It’s A Small World!

What if the feeling of wanting more from life... isn't random at all?As the seasons shift and everything begins to bloom, many of us feel a change in energy. More restlessness. More desire. A pull towards something new.In this episode, we explore Beltane - the ancient Celtic festival marking the beginning of summer.A time of fire, fertility, protection, and connection... where communities came together to celebrate life at its fullest.From bonfires and maypoles to folklore surrounding fairies, thresholds, and the "otherworld", Beltane wasn't just ritual, it was deeply tied to survival, nature, and the cycles of human life.But what does that mean for us now?Why do we still feel these seasonal shifts, even in modern life?Have we replaced ritual with something else... or simply forgotten how to recognise it?We also explore how this energy shows up today, in fresh starts, relationships, creativity, and that simple urge to feel more alive.This is a conversation about nature, belief, and what it really means to reconnect with yourself.In this episode:The origins and meaning of BeltaneFire rituals, folklore & symbolismThe connection between nature and human behaviourModern parallels (whether we realise it or not)Why we still crave moments that make us feel aliveLinks: The Wicker Man dvd - https://amzn.to/4drRhm0Eat Pray Love dvd - https://amzn.to/4cSRD5dEat Pray Love book - https://amzn.to/49wE7SqThe Secret World of Polly Flint Book - https://amzn.to/4euEjVU- Beltane: A History of Summer | Documentary | Pagan Folklore & Mythology | Celtic Spirituality https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-XT8tgLfN1U&t=136s&pp=2AGIAZACAQ%3D%3D&ra=

Some things you hear… you can explain.This wasn’t one of them.In this episode of It’s A Small World!, we go back to a moment we didn’t didn't hear at the time… until we listened back.A voice.Clear enough to notice.Strange enough to question.Was it something natural we missed in the moment?A trick of sound?Our own minds filling in the gaps?Or something else entirely?We explore what it means to hear something you can’t quite place - the science, the psychology… and the part of us that still wonders if there’s more going on than we understand.This isn’t about proving anything.It’s about sitting with the question.🎙️ Listen now and decide for yourself…what, or who, do you think it was?Links to items and themes spoken about this episode:Haunted Heritage Paranormal Investigations - https://hauntedheritage.co.ukHaunted Heritage You Tube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@hauntedheritage729Professor Cal Cooper - https://www.callumecooper.comTelephone Calls From The Dead - Prof Callum E. Cooper - https://amzn.to/4mRopH4

We often talk about “reinventing ourselves” as something exciting - a fresh start, a new chapter.But what if reinvention is actually rooted in something much deeper?In this episode, we explore both sides of the conversation -the symbolic “deaths” we go through as we outgrow identities, relationships and versions of ourselves…and the reality of actual death, loss, and how it reshapes the way we see life.Because whether it’s the end of a relationship, a version of yourself, or the loss of someone you love -death, in all its forms, changes you.We talk about grief, fear, meaning, and what it really means to begin again after something ends.Is reinvention something we choose…or is it something we’re forced into through loss?And how do you rebuild yourself when life doesn’t look the same anymore?A thoughtful, honest conversation about endings, identity, and the quiet process of becoming someone new.Link to books by featured artists:Lucas Jones - https://amzn.to/4csXz36John O' Donohue:https://amzn.to/4sKOSauhttps://amzn.to/4cKWnIS https://amzn.to/4eyN5Chttps://amzn.to/4tA2Jlahttps://amzn.to/4tUJTVOJane Goodall:https://amzn.to/4sKTYDGhttps://amzn.to/4vHYndiLucas Jones - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKXijuFozqe/?igsh=MXFwOXMxY3d4dnd5MQ==Lucas Jones - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVlXtPGDUsQ/?igsh=MWR5a3VmajdlbWNodw==

How much are we really noticing in the world around us?In this episode of It’s A Small World!, we take you on a journey through nature, folklore, and the hidden meanings behind the plants we walk past every day.After taking part in a Wildflowers and Witchcraft walk at Newstead Abbey in Nottingham, we started to look at nature differently, not just as something we pass through, but as something that once held deep meaning, purpose, and even a little magic.From healing plants and protective trees to rituals, superstition, and seasonal traditions, we explore how people once understood the natural world - and what that says about us today.Was it belief?Was it survival?Or were people simply trying to make sense of an unpredictable world?We also dive into the psychology behind it all - why humans are drawn to patterns, meaning, and the idea that there might be something more beneath the surface.And in a modern world where we’re constantly rushing, have we lost that connection entirely?If you’ve ever felt drawn to nature, folklore, or the idea that there’s more to the world than we can explain… this episode is for you

Is Wuthering Heights really a love story… or have we been romanticising something far darker?In this episode of It’s A Small World!, Tanya and Mich explore the raw, unsettling world of Emily Brontë’s classic - from an opening that shocked audiences of the latest film adaptation to the deeper psychological themes beneath the surface.We unpack the intensity of Catherine and Heathcliff’s relationship, the blurred line between love and obsession, and how environment, identity and trauma shape the story. Along the way, we question unreliable narration, toxic relationships, and why destructive love can feel so powerful.This isn’t a cosy period romance. It’s something far more human.Links:Wuthering Heights Book - https://amzn.to/3OpQ6KhEmily DVD - https://amzn.to/41g4PKOTo Walk Invisable DVD - https://amzn.to/4drkyxOWuthering Heights (Tom Hardy) - https://amzn.to/4842xST

In a world that expects constant productivity, steady progress, and always moving forward… what happens when your energy doesn’t work that way?In this episode, we explore what it really means to live cyclically in a linear world - from fluctuating energy levels and emotional rhythms, to the quiet pressure of “keeping up” when your body and mind are asking for something different.We talk about:Honouring your natural cycles instead of fighting themLetting go of guilt around rest and slower daysNavigating work, life, and expectations when your energy shiftsFinding balance in a world that rarely pausesThis is a conversation about self-awareness, acceptance, and learning to move with your own rhythm - not against it.If you’ve ever felt out of sync with the pace of everyday life, this one’s for you.✨ Follow & share if you’re on this journey too🎧 New episodes weeklyBook mentioned: Sacred Seasons - Kirsty Gallagher - https://amzn.to/3PtTN1I

Last week we explored the cultural idea of curses - how societies across the world have used them to explain misfortune, fear and social control.But what if the idea of a “family curse” isn’t just folklore?In this episode of It’s A Small World, Tanya and Mich move from mythology into science, exploring the fascinating field of epigenetics - the study of how trauma and life experiences can influence the way genes are expressed across generations.Could the struggles of our ancestors shape the emotional and psychological patterns we experience today?We explore:• The difference between superstition and inherited trauma• How epigenetics works• Studies on famine, war and generational memory• Why humans create stories about “family curses”• Whether science might actually explain some of these long-held beliefsA conversation about biology, psychology and the human need to make sense of the past.It’s A Small World is the podcast where culture, science and belief meet.Book mentioned: It Didn't Start With You by Mark Wolynn. Available here

Are curses real - or are they powerful stories humans have told for centuries to explain misfortune?In this episode of It’s A Small World, Tanya and Mich explore the strange history of curses, from ancient Roman curse tablets and African spiritual traditions to European folklore and modern horror stories.Why have humans across almost every culture believed that misfortune could be deliberately sent to someone? Is it about magic… revenge… justice… or something deeper in human psychology?Along the way we look at the difference between curses and superstitions, why humans have such a deep need to create meaning when life feels chaotic, and how belief itself can influence reality through concepts like confirmation bias and the nocebo effect.We also explore famous stories of cursed objects, unsettling films that seem surrounded by misfortune, and the fascinating ways perception and belief shape what we see and experience.Because as evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould once said:Humans are primates that tell stories.And sometimes those stories are powerful enough to feel real.Next week: Epigenetic Curses  - can trauma really be passed down through generations?

Welcome to It’s A Small World!  - the podcast where we explore identity, culture, belief systems, human behaviour… and the subtle societal shifts that say something much bigger about who we’re becoming.Sometimes we go deep.Sometimes we go philosophical.And sometimes… we talk about dogs.This week’s episode was inspired by something simple that made us smile: a cinema for dogs.Instead of asking, “Should dogs be allowed in places?”We’re asking… why not?Because dogs are everywhere - cafés, pubs, hotels, offices, shops… and now museums and cinemas. For some people, that’s a step too far. For us, it opens up a bigger cultural conversation.Are dogs just pets anymore? Or are they family?In this episode, Tanya and Mich explore:• Why dogs make spaces feel warmer and more human• How modern loneliness and flexible living have changed our relationship with animals• Whether “dog mum/dad” culture reflects something deeper• The real issue behind the backlash - is it dogs… or bad owners?• Where dogs should (and shouldn’t) be allowed• And the etiquette code every responsible owner should followThis isn’t about chaos.It’s about comfort.It’s about connection.It’s about whether public spaces are evolving to reflect how people actually live now.Because when someone says, “It’s only a dog”…For many of us, it really isn’t.It’s companionship.It’s grounding.It’s family.And maybe the world feels better - when it makes room for what people love.So yes, we’re firmly in the camp of:Let the dogs in. Responsibly. Respectfully. But unapologetically.

Gendered Ageism, Media Bias & Turning 50In this episode of It’s A Small World!, we explore gendered ageism, workplace bias, media representation and the cultural double standard of ageing.Why are older men described as “distinguished,” “seasoned” and “authoritative”, while women are sold anti-ageing products and warned about wrinkles before they’ve earned them?We discuss:What ageism really means (for young and old)Gender bias in the workplaceAge discrimination in media and televisionAnti-ageing culture and cosmetic pressureImposter syndrome vs societal messagingTurning 50 and navigating visibilityProfessional age preferences and trust biasHow ageing impacts income, confidence and identityFrom “silver fox” stereotypes to newsroom double standards, from job adverts coded with “digital native” language to influencer culture and cosmetic surgery, we unpack how society frames female ageing differently.Is ageing decline, or accumulation of power, authority and lived experience?If you're interested in identity, culture, feminism, workplace equality, psychology, or how media shapes self-worth - this episode is for you.New episodes every Wednesday.Book mentioned in episode 'Super Ageing" available from Amazon - https://amzn.to/46Y3v2f

That quiet voice that says you don’t belong.That you’ve somehow slipped through the net.That any moment now, someone is going to find you out.In this episode of It’s A Small World!, Tanya and Mich explore imposter syndrome - what it is, why it’s increasing, and how it links directly to burnout, particularly for women in the workplace.Drawing on research from Claire Josa’s Imposter Syndrome Study, we unpack the connection between imposter syndrome, mental load and chronic stress, including the finding that over half of female employees are now concerned about burnout.We discuss:• The 4 P’s – Perfectionism, Procrastination, Project Paralysis and People Pleasing• Why leadership structures are still based on outdated assumptions• The “spotlight effect” (and why most people aren’t judging us as much as we think)• How school grading, comparison culture and relationships shape self-worth• The difference between internal doubt and external biasWe also share personal stories - from school experiences and career fears to confidence, failure and questioning whether we’re ever really “enough.”If you’ve ever replayed conversations in your head or felt like your achievements were down to luck, this episode is for you.Next week: Ageism - where imposter syndrome ends, and systemic bias begins.And remember… sometimes the world is smaller and stranger than we think.

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about love, but for a lot of people, it brings pressure, comparison, self-doubt, and a strange emotional weight that’s hard to explain.In this episode of It’s A Small World!, we step back from the cards, flowers, and expectations to ask a different question: why does one symbolic day have so much power over how we feel about ourselves and our relationships?We explore how Valentine’s Day evolved from ancient rituals into a modern, highly curated story, and how that story shapes the way we measure love, worth, and connection. From social media highlight reels to transactional gestures, we unpack why people often end up questioning themselves instead of questioning the narrative.Along the way, we talk about:Why Valentine’s Day isn’t really about relationships, but the idea of themHow comparison culture and public displays affect how we experience loveWhy the day can hit single people, long-term couples, and those in relationships in very different wayThe psychology behind symbolic dates, emotional conditioning, and validationWhy love isn’t meant to be measured, and why expecting someone to love us exactly how we want may be part of the problemThis isn’t an anti-Valentine’s episode.It’s an invitation to soften the pressure, reflect honestly, and understand what’s really being stirred beneath the surface.Because if Valentine’s Day messes with your head, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.It means you’re human.How does Valentine’s Day make you feel?Mentioned in this episode:Shirley Valentine https://amzn.to/4ts8F0a

What actually is the Law of Attraction - and why does it divide so many people?In this episode of It’s A Small World!, we explore the Law of Attraction beyond the clichés. Not as a quick-fix promise, and not as a way to “get” things - but as an idea rooted in awareness, belief, frequency, and how we experience the world around us.We talk about why people are drawn to manifestation, where it can go wrong, and how ideas like attention, emotion, and meaning shape what we notice - and what we ignore. We also touch on coincidence, synchronicity, and whether there’s a difference between mindset, psychology, and something more mysterious.No preaching.No convincing.Just an open conversation about how people make sense of life, and whether the world is really as random as it seems.Discussed Podcasts listed below'The Magic' by Rhonda Byrne https://amzn.to/45LYf19

How do people really come into our lives - by chance, coincidence, or something a little deeper?In this episode of It’s A Small World!, we talk about how we first met and became friends, and the strange, subtle moments that seemed to nudge our paths together. From shared timing to unexpected overlaps, we explore the idea of coincidence versus synchronicity - and whether there’s a meaningful difference between the two.We reflect on those moments that make you pause and think, that can’t just be random, without trying to force answers or conclusions. Is life quietly guiding us? Do certain people appear when we’re ready for them? Or do we simply notice patterns more when we’re paying attention?As always, this is an open, honest conversation, not about convincing anyone of anything, but about noticing the smaller connections that often get overlooked in the noise of everyday life.If you’ve ever looked back on your life and wondered how certain people, conversations, or moments found their way to you, this episode is for you.This episode contains occasional strong language

Fresh starts are everywhere - new years resolutions, rituals, promises to ourselves.But do they actually change anything?In this episode of It's A Small World!, we explore why humans are so drawn to the idea of a reset, what resolutions really say about us, and whether meaningful change comes from discipline… or intention.We talk about:Why January feels psychologically powerfulThe difference between resolutions and ritualsLetting go of old identities to make space for new onesRedefining what a “fresh start” really means - especially when life doesn’t run on a calendarThis is an honest, reflective conversation about belief, behaviour, and choosing how we move forward - without the pressure to become a completely new person overnight.This episode contains occasional strong language and adult themes.Listener discretion is advised.Topics discussed:New Year psychology and symbolic resetsPersonal rituals vs performative changeWhy resolutions often failIdentity shifts and intentional livingCreating meaning without rigid rulesReferenced ideas & themes:Cultural obsession with “new beginnings”Ritual as a psychological anchorQuiet change vs loud transformationListener takeaway:You don’t need permission, a date, or a deadline to begin again.If this episode resonated, follow A Small World on Spotify and join the conversation.

Welcome to It’s A Small World - a conversational podcast exploring alternative ways of thinking about life, the universe, and everything in between.Through open discussion, curiosity, and questioning accepted narratives, we explore beliefs, conspiracy theories, the power of mind, the paranormal, and the ideas that sit just outside the mainstream - not to convince, but to consider.It’s a space for people who enjoy thinking differently, asking bigger questions, and acknowledging that the world may be smaller, stranger, and more connected than we’re often led to believe.