Science

Facts Machine

Facts Machine is a podcast by and for people who are curious about everything — but especially the things that make them laugh. Scientists by day and pub trivia hosts by night, Emily, Noah, and Rob leverage their scientific curiosity and delight in obscure minutiae to bring you a podcast that explores life’s silliest, most unexpected, and outright awe-inspiring stories. And puns. So many puns.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 74: Eeks! of Nature (ft. Jaida Elcock & Nic Comparato) Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode dedicated to "Spooky Animals", we were joined by shark expert Jaida Elcock and bat expert Nic Comparato for stories about spooky species, comedy about creepy crawlies, and hare-raising trivia that made it a fright to remember!

Jaida: @sofishtication_

Nic: @lesscommonloons

Episode 73: Starry Not Sorry (ft. Iman Behbehani, Kate Schmidt & Matthew Starr) Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

See our show THIS THURSDAY (12/19) in person in New York or streaming from wherever you are!

In this Astrophysics-themed episode, we were joined by astrophysicist Iman Behbehani, astronomer Kate Schmidt, and comedian Matthew Starr for stories about the stars, comedy about the cosmos, and trivia that’ll be out of this world!

Iman: @astroontapnyc

Kate: @crotchetiercrocheter

Matthew: @matthewsstarr

Episode 72: Ballot Cleanser (ft. Dr. Lindsey Cormack PhD, Dr. Justin Williams PhD & Dr. Andrea Jones-Rooy PhD) Oct 22, 2024

Show notes

In this Political Science-themed episode, we were joined political scientist and author Dr. Lindsey Cormack PhD, historian and comedian Dr. Justin Williams PhD, and political scientist, comedian, and circus performer (!!) Dr. Andrea Jones-Rooy PhD for deep dives on democracy, laughs about gaffes, and trivia that’ll have you polling in the aisles! Lindsey: @howtoraiseacitizen Justin: @justin_williams_comedy Andrea: @jonesrooy

Episode 71: The Feeding Is Mutual (ft. Dr. Kate Bredbenner, PhD & Hampton Humber) Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

Come see our show THIS THURSDAY (9/19 7pm Eastern) in person in NYC or livestream from wherever you are!

In this Symbiosis-themed episode, we were joined by Dr. Kate Bredbenner and Hampton Humber for stories about synergistic species, comedy about critters coexisting, and trivia that mite live on your head rent-free!

Kate: @simplebiologist

Hampton: @Hampdman

Episode 70: Our Wetter Nature (ft. Joshua Barber & Dr. Diana Li, PhD) Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

In this marine biology themed episode, we were joined by fish expert Joshua Barber and squid expert Dr. Diana Li, PhD for deep dives on the deep sea, the laugh aquatic, and trivia that will show you the error of your waves. Josh: @joshbarbershop @gettingfishypod Diana: @dianateuthis.bsky.social

Episode 69: Burrows of NYC (ft. Dr. Casey Lardner, PhD, Dr. Valentina Alaasam, PhD, & Sam Corbin) Jun 11, 2024

Show notes

For this show about urban animals, we were joined by guest scientists Dr. Casey Lardner, PhD & Dr. Valentina Alaasam, PhD (plus guest game-master Sam Corbin!) for deep dives on our nest-door neighbors, a habitat for hilarity, and trivia about why we can’t have niche things!

Episode 68: Know Your Earth (ft. Kristina Gustovich & Kasha Patel) May 15, 2024

Show notes

Come see our show THIS THURSDAY (5/16) 7pm Eastern at Caveat in NYC or via livestream from wherever you are!

For this Earth-themed show, we were joined by stand-up comedian & science writer Kasha Patel as well as Earth scientist, performer & educator Kristina Gustovich for deep dives on the deep interior of our planet, comedy about the climate, and trivia that’ll was into this world!

Kristina Gustovich: @mucho_gustovich

Kasha Patel: @Kashablanca

Episode 67: Piece of Mind (ft. Dr. Chloe Lopez-Lee, PhD & Dr. Devon Collins, PhD) Apr 16, 2024

Show notes

We were joined by neuroscientists Dr. Chloe Lopez-Lee, PhD and Dr. Devon Collins, PhD for deep dives on the deepest recesses of our brains, comedy about consciousness, and trivia that blew our minds!

Episode 66: Hearts & Sciences (ft. Adam Rosenzweig & Dr. Paula Croxson, PhD) Mar 13, 2024

Show notes

In this love-themed episode, we were joined by two beloved science communicators, chemist Adam Rosenzweig & neuroscientist Dr. Paula Croxson for a show full of deep dives on the deepest recesses of our hearts, comedy about commitment, and trivia you'll love at first sight!

Dr. Paula Croxson

Insta/TikTok/Twitter: @PaulaCroxson

Adam Rosenzweig

Twitter: @AdamTheChemist

Insta: @Adam_The_Chemist

TikTok: @AtomsAndBonds

Episode 65: Spacing Out (ft. Dr. Mark Popinchalk, PhD & Dr. Moiya McTier, PhD) Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, we were joined by two out-of-this-world science communicators, astrophysicist and folklorist Dr. Moiya McTier, PhD & astronomer Dr. Mark Popinchalk, PhD for a show full of deep dives on deep space, comet-y about astronomy, and trivia that made us see stars!

Moiya's socials:

Twitter/TikTok/Instagram: @GoAstroMo

Mark's socials:

Twitter/TikTok - @MarkPopinchalk

Instagram - @Mark.Popinchalk