The Science on the Table Podcast

The Science on the Table Podcast Our main aim is to communicate science in a format that is easily digestible.

Science On The Table is a South African podcast channel that discusses everything science-related that affects the general population, especially in South Africa.

On this episode, we are joined by Jo who guides us through the Neuroscience of Sleep and Consciousness. Listen here: htt...
27/04/2026

On this episode, we are joined by Jo who guides us through the Neuroscience of Sleep and Consciousness.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/532k2pvrsMbx8b0ctarQgP?si=yeQZR5KbQZ62YHeGBalnCw
https://youtu.be/LD496b1UBPA
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-8-between-a-yawn-and-a-hard-place/id1817981987?i=1000763757725

What really happens in the brain when we drift off—and where does consciousness go when we’re asleep?

In Between a Yawn and a Hard Place, we unpack the neuroscience of sleep and consciousness, exploring how the brain cycles through different states of awareness. From the rhythms of brain waves to the deeper pull of our biological clocks, we look at how circadian rhythms and biorhythms shape when we feel alert, when we crash, and how well we truly rest.

We also step into more complex territory: how psychoactive substances—from caffeine to more potent compounds—can alter sleep architecture and shift our perception of consciousness itself. What do these disruptions reveal about the fragile balance between wakefulness and rest?

Along the way, we tackle some of neuroscience’s biggest questions:
Is consciousness ever truly “off”?
And how do sleep disorders, jet lag, or altered states help us understand the mind?

Blending cutting-edge science with real-world relevance, this episode offers a deeper look at the hidden systems governing your nights—and your waking life.

So whether you’re running on empty, perfectly in sync, or somewhere in between, join us as we explore the space between a yawn… and a hard place.

Follow Jo here:
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/johann%C3%A9-marais-67ab15243/
Personal website: https://beingengaged.com/
https://bsky.app/profile/neurojo.bsky.social

Episode 7 | The Great Human Roast: Ultramarathons in the Heat What happens when you ask thousands of endurance runners t...
16/03/2026

Episode 7 | The Great Human Roast: Ultramarathons in the Heat

What happens when you ask thousands of endurance runners to jog a small country’s worth of distance… in the South African sun?

In this episode, we turned the thermostat up with Dr Henno Havenga, environmental scientist, and explored what really happens when ultramarathons meet serious heat. Using a thermal stress index, we map the temperature conditions runners faced along the route—because sometimes it’s not just a race, it’s a slow-motion human braai.

We also look beyond the heat to the air itself, examining pollution levels on race day and asking an uncomfortable question: while runners are pushing their limits, what exactly are their lungs breathing in? From roasting road surfaces to the science of thermal strain, this episode unpacks how heat and air quality shape the ultimate test of human endurance.

You can listen here:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_un9kDYwIE&t=20s
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-7-the-great-human-roast-ultramarathons-in-the-heat/id1817981987?i=1000755530307
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/11oAorKQgZn5SoccPBRf6Y?si=12004df603fc49c8

Episode 6 | ADHD - The Dopamine Feed: Teens, Screens, and FocusThis week’s episode dives into the wonderfully chaotic wo...
13/12/2025

Episode 6 | ADHD - The Dopamine Feed: Teens, Screens, and Focus

This week’s episode dives into the wonderfully chaotic world of ADHD in kids and teens - where attention span isn’t “short” so much as “selective,” executive functioning is like a WiFi signal that keeps dropping, and dopamine is the mischievous chemical running the show.

We unpack neurodivergence in real, human language, from high masking (especially in adolescents) to that internalised paralysis that looks like “procrastination” but is really the brain’s spinning wheel of doom. If you’ve ever wondered why a child can hyper-focus on Minecraft for hours but freezes at the sight of homework, this episode finally makes it all make sense.

You can listen here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og5rTsKQbpg&t=136s

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-6-adhd-the-dopamine-feed-teens-screens-and-focus/id1817981987?i=1000738089470

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2DlflyRkqgHxkalyrAlcA9?si=f1aaa3df17c0417c

Science on the Table Episode 5 - Root of All Evil: When Plants Catch a Cold Even the most resilient plants have their we...
15/10/2025

Science on the Table Episode 5 - Root of All Evil: When Plants Catch a Cold

Even the most resilient plants have their weak spots. In this episode, Professor Jacquie van der Waals delves into the science of Plant Pathology — where microscopic foes meet macro-scale consequences. From the citrus groves battling canker to potatoes facing down late blight, we explore how plant diseases emerge, spread, and reshape agriculture. It’s a story of spores and survival, where each infection tells a tale of evolution, adaptation, and the constant arms race between pathogen and plant.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-5-root-of-all-evil-when-plants-catch-a-cold/id1817981987?i=1000731717637

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7FpxrvGiMnD8BpKIDkaoF6?si=c1339157dab34c66

https://youtu.be/5Li4co6l4To?si=7wMJVmlj61tNKFG_

Science on the table episode 4- Midwifery: the art of arrival. Join us later today as we sit down with Sister Jenni Clar...
27/08/2025

Science on the table episode 4- Midwifery: the art of arrival.

Join us later today as we sit down with Sister Jenni Clarence, an experienced midwife and passionate advocate for maternal and newborn health. She shares her journey into midwifery, the challenges and joys of the profession, and the vital role midwives play in supporting women through pregnancy, birth, and beyond.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3pGmDpRhI9zwIIZOPZnOXR?si=QL439EEuTN-qX6HH8W6IbA

https://youtu.be/vVIfVb8cmKA?si=ZJocUVABxSguJVLC

https://podcasts.apple.com/eg/podcast/episode-4-midwifery-the-art-of-arrival/id1817981987?i=1000723692129

Science on the Table - Episode 3 | MalariaIn this episode, Dr. Chia spills the tea on her latest science adventure — hun...
23/07/2025

Science on the Table - Episode 3 | Malaria

In this episode, Dr. Chia spills the tea on her latest science adventure — hunting for bacteria that might one day give mosquitoes a bit of a gut makeover. That’s right, she and her team have been busy screening a bunch of bacteria to see which ones could potentially turn these tiny vampires into malaria-fighting machines. The idea? Find the friendly bugs that could boost the mosquitoes’ immune systems and help them kick the malaria parasite to the curb. She also dishes out some wild facts about mosquitoes and malaria that might just make you the most interesting person at your next dinner party.

Access the episode here:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-3-malaria/id1817981987?i=1000718492653

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1FHBwV1hSYbxlDForlegWy?si=4cfdd2275c404654

- Youtube: https://youtu.be/wVgUWYSHlXM?si=1PM-D1rQwz7BSrwF

If you would like to follow Chia’s research journey, you can follow her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chia-yu-chen-phd-13a864138/).

Her professional contact details are [email protected] and [email protected].

Science on the Table - Episode 2 | MpoxIn this episode, epidemiologist Janine Bezuidenhoudt gives us the rundown on the ...
17/06/2025

Science on the Table - Episode 2 | Mpox

In this episode, epidemiologist Janine Bezuidenhoudt gives us the rundown on the multi-country outbreak of Mpox. Here we discuss what Mpox is, the risks and treatment involved, and how this disease has been affecting South Africans.

Janine also helps us understand what an epidemiologist does and she carefully pieces together the puzzle of Mpox and the current outbreak thereof.

*We apologise for some blips in the sound byte, but these were only picked up after recording during the production stage.

Have a listen on on your favorite platforms.

Apple podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-2-mpox/id1817981987?i=1000713134128

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1eyKpGTOZLAX7XtArKUQHh

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWX1IFhDetw&si=Kq1iD0tDBl8k0SRn

Tune in, learn something new - and don’t forget to share this episode with your fellow science lovers!

Episode 1- DNA | Links below 🎙In this episode, Shane and Caitlin introduce themselves and dive into the molecule that de...
02/06/2025

Episode 1- DNA | Links below 🎙

In this episode, Shane and Caitlin introduce themselves and dive into the molecule that defines who we are—DNA. We untwist the double helix and break it down for you.

Whether you’re new to molecular biology or just curious about what makes us… us, this episode is your primer on the code of life.

Tune in, learn something new—and don’t forget to share this episode with your fellow science lovers!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5R3eTnbW3hIXJqwMhe5cdB?si=367gFPf8R8mJ-epOLpYlCQ

https://youtube.com/?si=V5n39cX-LoBvry2q

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/science-on-the-table/id1817981987

Meet the hosts - Shane 👨‍🔬Shane is a microbiologist who does research on germs, which can't be seen with the naked eye. ...
30/05/2025

Meet the hosts - Shane 👨‍🔬

Shane is a microbiologist who does research on germs, which can't be seen with the naked eye. He enjoys the exchange of knowledge between people and is passionate about clear science communication.

He loves (stopping short of obsessed with) distance running, being out in nature and connecting with people on a personal level.

Join us on this science discovery and communication journey, where we will discuss various science topics in a digestible format 🦠🔎

Meet the hosts - Caitlin 👩‍⚕️Caitlin is a physiotherapist from Pretoria. She is passionate about sport and fitness and l...
30/05/2025

Meet the hosts - Caitlin 👩‍⚕️

Caitlin is a physiotherapist from Pretoria. She is passionate about sport and fitness and loves educating patients on injury prevention and management, and on getting strong through exercise.

She has a curious mind and loves to chat all things science and how things work on a mechanistic level. In her spare time she does triathlons, loves to read, and participate in quiz games.

Join us on this science discovery and communication journey, where we will discuss various science topics in a digestible format 🦠🔎

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