Big Picture Science

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{{Short description|Science radio program and podcast}}

{{More citations needed|date=February 2021}}

{{Infobox radio show

| name = Big Picture Science

| image = BigPictureScienceTitleLogo.png

| image_size = 230px

| alt =

| caption = Big Picture Science Logo

| format = Science

| runtime = 1 hour

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| country = United States

| language = English

| home_station =

| syndicates = self-distributed via the Public Radio Satellite System

| television =

| presenter = Seth Shostak, Molly Bentley

| creator =

| writer =

| director =

| senior_editor =

| editor = Molly Bentley, Seth Shostak, Gary Niederhoff

| producer =

| exec_producer = Molly Bentley

| narrated =

| rec_location = Oakland, California

| rem_location =

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| first_aired = 2002

| last_aired =

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| audio_format = mp3, wav

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| sponsor =

| website = {{url|http://bigpicturescience.org}}

| podcast = {{URL|http://bigpicturescience.org/listening_options}}

}}

Big Picture Science is an independent national science radio program and podcast hosted by astronomer Seth Shostak and journalist Molly Bentley, the executive producer of the show.{{cite news |url=http://radio.seti.org/pages/about_the_show |title=About Big Picture Science |publisher=SETI Institute |date=2014 |accessdate=February 5, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001041153/http://radio.seti.org/pages/about_the_show |archivedate=October 1, 2011 }}

The program uses innovative storytelling to connect trends in contemporary research and technology. Episodes are thematic, providing in-depth discussion of the latest developments in science. Guests include researchers from academic, public and private spheres, popular science writers, cultural critics, engineers, and ethicists focused on science. Regular "Skeptic Check," episodes are devoted to critical thinking and take on topics in junk science and the paranormal.{{Cite news |last=Blakemore |first=Erin |date=June 23, 2018 |title=Selling science, and debunking pseudoscience, through great stories |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/selling-science-and-debunking-pseudoscience-through-great-stories/2018/06/22/3d588176-74be-11e8-805c-4b67019fcfe4_story.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 15, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720183045/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/selling-science-and-debunking-pseudoscience-through-great-stories/2018/06/22/3d588176-74be-11e8-805c-4b67019fcfe4_story.html }}{{Cite web |title=Geomedia: Radio: "Big Picture Science" aptly named |url=https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/geomedia-radio-big-picture-science-aptly-named |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=www.earthmagazine.org |archive-date=June 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618121254/https://www.earthmagazine.org/article/geomedia-radio-big-picture-science-aptly-named/ |url-status=live }}

The show is broadcast on approximately 155 radio stations, many of them NPR affiliates. These include KALW in San Francisco, WCMU-FM in Michigan, WVPE in Indiana, WHRV in Virginia, WIEC in Wisconsin, and WNYE in New York City. It is carried on about two dozen Native American stations. The show is also available for download via podcast and direct download from podcast networks as well as the show's website where archived shows from 2006 on can also be found. Episodes are cut to an NPR clock.

Big Picture Science was formerly titled Are We Alone? and was produced at the SETI Institute until January 2025 when the show went independent. It is distributed through the Public Radio Satellite System and Public Radio Exchange.{{Cite web |date=August 13, 2023 |title=About The Show |url=https://bigpicturescience.org/about_the_show |access-date=August 13, 2023}}