The Joy of Why

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“The Joy of Why” is a Quanta Magazine podcast about curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. The mathematician and author Steven Strogatz and the cosmologist and author Janna Levin take turns interviewing leading researchers about the great scientific and mathematical questions of our time. New episodes are released every other Wednesday.

Quanta Magazine is a Pulitzer Prize–winning, editorially independent online publication launched and supported by the Simons Foundation to illuminate big ideas in science and math through public service journalism. Quanta’s reporters and editors focus on developments in mathematics, theoretical physics, theoretical computer science and the basic life sciences, emphasizing timely, accurate, in-depth and well-crafted articles for its broad discerning audience. In 2023, Steven Strogatz received a National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Award for Excellence in Science Communications partly for his work on “The Joy of Why.”

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Recent Reviews
  • sounds like bick
    What?????
    I just listened to the language and speaking podcast and found it utterly fascinating!!! So much so I subscribed to the podcast. Thanks for brain workout!!! R.S.
  • Cedrdar
    A Joy to listen to
    I’m a closet mathematician and science nerd, and this podcast fills the need to explore and understand science and math topics today. I enjoy how Steve Strogatz and now Jana Levin probe into the topics with their guests in a neutral, unbiased way and ask great leading questions.
  • Traveler from Camino
    Fascinating
    Our son, a mathematician, suggested this show to me. What I love about it is how the hosts conduct the interviews in a way that non-scientists can understand and also convey the joy (of course in the title) of being able to make these discoveries, etc.
  • SeattleSoccer
    Great hosts, great guests, great topics
    Most of the episodes are really interesting. Sometimes there’s a stretch in an episode that I don’t have the expertise to be able to follow, but I’ve learned to stick with it because every episode has enough good stuff to be worthwhile, and most episodes are all good stuff. I appreciate that they tackle some really hard topics even if that means I can’t always follow all of it.
  • buskilla
    Essential
    I love this program. It’s essential. It keeps me up-to-date on the latest trends in math and science in general thank you so much
  • Emma Hutcherson
    Great ecological perspectives
    I love the natural science episodes, especially as I feel like ecology material is really lacking in the podcast world! Weeks after listening and I’m still thinking about the collective behavior episode. Would LOVE more in that sphere, but everything is so interesting as is. Love that you’re making connections across disciplines…thanks for your work :)
  • Fluffster Normalpaws
    Boredom Antidote
    This show is a potent antidote if you’re suffering from the horrors of boredom. I don’t understand most of this, but that’s okay. The bits that I can follow are fascinating.
  • mr foo
    Deeply informative and engaging
    I love this podcast because it is incredibly informative about topics you many not see or hear much about elsewhere. This show has made me become interested in something I was barely aware of previously.
  • Quest for Knowledge & Insight
    Fabulous Weekly “Ride” in Math and Science!
    Outstanding podcast! Dr. Strogatz does a great service to obtaining insights from those in the trenches of knowledge creation and insight generation who are specialists in their fields of math and science. I look forward to every episode. Keep up the great work Steven Strogatz!!
  • Penny Weber
    Love this podcast
    I love learning something new every day! Very well done.
  • Winston2356
    Great depth, production quality and host is likable
    This is not a podcast for easy listening; you need to pay attention. But they explain things very clearly which is impressive for areas like quantum field theory and mathematical proofs. Yeah, I didn’t think I’d be interested in these either, but here I am. And no politics … how refreshing.
  • LinnSven
    Life Long Joy
    The circumstances of science change only in our abilities to describe and measure them. Strogoliz (sic) has a gift for making them soooo “of course” with brilliant analogies I wish he could be his own Google search key. Certainly this podcast should be at the top rank for everyone!
  • jefromano
    If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.
    So many, countless interesting things in this universe, and this podcast is one of them! Always doing your research and asking penetrating questions, like a true scientist. Stay curious!
  • AlejandroKhan
    Wow!
    A show that makes difficult science understandable for the rest of us. Brilliant!
  • leelostinspace
    Rocket science
    It’s rocket science that is earthlings can understand!
  • oneforapple
    High quality content in diverse field
    This podcast broadens my views of scientific fields. I enjoy it very much. Now just need to catch up all the episodes before it changes its name to the current ones and also quantum magazine.!very grateful to the Simmon foundations for its continuous supports and efforts on public education of modern science.
  • 🧂盐🧂
    最佳科普,快乐加倍
    快乐来源: 1.主持人问问题脉络清晰 2.嘉宾回答解释简单明了 3.学到新知识快乐,一起学更快乐!
  • kristi history
    Wonderful host
    The host is a particularly great questioner and listener. Makes it pleasant to listen to and inviting to learn.
  • Scott 8372
    Great host, substantive coverage of fascinating topics!
    This is not your typical, surface level pop-science podcast — the host is very skilled at pushing guests to go a few levels deeper on the substance — but still the host and guests make it very understandable and intuitive. Love it!
  • Cfisksea
    Great Science Podcast
    Does a really good job explaining difficult scientific concepts and interesting discoveries to a variety of audiences. The hoste Steve Strogatz is really good at asking the right questions and explaining the concepts.
  • rdalv
    One of a kind science kind podcast!
    Science podcasts are a dime a dozen these days, but none of them can compete with what Strogatz delivers here. The guests so far have all been top notch, practicing scientists and mathematicians who happily dive into the details of their work. Strogatz’s intellect and versatility as a host shines throughout as he elucidates important concepts and nudges the guests into discussing the salient points of their research. Keep them coming!
  • etherdog
    Intellectually honest and stimulating!
    Steve Strogatz has long been a great science communicator and this new podcast is reaching out to areas of science that are not just math (which is sufficiently interesting in itself).
  • Palunargar
    Great podcast making complex science issues very access to Everyone
    I enjoyed the podcast about the inflammatory body response as a necessity. Thanks!
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