Best Fossil Vs Future Podcasts (2025)

1
WHAT ABOUT WAR? Essential for security or a dangerous distraction from climate action? 37:44

9d ago37:44

37:44

War engages our fight or flight instincts. When immediate threats like conflict arise, they often overshadow slower-burning, long-term crises like climate change. In this episode, James and Daisy talk about war. How does climate change fuel conflict? How does war, in turn, hinder efforts to combat the climate crisis? How do we avoid trading one exi…

1
The secret to writing ‘the same but different,’ with Mary Robinette Kowal 20:26

2h ago20:26

20:26

1078. Mary Robinette Kowal talks about going from writing magic-filled Regency romances to Hugo-nominated science fiction, what it's like to work with an agent, and how she keeps her career moving forward. Plus, she gave us three great book recommendations (and I've already read and loved one of them!). Find Mary at maryrobinettekowal.com. 🔗 Share …

1
Uniper Rising: Can Germany's Gas Giant Go Green? Ep206: Michael Lewis 58:05

18h ago58:05

58:05

When Russia unleashed its illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, gas prices in Europe spiked by a factor of 10, driving a wave of bankruptcies and restructurings of European energy companies. Uniper was one of those. Uniper is one of Germany's largest energy companies. It is active across more than 40 countries and has 19.5 GW…

1
'Lit' vs. 'lighted.' The mysteries of the dollar sign. Redd up. 19:04

2d ago19:04

19:04

1077. Is it “lit” or “lighted”? Both are correct, but we look at how their popularity has switched over time. Then we investigate four of the competing theories about the origin of the dollar sign and end with tips about how to use it. The "dollar sign" segment was written by Jim Norrena, MFA, who has been writing and editing for more than thirty-f…

1
Ghostwriters, book deals, and AI: What you didn’t know about publishing, with Dan Gerstein 22:44

7d ago22:44

22:44

1076. Dan Gerstein, founder of Gotham Ghostwriters, looks at how ghostwriting fiction really works, who’s hiring ghostwriters, and why AI can’t replace human storytelling. We also talked about how ghostwriters negotiate royalties, film rights, and what makes a great collaboration work. Find Dan at GothamGhostwriters.com. 🔗 Share your familect recor…

1
Trump vs The Transition, The Pope’s Climate Legacy & The High Price of UK Electricity — Ep205 58:18

8d ago58:18

58:18

In 100 short days, the world has transformed. Since the reelection of President Donald Trump, US federal climate policy has largely been abandoned, with the government seeking to reopen coal-fired power plants and lower environmental standards. An escalating trade war and global tariffs has sent the rest of the world reeling and threatened the glob…

1
'I.e.' versus 'e.g.' What Shakespeare actually added to English. Four schnitzels. 18:01

9d ago18:01

18:01

1075. People often confuse "i.e." and "e.g." We'll help you get them right — no Latin required. Then, in honor of Shakespeare’s birthday, we look at five common myths about his contributions to the English language, including whether he coined thousands of words and how much Latin he actually knew. The "Shakespeare" segment was by Jonathan Culpeper…

1
AI and the future of dictionaries, with Erin McKean 26:02

14d ago26:02

26:02

1074. Is AI good enough to replace lexicographers? Wordnik founder Erin McKean shares what works, what doesn’t, and why the future of dictionaries is far from settled. Find Erin McKean at wordnik.com, dressaday.com, and [email protected]. 🔗 Share your familect recording in a WhatsApp chat. 🔗 Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses. 🔗 Subscribe…

1
Better paragraph breaks. The story behind 'mad money' and 'pin money.' Bruce bad. 15:52

16d ago15:52

15:52

1073. Today, we have practical tips for writing better paragraphs (and it's not the formulaic topic-sentence structure). Then, we look at the surprising history of phrases like “mad money” and “pin money” and what they show about women’s roles and financial independence through time. The "paragraph" segment originally appeared on the OUP Blog, and …

1
WHAT ABOUT ESG? A path to a better world or a threat to returns? 43:14

21d ago43:14

43:14

ESG – short for Environmental, Social, and Governance – is a framework for evaluating how companies manage sustainability-related risks and opportunities. In ESG investing, environmental, social, and governance factors are integrated into investment decisions, alongside traditional financial metrics. In this episode, James and Daisy discuss ESG. Ho…

1
The future of editing jobs in the age of AI, with Samantha Enslen 17:01

21d ago17:01

17:01

1072. Is AI coming for our jobs—or just the boring parts? This week, Samantha Enslen of Dragonfly Editorial talks about how she sees AI changing the work of writers and editors. We talked about real clients, real fears, and hope for the future. Plus, Samantha shares her favorite old-school fiction (spoiler: Agatha Christie strikes again!). Find Sam…

1
We Built a Solar System That's Saving Babies’ Lives — Ep204: Project Bo, Sierra Leone 38:26

22d ago38:26

38:26

In Sierra Leone, a 20-minute power cut can be the difference between life and death for newborn babies. In 2013, an extraordinary doctor called Dr Niall Conroy set up a neonatal intensive care unit at the Bo Government Hospital, in Sierra Leone's second largest city, and set about training the staff to give the best possible care to the desperately…

1
How to write photo captions. The real difference between ‘immigrate’ and ‘emigrate.’ Ko Pha-ngan'd 16:57

23d ago16:57

16:57

1071. Is it "Taylor and I" or "Taylor and me"? We explain why photo captions follow their own grammar rules. Then, we explore the subtle difference between "immigrate" and "emigrate," how the terms are used historically, and why their meanings often depend on perspective. The "photo captions" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Quick & Dirty Tips e…

1
The hidden techniques behind well-paced fiction, with Joshua Essoe 25:35

28d ago25:35

25:35

1070. Fiction editor Joshua Essoe explains the hidden techniques behind pacing in storytelling. Learn how good pacing shapes reader engagement, why well-placed story beats and emotional shifts matter, and how popular films like Memento and Fight Club use pacing to captivate audiences. Joshua also looks at managing flashbacks, using white space stra…

1
What Happened to Google's Climate Ambitions? | Ep203: Kate Brandt 54:26

29d ago54:26

54:26

Google has one of the most ambitious climate targets in the tech world, but what happens if it falls short of its goals? How does the company balance innovation with environmental responsibility? And can AI really help reduce emissions? This week on Cleaning Up, Bryony Worthington sits down with Kate Brandt, Google's Chief Sustainability Officer, t…

1
Why don't we say the L in 'walk'? Never use 'always.' PABST 15:17

1M ago15:17

15:17

1069. Have you ever wondered why we have silent L's in words like "walk" and "half"? Those questions lead us to L-vocalization, spelling pronunciation, and why American and British speakers differ. Plus, we look at some of the most dangerous words in the English language: "always" and "never." The "L vocalization" segment is by Karen Lunde, a forme…

1
Exploring slang, AI ghost words, and language change, with Heddwen Newton 31:13

1M ago31:13

31:13

1068. Did Yosemite Sam ever actually say "tarnation"? What’s "fridgescaping," and why is it trending? And why is AI filling the internet with nonsense words like “lrtsjerk”? Linguist and translator Heddwen Newton shares her favorite new slang, explains the Mandela Effect, and breaks down how AI-generated content is making language even messier. Fin…

1
Net Zero Isn’t Impossible, It’s The Key To UK Prosperity — Ep202: Emma Pinchbeck 1:08:48

1M ago1:08:48

1:08:48

The UK is an extraordinary case study in how to cut greenhouse gas pollution successfully. Since 1990, the country has more than halved its greenhouse gas emissions, while the economy has grown by over 80%. The Climate Change Act, passed in 2008, has helped steer the UK towards its net-zero goals, setting five yearly carbon budgets that are specifi…

1
WHAT ABOUT WATER? A boundless resource or a crisis in the making? 38:12

1M ago38:12

38:12

Water is essential for all life on Earth, yet climate change is disrupting the natural water cycle, altering where, when, and how much water is available. In many ways, climate change expresses itself through water. In this episode, James and Daisy talk about the vital role of water. What is the water cycle? How will water security will be impacted…

1
What’s wrong with "'til"? Why tiny words control conversations. How many cookies? 17:25

1M ago17:25

17:25

1067. Think "'til" is a valid alternative to "until"? Think again! We learn about the difference between "till" and "until" and why many style guides frown on "'til." Then, we uncover the hidden power of interjections—words like "um," "huh," and "mm-hmm"—and how they help us negotiate meaning, keep conversations flowing, and even challenge artifici…

1
The best punctuation book, period, with June Casagrande 25:04

1M ago25:04

25:04

1066. Do you really need that comma? Should your dashes have spaces? Is there ever just one "right" way to punctuate? June Casagrande, author of "The Best Punctuation Book, Period," busts punctuation myths, compares style guides, and looks at the surprising complexity of the humble em dash. Find June Casagrande at grammarunderground.com. 🔗 Share yo…

1
Can Europe Survive the Transition To Renewables? Ep201: Nikos Tsafos 1:06:52

1M ago1:06:52

1:06:52

How does Europe get cheap energy again? Are climate goals at odds with the need to remain economically competitive? Are we about to see an empowered and emboldened Europe, ready to take on China and the US? Barely five years into the 2020s, this decade is already shaping up to be one of the most turbulent since the Second World War. As we record th…

1
Why we say ‘OK.’ How tea shaped English slang. Poetry winner 17:29

1M ago17:29

17:29

1065. Is it "OK" or "okay"? We look at the surprising history of one of the world’s most recognized English words and how a 19th-century election campaign helped it stick. Then, we have some fun with Victorian tea culture and the many idioms it inspired, from Cockney rhyming slang to "scandal broth." The "tea" segment is by Karen Lunde, a former Qu…

1
Behind the scenes of Wikipedia: editing, accuracy, and notability, with Jonathan Rick 27:38

2M ago27:38

27:38

1064. Is Wikipedia the last refuge on online truth? With AI-generated content and misinformation spreading online, Wikipedia is growing in esteem, but who decides what gets published? How does Wikipedia determine things like credibility and notability? Wikipedia consultant Jonathan Rick gives us the inside scoop on Wikipedia’s strict sourcing rules…

1
Making America Dumb Again: The Stakes of Slashing Climate Science — Ep200: Ralph Keeling & Ray Weiss 1:04:50

2M ago1:04:50

1:04:50

As the U.S. swings a budgetary axe at the federal government, one of the biggest casualties is climate science. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) faces a brutal 20% workforce reduction—jeopardizing critical research just when we need it most. So, what’s really at stake? And is Donald Trump Making America Dumb Again? This we…

1
WHAT ABOUT AVIATION? A remarkably valuable system for society or a carbon-intensive luxury? 41:14

2M ago41:14

41:14

Flying is one of the most carbon-intensive activities. In fact, if you fly, it is probably the most polluting thing that you do. Yet, aviation remains one of the toughest sectors to decarbonise, as battery technology and alternative fuels still struggle to match the efficiency of jet fuel. In this episode, James and Daisy – who both love travelling…

1
How did our holidays become so 'corny'? Why do some words have accent marks in English? Cubby hole 15:42

2M ago15:42

15:42

1063. Why is it called "corned beef" when there’s no corn involved? We look at how the word "corn" evolved to mean different things over time. Then, we look at the role of accent marks in English — why some words keep them, why others lose them, and what they tell us about language. The "corn" segment was written by Valerie Fridland, a professor of…

1
Why kids can't read (and what we can do about it), with Kate Crist 27:39

2M ago27:39

27:39

1062. Did you know that 21% of U.S. adults struggle with basic literacy? In this eye-opening episode, literacy specialist Kate Crist talks about the literacy crisis in America, how reading is taught incorrectly in schools, and what we can do to fix it. She has real stories of students and adults overcoming reading struggles, the science behind lear…

1
EVs & Heat Pumps: The Real Alternatives for Germany — Ep199: Patrick Graichen 1:04:51

2M ago1:04:51

1:04:51

In February, Germany elected a new government. Friedrich Merz emerged as the new leader, but what are his energy and climate policies, and will Germany remain a climate leader in Europe and beyond? Joining Cleaning Up this week is Patrick Graichen, a former Energy and Climate minister in the last government, representing the Green Party. Prior to e…

1
The mystery of ‘it’ in English. The most dramatic moments in grammar history. Ghost Town Mad, the song 16:48

2M ago16:48

16:48

1061. Ever wonder why we say "It's raining" even though "it" doesn't refer to anything? We explain the logic behind this quirky English rule. Then, we look at some of the most dramatic moments in grammar history, including a semicolon duel, a costly comma mistake, and a famous book with 5,000 typos. The "dummy 'it'" segment is by Karen Lunde, a for…

1
From 'Parasite' to 'Emilia Pérez': How movies shape language, with Andrew Cheng 31:28

2M ago31:28

31:28

1060. Why do villains always have British accents? Why was "Parasite" a game-changer for non-English films? And how is AI secretly shaping the voices you hear on screen? With the Oscars coming up, Dr. Andrew Cheng talks about how films are evolving to reflect linguistic authenticity — and why it matters. From heritage speakers in "Anora" to made-up…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Fossil Vs Future Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen