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Physics World Stories Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Physics World
Physics is full of captivating stories, from ongoing endeavours to explain the cosmos to ingenious innovations that shape the world around us. In the Physics World Stories podcast, Andrew Glester talks to the people behind some of the most intriguing and inspiring scientific stories. Listen to the podcast to hear from a diverse mix of scientists, engineers, artists and other commentators.
Latest Episodes
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- 2 weeks ago57 min
‘Unicorn careers’ in STEM and the weirdness of AI
Career consultant Alaina G Levine and AI researcher Janelle Shane are our podcast guests
- 3 weeks ago53 min
With e-MERLIN facing the axe, what next for Jodrell Bank and UK astronomy?
Exploring the fallout from STFC funding cuts that have left one of the UK’s most iconic scientific facilities facing an uncertain future
- Jul 31, 202637 min
From pit stop to plant food: how Grand Prix crowd’s urine becomes fertilizer
Discover how a circular, science-backed solution is turning human waste into a sustainable resource – one loo at a time
- Jun 26, 20261h 7m
Beyond the data: art meets climate at the edge of the world
Arctic odysseys, video games and other creative ways to confront the climate emergency
- May 22, 20261h 7m
Back to the Moon: inside the Artemis II mission
More than half a century after the final Apollo mission, humans are returning to the Moon. The latest episode of Physics World Stories reflects on Artemis II – the April 2026 mission that flew four astronauts around the Moon, travelling further from Earth than anyone before them. The mission marks a major step towards returning humans to the lunar surface and paving the way for a future mission to Mars. It also marked an important societal milestone, as the crew included the first woman, the first person of colour, and the first non-US citizen to fly to the Moon. Ambre Trujillo of the Planetary Society discusses the excitement surrounding humanity’s return to lunar exploration. In conversation with host Andrew Glester, Trujillo reflects on witnessing her first rocket launch and explains why she sees the Artemis programme as every bit as significant as Apollo for a new generation. Looking ahead, Artemis III in 2027 will test the rendezvous and docking capabilities needed between Orion and commercial landing systems, before Artemis IV aims to return humans to the lunar surface in 2028. Targeting greener spaceflight The episode also examines the environmental impact of spaceflight with Alexis Normand, whose company Greenly specializes in carbon accounting. Normand argues that while the space industry’s overall footprint remains relatively small, its ambition and global visibility give it enormous power to inspire wider technological change. Liquid hydrogen was critical in powering Orion’s liftoff and later thrusting it towards the Moon, and could one day help transform aviation into a low-carbon industry. But that hinges hydrogen production itself becoming greener through renewable-powered electrolysis and broader electrification. "<strong>Earthset<\/strong> The Artemis II crew captured this view of Earth as they flew around the Moon (Credit: NASA)"Earthset The Artemis II crew captured this view of Earth as they flew around the Moon (Credit: NASA) Blending lunar ambition with climate innovation, the episode explores how missions to the Moon could help shape the future both in space and here on Earth. Find out more about the Artemis II missi
- Apr 29, 202631 min
Oppenheimer unfiltered: rare recordings released to the public
The latest episode of Physics World Stories dives into a remarkable archival release. A series of audio interviews with Robert Oppenheimer, recorded in the 1960s, is now accessible through the American Institute of Physics (AIP). Made available for non-commercial use in collaboration with the Oppenheimer family, these recordings offer a rare chance to hear the physicist’s voice and experience his unfiltered thoughts. AIP digital archivist Allison Buser guides listeners through the significance of the collection, interspersed with clips. The first interview (1960) captures Oppenheimer reflecting on the lead-up to and aftermath of the Trinity test. A 1963 oral history with science historian Thomas S Kuhn shifts focus to Oppenheimer’s personal journey and his views on quantum and nuclear physics. The final interview (1966), sees him discussing Enrico Fermi’s legacy and the physics community of his era. Hosted by Andrew Glester, this episode provides a rare glimpse into one of the most consequential scientists of the 20th century. You can find links to the full archive material in the AIP newsletter, along with further context in this article by Allison Buser. You can also hear an interview with Kai Bird, co-author of American Prometheus, the book that inspired the 2023 blockbuster film Oppenheimer.
- Mar 31, 20261h 6m
Exploring the astrophysics behind Project Hail Mary
What happens when hard science fiction collides with big-budget cinema? The latest episode of Physics World Stories delves into the ideas within Project Hail Mary – a new film about a science teacher (portrayed by Ryan Gosling) who finds himself alone on a spacecraft with the job of saving humanity from a star-dimming threat. Host Andrew Glester talks to science-fiction author Andy Weir, whose 2021 novel inspired the production. Weir, also known for The Martian and Artemis – both adapted for the screen – has built a reputation for scientific rigour, sometimes spending days perfecting calculations for the smallest plot details. In the interview, he reflects on how his writing has evolved over time, with a growing focus on character development alongside the hardcore science. Also in the episode is astrophysicist and science communicator Becky Smethurst, who gives her take on the film’s science. From the treatment of relativity to its refreshingly plausible take on alien life, Smethurst loves how Project Hail Mary avoids many familiar sci-fi clichés. She also shares some of her favourite recent science fiction. Smethurst, who runs the popular YouTube channel Dr Becky, recently released a series about Project Hail Mary. It’s well worth checking out the entertaining interviews with Weir, Gosling and directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller – all grappling with the challenge of bringing complex physics to the screen. https://youtu.be/lYHCTEnYOr4?si=ZLwG_2VfQMeEFOzZ
- Feb 27, 202653 min
Chernobyl at 40: physics, politics and the nuclear debate today
On 26 April 2026, it will be 40 years since the explosion at Unit 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant – the worst nuclear accident the world has known. In the early hours of 26 April 1986, a badly designed reactor, operated under intense pressure during a safety test, ran out of control. A powerful explosion and prolonged fire followed, releasing radioactive material across Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, with smaller quantities spewing across Europe. In this episode of Physics World Stories, host Andrew Glester speaks with Jim Smith, an environmental physicist at the University of Portsmouth. Smith began his academic life studying astrophysics, but always had an interest in environmental issues. His PhD in applied mathematics at Liverpool focused on modelling how radioactive material from Chernobyl was transported through the atmosphere and deposited as far away as the Lake District in north-western England. Smith recounts his visits to the abandoned Chernobyl plant and the 1000-square-mile exclusion zone, now home to roaming wolves and other thriving wildlife. He wants a rational debate about the relative risks, arguing that the accident’s social and economic consequences have significantly outweighed the long-term impacts of radiation itself. The discussion ranges from the politics of nuclear energy and the hierarchical culture of the Soviet system, to lessons later applied during the Fukushima accident. Smith makes the case for nuclear power as a vital complement to renewables. He also shares the story behind the Chernobyl Spirit Company – a social enterprise he has launched with Ukrainian colleagues, producing safe, high-quality spirits to support Ukrainian communities. Listen to find out whether Andrew Glester dared to try one.
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About Physics World Stories Podcast
Physics is full of captivating stories, from ongoing endeavours to explain the cosmos to ingenious innovations that shape the world around us. In the Physics World Stories podcast, Andrew Glester talks to the people behind some of the most intriguing and inspiring scientific stories. Listen to the podcast to hear from a diverse mix of scientists, engineers, artists and other commentators.
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