Science Vs
| Company type | Podcast |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media, Science communication |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Wendy Zukerman |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn , United States |
| Parent | Spotify (since 2019) |
Science Vs is a science-focused podcast developed and presented by Wendy Zukerman. The program adopts a myth-debunking method when tackling contentious subjects and timely issues, drawing on fact verification, scientific studies, and interviews with experts. Episodes typically feature more than one hundred references and include extensive conversations with numerous scientists.
History
Debuting in 2015 through the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) as part of ABC Radio's First Run podcast initiative, Science Vs was subsequently purchased by Gimlet Media, a digital media firm based in Brooklyn. Following this acquisition, Zukerman expanded her team by adding specialized researchers. The podcast has explored themes such as immigration, gun legislation, paranormal phenomena, climate change, skin conditions like acne, and antidepressant medications. The concept originated from Zukerman’s desire to blend scientific insight with humor after hearing about Gwyneth Paltrow endorsing vaginal steaming. She stresses the importance of presenting the scientific consensus rather than false equivalences, stating, "If there's a 95 percent consensus among scientists, you report the consensus."
In 2019, Spotify acquired Science Vs along with other Gimlet Media podcasts.
In February 2022, Zukerman revealed that Science Vs would pause its regular episodes to concentrate on fact-checking other Spotify podcasts due to the spread of COVID-19 misinformation on another show hosted on the platform. She characterized Spotify's endorsement of Joe Rogan’s COVID-19 misinformation as "a slap in the face" in correspondence addressed to CEO Daniel Ek. The episode released on February 25, 2022, specifically countered false statements concerning the COVID-19 vaccine made by virologist Robert Malone on Rogan's podcast.
Reception
The podcast received a nomination for a Podcast Award in 2020, while host Wendy Zukerman was shortlisted for a 2021 Podcast Academy "Ambie" Award for Best Host.
It achieved the status of Spotify's top-ranked Science podcast in the United States and placed #20 overall on the platform.