matt talks black holes & plot holes and Helen plays some of her favourite space sounds. Plus a song from Helen that may provide useful information for your future interstellar travel needs: - Steve's bit (01:00) - Helen's bit (12:30) - Matt's bit (24:40) - Helen's Cryonic Love So…
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In this episode, Helen talks fuel for your body, Matt talks plane fuel (or lack of it…) and Steve talks origin theories for a particular fossil fuel. Plus a song from Helen about the ultimate source of Earth’s fuel: - Matt's bit (01:10) - Helen's bit (10:30) - Steve's bit (22:30) - Helen's Sun Song (33:50) For tickets to live shows, nerd merch, our…
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Isolation continues, but we continue to defy the microbe by finding fresh ways to connect with you across the airwaves. This time we take to live-streaming service Twitch for a special interactive episode of Shift Run Stop. Obviously it's not live now, but don't worry if you missed it: next time you're washing your hands just shout any questions or…
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It's been a long time, but like your geek guardian angels or an unwanted announcement from a Government official, Leila and Roo can always be relied upon to emerge at times of crisis to interrupt your day. Whether you're staying in at home or staying in at home, this special isolation edition of Shift Run Stop is for you. No pandemic can stop us (t…
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Series 2 coming soon! Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes. Looking for a science comedy podcast that doesn't skimp on the details? We've got you. One starting point sets off three different science stories from the trio behind comedy phenomenon Festival of the Spoken Nerd. Stand-up mathematician Matt Parker, experiments maestro Steve Mould a…
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The ice is retreating, finally. To celebrate Aslan's return, your hosts gather in a pub at a noisy train station on one of the snackiest times of the year, with chocolate animal parts, questionable caramel, and a surprisingly tricky Easter-themed movie quiz, specially created for Roo, by Leila and Lee. With only a gossamer thread linking most of th…
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What’s that I hear? Is it sleigh bells in the distance? Well, clear the snow off the roof and put a sherry out for Leila and Roo, and a carrot out for Lee, because another Shift Run Stop Christmas Special is about to land, and we’re ready to force some goodies down your ear chimney. For the first time since, let’s face it, last year’s Christmas spe…
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Yes, OK, it's been a little while. Alright a big while. Other podcasts have come and gone. World leaders have come and gone. But wait patiently enough, resist the urge to unsubscribe on iTunes, and when you least expect it there we suddenly are, streaking across your downloads like "dirty snowball" Halley's Comet, grit, chocolate wrappers and the s…
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Yes, alright, it's been a while, but we're back with an earnest pledge to try to produce at least two shows this year. There are snacks, sickness and surprises, and Lee joins us again, of course. There's talk of fatherhood, films and the Marvel universe, a Minority Report from physicist Alby Reid, a real life field trip to Tim Hunkin's wonderful ne…
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Your hosts gather outside, once again, to take in the park's field sports and open-air cocktail artists. There's a field trip to the seaside, far too many sweets, an effervescent revival, and nothing short of a miracle as we carefully manage to avoid spoilers while chatting about recent geek movie releases. Here's one to try "at home" without looki…
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It's Shift Run Stop al fresco season again so your hosts meet in a park to come clean about their geeky hobbies. Chat covers public lock-picking, 8-bit graphics, DIY effects pedals, Hack Circus and the meditative power of geekiness. Our resident Charlie Bucket, Lee stops by with some Wonka bars and edible pebbles, while fresh from her second Hack C…
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The first episode of Red Dwarf; the first episode of Shift Run Stop since Roo became a dad, and the first outdoor recording of the year. Your hosts have watched a bit too much Red Dwarf over the years: finally an opportunity to share our knowledge and opinions. Stick on your H, pour yourself a lager and line up Red Dwarf episode 1. Links: The Red D…
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Christmas comes around quickly in "Shift Run Stop years", and here we are again, just five episodes later, with holiday snackfood and 45 minutes of talking about, around and over an early episode of The X Files. Crackers! You won't believe your mince pies! It's time for films, games, festive chain cafes, and partially melted snowmen to a backdrop o…
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With All Hallows' Eve nearly upon us, it's time for the yearly testing of seasonal spooky snacks. We learned that there are a lot of them. We also talk about Hack Circus, Iceland, Tom Cruise, costumes, listener correspondence and lots more besides. Links: Roo's newsletter | Leila's newsletter | The SRS forum | @ShiftRunStop | Hack Circus | Buy a ta…
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It's back to school time, and as the summer draws to a close, chat turns to our memories of school days. How is it possible your hosts both know the same playground games and rhymes despite growing up in different parts of the country? Do you know them too? Did your school have a haunted tower? Elsewhere, on a hot, noisy London roundabout, Roo and …
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Your hosts Roo and Leila are joined by treat-spert Lee for unusual snacks in Parliament Square. Chocolate melts and and baked goods become uncomfortably sticky under our scrutiny and the hot British sunshine. Big news: Roo finally prepares to grow up. Hark: is that the sound of wedding bells in Leila's future? Plus: Big Ben, bum bags, hairdressers,…
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The beards theme continues in #67, an acoustically-diverse episode mixing cafe atmos, Other Podcasts, and a section recorded in a stairwell on a telephone. We chat to professional hacker (it's even on their business card) Nat Buckley about everything from Happenstance to Alarum to their hair and amazing dad. Digital Willy Wonka Lee Maguire returns …
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The Maths of Star Trek: The Original Series (with James Grime)
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To celebrate the release of Star Trek Into Darkness, serial guest James Grime has taken on the arduous task of re-watching the original series to study the mathematics featured on the screen. He joins us for a podcast-only special to tell us all about it, with audio clips of the relevant episodes. We'll talk about cicadas, morphogenesis (or “waves …
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What does a beard sound like? How do you pronounce 'Gif'? Which is the worst episode of the X Files? What's the political significance of Tab Clear? Which major US interactive festival do none of your hosts want to go to, ever? Find out in this brand new, hairier than average episode of Shift Run Stop. Warning: contains traces of puppy. Roo's newsl…
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The Human Side of Science (with Oliver Marsh)
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Oliver Marsh studies science-media interactions at the department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge, occasionally performs at Bright Club, and blogs about “the human side of science”. He joins Andy in the studio for the final episode of season 6! Tracklist KT Tunstall – Funnyman David Bowie – Life on Mars Ethel Mer…
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Picking up where What if… we could all become cyborgs?, a show Andy produced for the BBC World Service, and last week's episode both left off, Andy and Will discuss cyborgs, hive minds, extending the senses, and the alleged emasculating effects of smartphones. Bionic eyes; artificial synæsthesia; lab rats with brain implants sense invisible infrare…
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Gaming Science Fiction vs. Modern Science Fact (with Cam Robinson)
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Cam Robinson hosts GameSpot's The What If Machine, where he explores how close the wonder of modern science fact can bring us to gaming science fiction. He joins us to discuss cybernetics, autonomous robots, nanotechnology, and more, with his choice of excellent tunes. Deus Ex: Human Revolution, implants, augmented reality, Call of Duty, Noel Shark…
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Spoken nerd and songstress Helen Arney lends her voice to the show. Video games, fossils, AIs, cat chat, and almost no ukuleles. Tracklist Buckner & Garcia – Pac-Man Fever They Might Be Giants – I Am A Palaeontologist A.F. Harrold – Science Party Poem Tim Minchin – When I Grow Up (from Matilda) Jonathan Coulton – Good Morning Tucson Helen Arney – T…
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Political ecologist Ivan Scales—McGrath Lecturer and Director of Studies in Geography at St Catharine's College, Cambridge—joins the show to discuss natural resource use and environmental change. Ivan is the McGrath Lecturer and Director of Studies in Geography at St Catharine's College. Tracklist Villagers – Mercy, Mercy Me R.E.M. – It's the End o…
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Ageing and Rejuvenation (with Aubrey de Grey)
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Biomedical gerontologist Aubrey de Grey of the SENS Foundation joins Will by phone to discuss reversing the effects of ageing, the accurate or counterproductive ways life extension and immortality are presented in fiction, and public perception and acceptance of new medical technology. Repairing the body vs. uploading human consciousness; Buying Ti…
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