Season Five of 'The Joy of Why' Returns
By: Simon Frantz | Date: June 4, 2026
This season features 12 all-new episodes that delve into significant questions in basic science and mathematics.
Mathematician Steven Strogatz and physicist Janna Levin are back as hosts to discuss bold questions such as:
- What is the future of gene editing with CRISPR?
- Has AI changed mathematics forever?
- Will we find other civilizations in the universe?
- What if we’ve been wrong about dark energy all along?
Each episode features an in-depth conversation where Steven or Janna sits down with a leading scientist or mathematician to unpack a big idea or area of research. They also share their own thoughts, reactions, and questions throughout the episodes.
New episodes drop every other Thursday, starting June 11 with biochemist and Nobel Laureate Jennifer Doudna, co-discoverer of the CRISPR-Cas9 system that has revolutionized gene editing and biology.
The wide-ranging conversation will explore the discovery and rapid rise of CRISPR as a precise gene modification tool, the successes and issues it has raised, and what comes next.
Other guests this season include:
- Astrophysicist Adam Reiss
- Mathematician Lauren Williams
- Neuroscientist Ishmail Abdus-Saboor
- Computer Scientist Melanie Mitchell
- Astronomer David Kipping
- Evolutionary Biologist Toby Kiers
- Physicist Albert-László Barabási
- Mathematician Maggie Miller
All 12 episodes will be available to stream or read on multiple platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and TuneIn.
Blogger's Review: This season of 'The Joy of Why' is undoubtedly a significant milestone in science communication, with cutting-edge topics and authoritative guests that will provoke deep thoughts about science among listeners. Whether discussing the ethics of gene editing or the search for extraterrestrial civilizations, these discussions are poised to advance our understanding and dialogue surrounding science.