Sam Jones is a science journalist and podcast producer based in Washington, DC. After completing her PhD in biomedical science at the University of California San Diego in 2018, she has worked in print journalism, video and audio. She is currently the executive producer and co-host of the science podcast Tiny Matters, as well as a freelance journalist, writing for outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Geographic, Scientific American, New Scientist, and Nature.
I’m a science nerd who exec produces and hosts a science podcast called Tiny Matters, but I can get into almost any genre of podcast. I like variety, what can I say! This list is a real mish mash of what I listen to, but these are the podcasts that I consistently send to friends and family.
Buried Bones
I have been into forensics since I was a small child (I don’t know what my parents were thinking either), and this podcast is the perfect mix of science and storytelling. Journalist Kate Winkler Dawson and cold-case investigator and forensics expert Paul Holes — maybe best known for his incredible recent work solving the Golden State Killer case — look back at historic crimes through a 21st century lens and reevaluate what investigators of the time got right and who may have gotten away with murder.
Throughline
I’m a big fan of history, which you probably know if you listen to Tiny Matters. I find going back to historic moments in time and understanding their complex impact on today to be riveting. The September, 2021, episodes on Afghanistan (Afghanistan: The Center of the World and Afghanistan: The Rise of the Taliban) were what hooked me.
My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
I understand that, at face value, a true crime-comedy podcast sounds odd at best and offensive at worst. I will say that the first 25 or so episodes are cringe and borderline offensive at times, but hosts Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff learned quickly how to talk about true crime in a way that centers the victim or survivor and pushes back against stereotypes you often see in discussions of murder and other crimes. The show has evolved immensely since its start, in production quality as well, and I never ever miss an episode. They’re on episode #462, not including nearly the same number of bonus episodes.
Sawbones
I was tipped off about this show by a fellow science person and I was not disappointed! The show is a ‘marital tour of misguided medicine’ where the hosts — married couple Sydnee and Justin McElroy — tackle a massive range of topics, from Brazilian butt lifts to highly questionable (often dangerous) homeopathic remedies, to serious infectious disease threats today. Sydnee is a medical doctor, so she’s the expert who does all the research, while Justin asks questions and provides typically goofy commentary. They’re a great team.
That’s Absurd Please Elaborate
Hosts and science communicators Trace Dominguez and Julian Huguet answer silly/bizarre/ridiculous questions like “What if it was survival of the ‘cutest’ instead of the ‘fittest?’” and “What would happen if, spontaneously, all the element atoms in my body go up 1 place in the periodic table?” after diving into a ton of research on the topic. Julian and Trace have a blast with the research and each other. I had the opportunity to be a guest on an episode last year where we answered the questions, “If all humans never had to poop again — how would it affect the world?,” “What is the filthiest absolutely disgusting animal?,” and “What is the best way to potato?”
Up First from NPR
This is a really practical one. Sometimes (a lot of the time) the news is overwhelming, and I want to feel like I can tune it out somewhat during the day when I’m trying to work or enjoy my existence and not feel totally uninformed about what’s happening in our country and the world. I’ve found that listening to these ~10 minute episodes as I get ready in the morning or take my dogs out on a quick walk does the trick.
Open to Debate
Open to Debate is a nonpartisan, debate-driven podcast (and media organization) centered around keeping an open mind and protecting the future of democracy. Generally, each episode tackles a contentious topic from two sides, with one expert debating from each side. Some debate topics include, “Is religion a force for good?” “Do we have free will?” and “should there be reparations for slavery?” I usually find the discourse extremely engaging and always leave with a better understanding of and appreciation for the argument I don’t fully agree with.
SciShow Tangents
A mix of science, game show, and side tangent, hosts Hank Green, Ceri Riley, and Sam Schultz have a blast together and, as a listener, you really feel like you’re part of it. The science topics are generally fun and quirky but still grounded in scientific research.
Corporate Gossip
I truly have the worst understanding of the corporate world on a financial level, marketing level, legal level… okay, I’m pretty ignorant in that arena, period. That’s part of why I love corporate gossip. The podcast is hosted by siblings Becca and Adam Platsky. Becca’s a CPA and Adam works in data analytics. They take on the biggest scandals and gossip of the corporate world — think FTX, Enron, and McKinsey — and do it with humor.
Bros & Shows (formerly BravBoys)
Full disclosure: I’m a big Bravo fan. With the petty drama, the (almost entirely) trash dudes, and the occasional housewife going to prison, how could you not be? I’m kidding, I totally understand why it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. That may be why Bros & Shows — a podcast hosted by two dudes, Steel and Shooter, who became hooked on Bravo during the pandemic — caught me by surprise. They may be hetero bros casually chatting about last night’s episode of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, Summer House, or Southern Charm, but they do it in a way that’s fun and engaging, and they don’t shy away from absolutely tearing into the male cast members for their bad behavior in a way that I haven’t heard other podcasts do. Steel is also very open about his struggle with alcohol and sobriety. For two bros, they get deep.
Pocket Casts Blog 