Science Vs | |
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Presentation | |
Hosted by | Wendy Zukerman |
Genre | Science |
Format | Single Topic, Scientist Interviews |
Created by | Wendy Zukerman |
Narrated by | Wendy Zukerman |
Language | English |
Updates | Periodic |
Length | 30–50 minutes |
Production | |
Direction | Blythe Terrell |
Production | Nick DelRose, Peter Leonard, Rose Rimler, Emma Munger, Meryl Horn, Michelle Dang, Taylor White |
Composed by | Bumi Hidaka, Peter Leonard, Marcus Bagala, Emma Munger, Bobby Lord |
No. of seasons | 10 |
No. of episodes | 279 ![]() |
Publication | |
Original release | 2015 |
Ratings | 4.4/5 ![]() |
Provider | Spotify |
Related | |
Website | gimletmedia |
Science Vs is a science podcast created and hosted by Wendy Zukerman. [1] The show takes a myth-busting approach to controversial topics and current events, with fact checking and research of the scientific literature, as well as interviewing relevant experts. A typical show will have over a hundred citations and involve background interviews of dozens of scientists in addition to the scientists who speak on the show. [2] [3] [4] [5]
The show was first produced and distributed in 2015 by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) as part of ABC Radio's First Run podcast program. [1] [6] Science Vs was picked up by Gimlet Media, a Brooklyn-based digital media company. [7] [8] Originally, Zukerman had to do all the research herself, but under Gimlet she was able to hire a dedicated research team. Episode topics have included immigration, gun control, ghosts, climate change, acne, and antidepressants, among others. [6] [9] [10] Zukerman has said that the idea for Science Vs came from news headlines about Gwyneth Paltrow wanting women to participate in a "health practice" of vaginal steaming, which she thought could combine science with humor. [11] Zukerman summarized her podcast's position against false equivalences, saying, "If there's a 95 percent consensus among scientists, you report the consensus." [9]
In 2019 the show, along with other Gimlet Podcasts, was acquired by Spotify. [1]
In February 2022 Zukerman announced that in response to COVID-19 misinformation [ broken anchor ] spread by The Joe Rogan Experience, another Spotify podcast, Science Vs would suspend regular programming and air only shows that fact-check other Spotify podcasts. Zukerman called the platform's support of Rogan's COVID-19 misinformation "a slap in the face" in an email to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. [12] [13] The February 25, 2022 episode of the podcast was devoted to refuting claims about the COVID-19 vaccine made on an episode of Rogan's podcast by virologist Robert Malone. [14]
The show was a 2020 nominee for a Podcast Award, [15] and the host Wendy Zukerman is a nominee for a 2021 Podcast Academy "Ambie" Best Host Award. [16]
It was Spotify's #1 Science podcast in the US and #20 overall. [17]