- alle zwei WochenErscheinungsrhythmus
- 44 mintypische Länge
- 8. Okt.letzte Folge
Breaking Math is a deep-dive science, technology, engineering, AI, and mathematics podcast that explores the world through the lens of logic, patterns, and critical thinking. Hosted by Autumn Phaneuf, an expert in industrial engineering, operations research, and applied mathematics, and Noah Giansiracusa, a mathematician and leading voice in algorithmic literacy and technology ethics, the show is dedicated to uncovering the mathematical structures behind science, technology, and the systems shaping our future.
What began as a conversation about math as a pure and elegant discipline has evolved into a platform for bold, interdisciplinary dialogue. Each episode of Breaking Math takes listeners on an intellectual journey—into the strange beauty of chaos theory, the ethical dilemmas of AI and algorithms, the hidden math of biology and evolution, or the physics governing black holes and the cosmos. Along the way, Autumn and Noah speak with working scientists, researchers, and thinkers across fields: computer scientists, physicists, chemists, engineers, economists, philosophers, and more.
But this isn’t just a podcast about equations. It’s a show about how mathematics shapes the way we think, decide, build, and understand the world. Breaking Math pushes back against the idea that STEM belongs behind a paywall or an academic podium. It’s for the curious, the critical, and the creative—for anyone who believes that ideas should be rigorous, accessible, and infused with wonder.
If you’ve ever wondered:
• What’s the math behind machine learning and modern algorithms?
• How do we quantify uncertainty in climate and economic models?
• Can intelligence or consciousness be meaningfully described in AI?
• Why does beauty matter in an equation?
You’re in the right place.
At its heart, Breaking Math is about building bridges—between disciplines, between experts and the public, and between abstract mathematics and the messy, magnificent reality we live in. With humor, clarity, and deep respect for complexity, Autumn and Noah invite you to rethink what math can be—and how it can help us shape a better future.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Website: breakingmath.io
Linktree: linktr.ee/breakingmathmedia
Email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com
Folgen
Can Math Make You Win? Gambler's Ruin, & Bingo Paradoxes with Arthur Benjamin
Mathematician, mental-math performer, and backgammon grandmaster Arthur Benjamin joins Noah and Autumn to talk about his book How to Win. Together they explore what mathematics knows about winning that human intuition gets wrong: coincidenc
Math Trauma vs. Math Anxiety: What's Actually Holding You Back?
"I'm just not a math person." If you've ever said that about yourself, this episode is for you. Dr. Geillan Aly, author of Compassionate Math, joins Breaking Math to break down the real difference between math anxiety and math trauma — and
Forecasting Explained: How Prediction Markets Beat Experts
Professional forecaster Molly Hickman breaks down what it really means to assign a probability to the future — and why she believes generalists often out-forecast subject-matter experts. This episode explores the art and science of forecast
What Actually Makes Something Alive? with Melanie Challenger
What does it mean to be alive? In this episode of Breaking Math, Autumn and Noah speak with Melanie Challenger, author of Alive, about one of the most profound questions in science and philosophy: how do we define life? Challenger argues th
Why Uncertainty Is Science's Greatest Strength with Stuart Firestein
Neuroscientist Stuart Firestein (Columbia University) joins Breaking Math to make an extravagant claim: uncertainty isn't a weakness in science — it's the defining feature that makes progress possible. In this episode, we break down why the
Robot Proof: Why Better AI Starts With Better People with Vivienne Ming
Neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and author Dr. Vivienne Ming joins Autumn and Noah to make the case that if we want better AI, we need to build better people first. We get into why AI tutors that hand students answers make learning worse, not
Why Nothing Works: Robber Barons, Algorithms & Governing AI
In this episode, Historian and author Marc Dunkelman to explain why the 19th-century fight over railroad power is the exact fight we're about to have over algorithms and AI. Drawing on his acclaimed book Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progre
Can Math Save Journalism?: Julia Angwin on Proof, Power, and Amazon's Algorithm
In this conversation we chat with Julia Angwin — Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, founder of Proof News, and former Wall Street Journal and ProPublica reporter — to make the case that journalism should function more like mathematical proo
The Proof in the Code: How Lean Is Quietly Rewriting Trust in Math (w/ Kevin Hartnett)
In this episode, Autumn and Noah talk with Kevin Hartnett about why mathematicians are willing to spend years reducing an idea to a level of detail a machine can check, whether formal verification can catch an AI that's technically correct
How Data Science Exposes Injustice: Chad Topaz on Unlocking Justice
What happens when the evidence of injustice is buried in messy, redacted, or inaccessible data? Mathematician and data scientist Chad Topaz joins Breaking Math to discuss his book Unlocking Justice. Together, we explore policing, sentencing
Rise of the Robots: Is AI Coming for Your Job?
This conversation explores the profound impact of AI and automation on the future of work, economy, and society. Featuring Martin Ford, author of 'Rise of the Robots,' the discussion covers technological progress, economic implications, pol
The Echoing Universe: How Radio Waves, AI, and Math Could Help Us Find Aliens with Emma Chapman
Dr. Emma Chapman explains radio astronomy using the fruit bowl metaphor, explores the emotional and scientific aspects of space exploration, and discusses future technologies like the Square Kilometre Array and lunar radio telescopes. The c
AI Solves 80-Year-Old Math Conjecture: What It Means for the Future of Mathematics
This episode explores how AI, specifically OpenAI's recent breakthrough in solving an 80-year-old math conjecture, is transforming the field of mathematics. Featuring insights from Professor Daniel Litt, the discussion covers the implicatio
The Science of Addiction: Dopamine, Social Media, and the Myth of Willpower with Maia Szalavitz
In this episode with award-winning journalist and author Maia Szalavitz challenges the idea that addiction is simply about pleasure or willpower. Instead, she explains addiction as compulsive behavior that continues despite negative consequ
Are We Being Misled by Data? Ron Wasserstein on AI, Bias, and Statistical Truth
In this episode of Breaking Math, Autumn and Noah speak with Ron Wasserstein, Executive Director of the American Statistical Association, about what statistics means in a world increasingly shaped by AI, misinformation, and fragile public t
How Ransomware Became a Global Industry with Anja Shortland on Dark Screens
What if ransomware did not begin with criminals, but with curiosity? In this episode of Breaking Math, Autumn and Noah talk with Anja Shortland, professor of political economy at King’s College London and author of Dark Screens. This conver
Explaining Huge Numbers with Richard Elwes
What does it actually mean for a number to be “big”? In this episode of Breaking Math, Autumn chats with mathematician Richard Elwes to explore how huge numbers reveal the limits of human intuition, language, and even mathematics itself. Th
AI Isn’t Replacing You—It’s Changing the Rules with Sheamus McGovern
In this episode we sit down with Sheamus McGovern, founder of the Open Data Science Conference (ODSC AI), to unpack what AI actually looks like. Sheamus shares what’s really happening behind the scenes of the AI boom and why the biggest shi
Math and Magic with Matt Baker
In this episode, mathematician and award-winning magician Matt Baker explores the fascinating intersection of mathematics and magic, revealing how mathematical principles, intuition, and storytelling create unforgettable illusions. From a m
Credibility Crisis in Science with Thomas Plümper and Eric Neumayer
In this episode, Thomas Plümper and Eric Neumayer explore the hidden challenges in modern science, from outright fraud to the subtler practice of “tweaking” data that distorts results. They examine why the self-correcting nature of science
Denied, Then Unstoppable: The Story of Mary T. Washington Wylie
This Women in History Mini-Series episode with Dr. Victoria Bateman explores the inspiring story of Mary T. Washington Wylie, the first African-American woman CPA, her challenges, achievements, and legacy in breaking racial and gender barri
The Power of Connection in Math: Insights from Hortensia Soto
In this episode of Breaking Math, we sit down with Dr. Hortensia Soto, former president of the Mathematical Association of America, to explore the role of mathematics in a world shaped by AI, education, and access. We discuss how debates in
Florence Nightingale: Data-Driven Reformer of Medicine
This Women in History Mini-Series episode with Dr. Victoria Bateman explores the groundbreaking contributions of Florence Nightingale, highlighting her use of data and statistics to revolutionize healthcare and public health during the 19th
The Math Behind Gerrymandering, Fair Representation, and Politics with Karen Saxe
Mathematics quietly shapes some of the most important decisions in public life, from redistricting and congressional apportionment to federal research funding and AI policy. In this episode, Autumn and Noah speak with Dr. Karen Saxe, Senior
Anna Schwartz: The Economist Who Changed How We Study Economies
This Women in History Mini-Series episode with Dr. Victoria Bateman explores the groundbreaking work of Anna Schwartz, a pioneering economist who transformed macroeconomics through data-driven research. Discover how her meticulous analysis
Disappearing Grants, Genius Grants, and the AI Proofs with Lauren K. Williams
In this episode, Lauren Williams, professor of mathematics at Harvard University and a 2025 MacArthur Fellow, speaks about the surprising and often messy reality of mathematical research. The conversation begins with a turbulent moment in a
Priscilla Wakefield: Empowering Women Through Financial Literacy
This Women in History Mini-Series with Dr. Victoria Bateman explores the life and contributions of Priscilla Wakefield, a revolutionary figure in financial literacy and women's empowerment during the Industrial Revolution. Wakefield's work
Why Mathematicians Must Speak Up with Bryna Kra
In this conversation, Dr. Bryna Kra discusses her journey in mathematics, focusing on her research, dynamical systems, the importance of collaboration, and the role of the American Mathematical Society. She emphasizes the need for better co
Reaching for the Extreme with Ian Stewart
In this conversation, Ian Stewart discusses the nature of mathematical inquiry, the motivations behind problem-solving in mathematics, and the importance of storytelling in making math relatable. He explores the relationship between nature
Rethinking Mathematical Value in the Age of AI with Ravi Vakil
In this conversation, Ravi Vakil discusses the beauty of mathematics, the impact of AI on the field, and the importance of human interaction in mathematical education. He emphasizes the social nature of mathematics and the potential dangers
