Cosmic Queries – Before the Big Bang

Where does the wind come from? What is a sonic boom? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice explain things you thought you knew about sonic booms, daily temperatures, and how wind works. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkm ... Show More

Are we living inside a computer simulation? Is artificial intelligence truly conscious? And what happens to us when we die? Neil deGrasse Tyson and cohost’s Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly tackle more questions from inside the StarTalk team. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to thi ... Show More

What are the main candidates for dark matter? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice sit down with theoretical physicist Katherine Freese to tackle fan questions about dark matter, dark energy, and the dark universe at large. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this e ... Show More

<p>Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to? To the rock? To the river? To the sea? Well, wherever you run, you'll still be starring in a Strong Songs analysis of one of Nina Simone's greatest recordings.</p><p>Yes, it's time for Strong Songs' first-ever analysis of a live recordin ... Show More

Is the universe infinite? What about the cosmological horizons, the limits to what we can see? Will we ever know for sure what's beyond them? I discuss these questions and more in today's Ask a Spaceman! Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/pmsutter All episodes: http://www.A ... Show More

<p>Let the children lose it, let the children use it, and let all the children join in for Strong Songs year three!</p><p>Kirk kicks off the new year with a pair of classics by the great David Bowie: 1969's melancholy "Space Oddity" and 1972's triumphant "Starman." What goes up, ... Show More

<p>It's time for a journey of the mind, as Kirk picks apart one of the best hard rock tunes of the early 2000s.</p><p>Queens of the Stone Age's "Songs for the Deaf" includes enough bangers that it was tough to pick a single song to focus on, but in the end, "No One Knows" won the ... Show More

<p>On this episode... a prank.</p><p>April Fools’ Day has run its course, which means it’s time to update this episode description to accurately reflect what’s in the episode. Hopefully this joke made some listeners laugh, and didn't ruffle too many feathers.</p><p>The actual ful ... Show More

<p>D, A, C, G. Four chords, placed end to end, repeated over and over again.</p><p>On this episode, Kirk takes a deep dive into Sufjan Stevens's "Chicago," the centerpiece of his brilliant 2005 album <i>Illinois</i>. It's a towering construction supported by four chords, with bui ... Show More

<p>A toast to the groom! To the bride! To knowing you'll always regret the sacrifice you made for your sister!</p><p>In this updated 2019 episode, Kirk takes a dive into Lin-Manuel Miranda's epic Broadway musical <i>Hamilton</i>, focusing on Renée Elise Goldsberry's first act sho ... Show More

<p>Time for the first Q&A episode of Strong Songs year three!</p><p>On this episode, Kirk digs into the mailbag for your questions on Jack White's guitar tone, Shabaka Hutchings' sax sound, 70s kitsch jazz, concept albums, drummers learning mallet instruments, Celtic sounds, "sav ... Show More

<p>You don't have to be beautiful, rich, OR cool to appreciate Prince - you just need a little extra time, a pair of ears, and a pulse.</p><p>It's finally time to talk about the Purple One on Strong Songs, specifically his 1986 chart-topper "Kiss." How did a song that was origina ... Show More