The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions
World Service,·408 episodes
Why do we cook food rather than just eat it raw?
29 Nov 2014,·17 mins
The disappearing art of the hand-written letter and three stories of love
22 Nov 2014,·17 mins
Why do we read, or write poetry, as opposed to prose?
15 Nov 2014,·17 mins
How we remember the dead, and why does it matter?
08 Nov 2014,·17 mins
How do we remember the dead and why does it matter?
06 Nov 2014,·49 mins
How has the 1500-year-old game mirrored politics and changes in society?
01 Nov 2014,·17 mins
What is embarrassment, why do we feel it and is it a good thing? Mike Williams finds out
24 Oct 2014,·17 mins
Is Karma fatalism or guidance on how to improve your life?
17 Oct 2014,·17 mins
Why do we place so much trust in brands? And who benefits from them?
10 Oct 2014,·17 mins
Why is it so hard to pin down what we mean by charisma?
03 Oct 2014,·17 mins
History’s greatest rivals, and the creative and destructive sides of rivalry
26 Sep 2014,·17 mins
Would you risk your life for a stranger?
19 Sep 2014,·17 mins
What brings people out into the streets to take direct action against the powerful?
12 Sep 2014,·17 mins
Celebrating the 100th edition of The Why Factor
05 Sep 2014,·17 mins
Why do people have gardens and do gardening?
29 Aug 2014,·17 mins
Why do we like to gossip – and is it good for us?
22 Aug 2014,·17 mins
Why do so many people claim to see ghosts?
15 Aug 2014,·17 mins
Associated with morality, modesty, politics and religion why is chastity so complicated?
09 Aug 2014,·17 mins
Why do we go on pilgrimages?
01 Aug 2014,·12 mins
Why do we go on long walks? Mike Williams finds out
25 Jul 2014,·17 mins
Why has the moon fascinated humans from every culture and for all time?
18 Jul 2014,·12 mins
Why do we say sorry – and what do we really mean by it?
11 Jul 2014,·17 mins
What is coincidence and why do we attach meaning to it?
04 Jul 2014,·17 mins
Why are we so drawn to symbols of statehood, and how can leaders use that loyalty?
28 Jun 2014,·17 mins
The power of patriotism from WW1 to today and truths and myths of the modern nation state
27 Jun 2014,·49 mins
What do our accents say about us? Why do they matter?
20 Jun 2014,·17 mins
Why is making eye contact so important?
13 Jun 2014,·17 mins
Mike Williams asks why the fool or jester has been an important figure in many cultures
06 Jun 2014,·17 mins
How to get ahead in diplomacy, from negotiations to polite language and secret code words
30 May 2014,·17 mins
Why are we competitive? Is it a natural instinct?
23 May 2014,·17 mins
