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

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

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

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

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

After the emergence of ‘quiet quitting’, it's now the turn of quiet hiring. And although the term is relatively new, the practice is not. The term "quiet hiring" first appeared in the report "9 Future of Work Trends for 2023" published at the end of 2022 by Emily McRae, a philosophy professor in New Mexico, USA.  She explains that this phenomenon follows on from the quiet quitting craze that emerged in 2021 after the Covid-19 pandemic which saw a huge wave of resignations sweep the country with nearly 4 million people quitting their jobs every month during this period. Quiet quitters complain that their workload was too heavy for their salary and that Managers were unclear about their tasks or workload, rewarding best performance and thus pushing them to work more.  Where does it come from? But what does this have to do with quiet hiring? But doesn't that open up more opportunities? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠How does eldest daughter syndrome affect some women?⁠ ⁠What is a kakistocracy, in the world of work ?⁠ ⁠What does vaping do to the body?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 18/4/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are plenty of ways to get the attention of someone you're crushing on. It might come very naturally to some, but for others, flirting can be an intimidating proposition. Have you ever wondered if someone is flirting with you, because of their somewhat ambiguous approach? Well, they may have been micro-flirting, a technique that dating experts say is used by shy men in particular. And there are actually some pretty recognisable under-the-radar strategies that qualify as micro-flirting, which is what we’re going to shed light on today. How exactly does one micro-flirt then? Why do shy people tend to veer towards a micro-flirting approach then? 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 : 15/05/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intermittent fasting has been making waves, especially on social media, where it's often hailed as a miracle fix for weight loss. While it's no silver bullet, fasting can be an effective tool when part of a well-rounded lifestyle tailored to individual needs. Intermittent fasting is a pattern of eating that alternates between periods of fasting, usually 12 to 16 hours, and eating. Staying hydrated is key. The British Dietetic Association notes that this break can help regulate insulin levels and reduce fat storage. Unlike typical diets, it focuses on when you eat, not what, which may make it easier to stick to. Isn’t this how the human body evolved to function? Is intermittent fasting safe for everyone? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What are primitive reflexes?⁠ ⁠Is staying friends with an ex really a good idea?⁠ ⁠Is sex without feelings ever a good idea?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.  First Broadcast: 1/9/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Polish-American man Leo Gerstenzang is credited with inventing the humble cotton bud in the 1920s, an item which has since gone on to be used for many different purposes, having originally been thought up as a baby hygiene product.Yougov research from 2019 found that 62% of Brits use cotton buds to clean their ears, and 22% of us only use them for that purpose. That’s particularly true for men, given women are more likely to use them for touching up nail polish mistakes, or applying make up.  But you may well have heard warnings that cotton buds can be bad for you. 2019 also saw the unlikely case of a man who developed a severe bacterial infection, which sprread to the lining of his brain, after the tip of a cotton bud got stuck inside his ear. He ended up having a seizure and had to be treated at University Hostpital Coventry, according to Livescience.com. How can I clean my ears then? Are there any safe ways? 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: 21/2/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a lot of popular ideas out there about body hair removal. Shave too much and the hair becomes thicker. Wax, and it will gradually start thinning out. It can be hard to know who or what to believe. Both women and men increasingly spend a lot of their time and money removing body hair, even though it acts as a barrier to bacteria, and sexually transmitted diseases in the case of pubic hair. Shaving with a razor, using an electric epilator and waxing all have their own pros and cons. But let’s take a moment to consider the rarely discussed topic of whether any of them pose health risks. Shaving for example is perhaps the most popular hair removal method due to how quick, easy and cheap it is. Using a razor is actually quite harsh on the skin though, and tends to dry it out in the long run. Depilatory creams are a gentler alternative, but they also contain certain hair-softening chemicals which can irritate the skin or worse, trigger an allergic reaction. Are there any risks associated with waxing? It is said that bikini waxing can be particularly harmful. Is that true? 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: 28/2/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fear of the dark is very common for children and usually starts between the ages of 5 and 10. At this age, children become more aware of the dangers around them. However, they often have difficulty correctly assessing just how real these dangers are. Usually, this fear disappears naturally as children gain confidence and grow up, but in rarer cases it may persist into adulthood. Principally, it is because darkness alters our main sense of reference: sight. This sense has taken over from the others, and human beings are particularly helpless in the dark. Not being able to see what's around us generates a feeling of insecurity. So, deprived of sight, the imagination runs riot, and our brains fill in the void with monsters under the bed!  Folk tales, fairy tales and legends often reinforce this, conveying the idea that the dark is the playground of evil creatures. Why do we fear the dark ? Has it always existed ? What’s the difference between fear and phobia ? How can you overcome your fear ? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Which bread is best for your health?⁠ ⁠Has the climate breakdown really begun?⁠ ⁠How small is a micropenis?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 4/4/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve all got fears. For some, it’s the dark, for others, it’s spiders, heights, or maybe even something as ordinary as a phone call. But when those fears take root and are no longer reasonable; when they take over, that’s when they cross into the territory of phobias. Phobias remind us that our brains, for all their brilliance, aren’t always working in our favor and are flawed. According to a survey by Anxiety UK, there are ten phobias that show up more often than the rest. So what are these phobias? And are there any phobias related to animals?In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Where does our phobia of clowns come from? Can I cure my fear of spiders? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠What is omphalophobia, the fear of belly buttons? A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Halloween is here and if you’re anything like us, you’ll be frantically doing some last-minute pumpkin carving or stocking up on sweets for trick-or-treaters. Maybe you’re going to a Halloween party dressed up as a ghost, witch or any other kind of spooky creature. But have you ever wondered where all these quirky customs came from? While Halloween seems like a very modern celebration, its origins actually go back well over 1000 years. It started out with an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain (Sow-in). As you may know, the Celts lived in the area that is now Ireland, the UK and the north of France. They would celebrate their new year on 1st November, a night on which they believed the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred, with the ghosts of the dead returning to earth. Who were the first people to come up with the idea then? What about trick-or-treating and some of the other modern customs, where do they come from? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠Why is my circadian rhythm so important?⁠ ⁠Why do we enjoy being scared?⁠ ⁠What is an oil shock?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and produced by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 31/10/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In November 2023, a spooky makeup trend took TikTok by storm. Users posted images of themselves with full-coverage, pale foundation for a ghostly vibe, intense grey contouring, hidden eyebrows, and pencil-altered lips. The aim behind those creative efforts was actually to resemble humanoid creatures, and elicit a particular reaction known as “uncanny valley” from viewers. And the trend garnered a lot of attention. As of November 13th, Forbes reported that the #uncannyvalley hashtag had amassed 821 million views. The funny thing is that the origins of the uncanny valley phenomenon actually have nothing to do with makeup at all. What does it mean then? Where does the 'valley' part come from? 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: 3/2/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's not uncommon for sparks to fly in unexpected ways during intimate moments; sometimes literally! You’ve most likely gone in to kiss someone only to get a small shock when your lips touch. You may have also noticed it tends to happen more often in winter. Have you ever wondered what actually causes these jolts of electricity between couples? Let’s unravel the science behind the mystery. Isn’t it all to do with having good chemistry? How does static electricity work? What’s the impact on our body? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What threat does the Year 2038 problem pose to our computers?⁠ ⁠Which foods shouldn't be eaten together?⁠ ⁠What is social jet lag?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 09/09/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ghost stories told around a camp fire, visiting a haunted house or watching a scary film are all common Halloween activities. We clearly enjoy scaring each-other and feeling scared, even though it seems completely counter intuitive. There are a number of reasons for this, which we'll explore in the episode. Fear is an emotional response to danger, both real or perceived. Our body releases a mixture of adrenaline and cortisol and triggers our ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response. It makes us more alert, speeds up our heart rate and increases our blood pressure. We breathe faster, delivering more oxygen to the brain, and our glucose levels spike, giving us an energy boost so we are ready to act or react.  How does fear affect us physically? Is feeling relief the only reason we like to feel scared? Can you have too much of a good thing? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is chromophobia?⁠ ⁠Why do we jump when we get scared?⁠ ⁠Why does not getting enough sleep make you selfish?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First broadcast: 27/10/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In economic terms, a speculative bubble refers to a situation in which the price of an asset becomes heavily overvalued. An asset could be anything from company shares and property to cryptocurrencies. But eventually, reality catches up. Investors begin to realise the asset isn’t actually worth as much as they thought, confidence fades, and many rush to sell. When everyone sells at once, prices collapse, leading to what’s commonly known as a crash. But what exactly is a speculative bubble? Have there been bubbles like this before? Does the consensus say that AI is a bubble then?In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Which jobs are most under threat from artificial intelligence? What does the popcorn index teach us about the economy? Why don't prices fall when inflation slows?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mugging is a form of robbery that involves violence or the threat of violence against a person in a public place. It’s also known as street robbery or personal robbery. However, would-be muggers have been foiled by a recent covert police operation in London which aimed at reducing street theft.  Brave officers posed as potential victims by wearing expensive luxury watches to tempt thieves and hanging around in dangerous places, then when anyone attempted to steal the watches they were arrested by hidden officers lying in wait. And it has been successful, the operation reduced annual watch robberies from 113 to 55 last year in three central London boroughs.  Who are the most likely victims and perpetrators of mugging? So how can you avoid being mugged or minimise the harm if you are attacked? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Why do women live longer than men?⁠ ⁠Does money really make us happy?⁠ ⁠Do I need to take vitamin D supplements?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 1/2/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the NHS, approximately 1,600 babies are born every day in the United Kingdom. But what often goes unspoken are the nine months leading up to this event—the periods of anxiety, doubt, and self-discovery that mothers inevitably experience.  A study published in Evolution, Medicine & Public Health journal in April 2023, found that 62% of women grapple with a panic-inducing fear of pregnancy and childbirth. Psychologists refer to this phenomenon as tocophobia. So, where does tocophobia come from? What are its symptoms then? And how can a woman overcome it? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠How did flat Earth conspiracy theory start?⁠ ⁠Is it a good idea to sleep with my pet?⁠ ⁠What's the best way to choose my toothpaste?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 8/12/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've all experienced that strange sensation of stepping out of the bath or swimming pool, and noticing grooves which have formed on the tips of our fingers. Have you ever wondered why that happens? It's not just because our skin absorbs water and swells up, as you might think. It's actually also down to our nervous system being at work, causing our blood vessels to constrict. So, what's happening is that the blood vessels in our fingers narrow down, making our fingers shrink in size, while the skin remains the same. As a result, the skin wrinkles and those grooves appear. It's all controlled by our nervous system. Does that wrinkling serve any purpose for our bodies? Why do our toes wrinkle too then? There you have it, now you know why our fingers wrinkle in water! In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is the living dead syndrome?⁠ ⁠How to make the most out of hybrid working?⁠ ⁠Does sex help us to sleep better?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 20/3/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices