Episodes 165
Avg. Duration 29m
Activity Dormant
Apple Rating 4.8 (743)
Since Feb 2016
Latest Episode Jan 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
81%
Hosting
podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain tackle listeners' conundrums with the power of science!

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Recent Episodes

Frosty Fractals

Jan 02, 2026 29m

One winter morning, listener Jane opened her curtains to find her car roof covered in breathtaking, fern-like frost so intricate it looked like a William Morris print. But how does something as…

Mining for Gold (GOLD!)

Dec 31, 2025 27m

From pharaohs' tombs in Ancient Egypt and medieval currency, to priceless royal jewellery and Spandau Ballet songs - gold has been prized for millennia. But it's only really in the last century or…

Phantom Pain

Dec 19, 2025 28m

What exactly is 'phantom pain' and how does it work? Hannah and Dara investigate a medical phenomenon that's been known about for centuries but is often misunderstood; and involves masses of…

Tortoise Tomfoolery

Dec 12, 2025 28m

Tortoises have traditionally been the poster child for slowness. These ancient, armoured reptiles are solitary, territorial and all-too-often dismissed as dull.In fact, tortoises have distinct…

Planetary Wobble

Dec 05, 2025 28m

Could you survive an eternal winter? Or is endless summer sun a more appealing prospect? Lots of us are grateful for the seasonal changes that shape the world around us, but this week Hannah and Dara…

Immortal Jellies

Nov 28, 2025 28m

Could immortality ever be possible for humans? It sounds like something from a sci-fi movie, but floating in oceans around the world is a tiny, transparent jellyfish that could hold the…

Mysteries from the Final Frontier

Nov 21, 2025 28m

Space: the final frontier, a deep dark realm full of questions and mysteries - many of which science can't yet satisfactorily answer. But that won't stop the Curious Cases team!In a special edition…

Beam Me Up, Scotty!

Nov 14, 2025 28m

Whether you’re stuck in traffic, waiting at the airport whilst delay after delay is announced or just really missing someone far away, a lot of us have probably wished we could teleport. But is this…

Going Viral

Nov 07, 2025 28m

Cold and flu season is well and truly upon us, and whilst most of us are busy bemoaning the pesky viruses behind our sniffles and chesty coughs – one of our listeners has other ideas. Elizabeth wants…

We Didn't Start the Fire

Oct 31, 2025 28m

It has been said that you can't start a fire without a spark, but as Hannah and Dara are about to discover, that's not true!Welcome to the fiery phenomenon of spontaneous combustion, when something…

Just My Luck

Oct 24, 2025 28m

Are you a lucky person? Do the cards just fall well for you? Whether it's always finding a parking spot when you need one or chance encounters that change your life's trajectory for the better, some…

Good Vibrations?

Oct 17, 2025 28m

It turns out that the whole world wobbles. Everything has a natural frequency - the rate at which it moves when disturbed - be it a cup of tea, a building or a human organ.Even more incredibly, if an…

To Crab, or Not to Crab?

Oct 10, 2025 29m

We can all picture a crab, but did you know that nature has reinvented those claw clicking, sideways scuttling crustaceans at least five separate times? In recent years the internet has run wild…

Trailer

Oct 01, 2025 2m

Hannah Fry and Dara Ó Briain return to Curious Cases HQ for a brand-new series. And curios, there’s a lot to unpack! Coming soon to BBC Sounds.

Clever Crows

Jul 04, 2025 28m

The term 'bird brain' might suggest our feathered friends are stupid, but Hannah and Dara learn it's completely untrue. They play hide and seek with a raven called Bran, and hear how his behaviour…

Memory Swap

Jun 27, 2025 30m

Could you ever trade memories with someone else? Fancy downloading the experience of landing on the moon, winning an Oscar or performing at Glastonbury? Listener Adam wants to know, and Hannah Fry…

Clowns in Spacetime

Jun 20, 2025 29m

Can you slow down time by hurtling through space at breakneck speed? Could listener Saskia’s friend - currently one year older - end up the same age as her if he went fast enough? It sounds bananas,…

Colossal Creatures

Jun 13, 2025 28m

How big can animals really get before they collapse under their own weight or run out of snacks? Could a 12-foot comedian survive their first punchline without snapping in half? Listener Andrew sends…

Nano Sharks

Jun 06, 2025 29m

Think of a shark and you'll probably conjure up images of Jaws, but it turns out their skin is also covered in tiny teeth. Hannah and Dara investigate the incredible properties of these so-called…

Chuckle, Snigger and LOL

May 30, 2025 29m

Why do we giggle, snort, and bust a gut laughing? Is it just humans being weird, does it serve some higher function or do other animals crack up too? And, okay, Dara is a comedian, but has he ever…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Curious Cases have?

Curious Cases has published 165 episodes since February 2016, covering topics in Science.

Is Curious Cases still active?

Curious Cases is currently dormant with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 29m.

How do I contact Curious Cases for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Curious Cases, including email and social media links.

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