Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
CultureLab is an array of delights from the world of culture and the arts. Sometimes we interview the world’s most exciting authors about their fascinating books, other times we delve into the science behind a movie or TV show. New episodes every other Tuesday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Science-and-culture interviews • Books on nature, space, physics • Underwater acoustics, plant behaviour • Adolescence psychology • Racism and health • Climate narratives • AI bias, trust • Menstruation science • Science TV and science fiction analysisThis podcast explores the intersection of science with culture and the arts through interviews, criticism and explainers. Across recent conversations, it uses books, television and film as entry points into scientific ideas, while also examining how science shapes everyday life and public debate.
A recurring theme is how humans perceive—and misunderstand—the world. Episodes probe hidden sensory realms such as underwater soundscapes and the ways animals use acoustics to communicate and navigate, as well as the surprising capacities of plants that challenge common assumptions about “intelligence” and behaviour. The show also turns to space and planetary science, discussing how researchers use telescopes, geological clues and rover data to understand distant worlds, search for life beyond Earth and even translate Martian environmental recordings into music. Earth’s own celestial and environmental context appears too, including the moon’s influence on tides, climate and evolution, and the challenges of communicating climate risk amid uncertainty.
The podcast frequently connects science to social and ethical questions. It addresses how racism and bias can shape medical outcomes and scientific practice, and how automation and “technochauvinism” can lead to overconfidence in AI systems that reproduce discrimination or misinformation. Health and the body are covered with an emphasis on under-discussed topics, including the biology, medicine and cultural stigma surrounding menstruation and menopause.
Alongside interviews with scientists and authors, the show offers guidance on science-rich viewing and discussions of science fiction, using speculative worlds to think about ecosystems, technology, and the ideas that influence scientific curiosity.
