The Best Science Podcasts Of 2022

Most people will be familiar with what geology is, but what about somnology? Or procyonology? Perhaps cheloniology? Explaining these seemingly esoteric fields of science is the purpose of Ologies, one of 2022's hottest podcasts and winner of two of the year's awards. Each episode focuses on one area and invites an expert to discuss the most captivating facts and details from their field. Blending information with a touch of humor, Ologies is the winner of the 2022 iHeart Radio Award for Best Science Podcast, and also the 2022 Webby Award for Best Host.

The host in question is Alie Ward, a prolific voice in science communication. Among other things, she's worked as a consultant for Netflix and HBO, and science correspondent for CBS, as well as appearing in shows on Netflix and the Science Channel. Ward's charisma is no doubt a big part of the success of Ologies, with many of the glowing reviews on Chartable praising her specifically. With its combination of humous and fascinating information, Ologies is most certainly one of the best science podcasts of 2022.

Outspoken astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson may have acquired a reputation in recent years for being something of a curmudgeon on social media, but he's nonetheless undeniably an excellent science communicator with an extensive background in public speaking. Notably, he was the host of the 2014 TV miniseries "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" (via IMDb), a follow-up to the famous 1980 TV show by the late, great Carl Sagan. Tyson is the main voice behind StarTalk Radio, a well-known podcast with a large audience. In 2022, it was the People's Choice Winner for the Webby Awards' Best Science & Education Podcast.

StarTalk Radio covers plenty of fascinating and otherworldly astronomical topics, but also explores numerous other areas too, such as neuroprosthetics (machines that can be controlled by thought alone) and changing attitudes towards cannabis. Their guests include famous physicists like Sean Carroll, other podcast hosts like Alie Ward, and household names like LeVar Burton. Reviews of the show are largely positive, with listeners on Chartable highlighting the overall presentation and, of course, the fact that Tyson is an inspiring figure who many have known for their whole lives. One sticking point for some, however, is the humor in the show, which seemingly isn't for everyone. A few listeners feel that it can occasionally feel somewhat forced. All the same, StarTalk Radio is certainly worth a listen, particularly for anyone keen on learning more about astronomy and outer space.

National Geographic is a name with which most people will be familiar. It's the magazine of the National Geographic Society, which has existed for well over a century with the goal of both documenting and protecting the beauty of planet Earth, together with everyone and everything on it. The podcast Overheard at National Geographic opens a window into their work, giving listeners an insider's view of National Geographic, and following the work of the full range of people who work there, from journalists to scientists. From featuring stories about researchers working in the field to explorations of historic figures, the topics all revolve around human and physical geography, just like the magazine itself. A weekly show, it was 2022's winner of the Ambie Award for Best Knowledge, Science, or Tech Podcast.

Still relatively new compared to some of the other podcasts on this list, Overheard already has a devoted audience. Listener reviews on Podchaser mention the depth of detail and interesting storytelling as high points. Covering human communities and the natural world alike, each podcast also comes with notes linking to written articles for anyone still hungry for more. One reviewer's only complaint is that each podcast is too short, perhaps serving as a testament to how engaging each bite-sized narrative is.

Professor Brian Cox is a science celebrity in the U.K., known for science documentaries like "Wonders of the Universe," and he's even made a cameo appearance in an episode of "Doctor Who" (via IMDb). Known for his bright-eyed enthusiasm, Cox also stars in The Infinite Monkey Cage, a podcast produced by the BBC, in which he's joined by comedian Robin Ince. Alongside the two hosts, the show also includes a panel of guests, either entertainers or experts, in a similar style to the BBC TV show "QI.: Their discussions are both charismatic and informative, centering around some of the most interesting facets of science, from big questions about the nature of reality and the Universe itself to the scientific facts behind everyday things like cooking and houseflies.

A review by Yale Scientific praises The Infinite Monkey Cage for its quirky style and insatiable curiosity. Accessible and lively, the style is often to begin with a simple, if strange-sounding question, and debate it as far as possible. The only sticking point seems to be the show's humor, with the comedy and science sometimes failing to blend effectively. The result is that one usually takes second place to the other. Listener reviews on Chartable seemingly agree with this assessment, with a few commenters unhappy about the comedy getting in the way of the science. All the same, this show is highly rated by most, if not all, of its audience.

Gastropod is the scientific name for a snail, but don't let that fool you. This podcast doesn't actually feature any snails, except in one episode about French cuisine. This Gastropod is a portmanteau of gastronomy and podcast, and it's all about the science and history of food. The brainchild of journalist Cynthia Graber and regular New Yorker contributor Nicola Twilley, this biweekly podcast has been running since 2014. Their topics don't just cover the food itself either, but also include things like farming, and even how different kinds of cutlery can affect flavor. Examining the fine details, each episode tells a story about the many things which may find themselves on a kitchen counter and are almost guaranteed to teach people about things they might not have even considered before.

A detailed review by The Quill highlights a few of the points which make the show particularly engaging. One of Gastropod's best features is the chemistry between the two hosts, which makes for great listening. They also go to great lengths to create their podcast, even when that means spending a whole week eating nothing but meal replacements. It's perhaps best not to listen to this one on an empty stomach, though: 45-50 minutes of food-related talk is likely to make many listeners start craving a snack.

African researchers frequently do not receive the credit they deserve for their hard work. As Nature explains, scientific accomplishments originating in Africa tend to be overlooked on the world stage, with the most recent example concerning the 2022 outbreak of monkeypox. Particularly in Central and Western Africa, scientists have been issuing warnings for years about the potential for dangerous outbreaks of this virus and, up until 2022, they have been widely ignored. Podcasts can play a key role in helping to elevate the voices of African scientists, and Africa Science Focus does an excellent job of shouldering this responsibility.

Nominated in the Science, Technology, and Innovation category in the 2022 African Podcast and Voice Awards, this show works to showcase Africa's role in modern science. It covers topics from important research results to pressing needs across the continent, highlighting important directions like the need for unity and how to expand Africa's green belt. This podcast, unfortunately, has no written reviews on Apple Podcasts, and, if anything, this underscores why its continuing mission matters. Per The Conversation, Africa is the most diverse continent in the world with a predominantly young population, making promoting African research an important matter with great potential to have world-changing effects.

Surely few people would refuse a little more happiness in their lives, and that's exactly what this podcast specializes in. Produced by UC Berkeley, The Science of Happiness is exactly what it sounds like, examining the how and why of things that make people happy. It covers topics like why dancing feels good, and the internet trend of ASMR – the autonomous sensory meridian response (via Simply Psychology). The podcast also delves into topics like loneliness and anxiety, and how they may be alleviated. It's hosted by Dacher Kelter, a professor of psychology at Berkeley, and an expert on the complicated science behind human emotions.

In 2019, the Irish Times gave The Science of Happiness a glowing review, not just for its interesting topics but for how it can provide people with genuine help, with the reviewer noting that "it gave me some perspective on how to be slightly more gentle with myself." It's this positivity that resonates strongly with listeners, via Apple Podcasts. The subject matter about human nature and behavior can be both engaging and personal, but most people find the true value of this podcast in improving their own outlook on life. With wellness practices that are backed by actual science, it seems the self-care advice in this podcast really can help to make a difference to those who hear it.