Shirtloads of Science

Dr Karl’s a curious optimist – a great combination for a science lover. Join him and his guests for weird facts, amazing conversation and remember, it’s never too late for a happy childhood. https://drkarl.com/

Hypersonics Part Two with Dr. Graham Wild (433) 06/21/2025

Hypersonics Part Two with Dr. Graham Wild (433) In part two of my conversation with Dr. Graham Wild, we dive deeper into the fascinating world of hypersonic machines. We explore how sound waves behave at extreme speeds, the significance of the boundary layer, and what materials are best suited for these ultra-fast aircraft. Connect with Dr. Graham Wild on Twitter/X: /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/37036220

Hypersonics Part One with Dr. Graham Wild (432) 06/14/2025

Hypersonics Part One with Dr. Graham Wild (432) Aviation expert Dr. Graham Wild returns to take us beyond the basics of flight and into the high-speed world of subsonic vs. hypersonic aircraft. We break down the engine mechanics behind these incredible machines, and I squeeze in a humblebrag about sitting in an SR-71 (yes, okay, it was grounded). It’s a theory-packed episode, so we’ve split it into two parts. Catch Part 2 next week. Connect with Dr. Graham Wild on Linkedin Twitter/ X - @aerospacedoctor /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/36995570

How Planes Fly (A Brief Introduction) with Dr. Graham Wild (431) 06/07/2025

How Planes Fly (A Brief Introduction) with Dr. Graham Wild (431) In 2020, Scientific American made waves with the provocative headline: "No One Can Explain Why Planes Stay in the Air." But is that really true? Dr. Graham Wild, senior lecturer in aviation science and technology at the University of New South Wales in Canberra, joins us to set the record straight. In this episode, we dip our toes into the complex of flight. We scratch at the very surface of the topic in an episode that could easily take over 20 hours. Connectt with Dr. Graham Wild on Linkedin Twitter/ X - @aerospacedoctor /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/36886290

Rethinking Laundry for the Planet With Dr Holly Kaye Smith (430) 05/31/2025

Rethinking Laundry for the Planet With Dr Holly Kaye Smith (430) Most of us throw our clothes in the wash without a second thought, but what if that habit is doing more harm than good? In this episode, Dr. Holly Kaye-Smith, social change expert and communications specialist, challenges the way we think about cleanliness, climate action, and everyday laundry. From surprising stats (over 90% of washed clothes aren’t even dirty!) to the hidden environmental cost of every wash cycle, we dive into the myths, microplastics, and mindsets that shape our laundering routines. Holly shares practical refreshing techniques that save water, and why she recommends everyone have a “rewear chair.” Connect with Dr Holly Kaye Smith on Linkedin Instagram - Youtube - /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/36724360

Are Ice Baths Worth the Hype? With Dr Hunter Bennett (429) 05/24/2025

Are Ice Baths Worth the Hype? With Dr Hunter Bennett (429) Are ice baths really the recovery miracle they're made out to be? We plunge into the science with Dr. Hunter Bennett, lecturer at the University of South Australia, exploring the pros and cons of ice baths, when they’re helpful, and when they might actually hinder your gains. We also unpack health misinformation online and Dr Hunter shares five evidence-based tips for anyone curious about cold plunges. Connect with Dr Hunter Bennett on Linkedin Dr Bennett's article on Ice Baths in The Conversation /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/36636990

Health Misinformation on Social Media & Overdiagnosis with Dr Brooke Nickel (428) 05/19/2025

Health Misinformation on Social Media & Overdiagnosis with Dr Brooke Nickel (428) Dr. Brooke Nickel dives into the murky world of health misinformation on social media, exposing how overdiagnosis and unverified health claims are thriving in a mostly unregulated space. We explore the influence of online personalities, the power of personal anecdotes, and the urgent need for evidence-based guidance in digital health conversations. 🔗 /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/36632940

The Dark Side of the U.S Meat Packing Industry with Alice Driver (427) 05/10/2025

The Dark Side of the U.S Meat Packing Industry with Alice Driver (427) Award-winning author and investigative journalist Alice Driver joins me to discuss her powerful new book, Life and Death of the American Worker. Her investigation exposes the deeply unethical practices within the meatpacking industry in the United States. For Alice, this story is personal. She grew up in Arkansas, one of the country’s poorest states and home to Tyson Foods, the largest meatpacking plant in America. We delve into the harsh realities faced by the industry’s workforce, many of whom are undocumented immigrants, with estimates suggesting that up to 30% of the labor force lacks legal status. Our conversation explores the severe health consequences these workers endure and the broader implications for workers’ rights in America today. Find Alice's book at IG: @alice__driver /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/36351415

Space Lasers on the Toliman Mission with Prof. Peter Tuthill and Prof. Boris Kuhlmey (426) 05/03/2025

Space Lasers on the Toliman Mission with Prof. Peter Tuthill and Prof. Boris Kuhlmey (426) In this episode, Prof. Boris Kuhlmey and Prof. Peter Tuthill join me to discuss the Toliman Mission, a space telescope project focused on detecting Earth-like exoplanets around Alpha Centauri, our nearest star system, using precise astrometric measurements. We discuss logistics, the costs involved and the success rate of such an astronomical project. Developed by a collaboration including the University of Sydney, NASA’s JPL, and Breakthrough Initiatives, it aims to launch by 2026. University of Sydney, Faculty of Science Toliman: https://toliman.space/ Boris Kuhlmey linkedin: https://au.linkedin.com/in/boris-kuhlmey-48b45615 Peter Tuthill Bluesky: https://blueskydirectory.com/profiles/spiralstar.bsky /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/35930145

Fluoride in Drinking Water with Dr Michael Foley (425) 04/26/2025

Fluoride in Drinking Water with Dr Michael Foley (425) Almost all of the regional and remote communities in Queensland do not have fluoridated drinking water, so why is this a problem? Dentist Dr Michael Foley debunks the infamous NTP report which suggested that fluoridated drinking water lowered IQ and breaks down how fluoride actually works and why it's so important for our dental health. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/35930075

RPT Growing Ear Drums with Professor Marcus Atlas 04/20/2025

RPT Growing Ear Drums with Professor Marcus Atlas Dr Karl uncovers a lifelong Australian quest to restore comfort and hearing with custom made eardrum transplants. Called Cleardrums, Professor Marcus Atlas is close to passing regulatory hurdles for human trials. Ep407 [Repeat] /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/32819352

RPT Eating for Beginners with Dr Fuller 04/13/2025

RPT Eating for Beginners with Dr Fuller Dr Karl (former father of the year) talks with Dr Nick Fuller (recent dad) about teaching children how to eat. The good habits learned early lead to healthy lives. Ep396 [Repeat] /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/32438452

RPT Ballooning for Dark Matter with Dr Sirks 04/06/2025

RPT Ballooning for Dark Matter with Dr Sirks Why use a balloon to hunt the most elusive suff in the Universe? Dr Sirks takes Dr Karl through the history of Dark Matter and why astronomy is only part of the solution. Ep379 [Repeat] /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/29625078

Seaforesting Carbon with Sam Elsom (424) 03/30/2025

Seaforesting Carbon with Sam Elsom (424) Atmospheric Carbon is burning us up. CO₂ is the big culprit but what about methane? Industry calls it "natural gas" but sheep and cattle belch millions of tons. Australian scientists have a very cool answer with seaweed. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/35299030

Food Noise with Professor Clare Collins (423) 03/23/2025

Food Noise with Professor Clare Collins (423) Weight loss medicines are never easy. What happens when your brain says you're full? Dr Karl and Professor Clare Collins explore the promises and pitfalls plus the ones that occasionally kill. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/35299480

Keeping Cool ep2 with Professor Jay (422) 03/16/2025

Keeping Cool ep2 with Professor Jay (422) Our warming world means more humidity. You can't see it but you can feel it. Professor Ollie Jay introduces Dr Karl to wet bulb thermometers, how sweating works and why humidity gets you down. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/35159610

Keeping Cool ep1 with Prof Jay (421) 03/09/2025

Keeping Cool ep1 with Prof Jay (421) Summer heat waves are increasing - so AC or fan, what is best? The answer becomes unclear when air temperatures are in the high 30s. Professor Jay takes Dr Karl inside your sweat glands to discover the physics of keeping cool. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/35159530

The Crack with Marcus Chown (408) 12/08/2024

The Crack with Marcus Chown (408) Author and astrophysicist Marcus Chown is a great explainer. A British stargazer, he studied under Richard Feynman in California. Dr Karl puts him to the test talking about Marcus' latest book on black holes "A Crack in Everything". /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/33753947

G-Planes and Hoops with Dr Bloom (420) 03/05/2025

G-Planes and Hoops with Dr Bloom (420) Physics on both galactic and personal scales are explored and answered with Dr Jessica Bloom and Dr Karl. . /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/35143560

Meet the Novas with Dr Sara Webb (419) 02/23/2025

Meet the Novas with Dr Sara Webb (419) We are so lucky to be alive. Dr Sara Webb's 'The Little book of Cosmic Catastrophes' looks at dangerous galactic neighbours. So what are the chances of finding Earth 2.0 ? /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/34544100

Circular economies with Belinda Chellingworth (418) 02/16/2025

Circular economies with Belinda Chellingworth (418) Dr Karl consults with circular economy expert, experienced waste manager, change maker and garbologist Belinda Chellingworth. Waste is expensive so well-designed product cycles makes it better for us all. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/35718035

Sexy Talk with Dr Ann Jones (417) 02/09/2025

Sexy Talk with Dr Ann Jones (417) A shameless piece of cross promotion for ABC podcast 'What the Duck' with Dr Ann Jones about plant and animal reproduction. Contains names of body parts, fluids, graphic descriptions and one swear word. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/33873647

Slick Oil with Royce Kurmelovs (416) 02/02/2025

Slick Oil with Royce Kurmelovs (416) Global Warming is caused by burning fossil fuels. is journalist Royce Kurmelovs' account of our role. Dr Karl and Royce and explore how the science was silenced Down Under. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/33992617

News from Mars with Dr Brown (415) 01/26/2025

News from Mars with Dr Brown (415) Dr Karl talks with the Australian working on the surface of Mars, Dr Adrian Brown from NASA. Hear how AI saved "Percy" the Rover, what those leopard-spotted rocks could mean and Dust devil strategies. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/34026754

Winning the Science debate with Dr Bertley (414) 01/19/2025

Winning the Science debate with Dr Bertley (414) Dr Frederic Bertley is a leading educator, President and CEO of the Center for Science and Industry (), one of America’s top-ranked science museums. Dr Karl explores tactics in the war on Pseudo and Anti-science. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/33910007

Hypnotherapy with Dr Spiegel (413) 01/12/2025

Hypnotherapy with Dr Spiegel (413) Feelings live in our brain. Some are painful like anxiety and addiction and can ruin lives. So why aren't hypnotherapy treatments more widely used? Dr Karl asks Stanford University psychiatrist and leading researcher on hypnosis Dr David Spiegel with 50 year's experience. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/33865467

Settlement Science with Professor Roland Fletcher (412) 01/05/2025

Settlement Science with Professor Roland Fletcher (412) What will our human space colonies look like? Dr Karl checks with research spanning more than 10,000 years. Meet University of Sydney's Professor Roland Fletcher. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/33865147

Triangulation with Matt Parker (411) 12/29/2024

Triangulation with Matt Parker (411) Stand-up comedian, ex-maths teacher and author Matt Parker chats about his bestselling book on three-sided figures called Love Triangle. Dr Karl explores what fascinates us about trigonometry. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/33844967

Responsible AI with Natasha Blycha (410) 12/22/2024

Responsible AI with Natasha Blycha (410) When Artificial Intelligence is everywhere what should be the rules? Dr Karl and Natasha Blycha test Isaac Asimov's Laws of Robotics and find they need updating. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/33346292

More Cracks with Marcus Chown (409) 12/15/2024

More Cracks with Marcus Chown (409) Author and astrophysicist Marcus Chown tells of the forgotten Australian female astronomer who helped discover the first black hole. Dr Karl digs deeper into Marcus' latest book on black holes "A Crack in Everything". /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/33753952

Growing Ear Drums with Professor Marcus Atlas (407) 12/01/2024

Growing Ear Drums with Professor Marcus Atlas (407) In this repeat episode, Dr Karl uncovers a lifelong Australian quest to restore comfort and hearing with custom made eardrum transplants. Called Cleardrums, Professor Marcus Atlas is close to passing regulatory hurdles for human trials. /episode/index/show/shirtloadsofscience/id/35717930

Shirtloads of Science

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