The Infinite Monkey Cage

The Infinite Monkey Cage

BBC Radio 4

Episodes 239
Avg. Duration 38m
Activity Dormant
Apple Rating 4.7 (1,850)
Since Nov 2009
Latest Episode Dec 2025

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
100%
Hosting
podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

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.

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Recent Episodes

Introducing... Life Without

Mar 06, 2026 14m

Hosted by Alan Davies, Life Without looks at what would happen to our planet if we removed one thing. Could pulling a single thread from our world really unravel the whole thing?

The North Pole Unwrapped - Russell Kane, Felicity Aston and Lloyd Peck

Dec 24, 2025 42m

In this Christmas episode of The Infinite Monkey Cage, Brian Cox and Robin Ince head to the North Pole to explore the dazzling science behind the northern lights, the extreme adaptations that help…

Monkey Business - Robin Dunbar, Dave Gorman and Jo Setchell

Dec 17, 2025 42m

In perhaps the monkiest Infinite Monkey Cage episode there’s ever been, Brian Cox and Robin Ince attempt to uncover the secrets of love, lust and friendship in primates. Swinging by to offer a hand…

Head in the Clouds - Owain Wyn Evans, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Amanda Maycock

Dec 10, 2025 42m

Robin Ince and Brian Cox look up to the heavens as they try to ‘de-mistify’ the foggy science of clouds. They’re joined by Cloud Appreciation Society founder Gavin Pretor-Pinney, climate scientist…

Fusion – Ria Lina, Yasmin Andrew and Howard Wilson

Dec 03, 2025 42m

Robin Ince and Brian Cox get all fired up, overcome their natural repulsion and come together for this stellar episode on nuclear fusion. They’re joined by plasma physicist Yasmin Andrew, fusion…

What’s the deal with eels? – Lucy Porter, David Righton and Caroline Durif

Nov 26, 2025 42m

Fishing rods at the ready, Brian Cox and Robin Ince attempt to reel in a creature that has baffled scientists since Aristotle: the eel. Wriggling in to help them uncover the mysteries of one of…

What’s the time? - Marcus Brigstocke, Leon Lobo, Louise Devoy

Nov 19, 2025 42m

Robin Ince and Brian Cox wind up at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich – arguably the centre of time – to uncoil the mysteries of what time is and how on Earth (…and on moon) we keep track of it.…

Mind-reading Computers – Phil Wang, Anne Vanhoestenberghe and Luke Bashford

Nov 12, 2025 42m

For once, Brian Cox and Robin Ince are on the same wavelength – with thinking caps firmly on, they plug into the science of brain-computer interfaces. Helping them decode the tech are neuroscientist…

Illuminating Light - Jess Wade, Russell Foster and Bridget Christie

Aug 20, 2025 42m

What is light? How has it shaped our understanding of the universe, our biology, and even our culture? In this illuminating episode Brian Cox and Robin Ince shine a spotlight on the fascinating…

Moths v Butterflies - Katy Brand, Jane Hill and Chris Jiggins

Aug 13, 2025 42m

What really separates a moth from a butterfly? Is it just a matter of day and night, or is there more to this fluttering feud than meets the eye? Professor Brian Cox and Robin Ince flap into the…

Technofossils - Sarah Gabbott, Mark Miodownik and Aurie Styla

Aug 06, 2025 42m

Brian Cox and Robin Ince dig deep into the strata of an imagined human history to unearth the curious concept of technofossils. Joined by paleobiologist Sarah Gabbott, material scientist Mark…

The Mighty Spud - Sandy Knapp, Glenn Bryan and Susan Calman

Jul 30, 2025 42m

Robin Ince and Brian Cox get out the ketchup and peel back the layers of one of the most versatile and beloved foods - potatoes. From the science of starch to the surprising role potatoes have played…

How to Build the Perfect Athlete - Helen Glover, Hugh Dennis, Steve Haake and Emma Ross

Jul 23, 2025 42m

Brian Cox and Robin Ince are limbering up for a high-performance episode all about what it takes to build the perfect athlete. Joining them on the track are physiologist Dr Emma Ross, sports engineer…

Should We Settle in Space? - Tim Peake, Kelly Weinersmith and Alan Davies

Jul 16, 2025 42m

Brian Cox and Robin Ince blast off into a cosmic controversy as they ask, should humanity become an interplanetary species? At Harwell Campus, a space science innovation hub, they’re joined by…

201st Birthday Bonanza - Mel Giedroyc, Deborah Meaden and Nish Kumar

Jul 09, 2025 42m

Get ready for a landmark episode of The Infinite Monkey Cage as we celebrate our 201st show! Brian Cox and Robin Ince invite a lively panel of celebrity guests to pose their burning scientific…

Nature's Shapes - Dave Gorman, Sarah Hart and Thomas Woolley

Mar 26, 2025 42m

Brian Cox and Robin Ince unpick the hidden codes behind the shapes we see in nature with mathematicians Sarah Hart & Thomas Woolley and comedian Dave Gorman.The panel marvel at how evolution so…

The Sound of Music - Brian Eno, Sam Bennett and Trevor Cox

Mar 19, 2025 42m

Brian Cox and Robin Ince explore the history of music recording, joined by acoustics professor Trevor Cox, music professor Sam Bennett and musician and producer Brian Eno. Together they guide us…

Saturn v Jupiter - Katherine Parkinson, Paul Abel and Michele Dougherty

Mar 12, 2025 42m

Brian Cox and Robin Ince referee as Saturn and Jupiter square up to each other in a planetary face-off. Representing Team Saturn is space physicist Professor Michele Dougherty, and in the opposite…

Adventures on Ice - Darren Harriott, Liz Morris, Christoph Salzmann and Felicity Aston

Mar 05, 2025 42m

Robin Ince and Brian Cox venture into the captivating and surprisingly mysterious realm of ice. Joining them on this cool adventure are former ice dancer Darren Harriott, glaciologist Liz Morris,…

How selfish are we really? - Jo Brand, Matti Wilks and Steve Jones

Feb 26, 2025 42m

Brian Cox and Robin Ince kindly open the door for each other as they step into understanding altruism, asking why humans have evolved to help each other. Joining them to explore the human tendency to…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Infinite Monkey Cage have?

The Infinite Monkey Cage has published 239 episodes since November 2009, covering topics in Comedy, Science.

Is The Infinite Monkey Cage still active?

The Infinite Monkey Cage is currently dormant with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 38m.

How do I contact The Infinite Monkey Cage for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for The Infinite Monkey Cage, including email and social media links.

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