How much do we actually know about the universe? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice answer fan questions from plasma propulsion to quantum gravity to black hole escape plans.
Jun 12
Conquering Fear with Alex Honnold
Is the fear of heights innate or learned? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, and Gary O'Reilly explore taking risks, the neuroscience of fear, and how to overcome it with freestyle rock climber and subject of the film Free Solo, Alex Honnold, and neuroscientist Heather Berlin. NOTE ... Show More
57m 51s
Jun 9
Quasar Quirks & Sky Surveys with Matt O’Dowd
Did the Milky Way used to be a quasar? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore quasars, the high energy universe, and the movie we’re making of the night’s sky with astrophysicist & host of PBS Space Time, Matt O’Dowd. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can ... Show More
55m 22s
Mar 2020
"Sinnerman" by Nina Simone
<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
55m 15s
Jan 2021
"Space Oddity" and "Starman" by David Bowie
<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
53m 46s
May 2020
"Chicago" by Sufjan Stevens
<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
57m 10s
Feb 2025
Bugs Bunny Math, ft. Black Star (Encore)
“Art is a thing people forget they need until they need it” - yasiin beyFeaturing, in order of appearance: Questlove, Michelle Wolf, Niko Is, Narcy, Radio Rahim, Roc Marciano and Black Thought Contains audio clips featuring Prince and Chuck Berry and unreleased music from Black S ... Show More
29m 28s
Jul 2020
"No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age
<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
55m 25s
Jan 2021
"Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap
<p>Where are we? What the hell is going on? Oh right, we're here with our podcast device, listening to an episode of Strong Songs.</p><p>On this episode, Kirk dives into Imogen Heap's one-woman choral masterwork "Hide and Seek," taking a closer look at the technologies and proces ... Show More
58m 22s