Do you really know?

You've probably noticed that as soon as the back-to-school season ends, stores start filling their shelves with chocolates, garlands, and Advent calendars. For many of us, it feels like an early jump into the holiday spirit, even before we've figured out our Christmas plans. But beyond the sometimes overly eager marketing by big retailers, there might be some wisdom in getting a head start on your end-of-year shopping. And a recent report from John Lewis revealed that a fifth of people in the UK are set to begin their Christmas planning in November this year.  Why is that then? And what about the holiday feast? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Should I be cleaning my belly button?⁠ ⁠What do you get better at with age?⁠ ⁠Why has astrology come back into fashion?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 5/11/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Around the age of 4, children develop a preference for using one of their hands to complete certain tasks, like drawing for example. The same goes for foot preference, when it comes to which foot they use to start going up a flight of stairs, or to kick a ball. It even goes for our eyes and ears. Generally when a child reaches the age of five, their preference for using one side of the body to carry out tasks is truly ingrained. This developmental process is known as right-left asymmetry. According to the US National Library of Medicine, 85-90% of adults are right-handed. What dictates whether we prefer using our left or right hand? Isn’t being left-handed hereditary? Why do people say that left-handed people are more creative? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠Is eating bread actually bad for you?⁠ ⁠How can I eat healthy on a budget?⁠ ⁠Are men still being paid more than women?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast. A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 13/4/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know that the effects of tobacco on the human body are devastating. The World Health Organisation says that it kills more than 8 million people each year, making it one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever seen. It’s hardly surprising when you consider that cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemical substances, and at least 50 of them are carcinogens, meaning they are linked to an increased risk of cancer. Many people will attempt to quit smoking as part of their New year’s resolutions, and we’re here to provide some information on the best ways to do so. It seems so, at least according to the most recent large-scale study on the subject which was published by Jama Network Open in October 2022.  If I give up, will my body ever fully recover? What different methods are out there? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠What is the olive theory from Tiktok?⁠ ⁠How does the vagus nerve affect your health?⁠ ⁠What is climate shadow, the newest way to measure your impact on global warming?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 31/12/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The internet knows everything about us. Even when we think we’re discreet, traces remain, bank accounts, emails, administrative forms, social media profiles. To vanish completely, you’d have to delete every account and disconnect entirely. It may sound extreme but for those facing harassment, identity theft, or stalking, it can feel necessary. So, where do you even start?
But what about others posting about me?
 Are websites actually obliged to erase my information?
And what if embarrassing content resurfaces years later?
So, can I really disappear without cutting ties to the digital world?
 In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠What is the internet of senses? ⁠How did Internet Explorer go out of fashion? What is Google Stadia? A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Wrap up warm, or you'll catch a cold!" No doubt you heard that advice a lot as a child, and you may well still hear it as an adult. For a long time, scientists were skeptical about the idea that simply being exposed to the cold could make a person sick. After all, to get sick, you need to actually come into contact with a microbe, like a virus. And cold weather itself isn't a disease. But recent developments suggest there may actually be some truth to the idea. In December 2022, The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology published a study by a team of American researchers, who had looked into how cold weather affected immunity in the nose. The researchers explained that our nasal mucous membranes, and in particular the extracellular vesicles, act as the first line of defense in our immune system against viral attacks. What do we know now that we didn’t before? But is the cold the sole culprit? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠How can I limit the effects of sugar on my health?⁠ ⁠What happens to your online life after you die?⁠ ⁠Why does cooking benefit our mental health?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 24/9/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

An infection becomes endemic in a population when it is constantly maintained at a baseline level. That happens when the circulation of the virus is taken under control and therefore becomes easier to monitor. A disease may be endemic in some areas and not in others, as in the case of malaria, for example. Other endemic diseases reappear in waves in certain seasons, as the flu does in winter. Covid-19 for example will likely return in waves. We have already developed effective vaccines against severe forms, and those will have to be adapted to new variants as is the case with the flu. At some point, new treatments will likely be developed, enabling Covid-19 patients to receive care similar to that administered in the case of other respiratory viral infections. So Covid-19 will become a disease like any other? Is it really wise to drop restrictions so quickly? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Should I be cleaning my belly button?⁠ ⁠What do you get better at with age?⁠ ⁠Why has astrology come back into fashion?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 28/02/22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Turmeric is a plant that belongs to the ginger family. It has a bright yellow-orange color, and a bitter and peppery taste. The main active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, a compound that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. One of the conditions that turmeric may help with is indigestion which can be caused by various factors, such as stress, overeating, alcohol, medications, or underlying diseases. However, one of the main causes is excess stomach acid, which can irritate the lining of the stomach and the esophagus causing symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, nausea, and heartburn. But what if there was a natural alternative to drugs? So, should you start taking tumeric? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Why do we get screen apnea?⁠ ⁠What is kalsarikännit?⁠ ⁠What are lucid dreams?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 19/10/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever been so fed up at work that you wanted to not only quit your job, but also make a statement while doing so? Well, that’s a workplace trend that’s really been on the rise in 2025, so much so that it’s been given its own name: revenge quitting. Fortune magazine says that it’s taken over from quiet quitting. Does revenge quitting mean storming out and slamming the door then? Why are more people choosing to do that then? So why is it Gen Z who are leading this trend? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What is “Act your Wage”, Gen Z’s latest work-life trend? Could job enrichment make your work more rewarding? What is the coffee cup test in job interviews? A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you die, your physical body may be gone, but your digital legacy lives on. Your digital legacy is everything you leave behind online, such as your social media accounts, emails, photos, videos, documents, and more. These may hold financial or sentimental value for you and your loved ones, but they can also pose some challenges and risks.  While most of us make a will stipulating what we want to happen to our possession, few of us consider how to manage our online presence once we are no longer present. The first step is to make an inventory of your online accounts and assets, write a list that includes the name of your accounts, website, and your username or account ID and be sure to keep it safe. And what do I do next? Are there any tools to help me? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Should I be cleaning my belly button?⁠ ⁠What do you get better at with age?⁠ ⁠Why has astrology come back into fashion?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 9/11/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes there’s a very thin line between friendship and love. You spend time with someone, you’ve got things in common, you make each other laugh.Things can easily get blurry. Imagine you’ve recently met someone and really hit it off; you’re at each other’s places all the time, maybe you’ve even kissed once or twice on a night out. Maybe it’s gone further than that. A Define the Relationship conversation or DTR for short, is a useful, if sometimes awkward chat that many people have when in a blossoming relationship. Without having a DTR, it can be difficult to put a label on it. But one has emerged which might fit the bill. The notion of a “situationship” has become more and more widespread, with the hashtag having recorded over 350 million views on Tiktok for example. What are the telltale signs? Why are more and more people winding up in situationships? How can I avoid a situationship? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Which foods are best for burning fat?⁠ ⁠What is intuitive eating?⁠ ⁠Are you a time optimist?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 8/8/22 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chromophobia is a term with Greek origins, referring to the fear of colours. Initially, it was a concept used in biology to describe cells unresponsive to colour, commonly employed in medical examinations. Over time, its use expanded into psychology, particularly in the context of the rejection and fear associated with specific colours. A pathological aversion to colours, or a particular colour, is relatively rare. The fear is often driven by the symbolism a colour carries, rather than the colour itself. Colours can trigger certain hormonal responses that, in turn, lead to psychological reactions. Which colours are people most likely to be afraid of then? And how so ? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What are the dangers of self-diagnosis?⁠ ⁠How does daylight saving affect your health?⁠ ⁠How can I sleep well with a blocked nose?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 30/10/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know the feeling: you’re running, cycling, or doing some other physical activity, and suddenly you feel a sharp pain in your side, just below your chest. It’s like someone is stabbing you with a needle, and it makes you want to stop and catch your breath. Although there is no precise definition of exactly what a stitch is, everyone knows how to recognise it. This pain, which often prevents you from breathing, walking or running properly, disappears a few minutes after you stop exerting yourself. And while it can be a little frightening, it is completely benign and causes no complications.  But where does the stitch come from? What can you do to avoid it? What if the stitch is already there? 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 Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 20/2/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A time optimist is someone who is overly optimistic about how much time they have to do something, and therefore often ends up being late or missing deadlines. They tend to underestimate how long tasks will take, overestimate how much they can accomplish in a given period, and ignore potential delays or interruptions. They may also have a distorted perception of time, losing track of how fast it passes or how much is left. Time optimists are not necessarily lazy or irresponsible. They may have good intentions and high ambitions, but they lack realistic planning and prioritisation skills. They may also suffer from procrastination, perfectionism, or fear of failure, which prevent them from starting or finishing tasks on time.  Are there any benefits to being a time optimist? And how can you become more punctual and productive if you are a time optimist? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is a transference in psychiatry?⁠ ⁠Does cold weather really make us sick?⁠ ⁠How to save money on your heating bill this winter?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 14/11/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A matcha in hand… a tote bag slung over the shoulder… black nail polish neatly applied… a carefully styled mullet… and a copy of Sally Rooney peeking from his back pocket. That’s the look of the so-called performative man. In the past few weeks, this character has turned into a full-blown meme, with videos racking up millions of views. On the surface, he checks all the boxes of a deconstructed man. But in reality, he often represents a slickly packaged version of masculinity 2.0. What does that mean, exactly?
 So how can you spot the difference between performance and sincerity?
 So how do you actually become an ally without overdoing it? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How is micro-feminism helping women combat workplace sexism? Do men really have a better sense of direction than women? Why has purple become the colour of feminism? A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cooking is a passion and hobby for a lot of people. They scour Pinterest for hours to pick the best recipe, dice their ingredients finely, let the food cook gently and even reuse leftovers in inventive ways. But for others, cooking is a hassle and a bother. Grocery shopping, the cooking itself and cleaning up all seems like a lot of effort. But maybe those people don't appreciate how cooking can actually benefit their mental health. In August 2023, Stylist.co.uk ran a feature on the mental health benefits of cooking. They spoke to Bayu Prihandito, a certified psychology advisor and life coach. He explained that when you cook, you enter what’s known as a 'flow state'. That’s basically a mental state where you’re fully engaged in an activity. It gives you a feeling of achievement and helps  lower stress. What kind of benefits are we talking about? What’s the best way to establish a regular cooking routine? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What happens to your online life after you die?⁠ ⁠How can I limit the effects of sugar on my health?⁠ ⁠What should I do with expired medicines?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 10/11/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever heard ot the stairs test? Experts say it’s an excellent gauge of a person’s overall health. The idea is to run up as many flights of stairs as your body allows you to. If you can’t manage two flights at a brisk pace, you may need to consider lifestyle changes to improve your health. Meanwhile if you can climb eight or more, the chances are you’re in excellent health already. But beyond being a good health indicator, taking the stairs is a fantastic way to stay in shape. It combines muscle strengthening and cardiorespiratory work. Whether it’s in public transport, at your workplace or even at home, I’m sure you can think of an opportunity to fit some stair-climbing into your daily routine. What does climbing stairs do to the body then? Why is it sometimes so challenging? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠How can you protect yourself from being mugged?⁠ ⁠How to use less water?⁠ ⁠How did Covid lead to the emergence of meta cities?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 2/2/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many times have you come across expired pills in your medicine cabinet and wondered  whether they we still safe to use? It’s pretty common, and often we consider using the medicine anyway, because we don’t have a prescription to get more, for example, or simply don’t want to waste what we already have. In early 2022, Censuswide conducted a survey on behalf of online pharmacist Chemist4U. It found that 36% of the UK residents surveyed said they had taken expired medicine in the past. That goes against official advice found on the NHS website though, which reads: “Medicines have expiry dates so you know when to use them by. After the expiry date medicines may not be safe or as effective.” Is safety compromised more for some types of medicine than others? What's the best way to store medicines to preserve their active ingredients? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What makes someone a cat person?⁠ ⁠What is an endemic?⁠ ⁠Why are more and more people paying to find love?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 8/11/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been labelled a “marvel of engineering” and a “miracle of convenience” by Harvard Health Publishing. Data published by Statista in July 2022 showed that in 2018, 93% of UK households owned a microwave, a figure which had risen from 67% when the survey started back in 1994. But still some doubts persist about whether microwaving food is bad for your health. Some people even say they cause cancer. Rest assured they don’t. But there are a range of other complaints and concerns over food quality and health. So, are they simply urban myths or based on frightening reality? Let’s investigate! How do microwaves work? What about all the radiation? Doesn’t microwaving food reduce nutrient value? 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: 21/1/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices