The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast
Brian Cox and Robin Ince host a witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists' eyes.
Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince host a witty, irreverent look at the world through scientists’ eyes. Joined by a panel of scientists, experts and celebrity science enthusiasts they investigate life, the universe and everything in between on The Infinite Monkey Cage from the BBC.
From the smallest building blocks of life to the furthest stars, the curious monkeys pull apart the latest science to reveal fascinating and often bizarre insights into the world around us and what lies beyond. Can trees talk to each other? Can science help you commit the perfect murder? What might aliens look like and the burning question of our time, are strawberries alive or dead? Join them as each episode they put a different scientific topic under the microscope, from aliens, black holes and hedgehogs, to bacteria, poison and the Big Bang.
With past guests including actors Dame Judi Dench and Sir Patrick Stewart, comedians Steve Martin and Conan O’Brien, astronaut Tim Peake, primatologist Jane Goodall and mathematician Hannah Fry, The Infinite Monkey Cage promises to make you laugh, enrich your knowledge and leave you with a deeper appreciation for the universe that we call home.
Whether you’re a seasoned scientist or someone who nodded off in physics class, listen in to learn all about funny, fascinating and sometimes ridiculous topics – with the occasional monkey business.
Episodes to download
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The North Pole Unwrapped - Russell Kane, Felicity Aston and Lloyd Peck—Series 34
Wed 17 Dec 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince venture north to unearth (or un-snow) the secrets of the Arctic.
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Head in the Clouds - Owain Wyn Evans, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Amanda Maycock—Series 34
Thu 11 Dec 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince cut through the haze of cloud science.
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Monkey Business - Robin Dunbar, Dave Gorman and Jo Setchell—Series 34
Wed 10 Dec 2025
Robin Ince and Brian Cox go bananas for our monkiest episode yet, all about primate love.
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Fusion – Ria Lina, Yasmin Andrew and Howard Wilson—Series 34
Thu 27 Nov 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince join forces to tackle the hot topic of nuclear fusion.
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What’s the deal with eels? – Lucy Porter, David Righton and Caroline Durif—Series 34
Thu 20 Nov 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince dive into the slippery science of the elusive eel.
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Mind-reading Computers – Phil Wang, Anne Vanhoestenberghe and Luke Bashford—Series 34
Thu 13 Nov 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince plug into the science of brain-computer interfaces.
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What’s the time? - Marcus Brigstocke, Leon Lobo, Louise Devoy—Series 34
Wed 12 Nov 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince turn back the clock to look at how we kept time throughout time.
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Illuminating Light - Jess Wade, Russell Foster and Bridget Christie—Series 33
Wed 9 Jul 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince illuminate the science and history of light.
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Moths v Butterflies - Katy Brand, Jane Hill and Chris Jiggins—Series 33
Wed 9 Jul 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince adjudicate a fluttery face off!
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Technofossils - Sarah Gabbott, Mark Miodownik and Aurie Styla—Series 33
Wed 9 Jul 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince dig deep into the curious concept of technofossils.
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The Mighty Spud - Sandy Knapp, Glenn Bryan and Susan Calman—Series 33
Wed 9 Jul 2025
Robin Ince & Brian Cox boil down the truth about one of the most beloved foods - potatoes.
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How to Build the Perfect Athlete - Helen Glover, Hugh Dennis, Steve Haake and Emma Ross—Series 33
Wed 9 Jul 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince jump into the science behind sporting greatness.
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Should We Settle in Space? - Tim Peake, Kelly Weinersmith and Alan Davies—Series 33
Wed 9 Jul 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince launch into a cosmic controversy - should we settle in space?
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201st Birthday Bonanza - Mel Giedroyc, Deborah Meaden and Nish Kumar—Series 33
Wed 9 Jul 2025
Get ready for a landmark episode of The Infinite Monkey Cage celebrating our 201st show!
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Nature's Shapes - Dave Gorman, Sarah Hart and Thomas Woolley—Series 32
Wed 19 Feb 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince reveal the hidden codes behind the shapes we see in nature.
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The Sound of Music - Brian Eno, Sam Bennett and Trevor Cox—Series 32
Wed 19 Feb 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince play through the history of music recording and composition.
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Saturn v Jupiter - Katherine Parkinson, Paul Abel and Michele Dougherty—Series 32
Wed 19 Feb 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince referee the battle of the gas giants as Saturn takes on Jupiter.
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Adventures on Ice - Darren Harriott, Liz Morris, Christoph Salzmann and Felicity Aston—Series 32
Wed 19 Feb 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince glide their way across the ice to crack into solid water.
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How selfish are we really? - Jo Brand, Matti Wilks and Steve Jones—Series 32
Wed 19 Feb 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince are on their best behaviour as they explore altruism.
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Journey to the Centre of the Earth - Phil Wang, Ana Ferreira and Chris Jackson—Series 32
Wed 19 Feb 2025
Brian Cox and Robin Ince dig deep to unveil the high-pressured world beneath our feet.
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An Unexpected History of the Body—Series 31
Wed 13 Nov 2024
Brian Cox and Robin Ince dissect the Royal Society archives with Ed Byrne and guests.
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Is Extinction the End?—Series 31
Wed 13 Nov 2024
Brian Cox and Robin Ince explore the mammoth topic of de-extinction.
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Fantastic Elastic—Series 31
Wed 13 Nov 2024
Brian Cox and Robin Ince stretch into the science of elasticity with Olympian Bryony Page.
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The Science of Baby Making—Series 31
Wed 13 Nov 2024
Brian Cox and Robin Ince investigate where babies come from!
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Starless World—Series 31
Wed 13 Nov 2024
Brian Cox and Robin Ince illuminate the story of the stars with John Bishop.
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Hedgehogs—Series 31
Wed 13 Nov 2024
Brian Cox and Robin Ince forage into the prickly lives of hedgehogs with Pam Ayres.
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The Cyber Codebreakers—Series 31
Wed 13 Nov 2024
Brian Cox and Robin Ince venture to Bletchley Park to decode cyberwarfare with Alan Davies
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Alien Life - Russell Kane, Lisa Kaltenegger and Chris Lintott—Series 30
Thu 22 Aug 2024
Brian Cox and Robin Ince search for alien life at Glastonbury with Russell Kane and guests
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An Unexpected History of Science - Rufus Hound, Matthew Cobb, Victoria Herridge and Keith Moore—Series 30
Thu 15 Aug 2024
Brian Cox and Robin Ince raid the Royal Society's archives with Rufus Hound and guests.
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What a Gas! - Dave Gorman, Mark Miodownik and Lucy Carpenter—Series 30
Wed 10 Jul 2024
Brian Cox and Robin Ince diffuse themselves into the intriguing world of gasses.





