Growing Worlds
A podcast about exoplanets, science, and the people behind the discoveries.
Our first season has come to an end. We’ll be back with new episodes in September.
Amplifying the voices of exoplanet researchers
Growing Worlds is a podcast dedicated to early career researchers in the exoplanetary field: the people on the front lines of discovering and characterising worlds beyond our solar system.
Each episode explores cutting-edge science, personal journeys, and the human side of astronomical discovery.
Latest episodes
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5 October 2026
Seeing exoplanets directly with Dr Vito Squicciarini
What if we could actually see an exoplanet? In this episode, Jeni and Lorenzo are joined by Dr Vito Squicciarini from the University of Exeter to explore direct imaging: how astronomers block out starlight to reveal young giant planets, what their infrared light can tell us about their atmospheres, and how future telescopes could bring us closer to imaging smaller worlds. We also talk about HR 8799, Beta Pictoris and the discovery that became Vito’s Celestial Self. And since recording, Beta Pictoris has gained another planet, a perfect reminder of how quickly this field moves.
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28 September 2026
Welcome back to Growing Worlds: Season 2 begins
Growing Worlds is back for Season 2! In this short bonus episode, hosts Jeni and Lorenzo look back at where Season 1 took us and share what is changing as we begin a new year of the podcast. We welcome Robyn to the Growing Worlds team alongside assistant producer Carys, and reveal our plans to make the podcast more student-driven, bringing new people, ideas and voices into the show throughout the year. The heart of Growing Worlds is not changing: we will still be exploring exoplanet science with early-career researchers from around the world, discovering the people behind the research and, of course, asking the all-important Celestial Self question. Welcome back. Season 2 starts here.
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6 July 2026
Season 1 finale: the stories behind Growing Worlds
After 13 episodes exploring exoplanets and the people behind the science, we close our first season by stepping behind the scenes with our assistant producer Carys joining us at the mic. We look back at our favourite moments, share our own journeys into science, and finally answer the Celestial Self question ourselves.
Episode details →What to expect
Personal stories
Meet the researchers behind exoplanet discoveries and hear about their journeys, challenges, and breakthroughs.
Cutting-edge science
Explore the latest methods in exoplanet detection, atmospheric analysis, and the search for habitable worlds.
Career insights
Advice and inspiration from early career researchers navigating the world of exoplanetary science.
Inside an episode
Every conversation follows the same journey — from the person behind the science, to the research itself, to the one question that makes every episode unforgettable.
- 01
Career & path
We start with the journey: how you got into science, the challenges you faced, and the choices that shaped your career.
- 02
The science
Then we dive into the research: the big questions, the methods, and the discoveries that drive your work.
- 03
The key question
“Which celestial object represents you and your work — and why?” Our signature question, asked at the end of every episode.