Cosmic Queries – Before the Big Bang

Are all galaxies redshifting away? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Negin Farsad tackle a grab bag of fan questions covering cosmic infrastructure, redshift, werewolves, gravitational waves, and the nature of time itself. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode ... Show More

Can we put the data centers in space? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly map out the future of human habitation, research, and industry in low Earth orbit with Ariel Ekblaw, founder and CEO of the Aurelia Institute. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to ... Show More

What would happen to Earth if Jupiter stopped rotating? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice answer a grab bag of fan questions about the challenges with space telescopes, the nature of AI, and whether aliens are funny. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode comm ... 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