Instant Genius

When most of us think of parasites, our minds will likely turn to thoughts of the various icky creatures that can invade our bodies, make their homes there and end up making us ill. But the truth is that parasites make up a hugely significant part of all life on Earth and bring many benefits to the organisms they live in or alongside and the wider ecosystems they are a part of. As part of the Nature’s Unsung Heroes miniseries, we’re joined by Timothy Brown, a researcher based at the University of Leeds and member of the IUCN Parasite Specialist Group who works on the conservation of parasite diversity, to talk about the many ways in which parasites influence life on Earth. He tells us how our own bodies are host to trillions of different beneficial organisms, the key role parasites play in managing the balance of the animal life in the ecosystems they are part of and talks us through the most recent ideas researchers are working on to preserve these overlooked, but ecologically vital creatures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to the effects of ageing on our bodies, there are many more factors at play than simply the number of years we’ve been alive. It turns out, that for some people, there is a huge gap between their chronological age and their biological age – the scientific measure of how well our cells, tissues and organs are functioning compared to the global average. But what are the main drivers of this difference, and what can we do to keep our bodies younger and healthier for longer? In this episode, we’re joined by ageing and longevity expert and research director at Inserm in France, Jean-Marc Lemaitre to talk about his latest book, Choose Your Age – Unlocking the Cellular Science of Longevity. He talks us through the many factors that lead to some of us ageing more quickly than others, tells us what researchers can learn from how the world’s centenarians live their lives, and explains why we still don’t know what the limit for the human lifespan could be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The truth is, when most of us think of wasps, our minds will likely go to memories of irritating winged pests landing in our drinks when we’re trying to have a nice summer picnic or perhaps one of the times we got a nasty sting when we were out playing in the park as children. It’s fair to say wasps have a pretty bad rap. But if we look more closely, it soon becomes clear that most of us are getting these fascinating insects entirely wrong. As part of our Nature’s Unsung Heroes miniseries, we’re joined by BBC broadcaster, author and entomologist based at the University of Gloucestershire Prof Adam Hart to talk about the many benefits wasps bring to the ecosystems they live in. He tells us how wasps act as the wardens or guardians of our gardens and agricultural land by keeping pests under control, how they act as essential pollinators that help the ecosystems they live in thrive, and how they act as one of the natural world’s most sophisticated architects and engineers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

These days the supplement industry is booming – supermarket shelves are stacked high with all manner of pills and powders claiming to do everything from helping us to live longer or improving our digestive health to boosting our energy levels or even improving our ability to concentrate and focus. How have we reached this point, why do many of us feel our diets aren’t giving us everything we need to stay healthy and productive, and do these supplements live up to the bold claims that many manufacturers make for them? In this episode, we’re joined by dietician and author Josie Porter to talk about her latest book, How Not to Take Supplements – A Dietician’s Guide to Thriving on Real Food. She tells us how our busy lifestyles are leading more of us to turn to dietary supplements, talks us through the rise in the consumption of protein powders and meal replacement drinks, and explains how, underlying health conditions aside, we can all get everything our bodies need to stay healthy by eating a balanced diet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Although it often goes unnoticed, plankton is the most abundant form of life in Earth’s oceans, making up 95 per cent of all oceanic biomass. These tiny organisms are responsible for generating around half of the planet’s oxygen, play a vital role in the oceans’ food chains and were around for millions of years before we humans came onto the scene. Simply put, without plankton, the world would be a very different place. As part of our Nature's Unsung Heroes miniseries, we’re joined by senior advisor to the United Nations on oceans Vincent Doumeizel to talk about his latest book, The Power of Plankton – How Plankton Made Life on Earth Possible and Why It’s Key to Our Future. He tells us how these often-ignored organisms played an essential part in the evolution of life on Earth, tells us the many ways plankton acts as the caretaker of the entire planet, and makes a passionate case for why we should be paying more attention to these fascinating, ancient organisms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Every minute of every day, our bodies are flooded with a complex web of hormones – chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream, coordinating everything from our blood pressure, body temperature, metabolic rate and even our emotions. When this system is functioning correctly, we barely notice its actions, but if it begins to misfire, it can lead to profound issues in everything from fluctuations in our energy levels or moods to the way our bodies develop as we age and even our appearance. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Saira Hameed, an endocrinologist based at Imperial College London NHS Trust and best-selling author, to talk about her latest book Signal – The Inside Story of Our Hormones. She tells us how, despite being so tiny, the many hormone-producing glands situated throughout our bodies have a huge impact on our health and wellbeing, the many issues that can arise due to the overproduction or underproduction of hormones, and the new therapies in the pipeline we may be able to use to bring our bodies back into balance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Becoming a parent is undoubtedly one of the biggest events that can occur in any of our lifetimes – suddenly we have a tiny living being to take care of that demands the majority of our thoughts, time and attention. Of course, this can at times feel overwhelming and often leads us to look for help and advice from our parents, grandparents or close friends. But what strategies do parents in the animal kingdom use to raise their young, and is there anything we humans can learn from them? As part of our Nature's Unsung Heroes miniseries, we’re joined by science writer Elizabeth Preston to talk about her latest book, The Creatures’ Guide to Caring – How Animal Parents Teach Us That Humans Were Born to Care. She tells us how orca grandmothers pitch in to help with the raising of their grandchildren, how in some species of monkeys the father takes on most of responsibility for taking care of their offspring, and how we can learn so much more about ourselves as humans by paying deeper attention to the wider world we live in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the larger, more impressive or charismatic animal and plant species often receive the most attention, the natural world is filled with lesser-known or even misunderstood organisms without which life on planet Earth would look very different indeed. If you’d like to learn how plankton plays a vital role in regulating the health of the entire planet, how, despite being a bit icky, parasites play an essential part in helping the ecosystems they live in thrive, or why we have many fascinating lessons to learn from the different strategies animals use to raise their young, why not check out the four-part Nature’s Unsung Heroes miniseries starting Friday 5th June! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In June of every year, the LGBTQ+ community across the world comes together to celebrate Pride Month – an annual event that began in 1970 to promote awareness, visibility and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer individuals. In this episode, to coincide with Pride Month, we’re joined by Dr Julia Shaw, a broadcaster, best-selling author and psychologist based at University College London, to talk about the science and history of bisexuality. She tells us about the fascinating historical and scientific origins of the term bisexuality, how studies have found that there are likely far more bisexual people than you may think, and how bisexuality isn’t unique to humans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether it’s the swab tests many of us use to help us piece together our family trees, the painstaking detective work carried out by forensic scientists, or its use in medical screening to look for signs of our predisposition to develop certain diseases, DNA science has become a regular fixture in news stories, pop culture and dinner table conversations in many of our homes. But how exactly do these processes work, what can they really tell, or not tell us, and what developments can we expect in the future? In this episode, we’re joined by Prof Turi King, the director of the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath, co-presenter of the BBC’s DNA Family Secrets and best-selling author, to talk about her latest book, The Secrets of DNA – How Genetics has Changed the World. She tells us about the fascinating stories surrounding the development of fingerprinting techniques that now allow us to identify unique individuals based on their DNA alone, how forensic scientists really use DNA science to solve crimes, and why our DNA is still hiding many more secrets that are waiting to be discovered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Traditionally, ecologists wanting to take stock of the diversity, health and population levels of animal species within a given environment have needed to tie on their boots, get out in the field and painstakingly record what they are able to observe manually. But the emerging field of ecoacoustics – the use of sound recording to survey the biodiversity within ecosystems – is promising to be a game-changer in the way researchers are able to approach this work. As part of our Science of Sound miniseries, we’re joined by Dr Sarab Sethi, the head of the ecosystem sensing research group at Imperial College London. To talk about his work in this exciting new field. He tells us how advances in technology are providing new methods of monitoring wildlife in greater detail than ever before and why cross-collaboration between engineers and conservationists is vital in the fight against biodiversity loss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our world may look vibrant and full of color. But in reality, our human eyes are only picking up the tiniest slice of all the light shining in the Universe. To astronomers this hidden light is just as important as the red greens and blues we can see. We talk to Alfredo Carpineti about what secrets are lying in the Universe beyond human vision, while celebrating another aspect that the rainbow has come to represent - the LGBT+ community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to the sounds we encounter in the natural world, few have the beauty, elegance and variety of birdsong. But these distinctive vocalisations are not simply static calls that are common to all birds of a certain species that are passed on from one generation to the next. They vary from region to region and even evolve in single populations over time in much the same way that the style of music in the pop charts changes over time. As part of our Science of Sound miniseries, we’re joined by Dr Nilo Merino Recalde, a senior conservation scientist at the RSPB, to talk about the fascinating science behind the evolution of birdsong. He tells us about his work on tracking the evolution of birdsong as it passes from place to place and from generation to generation, how advances in AI technology are enabling birdsong researchers to learn more about this process than ever before, and what this research can tell us about the evolution of culture in the animal kingdom as a whole. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Over thousands of years, human beings evolved to walk upright on two legs, efficiently and over long distances. But these days, thanks to changes in our lifestyles, we’re becoming more sedentary than ever, and this is having profound effects on our health and well-being. In this episode, we’re joined by Courtney Conley, a doctor of chiropractic medicine, and Milica McDowell, a doctor of physical therapy and exercise physiologist, to talk about their latest book, Walk – Your Life Depends on it. They tell us why the oft-quoted 10,000 steps rule has no grounding in science, and was in fact originally, dreamt up as a marketing slogan to sell pedometers in the 1960s, explain the many things the way we walk can tell us about that state of our health, and give us some advice on what we should look out for when shopping for shoes that will help us get the most benefit from our daily walks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hedgehogs are in decline all over Europe. These prickly little fellas are faced with so many threats – in their rural habitats, in our gardens, and on our roads. But new research about hedgehog hearing could help us protect these adorable creatures from going extinct. As part of our Science of Sound miniseries, we speak to Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen, a scientist who has dedicated her life to hedgehog research and conservation. Also known as Dr Hedgehog, she’s a research fellow at the University of Oxford, and assistant professor at the University of Copenhagen. Sophie tells us all about hedgehogs – what she loves about them, and how we can do our bit to help them thrive. She also explains her recent study on ultrasound, which she hopes could significantly reduce encounters between hedgehogs and cars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, is currently thought to affect around one in 20 of the world’s population, making it one of the most prevalent types of neurodivergence. Despite this, the condition is still surrounded by stigma, misunderstanding and significant challenges in diagnosis. In this episode, we’re joined by Prof Ellie Dommett, a neuroscientist based at King’s College London, to talk about the latest thinking on this common neurodevelopmental condition. She explains why, despite its prevalence, ADHD is still commonly misunderstood, why it’s frequently diagnosed later in life, and also tells us about her work on developing effective non-pharmaceutical treatments to help those living with the disorder. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The vast majority of us take listening to and appreciating music for granted. But for those of us living with hearing loss, continuing to enjoy our favourite songs, symphonies or dance tracks can be something of a challenge. Maybe we find it difficult to distinguish one instrument from another, have a reduced ability to hear pitch, or struggle to make out a song’s lyrics. As part of our Science of Sound miniseries, we’re joined by Prof Trevor Cox, an acoustic engineer based at the University of Salford, to talk about his work on the Cadenza Project – a multidisciplinary research group using the latest technology and thinking to help restore the enjoyment of music for those living with hearing loss. He tells us how most hearing aids currently on the market are optimised for speech, not music, talks about the challenges researchers face in tackling this issue due to the hugely varied frequency and dynamic range of music, and explains the innovative approaches taken by the project to help us all get the most possible enjoyment out of the music we listen to. https://cadenzachallenge.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s so much we don’t know about Neanderthals. Our stocky, muscular relatives went extinct around 40,000 years ago, leaving a trail of mystery in their wake – about what they were like, how they lived, and why they disappeared. But, while Neanderthals themselves have gone, fragments of their DNA live on inside us. In this episode, we speak to Prof Chris Stringer, scientific associate at London’s Natural History Museum, and author of several books, including Britain: one million years of the human story (with Rob Dinnis) and Our Human Story (with Louise Humphrey). Chris tells us all about Neanderthals, from what they looked like, to where they lived, and how they might have interacted with Homo sapiens – that’s us. He also explains why so many of us have Neanderthal genes, and what that might be doing to our health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Would you like to hear about the fascinating new discoveries astronomers are making by listening to distant stars? Learn about the cutting edge tech scientists are using to help the hearing impaired listen to music or get up to date on what the latest research is saying about the nature and purpose of birdsong.  If so, why not check out the four-part Science of Sound Miniseries starting Monday 4th May! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For thousands of years, the evolution of the human race has been driven by natural selection and the passing on of genes that have helped us to thrive in the environments we live in. However, in current times, advances in technology and rapid societal change are shaping our lives like never before. So, what impact is this having on the way we think and act, and how can we best position ourselves to navigate the age of rapid change we find ourselves in? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Hannah Critchlow, a neuroscientist and author based at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, to talk about her latest book, The 21st Century Brain – Cutting-edge Neuroscience to Help Us Navigate the Future. She tells us why developing emotional intelligence and connections with one another is vital if we are to succeed in a rapidly changing world, what happens in our brains in times of uncertainty, and talks us through some of the tactics we can all employ to help us succeed in the rapidly changing world we live in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

No matter our level of ability, talent or achievement, at times some of us feel like we’re a fraud and have simply been blagging our way to success. This is known as imposter syndrome. While it’s not formally recognised as a clinical mental health condition, it can still play a significant role in our wellbeing. So, why are so many of us prone to these nagging feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy, and what can we do to lessen their effect on our lives? In this episode, we’re joined by neuroscientist and bestselling author Dr Dean Burnett to talk about this common experience. He tells us how people with high levels of neuroticism or perfectionism are more likely to suffer from feelings of inadequacy, breaks down the link between self-image and our natural tendency to compare ourselves with others, and explains how self-criticism is a natural consequence of our brains’ evolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In springtime, as the Sun rises, the early morning air is filled with the glorious sound of birdsong. This is known as the dawn chorus. But why exactly are birds so vocal at this time of the day, what purpose does it serve, and how did their songs get so complex? In this episode, we’re joined by the RSPB’s Adrian Thomas, a bird expert and author of the RSPB Guide to Birdsong. He explains how this breathtaking morning symphony is motivated by mating rituals and territorial displays, tells us about the songs of some of his favourite avian vocal superstars, and gives us some top tips on how we can best experience this stunning natural phenomenon for ourselves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forests cover around one-third of all landmass on Earth and, as such, play a key role in the ecological health of the entire planet. However, thanks to decades of exploitation, climate pressures and natural disasters, this vital resource is beginning to struggle. So, what can we do to help these essential environments thrive? In this episode, we’re joined by Suzanne Simard, a professor of forest ecology based at the University of British Columbia, to talk about her latest book, When the Forest Breathes – Renewal and Resilience in the Natural World. She tells us about the environmental damage modern logging practices are causing to our precious natural forests, what the latest research is telling us about the measures we can take to nurture them back to health, and details the many lessons we can learn by joining forces with the indigenous people who have taken care of this key environmental resource for the last ten thousand years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For most of us, our experience of flowers is limited to sending a bouquet to our loved ones on special occasions or perhaps picking up some pretty plants from the garden centre to cheer up our homes. But if we take a wider, more nuanced view, it quickly becomes clear that flowers have played an essential role in the evolution of the vast and varied ecosystems of the planet we live on. The fact is, without them, the Earth would be a very different place indeed. In this episode, we’re joined by David George Haskell, adjunct professor of environmental sciences at Emory University and author, to talk about his latest book, How Flowers Made Our World – The Story of Nature’s Revolutionaries. He tells us how the emergence of flowering plants around 130 million years ago triggered a massive cascade in biodiversity that we’re still feeling the effects of today, how their genetic flexibility has allowed them to be so evolutionarily successful, and talks us through the huge influence they continue to have on human life and culture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While we may not always be consciously aware of it, chemical processes are busy whirring away every second of every day, no matter what we’re doing or where we look. Be it the reactions that continuously occur in our own bodies to keep us alive, the manufacturing processes used to make the clothes we wear, the homes we live in and the products we rely on to make our lives more comfortable, or even in the development of the medicines we use to treat disease. In this episode, we’re joined by Prof Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, professor of pharmaceutical neuroscience at University College London, and president of Wolfson College, Cambridge, to talk about her latest book, Chain Reaction – The Wondrous Chemistry of Everyday Life. She tells us how all of the bodily functions we take for granted are grounded in the chemistry of the atoms and molecules we’re made of, how we’ve harnessed the processes of chemistry to create the materials we rely on for our survival every single day, and how taking a moment or two to think about these fascinating processes can open us up to a whole new way of looking, not only at ourselves, but also at the world we live in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Perhaps due to poor weather, the COVID pandemic, or a simple lack of motivation, these days many of us spend a lot of our time indoors. However, wherever we live, there are always opportunities to get out into nature and learn more about the world we live in. Doing so can not only enrich our own lives by more deeply engaging with the environments that surround us but can also help scientists and researchers to gather data and make new insights that are vital for the survival of our flora and fauna. In this episode, we’re joined by Jo Harris, the education manager at the Field Studies Council. She tells us about her work helping people of all ages to get outside and learn more about the rich environments and ecosystems that are on our own doorsteps and the huge contribution that we can all make to deepen our collective knowledge of the natural world by engaging in citizen science projects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Smelly, dirty and a bit embarrassing – we tend to treat our poo as a private matter, to be dealt with in the bathroom and then stringently ignored. But, while we may not want to discuss toilet time at the dinner table, our bowel movements can give us invaluable information about our wider health. In this episode, we speak to Dr Trisha Pasricha, a gastroenterologist, medical doctor and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, and the author of the upcoming, You’ve Been Pooping All Wrong. Trisha argues that we should treat our faecal matter with a little more curiosity and respect, as clues about our mood, diet, brain health – and more. She also explains how to upgrade your poops, in an effort to reach poophoria. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Planet Earth is currently facing its sixth mass extinction event, with hundreds of species of plants and animals being lost for good every single day. For the first time in history, this devastating loss of the world’s flora and fauna is not being caused by natural phenomena, but by the actions of human beings. However, there is still hope that, if we start to take steps in the right direction, this looming crisis can be averted. In this episode, we’re joined by environmentalist and author Natalie Kyriacou to talk about her latest book, Nature’s Last Dance – Tales of Wonder in an Age of Extinction. She tells us how the influence of humans on the planet has become so profound that many researchers say the era we are now living in should be called the Anthropocene, talks us through some of the innovative solutions conservationists around the world are putting in place to save endangered species, and explains why we need to seriously reassess our current systems of economy, law and commerce if we are to turn the situation around. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you were to mention the term gout, the chances are that most of us would think of the gluttonous sovereigns of yesteryear who ended up with the condition after years of gorging on rich foods and drinking fortified wines. But the fact is, cases of gout have been climbing significantly over the past few decades. So, what’s behind this increase and what measures can we all take to help us avoid this painful condition? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Daniel Baumgardt, a GP and lecturer in health and life sciences at the University of Bristol, to talk about what happens in our bodies when we suffer from gout. He tells us how gout is caused by jagged acidic crystals forming in and around joints, how, far from only affecting the elderly, it’s beginning to affect more and more people in their 20s and 30s, and how suffering from an acute gout attack could be a warning sign that your cardiovascular system is also in poor health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thanks to our highly developed brains, sophisticated ability to communicate and use of advanced technology, it can be easy to think that we humans are separate from, and even superior to, the animals we share the Earth with. But the truth is that animals have profoundly influenced the progress and evolution of human beings for tens of thousands of years. In this episode, we’re joined by science writer Michael Bond to talk about his latest book, Animate – How Animals Shape the Human Mind. He tells us what the elaborate cave paintings found across the globe can teach us about our ancient ancestors’ relationship with animals, how evolution has finetuned our brains to help us recognise animals and understand their behaviour, and what we can learn about ourselves by more deeply investigating the way we treat other living beings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The human brain is undoubtedly one of the true marvels of nature. But many of the neural mechanisms that evolved to keep our ancestors alive over thousands of years are now leaving us feeling dissatisfied, anxious and depressed thanks to the rapid advances in technology and culture we now find ourselves faced with. The simple fact is, we’re living in an environment that our brains were not built to survive in. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Paul Goldsmith, an evolutionary neuroscientist, author and visiting professor at Imperial College London, to talk about his latest book, The Evolving Brain – An Ancient Tool in a Modern World. He tells us how the pressures and goals many of us are now confronted with are vastly different from the challenges faced by our ancestors, the huge impact this is having on our mental wellbeing by excessively triggering our natural stress responses and shares some advice from neuroscience we can all use to navigate the trials of modern life more healthily. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The natural world is filled with a rich tapestry of creatures, each occupying a unique evolutionary niche that helps to keep the ecosystems they live in functioning healthily. But the truth is, over the centuries, we humans have treated some of them better than others. Our tendency is to prefer cute, cuddly animals such as pandas or donkeys, or beautiful, majestic beasts such as elephants, eagles or tigers. Is it time that we had a long, hard look at this viewpoint, and extended our care and attention to the animals that we’ve traditionally viewed as ugly, creepy or even dangerous? In this episode, we’re joined by Jo Wimpenny an author and specialist in animal behaviour, to talk about her latest book, Beauty of the Beasts – Rethinking Nature’s Least Loved Animals. She tells us how the latest research is showing that snake venom can potentially give rise to a new category of medicinal drugs, how the insects we typically find disgusting such as maggots and cockroaches play a vital role as the natural caretakers of the environments they live in, and how, by rethinking our in-built prejudices, we can more deeply appreciate the richness and variety found in the natural world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There’s an entire cosmos hidden from our human eyes. The only way to see it is by looking at the Universe with a radio. We talk to Dr Emma Chapman about how she uses radio telescopes to reveal the cosmic mysteries of the Universe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can we tell if someone we’re speaking to is being economical with the truth? Oftentimes, we’re told that the primary telltale signs lie in the use of body language – maybe someone is avoiding eye contact, touching their face a lot, or fidgeting and squirming. But there’s also a whole world of clues to look out for in the type of language that someone uses when they’re telling us lies. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Kirsty King, a lecturer in communication based at University College London, to talk about her latest book, The Language of Lies – How to Uncover the Liar in Your Life. She tells us that when people try to hide the truth, they tend to use language that distances themselves from the act they’re talking about or the people involved in it, how when we’re relating a false account of an event we tend to omit words that describe how we actually felt during it, and how even the way liars structure their sentences can be a signal that they are trying to deceive us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chances are that if any of us are looking to drop a bit of excess weight, the first thing we’ll attempt is to cut down the number of calories we’re consuming. For decades, we’ve been told that balancing the number of calories we put into to our bodies with the energy that we burn can help us to maintain a healthy weight. While this is true, could it be that we’re putting our attention and effort in the wrong place and that taking a bigger picture view of the factors that motivate our appetite is likely to be a much more successful strategy? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Jason Fung, a physician and best-selling author based in Toronto, to talk about his latest book, The Hunger Code – Resetting Your Body’s Fat Thermostat in the Age of Ultra-processed Food. He talks us through the three key drivers that control our feelings of hunger, how our hormones are deeply connected with our appetites, and how the environments we live in have a profound effect on the food we eat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Around the world, more than 50 million people are living with some form of dementia – a number expected to triple by 2050 as populations age. But the thing is, dementia is often talked about as a kind of genetic lottery. You either get lucky and escape it, or unlucky and develop it. But what if that framing is wrong? What if far more of our brain health is within our control than we’ve been led to believe? Our guest today is Dr Majid Fotuhi, a neuroscientist who has spent decades treating and studying people with cognitive impairment. His message is a bold one: dementia is largely preventable – not with a miracle pill or silver-bullet treatment, but through the way we live. The 12-week programme he and his team have developed has helped his patients improve their memory, regain independence, and even grow new brain connections. Today, he talks us through the essentials of the programme – and what it really takes to stay sharp for life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Statistics show that half of us will experience a mental health condition of some kind by the time we turn forty. Could this be due to the increasing pressures and looming crises we’re currently facing in the modern world, overstimulating natural responses in our brains and bodies that have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years to protect us from threats? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Joanna Cheek, a psychiatrist, psychotherapist and clinical professor based at the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Medicine, to talk about her latest book, It’s Not You, It’s the World – A Mental Health Survival Guide for Us All. She tells us how the system of alarm signals in our brains is being increasingly triggered by the rapidly changing circumstances we find ourselves in, how this is hijacking the push and pull of our natural risk/reward systems, and why connecting more deeply with the rich tapestry of the people and cultures we share the world with can help us all bring our lives back into balance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whether we’re working at a desk in an office, running a marathon or even asleep in bed, our bodies are host to thousands of chemical processes that are continually converting the food we eat into energy and repairing our bones, muscles and organs. Collectively these processes are known as the metabolism. But how are they affected by our genes, lifestyles and diet, and what can we do to make sure everything stays running smoothly? In this episode, we’re joined by Javier Gonzalez, a professor of nutrition and metabolism based at the University of Bath. He breaks down the links between our metabolisms and body types, tells us why our metabolisms aren’t necessarily fixed for life, and explains why it’s almost impossible to out exercise a poor diet if you’re looking to drop a few kilos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The human face contains more than 40 muscles, giving us an ability to visually express our thoughts and emotions that is unique in the animal kingdom. This has perhaps led to a long-held obsession to uncover the many mysteries of our faces that has persisted in everyone from artists, scientists and even anthropologists for thousands of years. But where is this trend heading? And is it doing more harm than good? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Fay Bound-Alberti, the founder of the Centre for Technology and the Body at King’s College London, to talk about her latest book, The Face: A Cultural History. She tells us how the idea of the perfectly proportioned face that began in classical art continues to persist in today’s social media beauty trends, the various attempts that have been made over the years to determine a person’s good or bad qualities based on their facial characteristics, and explains the challenges we’re currently confronted by thanks to the rise of new technologies such as facial recognition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We often think of our planet as an isolated island, solitary and cut off from the cosmic ocean it resides in. But the truth is, Earth is intimately connected with the Universe surrounding it. What’s more, by learning more about the Solar System around us, humanity has changed its own view of the world as well. Dr Dagomar Degroot from Georgetown University spoke to us to explore this idea in more detail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the last several billion years, all life on Earth has progressed according to the rules of evolution by natural selection – a step-by-step process that has given rise to the fascinating complexity and beauty of all the living things we share our planet with. But now, due to advances in our knowledge of genetics and the rise of artificial intelligence, we’re on the brink of being able to design living organisms from scratch. This new field of research is known as generative biology. In this episode, we’re joined by Adrian Woolfson, a researcher who specialises in synthetic genome design, to talk about his latest book On the Future of Species – Authoring Life by Means of Artificial Biological Intelligence. He tells us how this fascinating area of research is bringing us closer to a genuine scientific revolution that could change the way we think about how life is created, the vast implications that this may have on human health and the health of our planet, and why we all need to be aware of this powerful new technology and its potential. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The chances are that if any of us were asked to describe what it feels like to be in love we’d turn to art, poetry or music to help give us the answer. But what does science have to say about this uniquely human experience? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Justin Garcia, an evolutionary biologist and sex researcher based at the Kinsey Institute in the US, to talk about his book, The Intimate Animal: The Science of Love, Fidelity and Connection He tells us how the evolutionary history of human pair bonding led to the development of our feelings of love, how and why we seek certain characteristics in our romantic partners, and how our attitude to relationships has altered due to changes in thinking, culture, and technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Over the past several decades, many technologists and policy makers have sought out huge, disruptive shifts in thinking in almost every area of science, business and commerce in the hope that they’d help to drive innovation forward in giant leaps, one brilliant new idea at a time. But how successful has this been, and should we instead be focusing on a more gradual, incremental approach to innovation that’s based on the steady upgrading of the systems we already have in place? In this episode, we’re joined by Albert Fox-Cahn, a visiting professor at The Centre of Governance and Human Rights at Pembroke College, Cambridge, to talk about his latest book Move Slow and Upgrade – The Power of Incremental Innovation. He tells us why we tend to overemphasise the potential impact of the Next Big Thing, how this often leads to a rush to adopt unproven, and at times, unsafe new technologies, and how applying evidence-based thinking and an upgrader’s mindset can help us to be more like the tortoise than the hare, and ultimately win the race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If most of us are put on the spot and asked to name acts that we think would define a person as evil, it’s likely our minds would turn to murderers, rapists and war criminals, to name a few. But could it be that this commonly held conception of evil isn’t merely just an oversimplification, but rather a deeply flawed way of viewing the world based on a litany of personal biases, and one that is in dire need of readdressing? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Julia Shaw, a broadcaster, best-selling author and psychologist based at University College London to talk about the nature of evil. She tells us why it’s vital that we accept that, given a certain set of circumstances, we’re all capable of committing terrible acts, explains the key differences between thought and action, and explains why so many of us are fascinated by true crime documentaries and dramas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From famous actors and pop stars to the legions of social media influencers with millions of views, it seems almost everyone has something to say about the best ways to boost our health and wellbeing. But is this trend leading to many of us bypassing traditional sources of health advice and care such as GP practices and government health services and instead turning to the Internet, social media and private online pharmacies to seek out information, diagnoses, and, in some cases, even prescription medicines? In this episode, we’re joined by Deborah Cohen, an award-winning medical broadcaster and author to talk about her latest book, Bad Influence – How the Internet Hijacked Our Health. She tells us how the COVID 19 pandemic kickstarted a worldwide boom in consumer healthcare that shows no sign of stopping, why celebrities and social media stars hold so much influence over important decisions that can hugely impact our lives, and points out some of the red flags we can look out for when searching for health advice online. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While the human mind is capable of great insight, original thoughts and acts of tender kindness towards others, it can also, at times, act like our own worst enemy. Feelings of worthlessness, shame and disappointment can all stem from our brain’s natural inclination for overthinking. This can give rise to a wide range of debilitating impacts on our lives, such as low self-esteem, anxiety and depression and can even lead to the development of significant physical health issues. So, why do our minds seem to sabotage us in this way and what measures can we take to free ourselves from the common traps that lead us to being stuck in endless loops of negative thinking? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Jessamy Hibberd, a clinical psychologist and best-selling author, to talk about her latest book, The Overthinking Cure – How to Free Your Mind and Focus on What Really Matters. She tells us how common habits such as self-criticism, comparing ourselves to others, and actively avoiding our problems can all lead us to overthink, why we are all vulnerable to getting stuck in spirals of negative thoughts, and how learning to manage where we place our attention is often the first step we can all take to help us to boost our moods and wellbeing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the terrifying, hulking beasts portrayed in blockbuster movies to the friendly, charismatic characters often found in children’s cartoons, dinosaurs have made their way into almost every corner of popular culture. However, in terms of scientific accuracy, such depictions tend to leave a lot to be desired. So, how do we know what dinosaurs really looked like, whose job is it to show us, and how exactly do they go about it? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Mark Witton, a researcher, author and highly regarded paleoartist based at the University of Portsmouth. He outlines the detailed scientific process paleoartists follow to bring these ancient beasts to life as realistically as possible, runs us through some of the common mistakes Hollywood directors make in the name of artistic licence, and explains why the T.Rex is one of his favourite dinosaurs to draw. To see Mark’s work, check out his website www.markwitton.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

At some points in our lives, we all face challenges or setbacks or find ourselves in difficult situations that can ultimately have a profound effect on our mental health and wellbeing. During such times, we need to draw on our reserves of mental resilience. But what techniques and strategies can we employ to develop this vital mental resource to enable us to better cope with whatever life throws at us? In today’s episode, we’re joined by psychologist and therapist Emanuela Brun to talk about ways we can all build our mental resilience. She tells us what happens in our brains when we’re faced by challenging situations, why we shouldn’t shy away from failure, and shares some strategies and techniques that can help us all bounce back from difficult situations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the world of games, scoring systems establish a framework that provides us with clear challenges, motivation, and ultimately delivers a huge amount of fun and pleasure. However, on the flip side, the increasing tendency to apply rankings and metrics to almost every area of our personal and professional lives can have a dehumanising effect, reducing our actions, performance, and even ourselves to a simple string of numbers. In today’s episode, we’re joined by C Thi Nguyen, a games researcher and associate professor of philosophy based at the University of Utah, to talk about his latest book, The Score – How to Stop Playing Someone Else’s Game. He explains how, in the real world, scoring systems typically fail to provide meaning by focusing on the simplest to measure outcomes, how purely numerical data is, by definition, lacking in nuance, and how, by concentrating on what we truly value, we can all break free from the tyranny of rankings and metrics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

These days, it can be easy to feel like we have too much to do and too little time to do it in. This can lead to many of us feeling overwhelmed, or in extreme cases, can lead to burnout – a state of profound physical, mental and emotional exhaustion that can have far-reaching consequences for both our mental and physical health. So, what measures can we take to regain control of our lives if we are feeling overwhelmed, and what techniques can we employ to ensure we never reach this state of crisis in the first place? In this episode, we’re joined by Claudia Hammond, a visiting professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Sussex and presenter of BBC Radio 4’s All in the Mind, to talk about her latest book, Overwhelmed, Ways to Take the Pressure Off. She tells how the rise of perfectionism is leading to more and more of us feeling overwhelmed, why we all tend to be our own worst critics, and shares a number of evidence-based tips we can all employ to make our loads feel a little bit lighter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices