Podcast
NOVA Presents
Hosted by GBH · EN
Ever wonder what's really going on in the world of science? We've got you covered. Join us for conversations with the researchers making tomorrow's breakthroughs, deep dives into the universe's biggest mysteries, and clear explanations of the discoveries that matter most. We're talking climate breakthroughs, space mysteries, AI developments, and quantum leaps, all explained by the people doing the work.
Whether you're curious about breaking headlines, fascinated by black holes and alien worlds, or ready for mind-bending conversations with brilliant scientists, NOVA Presents delivers four incredible series that make complex science feel like chatting with your smartest friend. For over 50 years, NOVA has been your trusted guide to understanding the world, now we're bringing that same curiosity and clarity straight to your ears. Come explore with us.
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32episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Battle to Beat Malaria
3w ago00:22:09Tap to summarizeCould one of the world’s deadliest diseases be headed for the history books? Malaria’s relentless yearly death toll has driven the World Health Organization to set bold targets, and a new vaccine may signal a turning point in the long battle against this disease. Early trials demonstrated a remarkable efficacy rate, but the question remained: Could it earn an all-important recommendation from the WHO? Follow the international team of researchers that worked tirelessly to develop a vaccine that could save more lives and reshape the future of malaria prevention. You can watch the full film here.Learn more about NOVA and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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How Many Leaves Are on a Tree? | Kirk Johnson
Apr 2900:01:34Tap to summarizeNeed to know how many leaves are on that tree? Paleobotanist Dr. Kirk Johnson shares the surprisingly nerdy method—because you never know when leaf math will come in handy.For more, check out the extended interview with Kirk Johnson.Learn more about NOVA and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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Decoding the Great Pyramid
Apr 2800:21:48Tap to summarizeWhat engineering secrets lie within the Great Pyramid, and who really built it? Innovations like rope‑sewn boats, laser‑precise alignments, and hidden internal chambers reveal a building team with knowledge far ahead of its time. Uncover clues buried around Giza that point to a surprising truth about the workforce responsible for one of history’s greatest construction projects.To watch the full film, visit https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/decoding-the-great-pyramid/Learn more about NOVA and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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The Air You Breathe Is Bacteria Poop | Peter Girguis
Apr 2200:01:23Tap to summarizeLong before trees and grass, microbes were shaping our atmosphere. Evolutionary biologist Peter Girguis explains how ancient bacteria learned to split water for energy, and why their waste product changed Earth forever.For more, check out the extended interview with Peter Girguis.Learn more about NOVA and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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The Fish That Could Walk | Sean B. Carrol
Apr 1500:01:34Tap to summarizeHow did animals first make the giant step from water to land? Evolutionary biologist Sean B. Carroll explains how the discovery of Tiktaalik—a fossil with both fish and limb-like features—revealed a key moment in evolution.For more, check out the extended interview with Sean B. Carroll.Learn more about NOVA and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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When Whales Could Walk
Apr 1400:18:28Tap to summarizeWhat if whales had legs? Once upon a time, they did. Sort of. An astonishing fossil trail shows that modern whales actually evolved from hooved land mammals. Whales still carry the fingerprints of this past, from their stomach anatomy to their swimming gait. Dive in to discover the wild story of how whales traded legs for fins, as we uncover clues about their ancestors, as well as their unlikely present-day relatives.To watch the full film, visit https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/when-whales-could-walk/Learn more about NOVA and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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How Close Can You Safely Get to a Black Hole? | Janna Levin
Apr 800:01:49Tap to summarizeBlack holes aren’t the cosmic monsters Hollywood makes them out to be. Astrophysicist Janna Levin explains why they’re so hard to detect, why they’re not as destructive as you might assume, and how you could safely orbit much closer than you think.For more, check out the extended interview with Janna Levin.Learn more about NOVA and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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A New Law of Nature? | Robert Hazen & Michael Wong
Apr 100:02:33Tap to summarizeCould the universe be governed by a law we haven’t discovered yet? Mineralogist Robert Hazen and astrobiologist Michael Wong propose a new rule—the law of increasing functional information—to explain why complex systems evolve and why complexity keeps emerging over time.For more, check out the extended interview with Robert Hazen and Michael Wong.Learn more about NOVA and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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Arctic Sinkholes
Mar 3100:16:37Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the Arctic’s ancient freezer starts to fail? Scientists have uncovered the truth behind giant sinkholes exploding from the frozen ground in Siberia, and a vast lake bubbling with methane in Alaska .They are pointing to a dramatic shift beneath our feet – one driven by thawing Arctic permafrost, the vast frozen layer that stores nearly twice as much carbon as the entire atmosphere. Learn why these geological curiosities reveal a dangerous climate wildcard – one powerful enough to accelerate global warming in ways current models don’t yet predict.To watch the full film, visit https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/arctic-sinkholes/Learn more about NOVA and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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AI Is Coming for Blue Collar Jobs | Hany Farid
Mar 2500:01:48Tap to summarizeAI isn’t just coming for office jobs—it’s coming for some hands-on blue collar professions, too. AI expert Hany Farid explains which jobs are safe, and which are at risk. For more, check out the extended interview with Hany Farid. Learn more about NOVA and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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