Best Thrillseekers Podcasts (2025)

1
Enduring it all 49:30

6d ago49:30

49:30

This month will see thousands of people take to streets around the world to test their feats of endurance. It’s marathon season. And this week, we’re looking at the science behind what keeps you running. We’ll learn about the psychological preparation that goes into undertaking mammoth challenges, like marathons and expeditions. And meet a science …

1
Ant antics 49:29

13d ago49:29

49:29

This week, a court in Kenya sentenced four men to either a year in prison or a fine of £5,800 for trying to smuggle 5,000 ants out of the country. The contraband included highly-valued ants like the giant African harvester ant, and it’s believed these ants were intended for exotic pet markets abroad. But all this talk of ant smuggling got the Unexp…

1
In memoriam 49:30

20d ago49:30

49:30

On 21st April 2025, Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, died. His funeral took place on 26th April, with thousands of mourners crowding into St Peter’s Square to pay their respects. Following the death of a Pope, there are centuries-old traditions and rituals that must be followed, and that got the Unexpected Elements team thinking about…

1
Kenya believe it? 49:30

27d ago49:30

49:30

This week the Unexpected Elements team left our windowless BBC studio and paid a visit to the CGIAR conference in Nairobi, Kenya. In this episode, we find out about the Kenyan invention that’s pulling clean, safe water from thin air, before discovering what makes Kenyan coffee taste so great. Next, we hear about the problems with burning charcoal a…

1
An eggciting episode 49:30

1M ago49:30

49:30

This week is the Christian celebration of Easter, which sent the Unexpected Elements team scrambling for egg-related stories. First up, we find out about the rise of a vegan egg substitute. Next, we discover how to cook the perfect boiled egg, according to science. We then turn our attention to climate change, and find out how it is affecting the b…

1
Rich Hopkins with Thrillseekers Unlimited 34:28

1M ago34:28

34:28

In this episode of the Evel Knievel Museum Podcast, Joe P is joined by Las Vegas stuntman extraordinaire, Rich Hopkins. Starting with a thrilling recount of the X Games, Rich's storytelling takes listeners through his breathtaking daredevil feats, from lighting himself on fire for bungee jumps to doubling cartoon characters in Super Bowl commercial…

1
Navigating northward 49:29

1M ago49:29

49:29

The Aurora Borealis – also known as the Northern Lights – won’t be at their peak activity much longer, and the Unexpected Elements team dreams of going north to see them. And that has got us looking at the science of navigating our way north! We hear about how humans have been using the sky to navigate for millennia, and we learn about how relying …

1
Oh, Rats! 49:29

2M ago49:29

49:29

On World Rat Day, we’re getting ratty! We look at the biology behind the eternal struggle between rats and rat poison, and we hear about rat-on-rat warfare and other forms of pest control. We don’t play games when it comes to rats, but we know someone who does. Dr Michael Brecht from the Humboldt University of Berlin tells us how he played hide-and…

1
Don’t be a fool! 49:29

2M ago49:29

49:29

April 1st is notorious across the globe. Renowned for being a day of practical jokes. And it’s no different here on the BBC World Service. Mischievous elephants, the secret to fool's gold and one of the biggest scientific hoaxes in scientific history. From the Magic Circle to the Magic Lab, the psychology underpinning why we humans are so delightfu…

1
What’s that smell? 49:30

2M ago49:30

49:30

Five years ago, people around the world were enduring COVID lockdowns as we attempted to prevent the spread of the virus. Today, many of those who caught COVID-19 are still suffering from lingering symptoms, including a loss of their sense of smell. And that got the Unexpected Elements team thinking about all things olfactory. First up, hold your n…

1
The fast and the curious 49:29

2M ago49:29

49:29

It’s the month of Ramadan, when Muslims across the world fast between dawn and sunset in the belief that it will bring them closer to Allah. And this has inspired the Unexpected Elements team to turn their attention to all things fast. First, we explore the latest research around intermittent fasting. Next, we contemplate a new way to relax by harn…

1
Silent science 49:26

3M ago49:26

49:26

Sparked by a silent album released by 1,000 musicians in protest of the UK government’s planned changes to copyright law, Unexpected Elements hits the pause button... Is there any science to silence? Fear not, this week’s show is packed full of chatter! You might think there’s only one type of silence, but supposedly exists in political science too…

1
Topsy turvy 49:30

3M ago49:30

49:30

Unexpected Elements has a shake up looking into the topsy turvy world of science, all thanks to an upturned campervan in Western France. Explore why scientists are suspending rhinos from cranes, brace yourself for a quirky elementary particle that is hard to get your head around and if you love getting yourself in a tizz then fasten your seatbelts …

1
Standing on the shoulders of giants 49:29

3M ago49:29

49:29

Monty the giant schnauzer won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. And rather than thinking of all things canine, this week the Unexpected Elements team turn their attention to all things giant. First, we find out how a giant virus could help keep our planet cool. Next up, we discover the origins of enormous Greek characters, such …

1
Let’s talk about love 49:29

3M ago49:29

49:29

Valentine’s Day is here - the one day of the year where you can be unashamedly romantic and splash out on posh dinners, flowers and chocolates for your beloved. So we dig into the science of love. First, we find out about a monogamous rodent that has a special way of forming lifelong bonds with its partner. Next, we discover how to apply maths to y…

1
Liberace Garage 59:40

3M ago59:40

59:40

Delve into the fascinating and intertwined histories of two legendary showmen – Liberace and Evel Knievel. Join us as Jonathan Warren explores remarkable stories of glitz, glamour, and daredevilry that shaped Las Vegas entertainment. From Liberace’s groundbreaking contributions to the Las Vegas show scene, including his dazzling cars and sumptuous …

1
All by myself 49:29

3M ago49:29

49:29

French president Emmanuel Macron recently announced that Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa painting will be moved to her very own room at the Louvre, as part of a plan to renovate the iconic museum. And that got us thinking. Once the crowds have gone home every night, the Mona Lisa will be all by herself, with no other paintings to smile at enig…

1
Snake science 49:29

4M ago49:29

49:29

Celebrations for the Lunar New Year kicked off on 29th January, and this year is the Year of the Snake. We start things off by discussing the purpose of some mysterious serpent markings on the banks of the Orinoco River. Next, we find out about the origins of snake oil, before digging into the psychology of why we trust snake-like people. Plus, her…

1
Keep it clean 49:29

4M ago49:29

49:29

The Hindu festival of Kumbh Mela is currently underway in India. As part of the event, millions of pilgrims will take a cleansing dip in the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Inspired by this headline, we splash into a whole bathtub of stories about the science of cleaning. We find out why it’s so important to prevent con…

1
Circles, circumferences and Covid 49:29

4M ago49:29

49:29

After the comic malfunctions of a self-driving car, which drove its passenger/prisoner in endless circles, Unexpected Elements rounds its attention on the humble circle. Explore how one man calculated the circumference of the Earth 2,000 years before GPS was invented, then be spellbound by the Magic Circle and the mysterious woman who broke into it…

1
Branden Powers, creator of Evel Pie and Heavy Metal Pizza Party 42:10

4M ago42:10

42:10

Branden Powers shares his dedication to creative projects, including Evel Pie and the upcoming Heavy Metal Pizza Party. Branden discusses his journey from throwing illegal rave parties in Bakersfield to visioneering iconic venues such as the Golden Tiki. Join Branden and Joe P as they dive into stories of building unique experiences, paying homage …

1
Scientist spotlight 49:29

4M ago49:29

49:29

Team Unexpected have been digging into their mind palaces to pull on the scientific research that has stuck with them most over the past year. We hear from Professor John Parnell, geologist at the University of Aberdeen, about the role of plankton in forming ancient mountains. How ocean bubbles play a role in climate regulation with bubble physicis…

1
(Re)New Year 49:29

5M ago49:29

49:29

Happy New Year! This week, the Unexpected Elements team is reflecting on 2024 and looking forward to 2025 for renewed chances to spot the northern lights while they're at their peak visibility in this current solar cycle, and we recap on cellular regeneration advancements and regulations in embryonic stem cell models.  We chat to Professor Rene Oud…

1
Festive trash talk 49:29

5M ago49:29

49:29

December is a time of celebration, family feuds, and now scientific rivalries. It's also one of the most wasteful months of the year, with festivities in full swing across the globe. No wonder the world is overflowing with rubbish—both literal and metaphorical! Unexpected Elements dives headfirst into the scientific bin to wallow in waste. Could wo…

1
The science of Santa 49:30

5M ago49:30

49:30

As news breaks that archaeologists have found the tomb of St Nick in Turkey, we check in on the North Pole Father Christmas, and fact-check his present giving schedule with advanced level physics and a Gant chart. Plus, prepare for stories of reindeers high... despite their apparent immunity to their favourite hallucinogenic mushroom treats. And we…

1
Totally bananas 49:30

5M ago49:30

49:30

This week, a banana sold at auction for $6.2 million dollars. Well, not quite… it’s actually a piece of conceptual art and it’s WAY more than just a banana. There’s also some duct tape. In response to this most bananas of auctions, the Unexpected Elements team are going bananas for bananas! We investigate the science of slipping on a banana-skin. I…

1
Going home 49:31

6M ago49:31

49:31

This week we’re looking at a political agreement that will hand back sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. In the 1970s, the UK removed the entire Chagossian population to make way for a US military base. The islanders have been fighting for their right to return ever since. If deal can be agreed, the islanders are hoping they will have t…

1
The launch of Taylor Made golf clubs 31:07

6M ago31:07

31:07

The inventor of the Taylor Made driver was struggling to get his innovation in the hands of golf pros. Nearly broke, Eddie Langert packed 16 prototype clubs into his station wagon and headed to Florida in search of a willing customer. He found an unlikely proponent in Evel Knievel, whose hustle and temperament backfired. Out-of-control betting, a s…

1
Doing a deal 49:34

6M ago49:34

49:34

It’s Black Friday! Everyone is camping in the street, staying up all night for the very best deals around. And Unexpected Elements are joining in. We take a look at the huge underground trade of vital resources...not run by criminals but fungi. Then it is onto illegal animal trade and the 300 pets who got a terrible deal, strapped to a man’s chest …

1
Super Science 49:28

6M ago49:28

49:28

Headlines that Canadian uranium deposits could make it a nuclear superpower has the Unexpected Elements team musing on all manner of superpowers. Tardigrades are an obvious candidate – boil them, freeze them, irradiate them in space, these adorable creatures are almost indestructible. We also meet Dr Deep Sea, Joseph Dituri, from the University of …

1
Are you not entertained? 49:29

6M ago49:29

49:29

It’s been 24 years since the release of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, which left audiences captivated by the story of Maximus the gladiator, played by Russell Crowe. Now, Gladiator II is hitting the cinemas, so this week we enter the arena to take a look at some gladiatorial science. We hear about an angry little fish that fights off its rivals in mout…

1
Supermassive numbers 49:29

6M ago49:29

49:29

Russia has fined Google more than two undecillion rubles, which is more than 20 decillion dollars. How much you ask? 20 decillions is a 20 with 33 zeros behind it, more money than there is in the entire world! This unpayable fine inspired us to look at extremely large numbers, from the amount of cells in our body, to infinity hotels and beyond. Plu…

1
The Swing of Things 49:29

7M ago49:29

49:29

On this weekend ahead of the US election, we clock the importance of so-called swing states – and swing into action looking into not politics, but the science of swings. We examine how a pendulum swung by French physicist Foucault demonstrated that the earth is spinning, and hear about how the gibbon became the king of swingers – and what current-d…

1
Mystery blobs 49:29

7M ago49:29

49:29

White blobs have been appearing on the beaches in Newfoundland, Canada. They’re kind of doughy-looking, and smell of vegetable oil. As yet, officials are not sure what they could be. Of course, this got the Unexpected Elements team intrigued, so we decided to dedicate the programme to the weird world of blobs, slime and bizarre things that wash up …

1
TV made me do it 49:29

7M ago49:29

49:29

Spoiler alert! At the end of the fourth season of Emily in Paris, the protagonist sets off to go to Rome. In response, the French President Emmanuel Macron has promised that “we will fight hard” to keep Emily in Paris in France. Why does he care so much? A recent study suggests that 38 per cent of all visitors to Paris name the show as one of the r…

1
Danny Koker of Count's Kustoms 40:50

7M ago40:50

40:50

Renowned car restorer and TV personality Danny Koker discusses his admiration for Evel Knievel, the legacy and future of the Evel Knievel Museum in Las Vegas, Danny's journey from music to car restoration, and his various ventures, including Count's Kustoms and Count's Vamp'd. Grab merch at www.EvelKnievelMuseum.com…

1
The world's longest treasure hunt 49:29

7M ago49:29

49:29

After 31 years, a mammoth treasure hunt consisting of solving eleven cryptic clues has finally concluded. A replica of the final prize – a golden owl – was dug up in France, leaving fellow treasure hunters both disappointed and relieved. Inspired by this pursuit, the Unexpected Elements team unearth some of science’s hidden gems. From the potential…

1
Science to make you smile 49:29

8M ago49:29

49:29

Did you know the iconic yellow smiley face was first designed in 1963? However, its creator, Harvey Ball, soon worried that the symbol had become over-commercialised. To counter this, he introduced World Smile Day in 1999, celebrated on the first Friday of October, as a way to encourage acts of kindness and spread smiles. In the spirit of making yo…

1
All things Oregon! 49:30

8M ago49:30

49:30

Join Marnie Chesterton and her panel of science journalists Chhavi Sachdev and Jes Burns, on their Oregon science mission. We investigate building materials of the future, from creative cement alternatives to buildings made of wood, and hear from forest scientist Sarah Jovan about how one humble plant has made huge changes to Portland's air quality…

1
Shiny: Why we are dazzled by new sparkly things 49:30

8M ago49:30

49:30

This week, Apple releases the new iPhone 16. It's new, it's shiny, and tech-nerds will be queueing round the block for a chance to snap it up. But why? We look at the science behind why we get so dazzled with new and shiny things. We hear about the psychology behind our magpie tendencies, and find out it might all be connected to one of our deepest…

1
Evel Knievel's iconic SkyCycle rides again 46:49

8M ago46:49

46:49

Evel Knievel's legacy continues to inspire at Snake River Canyon and beyond. Host Joe Friday talks with Lathan McKay and John Bagley about the iconic SkyCycle and memorable moments from the 50th anniversary event at Twin Falls and a nationwide tour. The episode concludes with discussions on future plans, including an epic parade in Las Vegas. Grab …

1
Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō: The new Māori Kuini 49:29

8M ago49:29

49:29

Ngā Wai Hono i te Pō ascends the Māori throne as the new Kuini (Queen), much to the joy of her people, heralding a new age of prominence for the Kiingitanga movement. We ask whether the new queen may have a biological advantage making her a better fit for leadership, whilst searching for examples of matriarchy in the animal kingdom and analogous hu…

1
Thrillseekers 49:30

9M ago49:30

49:30

Here on Unexpected Elements, we've been glued to the drama of the Paralympic games in Paris. But it's not just the thrill of the competition that's got us hooked, we've also become obsessed with some of the high-octane training regimes undertaken by the athletes. Take American 'Armless Archer' Matt Stutzman, who shoots arrows through the windows of…

1
The world's worst tourist 49:30

9M ago49:30

49:30

Following anti-tourism protests across popular Spanish cities and towns, we are looking for the world's most unwelcome visitor. Our panellists (and producers) are pitching their terrible tourists to see who really is the worst of them all. Some of our contenders include... The wild boars who's unanticipated vacay to Rome has gone on for so long and…

1
A sticky situation 49:30

9M ago49:30

49:30

The US astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are currently stranded on the ISS. They arrived on the Boeing Starliner, which was meant to bring them home after eight days. Unfortunately, it has run into tech issues, meaning that the astronauts may be stuck up there for up to eight months. We started to ponder, what could an extended period of b…

1
The only one 49:29

9M ago49:29

49:29

The Olympics is all about flying the flag for your home country, shoulder to shoulder with your team-mates. But what if you have no team-mates? At this year’s Olympic games, four countries had just one competitor. Like Sean Gill from Belize, Somalian runner Ali Idow Hassan, or Romano Püntener, a mountain-biker representing Liechtenstein. This got u…

1
Let them eat crab 49:29

10M ago49:29

49:29

This week we’re inspired by the price of a lobster dinner fit for a king. The recently revealed price tag for President Macron’s banquet back at the end of 2023, about half a million dollars, kickstarts an Unexpected Elements challenge – can the team create something similar and manage to save not only cash, but an Italian ecosystem from an America…

1
Can I eat it? 49:29

10M ago49:29

49:29

Champagne has been discovered in a 100+ year old shipwreck. It's an amazing find. But can you drink it? Speaking of bubbly, we learn more about the physics of bubbles, and why understanding it is crucial for the climate. Also on the show, a 2,000 year-old mystery about a navigation device that persists up to the present day.…

1
Finding Robbie Knievel's legendary Caesars stunt bike 29:58

10M ago29:58

29:58

Greg Duray recounts compelling stories of finding the motorcycle Robbie Knievel used at Caesars Palace, and then verifying its authenticity, along with his heartfelt connection to the Knievel legacy. Special guests Kelly and Krysten Knievel also share their emotions and memories associated with the stunt bike. Tune in for a deep dive into the histo…

1
Breaking, climbing, and surfing 49:29

10M ago49:29

49:29

This week the panel take a look at their favourites of the newer Olympic sports as Paris 2024 gets underway. Surfing will happen in Tahiti this year, but could it ever be held on Titan, in orbit around Saturn? Obviously very unlikely, but not for the reasons you might expect. No vertebrate on earth can rock-climb like a gecko. Can nanomaterials com…

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Thrillseekers Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen