Breaking Math Podcast podcast

Breaking Math Podcast

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 Gabriel Hesch, an electrical engineer (host from 2016-2024) with a passion for mathematical clarity, the show is dedicated to uncovering the mathematical structures behind science, engineering, technology, and the systems that shape 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—whether it’s into the strange beauty of chaos theory, the ethical dilemmas of AI, the deep structures of biological evolution, or the thermodynamics of black holes. Along the way, Autumn and Gabriel interview leading thinkers and working scientists from across the spectrum: computer scientists, quantum physicists, chemists, philosophers, neuroscientists, and more. But this isn’t just a podcast about equations—it’s a show about how mathematics influences the way we think, create, build, and understand. Breaking Math pushes back against the idea that STEM belongs behind a paywall or an academic podium. It’s for the curious, the critical, 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? ---How do we quantify uncertainty in climate models? ---Can consciousness be described in AI? ---Why does beauty matter in an equation? Then you’re in the right place. At its heart, Breaking Math is about building bridges—between disciplines, between experts and the public, and between the abstract world of mathematics and the messy, magnificent reality we live in. With humor, clarity, and deep respect for complexity, Autumn and Gabriel 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: [https://breakingmath.io] (https://breakingmath.io/) Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/breakingmathmedia] (https://linktr.ee/breakingmathmedia) Email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

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 Gabriel Hesch, an electrical engineer (host from 2016-2024) with a passion for mathematical clarity, the show is dedicated to uncovering the mathematical structures behind science, engineering, technology, and the systems that shape 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—whether it’s into the strange beauty of chaos theory, the ethical dilemmas of AI, the deep structures of biological evolution, or the thermodynamics of black holes. Along the way, Autumn and Gabriel interview leading thinkers and working scientists from across the spectrum: computer scientists, quantum physicists, chemists, philosophers, neuroscientists, and more. But this isn’t just a podcast about equations—it’s a show about how mathematics influences the way we think, create, build, and understand. Breaking Math pushes back against the idea that STEM belongs behind a paywall or an academic podium. It’s for the curious, the critical, 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? ---How do we quantify uncertainty in climate models? ---Can consciousness be described in AI? ---Why does beauty matter in an equation? Then you’re in the right place. At its heart, Breaking Math is about building bridges—between disciplines, between experts and the public, and between the abstract world of mathematics and the messy, magnificent reality we live in. With humor, clarity, and deep respect for complexity, Autumn and Gabriel 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: [https://breakingmath.io] (https://breakingmath.io/) Linktree: [https://linktr.ee/breakingmathmedia] (https://linktr.ee/breakingmathmedia) Email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

 

#169

Intelligent Systems: Digital Culture Shock

In this conversation, Dr. Katharina Reinecke explores the intersection of technology and c... more

19 Nov 2025

38 MINS

38:33

19 Nov 2025


#168

Who is Francis Crick?

This conversation delves into the life and legacy of Francis Crick, co-discoverer of the D... more

11 Nov 2025

50 MINS

50:26

11 Nov 2025


#167

Mathematics and Humanity: The Untold Stories of the Great Math War

This conversation explores the intersection of mathematics and human experience, focusing ... more

04 Nov 2025

43 MINS

43:33

04 Nov 2025


#166

The Future of Physics: Portals to a New Reality

In this conversation, Dr.Vlatko Vedral discusses the complexities of quantum mechanics and... more

28 Oct 2025

48 MINS

48:44

28 Oct 2025


#165

AI vs Human Intelligence: The Emergent Mind

In this conversation, Drs. Gaurav Suri and Jay Mcclelland delves into the intricate relati... more

25 Oct 2025

50 MINS

50:25

25 Oct 2025


#164

The Giant Leap

In this conversation, Dr. Caleb Scharf discusses the evolution of space exploration, drawi... more

21 Oct 2025

56 MINS

56:57

21 Oct 2025


#163

Dinosaurs with Rachel Ignotofsky

In this engaging conversation, Rachel Ignotofski discusses her new book Dinosaurs, explori... more

14 Oct 2025

30 MINS

30:30

14 Oct 2025


#162

Charlatans with Quico Toro

In this conversation, Quico discusses the nature of gullibility and the tactics used by ch... more

07 Oct 2025

39 MINS

39:52

07 Oct 2025


#161

Economica with Victoria Bateman

In this conversation, economist Dr. Victoria Bateman discusses the critical role of women ... more

30 Sep 2025

1 HR 04 MINS

1:04:48

30 Sep 2025


#160

Blueprints with Marcus du Sautoy

In this conversation, Marcus Du Sautoy explores the intricate relationship between mathema... more

09 Sep 2025

59 MINS

59:39

09 Sep 2025


#159

Unequal with Eugenia Cheng

In this conversation, Eugenia Cheng discusses the importance of making math accessible and... more

05 Sep 2025

46 MINS

46:49

05 Sep 2025


#158

Breaking Math: When Math Meets a Technology Glitch

This week’s episode isn’t our usual deep dive—it’s a behind-the-scenes update. On Monday, ... more

28 Aug 2025

04 MINS

04:14

28 Aug 2025


#157

Hate the Game

In this conversation, Dr. Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at Redfin, discusses her book... more

19 Aug 2025

34 MINS

34:25

19 Aug 2025


#156

Dots and Lines: Hidden Networks

In this conversation, Autumn and Dr. Anthony Bonato explore the fascinating world of netwo... more

12 Aug 2025

37 MINS

37:17

12 Aug 2025


#155

Robin Hood Math

In this episode of Breaking Math, Dr. Noah Giansiracusa discusses his book 'Robin Hood Mat... more

05 Aug 2025

32 MINS

32:35

05 Aug 2025


#154

What are Swim Training Patterns?

In this conversation, Dr. Christoph Bartneck discusses the intersection of swimming and co... more

29 Jul 2025

45 MINS

45:54

29 Jul 2025


#153

AI Ethics: Algorithms Go To College

In this episode of Breaking Math, Autumn explores the complex world of AI ethics, focusing... more

22 Jul 2025

11 MINS

11:35

22 Jul 2025


#152

Random Shuffle Isn't Random At All

In this episode, we explore the intricate mathematics behind Sp0tify's (ok... and other's)... more

08 Jul 2025

08 MINS

08:20

08 Jul 2025


#151

Algorithms & AI Simplified - The Not So Mathy Version

This conversation explores the intricate relationship between mathematics and artificial i... more

01 Jul 2025

09 MINS

09:19

01 Jul 2025


#150

What is Cryptography?

This conversation delves into the intersection of quantum computing and cryptography, focu... more

24 Jun 2025

40 MINS

40:56

24 Jun 2025


#149

We Live in a Radioactive World: What is Dosimetry?

In this episode, Autumn interviews Dr. Ileana Pazos, an expert in dosimetry, discussing th... more

17 Jun 2025

32 MINS

32:10

17 Jun 2025


#148

What is Life?

In this conversation, Dr. Elizabeth Strychalski discusses the fascinating field of synthet... more

10 Jun 2025

41 MINS

41:32

10 Jun 2025


#147

Fire Science: What are Photoacoustic Measurements?

In this episode of Breaking Math, hosts Autumn and Gabriel explore the innovative intersec... more

03 Jun 2025

49 MINS

49:49

03 Jun 2025


#146

What is Time?

In this episode of Breaking Math, Autumn and Andrew Novick delve into the intricate world ... more

26 Feb 2025

1 HR 11 MINS

1:11:52

26 Feb 2025


#145

What is Measurement?

Summary This episode of Breaking Math explores the fundamental concept of measurement, its... more

18 Feb 2025

07 MINS

07:12

18 Feb 2025


#144

How Analytics Can Revolutionize Affordable Energy

In this episode, Dr. Destine Nock, CEO of Peoples Energy Analytics and a Professor at Carn... more

19 Nov 2024

41 MINS

41:08

19 Nov 2024


#143

What is Chaos Theory?

In this captivating episode of Breaking Math, hosts Gabriel and Autumn dive deep into chao... more

12 Nov 2024

13 MINS

13:00

12 Nov 2024


#142

AI in the Lab: How GPT-4 is Changing Molecules and Models

In this episode of Breaking Math, we dive deep into the transformative power of large lang... more

05 Nov 2024

12 MINS

12:11

05 Nov 2024


#141

The Fluid Dynamics of Sheep

In this episode of Breaking Math, we explore the unexpected link between sheep herding and... more

29 Oct 2024

15 MINS

15:08

29 Oct 2024