Do you really know?

Currently there are many people that just feel they cannot get onto the property ladder, but is buying your own home really the best way to invest your money? Well, there are many benefits to owning your home, such as the stability and peace of mind that it can bring you. You can’t be evicted by a landlord, you can decorate and furnish it as you want, and you can enjoy the social and psychological benefits of having a place to call your own. Another benefit is you can save money. When interest rates are low, and if you have a big deposit, owning your home can be cheaper than renting. You can also control your monthly payments with a fixed mortgage. And of course you can make money. In a rising property market, you can benefit from the increase in property values. You can also use your home as an asset to borrow money, or rent it out if you live elsewhere for a while. What are the cons then? And what are the advantages of renting? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is body neutrality? What are the most popular and unusual baby names in the UK? How can I return unwanted gifts? A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we embrace resolutions and light up the skies with fireworks, it's time to mark the arrival of the New Year! All of us on the Do You Really Know team, hoping you soaked in the holiday vibes and send you our warm wishes for a splendid 2024. Today, planet Earth has set off on another full orbit around the sun, a journey which will span 365 days until we hit the reset button again next year. And that's why we now refer to January 1st as New Year's Day. But bear in mind, that wasn't always the case. We can trace back our calendar roots to the Romans and their initial 355-day calendar. That’s right: 355, and not the 365 we're used to these days. That lunar-based system was credited to Numa Pompilius, the legendary second King of Rome, who succeeded Romulus. And it saw the New Year kick off in March, a nod to Mars, the Roman god of war. When did January 1st appear then? What about elsewhere in the world? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is body neutrality? What are the most popular and unusual baby names in the UK? How can I return unwanted gifts? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been over two decades since Wikipedia flipped the script on how we gather information. Every year, millions of us turn to it to feed our curiosity or settle friendly debates. Now there might be doubts over how reliable it is, but Wikipedia can count on the over 250,000 volunteers who keep it a top-notch source by regularly updating its pages. In 2023, the English-language version of Wikipedia racked up a whopping 84 billion page views. But of course, some pages stood out more than others. Are you saying there’s a ranking? What about number one then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is body neutrality? What are the most popular and unusual baby names in the UK? How can I return unwanted gifts? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s somewhat unpleasant when you wake up with halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath, but it’s actually a totally normal and natural phenomenon. A 2018 research review on the subject found that as many as 31.8% of people are affected. What’s more, it can happen even if you brush your teeth carefully the night before. There are actually quite a few different factors that contribute to morning bad breath. One of those is to do with ketones, a type of energy source formed when glucose is not readily available, usually when our stomach is empty. Now while we sleep our bodies generate ketones, and the liver releases these compounds as a compensatory energy mechanism after we eat a meal. Their distinct odour is partly responsible when we have less-than-fresh morning breath. What are the other reasons? Why do we sometimes have bad breath during the day? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is future faking? Why are we so fascinated by true crime? Why is the UK not as happy as it used to be? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As you may well know, astrology involves looking at the position of planets and stars when we were born, and using that to interpret their influence on our lives. Mercury happens to be one of the planets which is supposed to have the most influence and that’s particularly true when it’s in retrograde, which happens several times a year. Planets in our solar system orbit around the sun. If you think about it, those that are closest to the Sun have to travel the distance to complete a full orbit. Of all the planets, Mercury is closest to the Sun, and it actually completes a full rotation in just 88 days, compared to the 365 days it takes planet Earth. What does that mean in concrete terms? Why are astrologers interested in this phenomenon? Is Mercury being in retrograde always negative then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is future faking? Why are we so fascinated by true crime? Why is the UK not as happy as it used to be? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. First broadcast: 29/03/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to a 2019 online survey conducted by the Mental Health Foundation and YouGov, over a third of UK adults have felt anxious or depressed because of their body image. Although that particular survey didn’t specifically address how gender affected the chances of someone feeling unsatisfied about their appearance, the summary acknowledged that it is often more common among young women. We’ve talked about the increasing popularity of the body positive movement in the past on Do You Really Know, but such findings show that it hasn't yet fundamentally shifted women's perspectives on their bodies. The pressure to have a ‘perfect body’ remains significant. However, there’s a new trend out there which suggests adopting a more measured and neutral stance towards our appearance, rather than advocating unconditional self-love. It’s known as body neutrality. Where does this movement come from? So, does this mean we shouldn't love our bodies anymore? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is future faking? Why are we so fascinated by true crime? Why is the UK not as happy as it used to be? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the most recent data from the Office for National Statistics. For boys, the top name was Noah, which replaced Oliver from the previous year. For girls, the top name was Olivia, which remained the same for the sixth year in a row. Other popular names for boys included Henry, Arlo, Sebastian and Luca, while for girls, Freya, Florence, Willow and Alys were among the favourites. There are many factors that can influence parents' choices, such as family traditions, personal preferences, cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, and even celebrities. For example, some parents may name their children after famous actors, singers, sports stars, or characters from books, movies, or TV shows. What about uncommon names? Why do some parents opt for these unconventional names? What are the predictions for popular names in 2024? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is future faking? Why are we so fascinated by true crime? Why is the UK not as happy as it used to be? A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 21st century has seen true crime stories surge in popularity, dominating bookshelves and TV schedules. Documentaries like Making A Murderer and podcasts like Serial, which investigate real-life crimes, have become smash hits, attracting millions of viewers and downloads. Over in the US, a 2022 YouGov poll revealed that half of Americans enjoy true crime content, with one in three consuming it weekly. True crime is a unique genre, and distinct from detective fiction or thrillers due to its non-fictional nature. To comprehend the modern fascination with true crime, you have to venture back in time. The roots of the cultural phenomenon trace back to the early days of penny dreadfuls, crime novels and sensationalised crime reporting in the 19th century. How did it become popular? What is it about true crime that captivates so many people? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: How can I protect my mental health during the holiday season? Why is the UK not as happy as it used to be? Why do we give each other gifts at Christmas? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“I can’t wait for us to get married;” “Let’s travel the world together;” “We’re going to have two kids and buy that apartment across the street” When you’re in a romantic relationship, it can be genuinely heartwarming to hear your partner paint a vibrant picture of days ahead. But what about if it happens much earlier than you expected - say on your second or third date? Usually at that stage, you're still figuring each other out, so beware - it could be a sign of what’s known as future faking. Of course, there’s no one single pace for all relationships to abide by, but generally speaking couples don’t make life plans or even say “I love you” within the first couple weeks of dating. So it’s only really a red flag when talk of those kinds of plans pop up too early. In some cases, you could be dealing with a narcissist who’s using false promises to win you over in the moment, creating an illusion of intimacy when in reality they’re not thinking about the future at all. Hence the name: future faking. Is it similar to love bombing? How can I deal with a future faking partner? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: How can I protect my mental health during the holiday season? Why is the UK not as happy as it used to be? Why do we give each other gifts at Christmas? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the World happiness report, of the 137 countries they include, the UK has fallen to 19th position. This follows a steady decline over the past few years although they are happier than Lithuania in 20th position and France in 21st position. As ever Finland has continued its winning streak and stays at number one just above New Zealand. The report combines both subjective well-being assessments and objective indicators. Respondents rate their own current lives on a scale from 0 to 10. They ask people to imagine a ladder with the best possible life for them being a 10 and the worst possible life being a 0. What has caused the decrease in happiness? Is this the same all across the UK? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Which types of alcohol should we avoid mixing? Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? What is erectile dysfunction? A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the UK, Christmas is synonymous with festive meals, Yule logs, and the classic roast turkey. We adorn our homes with red, gold, and green decorations, and the Christmas tree takes center stage – a topic we've previously explored on this podcast. These traditions have become so ingrained in our lives that we rarely question their origins. Take, for instance, the tradition of exchanging Christmas gifts. Is the act of gift-giving tied to Christianity? How did New Year's gifts evolve into Christmas gifts then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? Where did the story of the Grinch come from? Why do the Japanese eat KFC at Christmas? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sniffling, sneezing, itchy eyes, asthma flare-ups, and even sleep disruptions. If you're wondering why you're dealing with all the telltale signs of hay fever smack in the middle of December, you might just be grappling with what's commonly known as the Christmas tree syndrome. In a nutshell, it's a seasonal allergy triggered by the presence of mould in the needles and trunk of the tree. The cosy and humid indoor setting provides the perfect breeding ground for mould, which had already set up camp on the tree back when it was outside. So, what does this mean in everyday terms? What other exposures are we talking about? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? Where did the story of the Grinch come from? Why do the Japanese eat KFC at Christmas? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Western world, we celebrate Christmas on December 25th to honour the birth of Jesus, a tradition dating back to around the year 300 AD. But well before that, various cultures had been marking the end of the year as a symbol of life's renewal. Over time, Christmas has transcended its origins and found unique expressions in different corners of the globe, from Brazil and Ethiopia to Japan and Egypt. Let’s take Nordic countries, for instance. Their holiday traditions, especially the culinary ones, can get quite bizarre. In Greenland, Christmas delicacies include Mattak – raw whale skin served with whale blubber. Are there other traditions? What about the kids? Are there any less creepy traditions? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Why do we kiss under the mistletoe? Where did the story of the Grinch come from? Why do the Japanese eat KFC at Christmas? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the extended holiday feasts, it's common to let loose a little, perhaps mixing different kinds of alcohol. You might start out with a glass of champagne, then movie to wine or beer, and end the meal with a digestif. That’s despite the widespread belief that combining alcohol types can worsen the unpleasant aftermath of a hangover and all the symptoms that brings, like nausea, headaches, dehydration, vomiting, palpitations, and dizziness. First of all, it’s important to note that ethanol, the molecule found in all alcoholic drinks, gets partly expelled through urine, sweat, and breath. The liver also filters a portion, converting ethanol into acetaldehyde, the culprit behind hangover symptoms. Unfortunately, the liver can only handle a limited amount. So is it really more about how much alcohol you consume, then? What are these other substances? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: At which time of day do we burn the most calories? Why does the cold make us need to pee? How can I meditate without meditating? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mistletoe is a small evergreen parasitic plant that grows in clusters on trees. It has white berries and it has been used for centuries as a symbol of love, fertility, and peace. The Greeks used mistletoe as a cure for all sorts of ailments while the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder noted it could be used as a balm against epilepsy, ulcers and poisons. The Druids came to view it as a sacred symbol of vivacity, and they gave it to humans and animals alike in the hope of restoring fertility. However, one of the most popular legends about mistletoe and probably the reason we associated this plant with kissing dates back to Norse mythology. But how did it become associated with kissing? How did kissing under the mistletoe become popular? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: At which time of day do we burn the most calories? Why does the cold make us need to pee? How can I meditate without meditating? A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During the festive season, what beats snuggling up under a blanket with a classic Christmas movie? If you're a '90s kid, you'll likely recall a certain massive hit from the year 2000. That's right, we're talking about The Grinch, starring Jim Carrey. It sees Carrey play a recluse with a sour attitude who decides to spoil Christmas for the folks in Whoville, a small town nestled in a snowflake. And in English-speaking countries, the Grinch is a familiar character; someone might well be dubbed a "Grinch" if they show a miserly attitude towards Christmas. Who's the genius behind the Grinch? How did Seuss come up with the Grinch character? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: At which time of day do we burn the most calories? Why does the cold make us need to pee? How can I meditate without meditating? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the evening of December 24th, as many households in the UK prepare for festive gatherings with traditional roast turkey and yule log, an intriguing Christmas tradition unfolds in Japan. In the land of the rising sun, people aren't bustling around their kitchens; instead, they're braving the winter cold to queue up for a unique holiday feast at KFC. Many Japanese then return home with a special Christmas bucket in red, white, and green colors, containing fried chicken, coleslaw salad, a Japanese strawberry shortcake to share, and sometimes even champagne. Yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken has become a Christmas essential for millions of Japanese families. And when did this tradition start? Where does KFC come in then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: At which time of day do we burn the most calories? Why does the cold make us need to pee? How can I meditate without meditating? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, gift-giving and of course decorating. For the most part people tend to stick to ‘Christmassy colours’ especially red and green but these ‘traditional’ Christmas colours have a long history and symbolism. Arielle Eckstut, author of The Secret Language of Color found that holly, with its green leaves and red berries has long played a role in winter solstice celebrations that predate Christmas. People revered holly plants for being evergreen and surviving the winter and used them as symbols of protection and prosperity in their midwinter celebrations. “It’s like a lot of things that have to do with culture and colour, where it’s some combination of a natural phenomenon mixed with other cultural forces,” she says. What cultural events have made red and green Christmassy? Do red and green have any religious significance? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: At which time of day do we burn the most calories? Why does the cold make us need to pee? How can I meditate without meditating? A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas is coming and at Do You Really Know, we just can't wait! Now everybody knows that means pressies under the tree, precious family moments and a hearty Christmas dinner. It all calls for a lot of preparation, but the joy of the season makes it worth it, doesn't it! Still, the holiday season can cause some people to get the blues, so let's not forget them. This week, the team are discussing some of the main Christmas traditions and trends out there; and giving you advice on how to get the most out of this special time of year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To stay in shape, it's crucial that you watch what you eat and steer clear of snacks. What's less commonly known, though, is that there are specific times when the body burns more calories. Researchers at Harvard University were astonished when they stumbled upon this revelation. In a 2018 study published in Current Biology, they found that, "The number of calories people burn at rest varies depending on the time of day." Even at rest, "People burn 10% more calories in the late afternoon and early evening compared to the early morning." Impressive! How did they figure that out? That sounds like a challenging regimen! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the influence of the God complex in the workplace? Why is panto a Christmas tradition in the UK? Why are some kinds of fruit not considered vegan? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've all experienced it: the sudden urge to pee when it's cold is a common thing. This connection was supposedly discovered by Austrian physician Alfred Adler back in 1918. His experiment involved injecting cold water into a bladder to see how the body reacts. You might think it caused the kidneys to contract, but that's not the case... What did Adler discover then? Are there other factors explaining the link between the bladder and cold? What can you do if you struggle to hold it in? To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the influence of the God complex in the workplace? Why is panto a Christmas tradition in the UK? Why are some kinds of fruit not considered vegan? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Humans are the only creatures on Earth that shed tears. Whether it's tears of joy, laughter, anger, pain, sadness, or fatigue, the emotions that bring about crying are diverse. You might be familiar with these emotional triggers, but have you ever wondered about the physiological explanations behind them? Let's start by categorising tears into three types. There are "basal" tears that maintain a continuous lubrication of the cornea, "reflex" tears that emerge when you're chopping onions, have dust in your eye, or encounter too much light, and then there are the emotional tears – and they’re the ones we're delving into today. What happens in our eyes when we're sad? What about tears of joy then? But why does witnessing someone else cry make us want to do the same? To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the influence of the God complex in the workplace? Why is panto a Christmas tradition in the UK? Why are some kinds of fruit not considered vegan? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've all had that moment of slipping on our headphones heading to school or work and feeling like an unstoppable force. But while most of us leave that unwavering confidence at the front door, for some, it's a whole different story. Their analyses are top-notch, decisions flawless, and social networks unbeatable. This phenomenon has a name – it's called the "god complex." Where does this god complex come from then? What's behind the causes of the god complex? How can one break free from the god complex? 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

Panto, short for pantomime, has become a staple of British Christmas celebrations but surprisingly its origins are neither British or Christmassy. It has its roots in the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, which was celebrated in December and involved dressing up as the opposite gender, swapping roles, and having a lot of fun. The word ‘pantomime’ comes from the Latin ‘pantomimus’, which means ‘actor who plays every role’. The Romans also had a tradition of performing plays called mummia, which were based on stories from Egypt. How did panto come to Britain? What are some of the earliest examples of panto in Britain? 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 Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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 do chicken nuggets, margarine and instant noodles all have in common? Well, they may look tasty, but they’re loaded with sugar, salt, fat and chemicals that strip away their nutritional value. That’s due to the heavy processing that goes into making them, which sees them completely transformed from the original raw ingredients. And they’re increasingly ever present on our shelves and in our stomachs. In 2022, the National Institute for Health and Care Research found that ultra-processed foods made up almost two-thirds of Britain’s school meals. Furthermore, the British Medical Journal has reported that ultra-processed foods account for 56.8% of total energy intake in the UK diet. Can you identify them by looking at the ingredient lists on product packaging? What’s the difference between processed foods and ultra-processed foods? Why should we limit the consumption of ultra-processed products? 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 Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. First broadcast: 11/06/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

"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

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

The Mandela Effect is a phenomenon in which a large number of people share a false memory of something that never happened or happened differently from reality. The term was coined by Fiona Broome, a paranormal researcher, who discovered that she and many others had a vivid memory of Nelson Mandela dying in prison in the 1980s, when he actually died in 2013, after serving as the president of South Africa. But Mandela’s death is not the only example of this collective misremembering. There are many other cases of the Mandela Effect, especially involving pop culture, such as movies, books, TV shows, and brands. For instance, do you remember the famous line from Star Wars, “Luke, I am your father”? Well, that’s not what Darth Vader actually said. What causes the Mandela Effect? And what are some of the paranormal explanations? 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? How can my partner and I get better sleep together? Why are Christmas adverts so moving? A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You've been seeing someone for a few weeks now. The romantic dinners, cozy nights at each other's places, and sweet morning or evening texts have been giving you those butterfly feelings. It's shaping up to be the start of something beautiful. But then, out of the blue, your date drops a bomb during a conversation, mentioning a Tinder match or a date with someone else in town. It catches you off guard, and you realise you've fallen prey to what's known as roaching. So, what's the deal? Why the reference to cockroaches? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Why do our bellies get fatter as we get older? What is the butterfly effect and how does it affect our lives? Why is there such a taboo over the prostate? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your partner is constantly snoring, hogging the blanket, or tossing and turning every five minutes, and you're finding it increasingly challenging to share a bed, know that you're not alone. A 2017 study revealed that while 50% of those surveyed claim to sleep as a couple, 41% prefer solo slumber, and 54% feel sleep-deprived. There are some tricks to make co-sleeping more manageable. First off, it's crucial to pick the right bed. Mattresses now come in a much wider range of sizes than before. The bigger the bed, the more comfortable you'll both be. A 2012 study by the Bedding Association found that couples switching to 160 by 200 cm beds experienced a 15% increase in sleep time. For partners who move a lot during the night, twin beds could be a solution - two single beds pushed together allow for personal space while sharing a room. That will significantly help preserve your sleep if your partner tends to have restless sleep. And what if my other half is a blanket thief? Now, what if your partner has nightmares or shouts in their sleep? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Why do our bellies get fatter as we get older? What is the butterfly effect and how does it affect our lives? Why is there such a taboo over the prostate? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2013, American actress Angelina Jolie made headlines by revealing in the New York Times that she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy to reduce her risk of cancer. The procedure consists of removing both breasts and Jolie explained that a genetic test had shown she carried a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, significantly raising her chances of developing breast or ovarian cancer. A decade later, her decision had a ripple effect, inspiring many women to undergo similar genetic testing, creating what's now known as the "Angelina Jolie Effect." Despite that though, some doctors are still skeptical about the need for widespread testing. What is the BRCA1 gene then? But why the doubts among doctors regarding these tests? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Why do our bellies get fatter as we get older? What is the butterfly effect and how does it affect our lives? Why is there such a taboo over the prostate? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the years go by, those extra inches around the abdomen tend to sneak up on us, and that’s especially true once we hit our fifties. One major player is hormonal shifts. For women, the onset of menopause often brings about weight gain and a burgeoning belly, thanks to a decline in estrogen levels that prompts the body to store fat in the midsection. And fellas, you're not off the hook either—ageing comes with its own hormonal downturn. A drop in testosterone can lead to an uptick in visceral fat. With time, our bodies are no longer the calorie-burning powerhouses they once were, particularly at rest. Past the age of fifty, the body’s muscles start to shrink, causing a dip in baseline metabolism, which is the ability to burn calories. Does our metabolism changes with age? And how can you fend off that belly bulge? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the butterfly effect and how does it affect our lives? Why is there such a taboo over the prostate? How can I know if my partner is micro-cheating on me? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The butterfly effect is the idea that a small change in one part of the world can have huge consequences in another. It is often used as a metaphor for how our actions can shape the future in unpredictable ways. The term was coined by the American mathematician and meteorologist Edward Lorenz, who was studying the behavior of weather systems. He discovered that even tiny variations in the initial conditions of a weather model could lead to vastly different outcomes over time. He illustrated this with the example of a butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil and causing a tornado in Texas. What kind of systems exhibit the butterfly effect? What does the butterfly effect mean for us? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: How can I know if my partner is micro-cheating on me? What explains the rise of birth tourism? How to exercise safely when the weather is cold? A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a woman is heavily pregnant, holiday or travel plans don't typically top the priority list. After all, flying isn't generally recommended during the latter stages of pregnancy. But that hasn’t stopped the trend of birth tourism from developing. The basic idea is for a mother to give birth in a country different to where they live, essentially so that her child gets dual nationality. That may in turn lead to the parents also obtaining citizenship for the country.where their child is born. Over on Tiktok, the #birthtourism hashtag has already obtained over 19 million views. Does that work in every country? What are the downsides? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: How to exercise safely when the weather is cold? How can I take part in Giving Tuesday? Why do people R-bomb in the dating world? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to what counts as being unfaithful in a relationship, everyone has their own definition. Some might say that only physical contact with another person is cheating, whereas others will argue that even a mildly flirtatious conversation is unacceptable. That's where the concept of micro-cheating comes into play. Micro cheating refers to seemingly minor actions that suggest a person is emotionally or physically invested in someone outside of their relationship. Where it gets tricky is that micro cheating can take many different subtle forms, and each person’s definition is likely to vary. Depending on your intentions, it could be giving your number to someone you find attractive for example. Are there other examples? What are the telltale signs? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: How to exercise safely when the weather is cold? How can I take part in Giving Tuesday? Why do people R-bomb in the dating world? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people tend to exercise less during the colder months, preferring to stay indoors and avoid the chilly weather. But doing exercise in winter is a good idea for lots of reasons so don’t let the cold put you off. Exercising in cold weather can offer many advantages for your physical and mental health. For example, according to a study published in March 2023 in BMC Public Health, winter workouts can improve your endurance, as your heart doesn’t have to work as hard, you sweat less, and expend less energy. Winter exercise can also help you burn more calories, as your body has to generate more heat to keep warm. What are the other benefits of doing exercise when it is cold? And what about the risks? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Why do people R-bomb in the dating world? Are budget food brands really worth the savings they offer? How can you save money on your food bill? A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Giving Tuesday is a worldwide initiative which encourages people to do good. The movement was created in the United States in 2012, and has since spread to have a presence in 75 different countries as of 2021. In 2022, like every year, Giving Tuesday is celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday, meaning it falls on 29th November. A lot of companies and charities match donations to encourage people to give. For example, in 2022, Meta will match up to $7 million in donations made through their platform, as it has done in previous years. Paypal does something similar and indeed matches donations to qualified nonprofits throughout the year, for up to $2500 per person. Is it all about donating to charity then? What can I do to help? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Why do people R-bomb in the dating world? Are budget food brands really worth the savings they offer? How can you save money on your food bill? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. First broadcast: 27/11/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve talked about a lot of dating trends on Do You Really Know, many of which are pretty negative. And the subject of today’s episode is no exception. R-bombing might sound pretty dramatic, but in fact it just refers to leaving someone on read when they message you. You know, those annoying blue ticks you see on whatsapp which tell you your message has been seen. They light up and you expect the other person to start typing back; only they never do? Well if that’s happened to you, then you’ve been R-bombed! Isn’t that the same as ghosting? Why do people do it then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: How do I know if I'm allergic to gluten? Are gas cookers dangerous? Why is funflation causing us to spend more on live entertainment? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much attention do you pay to prices when doing your grocery shopping? In September 2023, UK consumer watchdog Which published research showing just how much cheaper budget brands can be. One striking example was the price of rice at Asda. Shoppers could get 1kg of Asda Just Essentials rice for 52 pence, while the store’s standard own-brand Easy Cook Long Grain White Rice was £1.80 for the same quantity. That’s 246% more. And if no Asda store brand products were available, shoppers would be faced with spending £4.85 on a kilo of Ben’s Original Long Grain Rice - a whopping 833% more than the Just Essentials product. Similar cases were found at supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrison’s, on staple foods like baked beans, spaghetti and tea bags. The cost of living crisis has seen a lot of people switch to budget food brands in order to save. And an early 2023 survey by Attest found that 70.2% of Brits plan to stick with own-label brands, rather than reverting to premium options. What counts as a budget food brand? Are the products of good enough quality? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Why is funflation causing us to spend more on live entertainment? Are gas cookers dangerous? How do I know if I'm allergic to gluten? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know the feeling of not wanting to get out of bed first thing in the morning. It can be tempting to press the "snooze" button on your alarm clock to grab a few extra minutes of sleep. And research has shown that it’s a very common habit. In October 2022, results from a University of Notre Dame study on the subject were published in Sleep journal. The study found that 57% of people snooze, with certain groups of people being more likely to do so than others. For example, the younger a study participant was, the more likely they were to snooze. Women were also more commonly snoozers than men. The thing is, neuroscientists say that snoozing isn’t actually the bright idea that it might seem. While the temporary respite is pleasant at the time, there are other health-related reasons for not snoozing. Why is that then? Does going back to sleep restart the sleep cycle? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Are gas cookers dangerous? How do I know if I'm allergic to gluten? Are men really more sensitive to pain than women? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift, it won’t have escaped your notice that the singer was back on tour this year across the United States. And what a tour it was! Fans were desperate to attend, and prepared to pay from $49 to $499 for the privilege, according to face value ticket prices quoted by Stylecaster.com. Meanwhile, resale ticket prices were in the thousands. If that seems a lot, then you should bear in mind that the cost of live entertainment has been rising due to what’s known as funflation. It’s a mix of “fun” and “inflation”, and economists say it’s caused by a growing demand for events like Taylor Swift concerts or live sports. How are people able to afford this extra spending? Does the same go for other days out, apart from concerts? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Are gas cookers dangerous? How do I know if I'm allergic to gluten? Are men really more sensitive to pain than women? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gas cookers are a common feature in many kitchens, often preferred by chefs and home cooks for their precise temperature control but gas cookers emit a number of harmful substances when they are in use and even when they are off that can pollute the indoor air and harm your health. Nitrogen dioxide, or NO2, is a gas that is produced when natural gas is burned at high temperatures. It can damage your airways and worsen asthma and COPD. A recent report by the Dutch Lung Foundation found that gas cookers increased the risk of asthma in children by 42%. What are some other of these pollutants and their effects? And what can you do to reduce these risks? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Is there any truth that lemon water is good for you ? Why do we get great ideas in the shower? Should I cut the electricity at home during a storm? A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices