PBS Science Series Nova Launches New Podcast Today

NOVA Now, a new podcast from PBS science series NOVA, WGBH and PRX launches today, August 27. Hosted by pediatrician Dr. Alok Patel, NOVA Now will unpack the science behind today’s top news stories, beginning with an especially timely premiere episode examining the technology and systems behind mail-in voting ahead of this year’s election. 

In each episode, Patel will speak with the people — scientists, engineers, technologists, mathematicians and more — at the center of research, developments and theories in the headlines. New episodes will be released every other week on all major podcast platforms. 

 

 Alok Patel is a pediatrician, on-camera expert for medical news, producer, journalist, and a self-proclaimed hypomanic dreamer. In addition to hosting NOVA’s podcast NOVA Now and co-hosting NOVA’s digital series PARENTALOGIC with comedian Bethan Van Delft, Patel he works as a television producer for CNN/HLN and is currently producing the third season of "Something's Killing Me." 

Patel is also piloting a web series for NBC News, entitled "Office Hours" in which he addresses medical topics in a "Man on The Street" format in New York City. Dr. Patel received his medical training at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, completed his pediatric residency at the renowned Seattle Children's Hospital, and is currently faculty at Columbia University, Stanford University, and the University of California-San Francisco.

Like NOVA’s award-winning films have long provided context and clarity around thorny questions at the intersection of science and society, the NOVA Now podcast focuses that same crystallizing lens to urgent topics while offering listeners a trusted understanding of how science affects them on a daily basis.

 “With each week bringing news of COVID-19 vaccine research, new studies about mask efficacy, and a myriad of non-pandemic developments, from climate change to CRISPR, it’s more critical than ever that we are able to distinguish scientific fact from fiction,” said Dr. Patel. “I’m thrilled to work with NOVA to share these fascinating, timely stories with our listeners.”

 Like many legacy brands that have expanded into podcasting to extend their media portfolio, NOVA Now is the latest step in NOVA’s expansion of its multi-platform offerings. In addition to the new NOVA Now podcast launching today, NOVA recently launched its new digital series, PARENTALOGIC, which focuses on the science behind parenting and is co-hosted by NOVA Now’s Patel and comedian Bethany Van Delft. 

 NOVA Now is a production of WGBH and PRX. Producers for NOVA Now are Ian Coss, Ari Daniel, Jocelyn Gonzales, Isabel Hibbard, Sandra Lopez-Monsalve, and Nina Porzucki.

 PRX is a public media organization shaping the future of audio by producing and distributing content, building technology, and training talented, independent producers. With an award-winning portfolio ranging from iconic public radio programs such as ‘The World,” “This American Life,” “The Moth Radio Hour,” “TED Talks Daily,” “The Takeaway,” “Snap Judgment,” and “Reveal,” as well as a growing body of podcast-first productions, including the Radiotopia podcast network, PRX generates more than 100 million podcast downloads per month.

"It's been so exciting to collaborate with NOVA and this talented podcast team in imagining how the incredible public television program might translate to sound," said Jocelyn Gonzales, Director of PRX Productions. "Alok Patel's energy and curiosity is infectious, and we can't wait for listeners to hear this timely and information-rich podcast."

The track record for legacy brands like NOVA succeeding artistically and commercially in the podcast space is excellent.  These brands like NOVA bring with them institutional knowledge of success and quality programming and perform well in the podcast industry.

  Listeners can subscribe and learn more at pbs.org/novanowpodcast.