Dating apps
Episode 190214 / 14 Feb 2019
How effective are dating apps when you're looking for a romantic partner?
-
High heels
Episode 190207 / 07 Feb 2019
What's so special about these uncomfortable shoes?
-
Improving your memory
Episode 190131 / 31 Jan 2019
How good is your memory?
-
Concepts of happiness
Episode 190124 / 24 Jan 2019
What makes you happy?
-
Is music getting faster?
Episode 190117 / 17 Jan 2019
New technology might be putting an end to instrumental introductions to pop songs
-
The benefits of schadenfreude
Episode 190110 / 10 Jan 2019
What's the positive side of feeling good when bad things happen to people you envy?
-
Could you be flexitarian?
Episode 190103 / 03 Jan 2019
Would you all but give up eating meat to save the environment?
-
Michelle Obama on empowerment
Episode 181227 / 27 Dec 2018
The former US First Lady and her mission to inspire women
-
Why we push buttons
Episode 181220 / 20 Dec 2018
Are you a button presser?
-
The teenage brain
Episode 181213 / 13 Dec 2018
Inside a teenager's head
-
Why does 'x' mean 'kiss'?
Episode 181206 / 06 Dec 2018
What does 'x' really mean?
-
Photo-friendly food
Episode 181129 / 29 Nov 2018
Making good-looking food
-
The smell of coffee
Episode 181122 / 22 Nov 2018
How important is the smell of coffee?
-
What chickens can teach us about hierarchies
Episode 181115 / 09 Nov 2018
What can chickens teach us about organisation?
-
Loneliness
Episode 181108 / 08 Nov 2018
Can people feel lonely in a crowded place?
-
Objectification
Episode 181101 / 01 Nov 2018
Neil and Sam discuss objectification. What is it and is there really a 'perfect body'?
-
How creative should we be?
Episode 181025 / 25 Oct 2018
Rob and Neil discuss the must-have skill of the future
-
What is scumbro?
Episode 181018 / 18 Oct 2018
Paying a lot to look a mess!
-
Curbing our plastic addiction
Episode 181011 / 11 Oct 2018
Could we live without plastic? We discuss the issues and the progress that's being made.
-
Describing Generation Z
Episode 181004 / 04 Oct 2018
Have you grown up with social media?
-
High-vis fashion
Episode 180927 / 27 Sep 2018
A bright new fashion trend
-
Snowflakes and taking offence
Episode 180920 / 20 Sep 2018
The word snowflake has taken on a new meaning. We discuss this new term without causing offence!
-
Dating apps: How our brains react
Episode 180913 / 13 Sep 2018
What does our brain tell us to do when faced with a dating app?
-
Beating a sedentary lifestyle
Episode 180906 / 06 Sep 2018
Do you lead a sedentary lifestyle? Learn what made people more active in Finland.
-
Street food: Why is it becoming so popular?
Episode 180830 / 30 Aug 2018
Why is street food becoming more popular in the UK?
-
Are smartphones killing cameras?
Episode 180823 / 10 Aug 2018
Do people still buy cameras when everybody is keen on selfies?
-
Fathers
Episode 180816 / 16 Aug 2018
Why do men want to be fathers?
-
A tall story
Episode 180809 / 09 Aug 2018
Does being taller mean you earn more at work?
-
How intelligent is the octopus?
Episode 180802 / 02 Aug 2018
Learn more about this fascinating animal
-
Not going out
Episode 180726 / 26 Jul 2018
Why are countryside walks no longer so popular?
-
Is technology always the solution?
Episode 180719 / 19 Jul 2018
Why technology doesn't always know best
-
Smartphone addiction
Episode 180712 / 12 Jul 2018
Smartphone addiction
-
Surf and turf
Episode 180705 / 05 Jul 2018
Surf and turf shopping
-
Broken hearts
Episode 180628 / 28 Jun 2018
A healthy heart
-
Is gaming a sport?
Episode 180621 / 21 Jun 2018
The Fortnite phenomenon
-
Are you excited about the World Cup?
Episode 180614 / 14 Jun 2018
Are you a football fan?
-
Talking to machines
Episode 180607 / 07 Jun 2018
Our new virtual assistants
-
Taking risks
Episode 180531 / 31 May 2018
Risky language
-
Women in space
Episode 180524 / 24 May 2018
Gender equality
-
Football songs: Why are crowds so quiet these days?
Episode 180517 / 17 May 2018
Why are football fans so quiet nowdays?
-
Hangry: are you angry when you're hungry?
Episode 180510 / 10 May 2018
hungry + angry = hangry
-
Perfume: what your smell says about you
Episode 180503 / 03 May 2018
What does your smell say about you?
-
Is the internet good or bad?
Episode 180426 / 26 Apr 2018
Is the internet a positive thing?
-
Lying to children
Episode 180419 / 19 Apr 2018
Is it good to lie?
-
Are you a foodie?
Episode 180412 / 12 Apr 2018
How much do you know about the food you eat?
-
The future of marriage
Episode 180405 / 05 Apr 2018
Marriage decline
-
Who needs a manbag?
Episode 180329 / 29 Mar 2018
A bag for a man
-
Microadventures!
Episode 180322 / 22 Mar 2018
A mini-adventure
-
How do you learn to speak a language?
Episode 180315 / 15 Mar 2018
Words to learn
-
Robot therapist
Episode 180308 / 08 Mar 2018
Would you tell a robot your deepest secrets?
-
Hello, hello
Episode 180301 / 01 Mar 2018
The history of the humble ‘hello’
-
Swimming like a mermaid
Episode 180222 / 22 Feb 2018
A new approach to swimming
-
The rise of drones
Episode 180215 / 15 Feb 2018
Are drones taking off?
-
Transport of the future
Episode 180208 / 08 Feb 2018
Future travel
-
What’s in a name?
Episode 180201 / 01 Feb 2018
A new wedding trend?
-
Rise of the machines
Episode 180125 / 25 Jan 2018
Are robots and artificial intelligence taking over from humans? Dan and Neil discuss the rise of the machines
-
A dry January?
Episode 180118 / 18 Jan 2018
Are you trying to give up drinking this month? Catherine and Rob discuss abstaining and the benefits of a dry January
-
Ethical coffee
Episode 180111 / 11 Jan 2018
Would you pay more for coffee if you knew it was doing some good? Dan and Catherine discuss the pros and cons of ethically produced coffee.
-
Bitcoin: digital crypto-currency
Episode 180104 / 04 Jan 2018
Bitcoin is here and it's generating interest. Is that a good or bad thing? Dan and Neil discuss the pros and cons of this digital currency.
-
Is 'man flu' real?
Episode 171228 / 28 Dec 2017
Can science prove the existence of 'man flu' or are men just big babies? Dan and Neil discuss all this and give you six useful items of vocabulary.
-
The perfect Santa
Episode 171221 / 21 Dec 2017
A popular job at this time of year is playing the part of Santa. But what does it take to be the perfect Father Christmas? Neil and Dan discuss whether it's a role that would suit Dan.
-
Should schoolchildren have jobs?
Episode 171214 / 14 Dec 2017
The number of schoolchildren doing part-time jobs in the UK has fallen. Is that a good thing? Neil and Dan discuss the pros and cons of working while you're still at school.
-
What do you buy when you're sad?
Episode 171207 / 07 Dec 2017
Have you ever bought something when you're sad and then regretted it later?
-
Do you need to upgrade your phone?
Episode 171130 / 30 Nov 2017
How old is your smartphone?
-
Why more of us are getting fitter together
Episode 171123 / 23 Nov 2017
More people are going to the gym to get fitter but why?
-
How do you like your coffee?
Episode 171116 / 16 Nov 2017
Does a cafe's free wi-fi encourage you to go in and buy a coffee?
-
Pedestrianisation - is it good for cities and towns?
Episode 171102 / 02 Nov 2017
There’s a fresh interest in keeping cars out of cities. Is it a good idea?
-
Too much sugar
Episode 171026 / 26 Oct 2017
Are you aware of how much of the sweet stuff you eat?
-
What’s wetiquette?
Episode 171019 / 19 Oct 2017
When you have to be polite and courteous ... even when you swim!
-
Why pay for bottled water?
Episode 171012 / 12 Oct 2017
Can you tell the difference between the taste of bottled water and tap water?
-
Do adults exercise enough?
Episode 171005 / 05 Oct 2017
Neil and Rob talk about vigorous exercise – and whether adults take enough of it!
-
What can't computers do?
Episode 170928 / 28 Sep 2017
Are you afraid of machines that copy human intelligent behaviour?
-
The wonders of hair
Episode 170921 / 21 Sep 2017
Did you know that when the entire body is aging hair can grow stronger?
-
Having a row or asking for directions?
Episode 170914 / 14 Sep 2017
Tim and Neil talk about interactions that can be misunderstood by people of different backgrounds
-
Uniforms
Episode 170907 / 07 Sep 2017
A policeman, a pilot, a chef - what's our fascination with uniforms?
-
Laughing could kill you
Episode 170831 / 31 Aug 2017
Tim and Neil laugh their head off as they teach you useful vocabulary
-
Would the world stop without clocks?
Episode 170824 / 24 Aug 2017
Rob and Neil are in a hurry to discuss our concept of time and teach you new words
-
What makes a video go viral?
Episode 170817 / 17 Aug 2017
Rob and Neil discuss what makes people want to share a video
-
Fancy dress funerals
Episode 170810 / 10 Aug 2017
Have you ever thought about what sort of funeral you would like to have?
-
It's good to talk
Episode 170803 / 03 Aug 2017
The treatments that help people stay mentally healthy
-
How honest are we?
Episode 170727 / 27 Jul 2017
Have you ever cheated an honesty box? Is honesty really the best policy?
-
You think you're invisible?
Episode 170720 / 20 Jul 2017
Do you not want to be seen?
-
How do pets navigate?
Episode 170713 / 13 Jul 2017
How do lost cats and dogs find their way home?
-
Self-help
Episode 170706 / 06 Jul 2017
Want to improve your life?
-
Faces and first impressions
Episode 170629 / 29 Jun 2017
Can we trust our first impressions?
-
Built to fail?
Episode 170622 / 22 Jun 2017
Why do we throw away so much technology?
-
Mindfulness
Episode 170615 / 15 Jun 2017
Relax, slow down and breathe. Neil and Catherine explore mindfulness - what it is and what benefits it offers
-
Is happiness genetic?
Episode 170608 / 08 Jun 2017
Is happiness in the DNA?
-
Water Burial
Episode 170601 / 01 Jun 2017
A new way to rest in peace
-
Could you go vegan?
Episode 170525 / 25 May 2017
Could you give up meat and animal products?
-
Goldfish, brains and phones
Episode 170518 / 18 May 2017
Do people now have shorter attention spans than goldfish?
-
How much food do you waste?
Episode 170511 / 11 May 2017
Food waste is a major problem
-
The super rich
Episode 170504 / 04 May 2017
The rich are getting richer
-
Miraculous survival
Episode 170427 / 27 Apr 2017
How did a man fall from a 47 storey skyscraper and survive?
-
Sighing
Episode 170420 / 20 Apr 2017
Why do we sigh?
-
Multiple Careers
Episode 170413 / 13 Apr 2017
What's behind the trend for having more than one career?
-
Food and mood
Episode 170406 / 06 Apr 2017
How does your food affect your mood?
-
Dog detectors
Episode 170330 / 30 Mar 2017
Can dogs be used to detect cancer?
-
The rise of the emoji
Episode 170323 / 23 Mar 2017
Are you an emoji person? We explore how simple smiley faces have become powerful communication tools.
-
What your lunch says about you
Episode 170316 / 16 Mar 2017
What do you eat for lunch? Sandwiches are the most popular lunchtime meal in the UK, but why?
-
Mermaids – Fact or fiction?
Episode 170309 / 09 Mar 2017
Are mermaids real?
-
Life expectancy
Episode 170302 / 02 Mar 2017
Can humanity really breach the 90 year limit?
-
Gun control without guns
Episode 170223 / 23 Feb 2017
Gun control with no guns? How is that possible? Join Dan and Neil to find out.
-
How romance ruined love
Episode 170216 / 16 Feb 2017
Neil and Dan discuss romanticism
-
Can you trust your own eyes?
Episode 170209 / 09 Feb 2017
Catherine and Neil discuss why the police and the legal system are concerned about eyewitness testimony
-
Why do cities make us rude?
Episode 170202 / 02 Feb 2017
Catherine and Neil discuss how the pressures of modern living are making us hostile to each other
-
Family history
Episode 170126 / 26 Jan 2017
Why are so many people obsessed with learning about their family history? Neil and Catherine talk about genealogy
-
Life on the edge
Episode 170119 / 19 Jan 2017
The increased study of extremophile microbes has revealed a lot about what is and is not needed to sustain life on Earth
-
What's your superpower?
Episode 170112 / 12 Jan 2017
Why are we so fascinated with the superheroes that populate our cinema screens and comic books?
-
Driving
Episode 170105 / 05 Jan 2017
Alice and Neil discuss whether we would miss driving as driverless cars are tested in cities around the world
-
Introvert... and proud!
Episode 161229 / 29 Dec 2016
What’s your personality type? If you are an introvert you’re in good company; Barack Obama, JK Rowling are introverts...
-
Why do crazes take off?
Episode 161222 / 22 Dec 2016
Why is it that some games, hobbies and activities become crazes while others don’t? Alice and Neil talk about their preferences
-
When do you feel sleepy?
Episode 161215 / 15 Dec 2016
Alice and Neil discuss circadian rhythms – the so-called body clock that influences an organism's daily cycle of changes
-
Cleopatra
Episode 161208 / 08 Dec 2016
Sophie and Neil discuss why the last pharaoh of Egypt still fascinates people today
-
Animal phobias
Episode 161201 / 01 Dec 2016
Why do we fear animals that pose no threat to us? Sophie and Neil discuss the reason why fear of spiders is so common
-
Women's right to vote
Episode 161124 / 24 Nov 2016
Neil and Alice talk about the defiant women who fought for their right to choose their representatives
-
Why we love trainers
Episode 161117 / 17 Nov 2016
Call them what you want – trainers, sneakers, tennis shoes – but why does everybody love them so much?
-
On your bike
Episode 161110 / 10 Nov 2016
Sophie and Neil discuss the bike's mass appeal, from helping to widen the gene pool to blazing a trail for the women’s movement
-
Hi, meet my online persona!
Episode 161103 / 03 Nov 2016
Sophie and Neil discuss social networks and why we often use different identities for different social media
-
How do you read your news?
Episode 161027 / 27 Oct 2016
Free, digital news is threatening traditional newspapers. Sophie and Neil discuss the pros and cons of news in print
-
Do opposites attract?
Episode 161020 / 20 Oct 2016
Why are we attracted to some people and not to others? Sophie and Neil discuss love at first sight
-
Is loneliness in our genes?
Episode 161013 / 13 Oct 2016
What is loneliness and why do we feel it? Sophie and Neil discuss how feeling lonely can help us to survive
-
Who do you think you are?
Episode 161006 / 06 Oct 2016
How do you see yourself and how do others see you? Alice and Neil discuss identity and how appearances can be deceptive
-
Does punctuation matter?
Episode 160929 / 29 Sep 2016
Why is punctuation important? Neil and Alice discuss rhetoric, commas and full stops.
-
Penicillin: breaking the mould
Episode 160922 / 22 Sep 2016
Alice and Neil discuss penicillin, the so-called wonder drug discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming
-
Global warming
Episode 160915 / 15 Sep 2016
What might the world look like if temperatures keep rising? Neil and Alice discuss the need to adapt to the changes ahead
-
Old tech
Episode 160908 / 08 Sep 2016
Did you ever own a Walkman or a record player? Alice and Neil discuss old tech and why the US Pentagon still uses floppy disks
-
Slang
Episode 160901 / 01 Sep 2016
Neil and Alice discuss the differences between slang, jargon, and swearing, while teaching you some Cockney Rhyming Slang
-
Domestic chores
Episode 160825 / 25 Aug 2016
Do women clean the house more often than men? Alice and Neil discuss the topic and teach you a tidy amount of vocabulary
-
Have you walked off your pizza?
Episode 160818 / 18 Aug 2016
Is food labelling clear enough to help us make healthy choices? Alice and Neil discuss chocolate chip muffins along with some other tasty vocabulary
-
How to cure writer's block
Episode 160811 / 11 Aug 2016
Who were the Muses and how did they help the creative process? Neil and Alice discuss how to be more creative
-
Is English changing?
Episode 160804 / 04 Aug 2016
Will we still be speaking in an English we recognise in a thousand years' time? Alice and Neil make some educated guesses!
-
Heritage sites
Episode 160728 / 28 Jul 2016
Neil and Alice discuss the threat to The Great Barrier Reef, the Grand Canyon, and the Inca city of Machu Picchu in Peru
-
Are we there yet?
Episode 160721 / 21 Jul 2016
Why do some weeks just fly by but sometimes minutes can seem like hours? Neil and Alice discuss our perception of time
-
Cities of the future
Episode 160714 / 14 Jul 2016
What will the cities of the future look like, and will we enjoy living in them? Alice and Neil discuss Neil's attempt at town planning
-
Diabetes
Episode 160707 / 07 Jul 2016
Why is the disease diabetes on the rise? Alice and Neil talk about the role that diet has to play in this global health problem
-
Get on with it!
Episode 160630 / 30 Jun 2016
Why do we procrastinate? Rob and Alice discuss why it can be difficult to get on with tasks
-
Who would you imitate?
Episode 160623 / 23 Jun 2016
Why do we like to impersonate people? Neil tries out his best impression of Elvis while teaching you some related vocabulary
-
How to prepare for an exam
Episode 160616 / 16 Jun 2016
Alice and Rob consider which study techniques are good and which aren't. Does sleeping with a book under your pillow help?
-
Young and in business
Episode 160609 / 09 Jun 2016
Young entrepreneurs are appearing everywhere. Alice and Rob discuss whether grey hair is best
-
Do as I say, not as I do
Episode 160602 / 02 Jun 2016
Why do people often say one thing and do another? Alice and Rob ask how far hypocrisy is actually part of who we are
-
Could you be an astronaut?
Episode 160526 / 26 May 2016
Do you have what it takes to go to space? Alice and Rob discuss the challenges of a job thousands of people are keen on
-
Conspiracy theories
Episode 160519 / 19 May 2016
Do you believe men walked on the Moon? Alice and Rob discuss why some people are suspicious about everything
-
Have you got too much stuff?
Episode 160512 / 12 May 2016
You've decluttered and tidied but could you live life free of stuff? Alice and Rob discuss why we give objects emotional value
-
How bad is booze?
Episode 160505 / 05 May 2016
Are you a teetotaler or a drinker? Rob and Alice discuss what risk to your health regular drinking may have
-
Is chivalry dead?
Episode 160428 / 28 Apr 2016
What does it take to impress the ladies in the 21st century? Neil and Alice discuss knights in shining armour
-
Never too old
Episode 160421 / 21 Apr 2016
Is retirement the end of everything or just a door for new opportunities? Alice and Rob talk about aging
-
Do you think for yourself?
Episode 160414 / 14 Apr 2016
Do you always agree with what most people in your group say? Neil and Sophie discuss staff meetings.
-
Brain training
Episode 160407 / 07 Apr 2016
Neil and Sophie discuss the health benefits of being able to speak two languages fluently. And Neil... speaks Japanese!
-
Is social media a distraction?
Episode 160331 / 31 Mar 2016
How often do you check your phone? Neil and Sophie discuss how social media is changing the way we interact.
-
Gardening
Episode 160324 / 24 Mar 2016
Sophie and Neil discover that soil has some surprising qualities and discuss how growing food can be therapeutic too
-
What's in a fairy tale?
Episode 160317 / 17 Mar 2016
Sophie and Neil talk about traditional fairy tales for the adult market and teach you some magical vocabulary
-
Corporate team building
Episode 160310 / 10 Mar 2016
Neil and Sophie discuss the growing industry of team building – from zombie bootcamps to horse training for executives.
-
Life on Mars
Episode 160303 / 03 Mar 2016
Neil and Sophie discuss Mars, the fourth rock from the Sun
-
It's all in the genes
Episode 160225 / 25 Feb 2016
Neil and Sophie talk about gene editing, designer babies and how many errors Neil might have in his genetic code.
-
Giving away your fortune
Episode 160218 / 18 Feb 2016
How generous are you? Neil and Sophie discuss Mark Zuckerberg and what it takes to be a modern-day philanthropist.
-
How would you like to pay?
Episode 160211 / 11 Feb 2016
Are the days of paying by cash for a latte or a newspaper nearly gone? Alice and Neil discuss Neil's fondness for loose change...
-
How do you like your tea?
Episode 160204 / 04 Feb 2016
Tea comes in different forms – milky, sweet or spicy. Alice and Neil discuss how this Asian leaf conquered the world.
-
The commute
Episode 160128 / 28 Jan 2016
Train, car, bicycle ... Hundreds of millions of us make the same journey day in day out. Take a hike with Alice and Neil and learn new vocabulary.
-
Are we afraid of food?
Episode 160121 / 21 Jan 2016
Are food allergies on the increase and if so, why? Neil and Alice talk about the growing fear of food and teach new words.
-
Is modern life making us tired?
Episode 160114 / 14 Jan 2016
Are artificial lights and late night TV ruining our sleep? Neil and Alice discuss the issue and teach you related vocabulary.
-
Asking the right questions
Episode 160107 / 07 Jan 2016
What does it take to be a good interviewer? Neil and Alice discuss TV chat show hosts and teach you some related vocabulary.
-
The way we look
Episode 151231 / 31 Dec 2015
How much does appearance really matter? Neil and Alice discuss fitness and New Year's resolutions
-
Christmas kindness
Episode 151224 / 24 Dec 2015
Some families struggle to buy even food and can’t afford presents. Neil and Alice discuss how some charities are helping those in need.
-
Why do we take risks?
Episode 151217 / 17 Dec 2015
Alice and Finn talk about the passion some people have for danger and the unseen threats we face every day
-
Is student life all good?
Episode 151210 / 10 Dec 2015
Alice and Neil discuss the psychological pressures of going to university. They also teach some related vocabulary.
-
Robin Hood
Episode 151203 / 03 Dec 2015
Neil and Alice discuss the long-lasting appeal of this man with a bow and how he has changed over the centuries
-
How much is your spouse worth?
Episode 151126 / 26 Nov 2015
Do you know how much your partner earns? Is he or she in debt? Would this make you love them less?
-
100 Women
Episode 151119 / 19 Nov 2015
The BBC broadcasts a season of programmes discussing women's issues around the world
-
What makes us laugh?
Episode 151112 / 12 Nov 2015
Are you good at telling jokes? What makes a good comedian?
-
The impact of plastic
Episode 151105 / 05 Nov 2015
Should we all pay for supermarket plastic bags? Neil and Alice take a look at the environmental impact of plastic and teach you some related words.
-
Shakespeare in plain English
Episode 151029 / 29 Oct 2015
Should the difficult language of Shakespeare be 'translated' into plain English?
-
New transport on two wheels
Episode 151022 / 22 Oct 2015
The bicycle is the most popular form of two-wheeled transport in the world, but could we all soon be using hoverboards? Listen to Neil and Finn's conversation and learn some new words.
-
Will robots take our jobs?
Episode 151015 / 15 Oct 2015
If you are sitting at a desk or answering the phone, stop for a moment and ask: could a robot or machine do this job better? Neil and Finn discuss the future of our jobs.
-
Do we read to show off?
Episode 151008 / 08 Oct 2015
Neil and Alice discuss what kind of book people like to be seen reading. Do you like to impress people with a classic book in your hands?
-
Summer-born kids
Episode 151001 / 01 Oct 2015
Does being born in the summer reduce your chance of going to university?
-
The Earth's core
Episode 150924 / 24 Sep 2015
Take a trip with Rob and Alice to find out about the Earth’s core. They’ll discuss how hot it is – and whether there are any dinosaurs living there!
-
The meaning of clothes
Episode 150917 / 17 Sep 2015
Do you dress formally or casually? Do you choose trendy items or old comfortable ones? Rob and Will talk about the meaning of clothes.
-
The Proms
Episode 150910 / 10 Sep 2015
It's been described as the world's largest and most democratic classical music festival. Neil and Finn guide you through the BBC Proms
-
Is knuckle cracking good for you?
Episode 150903 / 03 Sep 2015
What an awful sound - cracking your knuckles! Listen in to Rob and Neil to find out if it's a useful skill or just an annoying habit
-
Evolution before Darwin
Episode 150827 / 27 Aug 2015
Was Charles Darwin the only man with ideas about evolution? Rob and Neil talk about someone else who discovered it first.
-
Lifts
Episode 150820 / 20 Aug 2015
What are the modern day dilemmas in using a lift? Rob and Neil discuss the awkwardness and irritation of being in one
-
Compulsory voting
Episode 150813 / 13 Aug 2015
Should young people be made to vote in elections or should we choose? We discuss the ideas behind compulsory voting
-
Chins
Episode 150806 / 08 Aug 2015
What do we need our chins for? Rob and Neil discuss how we got them and what our chins say about us
-
Why do gibbons sing duets?
Episode 150730 / 30 Jul 2015
Why do gibbons sing duets and what has this got to do with the evolution of the human language?
-
Are models too skinny?
Episode 150723 / 23 Jul 2015
Skinny models: What does the law say about walking the catwalk?
-
Is a game just a game?
Episode 150716 / 16 Jul 2015
The dangers of computer games. How good are they for our health?
-
The wonder of blood
Episode 150709 / 09 Jul 2015
It's amazing! What part of our body have scientists discovered can heal and help us?
-
Why did Singapore ban gum?
Episode 150702 / 02 Jul 2015
Do you chew gum and what do you do with it when you've finished? Listen to Rob and Finn discussing the history and chemical properties of gum and why it's messing up our streets whilst explaining some related vocabulary
-
Food banks
Episode 150625 / 25 Jun 2015
Food banks provide food to people in the UK who can't afford to buy their own. Rob and Finn discuss this how they work and how they help many of the country's poorest
-
The teenage brain
Episode 150618 / 18 Jun 2015
Listen to Neil and Rob discussing mood swings, risk taking, and why people make fun of teenagers, while they also explore some related vocabulary.
-
The Outernet
Episode 150611 / 11 Jun 2015
How can remote parts of the world get access to the internet? Neil and Catherine discuss a new idea for spreading knowledge
-
Is aggression useful?
Episode 150604 / 04 Jun 2015
What makes us angry and why is aggression useful? Neil and Catherine discuss human behaviour.
-
Are beards back to stay?
Episode 150528 / 28 May 2015
Big bushy beards have become so fashionable that there's now an art exhibition dedicated to them
-
Is a door just a door?
Episode 150521 / 21 May 2015
A London apartment block has front and back entrances for private and social housing - or so-called rich and poor doors. Does it make sense to you? Listen to a discussion whilst learning some housing-related vocabulary
-
The first space walk
Episode 150514 / 14 May 2015
Fifty years ago, on 18 March 1965, Soviet astronaut Alexei Leonov took the first space walk. Listen to Rob and Neil describing the struggles of that ground-breaking space mission whilst explaining some related vocabulary.
-
Wireless furniture for phones
Episode 150507 / 07 May 2015
Furniture with built-in wireless charging technology - like a coffee table is now being sold. 'Built-in' means the technology is included as part of the table. So you just pop your phone on the table, and technology does the rest!
-
Saving China's elephants
Episode 150430 / 30 Apr 2015
Many animals face extinction. But people are realising that they must act now to stop further losses. A scheme to save the Asian elephant in China could provide an answer.
-
Life without music
Episode 150423 / 23 Apr 2015
How does music make you feel? Research shows that it actually influences us more than we realise - whether we're at the movies, the supermarket, or down the pub
-
The story behind coffee
Episode 150416 / 16 Apr 2015
Coffee is now the most popular drink in the world. But what about the economics and politics of coffee production? It's as complicated as getting the right flavour in your cup
-
The sun
Episode 150409 / 09 Apr 2015
Rob and Neil put on their sunglasses to find out more about this special star and teach some related vocabulary. We promise you won’t be blinded with science!
-
The three-parent baby
Episode 150402 / 02 Apr 2015
The UK has become the first country to approve legislation allowing the creation of babies with genetic material from three people. Listen to Neil and Harry’s conversation and learn some related vocabulary.
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A threat to London's artwork?
Episode 150326 / 26 Mar 2015
What are some art galleries banning to protect their paintings? Find out with Neil and Harry
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Human microchips
Episode 150319 / 19 Mar 2015
An electronic device under your skin?! Workers in Sweden take part in experiment which allows them to get in and out of their office without a key, ID or password. Listen to Neil and Harry’s chat and learn some related vocabulary.
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The two sides of Churchill
Episode 150312 / 12 Mar 2015
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Winston Churchill’s death. He is known throughout the world for his role in defeating Nazi Germany but he also made mistakes. Listen to Neil and Mike’s discussion, and learn new vocabulary.
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Poverty in a rich world
Episode 150305 / 05 Mar 2015
We live in a richer world. But the gap between rich and poor is still very wide in individual countries. How to change this? Listen to Rob and Harry’s discussion, and learn some related vocabulary.
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The cost of life-saving vaccines
Episode 150226 / 26 Feb 2015
The price of vaccines has escalated and some poor countries are struggling to prevent children from catching certain life-threatening diseases, says Medecins Sans Frontieres. Listen to Rob and Neil’s discussion, and learn some related vocabulary.
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Do you fear Artificial Intelligence?
Episode 150219 / 19 Feb 2015
Will thinking computers be the end of humans? Listen to Rob and Neil’s chat and learn some related vocabulary.
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Should tourists go to Antarctica?
Episode 150212 / 12 Feb 2015
About 37,000 tourists are expected to visit Antarctica this season. But should they be going to a region with such a sensitive environment? Listen to Rob and Neil’s conversation and learn some new vocabulary.
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Does your CV shine?
Episode 150205 / 05 Feb 2015
At a time when more people compete for fewer jobs, are you sure you present your skills and abilities well to a potential employer? Listen to Rob and Neil's conversation and learn some related vocabulary.
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Are you big on small talk?
Episode 150129 / 29 Jan 2015
Going to a party where you don't know anyone? Listen to Rob and Neil's advice and learn some related vocabulary
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Are computers making us dumb?
Episode 150122 / 22 Jan 2015
We use computers for everything nowadays. Are we forgetting our own abilities - and losing our talent? Listen to Rob and Neil's discussion, and learn some related vocabulary
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Smokers to face one more ban
Episode 150115 / 15 Jan 2015
Smoking in cars with children might be banned in England. Listen to Neil and Rob's chat and learn some related vocabulary
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Bullying or normal competition?
Episode 150108 / 08 Jan 2015
Is bullying just an attempt to give a bad name to what is part of human nature? Listen to Rob and Neil’s chat and learn some related vocabulary.
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Time capsules
Episode 150101 / 01 Jan 2015
What would you put in your time capsule? Listen to Rob and Neil’s chat and learn new vocabulary
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The Christmas Truce
Episode 141225 / 25 Dec 2014
When enemy soldiers sang together in WW1. Listen to Rob and Finn’s chat and learn some related vocabulary.
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42 languages
Episode 141218 / 18 Dec 2014
The London school where students speak 42 different languages
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Laughter is bad for you
Episode 141211 / 11 Dec 2014
Laughter isn't always the best medicine, says research
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Cloud of suspicion
Episode 141204 / 04 Dec 2014
Are your pictures, documents and videos safe online? Listen to Rob and Finn's chat and learn new vocabulary
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Sharing economy
Episode 141127 / 27 Nov 2014
Nowhere to park? How the sharing economy is changing the way we use our space
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Can science fiction save the world?
Episode 141120 / 20 Nov 2014
How can science fiction help the world? Rob and Finn discuss a project which aims to inspire through stories of a bright future
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Is eating meat killing our planet?
Episode 141113 / 13 Nov 2014
Why is eating meat bad news?
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What makes a superhero?
Episode 141106 / 06 Nov 2014
Do real-life superheroes exist or are they just cartoon characters?
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Cigarettes v e-cigarettes
Episode 141030 / 30 Oct 2014
Rob and Finn discuss the World Health Organisation's recommendations on e-cigarettes
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The bitter taste of sugar
Episode 141023 / 23 Oct 2014
Should we eat less sugar? Listen to Rob and Neil and learn new vocabulary
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How quickly can you learn English?
Episode 141016 / 16 Oct 2014
Is learning English getting easier? Find out what's new
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Food waste
Episode 141009 / 09 Oct 2014
Why do we buy so much food and not eat it all? Learn more about food waste
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Sleeping on the job
Episode 141002 / 02 Oct 2014
Is it right to sleep at work? Rob and Finn discuss the benefits of sleeping on the job.
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The fame game
Episode 140929 / 29 Sep 2014
Is the way we see famous people a new thing? Learn about the first 'modern celebrity'.
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Dealing with boredom
Episode 140821 / 21 Aug 2014
Bored? You're not alone. Rob and Finn discuss how to deal with boredom and teach some related vocabulary. We promise you won't be bored!