Do you really know?

When it comes to expressions about skin, the English language is not lacking. For example, we can be thick or thin skinned, or have someone under our skin. To show indifference, we say “it’s no skin off” our noses, and when we get excited we “jump out of” our skin.  The sheer number of different idioms reflects the deep links the skin has with our brains. Sometimes these links are visible and give away our feelings, when we blush, go pale or get goosebumps. The same can be said for stress too, in the case of some skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. How does the skin send information to the brain? What impact does touch have on our brains? How does touch affect health then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠Why was Kanye West’s Twitter account suspended?⁠ ⁠How can you save money on your food bill?⁠ ⁠Why is 'permacrisis' the new dictionary word of the year?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance. First boradcast : 12/12/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may know Hugh Jackman as the star of X-Men, The Greatest Showman, and Les Misérables, but did you know that he has a secret to success that involves working less, not more? That’s right, Hugh Jackman follows the 85% rule, an unofficial guide to life that says we should try hard at things, but not too hard. In other words, we should aim to work at 85% of our capacity, rather than 100%. But why would he do that, and does it really work? Does the science back up this claim? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is the Werther effect?⁠ ⁠How can I overcome my fear of speaking in public?⁠ ⁠What are plant milks?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 10/10/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The condition we’re going to talk about today is pretty rare. It affects around 1% of women, but it can really disrupt the lives of those who suffer from it. Persistent genital arousal disorder, or PGAD for short, was officially identified by the medical community back in 2001, when Sandra Leiblum and Sharon Nathan published an article about it in The Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy. At the time, they called it persistent genital arousal syndrome, and identified five specific criteria for diagnosis.  These were then expanded by the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health in 2021. According to that organisation, PGAD refers to “persistent or recurrent, unwanted or intrusive, distressing sensations of genital arousal”. It is “most commonly experienced in the clitoris but also in other genito-pelvic regions” and “may include other types of genito-pelvic dysesthesia” like buzzing, tingling, burning, twitching, itch or pain.” The minimum duration for a diagnosis is 3 months. Are you saying it’s like having a constant orgasm? So where does it actually come from then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Why are we afraid of the dark?⁠ ⁠Why do people consider the number seven lucky?⁠ ⁠Why do we get moles?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 5/4/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It may be a little taboo to talk about it, but there are a lot of people out there who, for a variety of reasons, don’t have as much sex as they would like, or arguably need. And there’s actually a form of therapy out there which is specifically designed to help people become more comfortable with sex and intimacy. The idea of sex surrogacy started catching on in Europe in the 2000s, and these days it’s actually regulated and even covered by social security in some countries, like Switzerland, Denmark and the Netherlands. Still, in many places it’s a legal grey area, and raises a number of ethical questions to boot. For example it became a subject of debate in France in 2013, when a proposal was put forward to cover sex surrogacy expenses for disabled people. Why would someone need to use the services of a sex surrogate? What’s the difference between a sex surrogate and a sex worker? ⁠⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions !⁠⁠ To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠⁠Will Star Wars: Andor live up to the hype?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why were the queen’s bees told of her death?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Do I have poor blood circulation?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 24/9/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s be honest; who among us doesn’t daydream about having saving money effortlessly? The new year period is often synonymous with ambitious resolutions, but let's face it: they can be tough to stick to, especially when it comes to money.  The hard part isn’t only having enough money coming in to set some aside; being organised enough to do is also a challenge. So let’s introduce a simple and quirky method that could help you save nearly £1,400 in 2024: the 52-week challenge. Isn't it a big commitment? Are there any tips for seeing it through? What’s the best thing about the challenge? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Could Britain ever rejoin the EU?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What 5 foods can improve brain performance?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is pandemic skip?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 10/1/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A small chocolate bar. A tablespoon of honey. A hummingbird. Those are a few different things that weigh around 21g. And you can add the human soul to that list, according to the 21 grams experiment from the early 20th century. That’s right; while there’s no scientific evidence that the soul even exists, a theory emerged not only suggesting that it does, but also putting its weight at the figure of 21g. The 21g figure comes from research by British doctor Duncan MacDougall. His observations led him to believe that at the moment a person dies, they lose exactly 21 grams in weight. And he was also convinced that if the soul exists, it must have a weight, just like any other physical matter. How did a theory like that come about? How well was the experiment received? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Why are some people constantly sexually aroused ?⁠ ⁠Why are we afraid of the dark?⁠ ⁠Why do people consider the number seven lucky?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast 6/04/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lazy girl job is an easy, enjoyable and well-paid job that doesn’t require much passion or effort, and leaves you with plenty of time to live your life outside of work. It might sound too good to be true but some TikTokers have been posting videos of themselves bragging about their lazy girl jobs, such as working from home, answering emails, or doing administrative tasks and the hashtag #lazygirljob has amassed over 16 million views on the platform. Why are people choosing a ‘lazy girl’ job? What are the problems with this type of work? What are the dangers of posting about this online? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠How can I choose the right mattress for me?⁠ ⁠What is the Oosouji method of house cleaning?⁠ ⁠What is shy bladder syndrome?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 8/8/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you drink alcohol, the chances are that on occasion you’ve overdone it and drunk way more than you planned to. Or maybe you decided to let yourself have a big night out, even though you know you’d have to deal with a pounding headache the next morning. Well, to make things worse, that hangover often comes hand in hand with overwhelming feelings of shame and regret about what you might have said or done during the night out. And that combo now has a name: hangxiety. Of course, it’s a mash-up of two words: hangover and anxiety. And according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine in 2019, about 12% of people experience it.   What causes us to feel anxious after drinking? How can we ease that anxiety? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠What is negging, the toxic flirting technique?⁠ ⁠What are the best hangover foods?⁠ ⁠How can I reduce damp and mould in your home?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 10/2/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to UK government data, a total of 6.5 billion passenger journeys were completed using public transport vehicles like buses, trains and tram systems, in the year to March 2023.  Packed platforms, overcrowded carriages and uncertain schedules are just some of the issues public transport commuters have to deal with on a regular basis, not to mention the occasional strike. Being crammed into a tube, bus or train with other commuters can make you feel oppressed, fatigued or even suffocated. Some people experience dizziness and anxiety, and fainting isn’t uncommon. What about psychological impacts? Public transport always seems dirty too, doesn't it? How can I safeguard my health then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Does true crime help us fall asleep?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is goblin mode?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Could you be micro-flirting without realising?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 17/5/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The last week or so has seen temperatures reach around 20° in the south of England, and you can expect to see similar temperatures for the next month or so as we head into summer. Whenever the weather warms up, there’s always a temptation to try to mask any odours or stains that are coming from our sweaty bodies, but it’s worth bearing in mind that sweating is actually a crucial bodily function. Did you know that sweat is a watery solution that contains mostly water, but also some minerals and proteins. Just what is the purpose of sweat then? Is there a link between sweating and hair removal? 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 Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 15/5/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social media has been part of our daily digital lives for nearly two decades now, and while there are plenty of positives associated with it, there’s also an undeniably dark side. Recent years have brought to light the sometimes traumatic work experience of social media moderators who have to review content that’s flagged as potentially harmful or offensive. Back in 2018, German directors Hans Block and Moritz Riesewick released a documentary called The Cleaners, which looked into just that and would go on to win several awards.  Where did the concept come from? What if you don't work in a high-exposure field? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Why are some people clumsier than others?⁠ ⁠What is Quantum medicine and is it a scam?⁠ ⁠How to follow the beach flag system?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 8/7/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How our brains work during dreams is as fascinating as it is mysterious. Dreams can be hard to predict, and sometimes of course we end up having nightmares. Wouldn’t it be nice to have some control over what happens in our dreams? Well, as it turns out it may actually be possible to some extent. Well controlling dreams fully is a bit of a stretch. But according to neuroscience researchers from the universities of Freiburg and Tübingen in Germany, simply listening to an audiobook just before falling asleep is enough to have a significant impact on our dreams. How does it work? What can it be used for? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Why do some people sleep with their mouths open?⁠ ⁠How can you avoid bed bugs when you travel?⁠ ⁠What is microwork?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast : 14/10/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether it’s out of necessity or for enjoyment, lubricant helps a lot of people in their sex lives. According to The Cleveland Clinic: “Around 17% of people assigned female at birth (AFAB) age 18 to 50 report problems with vaginal dryness during sex, even before menopause takes place.” And that figure increases to 50% after menopause. There are a number of factors that can contribute to insufficient lubrication. These include certain hormonal contraceptives, medications, conditions like diabetes, or pregnancy and breastfeeding.  What’s the actual purpose of lubricant? Do lubricants actually enhance sexual pleasure though? How would I go about choosing the right one? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠What is sexsomnia?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What's the best time of day to have sex?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How can you revitalise your relationship with 3 expert sex tips?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 2/10/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think back to the story of Peter Pan, and more specifically the character of Wendy Darling, Peter’s friend who accompanies him to Neverland. She’s the eldest and most mature of the Darling siblings, and acts as a mother figure to Peter too. You could definitely describe her as caring, nurturing, responsible and self-sacrificing. Well those may sound like totally positive characteristics, but there is a flipside too. There are a lot of caring, nurturing people out there who just constantly need to satisfy others and tend to neglect themselves as a consequence. Who coined the term “Wendy Syndrome” to describe such people ? Is it a natural inclination? Is it similar to emotional labor ? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠Why do players have to wear white at Wimbledon?⁠ ⁠What is second child syndrome, the feeling affecting Prince Harry?⁠ ⁠What is Lima Syndrome?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 1/7/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Perfume is a luxury product worn by people all around the world, but fragrances are not without health risks. Perfumes use a mix of chemicals, some are natural, such as essential oils from plants, but many of them are synthetic, meaning they are created in a laboratory. The problem is that the perfume industry is not very transparent about what goes into their products. They can hide hundreds of ingredients under the vague term "fragrance", without disclosing them to the consumers or the regulators. This means that we don't really know what we're spraying on our skin, clothes, and hair and some can be irritating and cause allergies. Even high quality famous brands can contribute to allergies which affect between 5 and 25 million people in Europe. Which brands? How is this possible? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Why do mouth sounds drive some people crazy?⁠ ⁠Why does Ramadan start on a different date each year?⁠ ⁠How can I move house stress-free?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 13/3/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite its many benefits, sex can also bring on a bit of stress at times. You feel like you have to fit into a certain mould. Have sex often enough, but not too much or you might seem overly fixated. Don't lose your virginity too early, but don't wait too long either. Even sexual performance is expected to meet certain standards. Ultimately, sex, which is supposed to be one of the most intimate acts, comes with its own set of social pressures. And that can quickly take the fun out of bedroom escapades. How often do most people have sex then? Do men and women have the same level of sex drive? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Is there really such a thing as love at first sight?⁠ ⁠Which foods can hurt your libido?⁠ ⁠How do I know if I sleepwalk?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast 14/02/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to Whatsapp, over 7 billion voice notes are sent on the app every day. A lot of the time, they offer a more personal touch and clearer explanations than text messages. But not everyone is a fan.  Tech journalist Victoria Turk published an article on the Huffington Post in 2019 under the headline “Can We All Agree That WhatsApp Voice Notes Are Terrible?”, while in 2023 Women’s Health Mag ran a feature on voice note fatigue, marking the messaging feature’s 10th anniversary. Why do some people rely so heavily on voice notes? Why not just make a phone call instead? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Why do mouth sounds drive some people crazy?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why does Ramadan start on a different date each year?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How can I move house stress-free?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 14/3/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Using an ATM, paying for petrol or shopping at a retail store are pretty routine things that many of us do on a frequent basis. But it’s important to be aware of the often invisible threat posed by a criminal practice called skimming, which sees fraudsters clone bank cards.  Across the pond in the US, data analytics firm Fico reported a 96% increase in debit card skimming in 2023, and recent months have also seen prominent cases in the UK. Let’s take a moment to understand what skimming is a little better, and go over the best ways in which you can protect yourself. Is it really possible to clone a bank card? Once they have my card details, how do they use them? Are banks doing anything to protect consumers? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠How do sim swapping scams work?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is Quantum medicine and is it a scam?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why do web addresses start with www?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 12/6/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No doubt at some point in your life you’ve skipped a meal, whether it was to save money, lose weight or just because you were too damn busy with work. Maybe you even do it on a regular basis, without really knowing whether it’s good or bad for you. Skipping meals makes us more likely to snack afterwards, eating food items which are often high in fat and sugar. Another risk is that you compensate by overeating at your next mealtime. By taking on more calories than you need, you’ll accentuate feelings of hunger.  Can I at least skip breakfast? What about when I’m not feeling hungry at all? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠⁠What is stealth wealth?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is the European Political Community, the continent’s intergovernmental organization?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How much sleep should I get each night?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 10/5/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us have a ritual of falling asleep to our favorite tunes or a comforting podcast. It’s no surprise we find solace in this routine; after all, music is known to dial down blood pressure and heart rate, ease anxiety, and reduce cortisol levels. The benefits don’t stop there – music can also boost oxytocin production and sweep away those pesky negative thoughts, setting the stage for a peaceful night’s rest. For those battling chronic pain, melodies can be a balm, offering a more tranquil slumber thanks to music’s proven pain-dulling powers. In fact, the innovative Music Care app, developed by Dr. Stéphane Guétin, even lets healthcare providers prescribe tunes as a form of pain management. What’s the best soundtrack for slumber? Does a musical bedtime routine make a difference? Are there any potential pitfalls to this melodic method? And what about falling asleep with the TV on? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠How do I know if I'm addicted to sex?⁠ ⁠What is King Charles’ role in the Church of England?⁠ Where does our phobia of clowns come from? A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 9/5/24 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices