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Latest Episodes:

Why is it so important that the ozone layer heals? May 09, 2025

Show notes

When it comes to news about the environment, it can feel like everything is doom and gloom. But we recently discussed how some people’s climate anxiety has turned into climate optimism of late, and that’s a trend that could continue this year.

One piece of good news relates to depletion of the ozone layer. You may well have heard of the so-called “hole” in the ozone layer. Well, the name is a little misleading. It actually refers to the ozone layer thinning in areas, rather than an actual hole. This phenomenon was first discovered in 1985 by Joseph Farman, Brian Gardiner and Jonathan Shanklin, all scientists at the British Antarctic Survey.

What’s the purpose of the ozone layer? How quickly will it be healed then? Will it be fully healed everywhere in the world? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠Aquamation : what are the advantages of being buried in water?⁠

⁠Why has the Doomsday Clock moved 10 seconds closer to midnight?⁠

⁠Am I listening to music too loud?⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

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What is the Dunning Kruger effect, the phenomenon that causes overconfidence? May 09, 2025

Show notes

Charles Darwin once wrote that “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge”, and real-life situations which reflect that are all too common. To cite just one prominent example, in January 1995, American men MacArthur Wheeler and Clifton Earl Johnson were arrested after carrying out coordinated bank robberies in the state of Pennsylvania.

Incredibly, they didn’t bother wearing masks, as they believed that rubbing lemon juice on their faces would make them invisible to security cameras. Actually no, but bear with me; I’m getting there. The case got a lot of media coverage, and piqued the curiosity of social psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger at Cornell University. They wanted to know how on earth someone could be so damn sure of themselves while believing something completely stupid.

Where does this effect come from? Is that what the Dunning and Kruger effect is then? What are the consequences of the Dunning Kruger effect? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠Why do some people believe in ghosts?⁠

⁠What is the placebo effect and how does it work?⁠

⁠Could chronoworking make you work more efficiently?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First broadcast: 15/2/2023

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Is wine in cans better for the environment? May 09, 2025

Show notes

First there were screw top wines, then wine in boxes and now the latest alternative is wine in cans. Although it’s still relatively niche, it's a fast growing market, making up around 10 % of overall wine sales in the US according to the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department at the University of Florida.

Glass bottles, according to a 2014 study by the Wine Institute, an industry association of California wineries, found that glass bottles accounted for 29% of the carbon footprint of wine. This however does not include the impact of transport or take into account the method used to create glass bottles in the first place which is itself very energy intensive. And, although glass is recyclable only 31% of bottles compared to 50% of aluminium cans are recycled in the US.

How is wine in cans better for the environment? What are the other advantages of wine in cans? But what about the taste? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠What are the biggest misconceptions on beating heatwaves?⁠

⁠What are the health benefits of using sex toys?⁠

⁠Which foods should I avoid after their expiry date?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First broadcast: 16/2/2023

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What is fika, the uplifting daily ritual from Sweden? May 08, 2025

Show notes

Scandi lifestyle trends have been all the rage for a number of years now. Regular listeners may remember we’ve talked about Hygge and lagom on the show in the past. Well here’s another one from Sweden.

Fika is basically a short break with friends, family or colleagues sharing a moment together while enjoying a hot beverage. On the face of it, the concept might sound pretty mundane, but it’s a real ritual which people across Sweden will tell you they can’t go without! According to Visit Sweden, it’s believed to come from the old spelling for coffee in Swedish, which was kaffi. Reverse the syllables of kaffi and you get fika.

What does the word fika actually mean? Isn’t it just a fancy coffee break? What’s the best food option to go with fika? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠Why is it so important that the ozone layer heals?⁠

⁠Aquamation : what are the advantages of being buried in water?⁠

⁠Why has the Doomsday Clock moved 10 seconds closer to midnight?⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is phubbing, the annoying habit that can ruin relationships? May 08, 2025

Show notes

Today, we’re talking about a new phenomenon that affects social interactions. Phubbing is something we've all likely experienced or done ourselves at some point. The term is a portmanteau of "phone" and "snubbing", and refers to the act of looking at your phone instead of paying attention to someone else in a social situation.

It’s becoming increasingly common as our reliance on our mobile devices continues to grow. The term was first introduced in 2012 by Australian advertising agency Maccann Erickson, as part of a campaign for the Macquarie Dictionary. The “A Word is Born” campaign was designed to demonstrate that language is constantly evolving and hence having an up-to-date dictionary is important.

Where does the term come from? Why do people phub then? How can we avoid phubbing someone? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠Is wine in cans better for the environment?⁠

⁠What is the Dunning Kruger effect, the phenomenon that causes overconfidence?⁠

⁠Why does time go by faster with age?⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 17/2/2023

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Is snoring really dangerous for your health? May 07, 2025

Show notes

It might seem like just a loud (and annoying) habit, but snoring can sometimes be a sign of deeper health issues—including sleep apnea, stroke risk, and even long-term brain damage.

In this episode, we break down why snoring happens, what it means for your health, and what evidence-based tips can actually help you or your partner stop.

Why do some people snore more than others? Can snoring really damage your health? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

Should you really invest in gold?

How can I avoid putting on weight when giving up smoking?

What is hogging?

A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance

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Is drinking decaf bad for my health? May 07, 2025

Show notes

Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, with an average of 98 million cups consumed in the UK every day, according to the British Coffee Association.

In moderation, there are plenty of benefits to be gained from drinking coffee, but there can also be some negative side effects, in particular due to its caffeine content. Decaf is an alternative, but is it really healthier? Our bodies don’t all process caffeine in the same way. It also depends on our sleep quality and the dose of caffeine.

What effects can caffeine have on our bodies? How is decaf actually produced? What about the benefits of drinking coffee? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠What is the 12 week method for achieving your goals?⁠

⁠Can this budgeting method help us save better?⁠

⁠Is taking milk with coffee good for you?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First broadcast: 21/07/2022

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Should you really invest in gold? May 05, 2025

Show notes

Gold has dazzled humans for thousands of years—but does that ancient allure make it a smart place to put your money today?

In this episode, we dig into the facts: why gold is seen as a safe haven during economic crises, how it can diversify your investment portfolio, and what hidden risks come with it—like price volatility, storage costs, and lack of income. We also bust the myths around “get-rich” gold schemes and explain why financial experts recommend capping your gold investments.

Should you buy gold in 2024? Or should you buy something else ? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

Could the liking gap be harming your new relationships?

Why do some people sleep with their mouths open?

How can I work better from home?

A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue

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What is hogging? May 05, 2025

Show notes

As 2021 draws to close, let’s discuss a word which has become more and more widespread in the United States at the end of the year. This contemptible practice was called out by young woman Megan Mapes on TikTok in October 2021. She had herself been a victim of hogging in an American college.

The sexist and fat phobic ritual has caught on in some fraternities in the US. Male students compete to have sex with the establishment’s fattest girls, simply for their own amusement and as part of a twisted challenge. Some frat boys boast to their peers about having sex with an overweight girl when it happens. There have even been occasions when they have come into the bedroom while the act is happening, to harass and mock the victim.

Are these students fat fetishists then? And why are we hearing about hogging now? Have there been other instances of hogging? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠Can I prevent hair loss?⁠

⁠Is using deodorant safe?⁠

⁠What is second child syndrome, the feeling affecting Prince Harry?⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 26/2/2024

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How can I avoid putting on weight when giving up smoking? May 05, 2025

Show notes

According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of smokers in the UK is estimated at 6.6 million. The proportion has been steadily dropping for years now. Given the health risks, you’d think smokers would be delighted to give up, but the prospect of putting on weight is a cause of concern for many.

To be fair, it i’s a well-founded fear to some extent. In 2014, Addiction journal reported that the average prevalence of weight gain after quitting smoking was 80%. In such cases, the average weight gain is 5 - 10lb. Of course, putting on a few pounds is far less dangerous than continuing to smoke, so the choice to quit should still be a no-brainer. Nevertheless, let’s delve deeper into the post-quitting weight gain phenomenon.

What effects do cigarettes have on the body? It must be difficult not to start compulsive eating, mustn’t it? What about going on a diet? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠What is eatertainment, the "next-level" dining experience?⁠

⁠Should vapes have the same restrictions as cigarettes?⁠

⁠Why do we get goosebumps?⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 2/3/2023

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