How did the universe begin? Was it a divine creation, a quantum glitch, or a line of alien code? In this episode, co-hosts Saahil and Cary explore the origin of everything—from the dramatic Big Bang and cosmic inflation to the mind-bending simulation hypothesis. We dive into philosophical questions like whether the laws of physics existed before the universe and whether “nothing” can really create something. This episode lays the foundation for our entire podcast series. Join us at the very beginning—where time, matter, and meaning all collide.

What do you think caused the universe?

In this episode, co-hosts Cary and Saahil explore the nature of time through both scientific and philosophical lenses. They discuss its definition, relativity’s impact on time perception, and theories like time dilation, A-Theory vs. B-Theory, and the Block Universe. The episode questions whether time is fundamental or a mental construct, and how our understanding of time shapes daily life. Open discussions tackle free will, the direction of time, and the mystery of time before the Big Bang. Listeners are invited to reflect on which theory they believe in and consider one defining question: What is the nature of time?

In this teaser episode, hosts Saahil and Cary introduce The Fundamental Why, a podcast dedicated to exploring the deepest questions in physics and philosophy — from the nature of time and consciousness to the origin and structure of the universe.

We begin with brief personal introductions and the story behind our podcast title. Why “The Fundamental Why”? Because we’re drawn to the foundational questions — the “why” behind the laws of nature, the concepts we take for granted, and the boundaries of what we think we know.

This episode outlines the vision for the podcast: to create engaging, thoughtful discussions that blend scientific exploration with philosophical reflection. Each episode will follow a flexible structure:

• An introduction to the topic,
• A breakdown of core physics concepts,
• A dive into the related philosophical implications.

Some episodes will feature just the two of us in conversation, while others will include interviews with students, teachers, professors, and professionals who share our curiosity for the unknown.

We also preview our first major theme: What is physics? What is philosophy? From classical mechanics and quantum theory to metaphysics and epistemology, we explore how these two disciplines — one empirical, one reflective — intersect to shape our understanding of reality.

Along the way, we introduce some of the guiding questions that will shape future episodes:

• What is the nature of time?
• Does the universe have a beginning or end?
• Can we ever truly know anything?
• What is consciousness?
• Where do the limits of science meet the boundaries of thought?

Whether you're a physics enthusiast, a philosophy lover, or just someone who enjoys thinking deeply, The Fundamental Why is an invitation to join us in questioning everything — one episode at a time.

Subscribe now, send us your questions, and stay tuned as we dive into the big “whys” of existence in the episodes ahead.