Complete Seasons

StarTalk has partnered with Better Listen to bring you some of our earlier seasons as digital downloads. Now you can give the StarTalk fan in your life the gift of science, comedy and pop culture season by season! We’re currently offering Season 1 and Season 2 as complete sets, or you can buy single episodes as digital downloads. (Scroll down for Season 2)

Season 1

StarTalk Radio exploded into existence with Season 1 and our universe hasn’t been the same since. From SETI to Star Trek, from the ancient past to the distant future and from the boot-printed surface of the Moon to the edge of our Solar System, Season 1 is bursting with science, physics and fun. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson’s guests include Stephen Colbert, Bill Nye the Science Guy, physicist Lawrence Krauss, Joan Rivers, and noted skeptic James Randi, plus interviews that include Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the first men to walk on the Moon.

Season 1 Complete: 13 episodes for just $17.95 – that’s over 30% off the price of downloading each episode individually. The perfect gift for the science fan in your life, especially if that person is you!

StarTalk is available at BetterListen!      

Or perhaps you are just interested in one of our past episodes, featuring that special co-host, guest, or topic that you just can't get enough of. Well, we have you covered.

Individual StarTalk Radio Episodes

  • Telescopes That Rocked Our World

    Jun 1, 2009 –   Episode 1

    On this week’s show, we reflect on how telescopes have changed our perception of our place in the universe. Our guests include Dava Sobel, author of The Planets, Vatican Astronomer Father Chris Corbally, and astronaut Paul Richards.

  • Would You Be a Space Tourist?

    Jun 8, 2009 –   Episode 2

    Richard Branson has formed Virgin Galactic and is now taking reservations aboard the maiden voyage of SpaceShipOne. Would you spend the estimated $200,000 for a 45-minute trip into space?

  • The Search For Aliens

    Jun 15, 2009 –   Episode 3
    Pioneer 10 spacecraft has this engraved gold-anodized aluminum plate featuring human forms and directions to planet Earth. (NASA)

    Do you want to believe? Seth Shostak of SETI talks about his hunt for aliens in this show about the search for life beyond Earth.

  • The Science of Star Trek

    Jun 22, 2009 –   Episode 4

    Star Trek imagines a future for humans in space where we explore alien worlds using advanced technology. As writers tried to include as much realistic science as possible, the stories have been an inspiration for students, scientists, inventors.

  • Space Spin-Offs

    Jun 29, 2009 –   Episode 5

    Technology tuned to the stars, brought down to Earth. Learn about the many products in our lives that were developed because of the space program.

  • Summer Skies

    Jul 6, 2009 –   Episode 6

    Head’s up! Host Neil deGrasse Tyson, co-host Lynne Koplitz, and meteorologist Joe Rao are here to talk about that colorful canvas up above: the sky. Join us as we explore ancient legends, eclipses, rainbows, shooting stars, and more. Day or night, rain or shine, don’t forget to keep looking up.

  • Travels in Time

    Jul 13, 2009 –   Episode 7
    Time is trippy – StarTalk Radio Cosmic Queries: Time-Keeping

    Ready to spend some time pondering time? Host Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host J. Richard Gott are here to show us what we might be capable of through time travel, black holes, worm holes, and more.

  • Exciting Times for Science

    Jul 20, 2009 –   Episode 8

    Special guest Stephen Colbert of Comedy Central’s “Colbert Report” talks about the joys of being a science geek.

  • Anniversary of Apollo 11

    Jul 27, 2009 –   Episode 9

    Forty years ago, on the dusty plains known as the Sea of Tranquility, Neil Armstrong stepped off a lunar module and into the pages of history.

  • Cosmic Quackery

    Aug 3, 2009 –   Episode 10

    Mark Twain said, “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” Pseudoscience adherents to this adage, but are their distortions deliberate, the result of scientific ignorance, or due to a deep desire for extraordinary possibilities?

  • A Universe of Inspiration

    Aug 10, 2009 –   Episode 11
    StarTalk Radio Starry Night

    Attempts by scientists and artists to reveal deep truths about the universe may take different forms, but they often end up agreeing with the poet John Keats that “truth is beauty”.

  • What’s Exploration Worth?

    Aug 17, 2009 –   Episode 12

    What price do we put on knowledge? How does it profit a man if he learns about the universe, but goes to bed hungry?

  • What’s So Funny About Space?

    Aug 24, 2009 –   Episode 13

    What’s so funny about space and science? In our season finale, the cosmic and comic converge with comedian Joan Rivers.

Season 2

In Season 2, we came back bigger and better than ever. From the cosmetics of chemistry to climate change, from neuroscience to the physics of football, and from the crew of the last space shuttle to an interview direct from the International Space Station, Neil deGrasse Tyson and a lineup of new comic co-hosts brought the universe down to earth in surprising new ways. Our guests included Seth MacFarlane, Bill Nye, Jon Stewart, Alan Alda, Whoopi Goldberg, Mike Massimino, John Hodgman, Nichelle Nichols, Phil Plait, Morgan Freeman, Oliver Sacks, Suze Orman, Kristen Schaal, Chris Hardwick, Bill Prady, members of The New York Giants, and more!

Season 2 Complete: 40 episodes for just $27.95 – that’s over 65% off the price of downloading each episode individually. Another perfect gift for the science fan in your life, especially if that person is you!

StarTalk is available at BetterListen!    

Or perhaps you are just interested in one of our past episodes, featuring that special co-host, guest, or topic that you just can't get enough of. Well, we have you covered.

Individual StarTalk Radio Episodes

  • An Alien’s Guide to Earth

    Dec 6, 2010 –   Episode 1

    Jon Stewart is the first guest of the new season. He and Neil discuss the Daily Show book, Earth: A Visitor’s Guide to the Human Race.

  • Science is Fierce

    Dec 13, 2010 –   Episode 2

    Do sci-fi classics like Star Trek provide a glimpse into future trends and styles? Neil chats with stylist James Aguiar about the science fiction and facts of fashion.

  • Holiday Lights

    Dec 20, 2010 –   Episode 3

    For our holiday show, Neil and his comedian co-hosts discuss the constellations of the winter sky, the star of Bethlehem, and the physics of Santa. Seth MacFarlane and other special guests call in to comment on the science of the season.

  • While cathedrals give people a place to contemplate Heaven from our place here on Earth, astronauts on the ISS can view Earth from “the heavens” above. This show highlights the many ways the ISS is like a modern-day cathedral.

  • Wit and Wisdom about Wine

    Jan 17, 2011 –   Episode 5

    When tasting the first sparkling champagne, Benedictine monk Dom Perignon supposedly said, “Come quickly, I am drinking the stars!” It’s more likely the quote originates from a late 19th century advertisement, but the sentiment is universally appealing.

  • The Out-of-this-World UFO Show

    Jan 24, 2011 –   Episode 6
    Photo by Brandy Jenkins of a lenticular cloud over New Mexico.

    Have you ever seen mysterious lights in the sky, or glimpsed an alien spacecraft? This show provides a probing yet playful discussion about Unidentified Flying Objects.

  • The Physics of Football

    Jan 31, 2011 –   Episode 7
    StarTalk Radio tackles the physics of football

    How are the universal laws of matter, energy and motion expressed on the football field?

  • StarTalk Time Capsule

    Feb 7, 2011 –   Episode 8

    In this episode, we highlight a few star moments from our constellation of past shows.

  • Matters of the Heart

    Feb 14, 2011 –   Episode 9

    Neil deGrasse Tyson explores the ins and outs of the human heart with cardiac surgeon Dr. Daryl Hoffman. Learn about open-heart surgery, artificial valves, hearts in space, graverobbers Burke and Hare and so much more.

  • Tour of the Solar System

    Feb 21, 2011 –   Episode 10
    NASA Mars Rover on StarTalk Radio

    Take a tour of the solar system with Mars Exploration Rover scientist Steve Squyres and planetary scientist Heidi Hammel.

  • A Conversation with John Hodgman

    Feb 28, 2011 –   Episode 11
    Photo of John Hodgman, "An Interview with John Hodgman" on StarTalk Radio, hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson

    Expert-in-everything John Hodgman addresses a range of topics, from the possibility of alien or robot invasion, to what lobsters have in common with Star Trek’s Spock.

  • Appetite for Destruction

    Mar 7, 2011 –   Episode 12

    Paleontologist Peter Ward explains how life’s tendency toward self-destruction has led to massive extinction events in Earth’s history. What does the past — and the smell of rotten eggs — have to teach us about the fate of humanity?

  • Cosmic Cuisine

    Mar 14, 2011 –   Episode 13

    What ingredients provide “The Right Stuff” for an astronaut’s dinner? From BBQ to ice cream, we feast on food fit for the stars.

  • A Violent Earth

    Mar 21, 2011 –   Episode 14

    Japan was recently hit by a triple punch: a powerful 9.0 magnitude earthquake generated a huge tsunami, which then critically damaged a nuclear power plant.

  • Are You Out of Your Mind?

    Mar 28, 2011 –   Episode 15
    Head and Brain image from "Are You Out of Your Mind" with Oliver Sacks, Neil deGrasse Tyson

    How do we know what we know? The brain is an amazing product of evolutionary engineering, but many influences can play with our perceptions.

  • The Cosmic Chemistry of Cosmetics

    Apr 4, 2011 –   Episode 16
    Image of lipsticks for The Cosmic Chemistry of Cosmetics on StarTalk Radio

    Neil Tyson dives into the science of cosmetics. Discover the technological and chemical foundation for the industry, as well as how genes may be the future canvas for cosmetics. With guest chemists Steve Herman and Art Georgalas. Co-host Lynne Koplitz.

  • Science at the Movies

    Apr 18, 2011 –   Episode 17

    Neil, comedian co-host Leighann Lord, and Phil Plait, the “Bad Astronomer,” discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of science in the movies.

  • The Physics of Superheroes

    May 2, 2011 –   Episode 18

    Faster than a speeding bullet? More powerful than a locomotive? Neil deGrasse Tyson and James Kakalios discuss the science behind the amazing powers of our favorite caped crusaders.

  • Climate Confusion

    May 16, 2011 –   Episode 19
    Photo of a stop sign reading "stop global warming," at 19th and Q in Washington D.C., during the 2nd North American blizzard of 2010. Image credit: AgnosticPreachersKid [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons.

    Extreme weather events dominate the news — tornadoes, hurricanes, winter snowmageddons, floods. What is fantasy and what is reality in the cultural conversation about climate?

  • The Political Science of The Daily Show

    May 23, 2011 –   Episode 20

    From Comedy Central’s World News Headquarters in New York, Neil sits down with Jon Stewart of The Daily Show to discuss the comic (and cosmic) connections between the worlds of science and politics.

  • Let There Be Light

    Jun 6, 2011 –   Episode 21

    Are you on our wavelength? Learn about the many ways the electromagnetic spectrum infiltrates our lives and illuminates the universe.

  • Time Travel at the Movies

    Jun 13, 2011 –   Episode 22

    Travel back to the future for a discussion of time travel and the movies that depict such excellent adventures.

  • Making Cents of Money

    Jun 27, 2011 –   Episode 23

    Suze Orman shares her street smarts about math, investing and the recent economic melt-down on our show about the science of finance.

  • A Conversation with Nichelle Nichols

    Jul 11, 2011 –   Episode 24
    Pictured here: Nichelle Nichols as Lt. Uhura, the communications officer on the bridge of Star Trek's starship USS Enterprise

    Nichelle Nichols discusses her role as Star Trek’s Lt. Uhura, and the impact that had on her life and on society.

  • NASA and Nichelle Nichols

    Jul 18, 2011 –   Episode 25

    Famous for her role as Star Trek’s Uhura, Nichelle Nichols discusses in part 2 of her interview how she also played a vital role in influencing the modern era of NASA.

  • The Physics of Superheroes, the Sequel

    Jul 25, 2011 –   Episode 26
    The Physics of Superheroes- The Sequel, on StarTalk Radio

    Holy Δx Δp ≥ ℏ/2 Batman! Theoretical physicist Michio Kaku joins us for another discussion of superheroes and the amazing physics behind their incredible powers.

  • Through the Wormhole

    Aug 8, 2011 –   Episode 27
    Morgan Freeman

    Academy-award winning actor Morgan Freeman joins us for a light-hearted discussion of some of the deepest mysteries facing science today.

  • Revolving Around the Sun

    Aug 15, 2011 –   Episode 28

    See the Sun with new eyes as we discuss the many ways this ball of plasma illuminates our past, present and future.

  • Making the Fur Fly

    Aug 22, 2011 –   Episode 29

    Although many people debate about the use of animals in science and civilization, few argue as adamantly against their use than our guest, Ingrid Newkirk, co-founder and president of PETA.

  • 9/11 Memorial

    Sep 12, 2011 –   Episode 30

    On this ten-year anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, StarTalk Radio takes a look at the event and how it changed our lives.

  • The Music of the Spheres

    Sep 19, 2011 –   Episode 31

    From the physics of sound to the healing power of song, groove to the universal sway of music with guests Moby and Jonathan Coulton.

  • Live at the Bell House (Part 1)

    Sep 26, 2011 –   Episode 32

    StarTalk Radio brought science in the house at the 4th annual Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival, with Kristen Schaal, Scott Adsit, Eugene Mirman and our very special guest Alan Alda.

  • Live at the Bell House (Part 2)

    Oct 3, 2011 –   Episode 33

    In the second half of our live show at the Bell House in Brooklyn, Kristen Schaal, Scott Adsit, Eugene Mirman and our very special guest Alan Alda travel through time and higher dimensions.

  • Spaceward Bound

    Oct 10, 2011 –   Episode 34

    NASA astronaut Mike Massimino joins us to discuss the perils and promise of human space flight now and into the future.

  • The Big Bang Theory

    Oct 24, 2011 –   Episode 35

    A hit TV sitcom about science geeks? Neil talks with the co-creator and science advisor for “The Big Bang Theory.”

  • Spooky Science

    Oct 30, 2011 –   Episode 36

    Our Halloween special investigates the science of ghosts and other haunting phenomena.

  • Time Lords: The Science of Keeping Time

    Nov 13, 2011 –   Episode 37
    Image of astronomical clock from StarTalk Radio episode “Time Lords: The Science of Keeping Time” with Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-host Chris Hardwick

    The Nerdist Chris Hardwick joins us for an upbeat discussion of clocks, calendars, and leaps in time.

  • When Science Crashes the Party

    Dec 5, 2011 –   Episode 38

    Janeane Garofalo engages in political warfare, delving into the furious debates between Democrats and Republicans and the science issues that divide them.

  • A Conversation with Whoopi Goldberg

    Dec 11, 2011 –   Episode 39
    Whoopi Goldberg as Guinan on Star Trek: The The Next Generation

    Whoopi Goldberg talks about her love of science, and how it eventually led to her role as Guinan on “Star Trek, The Next Generation”.

  • Season 2 Time Capsule

    Jan 16, 2012 –   Episode 40

    Revisit some highlights of our Season 2 shows. This show includes interview excerpts with Whoopi Goldberg, John Hodgman, Nichelle Nichols, Phil Plait, and Morgan Freeman.