Science on the Table is a South African science communication podcast aimed at providing innovative science updates to the general South African.
More information on scienceonthetable.co.za
Episode 10- The Pursuit of Conservation: Mapping Africa's Changing Landscapes
What happens when science, technology and people come together to protect nature? In this episode, we explore the pursuit of conservation across Africa and how tools like mapping, satellite images and remote sensing help us understand changing landscapes, biodiversity and the movement of species. We also look at why people are an important part of ecosystems, and why successful conservation must work with communities rather than simply putting up fences. From protecting natural grasslands to planting local, endemic species in our neighbourhoods, this episode explores how we can better understand—and care for—the natural world around us.
23 May 2026
Episode 9 - Revenge of the Microbes
“Revenge of the Microbes”
Humanity really looked at bacteria and said, “Skill issue,” after inventing antibiotics… and the microbes took that personally.
In this episode of Science on the Table, Dr Thabo Hamiwe helps us dive into the terrifyingly impressive world of antimicrobial resistance — where bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites are evolving faster than we can make drugs to stop them. Basically, the microbes read our medical textbooks and decided to become speedrunners.
From unfinished antibiotic courses and questionable self-diagnoses via Google, to antibiotics in livestock and hospital “superbugs” that sound like rejected Marvel villains, Revenge of the Microbes explores how humans accidentally trained microorganisms like they were in a Rocky montage.
We unpack:
Why antibiotics stop working
How bacteria share resistance genes like cheating answers in a group chat
The rise of drug-resistant infections
Why “just take the whole course” is not merely a suggestion
The possibility of entering a post-antibiotic era where a paper cut could humble modern medicine
It’s evolution, chaos, medicine, and microbial pettiness — all happening in real time.
Because somewhere, deep under a microscope, a bacterium is surviving pure spite.
27 Apr 2026
Episode 8- Between a Yawn and a Hard Place
On this episode, we are joined by Jo who guides us through the Neuroscience of Sleep and Consciousness.
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:
Why do we dream?
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.
16 Mar 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.
24 Nov 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 hyperfocus on Minecraft for hours but freezes at the sight of homework, this episode finally makes it all make sense.
13 Oct 2025
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.
27 Aug 2025
Episode 4- Midwifery: the art of arrival
In this episode, Shane and Caitlin 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.
22 Jul 2025
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.
16 Jun 2025
Episode 2- Mpox
Special guest, Janine Bezuidenhoudt, unpacks the Mpox virus (originating from the monkey pox virus).
This viral disease has been making headlines around the world. No longer just a distant concern. It's real, it's here, and understanding it is key.
Visit scienceonthetable.co.za for more
1 Jun 2025
Episode 1- DNA
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!
Visit scienceonthetable.co.za for more information
Reach and audience
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YouTube views
164
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100
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Quality
39
Social presence
0
YouTube
66
Engagement
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