Years of Living Dangerously The American cable network Showtime recently made a bold, eye-opening documentary series about climate change, in which investigative journalists and Hollywood actors (Matt Damon, Jessica Alba, Harrison Ford, to name a few) explore the real-world impact of our planets rising CO2 levels. This impressive video podcast strand features an array of snippets and bonus footage from each episode. (NB: Showtime have also made the first episode available in its entirety on YouTube)

Physics Central From the outside, physics is often perceived as a closed, intensely specialist subject the purview of Mensarated academics rather than regular punters. This excellent podcast proves that theory wrong, with a range of engaging and accessible features that open up the subject to anyone with a bit of curiosity. Recent highlights include segments on the physics of Picasso's painting style, Second World War bombing strategies and a particularly engaging piece on the physics of crowds at heavy metal gigs.

MinuteEarth Why does the Earth have deserts? How tall can a mountain be? Who invented frozen food? How fast is our atmosphere heating up? This fantastic series of podcasts which uses beautiful pencildrawn animation and easytofollow narration to illuminate dozens of different scientific queries has the answers.

The Naked Scientists

The Naked Scientists Describing themselves as "a mediasavvy group of physicians and researchers from Cambridge University [who] strip science down to its bare essentials and promote it to the general public", the Naked Scientists are a likeable bunch who run a variety of podcast strands as well as a regular slot on Radio 5 Live's Up All Night. I stop by their website at least once a week, and always find something diverting to listen to: from a long feature on sport science to a meaningful discussion of the most toothfriendly way to eat boiled sweets.

Science Friday Video Podcast Every week, the folks behind the brilliant NPR radio show Science Friday (www.sciencefriday.com) put out a short, selfproduced video podcast detailing a quirky science or design story that they've come upon. Recent highlights include a tutorial of how to make a simple robotic hand using coffee; why the moth is more than just a drab butterfly; a tour of a beautifulbuttiny 13square metre house; and an interview with Al Gore about his book 'The Future'.

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James O'Brien's Mystery Hour Why do pigeons nod when they walk? Is toast healthier than bread? Why do some people have curly hair? These and a multitude of other questions entertaining, strange, topical and complex have been answered by LBC presenter James O'Brien during the 'Mystery Hour' segment of his daily phonein, which is now available as a weekly podcast. Perfect for long family road trips.

Green.tv Created in partnership with the United Nations Environmental Agency, Green.tv is a rich and pleasingly unsanctimonoius source of video content about the environment and clean tech. Their website (www.green.tv) is the heart of the operation; but they also put out a variety of engaging video podcasts including this one focusing on waterrelated issues, which features such luminaries as Gael Garcia Bernal and the sustainability guru Will Day.

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The best science and technology podcasts