Big Questions From Small Minds

What are the origins of life? How are humans and other primates related? And.... what caused the disappearance of Neanderthals? Was it lonely hearts? Would you swipe right on Gronk the Caveman? Professor Tanya M Smith from Griffith University is an expert in Human Biological Evolution. She's held positions at Harvard University, the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology. She's an absolute legend in her field and a genuinely funny human. We're very lucky to have her answer our crazy, silly questions. Get ready for laughs, insights, and things you'd never think of because this is a ridiculously brilliant episode. For more info and show notes - Go to https://smallminds.au

Are you planning the perfect bank robbery? Or wondering if it's possible to get away with murder? Well, you're crazy. You'll never get away with it. In our most fun episode yet, we dive deep into the science of solving crime. Expect blood, guts, and loads of laughs. Featuring professor of forensic science, Dennis McNevin from the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS). He also advises and trains police forces around the world. So he knows exactly how science busts bad guys.

Does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Or does it depend on how hard you throw the apple?  Seriously, Immunology has guided us through troubling times, like the COVID pandemic. But what exactly is immunology? Professor Scott Byrne breaks it down for us smallminds.au

Ever felt like an imposter? How does your brain know it’s forgotten something? And what the hell! Is it true that there's really a little monster inside us? Answering these questions and more is Associate Professor of Psychology, Sabina Klietman from Sydney University. She’s an expert on why we feel good and why we don’t. So don’t feel the FOMO, settle in for one of our most hilarious episodes yet.

Professor Michael Archer might just be Australia’s biggest fan of Jurassic Park because part of his incredible work is trying to resurrect extinct animals. “Dinosaurs didn’t go extinct. I think most kids are aware of that.” Globally, amazing efforts are happening to return mammoths to Siberia, and locally - we’re attempting to bring back the gastric-brooding frog and the thylacine (Tasmanian tigers!). The episode is packed full of ancient beasts, giant sharks, and Earth’s most dangerous creature…. Plus dinosaur farts. It’s DINO-MITE!!

Will NASA get in trouble if they don’t clean up? Do satellites fall on people? Where does astronaut poop go? These are some of our kids’ questions. Answering them is Anne Bettens, an expert in Space Junk. She’s researching robotic spacecraft or aka building a space handyman. Currently, she’s pursuing a PhD while interning with NASA, which has loads of space trash. Space junk orbiting Earth is a massive problem. The more floating rubbish, the more difficult launching rockets becomes. This huge issue is expanding and suddenly, it’s made garbage collecting super cool. Find out about giant magnets, space nets and astronauts eating Doritos… plus why in space, you can actually hear farts.

What happens inside your brain when you die? In accidents, why do things go into slo-mo? And what the heck is deja vu?  Professor Muireann Irish from Sydney University is answering the kids. She's a cognitive neuroscientist who’s won lots of brainy awards and she's going to blow your mind.  The brain... it really makes you think!

Are aliens real? Do they have one eye? What do they eat? Astronomer, Dr Danny Price from Curtin University is answering the kids’ questions. He’s also the chief scientist in Australia’s division of Breakthrough Listen - a project searching for alien life. Finding intelligent alien life would be one of humanity’s most profound discoveries. The possibility fills us with wonder. And if we do find them, how will we communicate? What will alien culture be like? Would you swipe right on Clarke from Mars? On the flip side, what does never finding any alien life mean? Or worse, finding aliens that are aggressive? Being invaded would suck. Plus…. Cloud farts on Venus and are diamonds in Uranus? Big Questions from Small Minds is a weekly podcast where kids ask big-brained science professors curly questions like, “Are aliens real? Will AI destroy the world? And what happens if we don’t stop climate change?” The answers are broken down to be fun, engaging and often silly. Co-hosted by Tom Norton and Phil Wolf, who have very little minds, so they’re perfect for the job. More info at https://smallminds.au

Will AI destroy the world? Will it revolutionise space travel? Can robots have emotions? The kids ask Professor Toby Walsh the big questions. Toby is a genius with a background in theoretical physics, mathematics and a PhD in artificial intelligence, but he’s trying to do something even harder. Our future is not killer robots, accidents in driverless cars and machines taking our jobs, that’s already happening! Professor Toby is trying to convince the UN and the world to regulate AI. Hear about humanity’s true superpower, all the ways people can die, and the deepest most profound question being asked in science today. Plus… toilets and zombies. So when will AI take over? This episode contains the exact date.

Big Questions from Small Minds is a fun science podcast for curious people. Kids ask big-brained science professors curly questions about the world. The answers are broken down to be engaging and often silly! Launches - Wednesday, August  16 Ep 1 - Artificial Intelligence with Professor Toby Walsh For more info - smallminds.au