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Dr Karl's a curious optimist – a great combination for a science lover. Join him and his guests for weird facts, amazing conversation and remember, it's never too late for a happy childhood.
https://drkarl.com/
https://drkarl.com/
449 Episodes
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Nitrous oxide (better known as "laughing gas") is widely used in medicine as a safe anaesthetic and pain reliever. It's also found in whipped cream canisters and even used in car engines. But Angela Chiew, toxicologist and Associate Professor at UNSW, joins me to set the record straight: the growing recreational misuse of this easily accessible gas is causing serious long-term harm, including nerve damage, cognitive damage, weakening of the spinal cord and mobility impairments. Cases of misuse are rising globally, likely driven by how easy it is to legally purchase the drug in many countries. This episode unpacks the hidden dangers behind a gas many once thought was just a harmless high. Linkedin: Angela Chiew X: AngelaChiewA
In the final episode of the Great AI Safety Debrief series with Dr. Petr Lebedev, we discuss job eradication, AI alignment and the rise in cases of AI deceiving humans. Petr unpacks ideas like AI scheming, situation awareness, parasitic relationships between humans and machines, and even the possibility of AI developing belief systems of its own. We end by zooming out to existential risk, Alan Turing's early warnings, and why aligning AI with human values may be one of the most difficult (and urgent) challenges humanity must face. Linkedin: Petr Lebedev palisaderesearch.org/
In part two, Dr. Petr Lebedev and I dive deeper into how modern AI systems are grown, not programmed, and the emergence of Shutdown Resistance. We explore AI performance in math and coding competitions, the rapid evolution of ChatGPT models, and why companies are already letting AI write the majority of their code. Petr explains how huge investments globally are pushing these systems forward faster than we can fully understand or control. The final episode in this 3 part series drops next week! Linkedin: Petr Lebedev palisaderesearch.org/
Intelligence is emerging from sand and less than 1% of the population seems to care! Physicist and science communicator Dr. Petr Lebedev joins the podcast following his SXSW talk to explore the rapid advancement of AI and how it's dramatically shifting the global status quo. From completing a PhD in physics and writing for Veritasium, to leading science communication at Palisade Research, Petr steps in to bring some clarity to the weird, wild, and worrying sides of AI. Did you know that no one truly understands how large language models actually work? We go deep on misaligned systems, humanoid and dog robots, and why many experts believe AI could pose a serious global risk. Is AI our greatest tool? Or something we're slowly losing control of? This conversation is big, so we've split it into three parts. Part two drops next week.
A mysterious glow from the centre of the Milky Way has scientists intrigued. Astrophysicist Geraint Lewis explains how this gamma-ray excess, first detected in 2009, could be evidence of dark matter particles interacting deep in our galaxy. With dark matter believed to make up a vast, invisible halo that holds galaxies together, uncovering the source of this glow may bring us closer to understanding what the universe is really made of. www.geraintflewis.com/ Linkedin: geraint-lewis-4a499b1
![Food Additives: What's Safe, What's Not? with Prof. Clare Collins (451) [REPEAT]](https://s3.castbox.fm/dc/63/62/fa1ea8cac8b4064f9e8924e88410629f81_scaled_v1_400.jpg "Food Additives: What's Safe, What's Not? with Prof. Clare Collins (451) [REPEAT]")
In this episode, I'm joined by Professor Clare Collins, Australian dietitian and Professor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle. Clare is my go-to expert when it comes to all things nutrition, and today she's here to unpack the often confusing world of processed and ultra-processed foods. We dive into what really separates the two, explore the role of additives, emulsifiers, and flavour enhancers, and discuss how some of these ingredients, designed to make foods more appealing, may be doing our health more harm than good. Plus, she shares practical, no-nonsense tips to help you make smarter choices next time you're wandering the grocery aisles. Check out Clare's free online resource, No Money No Time, for simple, budget-friendly recipes and nutrition advice - nomoneynotime.com.au/ Follow Clare on X: @ProfCCollins and LinkedIn: Clare Collins.
![Staying Safe Online Part 2 with Troy Hunt (439) [REPEAT]](https://s3.castbox.fm/fb/cc/35/7315a56feed18b4b9e32b09f1833531147_scaled_v1_400.jpg "Staying Safe Online Part 2 with Troy Hunt (439) [REPEAT]")
In part two with Online Safety Consultant Troy Hunt (Have I Been Pwned), we unpack the risks of online age verification in light of Australia's social media ban, including the personal data (often times photos or government documents) sites may demand, and how these security practices can be questionable. Troy explains why we should be thinking more about data minimisation and the dangers of unnecessary data retention. We go through the safest multi-factor authentication methods, from SMS to physical keys, and Troy shares a personal phishing story, reminding us that no-one is immune to hacking thanks to increasingly sophisticated phishing techniques. https://haveibeenpwned.com/ Linkedin: Troy Hunt
![The Human Side of Misinformation Part 2 with Assoc. Prof. Marian-Andrei Rizoiu (445) [REPEAT]](https://s3.castbox.fm/1a/e2/b3/bc83c5b9e9848c9126566bc2df7bf2aff9_scaled_v1_400.jpg "The Human Side of Misinformation Part 2 with Assoc. Prof. Marian-Andrei Rizoiu (445) [REPEAT]")
In part two, Associate Professor Marian-Andrei Rizoiu from the University of Technology Sydney explains how misinformation and toxic online cultures spread. We dive into the "manosphere pipeline" targeting boys as young as 10, its real-world impacts on schools and families, and how it can escalate into radicalisation. Rizoiu outlines his team's six-stage pipeline - from passive curiosity to active involvement - and why simply giving people facts doesn't solve the problem. Instead, this is a human challenge, and his lab is exploring new ways to diffuse and counter online misinformation before it turns dangerous. Linkedin: Marian-Andrei Rizoiu
![Rethinking Laundry for the Planet With Dr Holly Kaye Smith (430) [REPEAT]](https://static.libsyn.com/p/assets/3/6/8/3/36833a596193437416c3140a3186d450/Square_Tile_-_Shirtloads_Vodcast-20250527-ufgotneyzp.jpg "Rethinking Laundry for the Planet With Dr Holly Kaye Smith (430) [REPEAT]")
Most of us throw our clothes in the wash without a second thought, but what if that habit is doing more harm than good? In this episode, Dr. Holly Kaye-Smith, social change expert and communications specialist, challenges the way we think about cleanliness, climate action, and everyday laundry. From surprising stats (over 90% of washed clothes aren't even dirty!) to the hidden environmental cost of every wash cycle, we dive into the myths, microplastics, and mindsets that shape our laundering routines. Holly shares practical refreshing techniques that save water, and why she recommends everyone have a "rewear chair." Connect with Dr Holly Kaye Smith on Linkedin Instagram - www.instagram.com/drhollyphd/ Youtube - www.youtube.com/@drhollyphd
In this episode, we speak with Dr. Andy Reisinger, an internationally recognised expert in climate change science and policy, with a focus on mitigation and agricultural emissions. Together, we unpack the concept of climate overshoot - why the world is set to exceed the 1.5°C warming limit within the next five years, and what that means for people and the planet. Dr. Reisinger explores whether the damage already done is reversible, what it would take to get back on track, and, hypothetically, the bold actions he would take if he had the power to drive real societal change to combat climate change. Linkedin: Andy Reisinger
Consumer technology expert Ashley Iredale returns for part two, bringing more surprising facts about everyday household appliances. We break down why your fridge actually contains more heaters than coolers, demystify the Energy Star rating system, and settle the debate on whether front-loading or top-loading washers are more efficient at cleaning clothes.
This episode i'm joined by Ashley Iredale, a consumer technologist and content producer whose winding career through industrial design has armed him with a trove of quirky tips and practical wisdom. Ashley breaks down the real efficiency of hand-washing versus dishwashers, explains how a dishwasher can double as an oven, and settles the age-old question of how toilet paper should hang. We also dig into his non-linear career journey and how it led to his deep well of surprising insights. There was so much to cover that Part Two lands next week! Linkedin: Ashley Iredale
In this episode, I'm joined by the legendary Dame Susan Jocelyn Bell Burnell - the pioneering astrophysicist who discovered pulsars, launching an entirely new field of astrophysics. She began her PhD searching for quasars, but soon noticed a strange, repetitive signal appearing night after night - so peculiar she jokingly labelled it LGM ("Little Green Men"). That signal would become one of the most important astronomical discoveries of the century, though the credit and Nobel Prize were controversially awarded to her supervisor. Dr Bell Burnell also shares why she donated $4.3 million of her own prize money to support underrepresented researchers in physics, especially women and girls, and the work she's doing to make the field more inclusive. We dive into her views on religion, her life in science since that landmark discovery, and her mission to help more young women pursue careers in physics.
This week I'm joined by John Staton, one of Australia's leading sunscreen-testing experts, to unpack the big headlines surrounding sunscreen safety. A recent Choice report revealed that 16 out of the 20 tested sunscreen products failed to meet their advertised SPF rating by a significant figure. John helps us to understand what is really going on. He breaks down how sunscreens actually work and the science behind SPF testing and why so many products fell short.
In this episode, friend of the show and astrophysicist Professor Geraint Lewis returns to help me wrap my head around one of the strangest ideas in modern physics: Time Crystals. After stumbling across a Nature article that left my brain pleasantly scrambled, I called up Geraint for a deep-dive into what time crystals are and why physicists are so excited about them. We explore why Time Crystals don't have real-world applications yet, but how they could open entirely new frontiers in future technology.
In this episode, futurist and award-winning scientist Dr Catherine Ball dives into the state of science in Australia, uncovering the good, the bad, and the overlooked. From humanoid robotics and wearable exoskeletons transforming healthcare, to Australia's lagging space economy, Ball offers an unflinching look at where we stand. She also highlights world-class cancer detection research happening in Australia, like PROCAN and early ovarian cancer screening innovations that deserve far more recognition. Passionate about inspiring the next generation, Ball shares her advice for young Australians ready to shape the future of science ww.drcatherineball.com/
In this episode, we chat with Dr. Renee Goreham, a physicist and nanotechnologist at the University of Newcastle, and passionate science communicator. Renee is an experimental physicist exploring how our breath could hold the key to detecting lung cancer early—by identifying specific proteins as biomarkers. We also delve into her PhD student's exciting research into a new red-light laser diagnostic tool for breast cancer. Along the way, Renee breaks down the basics of cell biology and shares her inspiring, non-linear journey through physics, nanotech, and beyond. A brilliant example of multidisciplinary science in action. Follow Renee on TikTok: @dr_renee_goreham
In this episode, we speak with Associate Professor Leszek Lisowski, Head of the Translational Vectorology Unit at the Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI), about the cutting-edge world of gene therapy. He explains how viral vectors are engineered to deliver life-saving treatments for rare genetic diseases - many of which are so uncommon, they're only known by the name of the affected gene. Despite being often overlooked, genetic diseases impact 10% of adults and 30% of children in hospitals. Leszek sheds light on the challenges of diagnosis, the promise of emerging genetic testing, and how his work is paving the way for more accurate, effective therapies. Linkedin: Children's Medical Research Institute, Leszek Lisowski Facebook: @jeansforgenes Instagram: @jeansforgenesau
In this episode, we're joined by Associate Professor Sharna Jamadar, a cognitive neuroscientist at Monash University, to explore how the brain uses energy, and how that changes across the lifespan. Did you know that a 10-year-old's brain uses over 50% of the body's total energy, compared to just 20% in adults? We dive into why younger brains work harder, the role of synaptic pruning and proliferation, and how the brain's organisation impacts cognitive efficiency. We also touch on the importance of glucose metabolism and its connection to age-related disorders like Alzheimer's. A fascinating look at the energy demands of our most complex organ! Bluesky: @SharnaJamadar Linkedin: Sharna Jamadar www.sharnajamadar.com Email: Sharna.jamadar@monash.edu
My go-to guy for all cosmic things Prof. Geraint Lewis, astrophysicist at the University of Sydney, returns to unpack a fascinating New York Times article on a newly observed "onionlike" space explosion that may reveal a new type of supernova. We dive into what actually happens when a star dies, the onion-layer buildup of elements through nuclear fusion, and how these cataclysmic blasts forge the building blocks of life on Earth. Plus, we explore what this might mean for the ultimate fate of our own Sun. www.geraintflewis.com/ Linkedin: Geriant Lewis
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FFS! Don't you guys read these comments about your podcast? I've pointed out previously that the sound level is really low compared to other podcasts and the previous episode was muted for one ear. And still you pump out another episode that I strain to hear. If the next one is not up to standard, I will unsubscribe.
Can you guys sort out your sound editing. The last few episodes have had very faint sound, and one I'm listening to now is not only very faint but the discussion is audible only on the left channel. Don't you even check things before and after dropping an episode? Compare your audio volume to that of a hand full of other podcasts to see if you're even in the ball park. (which you're not, btw)
Hmm, so Karl totally marvels at the science involved in developing the artificial ear drum, but upon hearing the description of how the ear is constucted and how the ear drum repairs itself the credit suddenly goes to mindless evolution rather than the Master Designer. (aka God the Creator.) Seems like Karl has a blindness problem!
He spoke so fast!!!!!
Lately the sound quality is atrocious, like he's recording it on a potato stuck in his back pocket.
If dinosaurs evolved into birds, explain how reptilian scales skin (which is shed all at once as a skin layer) evolved into complex feathers which grow out of follicles and which shed in pairs gradually, to maintain flight balance while feathers are replaced.
If dinosaurs evolved into birds, explain how they change step by step from cold blooded to warm blooded creatures, and from heavy solid boned creatures to ones with lightweight hollow bones, again without becoming less fit at any step along the way.
If dinosaurs evolved into birds, explain how the dinosaur's bellows type lung evolved step by tiny step into the flow-thru lung of birds without the creature becoming less fit throughout that journey. Alternatively, explain how a plane with piston engine and propeller can change bit by bit into a plane with a jet engine, without becoming less able to fly throughout that metamorphosis.
It's odd that after discussing the features that make life on Earth possible for us, with all the fine tuning etc, that Dr Karl and Dr Lewis can't see that it looks like someone took great care to design a safe and stable habitat for us. And when asked how life could have got started, Dr Lewis spoke about environmental conditions but never even touched upon the biochemical hurdles, such as needing numerous molecular machines in place and functioning to get self-replication, which the allows...
OMG this is insanity! Prof Lewis claims that we rarely see a smashed glass come back together and reassemble itself! (RARELY...? Has anyone in all of history EVER seen this?!) But he claims it is possible! All this nonsense (non-science!) just to avoid the implication that evolution is impossible because natural forces cannot create ordered complexity. Only an intelligent mind can do that. For much better explanations, search for articles about entropy on www.creation.com
OMG what drugs is this prof Gisela Kaplan taking?! She said "You never get anything in evolution unless it's absolutely necessary for the survival of the species." So how does painting beautiful pictures help us survive? Or composing music? Or playing the violin? Or performing a dance routine? Or ride a unicycle? Or work out abstract mathematics? Or how does a peacock's tail plumage help it survive? (The females don't choose mates based on tail plumage.) These evolutionists are mad!
His female guest made the comment that wherever on Earth we find water we find life, then makes the leap to wherever in the universe we find water we're likely to find life. Wrong! Finding life on Earth always in the presence of water shows that water is NECESSARY to SUSTAIN life, but it doesn't mean that the presence of water is SUFFICIENT to ORIGINATE life. The molecular machinery in living cells shows clear signs of very clever design, pointing to a very clever Designer.
"Mother Nature is the best chemist..." said by Karl's guest after marveling over molecular machines and such. So "nature" is ascribed anthropomorphic qualities such as knowledge, wisdom, foresight, and planning, to produce all this marvellous biochemistry. Yet they're blind to the much more sensible notion of an intelligent Creator God, a BEING with a mind, an intellect, knowledge, wisdom,and ability to plan and create the entire biosphere. (as well as the universe in which it resides.)
Dr Karl's guest made a comment that's illogical and unscientific. He said that the fact that all living things speak the same language of DNA proves that all life evolved from a single primordial cell. That's like saying that since all cars use the same set of metric threaded bolts proves they're all made at a single factory somewhere. Not logical, as there could be other explanations for this. The common DNA language can equally be explained by a common DESIGNER, also known as the CREATOR GOD.
this guy is wrong, the instant asset write off is specifically for tradies and utes, it's for any eligible asset. I know a number of people who have specifically obtained the instant write off on electric vehicles.
Please could Dr Claire take us through the basics of calcium and phosphorus metabolism?
This is the worst podcast I've listened to in a long time, lots of out dated views straight out of the 80's. Very disapointing Dr Karl, I thought u would have followed the science instead of this rot.
So entertaining to listen to. Great podcasts Dr Karl. they help to keep me sane in my post covid job. I did just Google Jessica Bloom too. Nothing more I can say!
super interesting & enjoyable
For the first time ever in my 70 year life I now understand why there is also a high tide on the side away from the moon! I have been pondering this for at least 50 years! Now I can visualise it.