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Full Interview: Dark Matter = Black Holes? Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

David Kaiser thinks the dark matter puzzle is getting closer to being solved. Nearly a century of observations, from galaxy clusters to the cosmic microwave background, have built a compelling case for dark matter's existence, but in recent years, the leading candidates for this mysterious matter have been coming up short.. Enter black holes. Tiny ones. David explains how so-called primordial black holes that formed in the first moments after the Big Bang could possibly be all our dark matter… if they exist at all. Fortunately, this is a testable theory, and David explains the exciting new experiments that could potentially lay this cosmic mystery to rest.

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Guest Bio:

David Kaiser is a professor of physics and the history of science at MIT. His research spans the history of modern physics, cosmology, and the foundations of quantum theory. He is the author of several books, including How the Hippies Saved Physics, and is a frequent contributor to public conversations about science and its history.

Hunt for Mini Black Holes Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

David Kaiser thinks a good place to hunt for tiny black holes might be… Mars? How do you detect something microscopic, invisible, and speeding through space? Primordial black holes have long eluded astrophysicists—if they exist at all. But the hunt is heating up. David joins Hakeem to explore how scientists are combing through old data and designing new experiments that could finally catch one of these elusive objects—and possibly not only solve the century-old mystery of dark matter, but also confirm the existence of Hawking Radiation. And, yes, he explains why Mars might hold the key.

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Guest Bio:

Are Black Holes Dark Matter? Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

David Kaiser thinks tiny black holes from the dawn of time could be the solution to the dark matter puzzle. David joins Hakeem to discuss primordial black holes, tiny objects that may have formed in the first fraction of a second after the Big Bang. First proposed by Stephen Hawking more than 50 years ago, this hypothesis requires no new physics and no new particles, making it one of the most grounded ideas currently on the table… and one that may solve more than one cosmic mystery. David explains what these primordial black holes are, why many in the physics community are returning to this decades-old idea, and how it could potentially solve the dark matter mystery.

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Guest Bio:

Why Dark Matter Matters Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

David Kaiser knows the universe is hiding something enormous – and no one can see it. Dark matter appears to be all over our universe, but what is it? As a physicist and science historian, David joins Hakeem to discuss one of astrophysics most impossible puzzles. Nearly a century of observations - from the motion of galaxy clusters to the rotation of individual galaxies to the subtle patterns in the cosmic microwave background - has built a remarkably consistent case that most of the matter in the universe is invisible to us. Kaiser and Hakeem work through how that evidence accumulated, why the leading candidate explanations have become increasingly constrained, and one tantalizing idea that is getting physicists excited.

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Guest Bio:

Battle to Beat Malaria May 12, 2026

Show notes

Could one of the world’s deadliest diseases be headed for the history books? Malaria’s relentless yearly death toll has driven the World Health Organization to set bold targets, and a new vaccine may signal a turning point in the long battle against this disease. Early trials demonstrated a remarkable efficacy rate, but the question remained: Could it earn an all-important recommendation from the WHO? Follow the international team of researchers that worked tirelessly to develop a vaccine that could save more lives and reshape the future of malaria prevention.

You can watch the full film here.

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How Many Leaves Are on a Tree? | Kirk Johnson Apr 29, 2026

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Need to know how many leaves are on that tree? Paleobotanist Dr. Kirk Johnson shares the surprisingly nerdy method—because you never know when leaf math will come in handy.

For more, check out the extended interviewwith Kirk Johnson.

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Decoding the Great Pyramid Apr 28, 2026

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What engineering secrets lie within the Great Pyramid, and who really built it? Innovations like rope‑sewn boats, laser‑precise alignments, and hidden internal chambers reveal a building team with knowledge far ahead of its time. Uncover clues buried around Giza that point to a surprising truth about the workforce responsible for one of history’s greatest construction projects.

To watch the full film, visit https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/video/decoding-the-great-pyramid/

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The Air You Breathe Is Bacteria Poop | Peter Girguis Apr 22, 2026

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Long before trees and grass, microbes were shaping our atmosphere. Evolutionary biologist Peter Girguis explains how ancient bacteria learned to split water for energy, and why their waste product changed Earth forever.

For more, check out the extended interview with Peter Girguis.

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The Fish That Could Walk | Sean B. Carrol Apr 15, 2026

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How did animals first make the giant step from water to land? Evolutionary biologist Sean B. Carroll explains how the discovery of Tiktaalik—a fossil with both fish and limb-like features—revealed a key moment in evolution.

For more, check out the extended interview with Sean B. Carroll.

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When Whales Could Walk Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

What if whales had legs? Once upon a time, they did. Sort of. An astonishing fossil trail shows that modern whales actually evolved from hooved land mammals. Whales still carry the fingerprints of this past, from their stomach anatomy to their swimming gait. Dive in to discover the wild story of how whales traded legs for fins, as we uncover clues about their ancestors, as well as their unlikely present-day relatives.

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