The extraordinary and hidden histories behind everyday objects and actions
World Service,·408 episodes
Why do some people expose themselves to risks and why are we so bad at assessing them?
26 Jun 2015,·17 mins
The origins and history of chillies and why we eat a food that burns
19 Jun 2015,·17 mins
What makes us draw, how do we get good at it and what do we reveal through our drawings?
12 Jun 2015,·17 mins
How did beards evolve and what is their purpose?
05 Jun 2015,·17 mins
Why do blue jeans have such global appeal?
29 May 2015,·17 mins
How the Y chromosome transforms a female embryo to a male one
22 May 2015,·17 mins
Why does television have such a powerful influence on our lives?
15 May 2015,·17 mins
What does collecting of inanimate objects bring to our lives?
08 May 2015,·17 mins
Why do we use jargon?
01 May 2015,·17 mins
Why do people try and project human qualities onto animals?
24 Apr 2015,·17 mins
How did modern circuses develop? And why do they appeal to adults and children worldwide?
17 Apr 2015,·17 mins
Does everyone’s mind wander? And why do we do it?
10 Apr 2015,·17 mins
Every year, across the world, around a million people take their own lives. But why?
03 Apr 2015,·17 mins
At the mercy of people smugglers, how do refugees make their often perilous journeys?
28 Mar 2015,·17 mins
Why more than 50 countries around the world still execute certain criminals
21 Mar 2015,·17 mins
Why do we lose our memories, and why are there are some things we can not forget?
14 Mar 2015,·17 mins
Why do we love stories about criminals and the people who bring them to justice?
07 Mar 2015,·17 mins
Mike Williams asks why we build tall buildings
28 Feb 2015,·17 mins
Why do the rich want to get richer? What drives the wealthy to want more?
21 Feb 2015,·17 mins
Why do some people give the vast majority of their money away?
14 Feb 2015,·17 mins
Watches have been an indicator of status since their invention. Mike Williams asks why
07 Feb 2015,·12 mins
Sad music has become more popular according to a recent study. Why do people listen to it?
31 Jan 2015,·17 mins
From identity symbols to signalling tools, why human societies are fascinated by flags
24 Jan 2015,·17 mins
Mike Williams asks why are we loyal, and who are we really loyal to?
17 Jan 2015,·17 mins
Why do we want to capture human faces?
10 Jan 2015,·17 mins
Why has the moon fascinated humans from every culture and for all time?
03 Jan 2015,·17 mins
People have fought for it and died for it. Why is this notion so powerful?
27 Dec 2014,·17 mins
Why do we use perfume and what does it say about us?
20 Dec 2014,·17 mins
Why do we share? And, what happens inside our brains when we do?
13 Dec 2014,·17 mins
Why does the naked human form provoke such strong reactions?
06 Dec 2014,·12 mins
