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Why are some kinds of fruit not considered vegan? Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

Ever had that moment when you're relishing a juicy fig, and someone drops the bomb that you might be chowing down on a wasp? Surprising as it sounds, it's true. Fig wasps do their thing by pollinating figs from the inside, but unfortunately, they sometimes get stuck in there! Now, bear in mind, these wasps are tiny, at around 1 to 2 mm tiny, so you won't notice them when you take a bite. But, let's switch gears from figs and delve into what makes a fruit not quite as vegan as you might think.

There are some steadfast rules for those rocking the vegan lifestyle: no animal flesh, no by-products from livestock like milk, eggs, cheese, or honey, and definitely no additives like E120, a colorant made from insects. That's the universal baseline. Beyond that, depending on personal beliefs, some might steer clear of non-organic or environmentally questionable items.

What about fruits that don't quite fit the vegan bill? How do I know if this is the case in my supermarket? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

What were the Most Shocking Moments of the Turner Prize?

What's really in vegan meat substitutes?

Which are the dirtiest parts of our bodies?

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

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

Are we more likely to fall in love when it's cold? Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

As winter quickly approaches, you might find yourself yearning to spend your evenings nestled on the couch, wrapped in a cosy blanket, sipping on hot tea or cocoa, all while enjoying a comforting movie – and ideally, with some company. You know, someone to share cuddles with. Who is that someone? Well, that's what cuffing season is all about.

Think of it as the time of year when temperatures drop, and single folks start looking to couple up for the duration of the winter – whether they're consciously seeking it or not. Interestingly, many breakups tend to happen come spring. While the term has been around for quite some time in North America, it gained popularity through the 2013 song 'Cuffin' Season' by rapper Fabolous. In it, he crooned, "Though we gotta say goodbye for the summer, baby, I promise you this, I'll send you all my love, every day in a letter, sealed with a kiss."

Does it really exists? And why ? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

What were the Most Shocking Moments of the Turner Prize?

What's really in vegan meat substitutes?

Which are the dirtiest parts of our bodies?

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

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

What were the Most Shocking Moments of the Turner Prize? Dec 12, 2023

Show notes

The Turner Prize was established in 1984 by a group of art patrons who wanted to celebrate and support innovative and experimental art in Britain. The prize is named after J.M.W. Turner, a radical painter who challenged the conventions of his time with his bold use of colour, light and movement. The prize is awarded every year by the Tate Gallery to an artist under 50 years old who has made a significant contribution to British art in the past year.

This year first prize was awarded to Jesse Darling, an Oxford-born artist who creates sculptures made of everyday objects that reflect the political and social realities of Britain and has received mixed reviews.

What are some of the more shocking works? And what makes the Turner Prize so shocking? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

Which are the dirtiest parts of our bodies?

Why do we cross our fingers to wish for luck?

Which conspiracy theories were actually true?

A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.

In partnership with upday UK.

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

Which are the dirtiest parts of our bodies? Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

Our bodies are covered in billions of bacteria, and while some are good for our skin barrier, others can be troublemakers, contributing to the development of skin diseases. In September 2023, American researchers from George Washington University published a study in Frontiers in Microbiology. It found that our skin hosts its own microbiota, much like our intestines.

This microbiota is a mix of millions of viruses, bacteria, and tiny fungi. Interestingly, they noted that the composition of the skin microbiota changes based on whether the skin is dry, moist, or oily. Over four years of studying the skin of 129 Americans, they pinpointed two areas with a high concentration of harmful bacteria.

Are we talking about the belly button and armpits? What kind of skin issues can these bacteria cause? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

What causes tocophobia, the fear of pregnancy and childbirth?

Is it a good idea to sleep with my pet?

How did flat Earth conspiracy theory start?

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

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

Why do we cross our fingers to wish for luck? Dec 10, 2023

Show notes

Whether it’s making a wish over a birthday cake, waiting for lottery results, or opening an email following a job interview, it's pretty common to cross your fingers. It’s a way of communicating that we’re hoping luck swings in our favor and our wishes come true. Often, you don’t even need to physically cross your fingers; simply saying "Fingers crossed” is enough to get the message across. But the roots of this tradition go way back.

In the Middle Ages, folks crossed their fingers to ward off the Devil, mimicking the famous exorcism phrase "Vade Retro Satana" or "Back off, Satan!" uttered by a priest holding a cross. Yet, people were crossing their fingers for luck long before the Middle Ages.

Are you saying that it originally had nothing to do with religion at all then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

What causes tocophobia, the fear of pregnancy and childbirth?

Is it a good idea to sleep with my pet?

How did flat Earth conspiracy theory start?

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

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

Is holding back a sneeze dangerous? Dec 09, 2023

Show notes

Whether it's a matter of courtesy or preventing the spread of germs, it's not uncommon for people to hold back a sneeze. When this happens, the intercostal muscles contract strongly, but without the release of air if the nose is pinched or the mouth is closed. However, sneezing is a natural bodily reflex designed to expel dust, microbes, or any other irritating substances from the nasal cavity.

Our respiratory system comes equipped with a filter lining the airways. Dust and allergens, for instance, are wrapped in mucus and propelled by vibratile cilia. Sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose helps expel this mixture, effectively cleansing the respiratory passages.

So are you saying that sneezing is important? What kind of consequences are we talking about? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

What's the best way to choose my toothpaste?

Is it a good idea to sleep with my pet?

How did flat Earth conspiracy theory start?

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

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

What causes tocophobia, the fear of pregnancy and childbirth? Dec 08, 2023

Show notes

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.

In partnership with upday UK.

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

How did flat Earth conspiracy theory start? Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

Flat Earthers believe that the Earth is not spherical, but rather a flat disc and the Sun and the Moon are also flat discs that circle above the Earth. According to them the edges of the world are surrounded by a wall of ice, which is what we know as Antarctica. And as for the pictures of the Earth from space - they are all fake, part of a huge conspiracy to hide the truth.

The earliest cultures that believed in a flat Earth were the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks. They had different models that depicted the Earth as a flat surface, often supported by pillars or resting on a giant animal. But not all ancient Greeks shared this belief.

Why have people started believing in this again? And why do some people still believe in the flat Earth theory despite all the evidence that contradicts it? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

What's the best way to choose my toothpaste?

What are the dangers of hustle culture?

What is the Mandela Effect?

A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.

In partnership with upday UK.

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

What are the dangers of hustle culture? Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

"There are way easier places to work, but nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week." That’s exactly what Elon Musk tweeted in November 2018, as part of a call for new talent to join his companies.The post went viral, leading to a lot of people critiquing Musk's take on work and merit. Despite the criticism he faced, a lot of people, and followers of hustle culture in particular, stood firmly behind him.

Hustle culture essentially glorifies putting in excessive effort at work, often at the expense of health and personal relationships. In this mindset, our identity becomes intertwined with our work role, with work being seen not as a means to a comfortable life but as an end in itself.

When did the trend of hustle culture really kick off? Is there a shift happening? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

How can I avoid falling victim to roaching?

What are the dangers with being overly perfectionist?

What is the Mandela Effect?

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

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

What's the best way to choose my toothpaste? Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

Choosing the right toothpaste can be a bit of a challenge, either because there's a plethora of options or because you might have specific requirements. It's not always clear what these products contain, whether it's advisable to steer clear of certain toothpaste, or if the organic versions are just as effective.

The main goal is to tackle dental plaque before it turns into tartar, preventing issues like cavities, bad breath, and bacterial infections. According to tooth-doctor.com, a crucial factor for toothpaste effectiveness is the fluoride content. This trace element strengthens enamel and helps prevent cavities, with the recommended concentration varying based on age and individual cavity risk. The NHS suggests that “toothpastes containing 1,350 to 1,500 parts per million fluoride are the most effective” for adults and children over 7.

What's in toothpaste? So, what should one go for? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

What is the Mandela Effect?

What are the dangers with being overly perfectionist?

How can I avoid falling victim to roaching?

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

In partnership with upday UK.

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