Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
Katie Steckles and Peter Rowlett chat about some aspect of mathematics using a mathematical object as inspiration.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Object-inspired mathematics chats • geometry and shapes • puzzles, games, and set theory • infinity and probability • algorithms and cryptography • education, communication, and links to history and literatureThis podcast features conversations in which hosts Katie Steckles and Peter Rowlett use a single “mathematical object” as a jumping-off point to explore mathematical ideas and the way those ideas connect to everyday life, culture, and other disciplines. The objects can be literal physical items (food, tools, toys, signage, puzzles, coins, or household curiosities) as well as diagrams, shapes, algorithms, games, and even references from literature. Each discussion starts from the chosen object and follows the mathematics it suggests, often moving between intuitive observations and more formal concepts.
Across the episodes, recurring themes include geometry and shape (curves, surfaces, solids, and classical figures), patterns and tilings, and the mathematical structures behind games and puzzles, with set theory and logic appearing through teaching games and classic logic materials. There is also attention to applied and real-world mathematics, such as how measurement and comparison work in practice, how ranking and identification systems are designed, and how probability, randomness, and selection appear in contexts like lotteries or auctions. Some conversations touch on cryptography and information, or on infinity and combinatorial explosion as explored through fictional settings.
A notable strand of the podcast is mathematical communication: how to talk about mathematics, how people notice and wonder about objects, and how mathematical thinking is presented in education and public-facing work. Guest contributors sometimes bring perspectives from research, outreach, writing, or other professional contexts, which can shift the focus toward current work, pedagogy, or storytelling. Overall, listeners can expect informal but topic-driven chats that treat familiar things as gateways to mathematical reasoning, history, and broader connections.
