Top 5 Podcasts for Science, History, and Skeptical Thinking.

BACKGROUND
As a research scientist I like to keep up to speed in my field, and this is traditionally done by reading peer reviewed research papers, following online scientific forums, and generally talking to your peers. However, if like me you work in a small field surrounded by people with a similar professional background it can be difficult to expand your interests into new areas, especially if you like to get your information from well respected and well established professionals. For this reason podcasts can be a fantastic way to learn about numerous fascinating subjects, and trust that what you're hearing is well referenced, and balanced.

I have a wide variety of interests, from biology, chemistry, and computing to history, psychology, and religion/atheism. Over the past few years I have discovered some excellent podcasts that deal with all of these topics in detail, but also manage to make their topics entertaining and leave you wanting more. So, here are my top 5 podcasts of all time, I hope you will listen to some of them, let me know what you think, and recommend some more for me in the comments section.

1. IN OUR TIME (SCIENCE, HISTORY)

The BBC is an amazing resource for radio programs on a vast array of topics, and it's where I got started when exploring discussion based radio programming for the first time. The In Our Time series of programs is exceptionally good, and is based around a simple format of a single host, Melvynn Bragg, interviewing a panel of well respected expects on a single topic. This is a commonly used format, but what makes this show so worthwhile listening to are the guests speakers invited to the show. They are frequently incredibly knowledgeable in their respective fields, which is not to say they always agree with other, they don't. Listeners are often exposed to bouts of polite academic argument between experts which leads you feeling like you've been exposed to a well balanced debate. Melvynn Bragg himself is incredibly well briefed and won't hesitate to step in when he feels people are not addressing the topic adequately.

Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/iot

Screenshot from the in our time website, at http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/iot

Topics range from History, Science, Philosophy, Religion and Culture so there is something for everyone. It's a excellent podcast, and one that will keep you well informed for years to come.

2. SCIENCE WEEKLY (GUARDIAN SCIENCE PODCAST)

This podcast is based on a simple format of single host interviewing a single person about a single topic. My favourite one to date is an interview with Professor David Nutt, a Neuropsychopharmacologist, who used to work with the UK Home Office as chief adviser on the Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs, or the ACMD, see David Nutt Interview. He gives a great interview about the risks associated with drugs use, and how he was fired from his position on the ACMD after publishing a controversial paper, I've blogged about this since, here.

Website: http://www.theguardian.com/science/series/science

Screenshot from the guardian science podcast at http://www.theguardian.com/science/series/science

Overall, this podcast is informative, and easy to listen to. It's excellent at picking up on current scientific break-throughs, and providing just enough information to satisfy your curiosity but simultaneously make you want to know more. Check it out!

3. HARDCORE HISTORY

This is a strictly history based podcast run by amateur historian Dan Carlin. Initially I found this podcast hard to listen to because it does take a very long time to get started. It assumes almost no knowledge of the topic, and builds up to a very comprehensive review of the subject. There's no interview, just the host talking about a particular topic. It's well researched, and the host provides links to all the materials he's used to put the show together. I've ended up buying some of the books he's recommended and have never been disappointed.

Website: http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/hharchive

Screenshot from hardcore history at http://www.dancarlin.com/disp.php/hh

Dan is passionate about history, and reminds his audience he is not a professional historian, but that does not detract in any way from his ability to inform and educate with a fluency and thoroughness that is to be admired. Two of the best episodes in my opinion are Ghosts of the Ostfront, containing four episodes on the conflict between Nazi Germany and Russia in World War II, and Punic Nightmares, which is a haunting account of the wars between Rome and Carthage. Both of these are well worth a listen. You will have to pay a nominal fee for them now, but his most recent episodes are always free to download.

4. THE MATERIAL WORLD

Another BBC gem, this is a great science based podcast for quick and dirty rundowns on the latest advances in science and technology. Very accessible and often pretty funny thanks to a great host, Quentin Cooper. Topics range from Maths and Physics, to Biochemistry, and Medicine, as well as discussions on individual scientists throughout history. Not too much to say about this one other than well worth a listen.

Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/material

Screenshot from the material world at http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qyyb

5. THE SKEPTICS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY

This is a podcast is dedicated to skeptical thinking, and discussion of recent scientific advances. It is hosted primarily by Dr. Steven Novella, a neurologist working in Yale, who has an amazing capacity to assimilate and distribute difficult concepts with ease. The focus is very much on helping listeners to become aware of pseudo-scientific news stories, and skeptical review of science reported in the media. Overall, this is a good resource for keeping you on your skeptical toes. It's educational and often funny, particularly where they end up losing their patience with people who persists in making pseudo-scientific claims. Entertaining guests in the past have including James Randi, to speak about debunking pseudo-scientific claims.

Website: http://www.theskepticsguide.org/podcast/sgu

Screenshot from the skeptics' guide at http://www.theskepticsguide.org/

HONOURABLE MENTION
The Skeprechauns Podcast - Often funny, and very honest and intelligent podcast, hosting discussions relating to topics such as homeopathy, and abortion. This hosts are Irish, so a lot of the topics relate to current events in Ireland. They do an excellent job on a very tight budget!

CONCLUSION

So, there you have it, my top 5 podcasts for entertaining and educational listening. All of them are excellent in their own ways, and all of them have thought me something unique, and something which I know I would not have obtained from attending lectures on the subject. Each topic is brought to you by a presenter who is dedicated to informing and educating, and the end results in each case are great podcasts. I urge you to listen to each of them.