PODCAST · comedy
Highbrow Drivel
by Anthony Jeannot
Hilarious takes from serious experts. Each week I'm joined by a new stand up comedian and a new expert to discuss their field of expertise. We're talking the big topics, the brain, space, climate science, psychedelics and all the areas you're most likely to end up when you're drunk, at the end of a party, just trying to figure it all out. . It's a light, funny and easily accessible way to hear the latest from some seriously mind blowing experts.
Episodes
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The Neuroscience of How We Navigate W/ Christopher Kemp & Si Deaves
We've all woken up from a night out and not remembered getting home. How does the brain do that? On this week's ep we look into the neuroscience of navigation and spatial awareness, a completely complicated task that we take for granted all the time. So listen in and get a new found appreciation…
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You're So Lucky - w/ Dr Sean Carroll & Bryan James
You and everyone you know and love are the beneficiaries of a series of fortunate events. From the planet bursting into existence, to the dinosaurs being wiped out by a once-in-a-ever (hopefully) asteroid, to the 1 in 70 billion chance that you would end up with your exact genetic material. And...
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Disaster Management w Professor Lucy Easthope
How do you prepare for an event that's never happened in your lifetime? What's it like to feel like the boy who cried wolf? Do we have a plan for alien invasion? And why were disaster planners called to plan for Brexit? On this week's episode, we talk to Professor Lucy Easthope, the UK's leading...
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Quantum Steampunks w/ Dr Nicole Yunger Halpern & Isabelle Farrah
What do steam punks and modern quantum physicists have in common? What is quantum entanglement? How did the hippies save science? And we come up with a brilliant idea for the next Pixar blockbuster. All that & more in this week's episode. Expert Guest: Nicole re-envisions 19th-century...
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Guest podcast - The Nothing Podcast - Stand up comedy
For the last week of the break, The Nothing Podcast With Nobody Important is our guest podcast. The team put together a fascinating, fun and always interesting set of human interest stories that get you excited to find out the secret lives of the people around you. In this week, the chat to…
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Guest pod - Sure Jan - Dating
This week's amazing guest podcast is 'Sure, Jan', an amazing honest, endearing and funny look at modern dating. Jan talks to Anthony about his period of 53 first dates in 9 months when he first moved to London, and ultimately the journey to meeting his wife :)
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Guest pod - Better Call Daddy - Magic Mushrooms
This guest episode is from the Better Call Daddy Podcast, created by Reena Friedman Watts. The episode focuses on Anthony's use of magic mushrooms for anxiety management.
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Quantum vs Cosmic - Small answers to big questions
When you think about how the universe works, most people start from the cosmic perspective, but what about the little guys? Literally! This week we talk to Dr Chris Ferrie about what quantum physics brings to our understanding of the universe and how things work. Expert guest: Chris Ferrie is an...
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A very very short history of life on Earth
Butts, boobies and bacteria. Discover the unsung heroes throughout history who made life on Earth possible. Expert guest: Dr Henry Gee is a former paleontologist, evolutionary biologist and senior editor of the international renowned scientific journal Nature. He is the best selling author of the...
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The science of pain on purpose
From marathon runners, to chilli lovers and kinksters, we all have things that bring us joy and pain simultaneously. Why and how does it happen? Join us to find out. Expert guest: Leigh Cowart is a researcher, science communicator and author. Their work has appeared in New York Magazine's The…
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The science of surfaces
Why is some stuff sticky? How does ice work and are we birds swimming through the air? This week we dive deep into the science of surfaces. Expert guest: Laurie Winkless is a brilliantly multi-talented physicist and science communicator. She has a passion for translating complex science into...
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How to have challenging conversations.
There are a few topics in life that most of us find difficult to have. The most common of those around dying. This week expert Dr Kathryn Mannix, and comedian Jackie Kashian join us talk about how to have tender conversations. Expert guest: Dr Kathryn Mannix has spent her career in palliative…
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How group identities shape your life
From politics to travel, sports to conspiracy theories, the groups we're in hugely change the way we see and interact with the world. In this episode we look talk to a leading social psychologist about how group identity works. Expert guest: Dr Jay Van Bavel is a multi-talented and multi-award...
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Frequently Asked Questions of the Universe
Get ready to wave hello to Jeff and Elon, we're getting back in the Highbrow Drivel Galactic and heading back to outer space. This week, we're talking about the frequently asked questions of the universe with Dr Daniel Whiteson and Pernille Haaland. Highlights include Dr Daniel explaining...
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Can we solve the problem with Math(s)?
Numbers are the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe, and as we progress in our career, almost all jobs (even fun creative ones) need a basic grasp of mathematics. So why do so many people hate them and how can we fix this? And test your skill with our viral math mind benders! Expert…
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Rethinking cities
Are cities broken or brilliant? Most of our population live in cities, so you'd think they should be the most comfortable place a person can be...but a whole lot of people hate them. In this week's episode our comedian and expert look into the pro's and con's of city life. Expert guest: Claire...
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The Secret Life of Elements
What's in the periodic table? In this week's episode the infectiously insightful Dr Kathryn Harkup takes us through her love of the periodic table, helping us understand the personalities and characteristic of the elements we spent so long trying to remember. Expert guest: Dr Kathryn Harkup is a...
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How emotions work
Emotions are confusing as hell, and increasingly, we're paying more and more attention to how we feel. In this episode we talk to one of the world's leading experts on emotions, Dr Rich Firth-Godbehere, to help us figure out how to think about the way that we feel. The hilarious John Poveromo…
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The particles of the universe
What makes up stuff? And why does it exist? In this episode we talk to particle physicist Dr Harry Cliff and Ashish Suri to find out how a universe is made. Expert guest: Dr Harry Cliff is a particle physicist at the University of Cambridge working on the LHCb (you know, the Large Hadron…
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The floods are coming
Just this week we saw Tower Bridge flooded. How the heck a bridge floods, I don't know. It seems like flooding has snuck up on most of us as a major consequence of climate change. In this week's episode we talk with a flood modelling specialist and an critically acclaimed comedian to find out…
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What is burnout and why does it happen?
According to some studies 75% of people have experienced burnout. And according to some of my friends you can be burned out 75% of the time. In this week's episode we talk to an organisational psychologist and a comedian who used to be a social worker to get to the bottom of what burnout is, why…
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How the brain understands sound
Making sense of sound is one of the most interesting and difficult things that our brain does constantly. So how does it work? And can you really have 'selective hearing' find out this and more on this week's episode. Expert guest: Nina Kraus, a neuroscientist who has done pathbreaking research…
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Why do people still get married?
Most of us wouldn't go to a restaurant if 42% of it was crazy expensive and 42% of its review were terrible. Yet, every year 1000's of people still get married. In this episode we discuss what marriage was, why it sucked, why we still do it and how to reimagine it in a way that works for our...
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The joy of sweat w/ Sarah Everts & Jamie Allerton
This is a downright hilarious and often surprising chat about sweat. That's right smelly, wet, sweat. We discuss why it happens, why it sucks, some of the weird (and occasionally scary) things it can do and some of the amazing things it can tell us. Expert guest: Sarah Everts is an award-winning...
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The mind of a murderer w/ Dr Richard Taylor and Cressida Wetton
Can someone of sound mind commit murder? What makes someone become a murderer and what is the home security like of someone who has worked on over 100 murder cases? We discuss all that plus some of the strangest cases of the career of Dr Richard Taylor. Expert guest: Dr Richard Taylor is a London...
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Deep Oceans w/ Dr Karen Osborn & Jonathan Duffy
What's hiding in our deep oceans? A whole bunch of beautiful and interesting animals it turns out. Today Dr Karen Osborne joins us to answer all our important questions on our deep oceans, what they're made up of, what it's like to study them and what it's like to live with a whale. Expert guest:...
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What We Can Learn From Spies w/ Sir David Omand
What does it take to be a spy? And what can we learn from spies about how to influence people, manage risk and make good decisions? We bring Sir David Omand, former Head of UK Security and Intelligence Coordinator on the show to find out. Expert Guest: Sir David Omand was the first UK Security…
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Dealing with our own mortality w/ a thanatologist
Gonna be controversial, but I wouldn't be a bad boy of comedy if I didn't say it. I don't like the idea of dying. So of course, on this episode I squirm through the topic of dying, how to prepare for it or come to terms with it with the amazing Dr Panagiotis Pentaris and good friend of the show...
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How Did The Social Instinct Evolve?
Dawkins said that there was no room for altruism in evolution, so why are we so cooperative as a species? This week we speak to Dr Nichola Raihani is PI of the Social Evolution and Behaviour Lab. She is Professor in Evolution and Behaviour, a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Fellow of...
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Did hippies ruin psychedelics?
We've already discussed the scientific benefits of psychedelics. Today we look at whether that comes from magical elves, third eyes and interdimensional wisdom, or perhaps if there is a way to experience all the benefits of psychedelics without giving into mystical madness. Our expert guest: Dr...
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Averting the insect apocalypse
Bugs, creepy crawlies, insects, pests. Whatever you call them, these little critters play an important part of our ecosystem and their disappearing at an alarming rate. In this episode, we chat to Dr Dave Goulson, author of the upcoming book 'Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse' with the...
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A Zoologists Guide To Aliens w/ Dr Arik Kershenbaum & Will Preston
There's a lot of what we know from Earth that can teach us what to expect from extraterrestrials in the future. In this week's episode, Zoologist, Dr Arik Kershenbaum joins comedian Will Preston to discuss insights from Arik's book 'A Zoologists Guide to The Galaxy: What Animals on Earth Reveal...
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Drunk: How Alcohol Shaped Society w/ Edward Slingerland and Juan Miles
Fresh from his appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Distinguished University Scholar and Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia, Edward Slingerland joins us to discuss his new book "Drunk: How we sipped, danced, and stumbled our way to civilisation" a book that offers a...
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The philosophy of evolution w/ Tom Ballard & Dr Kim Sterelny & Tom
How did we evolve to be the way we are? I'm joined by international award winning philosopher on evolutionary science Dr Kim Sterelny and international acclaimed comedian Tom Ballard to find out. Guest comedian: Tom Ballard is one of Australia's most decorated comedians who has been selling out...
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Quantum physics and the multiverse w/ Dr Jim Rantschler & Eve Ellenbogen
From spiderman to Loki to Rick and Morty, pop culture loves a good multiverse at the moment. In this episode we ask a quantum physicist what a multiverse is and whether the science behind it checks out. Expert guest Jim Rantschler teaches physics at Texas A&M at Galveston. He has worked as an NRC...
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The Quest to Transplant a Soul w/ Dr Brandy Schillace
In this episode we deep dive into a bizarre story in medical history. A Dr obsessed with being able to transplant human heads to prove that he could save the immortal soul. It's a wickedly macabre, bizarrely funny story that touches upon some deeply important questions. What is death? And, more...
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The science of love w/ Kevin O'Connel and Andrew McGovern
What is love (baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me know more). On this week's episode we speak to budding neuroscientist and co-host of 'Living Room Logic' Andrew McGovern and Loveryboy comedian Kevin O'Connel to find out what the neurochemical explanation is for love, what the dumbest thing we've...
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The world before us w/ Professor Thomas Higham & David Lewis
The average modern person has around 2% Neanderthal DNA. For thousands of years, modern humans, Neanderthals and Denisovans shared the earth. In this episode, we speak to Professor Thomas Higham who's groundbreaking work has been at the forefront of our growing understanding of the the period…
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All manner of manners with Professor Stephen Mennell and Jamie D'Souza
What's the deal with manners? The weird, often arbitrary rules that we abide and judge people by? In this episode we dive into where they come from, their purpose and some of the weirdest social conventions lost in time. Expert guest: Stephen Mennell is Professor Emeritus of Sociology at…
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Return of the Jen-i: Mars, Aliens and life on other planets with - Dr Jeni Millard and Steele Saunders
May the 4th is days away. We thought we'd invite the awesome Dr Jeni Millard from the Awesome Astronomy podcast back on the show to chat to comedian, mate and Star Wars aficionado, Steele Saunders about helicopters on mars, terraforming other planets and aliens. Expert guest: Dr Jenifer Millard…
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Being mixed race w/ Dr. Nitasha Tamar Sharma
Race, it's a crazy hot mess that needs unpacking. In this week's episode, I get the amazing Dr. Nitasha Tamar Sharma to join me on the podcast to help me unpack the mixed race experience. Because it's a crazy hot bed topic and I wanted to be greedy and discuss my own personal experience a bit…
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The disordered cosmos and the ethics of astronomy w/ dr Chanda Prescod-Weinstein & Anoushka Rava
We're back in space, this time with an Author, Activist and Astrophysicists who's list of achievements is so long I wonder if she's managed to build a time machine to manage it all and an awesome actor / writer and comedian. We discuss the ethics of science, the way trouble with gatekeepers in...
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The science of the musical human w/ Jordan Gray & Dr Michael Spitzer
Is there such thing as bad music? How important was music to human evolution? Is musicology a real thing? And, why is Baby Shark one of our expert guests favourite bits of new music? All this and more in this week's episode. Expert guest: Michael Spitzer is a Professor of Music (otherwise known…
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The science of self-awareness w/ Dr Stephen Fleming & Juan Miles
How do you know if you know yourself? In this episode we speak to one of the leading scientists in the world of metacognition to find out what self-awareness is, why we have it, whether it's a blessing or a curse and how our own self-awareness impacts us. Our expert guest: Dr. Steve Fleming is…
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Let's talk about tech baby! Can the law keep up with big tech? w/ Joshua Fairfield & Davina Bentley
Let's face it, most of us have got used to ignoring the fact that our tech has become a sneaky spy selling our every move to the highest bidder. So how do we change that? In this week's episode I talk to Joshua Fairfield, an internationally recognised law and technology scholar / author, who...
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Cancel Culture w/ Sikisa 'Twix' Bostwick-Barnes & Dr Gwen Bouvier
According to some cancel culture is rife and freedom of speech is under attack, but then a look around most mainstream newsrooms and social media platforms will show a lot of people getting a lot of money and attention for saying the kinds of things that you allegedly aren't allowed to say…
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Dinosaurs w/ Ahir Shah and Dr. Emma Dunne.
We're kicking it ol' school....Really ol' school. This week we're joined by Ahir Shah and Dr Emma Dunne to talk all things dinosaurs. In one the most fun episodes we've ever recorded we cover whether birds are carry around the regret of no longer being a dinosaur, whether you can judge a person...
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Mind the Orgasm Gap for International Women's Day.
If you've ever had an orgasm, you're probably not surprised to hear that people like them. But, unfortunately in news that will surprise few women but too many men, women cum significantly less than men in hetrosexual couples. The massive difference is known as 'the orgasm gap.' Just in time for...
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Why we need to get rid of billionaires w/ Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP and Suse Steed
I have 99 problems and the economic structures that allow billionaires to exist cause 98 of them. In this episode we speak to Suse Steed, who is both a former economist and a comedian (a great venn diagram for a guest on this show) and MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle who went viral after he had the...
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Memory lane - How memory works in the brain w/ Dr Janine Cooper and Laura Davis
Ever forget your own name? Or know that you know something but just can't seem to remember it? How about those times where an absolute random memory you didn't even know you have pop into your head for no reason? This week we ask a cognitive psychologist what's happening in the brain that makes…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hilarious takes from serious experts. Each week I'm joined by a new stand up comedian and a new expert to discuss their field of expertise. We're talking the big topics, the brain, space, climate science, psychedelics and all the areas you're most likely to end up when you're drunk, at the end of a party, just trying to figure it all out. . It's a light, funny and easily accessible way to hear the latest from some seriously mind blowing experts.
HOSTED BY
Anthony Jeannot
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Highbrow Drivel have?
Highbrow Drivel currently has 63 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Highbrow Drivel about?
Hilarious takes from serious experts. Each week I'm joined by a new stand up comedian and a new expert to discuss their field of expertise. We're talking the big topics, the brain, space, climate science, psychedelics and all the areas you're most likely to end up when you're drunk, at the end of a...
How often does Highbrow Drivel release new episodes?
Highbrow Drivel has 63 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Highbrow Drivel?
You can listen to Highbrow Drivel on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Highbrow Drivel?
Highbrow Drivel is created and hosted by Anthony Jeannot.
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