Do you really know?

Latest Episodes:

What is premium mediocre - the illusion of luxury? Jan 25, 2026

Show notes

November is synonymous with Black Friday, great deals but what cost? Over consumption is endangering our already fragile planet. Is it time to change our ways? This week Do You Really Know is highlighting concepts and initiatives about reducing our consumption.

You might not be able to afford a Balenciaga coat, a Prada bag or a Chanel suit, but you could probably stretch to a branded baseball cap, pair of socks or some other small accessory. According to blogger Venkatesh Rao this is the definition of ‘premium mediocre’ a term he came up with to describe the illusion of luxury without the price tag.

Is premium mediocre just for fashion? What is the problem with premium mediocre? Why do people purchase premium mediocre products? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠⁠What are the health impacts of taking public transport?⁠⁠

⁠⁠Does true crime help us fall asleep?⁠⁠

⁠⁠What is goblin mode?⁠⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First broadcast: 22/10/2022

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What is myopia? Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

What is myopia?

According to a 2019 study from the Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science journal, almost 60% of all humans will have some form of myopia by 2050. That means as many as 5 billion people will be short-sighted, unable to clearly see objects more than 5 yards away. And that’s not at all; already one in three people suffer from myopia, a figure which rises to nearly 50% in some parts of east Asia! Some observers have labelled myopia an epidemic and researchers believe the increase is largely linked to lifestyle factors. We’re spending less time outdoors and more time on intense close up viewing activities.

I thought myopia was a hereditary condition What does daylight have to do with it? Is myopia a serious condition? ⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!⁠

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

⁠What is nuclear deterrence?⁠

⁠What is the Wagner Group?⁠

⁠What is the Azov Battalion?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 24/3/2022

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What is the Barnum effect? Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever felt like your horoscope was written just for you? Or a fortune’s cookie advice seemed incredibly relevant? You may be surprised, but it’s actually not such a coincidence after all. This psychological phenomenon is known as the Barnum effect.

It’s a cognitive bias that occurs when people believe that generic personality descriptions and statements apply specifically to them. It may explain how practices such as astrology, fortune telling and personality tests have become relatively accepted despite lacking any basis in fact. Of course, people offering such services may not be aware of the Barnum effect label, but many understand how it works and seek to exploit it for their gain.

Where does the name come from? So the professor was slacking rather than the students on that occasion! In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠What is astropsychology?⁠

⁠What is a Saturn return in astrology?⁠

⁠Why has astrology come back into fashion?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First broadcast: 1/3/2022.

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Why do some stroke victims wake up with a foreign accent? Jan 24, 2026

Show notes

The idea might seem like something out of a fantasy, but “Foreign Accent Syndrome” is a genuine, albeit very rare, neurological condition! It sees a person begin to speak with an accent different to the one they had prior to having a stroke; one which makes them sound like they come from an entirely different country!

Since the first case was discovered in France in 1907, there have only been about 100 documented cases worldwide, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But certain cases have attracted the attention of the media and scientific researchers alike. One dates back to 1941 in Oslo, Norway, during a period of German occupation.

What is the foreign accent syndrom? What exactly happens in the brain in such cases? How serious can the syndrome be? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠⁠⁠How to spot, prevent and treat heatstroke ?⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠What are the strangest reactions caused by an orgasm?⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠How can I learn 1000 words in a new language?⁠⁠⁠

A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.

First Broadcast: 10/1/2025

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What is Stan Culture ? Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

This week, we're looking back at 10 words and phrases that have been on everyone's lips in 2022. From the Uber Files leak to "shrinkflation" in stores or "quiet quitting" at work, refresh your memory on some of the events and phenomena that best sum up the year gone by.

Little did Eminem know when he invented obsessed super fan Stan for a track on The Marshall Mathers LP in 2000, that over two decades later the term would still be used, albeit with a twist.The fictional fan Eminem wrote about ended up killing himself and his pregnant wife when his favourite rapper never replied to his letters. Nowadays, the term mostly refers to hardcore fan communities who are extremely active on social media.

How did stan culture emerge? Can you give me some examples? Stans sure are quick to jump to conclusions, aren’t they? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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⁠Why do Christmas decorations make me feel happier?⁠

⁠How can I choose the perfect gift, according to science?⁠

⁠Why is the latest wave of Covid-19 destabilising the Chinese regime?⁠

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

First Broadcast: 20/12/2020

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What is an anocracy? Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Let’s think back to January 6th 2021, when the U.S. Capitol was invaded by radical pro-Trump activists. Of course since then, Donald Trump has left the White House. But, with hindsight, how should we remember his mandate and this event in particular?

Political scientist Baraba F. Walter recently looked into the US's current instability and went as far as describing it as an anocracy. That’s a term for a government that is neither fully democratic, nor fully autocratic. It was first coined in 1946 by Austrian philosopher Martin Buber and then translated into English in the 1950s. Barbara Walter is a CIA advisor and professor at the University of San Diego in California. Throughout her career, she has studied conflicts in many countries across the world, such as Lebanon, Syria, Sri Lanka, and Nicaragua, to name just a few.

Where does the word anocracy come from? Why would she believe that? And how can an anocracy plunge into civil war? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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⁠Are my smart devices spying on me?⁠

⁠What is synthetic fuel?⁠

⁠What is a frozen conflict?⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast. Written and produced by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 19/1/2023

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What is Quantum medicine and is it a scam? Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

In January 2024, the renowned French perfumery Guerlain is set to unveil a groundbreaking range of products inspired by quantum physics. Their marketing promises a revolutionary approach to skincare, stating: "After 20 years’ research, Guerlain has created Orchidée Impériale Gold Nobile, revealing a new cosmetic rejuvenation pathway for skin, born of quantum science.".

In layman’s terms, Guerlain claims to have unlocked the secret to anti-aging with its new quantum cream. However, the scientific community has raised concerns about the misuse of scientific terminology

How widespread is this phenomenon? So, what exactly is quantum medicine? Why is quantum physics part of this conversation? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠Should you really drink hot drinks when it’s hot?⁠

⁠Could insects replace meat?⁠

⁠How can I stop my plants from dying?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue.

First Broadcast: 4/7/2024

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Why does walking through doorways make us forget things? Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Have you ever walked into your living room, kitchen or bedroom and completely forgotten what you went there for? It can be pretty annoying, and a little unsettling too. You might start wondering if you’ve got memory problems.

This mental block phenomenon actually has a name: the doorway effect. It happens to most people from time to time. Through a series of studies run by Gabriel Radvansky and his colleagues at the University of Notre Dame in the USA, the doorway effect has been proved scientifically. The findings were published in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology in 2011.

Has it been studied by researchers? So what’s actually going on in the brain at that specific moment? Should I be worried if it happens to me? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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⁠⁠Will ChatGPT replace Google?⁠⁠

⁠⁠What is the loverboy method Andrew Tate is accused of using?⁠⁠

⁠⁠Should I buy an electric car?⁠⁠

A Bababam Originals podcast. Written and produced by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast : 27/1/2023

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Why do we cry when we cut onions? Jan 21, 2026

Show notes

Ending up in tears when preparing a dish with onions can be pretty darn inconvenient. No sooner have you started chopping them up, you find your eyes getting watery and stinging.

Of course, those tears aren’t related to any feelings of sadness; rather they’re down to a series of chemical reactions. Like a lot of fruit and veg we buy at the supermarket, onions are still technically alive when harvested and sold. And they have certain defence mechanisms to protect themselves.

I would never have guessed! What kind of defence mechanisms are we talking about? What if none of those tips work for me? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠Could hot rodent men be the new male ideal?⁠

⁠Why are mini animals so popular?⁠

⁠Why does walking through doorways make us forget things?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 29/6/2024

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What is shy bladder syndrome? Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Today, we're going to talk about a condition that affects millions of people around the world, but is rarely discussed openly. It's called shy bladder syndrome, or paruresis, and it's a type of social anxiety disorder that makes it difficult or impossible to pee in public restrooms or with people nearby.

This happens when people are psychologically blocked, which tightens the sphincters - muscles that control the opening and closing of the bladder outlet. It refers to both a minor passing discomfort and an extreme situation that literally prevents a person from relieving themselves when not alone or not in private restrooms.

How common of a condition is it? Is it the fear of being seen or heard that causes this disorder? What can be done to address these blockages? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!

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

⁠How can I reduce my belly fat?⁠

⁠What are the health benefits of algae?⁠

⁠Why do people say that black cats bring bad luck?⁠

A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance.

First Broadcast: 5/8/2023

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