The Stoner Episode with Janna Levin & Neil deGrasse Tyson – Cosmic Queries

Is anything real? Is time just a construct? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Matt Kirshen answer your far-out questions about black holes, dark matter, and the universe with astrophysicist Janna Levin.

Could you surf gravitational waves? What is the universe expanding into? We visualize the expanding universe, the inside of atoms, and what it even means for particles to interact. Is everything just a form of energy? Is there a physical reality or are we all just perceiving ourselves in the moment?

We dive into if time is a human construct. Is time fundamental to the universe? We explore models for the death of the universe and what would happen if nothing changed. Discover how time dilation works and whether gravity and velocity could cancel each other out. What does it mean to rotate between space and time?

What is the temperature inside a black hole? Are they cold or hot? What happens when dark matter enters a black hole? We discuss Hawking radiation, gamma rays, and what a black hole really looks like. All that, plus, get our step-by-step guide on how to open up a wormhole and an invitation to 2005’s time traveler conference.

Thanks to our Patrons Ivan Masjuk, c, Nathan Mitchell, Conner Kemmsies, Dustin Dewayne Hart, Kyle Reinsberg, Andrew Magri, Virginia Cohen, Cathleen Corrie, and David Claassen for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.

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About StarTalk:
Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!

#StarTalk #NeildeGrasseTyson

0:00 - Introduction
1:52 - Janna Levin’s Pioneer Works
3:33 - Can Black Holes Create Repulsive Gravity Waves?
8:51 - What Is The Universe Expanding Into?
13:24 - Is Everything Just A Form Of Energy?
17:27 - Social Media Plugs
18:29 - Is Time Just A Human Invention?
22:21 - Why Does Gravity Slow Time?
27:30 - Do Your Feet Age Quicker Than Your Head?
32:01 - Janna Levin’s Books
34:11 - Why Are Black Holes So Cold?
41:20 - Will A Black Hole Radiate Dark Matter?
43:00 - How Do We Open A Worm Hole?
47:13 - Closing Notes

[June_Magoo]

Loving the stoner friendliness, casualness and positivity towards it by such intelligent scientists

[MosiExotix]

Luv star talk! But for a true stoner edition we definitely need Chuck 🔥😂

[brucepreston]

Janna Levin is my favorite guest! I could sit an listen to her talk about this stuff for hours...She has a way of explaining things that makes sense to me...I've watched all of her past episodes many times! Love the show!

[laurafortier]

Janna is so chill. Her mic makes her look like she has her knee up while she's chatting. She always talks about this stuff so conversationally. Much appreciated!!

[Igor-Demchuk]

It's always so great to see Janna Levin on the podcast.

[JuanFlores-zgzs]

Oh how awesome would it be to have Janna as a professor; her way of explaining is so clear. I really appreciate her presence in these Star Talk episodes. It’s uplifting

[jeanmakesgames]

If you make that stoner edition, you NEED to have Chuck Nice has co-host! 😂🙏👍 Also, love Jenna and Matt, always a pleasure to see them on the show ☺

[tcfwmss]

The Janna Levin episodes are always so good! Her knowledge of her field is incredible, that field is one of the scientific topics im most interested in, and on top of it she's funny and easy to understand. More Janna episodes please! (And it would be dope to have Chuck for a stoner edition especially)

[TJ-hsqm]

37:34 gravitational energy in the curvature of the space time wow by far the best explanation I've ever heard!!! Janna Levin is so awesome in explaining this stuff 🙏🙏🙏

[astilen]

Please do an actual stoner episode, we need a good laugh and an immense sense of wonder just like Carl Sagan

[SadCatSad]

Im listening to Startalk in the morning on my way to work, and i just wanna say that i cant get enough of your comedic and yet intelligent way of stating facts and theories. Thank you Mr Tyson for being an awesome human being!

[aBanger]

I must say, this episode in particular, this particular panel, everything was clicking so well I think that this was my favorite Star Talk ever and I think I have heard just about all of them. Such amazing work S.T. Team

[ollywright]

Janna is awesome: such an engaging and entertaining manner whilst communicating very complex ideas clearly.

[joehebert]

Star Talk episodes with Janna definitely cause time to pass more quickly than normal.

[manasisnehal]

It's always an interesting episode when janna is on the show.. I have never missed any of her episodes. Love her! ❤✨🌈

[Nefville]

You can tell Chuck learns from Neil but also Neil has definitely learned some comedy from Chuck! 😂🤣
I love it my two favorite science educators! Neil and Janna are so good at explaining these deep subjects. I've spent most of my life studying this stuff, its familiar to me and even still I can't wait to watch you two discuss these subjects. Would love love love to take one of Janna's classes.

[Krmloc]

Neil is one of my heroes. one of the most laid back scientists with a great sense of humor.. He makes learning fun and entertaining.

[vincentbeaulieu]

Chuck is my favourite co-host, but matt has a knack for segueing questions into answers of previous questions that i just love ❤️

[michaelallen]

Not gonna lie, I sit down with a freshly brewed coffee and a freshly packed bowl every time to fully enjoy Star Talk lol. I also purchased the classic Cosmos series with Carl for background noise to fall asleep at night. I can't help but be fascinated by the world and universe around me. Getting high just makes me appreciate it that much more. 🤷‍♂️

[infinatepmp]

Love listening to this while working to renovate my new home. Always learning