Listen "Festive trash talk"
Episode Synopsis
December is a time of celebration, family feuds, and now scientific rivalries. It's also one of the most wasteful months of the year, with festivities in full swing across the globe. No wonder the world is overflowing with rubbish—both literal and metaphorical!Unexpected Elements dives headfirst into the scientific bin to wallow in waste. Could worms be the unexpected heroes of our plastic pollution crisis? How much garbage have we jettisoned into space? And why is part of our very own genome called "junk DNA"?But it’s not all rubbish, we’re also talking trash. While celebrations can bring people together, spending too much time with loved ones can lead to tense moments. Rafi Kohan shares expert tips on how to outsmart your opponent during a heated board game debate.And don’t think trash talk is limited to sports fields. The world of science has its share of drama, too. We’ll explore some of history’s most scandalous squabbles with scientists behaving badly.Come waste an hour with us on Unexpected Elements!Presenter: Caroline Steel, with Chhavi Sachdev and Candice Bailey
Producers: Harrison Lewis, Imaan Moin, Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, William Hornbrook and Eliane Glaser
Sound engineer: Gavin Wong
Producers: Harrison Lewis, Imaan Moin, Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, William Hornbrook and Eliane Glaser
Sound engineer: Gavin Wong
More episodes of the podcast Unexpected Elements
Science down under
16/01/2026
Science of the future
09/01/2026
An episode inspired by our listeners
02/01/2026
The gift of science
26/12/2025
Why are we sad when television series end?
19/12/2025
Chicken, with a side order of science
12/12/2025
Some bear-y interesting space science
05/12/2025
Some Beautiful Science
21/11/2025
A keg of beer-based science
14/11/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.