Do you really know?

Why does looking at the sun make me sneeze?

We usually sneeze to protect ourselves from irritants such as pollen, dust, or chemicals. But there are some people who consistently sneeze when they look at the sun. In fact, this affects from 10 to 35% of us when we move from being in the shade to bright light, according to PBS.org. If it happens to you, perhaps you’ve been wondering if it’s an allergy to sunlight, but actually it isn’t. The reaction triggered by sudden exposure to light is called the photic sneeze reflex. It is a congenital physiological anomaly that’s pretty common and totally harmless. Why does this reaction occur? What happens in the body when we sneeze? Should you suppress a sneeze? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠How long do I have to wait to swim after eating?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What are the world's least safe travel destinations?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why do we get travel sick?⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 4/6/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why does not getting enough sleep make you selfish?

Not getting a good night’s sleep can certainly leave you feeling grumpy and groggy, but can it also make you selfish? Sleep experts at the University of California, Berkeley certainly seem to think so, and apparently even losing just one hour of sleep is enough to make you less generous towards others and that includes friends and family.  The team conducted a number experiments which were published in the open-access journal. Over 100 participants were asked to fill out sleep diaries over four days - including how long they slept and if their sleep was interrupted then answer an ‘altruism questionnaire’ with questions like: “would you help if a stranger stopped to ask for directions while you were in a rush to get to work”. What were the results? What impact could this have? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠How does daylight saving affect your health?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How can I sleep well with a blocked nose?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why is Disney becoming unpopular?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First broadcast: 6/9/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do our brains really tell the whole story about us?

You know how sometimes you might indulge in a bit too much junk food, or maybe the kids aren’t acing their tests, or perhaps you’re navigating the single life? Hold up—before you start to worry, there’s a seemingly scientific explanation for all of it, and it points to one place: our brains. Neuroscience has become the go-to for decoding life’s issues, spanning medicine, economics, politics, and education. But hold your horses—some experts are raising the red flag on “neuromania,” the tendency to oversimplify our behaviors down to just brain activity. In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Could gamophobia be hurting your relationship?⁠ ⁠How do I know when to end a friendship?⁠ ⁠How often should I wash my hair?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 13/6/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do couples often look alike?

You may remember we talked about whether or not opposites attract in a recent episode of Do You Really Know. As it turns out, more often than not, couples tend to share a lot of characteristics, and it’s relatively rare for them to be substantially different. When you think about it, it kind of makes sense. After all, it's often easier to be in a relationship and share your life with someone who sees the world in a similar way.  But did you ever consider that on top of that, couples may even share physical characteristics? For example, you may well have heard someone in the past say that a similar-looking couple are a good match, and there are even scientific studies to back that idea up. What kind of physical traits are we talking about then? Do couples tend to look more and more alike with time? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Why do some men get ill after they orgasm?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Is nostalgia good or bad for us?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How can the unisex condom improve my sex life?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 23/2/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why doesn’t every language have a word for blue?

Our planet is full of blue things. The sea, the sky. Blueberries, bluebirds, bluebells. If English is your only language, it’s probably inconceivable to you that a language could exist without a word for blue. After all, it's one of the three primary colours according to traditional colour theory. And yet in reality not every language in the world does have a specific word for blue. You see, in some languages, blue and green are grouped together as a single category. Linguists sometimes refer to these as “grue” languages, a blend of the words green and blue. How do people get by without a word for blue? So why do some colours appear later than others? What about modern languages though - surely they all have a word for blue? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I learn 1000 words in a new language? Does our personality change when we speak in another language? Are blue eyes really more sensitive to light? A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are young people looking so old?

If you're aged between 30 and 40, you're part of Generation Y, also known as the ‘millennials’ You may have already said to yourself that the next generation, Gen Z, look much older than their age. Millennials grew up amid the rise of the wellness industry and numerous public health campaigns that promoted healthy living, think about the messaging around eating five fruits and vegetables a day, staying physically active, and avoiding smoking.  Not to mention, there was also a strong push for sun protection awareness. Consequently, Millennials have largely embraced skincare routines and self-care habits that keep them looking youthful. But how is that possible? Are many Gen Zers really getting these procedures? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Why are young people going back to flip phones?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is “Act your Wage”, Gen Z’s latest work-life trend?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Is bikini waxing harmful for your health?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First broadcast : 05/11/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is muscle dysmorphia?

It's back to school! DYRK is dedicating a special week to sport. Because moving and doing regular physical activity is important for our physical and mental health! Listen again to our episodes about sport! Muscle dysmorphia, also known as bigorexia or reverse anorexia, is an obsession with bulking up by working out. It’s caused by a person’s belief that their body is too skinny or lacking in muscle. The term “exercise addiction” was coined by psychiatrist William Glasser in the 1970s. More recently, it has been recognized as a potentially harmful condition. This addiction usually affects those who exercise excessively, mainly endurance sports participants and bodybuilders.  How does it affect their mental health? What cause muscle dysmorphia?  ⁠⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions !⁠⁠ To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠⁠What is tagskryt, the Scandinavian sustainable travel trend?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Is it time the UK acknowledged its role in the slave trade?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why do we sneeze?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance First Broadcast: 28/9/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does money really make us happy?

According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, people in wealthier countries are happier on average, but only up to a point. Even in so-called "emerging" countries like Indonesia, Pakistan and Turkey, there was a correlation between rising wealth levels and the percentage of happy people. Interestingly though, in well-off nations, people don't necessarily attribute their happiness directly to money. The same Pew Research Center study found that health, children’s education, safety from crime, owning a home and having a fulfilling job were all more important than financial security. Of course, those factors are all somewhat connected to the economy.  Where did that saying come from to start with? And is money still a key player? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Could moon breathing help you sleep better?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is the Green Belt?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What are the benefits of slow sex?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 28/1/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is digital sobriety?

Digital sobriety is all about reducing the ecological footprint of our daily digital lifestyles. That’s right, using your cell phone, PC or connected refrigerator all contributes to pollution. And it’s on the rise. The transition to digital technology is often presented as being a positive evolution, especially with regards to reducing household energy consumption. But current practices are contributing to global warming. How does online browsing contribute to pollution? So, what should we do about it? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠⁠⁠Is feeding birds in your garden a bad idea?⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Why will we be using liquefied natural gas to heat our homes this winter?⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Who is Giorgia Meloni, the new face of the Italian far right?⁠⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 25/2/2020 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you explain intuition?

We've all experienced those gut feelings, hunches, or flashes of insight that seem to come from nowhere. But what exactly is intuition, and can it be explained? Even though scientists haven't yet unraveled all of its secrets, intuition isn’t as mysterious as we might think. One expert definition of intuition says that it is: "the universal ability to grasp information in a non-conventional way, outside of a rational and reasoned process.” It’s the kind of intimate knowledge of reality that doesn't rely on knowledge, reflection, or logic. Are there different types of intuition? Does everyone have intuition? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠What is chemical submission?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Can a weighted blanket help you get a better night’s sleep?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is the best time of year to find work?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 04/10/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can we really multitask effectively?

It's pretty common these days to have to tackle several things at once, like responding to an email while on a work call. Our constant pursuit of productivity leads us to mix various activities simultaneously, whether it's at work, home, or even at school for kids. This blending of at least two tasks at the same time is commonly known as multitasking. When you focus on something that you’re doing or creating, the frontal lobes of both halves of your brain communicate. But trying to pull off two things at once shows that things operate differently. How so? Does it also depend on the nature of the tasks? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Could Britain ever rejoin the EU?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Could the deep work technique help me concentrate better at work?⁠ ⁠What is microwork?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 17/01/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is sexsomnia?

We all know someone who talks in their sleep, or occasionally sleepwalks around the house, perhaps even heading to the kitchen to prepare a nighttime snack. These kinds of episodes aren’t especially rare. But some forms are relatively unknown, one of which is sexsomnia. It’s a form of parasomnia, which means undesirable behaviour which occurs while falling asleep, during sleep, or while waking up. As you may have guessed from the name, sexsomnia consists of sexual activity, ranging from aroused moaning to exhibitionism, masturbation, fondling or even penetration. Just like with sleepwalking, a person with sexsomnia usually has no recollection of their acts the next day. It must be pretty rare to suffer from sexsomnia, mustn’t it? Does sexsomnia affect certain groups of people more than others? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠⁠What is a frenemy?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Which colours go well together according to science?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why is sitting with your legs crossed bad?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast : 19/8/21 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should we all be working a 4 day week?

One of the unsuspected consequences of a global pandemic is a re-evaluation not only of how we work but what work means to us. For some the flexibility was a breath of fresh air, others missed the office and even the commute but with employee happiness more important than ever and people feeling overwhelmed and stressed at work the question of how to achieve a work-life balance has never been more important. One approach is the 4 day week. But how will they keep productivity the same? So how is it going so far? Could the 4 day week be the new normal? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Why is my circadian rhythm so important?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Is it a bad idea to fall asleep in front of screens?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How can social media exposure lead to vicarious trauma?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 27/8/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Focus Friday?

Let's be honest: being productive at work on Fridays can be a real challenge. A 2019 study by Accountemps found that Friday was the least common choice for American workers when naming their most productive day of the week. The slump is likely down to having worked hard over the first four days of the week, as well as thinking ahead to the weekend. What’s more, your colleagues are in the same frame of mind too. But in recent years, a method has emerged to combat this phenomenon and potentially turn Friday into the most impactful day of the week. It’s known as Focus Friday. How does it work? How can you implement it on your own? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠⁠How to use less water?⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠What is Pokémon?⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠What is ecological debt?⁠⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 3/10/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can you stop giving in to impulse buying?

Have you ever picked up clothes or random items on a whim, because you were stressed, bored, or just felt like celebrating? That’s what experts call impulse buying. It feels good in the moment, but it often leaves you with regret, and a lighter bank account. On top of that, it fuels overconsumption and harms the environment. So how do you actually resist the urge? Are there any simple ways to stay in control? What about the bigger picture? So how do you deal with that? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠⁠What is the Fermi paradox?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What’s the Tinder Paradox ?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Could vanlife be a lifestyle choice for you?⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the soft evening concept from Tiktok?

Do you ever feel frustrated about work dominating your life? Maybe in your free time, you try to make up for that by enjoying yourself and having a busy social life. You go to the cinema, fit in a workout and so on. But these activities sometimes end up putting more pressure on you than the pleasure you get out of them. What if I told you you could have a thoroughly satisfying evening, without it needing to be productive at all? Over on Tiktok, a concept called “soft evenings” has emerged to combat society’s obsession with hyperproductivity and hustle culture. What does it involve? How do I get started then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠What is Hugh Jackman’s 85% rule?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is burnout?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is the Werther effect?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 11/10/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do we get great ideas in the shower?

Have you ever noticed that you tend to have your best ideas in the shower? If so, you’re not alone! A 2014 study conducted by cognitive psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman found that 72% of people get creative ideas while showering. So it’s really not a coincidence. Science has shown that taking a shower is actually a perfect combination of a few factors which allow for optimal creativity. Struggling to solve a particularly complicated problem at work or in your studies? Need to come up with the perfect Christmas gift idea, or plan an event? Try jumping in the shower; you’d be surprised how often it’s more effective than continuing to grind away or hoping for a flash of inspiration. How can taking a shower boost creativity? Do hormones have anything to do with it? Does this state of mind have a name? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠⁠What is bae-realing, the new dating trend?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why are Christmas adverts so moving?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Could Mastodon replace Twitter?⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 4/12/22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the dangers of overusing paracetamol?

Paracetamol, a staple in UK households, is widely available over the counter and commonly used to alleviate headaches, toothaches, joint pain, flu symptoms, menstrual pain, and fever. In the UK, paracetamol is one of the most frequently used painkillers. The British Medical Journal reports that from April 2022 to March 2023, 16 million prescriptions for paracetamol were dispensed in England alone. Additionally, an estimated 6,300 tonnes of paracetamol are sold annually in the UK, equating to about 70 tablets per person each year.  What happens after ingestion? How can you recognize an overdose? What should you do in case of an overdose? What are the safe dosage limits? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠What is Quantum medicine and is it a scam?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What should I do with expired medicines?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is the medication Ozempic and why is it being used for weight loss?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 17/9/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the keto diet?

What is the keto diet? The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carb diet which allegedly helps weight loss and fighting diseases such as diabetes, epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and cancer. This diet is growing in popularity, but not without its risks.  The idea is simple enough. Fats, proteins and carbohydrates are the macronutrients that make up the major part of our diets. With the keto diet, you drastically reduce the amount of one of those three groups. Carbs are more or less banned. To make up for that, you consume fats in larger quantities, as much as 90% of your daily energy intake. So say goodbye to cakes, cereals and bananas; hello to butter, meat, avocado and vegetable oils. See ⁠⁠acast.com/privacy⁠⁠ for privacy and opt-out information. First Broadcast: 20/1/2020 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is astropsychology?

Regular listeners will remember how astrology has undergone somewhat of a revival in recent years. Knowledge of terms like “Saturn return” and “retrograde Mercury” is now actually pretty common, in particular among young people.  The topic of today’s episode actually blends astrology with the modern insights of psychology. The idea behind astropsychology is that the positions and movements of celestial bodies, such as planets and stars, can influence human behavior, emotions, and personality traits. It’s a personal development discipline which has been gaining in popularity for a while now. Where does astropsychology come from? What happens when you go to see an astropsychologist? How can I be sure it's not a scam? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠⁠Why do my eyelids twitch when I’m tired?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Is sleeping naked good for you?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Do anti-anxiety patches really work?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 29/9/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are pick me boys?

Self-deprecation can be an endearing trait in some people. After all, it’s important not to take oneself too seriously, isn’t it? But when pick me boys, the subject of today’s episode, talk badly about themselves, they do so in a manipulative way, in the hope that it will bring them closer to women they’re attracted to. The term “pick me boy” first emerged on social media in early 2021. According to an Urban Dictionary definition from user Shelmet101, it refers to: “A guy who uses self depreciation in a manipulative way so a girl will date him,” who “will say bad things about themselves to try to get the girl to oppose what they’ve said.” What kind of tactics do pick me boys use? Could you say that pick me boy behaviour is sexist? But are all pick me boys manipulative? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠⁠Can naps keep the brain healthy?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is online grooming?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What does eating junk food do to our brains?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 2/8/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are micro naps actually effective?

After lunch, many of us get that familiar afternoon slump, an overwhelming urge to just doze off for a little while. And on weekends or during holidays, it’s easy enough to sneak in a short nap. But at work, it’s another story. Firstly, it simply wouldn’t be practical in a lot of work environments, and even if it was, would you really dare to go for a kip in the middle of the work day? You might be afraid of incurring the wrath of your boss, or giving your colleagues the impression that you’re a slacker. What’s the ideal nap length then? So should we be encouraging napping in the workplace really then, rather than frowning upon it? What about longer naps?  In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Is it a good idea to sleep with my pet?⁠ ⁠How can I stop micro-awakenings from disrupting my sleep?⁠ ⁠Does sex help us to sleep better?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 10/9/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What was the Nazis' Madagascar Plan?

When we talk about the Holocaust, most of us immediately think of death camps like Auschwitz or Dachau, chilling symbols of the Nazis’ “Final Solution”. But before they reached that level of industrialised brutality, the Nazis explored other ways to remove Jews from Europe. One plan, both absurd and terrifying, was to send all Jews to the distant island of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. How on earth did the Germans come up with that idea? What happened for the plan to take off in 1940? Why didn’t it happen then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Is it a good idea to sleep with my pet?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How can I stop micro-awakenings from disrupting my sleep?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Does sex help us to sleep better?⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 24/9/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does stress really cause grey hair?

We’ve all heard the saying, "This is giving me grey hair!" But is there any truth to it? Actually, yes. Several scientific studies confirm that stress can speed up the process of hair turning white. One such study, published in the journal Nature in 2020, involved Harvard scientists who used mice to explore how stress affects hair pigmentation. What did they find? Is there any way to reverse this? What’s the takeaway? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠What is jeffing?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why are driverless cars not yet on the road?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How can I influence my dreams?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 29/10/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can I limit the effects of sugar on my health?

When we think of those who have high blood sugar, we tend to think of people with diabetes, as they often have to monitor their levels and sometimes undergo insulin treatment. But actually everybody can have blood sugar spikes, and many of us do without even realising. These occur when a simple sugar called glucose builds up in the blood. This is known as hyperglycemia. High blood sugar can make your mouth dry, make you feel thirsty, give you blurred vision and make you need to pee often. Overconsumption, particularly of added sugar, can lead to a calorie surplus, and therefore result in weight gain. Being overweight can in turn lead to other health issues, like heart disease and other problems. Consuming too much sugar can also damage your teeth.  Do I need to be cutting sugar out of my diet completely then? What can I do about it then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Can you train your brain like a muscle?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How often should you wash your jeans?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Should I walk 10000 steps a day?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 31/8/22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why are there more cancer deaths than ever before?

It’s not something we like to dwell on too often, but the chance for each of us getting some kind of cancer during our lifetime is significant. After all, it's the second leading cause of death worldwide according to the World Health Organisation, just behind heart disease. Cancer Research UK puts the estimated lifetime risk of a man or woman getting cancer at nearly one in two. Research has shown the extent to which cancer cases have been growing in recent decades. And not just among the elderly. A study published in BMJ Oncology in September 2023 showed that there had been a “striking” 79% increase in new early-onset cancer cases from 1990-2019. Early-onset is a term used to describe cancer in the under-50s. Why is that then? Isn’t it normal for cancer deaths to increase as the global population grows? Is the situation the same everywhere in the world? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What are the latest advances in lung cancer treatment? Can men get breast cancer? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠What is Quantum medicine and is it a scam?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do mouth sounds drive some people crazy?

Let’s face it there are certain sounds that are just annoying to be exposed to, or sometimes even to think of! Someone chewing loudly with their mouth open, slurping soup, or making noise while eating pasta are a few examples.  But for some people, the impact of these sounds goes beyond being simply annoying; they bring on strong negative reactions. Those people have a neuropsychiatric condition called misophonia, which affects close to 1 in 5 people in the UK, according to a study by researchers at Kings College University which was published in Plos One journal in March 2023. How exactly did we find out about misophonia? What causes it then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠⁠Why is sugar bad for our memory?⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Does the law of attraction really work?⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠How can I stay trendy buying only second hand clothes?⁠⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast : 11/03/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is oversleeping bad for you?

You’re no doubt familiar with what it feels like to be extremely tired after a long sleep. It’s a little like a hangover really: sluggishness, irritability, perhaps a slight headache too. And there’s actually a term for these sensations: sleep drunkenness.  According to the Sleep Foundation, the average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night. But optimal sleep duration is unique for each of us. It can vary due to factors like genetics, age and lifestyle habits. Does oversleeping have any health consequences? What can we do to get back into a healthy sleep routine? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! Date of first release : April 23th, 2023 To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠⁠How much do surrogate mothers get paid?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is the Barnum effect?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How to spot, prevent and treat heatstroke ?⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast.A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast : 19/10/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does true crime help us fall asleep?

For some, true-crime stories have a strangely calming effect when they are tucked up in bed for the night. It’s a phenomenon that’s not gone unnoticed on TikTok, where people share how tales of mystery and suspense are part of their go-to nighttime routine. If you’re one of those who drift off to the narration of unsolved cases, rest assured, you’re in good company. And although the link between crime stories and relaxation has yet to be formally established, it's clear that the habit has a huge following. It’s an intriguing paradox: the very stories that chill us to the bone also usher us into slumber. Like a modern twist on the bedtime story, these narratives shift our focus away from daily stressors—be it looming work deadlines, pending homework, or endless to-do lists. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine even suggests that immersing ourselves in a story at bedtime can not only lead to better sleep but also enhance digestion and cognitive function.  Why does it relax us?  But Why Choose Crime Stories? Isn't it a bit weird to be fascinated by this kind of story? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠How can I improve my sense of direction?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What does my urine colour say about my health?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why are brownouts getting more and more common in the work world?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 16/5/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why is black associated with grief?

A funeral is one of those rare occasions where you don’t really need to think too much about your choice of outfit. After all, everyone wears black to funerals as a sign of grief, don’t they? Well, that might be true in the Western world, but it’s not necessarily the case everywhere, which is what we’re going to talk about today.  In the Western world, funeral customs have long been intertwined with strict dress codes. The tradition of "mourning attire" became widespread across Europe from the Middle Ages onwards, and was particularly stringent during the Victorian era in England. Queen Victoria herself mandated that widows wear black mourning attire, including jewellery, for at least a year.  Has that always been the case? What about in other parts of the world then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Should you sleep with socks on?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How can I get the most out of daytime napping?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How quick is premature ejaculation?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 3/5/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices