PodcastsComedyA Problem Squared

A Problem Squared

Matt Parker, Bec Hill
A Problem Squared
Latest episode

141 episodes

  • A Problem Squared

    138 = Crossword Panels and Crossing Channels

    06/07/2026 | 59 mins.
    📝 What is the perfect arrangement of black squares in a crossword?
    🚣 Does weight on an aqueduct increase as a boat goes over it?
    🛟 And there’s some Any Other Boardness (not ‘boredness’)

    Head to our BlueSky/Twitter/Instagram to see some crossword arrangements and some cross-bridge arrangements.

    Michael Keith’s Crossword research paper: http://www.gathering4gardner.org/g4g16gift/KeithMichael-GiftExchange-CrosswordGrids-G4G16.pdf 

    Michael Keith’s Pilish book, Not A Wake: https://www.cadaeic.net/notawake.htm 

    If you’d like to see Bec’s Work In Progress shows, her upcoming gigs can be found here: https://www.bechillcomedian.com/tour-gigs

    Matt is bringing An Evening of Unnecessary Detail to New York! The Bell House, Brooklyn on Sunday 12th July. Tickets can be found here:
    https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/300064B84CCCF567

    And Matt has extended his tour - and he’s filming the show in London in October - all the dates, venues and tickets can be found here:
    http://standupmaths.com/shows 

    Join us on Patreon for early releases and our monthly bonus podcast I’m A Wizard!
    If you’re already on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!  
    If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps. 
    Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.
  • A Problem Squared

    137 = Sound Advice and Electron Price

    22/06/2026 | 1h 11 mins.
    👂Why do some people hate the sound of whispering?
    💡 How much does an electron cost?
    😎 And there’s some Any Other Bozoness

    On THIS episode of A Problem Squared - which comes with our special No Whisper Guarantee - we’re joined by a special guest! The clinical psychologist Dr Jane Gregory tells us all about Misophonia. You can find out about her fantastic (and very helpful) book Sounds Like Misophonia, and you can sign up to her research mailing list here: https://soundslikemisophonia.com/ 

    And here is Ava’s EPIC Spreadsheet - A Problem Squared Episode Catalogue: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nXmEH9BrCr6hEBBhHkfuciPEKimDgZjrwhi2oeyErog/edit?usp=sharing

    If you’d like to see Bec’s Work In Progress shows, her upcoming gigs can be found here: https://www.bechillcomedian.com/tour-gigs

    Matt is bringing An Evening of Unnecessary Detail to New York! The Bell House, Brooklyn on Sunday 12th July. Tickets can be found here:
    https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/300064B84CCCF567

    And Matt has extended his tour - and he’s filming the show in London in October - all the dates, venues and tickets can be found here: http://standupmaths.com/shows 

    Join us on Patreon for early releases and our monthly bonus podcast I’m A Wizard!
    If you’re already on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!  

    If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps. 
    Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.
  • A Problem Squared

    136 = How to Discuss The Number e and When to Disclose the "Real Me"

    08/06/2026 | 1h 1 mins.
    #️⃣ What’s the best way to explain the number e to an 8-year-old?
    💗 How early in a relationship should you reveal that you’re a bit weird?
    🤧 And there’s some any other blow-your-nose-ness

    Head to our socials to see The Beautiful Old Calculator and The World’s Tallest Comedian.

    Matt is bringing An Evening of Unnecessary Detail to New York! The Bell House, Brooklyn on Sunday 12th July. Tickets can be found here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/300064B84CCCF567

    Matt has extended his tour - and he’s filming the show in London in October - all the dates, venues and tickets can be found here: http://standupmaths.com/shows 

    Join us on Patreon for early releases and our monthly bonus podcast I’m A Wizard!
    If you’re already on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!  
    If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps. 
    Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.
  • A Problem Squared

    135 = Pasta Water Solution and QR Code Substitution

    25/05/2026 | 51 mins.
    🍝 Why do we put salt in pasta water?
    👾 Can you put bespoke characters in to a QR Code?
    🌼And Spring Has Sprung (in the UK) so there’s some Any Other Bloomsness

    Head to our socials to see some frankly-very-silly-but-fully-operational QR Codes.

    Boiling and Freezing Points of Pure and Salty Water https://van.physics.illinois.edu/ask/listing/1457

    Matt has extended his tour - and filming the show in London in October - all the dates, venues and tickets can be found here: http://standupmaths.com/shows 

    Join us on Patreon for early releases and our monthly bonus podcast I’m A Wizard!
    If you’re already on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!  

    If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps. 
    Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.
  • A Problem Squared

    134 = Tooth and Rock Day 2026

    11/05/2026 | 1h 21 mins.
    🤘To mark the May Birthday of Dwayne 'The' 'Tooth Fairy' 'Rock' Johnson, Episode 134 is a Tooth and Rock Special!
    🪨 Matt answers your rock-based queries and shares a Salt of the Perth update
    🦷 Bec and Dentist Sophie answer your tooth-based queries and shares an Adult Tooth Fairy update

    Head to our socials to look at some incredibly detailed Salt of the Perth imagery.
    And relatedly…
    Lead Explained:
    https://www.scottishwater.co.uk/-/media/ScottishWater/Document-Hub/Factsheets-and-Leaflets/Factsheets/100620SWFactSheet72020v5web.pdf
    Thallium in Salt Substitutes: A Possible Health Hazard:
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0013935177900433

    And here’s Matt’s Moving Mountains sources:
    https://ourworldindata.org/energy-production-consumption
    https://www.eoas.ubc.ca/courses/eosc350/content/foundations/properties/density.htm

    Matt has extended his tour - and filming the show in London in October - all the dates, venues and tickets can be found here:
    http://standupmaths.com/shows 

    Join us on Patreon for early releases and our monthly bonus podcast I’m A Wizard!
    If you’re already on Patreon and have a creative Wizard offer to give Bec and Matt, please comment on our pinned post!  
    If you want to (we’re not forcing anyone) please do leave us a review, share the podcast with a friend, or give us a rating! Please do that. It really helps. 

    Finally, if you want even more from A Problem Squared you can connect with us and other listeners on BlueSky, Twitter, Instagram, and on Discord.
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About A Problem Squared
Matt Parker and Bec Hill present: A Problem Squared. A podcast dedicated to solving problems of all kinds, such as, "What should I listen to right now?". A Podcast Squared. First one's free. You're welcome. Episodes released twokly on Mondays.
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