Do you really know?

Latest Episodes:

What is vitamin D? Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

This summer, relax and learn with Do You Really Know! It's time to learn all about the concepts, words and expressions that surround the summer season! What is vitamin D?

Vitamin D was discovered in 1922 by American biochemist Elmer McCollum, who was nicknamed Dr Vitamin by Time Magazine. He found that cod liver oil could still prevent rickets in rats, despite its vitamin A having been removed. From this observation, he deduced that it contained a different substance which he called vitamin D. A sufficient quantity of vitamin D is necessary during early childhood years in order to prevent rickets. In adults, it protects against osteoporosis and the deterioration of bone tissue. It also plays an important part in preventing breast cancer and colon cancer.

How do we produce or find Vitamin D then? But how does sunblock work then? What about skin colour; does that impact our ability to produce Vitamin D? ⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions !⁠

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here :

⁠Why do we get verrucas?⁠

⁠What is climate shadow, the newest way to measure your impact on global warming?⁠

⁠Why do our bodies need magnesium?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 16/8/2022

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How does the "Scully Effect" raise young women's interest in science fields? Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

The musical film The Little Mermaid was released in cinemas on 24 May 2023. This movie highlights the importance of representations in the media. This effect has a name: the Scully Effect.

The combination made for an unprecedented representation of women on TV at the time, with audiences far more accustomed to seeing scientists played by white men. The fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are grouped together under the name of STEM professions. And Dana Scully was one of the first female characters in such a field to feature on prime-time TV, which would inspire a generation of young women to start careers in STEM professions. The phenomenon has become referred to as the Scully Effect.

Is there any data to back it up? Why did Scully become such an inspirational figure? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the latest episodes, click here:

⁠What is the best time of day to take a shower?⁠

⁠How can I recognise ultra-processed foods?⁠

⁠How does the 3-30-300 rule affect my mental health?⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 7/10/2022

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Why are you exhausted after a day in the sun? Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

You’d think a day spent lounging on the beach would be the ultimate recharge. No deadlines, no emails, just rest and relaxation. And yet, by the time you head home, you’re wiped out. Not just relaxed, completely drained. It's supposed to be restful, so why does it feel like you’ve just run a marathon in flip-flops?

It’s not just the sun, it’s the heat, the humidity, and the work your body puts in to stay cool. Even when you're lying still, your internal systems are hustling to keep your core temperature around 37°C. The hotter it gets, the harder your body has to work.

How does the body manage that? At what point does heat become too much? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here:

Who was the real Count of Monte Cristo?

How can we choose the right sunscreen product?

Can I reuse sunscreen from one year to the next?

A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.

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Is feeding birds in your garden a bad idea? Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Leaving food out for the birds seems like a harmless and even generous idea, but research by the British Trust for Ornithology is showing that bird feeders might be doing more harm than good.

Between 2008 and 2018, chaffinch numbers dropped by 29 per cent in the UK, while 67 per cent of the country's greenfinches were lost, the study reveals.

How do bird feeders spread this disease? How can I keep using my bird feeder safely? Are there other ways to support birdlife in your garden? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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⁠Why will we be using liquefied natural gas to heat our homes this winter?⁠

⁠How can I improve my concentration at work?⁠

⁠What is Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, the disorder affecting Justin Bieber⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.

First Broadcast: 11/10/2022

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What is Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, the disorder affecting Justin Bieber? Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

In June 2022, Canadian superstar singer Justin Bieber took to Instagram to reveal that he has a rare neurological disorder called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.

He took a break from his world tour, and would do the same just a few months later, again using social media to tell fans about suffering with exhaustion and needing to “make health the priority”. After trying to restart the tour, he would eventually be forced to cancel his remaining concert dates.

How long have we known about this syndrome? What are its symptoms? Can you cure Ramsay Hunt syndrome? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the latest episodes, click here:

⁠Is binge drinking over in the UK?⁠

⁠How can I improve my posture in the office?⁠

⁠Why should I avoid showering after a workout?⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast : 8/10/2022

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Why does not getting enough sleep make you selfish? Jul 20, 2025

Show notes

Not getting a good night’s sleep can certainly leave you feeling grumpy and groggy, but can it also make you selfish? Sleep experts at the University of California, Berkeley certainly seem to think so, and apparently even losing just one hour of sleep is enough to make you less generous towards others and that includes friends and family.

The team conducted a number experiments which were published in the open-access journal. Over 100 participants were asked to fill out sleep diaries over four days - including how long they slept and if their sleep was interrupted then answer an ‘altruism questionnaire’ with questions like: “would you help if a stranger stopped to ask for directions while you were in a rush to get to work”.

What were the results? What impact could this have? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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⁠How does daylight saving affect your health?⁠

⁠How can I sleep well with a blocked nose?⁠

⁠Why is Disney becoming unpopular?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.

First broadcast: 6/9/2022

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What is an eco-friendly beach? Jul 20, 2025

Show notes

This summer, relax and learn with Do You Really Know! It's time to learn all about the concepts, words and expressions that surround the summer season!

What is an eco-friendly beach?

For many people, beaches are synonymous with the summer holiday season. Beach holidays have been popular since the second half of the 19th century, and are the archetypal form of mass tourism. With millions of people indulging in such getaways each year, it goes without saying that there’s a significant environmental impact. We regularly get riled when seeing pictures of beaches covered in plastic bottles, or turtles choking on straws. Around 10 million tonnes of waste end up in the ocean each year, with tourism hotspots creating 26% more than other cities.

Are you saying my new eco-friendly lifestyle isn’t compatible with a beach holiday? Wait a minute, should we stop using sunscreen then? ⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions !⁠

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here :

⁠Why do we get verrucas?⁠

⁠What is climate shadow, the newest way to measure your impact on global warming?⁠

⁠Why do our bodies need magnesium?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 15/7/2020

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Could intentional inflexibility help you succeed at work? Jul 19, 2025

Show notes

Multitasking, or the art of juggling several tasks at once, is more common than ever before in the workplace. In 2022, a German think tank called Next Work Innovation released a study which showed that knowledge workers are interrupted on average every four minutes during the working day!

In a past episode of Do You Really Know, we discussed how our brains manage to cope with multiple demands at once. Suffice to say: it’s not easy! It can be really tricky to focus again after a distraction, and many workers believe interruptions negatively impact their productivity and well-being at work.

Why is it so important to know how to say no then? How can I learn to say no then? What if saying no is just too difficult? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here:

⁠Could textertunism be damaging your friendships?⁠

⁠What foods should you avoid to lose belly fat?⁠

⁠How can I cut my summer holiday spending?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 22/7/2024

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Why do men always take care of the barbecue? Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Every summer, the pattern repeats itself: the drinks are flowing, the atmosphere is relaxed but as soon as it’s time to light the grill, men gravitate toward the fire while women handle everything else. The result is a quiet but familiar gender split. And it’s not just anecdotal.

According to an OpinionWay survey for Campingaz in 2015: when preparing a barbecue 75% of women do the shopping, 72% draw up the menus, 48% prepare the dishes, but when it comes to cooking the food, only 8% of them take care of the barbecue.

So what makes the barbecue such a masculine ritual? And what about the meat itself? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here:

Why do people say that black cats bring bad luck?

What are the dirtiest objects in your home?

Why do we get travel sick?

A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue

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What are the world's least safe travel destinations? Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

In past episodes of Do You Really Know, we’ve talked about the best holiday destinations in the UK and abroad, as well as how to find the most budget-friendly options. Today though, we’re going to talk about security.

The idea of visiting many countries all over the world is enticing, but it's important to remember that some destinations are significantly more dangerous than others. Rather than making decisions based on intuition, why not consider using guidance that’s actually based on facts and statistics. One such example is the annual risk map produced by Swedish software company Safeture, which ranks countries based on how safe they are for tourists.

Which are the most dangerous then? What if I really need to visit one of these countries? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

To listen to the last episodes, you can click here:

⁠Is Bedrotting bad for your health?⁠

⁠Could intentional inflexibility help you succeed at work?⁠

⁠Why do we get travel sick?⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 24/7/2024

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