Undercurrent Stories
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Discovering the hidden depths of the people and world around us.
Documentary interview show with an eclectic mix of people and subjects including: history, music, philosophy, the outdoors, wildlife, food and drink, sport, personal achievements, spirituality and many more.
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177 Episodes
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What happens when a world war collides with centuries of unresolved tension? In the final episode of our mini-series on the Irish Troubles, Dr Thomas Leahy guides us from the outbreak of the First World War through to the conditions that ignited what we now call the Troubles. This is the turning point — where long-standing fears, loyalties, and political gambles harden into something far more dangerous. We explore how Home Rule was postponed by global conflict, why armed movements emerg...
How did centuries of history shape the Irish Troubles? In this second episode about the history of 'The Troubles' Dr Thomas Leahy traces the roots of the conflict from the 17th century to the eve of the First World War. From Cromwell and the plantations to rebellion, famine, and the fight for Home Rule, this episode reveals how power, religion, and identity became deeply entangled in Ireland. Rather than starting with violence, this conversation shows how division was built slowly — through l...
In today’s episode, (the first of 3), we take a deep dive into one of the most defining and emotionally charged chapters of modern British and Irish history — the Troubles. With the anniversary of the Downing Street Declaration approaching, this is a timely and gripping dive into the people, politics, and centuries-long tensions that shaped the conflict. Many of us, myself included, were brought up during 'The Troubles' and never fully understood the long history of division and conflict asso...
Why is English always changing—and why does that change so often make us uneasy? In this fascinating conversation, we're joined by linguist, author, and University of Michigan Dean Professor Anne Curzan to explore how English evolves, who influences that change, and what our reactions to new words and usages reveal about culture, identity, and power. Anne shares insights from her latest book Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words, and unpacks everything from...
'Beer built the fortune but the stories and legacy that the Guinness's left behind are far richer.' Most people know the beer few know the people or the houses. Join me in conversation with historian, Adrian Tinniswood as he takes us on a lavish journey through the Houses of Guinness. Footmen, lavish parties, eccentric rituals—Adrian takes us inside the world most of us only see in period dramas. The Houses of Guinness weren't just beautiful homes, they were engines of power. Adrian reveals w...
Have you ever wondered why some people always seem to get the best opportunities — the ideal job, the perfect house, or even a place for the kids in the school everyone wants — while others, just as qualified, miss out? It’s tempting to call it luck. But what if luck isn’t random at all — what if it’s designed? My guest today, Judd Kessler, is a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and one of the leading thinkers in behavioural economics and market design. His new...
Today, on Undercurrent Stories, we turn our attention to the grand sweep of human history — from the hunter-gatherers of the Paleolithic to the great empires of Egypt and Rome, and onward to our interconnected, fragile world of today. At the heart of our discussion lies a question as old as civilisation itself: why do societies rise — and why do they fall? My guest is Dr Luke Kemp, a researcher at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and author of Goliath’s C...
For centuries, humans have looked to the sky in search of signs. Today, our tools are satellites and data models rather than clouds and folklore. In this episode, we hear from Thomas Weber about the people and technology transforming meteorology, and how accurate forecasts are reshaping lives across the globe. About Thomas; Thomas E. Weber is an American journalist and author known for exploring the intersection of science, technology, and society. A Princeton graduate, he began h...
Paleontologist and author Armin Schmitt returns to the show where we explore two remarkable dinosaur discoveries that are reshaping what we know about life millions of years ago. From the longest dinosaur trackway ever uncovered in Oxfordshire, England, to the first-ever discovery of fossilised gut contents inside a sauropod in Australia, Armin shares the science — and the stories — behind these once-in-a-lifetime finds. We hear how ancient footprints reveal the daily lives of long-necked gia...
In this episode, we explore the the biggest question of all: How did we get here? Joining me is Professor Tim Coulson, biologist and zoologist at the University of Oxford and author of A Little History of Everything: From the Big Bang to You. Tim traces our story from the birth of the universe to the emergence of life and consciousness — touching on physics, chemistry, biology, and the scientific method that ties it all together. It’s an enlightening, accessible, and awe-inspiring conversatio...
In this episode I'm delighted to welcome musician, producer and sound pioneer Martyn Ware to the show. Martyn takes us back to his Sheffield roots and shares how the experimental beginnings of The Human League led to the formation of Heaven 17. He opens up about the split with Phil Oakey, the creation of groundbreaking tracks like Being Boiled, and how Heaven 17 carved out their place in 80s synthpop history. Beyond the hits, Martyn reflects on his production work — including helping relaunch...
Today we have a really special guest with us. An international athlete, he competed in the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics in the discus and won bronze and silver medals in successive Commonwealth games from 1970 to 1974. He was the British National discus champion on 7 occasions and held the British record for 25 years. Since then he has been a leading sports administrator, academic and author and so I am delighted to welcome a true titan of British athletics - Bill Tancred! Links to...
In this enlightening episode, we delve into the profound impact of music on the human brain. Join us as we explore how melodies and rhythms can evoke emotions, enhance mental health, and serve as a powerful therapeutic tool. With insights from leading neuroscientist Stefan Kölsch, discover the science behind music's ability to heal and transform our minds. Whether you're a music enthusiast or curious about its healing potential, this episode offers a captivating journey into the world o...
Today I’m joined by returning guest Steve Carroll — artist, lecturer, and author of the Diaspora science fiction series. In this episode, Steve opens up about the creative process behind his writing, and we dive deep into the role of characters in storytelling — how they evolve, why they matter, and what they can teach us about resilience, belonging, and transformation. It’s an inspiring discussion not just for writers or sci-fi fans, but for anyone interested in how creativity reflects real ...
Acclaimed historical fiction author Tony Riches returns to Undercurrent Stories to discuss his latest Tudor novels, Bess: Tudor Gentlewoman and Frances: Tudor Countess. We explore the hidden influence of Elizabeth I’s ladies-in-waiting, the challenges of bringing real historical figures to life, and why these women’s stories still resonate today. Perfect for fans of Tudor history, historical fiction, and untold stories from the past. Tony's links: Website: https://www.tonyriches.c...
In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Colin Fisher, author of the book The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups. Colin’s journey is a fascinating one—starting out as a professional jazz trumpet player before becoming a leading scholar in organisational behaviour. His research digs into the dynamics of how groups and teams really work, why they so often succeed—or fail—and what leaders can do to harness their true potential. We talk about everything from sports and musi...
Singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer Quint Starkie joins us from his UK tour to talk about music, meaning, and finding his true voice. From growing up in Lancashire to playing Hollywood clubs, and from house concerts in Sweden to emotional returns to the UK, Quint shares his journey with warmth, humour, and honesty. 🎶 Hear about: His early days learning classical guitarA life-changing offer on a yacht in NorwayRecording with Francis Dunnery, (It Bites) and learning to “be aut...
Have you ever wondered what it really takes to produce a classic hit? Or what goes through a producer’s mind when they're building a song from the ground up—or tearing it down to start again? Here to help us understand that process is Stephen Lipson. Stephen is the legendary producer and creative mastermind behind iconic tracks from Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Grace Jones, Annie Lennox, Simple Minds and many more including collaborations on film music such as Batman: The Dark Knigh...
In this episode of Undercurrent Stories, we sit down with Pulitzer prize winning journalist and bestselling author Gary Rivlin to explore the trillion-dollar race to dominate artificial intelligence. Gary, a former New York Times correspondent and veteran Silicon Valley reporter, shares insights from his latest book, AI Valley, which tells the behind-the-scenes story of tech giants, ambitious founders, and the complex world of AI development. From the origins of artificial intelligence in the...
In this episode, I’m delighted to speak with Rachel Barker, a leading expert in art conservation and the founder of Rachel Barker Associates. With a career spanning decades — including over 20 years at the Tate Gallery — Rachel has restored some of the most iconic works of modern art, from Lichtenstein’s Whaam! to the vandalised Rothko Seagram mural. Rachel shares her personal journey from growing up amid the Troubles in Belfast to developing a deep love of art and science that led her into t...
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