The Mathematicians Podcast

The Mathematicians Podcast

Where we explore the historical figures that count. An in-depth look at the history of mathematics, in chronological order, looking at the people, the theories, the ideas - with as fewer gaps as possible. Each episode we focus in on a single character or contribution to the history of maths and explore why it is significant, and how it evolved.

Episodes

January 1, 2025 17 mins

Our first look at a mathematician dating back to 1700 BCE - Ahmes. What was maths like back in Ancient Egypt?

 

 

The Music was:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mark as Played

The first mathematician to have a theorem named after them; Thales - Come with me to the 6th Century BCE to learn more about what it meant to be a mathematician in ancient times.

 

The Music was:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mark as Played

In this exciting episode we discover who Pythagoras really was. Did he really do Pythagoras' theorem? Did he have a golden leg? Was he a human embodiment of god?  ... Maybe!

 

Join me on Instagram @mathematicians.pod

 

The Music was:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mark as Played

I would invite you to press play on this podcast, but alas motion is illusory, so you finger will not move. Hopefully I will move you to like and subscribe with this whimsical history of Zeno of Elea. 

Follow @mathematicians.pod on Instagram for more, less serious, content.

 

The Music was:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/license...

Mark as Played

Let me invite you to drink in the joys of learning about a Mathematician you have possibly never heard of. This week we measure the tilt of the earth using the most advanced technology of the day: a stick.

 

Follow @mathematicians.pod on Instagram for more, less serious, content.

 

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

...
Mark as Played

This week we do the impossible - square the circle... or at least part of it. Listen in to hear what the cutting edge of research mathematics was in the 4thC BCE.

 

Follow on Instagram @mathematicians.pod

 

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mark as Played

This week, let me draw you into a story about an ancient curve-ist, as we meet the first non-circular curve that is formally defined - and the mand who first drew it.

 

The music was:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mark as Played

This week we explore beauty, in the form of some more very old maths. Theodorus, one of the leading figures in the Pythagorean movement, will move you to joy, I am sure.

 

The music was "Danse Macabre - Finale"

Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mark as Played

Today I plan to share with you the smallest possible unit of information, and I will do this an infinite number of times. Are we talking about the introduction of calculus? A theory of atoms? Both? Who can say, well hopefully I can in this episode. 

 

The music was :

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mark as Played

Today we learn about the man who invented the wooden pigeon, along with some slightly more serious contributions. We've learnt already about how the Pythagoreans thought everything was made up of numbers, now it is time to meet the guy that said 'Well why don't we use numbers to describe stuff then?' 

The Music is:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://cr...

Mark as Played

In today's episode we have a special treat as I sit down with Professor Peter Adamson to ask all of the questions that have been brewing over the past 10 weeks. Be prepared for significantly more expertise from a professional of philosophy and a podcast ledged himself.

 

You can find Peter's work at: https://historyofphilosophy.net/ , and I highly recommend that you do.

 

The Music is:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incomp...

Mark as Played
March 12, 2025 25 mins

This episode is modelled on the the form of the good, or at least the good podcast. Step out from the shadows of your caves and enjoy a dialogue on Plato. Sadly, there is nothing in this episode that you didn't already know, from before you were born - but perhaps I can help you to recollect it. 

The Music was:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creati...

Mark as Played

Today we introduce the titular character from Plato's 7th greatest dialogue and discover the contributions he made to the 'Platonic' solids and more.

 

The music was:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

 

Mark as Played

This week we take an exhaustive look at the mathematician that invented calculus... arguably. We can certainly have that argument. So let us enjoy the good life, by taking pleasure in the pursuit of knowledge with Eudoxus.

The Music was:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mark as Played

There are a Myriad reasons to listen along this week as we explore the formation of ancient Greek number, as well as looking at early combinatorics with Xenocrates.

 

The music was:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

 

Mark as Played

Today we introduce the conic section, and it's iconic founder Menaechmus. A bit of a one trick pony, but my goodness what a trick that was. 

 

The Music was:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mark as Played

This week we take a crucial next step into the history of algebra and simultaneous equations with the Bloom of Thymaridas. Listen along for a bloomin' good time!

 

The music was:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mark as Played

This week we finally come full circle on the Quadratrix, and meet a man who was able to draw a square with equal area to the circle. Yes, that ancient problem finally gets solved: for a given definition of solved. Tune in to find out exactly how one does 'Square the Circle'.

 

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Mark as Played

This week we have a big one! One of the greats, if not the greatest, philosophers of all time: Aristotle. We will explore how this philosopher-scientist also wears a heavy crown of mathematics, despite never publishing a work of maths. Tune in for discussions on logic, set theory, combinatorics and the ever interesting syllogism.

 

The music:

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: ...

Mark as Played

This week we look up to one of the most influential stargazers of all time. Autolycus, the very first non-Euclidean geometer, even before Euclid hit the scene. 

 

The music is: 

"Danse Macabre - Finale" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    Latino USA

    Latino USA is the longest-running news and culture radio program in the U.S. centering Latino stories, hosted by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa Every week, the Peabody winning team brings you revealing, in-depth stories about what’s in the hearts and minds of Latinos and their impact on the world. Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Latino USA and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.