It’s Not Just Numbers is a podcast about mathematics and its human side. Each episode begins with our guests’ own stories: how they came to maths, what drew them in, and what fills their time outside it. We then explore a mathematics-related theme, from research and teaching to academic life and the wider role mathematics plays in society, while making space to question common stereotypes and misconceptions about maths and mathematicians.
If mathematics has ever sparked your curiosity, or if you have ever wondered what it is really about, this podcast is for you!
Opinions are our own.
S3E05 - The afterMath 3 with Bram Brongers and Majken Driessen-Roelfszema
We continue our exploration of mathematicians outside mathematics departments, the AfterMath, joining our former students Bram Brongers and Majken Driessen-Roelfszema.
Their different work histories, personalities and experiences allow us to explore how mathematics helped or got in the way of them finding a job, what extra skills they found important to nurture and, most importantly, the challenges of figuring out what one likes.
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Produced by Marcello Seri, Jamara Admiraal and Jard Nijholt
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Illustrations by Henrieke Krijgsheld
The podcast soundtrack is derived from the royalty free track Starving by OctoSound and used in agreement with pixabay license https://pixabay.com/music/funk-starving-170377
We are grateful to the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the University of Groningen for allowing us to use their equipment for this recording.
11 Apr 2026
S3E04 - Becoming a teacher with Heleen van der Ree and Gerrit Roorda
In this episode, Heleen van der Ree (NVvW – Dutch Association of Teachers in Mathematics) and Gerrit Roorda (Teacher Educator, University of Groningen) join us in a conversation around what it means to become a high school mathematics teacher.
Together, we discuss their personal transitions into math education and the day-to-day realities of their roles. We explore the rewards and challenges of standing in front of a classroom, the importance of fostering problem-solving skills, and the space for innovation and creativity.
Wether you are curious or you are interested in it for your future career, in this episode you will find plenty of information, including the various pathways students in the Netherlands can take to start a rewarding teaching career.
Episode links:
Dutch Association of Teachers in Mathematics (NVvW) (https://www.nvvw.nl/)
Gerrit Roorda's webpage (https://www.rug.nl/staff/g.roorda/)
Anne van Streun's work on Mathematical Thinking Activities (Ontwerpen van wiskundige denkactiviteiten), available via the SLO website (https://www.slo.nl/)
Peter Liljedahl's Building Thinking Classrooms (https://buildingthinkingclassrooms.com/)
NRICH Cambridge maths (https://nrich.maths.org/)
European Women in Mathematics (https://www.europeanwomeninmaths.org/) and European Women in Mathematics – The Netherlands (https://www.ewmnetherlands.nl)
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Produced by Marcello Seri, Jamara Admiraal and Jard Nijholt
= = = { 0 } = = =
Illustrations by Henrieke Krijgsheld
The podcast soundtrack is derived from the royalty free track Starving by OctoSound and used in agreement with pixabay license https://pixabay.com/music/funk-starving-170377
We are grateful to the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the University of Groningen for allowing us to use their equipment for this recording.
18 Mar 2026
S3E03 - Postdoc life with Lara Vicino and Armin Pirastehzad
In this episode we sit down with Lara Vicino and Armin Pirastehzad to discuss what it is like to become a Postdoctoral Researcher. The life of a researcher is often romanticized, but what really happens the day after you defend your PhD? With the help of our guests, we explore the transition from PhD life to being an independent researcher, and what it takes to navigate that shift.
Episode links:
(https://fmf.nl/)Lara's webpage (https://sites.google.com/view/laravicino/home-page)
Armin's webpage (http://arminpirastehzad.com/)
Women in Numbers Europe 5 (https://wine5.math.hr/)
John Cleese's speech on creativity (1991) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvKeu46jgwo)
S1E09 - Doing a PhD in Mathematics (https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/not-just-numbers/episodes/S1E09---Doing-a-PhD-in-Mathematics-e2llbpe)
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Produced by Marcello Seri, Jamara Admiraal and Jard Nijholt
= = = { 0 } = = =
Illustrations by Henrieke Krijgsheld
The podcast soundtrack is derived from the royalty free track Starving by OctoSound and used in agreement with pixabay license https://pixabay.com/music/funk-starving-170377
We are grateful to the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the University of Groningen for allowing us to use their equipment for this recording.
Who has been a guest on It’s Not Just Numbers
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Brendan Kelly
Jorge Perez
Davide Grossi
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5.0 / 5
38 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100
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YouTube
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