Do you really know?

Christmas is seen as a season of joy, but it can also be a testing time for many people, whether it’s mentally, emotionally, physically or financially. And 2022 may be worse than most years in that respect. Most of the population are feeling additional pressure due to the cost-of-living crisis, and Christmas tends to be an expensive time. Furthermore, upsetting news stories have been dominating headlines throughout the year, like the ongoing war in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, the global climate crisis and new waves of Covid 19. What’s the best way to deal with difficult family situations? What strategies can I adopt? What should I do if it all just gets too much? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why does Christmas boost our libido? Is Santa Claus red because of Coca Cola? Why does Norway offer a Christmas tree to London every year? 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

Do You Really Know, Bababam's daily podcast, helps you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. 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. In the last few months alone more than 3,000 people in the UK have caught the monkeypox virus and around 20 cases are being confirmed a day. As of July the World Health Organisation declared monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern. British scientists from the University of Oxford, in fact the same team who led the ‘Recovery trial’ which looked into a cure for acute covid, have become the first in the world to launch a clinical trial for Monkeypox. What actually is monkeypox and how does it spread? What is the trial going to do? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why does Christmas boost our libido? Is Santa Claus red because of Coca Cola? Why does Norway offer a Christmas tree to London every year? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to a study published in the Scientific Reports journal in 2017, the holiday season sees a peak in sex-related searches on Google and Twitter. The researchers behind the study also identified an increase in birth rates in late September, in other words nine months after Christmas of the previous year. So the evidence is there: for many of us, sexual desire increases at Christmas time. The study was called “Human Sexual Cycles are Driven by Culture and Match Collective Moods”, suggesting there’s something about our mood during the holiday season. And it’s not just Christmas. What’s the science behind all that then? Does it apply to other culture holidays? Christmas can also be a stressful period though, can’t it? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why does Norway offer a Christmas tree to London every year? How to have an eco-friendly Christmas? Why do Christmas decorations make me feel happier? 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

Christmas is almost upon us, and many of us see Coca Cola as being intrinsically linked to the season’s celebrations. That’s in no small part due to their iconic “Holidays are coming” TV adverts, like the 2019 version you can hear in the background. Indeed, it’s such a strong connection that many people wonder whether Santa Claus wears red because of Coca Cola. In fact, the idea of a kind-hearted old man known for his displays of generosity predates Santa by quite some time. Another name for Santa is Saint Nicholas, who was a 4th century Turkish bishop of the same name. He would leave coins in the shoes and stockings of poor children around the end of the year. Historians agree that Santa was inspired by Saint Nicholas, who would also have worn red robes due to his religious role. Where does Santa Claus come from? What was the link with Christmas? So what does Coca Cola have to do with all of this? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why does Norway offer a Christmas tree to London every year? How to have an eco-friendly Christmas? Why do Christmas decorations make me feel happier? 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

If you have ever been to London over Christmas then you could not have missed the lights on oxford street and of course the huge Christmas tree standing proud in Trafalgar Square. But it is a little-known fact that this tree is actually a gift from Norway. The very first tree was offered to England back in 1947 and every year since a tree is given to the British people from Norway to thank them for their support during WWII. During the war, Norway was occupied by Germany. The country, which had been at peace for over 150 years, surrendered quickly. But if Hitler thought that getting Norway to collaborate would be easy he was wrong. The king of Norway Haakon VII, in a fraught journey that nearly cost him his life on numerous occasions, fled to London. When did this tradition start? How did the UK support Norway? How does it get to London from Norway? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How to have an eco-friendly Christmas? Why do Christmas decorations make me feel happier? How can I choose the perfect gift, according to science? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas need not be a frenzy of shopping and unwanted gifts; more and more of us want to be mindful, minimal-waste consumers so here are some tips on how to have an eco-friendly Christmas. Real trees are more sustainable than artificial, but there is still a lot of waste, once Christmas is over go to recyclenow.com to find out about drop-off points in your area, where old trees get turned into chippings for local parks and woodland areas. Alternatively, consider renting a real tree that is replanted once you are done. The same goes for wreaths, real and if you are on a budget you can make your own from foliage, red berries, or mistletoe that you can pick up in a park or wood. How to have an eco-friendly tree and decorations? What about gifts? What about the meal? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: 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 Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do You Really Know, Bababam's daily podcast, helps you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. 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. Health professionals have warned against the dangers of puff bars on younger consumers for some time now. This recent phenomenon has become massively popular with young people, and especially on TikTok. Puff bars, also known as vape pens or pod mods, are flavoured electronic cigarettes designed for one-time use. Social networks have been flooded with puff bars of all different colours. Do they taste like regular cigarettes? How did this trend start? Are they as bad for you as regular cigarettes? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: 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. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week marks the start of Hanukkah, so listen to our rerun episode that looks at the history and customs related to the annual Jewish festival which falls in December each year. It's often known as the festival of Lights, and its origins go back as far as 22 centuries! The celebration is synonymous with commemorating a miracle. According to rabbinic tradition and ancient texts, Hanukkah represents the victory of the Jewish people over Greek invaders. In the 2nd century BC, Jewish peoples only accounted for a small portion of the vast territory governed by Greek king Antiochus IV. He ordered a campaign of repression against the Jewish religion, in favour of Hellenisation, meaning assimilating Greek traditions. He forbade rites and customs like circumcision, the Shabbat and even reading the Torah. What did the Jewish community do? What happened next? How is Hanukkah celebrated? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: 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. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

National Grid has warned of potential blackouts in the UK this winter, due to gas shortages. If it does happen, it would be the first time the country has seen controlled blackouts since the 1970s. The government has its Electricity Supply Emergency Code in place in case we end up in such a situation. The government plan sees rolling blackouts, with areas split into 18 different load blocks, each assigned a letter from A to U. At level one, each load block has three three-hour blackout periods per week, at level two, six and at level three, nine, meaning up to 27 hours per week without power. The National Grid warning suggested this could happen in January and February 2023. Let’s be clear; as of yet it’s not a foregone conclusion that we’ll get to that stage; but it pays to be prepared. Let’s go over some top tips to make sure you’re ready. Should I stock up on candles? What about food storage? What can I do to stay entertained? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: 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. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now if you’re anything like us, you get your Christmas tree, baubles and tinsel out before November has even ended! And as it turns out, psychologists say there could be mental health benefits to having Christmas decorations up in the house. So there’s no shame in wanting to get festive as early as possible. Improving your mood to start with. This is often linked to feelings of nostalgia. We think back to our childhood, when things were simpler. In our stressful adult lives, we have few opportunities to really feel irresponsible. Reliving the magic of Christmas by putting up colourful decorations is one way to take the pressure off, as it’s a time of innocence and joy. Bear in mind, this might not apply to people who have negative memories of the holiday season from the past. In that case, you might not feel like getting in the Christmas spirit at all. What kind of benefits are we talking about? What do Christmas decorations do to our brains? Do Christmas decorations affect our social lives? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How to save money on your heating bill this winter? Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian "Merchant of Death" freed by the US? What is friluftsliv, the perfect Norwegian lifestyle trend for winter? 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

Here we are, it’s one week until Christmas Day, meaning it’s your last chance to buy gifts for loved ones. There’s always a certain amount of pressure on givers to get their choice right, which can lead to stress. Gifts at Christmas are pretty much expected, so you have to do a little better than with a spontaneous gift at any other time of the year. Fear not, science is here to help you hit the nail on the head! In 2016, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Indiana University in the US looked at all existing studies on gift-giving and receiving to create a review. Their findings were published in the Current Directions in Psychological Science journal. What makes a gift “good” then? Should I avoid surprise gifts then? What about experience-driven gifts? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How to save money on your heating bill this winter? Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian "Merchant of Death" freed by the US? What is friluftsliv, the perfect Norwegian lifestyle trend for winter? 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

On the night of 24th November 2022, a locked down building caught fire in Urumqi in the majority-Uyghur Xinjiang region of China. Firefighters were held back by the sealed entrance to the building, in place due to the latest strict Covid-19 lockdown measures. 10 people ended up dying in the fire. The following day, tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities across China. Grievances against the Zero Covid policy had turned into grievances against Xi Jinping’s authoritarian regime. CNN has called it an “unprecedented uprising”. This kind of protest movement hadn't been seen since Tiananmen Square, where a student revolt was brutally put down on the night of 3rd June 1989. Tanks were deployed, killing over 2000 protesters . Are we saying this kind of protest movement has never happened before? What form are the latest protests taking? Could this really cause the Chinese regime to wobble? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How to save money on your heating bill this winter? Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian "Merchant of Death" freed by the US? What is friluftsliv, the perfect Norwegian lifestyle trend for winter? 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

As the cold weather closes in, it's time to put on the heating but there are plenty of ways to efficiently heat your home and save money. 46 percent of people believe it is better to leave the heating on low at all times however, according to experts from the Energy saving Trust it is better to only put the heating on when you need it. The reason is that your home is constantly losing heat and if you have the heating on all day you are making greater losses, heat the house when you need it and you will only lose a minimal amount of heat. First, get to the heart of the issue - the boiler. If you have an older boiler, particularly over ten years, it is probably less efficient and may cost more. Make sure you get it serviced, and if needed consider changing it. Is it better to leave the heating on low all day or only heat when I need it? How can I reduce heat loss? How else can I keep heat from escaping? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian "Merchant of Death" freed by the US? What is friluftsliv, the perfect Norwegian lifestyle trend for winter? Can standing on one leg save your life? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It could be a Christmas tree, a skier in a bobble hat, a team of reindeer, a snowman or Mr Santa Claus himself. OK no need to guess, we’re talking about motifs that you could find on an ugly Christmas sweater. It’s truly become a popular gift option and wardrobe staple of the holiday season in recent years. The concept originated with commercial impetus in the 1950s in the United States, before gaining further exposure in TV series. It thus entered pop culture as a way to celebrate self-conscious kitsch. From then on, the ugly sweater became a fashion phenomenon and evolved into a global industry. Brands, department stores and distribution chains, couldn’t help but fall for it, turning the knitted ugliness into a serious and highly lucrative business! But how did the Christmas sweater get so popular? Let me guess, there’s a dedicated hashtag isn’t there? But how did we go from Christmas sweater to ugly Christmas sweater? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Who is Viktor Bout, the Russian "Merchant of Death" freed by the US? What is friluftsliv, the perfect Norwegian lifestyle trend for winter? Can standing on one leg save your life? 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

Prior to February 2022, the scenario of a women’s basketball star being traded for an arms dealer might have seemed inconceivable. But that’s exactly what happened last week, when Russia and the United States exchanged prisoners at Abu Dhabi airport. Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner was arrested a week prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine beginning, for allegedly possessing cannabis oil in her luggage upon arrival in Russia. She ended up being sentenced to nine years in prison, but her nightmare was finally brought to an end through the prisoner exchange. The cost for the United States was releasing the world’s biggest living arms dealer, Viktor Anatolievitch Bout, also known as the Merchant of Death. He had been imprisoned for 11 years in the United States. What is Bout’s background? Who did Viktor Bout sell arms to? Why was he imprisoned in the United States? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Can standing on one leg save your life? Why is physical contact important for our health? What's the ideal temperature to stay healthy at home? 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

Last weekend brought snowfall across much of the United Kingdom, offering a clear sign that winter is here. Now with temperatures this low, the instinct for many of us may be to cuddle up in bed under a blanket. But the subject of today’s episode is all about getting outdoors whatever the weather. Friluftsliv is a Norwegian term that more or less translates as “open-air living”. You could call it the outdoor equivalent of Denmark’s hygge, which is all about finding comfort indoors. Indeed, Norway has strong outdoor traditions all year round, even when days are short during the winter. Friluftsliv is so ingrained in Norwegian culture that universities offer bachelor’s degree courses in it, and it’s protected by law through the Outdoors Recreation Act. Where does it come from? What about us city dwellers? How can we embrace friluftsliv in our local area? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Can standing on one leg save your life? Why is physical contact important for our health? What's the ideal temperature to stay healthy at home? 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

Surprising as it may seem, balance is more important than you might think. In September of 2022 the British Journal of Sports Medicine published the results of a ten year study which involved more than 1,700 middle-aged participants. They concluded that not being able to balance was associated with an almost twofold increase in risk of death. Volunteers were asked to stand on one leg with their arms by their sides and keep their eyes looking straight ahead. They discovered that an inability to hold the position for 10 seconds was associated with an 84% heightened risk of death from any cause. Participants were allowed to try 3 times. Balance is quite difficult to explain. It involves several different systems in your body: muscles, nerves, eyesight, the inner ear and even the sensory system that lets you recognise where your body is in space. What is balance? How did they test participants for balance? Why does losing your balance matter? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why is physical contact important for our health? What's the ideal temperature to stay healthy at home? Why are Nobel Prizes so important? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

32 years ago today, Tiananmen Square in the heart of Beijing, saw unprecedented student protests. As night fell on June 3rd 1989, the Chinese military entered the square with a number of tanks and opened fire on the unarmed crowd. The number of deaths is estimated between 1,000 and 2,000, in what became known internationally as the Tiananmen Square Massacre. Thus ended seven weeks worth of pro-democracy and anti-corruption protests. One particular image is shared every time the month of June comes around. It’s that of a lone man blocking the path of the Chinese army tanks. It really highlights the imbalance of force between the military and the peaceful student protesters. How did we get to such a drastic situation? Are you saying the massacre put a stop to a series of social movements? Why is this period of Chinese history so poorly known? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why is physical contact important for our health? What's the ideal temperature to stay healthy at home? Why are Nobel Prizes so important? 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

When it comes to expressions about skin, the English language is not lacking. For example, we can be thick or thin skinned, or have someone under our skin. To show indifference, we say “it’s no skin off” our noses, and when we get excited we “jump out of” our skin. The sheer number of different idioms reflects the deep links the skin has with our brains. Sometimes these links are visible and give away our feelings, when we blush, go pale or get goosebumps. The same can be said for stress too, in the case of some skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis. How does the skin send information to the brain? What impact does touch have on our brains? How does touch affect health then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why was Kanye West’s Twitter account suspended? How can you save money on your food bill? Why is 'permacrisis' the new dictionary word of the year? 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

Winter is coming and this year in particular people are wondering how to strike the right balance between comfort at home and continually rising energy bills. The World Health Organisation suggests that 18° C is the perfect temperature to set your heating to, but in reality that is just an average. There are a number of variables to take into account. For example, certain rooms might need to be heated more than others. And generally speaking, when we’re away from home or sleeping at night we can turn the heating down or off completely. That’s right, it can depend on age and medical conditions like thyroid problems for example. Where a certain temperature might be comfortable for some, for others it might be less bearable. Isn’t it true that some people are more sensitive to the cold than others? Which rooms need to be heated more than others then? What should you do if your home is humid? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why was Kanye West’s Twitter account suspended? How can you save money on your food bill? Why is 'permacrisis' the new dictionary word of the year? 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

This small butterfly-shaped gland is situated at the bottom of the neck, wrapped around the windpipe. It plays an important role in a number of bodily functions, but isn’t as well known as it should be. According to The American Thyroid Association, over 12% of the country’s population will develop a thyroid disorder at some point in their life. Many people are actually unaware of the fact that they even have thyroid disease. Such problems are actually five to eight times more common in women than in men. World Thyroid Day falls on 25th May every year, so let’s take the opportunity to boost awareness. What is the purpose of the thyroid? How can I find out if my thyroid functions correctly? Is there anything I can do to stop myself from developing a thyroid disorder? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : Why was Kanye West’s Twitter account suspended? How can you save money on your food bill? How did the Act Up group change the way we think about AIDS? 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

This Saturday sees the 2022 Nobel Prize award ceremony take place in Stockholm. Like every year, it’s held on 10th December, to coincide with the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. Tradition also dictates that the Prize laureates are announced in October. This year’s laureates include Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser and Anton Zeilinger in Physics, Carolyn R. Bertozzi, Morton Meldal and K. Barry Sharpless in Chemistry, Svante Paabo in Physiology or Medicine, and Annie Ernaux in Literature. Meanwhile, the Nobel Peace Prize laureates are all being recognised for their role in documenting war crimes and human rights abuses since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February. Who was Alfred Nobel then? On what criteria are the Nobel Prizes awarded? Who chooses the laureates? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why was Kanye West’s Twitter account suspended? How can you save money on your food bill? Why is 'permacrisis' the new dictionary word of the year? 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

In recent weeks, one of the world’s most famous singers has been generating even more headlines than usual, but for all the wrong reasons. It all started on 3rd October at Paris Fashion week. Kanye West, now known as Ye, wore a T-shirt with the words “White Lives Matter” on it. The slogan has been linked to white supremacists in the US. Following that incident, fellow rapper P Diddy defended Ye in public and tried to reason with him privately. But Ye went on to post a screenshot of their conversation on Instagram, accusing Diddy of being controlled by Jews. A common antisemitic trope suggests that the Jews control various sections of society, like the media, financial institutions and even governments. What do Jewish people have to do with P Diddy? What was the fallout? Isn’t Kanye West mentally ill? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can you save money on your food bill? Why is 'permacrisis' the new dictionary word of the year? Is it dangerous if I get heart palpitations? 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

The cost of living crisis has seen food prices increase by as much as 65% according to the Office for National Statistics meaning that the average British household spends an extra £600 pounds a year on food. But considering that there is also about 4.5 million tonnes of food waste annually the possibility of reducing wasted food as well as bills has never been more needed. Reducing your bill at the checkout comes down largely to planning. Getting organised about how, when and where you buy your food as well as how you store and cook it is essential. For starters buying in bulk can really reduce costs. How can I reduce the amount I spend on food? How can I reduce my food waste? How can technology help? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why is 'permacrisis' the new dictionary word of the year? Is it dangerous if I get heart palpitations? Why do we get great ideas in the shower? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In social sciences, a generation refers to a group of the population whose members are around the same age and have hence lived through the same era. Think the baby boomers, Generation X, Millennials… and now Generation Covid! While they may be significantly less at risk of serious illness from Covid-19, young people are bearing the brunt of the pandemic’s economic consequences. Their development into adulthood is increasingly being affected, and it’s taking a mental toll. It’s become clear that Covid-19 will have a lasting impact long after the pandemic ends, to such an extent that it will shape an entire generation. So who exactly do we count as part of Generation Covid? What about students and young adults? How have they been affected? Is there any cause for optimism? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why is 'permacrisis' the new dictionary word of the year? Is it dangerous if I get heart palpitations? Why do we get great ideas in the shower? 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

Every year, 1st December is World AIDS day. To mark the occasion, let’s look back at the story of the Act Up group. Act Up started causing a buzz in New York in 1987, four years after the AIDS virus had been discovered. The highly organised group met several times a week to discuss their action plan. They demanded more prevention and communication campaigns from the state, better access to care, transparency from pharmaceutical labs and an end to the deportation of undocumented migrants. They used shock tactics to attract the attention of the media. When was this group formed? What kind of campaigns did they use? What are some examples of concessions secured by Act Up? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why is 'permacrisis' the new dictionary word of the year? Is it dangerous if I get heart palpitations? Why do we get great ideas in the shower? 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

In late November 2022, fighting killed at least 18 in a rural area of the Putumayu province in South west Colombia, near to the borders with Ecuador and Peru. It involved two dissident groups of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC for short. It has reignited tensions in an internal armed conflict which has spanned six decades, despite the government and FARC signing a peace agreement back in 2016. Their origins go back to Cold War times, when there was high instability in the country. Even before that, there had been a bloody civil war between 1948 and 1953, which was known as La Violencia. It started when popular Liberal presidential candidate Jorge Eliecer Gaitan was assassinated in 1948. How did the FARC organisation start out? Why did they turn to violence? How did the peace process start? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why is 'permacrisis' the new dictionary word of the year? Is it dangerous if I get heart palpitations? Why do we get great ideas in the shower? 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

This portmanteau word describes the feeling of “living through a period of war, inflation, and political instability,” Collins said it chose the word as it “sums up how truly awful 2022 has been for so many people”. The Collins team consulted their 8 billion-word database as well as a range of media sources, including social media, to create an annual list of new and notable words and how they are used. It then compiled its annual 10 words or phrases which "reflect our ever-evolving language and the preoccupations of those who use it". Helen Newstead, language content consultant at Collins Dictionary, told The Washington Post “It was very apparent this year that the conversation was dominated by crisis,” How was it chosen? What does the word mean? What other words were included? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Is it dangerous if I get heart palpitations? Why do we get great ideas in the shower? Why do we see faces in inanimate objects? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are tiny fragments of plastic pretty much everywhere in the ocean, in the ground and inside animals, including humans! These are known as microplastics, and their potential impact on human health and the environment is a cause for concern. Microplastics aren’t a specific type of plastic per se. The term is used to refer to any fragments which are under 5 mm in length. Some examples are polystyrene, polypropylene, polythene and a bunch of other poly-things. They come from large plastic objects, like cosmetics or synthetic fabrics in clothing. The obvious example is on ocean floors, where scientists have estimated there are 14 million tonnes of microplastics. Where are microplastics spreading the most? There must be some protected locations out there, surely? Is it actually dangerous to consume plastic though? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Is it dangerous if I get heart palpitations? Why do we get great ideas in the shower? Why do we see faces in inanimate objects? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever noticed that you tend to have your best ideas in the shower? If so, you’re not alone! A 2014 study conducted by cognitive psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman found that 72% of people get creative ideas while showering. So it’s really not a coincidence. Science has shown that taking a shower is actually a perfect combination of a few factors which allow for optimal creativity. Struggling to solve a particularly complicated problem at work or in your studies? Need to come up with the perfect Christmas gift idea, or plan an event? Try jumping in the shower; you’d be surprised how often it’s more effective than continuing to grind away or hoping for a flash of inspiration. How can taking a shower boost creativity? Do hormones have anything to do with it? Does this state of mind have a name? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What is bae-realing, the new dating trend? Why are Christmas adverts so moving? Could Mastodon replace Twitter? 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

Ardent fans and onlookers alike have probably noticed the diva’s disappearance from major social media platforms, including Instagram. Before deactivating her accounts, Britney assured her followers on Twitter she was just taking a break to celebrate her engagement and promised to be back soon. However, there seems to be more to the story. According to the Guardian, the star’s account has been a focus in the battle over her conservatorship, a complex legal arrangement that has been making her life miserable for 13 years. Britney mentioned walking out of social media is a way of proclaiming her regained freedom. But how did conservatorship turn her life into a nightmare? Who would do that to her? But given Britney’s breakdown, don’t you think conservatorship is appropriate? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What is bae-realing, the new dating trend? Why are Christmas adverts so moving? Could Mastodon replace Twitter? 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

Have you ever looked at a piece of toast, a cloud or a nearby house and had the impression there’s a face in it, looking right back at you? If you’re like most people, it happens to you on a regular basis, and once you’ve seen the face, you just can’t un-see it! It’s down to a human tendency known as pareidolia. The psychological phenomenon comes from the Greek words para, meaning “beside” or “beyond” and “idolia”, meaning form or image. It’s basically our brains playing tricks on us, but for a very good reason. And it’s nothing new either; Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci wrote about it in his notebooks. Pareidolia is an example of apophenia, which is the tendency to make sense of, or connect things that are actually unconnected. Our brains are always looking for patterns in information from the outside world, to use as a basis for the decisions we make. Do you have any examples? Why does the brain do that then? Are some people more affected than others? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What is bae-realing, the new dating trend? Why are Christmas adverts so moving? Could Mastodon replace Twitter? 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

Ever since social media came along, dating trends have evolved constantly. They tend to reflect changes in society too. In previous episodes of Do You Really Know, we’ve talked about dawn dating, sneating and ghosting for example. There are so many different terms out there, and not all of them are positive. Here’s another one you may have heard of recently, in particular if you’re single and use dating apps; bae-realing. You might have started to feel like all these manufactured dates aren’t natural, that they’re unwholesome. If that’s the case, you may well be seduced by the authenticity and even radicalism of bae-realing. It’s been called “a breath of fresh air” by Stylist magazine. Where does the name come from? Why has bae-realing become a trend now? How can I take part in the trend? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why are Christmas adverts so moving? Could Mastodon replace Twitter? Why do crowd crushes happen? 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

John Lewis has released its annual Christmas advert; entitled ‘The Beginner.’ It follows the progress of a middle aged man as he slowly, painfully and determinedly learns how to skateboard. The montage ends by revealing that he is doing all this to make his foster daughter feel welcome when she comes to stay with them for Christmas. It's touching and, for all but the most cold hearted, brings a tear to the eye. You might expect a company to release an advert at Christmas to promote their products. However, research conducted by Princeton University shows that stories are easier to remember than facts so an advert that tells a story is much more likely to be more memorable. Why is John Lewis appealing to our hearts? What are some famous Christmas ads? What makes a successful Christmas advert? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Could Mastodon replace Twitter? Why do crowd crushes happen? Is Britain the new place to get your wine? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reaching carbon net zero by 2050 is one of the main objectives in the struggle against global warming. It’s also part of the Green New Deal the EU agreed upon in 2019. Since the start of 2022, many figures in agriculture have been pushing for a carbon farming policy which would see farmers rewarded for their efforts in sequestering carbon. It’s about using agricultural fields to store CO2 in the ground. Plants first absorb it from the air through a process called photosynthesis. Then their roots and other parts decompose, being converted into soil carbon by microbes. Soil is in fact the second largest form of carbon sink on Earth, after the oceans and ahead of forests. The aim is to sequester carbon more quickly. That leads to a greater organic content in the ground, allowing for better water retention and a reduction in the use of fertilizers. How does carbon farming work?Why is agriculture in particular concerned by the net zero target? What is expected at a European level? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Could Mastodon replace Twitter? Why do crowd crushes happen? Is Britain the new place to get your wine? 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

As we discussed recently on Do You Really Know, Elon Musk’s Twitter buyout has been causing concern not just among company employees, but also” the platform’s users. Around a month has passed since the Tesla and Space X boss expanded his portfolio with the acquisition of Twitter. But he’s already fired over half of all employees and made a host of other unpopular changes. Some users have already decided it’s time to look elsewhere, and that’s where Mastodon comes into the equation. The small social network was created back in 2016 by then 23-year-old German IT engineer Eugen Rochko. Now might just be its time to shine. What kind of social network is Mastdodon then? What’s the point in switching if the two platforms are so similar? Is it calmer than Twitter? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Is Britain the new place to get your wine? Why is there such a taboo over the prostate? How can I take part in Giving Tuesday? 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

On 29th October 2022, 20,000 people were celebrating Halloween in the Itaewon neighbourhood of Seoul in South Korea. One particularly narrow street became very overcrowded, and a huge crush ensued, leading to the deaths of 153 people, with many more injured. A month later, we still don’t know exactly what caused the crush. One of the theories out there is that a rumour spread in the crowd, leading them to believe that a celebrity was in a nearby bar. But a lot of blame has been apportioned to the authorities for poor planning and a slow response to events. A lot of people think that crowd crushes are down to a stampede of people running in panic and crushing others on the floor. Why do things get dangerous in such situations? Are crowd crushes rare or do they happen often? How can I protect myself and others if I end up in an overcrowded area? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Is Britain the new place to get your wine? Why is there such a taboo over the prostate? How can I take part in Giving Tuesday? 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

When you think of wine, you probably think of France, Bordeaux, Burgundy or Beaujolais. But we could soon be looking to Kent, Dorset and Hampshire instead, especially when it comes to sparkling wine. Since 2000 the total amount of land in England and Wales given over to vineyards has quadrupled in size and established wine makers, particularly from the Champagne region in France are taking notice and are keen to take advantage of this new market. In 2016, the Pommery group invested in farmland in Kent which they transformed into vineyards. When interviewed for the Daily Mail, about the 2022 harvest, Julien Lonneux from Pommery said : “This is a truly vintage crop, easily the best in a decade.” How much sparkling wine is currently produced in the UK? Who is taking an interest in English wine? Why is English wine getting better? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why is there such a taboo over the prostate? How can I take part in Giving Tuesday? What can supermarkets do to reduce food waste? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 23rd of Novembre 2022, Iran announced it would be producing enriched uranium, expanding its nuclear program. Listen to our rerun episode which describes the Iranian nuclear program. It was launched in the 1950s by Shah Mohamed Reza Pahlavi, with the help of the United States. Ensuring the peaceful use of nuclear power was a critical global issue for some time, with the International Atomic Energy Agency formed in 1957 and the UN’s Non-Proliferation Treaty signed in 1968. Then in 1979, an Islamic revolution took place in Iran, with Ayatollah Khomeiny taking power. The country’s nuclear program was put on standby. So when did the Iranian nuclear program actually begin? Were the suspicions founded then? What’s gone wrong since the 2015 deal? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Why is there such a taboo over the prostate? How can I take part in Giving Tuesday? What can supermarkets do to reduce food waste? 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

The prostate is a male organ that's situated right above the bladder, in front of the rectum. It's a small gland the size of a chestnut that plays a fundamental role in the reproductive system. It produces the protastic fluids that ensure the maturation and survival of sperm. The prostate is also an incredibly erogenous zone, though it's not often explored amongst heterosexual men. Psychoanalyst and sex therapist Alain Héril for Slate said that: "The simulation of this gland over the course of a prostatic massage provokes a very particular pleasure. This massage can be done using hands or specific sextoys. The prospate is also a very fragile organ, so it's important to get it check - especially as you get older. Why is it important to get my prostate checked? How can I avoid prostate cancer? How can I take care of this organ on the daily? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Should I take part in Buy Nothing Day? How to buy second hand gifts? How can I stay trendy buying only second hand clothes? 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

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. 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. This year, like every year, Giving Tuesday is celebrated the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday, which falls on 29th November this time around. Well that does play a big part. A lot of companies and charities match donations to encourage people to give. Is it all about donating to charity then? What can I do to help if I'm strapped for cash? What about business owners? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Should I take part in Buy Nothing Day? How to buy second hand gifts? How can I stay trendy buying only second hand clothes? 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

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. According to the World Wildlife Foundation, roughly a third of all produced in the world goes to waste. What’s more the United Nations’ Food and Agricultural Organisation says that food waste accounts for a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and 8% of greenhouse gas emissions in total. With that in mind, we might feel guilty when we don’t finish our dinner, or leave something in the fridge for too long and have to throw it out. Where do these problems come from? Do new technologies have a part to play in this? What about imperfect food items? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: Should I take part in Buy Nothing Day? How to buy second hand gifts? How can I stay trendy buying only second hand clothes? 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

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. As you most likely know, today - the 25th of November 2022 - is Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. It's an occasion which sees brands and retailers alike offer massive discounts on the last Friday in November. But it’s not to everyone’s taste, especially with growing awareness about the environmental impact that comes from overconsumption. Bear in mind the often-quoted fact that 20% of the world’s population account for 80% of resource consumption. What’s it all about then? Where does it come from? Has Buy Nothing Day gone international? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How to buy second hand gifts? How can I stay trendy buying only second hand clothes? What are the best ways to reuse my household waste? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Degrowth advocates believe that if we continue prioritising economic growth, political, environmental and geopolitical crises will only increase. Degrowth is an alternative to that. It’s a form of opposition to consumerist societies. Degrowth is all about the importance of the collective over the individual, and the importance of planet Earth over the human race. Where does the term come from? What are the arguments in favour of degrowth? So how do we get started on ‘degrowing’? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I stay trendy buying only second hand clothes? What are the best ways to reuse my household waste? What is premium mediocre - the illusion of luxury? 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

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. ‘Tis the season to spend, spend, spend! In the lead up to Christmas we are bombarded with adverts trying to make us buy but this year might be time to try a new approach and buy something that is new, well at least to you. Gifting second-hand, or as it is increasingly being termed, ‘pre-loved’ goods was once looked down upon but with the planet drawing in waste it offers an interesting solution and can help mitigate the £42m worth of unwanted Christmas gifts that go into landfill each year. But how do you find the perfect second-hand gift? What do I need to look out for when buying second hand? What if I don’t have the time to go second hand shopping? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I stay trendy buying only second hand clothes? What are the best ways to reuse my household waste? What is premium mediocre - the illusion of luxury? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. The circular economy is an economic system where all resources are continually used and nothing is wasted. Goods and services are produced in such a way that primary resources are preserved as far as possible. European policy aims to support the transition towards a circular economy, but it requires significant change. Are we saying the circular economy is a kind of economic utopia? Is this transition likely to lead to job losses? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I stay trendy buying only second hand clothes? What are the best ways to reuse my household waste? What is premium mediocre - the illusion of luxury? 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

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. If you thought Britney Spears shaving her head in 2007 marked the end of the flared jeans era, think again. In 2022, youngsters are hunting them down at Urban Outfitters or Shein to match their butterfly patterned diamante crop tops. But they don’t necessarily stop to think that many people already have the items they’re looking for, though they've long been retired to the back of wardrobes. How can you shop responsibly when fashion trends change all the time? What if I fall in love with a sweater I see in the window at Zara though? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What is premium mediocre - the illusion of luxury? What is Gross National Happiness, a potential alternative to GDP? Why are my ears ringing? 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

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. All week long we’ll be discussing anticonsumerist trends as an alternative to Black Friday. Zero waste is a good example of one that has become very popular in recent years. The practice helps reduce consumption of non-recyclables but it’s also plain common sense. Let’s look at some simple ways to recycle waste at home and also save some cash while you’re at it. What about composting fruits and vegetables? What about food that has already gone bad? What about waste that isn't organic? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What is premium mediocre - the illusion of luxury? What is Gross National Happiness, a potential alternative to GDP? Why are my ears ringing? 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

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 latest episodes, click here: What is Gross National Happiness, a potential alternative to GDP? Why are my ears ringing? Why is Elon Musk's Twitter takeover causing concern? A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. In partnership with upday UK. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Fast fashion is to fashion what fast food is to dining. That is to say a poor-quality imitation, which everybody criticises but still nevertheless consumes! Adopted by many clothing brands, this strategy consists of regularly bringing out new collections and offering low-price items. Customers are therefore encouraged to buy new clothes almost constantly. This all seems rather bleak, so what can we do? What is the solution, to stop wearing clothes and turn to naturism? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What is Gross National Happiness, a potential alternative to GDP? Why are my ears ringing? Why is Elon Musk's Twitter takeover causing concern? 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