The DemystifySci Podcast
Two philosophers of science challenge mainstream physics and history, interviewing heterodox thinkers and exploring their own materialist theories.
This is an intellectual project as much as a podcast. The hosts use their platform to challenge established scientific and historical narratives from a specific philosophical viewpoint rooted in materialism. Episodes are split between interviews with heterodox researchers and 'SOLO' deep dives where they articulate the framework of their book, 'Paradox Lost'. They are not neutral observers but active participants, seeking to build a coherent, alternative model for understanding the physical world.
“Unlike many science interview shows, the hosts have their own explicit theoretical framework that they bring to every conversation. Their book, 'Paradox Lost', acts as a recurring touchstone, making the podcast a public-facing extension of their own research into materialist philosophy.”
Who hosts this show
Drs. Anastasia Bendebury and Michael Shilo DeLay are two Columbia-trained scientists who host The DemystifySci Podcast. Together, they explore complex and often controversial ideas in science and history, guided by their own materialist philosophy detailed in their book, "Paradox Lost". The show mixes long-form interviews with theorists on the edge of science with solo episodes where the hosts unpack their own theories on physics and nature.
Credentials & credits
- Anastasia Bendebury, PhD in bacterial multicellularity/bioelectricity, Columbia University.
- Michael Shilo DeLay, PhD in nanoscale mechanics/elastic properties of water, Columbia University.
- Published authors in academic journals.
- Authors of 'Paradox Lost: The Material Principles of Natural Philosophy'.
- Freelance/former professors and researchers at various universities including SOU, UCSF, and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.
Other ventures
- Authors, "Paradox Lost"
- Michael Shilo DeLay's music project, "Secretary of Nature".
- Patreon Community.
- Paradigm Drift (Show/Segment).
What kind of podcast
- Country
- United States
- Region
- usa
When new episodes drop
- 01Atomic Axioms: How Physics Starts Making Sense Again - SOLO! (DemystifySci +427)Jun 26, 2026 · 1h 37m
- 02
- 03Lost Superpower: Who Really Ran the Bronze Age? - SOLO! (DemystifySci +425)Jun 10, 2026 · 1h 33m
- 04Prehistoric Origin of the Zodiac? – Hugh Evans, DemystifySci +424Jun 2, 2026 · 2h 19m
- 05What Would It Take to Know Something For Sure? – James Ellias, DemystifySci +423May 26, 2026 · 2h 29m
- 06Does Flowing Space Reform Relativity? - Dr. Henry Lindner, DemystifySci +422May 19, 2026 · 2h 34m
- 07The End of the Quantum Age: Another Look at Paradox Lost (DemystifySci +421)May 13, 2026 · 1h 23m
- 08
Notable episodes
- 01Atomic Axioms: How Physics Starts Making Sense Again - SOLO! (DemystifySci +427)
A quintessential 'SOLO' episode where the hosts read directly from their book 'Paradox Lost', laying out the core materialist axioms that underpin their entire project.
- 02Prehistoric Origin of the Zodiac? – Hugh Evans, DemystifySci +424
Exemplifies the show's focus on heterodox history, as the hosts help an independent researcher unpack his theory of a zodiac map in ancient Wales that predates Babylon.
- 03How Culture Evolves (and Why Civilizations Collapse) – Dr. Liane Gabora, DemystifySci +426
Highlights the show's interview style, with the hosts engaging as peers to connect the guest's work on cultural evolution to their own interests in societal collapse and creativity.
What you'll be asked on this show
Anastasia and Shilo co-interview as peers, not just hosts. They actively weave their own research and historical knowledge (like the Bronze Age collapse or their materialist axioms) into the dialogue to find common ground or points of contrast. [PF7sF9Z49Go] They open by framing the guest's work as part of a search for world-changing ideas. [qV2wEfjESRw] Probing happens through gentle but persistent requests for evidence ("How do you know...?") and by contrasting the guest's theory with the "conventional story." [qV2wEfjESRw] Anastasia, in particular, often synthesizes complex topics into long, speculative questions designed to push the theoretical boundaries of the conversation. [PF7sF9Z49Go] They close by looking toward the future, often asking what's next for the guest's research or setting up a potential future episode. [qV2wEfjESRw]
The show alternates between two-on-one interviews and co-hosted 'SOLO' episodes. The tone is academic and peer-to-peer, with the hosts often engaging guests' ideas by connecting them to their own theories. [PF7sF9Z49Go] Livestreamed episodes are also a regular format, where they often read from and discuss their book. [30058LOfnYs]
Questions the host keeps coming back to
11 cataloguedIf you're going on this show as a guest, expect some version of each of these. Each note explains when the host reaches for it.
controversy
3- Q.01
“What's the conventional story for the origin of [guest's topic]?”
The hosts ask this to establish the mainstream view, which serves as a backdrop to highlight the novelty of the guest's alternative theory.
- Q.02
“Do you experience pushback from academia for your work?”
Asked to create solidarity with heterodox thinkers and explore the social dynamics of challenging scientific orthodoxy.
- Q.03
“How do you feel about the privacy/ethical implications of [guest's idea]?”
This question explores the potential social and ethical consequences of a guest's technological or philosophical concepts.
evidence
3- Q.01
“How do you know that [evidence] is ancient and not modern?”
This is a go-to question for testing the timeline and evidentiary basis of historical or archaeological theories.
- Q.02
“How accurate are the [measurements/placements] in your model?”
A direct probe used to verify the precision and falsifiability of a guest's claims, particularly for physical or map-based theories.
- Q.03
“Is there evidence of these ancient people being [seafaring/advanced]?”
This seeks corroborating evidence to support a key enabling aspect of a guest's historical theory.
process
1- Q.01
“What was the first [discovery/constellation] you found?”
This question shifts the focus from the theory itself to the personal journey of discovery behind it.
origin
1- Q.01
“Who were the people that created these [artifacts/maps]?”
Used to move beyond the 'what' of a discovery to the 'who' and 'why,' exploring the culture behind the artifact.
future
2- Q.01
“Could [speculative factor] be the parameter that shifts us into a more [positive future state]?”
Host Anastasia Bendebury often poses these long, synthesizing questions to connect a guest's work to grand, future-oriented possibilities.
- Q.02
“What can we expect to discuss from your other books in the future?”
A closing question used to build anticipation and explicitly plan for future conversations with a guest.
craft
1- Q.01
“Can you give us the basic premise of your [creative work]?”
A transitional question that allows the guest to introduce and summarize a different facet of their work, like a novel.
Signature segments
- · Reading from their book 'Paradox Lost' during SOLO episodes
- · Opening with "Welcome back to DemystifySci, the podcast where we search for theories and ideas that are going to change the world."
- · Promoting Michael's music project 'Secretary of Nature'
- · The motto "Making Sense Matters"
- · SOLO episodes deep-diving their own theories
Topics covered repeatedly
Who gets booked here
The show books academics, authors, and independent researchers whose work presents a heterodox challenge to mainstream paradigms. Guests often have theories on the origins of civilization, alternative models in physics, or novel frameworks for understanding consciousness and culture. [PF7sF9Z49Go, qV2wEfjESRw]
- Dr. Liane Gaboraon How Culture Evolves (and Why Civilizations Collapse) – Dr. Liane Gabora, DemystifySci +426
- Hugh Evanson Prehistoric Origin of the Zodiac? – Hugh Evans, DemystifySci +424
- James Elliason What Would It Take to Know Something For Sure? – James Ellias, DemystifySci +423
- Dr. Henry Lindneron Does Flowing Space Reform Relativity? - Dr. Henry Lindner, DemystifySci +422
Where to find this show
Audience & reach
The podcast is primarily listener-supported via Patreon and direct promotion of the hosts' own creative works. They consistently advertise their book 'Paradox Lost', Michael's music project 'Secretary of Nature', and associated merchandise. [qV2wEfjESRw, 30058LOfnYs]
Subscriber and view counts are pulled live from YouTube and re-verified on a 30-day cycle. Listener estimates for the RSS feed aren't published here unless they're host-verified.
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People also ask
- Who are the hosts of DemystifySci?
- The podcast is hosted by Dr. Anastasia Bendebury and Dr. Michael Shilo DeLay, who both earned PhDs from Columbia University.
- What are the hosts' credentials?
- Dr. Bendebury has a PhD in bioelectricity and Dr. DeLay has a PhD in nanoscale mechanics. They have worked as researchers and freelance professors and are the authors of 'Paradox Lost'.
- What is the format of the podcast?
- The show alternates between long-form interviews with scientists and authors, and 'SOLO' episodes where the hosts discuss their own theories, often reading from their book.
- Is the podcast still active?
- Yes, the podcast releases episodes on a weekly basis.
- How can I support the podcast?
- You can support the show via their Patreon, or by purchasing their book 'Paradox Lost' and merchandise from their online store.
- What is 'Paradox Lost'?
- 'Paradox Lost: The Material Principles of Natural Philosophy' is a book by the hosts that details their materialist approach to resolving paradoxes in modern physics.
Built from the show's public RSS feed, YouTube, the host's own websites, and the cited sources below. Computed and AI-extracted fields are labelled. Facts only — no private info, no fabrication, no transcripts republished.
Sources & how this page was built
This page is AI-assisted, grounded in the public sources cited below, and host-verifiable. We publish facts only; we do not republish transcripts. If anything here is wrong, the host can claim and correct the page above.Model: gemini-2.5-pro · high confidence
- [01]DemystifySci on Apple Podcastspodcasts.apple.com
- [02]The DemystifySci Podcast on YouTubeyoutube.com
- [03]Business Insider: "We're a couple who was furloughed from our jobs..."businessinsider.com
- [04]Quillette: Michael Shilo DeLay and Anastasia Bendebury – Articles & Essaysquillette.com
- [05]First Look at Paradox Lost - YouTubeyoutube.com
- [06]Anastasia Bendebury - Google Scholarscholar.google.com
- [07]Michael Shilo DeLay - Google Scholarscholar.google.com
- [08]Patreon: DemystifyScipatreon.com
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