A new video podcast from the producers of NOVA, hosted by Hakeem Oluseyi.

Particles of Thought: A New Video Podcast

What do fossilized leaves, an asteroid, and Florida sinkholes have in common? Dr. Kirk Johnson oversees one of the largest natural history collections on the planet, and he has the answers. He’s spent his career digging into the story of life on Earth across millions (and billions) of years. In this episode, Hakeem and Kirk explore the science of “deep time,” how fossils actually form, and the surprising origins of Earth’s oceans. Plus, Kirk shares some hot tips on fossil hunting and how to count the number of leaves on a tree … because you never know when you might need these skills.Dr. Kirk Johnson is Sant Director at the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, home to one of the largest natural history collections in the world. A paleobotanist by training, his research explores ancient climates and extinct ecosystems through the study of fossil plants. He has authored more than a dozen books on paleontology and natural history and has traveled extensively in search of fossils on every continent. As a science communicator, Dr. Johnson has brought the natural world to millions through hosting acclaimed NOVA documentaries such as Polar Extremes and Making North America, blending deep scientific expertise with an engaging, accessible storytelling style.Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/particles-of-thought/id1832615266">Apple Podcasts</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2H4ljWvZTjGQVwV7Zv0TlS">Spotify</a> <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4419429a-ad9f-471f-bb85-7416cf2412e2/episodes/650b6bff-9383-4262-9792-9526cdae501d/nova-presents-introducing-particles-of-thought">Amazon Music</a>

Dive into deep time to discover how fossils form, the ocean's surprising origins, and more.

Interview: Mind of a Fossil Hunter With Kirk Johnson

In a world flooded with fake images, manipulated videos, and AI-generated voices, how do we know what’s real anymore? Hany Farid has made it his mission to find out. A leading voice in AI research and digital forensics, Hany works to authenticate digital media and expose the fakes. In this episode, Hakeem and Hany dive into how we got here. How does AI really work? How are deepfakes detected? And what does the future hold for truth in the digital age? Plus, Hakeem puts Hany to the test: can he tell the difference between real and AI-generated headlines? And can Hakeem tell a deepfake version of Hany from the real thing?Hany Farid is a Professor at the UC Berkeley School of Information. In addition to teaching at UC Berkeley, Hany is Chief Science Officer at GetReal Security, a company that focuses on the authentication of digital media. His research focuses on digital forensics, forensic science, misinformation, image analysis, and human perception. He has published dozens of papers on how humans relate to AI and technology.Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/particles-of-thought/id1832615266">Apple Podcasts</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2H4ljWvZTjGQVwV7Zv0TlS">Spotify</a> <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4419429a-ad9f-471f-bb85-7416cf2412e2/episodes/650b6bff-9383-4262-9792-9526cdae501d/nova-presents-introducing-particles-of-thought">Amazon Music</a>

Discover how deepfakes are detected and what the future holds for truth in the digital age.

Interview: The Deepfake Detective With Hany Farid

Black holes get a bad rap. They’ve been cast as the monsters of the cosmos — gobbling up stars and stretching anything that gets too close into cosmic spaghetti. But Black Hole expert Janna Levin has spent her career decoding these mysterious objects, and she thinks they’re just misunderstood. In this episode, she dives into the strange physics of black holes: what they are, what they sound like, what happens if you fall into one, and how there’s a lighter side to every black hole. Janna shares why black holes might not be the end of everything — but the beginning of something even weirder.Janna Levin is a professor of physics and astronomy at Barnard College of Columbia University, where she explores the profound mysteries of black holes, cosmology, and the nature of the universe. She is also the founding scientific director of Pioneer Works, a nonprofit cultural center in Brooklyn that fosters collaboration across science, art, and education. An award-winning author and renowned science communicator, Levin has written several acclaimed books, including Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space, and has spent her career making the strange and beautiful realities of the cosmos accessible to a wide audience. She is host of NOVA’s two-part special Black Hole Apocalypse.Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/particles-of-thought/id1832615266">Apple Podcasts</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2H4ljWvZTjGQVwV7Zv0TlS">Spotify</a> <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4419429a-ad9f-471f-bb85-7416cf2412e2/episodes/650b6bff-9383-4262-9792-9526cdae501d/nova-presents-introducing-particles-of-thought">Amazon Music</a>

Black holes aren’t just cosmic monsters — they’re simply misunderstood.

Interview: Black Hole Badass With Janna Levin

The universe loves making things complicated. From minerals and microbes to languages and societies, complexity keeps showing up — but why? Astrobiologist Mike Wong and mineralogist Bob Hazen think we’re missing a law of nature to explain this phenomenon. Hakeem sits down with them to understand – and kick the tires on – their bold new idea: what they call a Law of Increasing Functional Information. They break down how it works, why it matters, and how it could reshape our understanding of everything from life to language to the universe itself.Their new book, Time's Second Arrow: Evolution, Order, and a New Law of Nature will be available in February 2026.<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Times-Second-Arrow-Evolution-Nature/dp/1324105488">https://www.amazon.com/Times-Second-Arrow-Evolution-Nature/dp/1324105488</a>Robert Hazen is a mineralogist and astrobiologist at Carnegie Science and George Mason University. His pioneering research explores the origins of life and the evolving diversity of minerals on Earth. A prolific author and public communicator, Hazen has written widely on science, complexity, and the deep connections between the physical and biological worlds.Mike Wong is an astrobiologist and planetary scientist at Carnegie Science whose work focuses on how life begins and evolves on worlds like our own. He is also a science communicator, hosting the podcast Strange New Worlds, where he brings complex cosmic ideas to broad audiences. Wong’s research and outreach bridge cutting-edge science with big-picture questions about life in the universe.Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/particles-of-thought/id1832615266">Apple Podcasts</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2H4ljWvZTjGQVwV7Zv0TlS">Spotify</a> <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/4419429a-ad9f-471f-bb85-7416cf2412e2/episodes/650b6bff-9383-4262-9792-9526cdae501d/nova-presents-introducing-particles-of-thought">Amazon Music</a>

Has science been missing a fundamental law of nature for centuries?

Interview: Bob and Mike’s Big Idea With Bob Hazen and Mike Wong

NOVA Science Trust Logo

Carlisle Companies

Viking

Should we bring back extinct species? Are we missing a fundamental law of nature? What can ancient fossils tell us about our future? Join host Hakeem Oluseyi as he sits down with the world’s leading scientists for in-depth conversations about the cutting-edge work that’s shaping the future of science - and reimagining the world around us.

Particles of Thought

Interview: Evolution of New Species, Venom, Wings, and More with Sean B. Carroll

From fruit flies to snake venom, evolutionary biologist Sean Carroll explains what drives evolution.

Interview: De-Extinction, Dire Wolves, and Jurassic Park with Beth Shapiro

Can we really bring extinct species back? Evolutionary biologist Beth Shapiro says yes — and she’s here to tell us how.

Interview: Extremophiles, the Deep Sea, and Alien Life with Peter Girguis

Dive into how Earth’s weirdest microbes could help us spot extraterrestrial life with marine biologist Peter Girguis.

Erich Jarvis headshot on Particles of Thought background

Interview: The Animal Translator With Erich Jarvis

Can animals talk? Neuroscientist Erich Jarvis reveals why some species might be closer than we think.

Interview: Brain Guru With Heather Berlin

Your brain does all kinds of strange things. Neuroscientist Heather Berlin explains how it works.

Has science been missing a fundamental law of nature for centuries?

Black holes aren’t just cosmic monsters — they’re simply misunderstood.

Brand: Particles of Thought

Hero Feature

Particles of Thought: A New Video Podcast

Featured Content

Interview: Mind of a Fossil Hunter With Kirk Johnson

Interview: The Deepfake Detective With Hany Farid

Interview: Black Hole Badass With Janna Levin

Interview: Bob and Mike’s Big Idea With Bob Hazen and Mike Wong

Explore Topic: Particles of Thought

Interview: Evolution of New Species, Venom, Wings, and More with Sean B. Carroll

Interview: De-Extinction, Dire Wolves, and Jurassic Park with Beth Shapiro

Interview: Extremophiles, the Deep Sea, and Alien Life with Peter Girguis

Interview: The Animal Translator With Erich Jarvis

Interview: Brain Guru With Heather Berlin

Interview: Bob and Mike’s Big Idea With Bob Hazen and Mike Wong

Interview: Black Hole Badass With Janna Levin