Planetary Radio: Space Exploration, Astronomy and Science

The Planetary Society has been championing space exploration since Carl Sagan co-founded it in 1980, and Planetary Radio carries that torch with over 1,300 weekly episodes. Host Sarah Al-Ahmed leads a rotating cast that includes Bill Nye (yes, the Science Guy), Bruce Betts, and veteran host Mat Kaplan. The show covers everything from Mars rover updates to the politics of NASA funding, and it does so with a warmth that feels genuinely passionate rather than performative. Each episode runs 45 minutes to an hour, typically featuring interviews with working scientists, mission engineers, and astronauts. The recurring "What’s Up" segment with Bruce Betts is a highlight—he walks through upcoming night sky events and tosses out space trivia that will make you the most interesting person at any party. There is also a monthly Space Policy Edition for listeners who care about the budget battles and legislative wrangling that actually determine which missions get built. With a 4.8 rating from over 1,200 reviews, this podcast has proven it can keep space enthusiasts coming back week after week for over two decades. It strikes a nice balance between accessible enough for newcomers and substantive enough for people who already know their perihelion from their aphelion.