about facts machine
Facts Machine is a live show and podcast by and for people who are curious about everything — but especially the things that make them laugh. Scientists by day and pub trivia hosts by night, Em, Noah, and Rob leverage their scientific curiosity and delight in obscure minutiae to bring you a podcast that explores life’s silliest, most unexpected, and outright awe-inspiring stories. And puns. So many puns.
In every episode, we gather ‘round with an esteemed expert guest (or two!) to share fascinating facts and the larger stories behind them, concluding with a pub-style trivia quiz loosely inspired by the theme.
New episodes are released to various podcast players. If you you like what you hear, please subscribe and tell a friend! This podcast is a labor of love and nerdiness, both of which we think are worth spreading.
Thanks for listening and learning with us!
- Noah, Rob, & Em
From left to right: Noah, Em, and Rob. Photo credit: Tessa Hirschfëld-Stölėr
how to listen
Subscribe to Facts Machine on your favorite podcast player:
Apple Podcasts • GOOGLE PODCASTS • SPOTIFY
OVERCAST • IHEART RADIO • POCKET CASTS
RADIOPUBLIC • PODBEAN • CASTBOX
how our listeners describe us
“Great podcast, great humans.”
“Super intelligent, fun, and everything you are looking for in a podcast. Follow now!”
“I was laughing for half of the episode and thinking for the other half!”
“It’s like listening to the “Random” Wikipedia article while I’m on the subway.”
“These aren’t just simple facts. These are mind blowing trivia bombs that transport you to another world. Strap in.”
“I love Facts Machine, but please don’t open any more cellophane packages on-air. (Noted!)”
the machinists
Noah Guiberson
Noah got his start writing and hosting trivia nights in the rugged pub quiz circuits of Baltimore and New York. A neuroscientist by day, he seeks to answer the greatest trivia question of them all: How does the brain work?
Rob Frawley @SweaterVestSci
Rob is a long-time trivia host with a Ph.D. in orthopedics and cell biology. He works with BioBus, delivering science to NYC schools with a bus full of microscopes, amazing samples, and funny games. He spends the rest of his time swimming and waiting for it to be Pi Day.
Emily Costa @_emcosta
Em is a research scientist studying rare mutations and epigenetics in lung cancer. When she’s not pipetting pink liquids or spouting off spider facts, you can find her science writing, cyanotyping, or lovingly tending her borderline absurd windowsill garden.
The Trunk Pumpkins
Facts Machine’s venerable house band, from left to right: AC Antonelli, Anthony Michaels, and Chrischi Nötzel. All scientists and musicians, these guys are always about to rock, and we salute them.
want a pub-style trivia quiz at your next event?
Between the three of us we have 15 years of experience writing and hosting trivia for bars, academic conferences, corporate events, and fundraising drives. If you’re interested in having Facts Machine trivia #IRL at your next virtual event, inquire via our contact form!