Do you really know?

January 16th is Martin Luther King Day. In the United States, this is a federal holiday in the United States marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. King was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. The fight against racial discrimination is still essential today. Listen to our rerun episode about the Black Lives Matter movement! The Black Lives Matter movement originated in the U.S., following another tragedy. In 2012, black teenager Trayvon Martin was shot and killed by security agent George Zimmermann. When Zimmermann was acquitted the following year, three female activists created the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter on Twitter as a show of outrage at the verdict. It caught on, and gradually developed into a much wider movement, especially after the deaths of two more African-American men: Michael Brown and Eric Garner. Do black people really die more than others in the United States? Isn’t that just an attempt to dismiss the Black Lives Matter struggle? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: What is synthetic fuel? What is a frozen conflict? What are warming stripes? 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

All week long, we’re looking into 10 new terms and concepts that are certain to be on everyone’s lips in 2023! For a number of years now, we’ve been hearing that the future of transport is electric, in particular due to the impact of fossil fuels on global warming. But there are a number of drawbacks, including cost, battery life, battery recycling, charging time which mean some people are reluctant to get on board. There are also fears that the switch to electric vehicles won’t be quick enough to meet environmental objectives. Some experts believe that the fastest way to reduce CO2 emissions from transport is to use fuels synthesised from organic materials that are carbon-neutral and can power existing vehicles. How are synthetic fuels made? Why are they a good alternative to fossil fuels? Will it be available to the general public? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: Why do we consider Friday 13th unlucky? Why has my sense of smell changed because of Covid? What are nepo babies? 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

All week long, we’re looking into 10 new terms and concepts that are certain to be on everyone’s lips in 2023! It’s nearly 11 months since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, and the war has reached somewhat of a stalemate. Many observers expected a swift Russian victory, no doubt including Vladimir Putin himself, but Ukrainian resistance proved fierce. Over the summer, Ukraine launched a counter-offensive and succeeded in taking back large parts of Russian-occupied territory. As we head into 2023, there’s a distinct possibility of the war becoming a drawn-out affair, even turning into a frozen conflict. That’s a situation where fighting has ceased, but there’s no clear resolution in the form of a peace treaty or political agreement. Hostilities could resume at any moment and the climate is unstable. Why could the Russia - Ukraine war become a frozen conflict? Why would that be in Russia’s interests? Are there frozen conflicts in other parts of the world too? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: Why do we consider Friday 13th unlucky? Why has my sense of smell changed because of Covid? What are nepo babies? 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’ve been to a climate demonstration in recent times, you may have noticed placards with a series of blue and red coloured stripes. Kind of like a barcode but in colour, with the shades varying from very light to very dark. You may have even seen them at political or sporting events, in the media, or on the cover of Greta Thunberg’s The Climate Book. This set of graphics are known as warming stripes, and they’re not as random as they might first seem. Indeed, the coloured stripes have become a go-to symbol for many climate activists, given that they feature no letters and no numbers, meaning anyone anywhere in the world can understand their meaning. Warming stripes were invented by Ed Hawkins in 2018. The British climatologist is a respected figure, having contributed to several IPCC reports as an author. What is the meaning? Why are they used on social media? How can such a simple graphic get across the complexity of climate change? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: Why do we consider Friday 13th unlucky? Why has my sense of smell changed because of Covid? What are nepo babies? 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

Today is Friday 13th, a day often seen as unlucky in Western superstition. Indeed, the tradition has become so ingrained that there’s even an associated phobia. It’s called, wait for it, paraskevidekatriaphobia! Now, it might seem Friday 13th doesn’t come around very often, but most years actually have two and sometimes even three, depending on the calendar. 2022 was an anomaly with it occurring just once. This year sees two Friday 13ths, the first today in January and the second to come in October. Interestingly, in Italy Friday 17th is actually seen as a more unlucky day, while in Spain and Greece it’s Tuesday 13th. Where does the superstition come from? There are a lot of references to Friday 13th in popular culture, aren’t there? Is it the same in every culture? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: Why has my sense of smell changed because of Covid? What are nepo babies? What is menstrual leave? 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

One of the many symptoms of Covid 19 was a loss of the sense of smell It is estimated that about two-thirds of patients experience loss of smell during acute COVID-19 and around half of these will subsequently develop parosmia. Now researchers have been investigating what might cause this loss of smell and how to treat it. Loss of smell is known as anosmia. Parosmia is not a loss of smell but a smell disorder where odours are distorted and often smell unpleasant. This can affect food, toiletries or environmental smells. It can last weeks, months or even years and can be very upsetting. What is parosmia? Why does this happen? How can it be cured? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: What are nepo babies? What is menstrual leave? Can a weighted blanket help you get a better night’s sleep? 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

When talking about diversity and inclusion, the glass ceiling refers to an invisible barrier stopping those in minorities from obtaining upper-level workforce opportunities. The metaphor is most often used when talking about women. They may find their careers stagnating, unable to progress beyond a middle-management role, through no fault of their own. When it comes to senior positions, they are overlooked in favour of men, despite often having equal or better credentials. Where does the expression come from? Where is the glass ceiling most noticeable? How has the situation evolved since the term “glass ceiling” was invented? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: What are nepo babies? What is menstrual leave? Can a weighted blanket help you get a better night’s sleep? 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

All week long, we’re looking into 10 new terms and concepts that are certain to be on everyone’s lips in 2023! In December 2022, New York magazine ran a cover which got a lot of attention. It featured the heads of a number of Hollywood celebs like Lily-Rose Depp, Ben Platt, Dakota Johnson and Zoe Kravitz, all edited onto babies’ bodies. In the centre of the page the bright pink headline read: “She Has Her Mother’s Eyes. And Agent.” The article inside labelled 2022 the “Year of the Nepo Baby”. What those celeb babies all have in common is that they’re the children of famous, successful parents. That’s where the “nepo” part comes from, as in nepotism. Right from the get go, these kids had an advantage or arguably a sure road to success. Isn’t that obvious? That’s been the case forever, hasn’t it? What do nepo babies themselves have to say on the issue? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: Can a weighted blanket help you get a better night’s sleep? What is the internet of senses? What is goblin mode? 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

All week long, we’re looking into 10 new terms and concepts that are certain to be on everyone’s lips in 2023! Despite the fact that we’re in 2023, there’s still a certain squeamishness when it comes to discussions about menstruation, including in the workplace. But that might be about to change in Europe, due to a measure that was recently approved by the lower house of Spain’s parliament... In mid-December 2022, Spanish MPs voted to adopt a new bill creating menstrual leave for women suffering from period pain. That’s right, 3-5 days off work per month paid by the state. And while it’s a first in Europe, such a measure has already existed for decades in other parts of the world. Why do women need time off work during their periods? Which other countries in the world have a menstrual leave policy? Why is menstrual leave a controversial measure? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: Can a weighted blanket help you get a better night’s sleep? What is the internet of senses? What is goblin mode? 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

A comfy mattress, be it firm or soft, and a good pillow are all essential for a good night’s sleep but increasingly people are also buying weighted blankets to help them relax. A weighted blanket is exactly what it sounds like, a blanket that is heavier than your usual duvet. They are normally filled with either plastic pellets or glass beads and their extra weight is designed to provide a light pressure that has a therapeutic effect, like being held, which for some, leads to a sense of calm, reduced anxiety and better sleep. Sensory integration theory suggests that deep pressure can have a calming effect on the nervous system which can help with a host of anxiety issues, troubled sleep, insomnia, restless leg syndrome and can even help calm people with an autism spectrum disorder. What is a weighted blanket and how does it work? What are the benefits of a weighted blanket? Are there any concerns about weighted blankets? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: What is the internet of senses? What is goblin mode? What should I eat before going to bed? 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

You may have spotted one in a park, at the edge of the woods, or in a parking lot in the middle of the countryside. Tiny houses on wheels or up on a trailer have been springing up like mushrooms for a number of years. The tiny-house trend is a social and architectural movement that demonstrates a desire to return to simplicity by downsizing living spaces. The tiny-house revolution started in the United States in the 1970s. The idea gained momentum thanks to English-born architect Sarah Susanka, the originator of the “Not So Big” residential architecture philosophy. Further exponential growth of their popularity can be linked to a number of events, including hurricane Katrina that swept over the United States and prompted the need for fast mass housing construction. Where does this idea come from? But what are the perks of going tiny? How do you move into a Tiny House? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the internet of senses? What is goblin mode? What should I eat before going to bed? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All week long we're looking at the 10 words that will be on everyone's lips in 2023. If, like us, you're a fan of Netflix series Black Mirror, you’ll remember that several episodes are set in a near future where technology allows humans to have fully immersive experiences. Where the sensations felt in the virtual world are identical to those in the real world. Of course Black Mirror is sci-fi, but we may not be that far away from something similar being possible in the real world. Tech giants like Ericsson, Apple and Tesla are taking a keen interest in sensory technologies and filing for patent after patent in the area. According to Ericsson, new technologies will allow us to create an “internet of senses” by 2025. The Swedish telecoms company introduced the term “internet of senses” for the first time in 2019. Are we talking about the five senses? Are there other internet of senses precursor projects? Won’t it be dangerous not being able to distinguish between the virtual and real worlds? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: Why has far-right terrorism increased so much? How can I save money when using electrical appliances? Why do we get the post-sex blues? 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

A European Union embargo against maritime shipments of crude oil from Russia went into effect on the 5th of December 2022, along with a price cap agreed to by the Group of Seven leading industrialized economies and Australia. Listen to our rerun episode about the Russian Oil Embargo. The EU unanimously took this decisive measure on the night of 30th May 2022, a little over 3 months since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine. Between now and the end of the year, the Union’s 27 member states will cut imports of Russian oil by 90%. Russia is one of the three biggest oil producers in the world, after Saudi Arabia and the United States. The embargo concerns not only crude oil, but also refined fuels like diesel. The agreement marks the sixth package of sanctions against Russia to come from Brussels, following previous measures. Why take such a measure? Mais quid du tiers du pétrole restant ? What else is in the sanctions package? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: Why has far-right terrorism increased so much? How can I save money when using electrical appliances? Why do we get the post-sex blues? 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

All week long we're looking at the 10 words that will be on everyone's lips in 2023. Every year, linguists at Oxford University choose a Word of the Year and in 2022, they allowed the public to vote on the winner for the first time. The 340,000 English speakers who voted were given three choices: metaverse, the #IStandWith hashtag and, drumroll please, the eventual runaway winner…Goblin Mode. The term secured an impressive 93% of votes. It might seem anecdotal and light-hearted, but you’re going to hear it a lot more often in 2023 as it’s definitely an expression that speaks to the times. Basically, it means shamelessly living as one wants, or ‘slobbing out’ if you like. What’s the official definition? Is it a brand new expression? So is going goblin mode a good thing then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: Why has far-right terrorism increased so much? How can I save money when using electrical appliances? Why do we get the post-sex blues? 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

No doubt you’ve realised that some types of food have a boosting effect, like eggs, oats and avocado for example. That’s because they contain tyrosine, an amino acid which is a precursor to dopamine, making them an ideal breakfast option. At the other end of the scale, some foods are better suited for preparing our bodies to go to sleep, by bringing on certain chemical reactions. In terms of what not to do, it’s most important not to eat anything too rich, not to eat meals that are too large, and not to eat too close to bedtime. You should aim to e nd dinner at least two hours before going to bed. That’s to limit any potential nighttime discomfort from indigestion or heartburn. On top of that, our body temperature needs to drop when we go to sleep, but digestion does the exact opposite. So what are the better options available to us then? Why is the role of amino acids so important? What about simply skipping dinner; does that work? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: Why has far-right terrorism increased so much? How can I save money when using electrical appliances? Why do we get the post-sex blues? 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 early December 2022, German authorities carried out a sting operation on the neo-Nazi Reichsburger group that was plotting to overthrow the country’s government through a coup. It was one of Germany’s biggest ever counterterror operations, seeing 3000 police officers make 300 raids across 11 regions of the country, and led to a total of 25 arrests. The so-called Citizens of the Reich are just one example of a dangerous threat that is becoming more and more widespread in the West: that of violent far-right terrorism. 2019 saw the Christchurch mosque attack in New Zealand, which killed 51 people, and a school shooting targeting the majority Latino community of El Paso, Texas. The following year, Germany saw the Hanau shisha bar shootings, and the murder of migrant-friendly MP Walter Lubcke. What are the aims of right-wing extremists? How has right-wing terrorism changed in recent years? Who tends to radicalise? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I save money when using electrical appliances? Why do we get the post-sex blues? What can be done about snoring? 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

You might be surprised to learn that how we use our electric devices can make real changes to our energy consumption and our bills. So here are some simple tips to help you change your habits and save on your energy bills. Let’s start with leaving appliances on standby. Many appliances use energy even when they are on standby. Chargers still draw power even if the device is not connected, media players, Phones with displays that show when not in active use, like cordless phones and smart home appliances like refrigerators, washer and dryers that have always-on displays and many more. This energy consumption is often referred to as standby but also other names like phantom load, shadow loads, idle current or even vampire power. What's the easiest way to save money on electricity? What if I need to leave things on standby? How can I save money by changing the way I use appliances? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the lastest episodes, click here: Why do we get the post-sex blues? What can be done about snoring? How can I make and keep my new year’s resolutions? 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

OCD stands for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Contrary to popular opinion, we’re not just talking about irritating little quirks. The condition profoundly affects the patient's mind, behaviour, and emotions. It all starts in the brain. Patients get intrusive thoughts that become obsessive over time. The more you hold on to these thoughts, the more anxiety you experience. OCD patients may even believe that if they have a thought, such as getting into a car accident or catching a serious disease, it means the event will happen. Unless they do something to prevent it – and that’s where compulsions start kicking in. So how does it develop? And how long can it last? I get the idea. Is it possible to stop the spiral? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the lastest episodes, click here: Why do we get the post-sex blues? What can be done about snoring? How can I make and keep my new year’s resolutions? 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’ve ever felt strangely sad after having sex, you may have wondered what on earth was wrong with you. After all, we’re supposed to lie around in a haze or cuddle up to our partner in a state of post-orgasmic bliss, every single time. At least that’s what popular culture would have us believe. But rest assured, if that’s not the case for you, you’re not alone. Indeed, a lot of people have experienced what’s called post-coital dysphoria, also known as the post-sex blues. It refers to the negative emotions people feel after having sex. And it’s more common that you might think. A study on the condition was published in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy in 2018. It was based on a questionnaire that 1208 men took, of which 41% said they had had the post-sex blues at least once in their lives. What kind of feelings are we talking about? Could it be psychological too? What’s the best way to beat the blues then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I return unwanted gifts? Could the deep work technique help me concentrate better at work? What can I do to relieve heartburn? 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

According to the British Snoring and Sleep Apnea Association, 41% of the UK population snore, which means there are approximately 15 million snorers in the country. That in turn means 30 million people are affected by snoring, given that the noises can prove disturbing to a partner or family member’s sleep. Of course when we breathe, oxygen passes through our nose, then behind the palate to reach the pharynx and trachea. When we sleep, these muscles tend to collapse, which can hamper air flow. Our organs start vibrating and the noise spreads in the nasal cavities. That’s where snoring comes from. Is it a cause for concern? So what about the rest of us snorers who don’t suffer from sleep apnea? What if the snoring is down to my sleeping position? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I return unwanted gifts? Could the deep work technique help me concentrate better at work? What can I do to relieve heartburn? 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

For many new year’s is a great time to take a look at your life and make some changes. Unfortunately, According to the time management firm FranklinCovey, one third of resolutions fail before the end of January. There are three main reasons resolutions fail. Firstly, resolutions made because of what you think you ‘ought’ to do, are not likely to succeed. Next, being too vague and finally not having a realistic plan of how you intend to achieve your goal are all signs that your resolution will probably not make it. Your resolutions should be SMART. By that, I mean specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. This acronym is a great way to think about your resolutions and experts agree. Why do so many resolutions fail? How do you make successful resolutions? How do I know when I'm setting unrealistic goals for myself? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I return unwanted gifts? Could the deep work technique help me concentrate better at work? What can I do to relieve heartburn? 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

Here we are just a few days into 2023! Have you made, or perhaps already broken, any New Year’s resolutions? Well, it’s not too late to get involved. There are plenty of good initiatives out there and here’s one which is designed to help you stick to a resolution for a full month, or at least try something new. The Veganuary challenge is pretty easy to understand. It’s a contraction of the words “vegan” and “January”, the idea being to go vegan for a month, cutting out all animal origin food from your diet. According to organisers, over 580,000 people from 209 countries across the world registered to take part last year, and that figure is expected to increase again in 2023. How long has the Veganuary movement been around? How can I join in? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I celebrate New Year’s at home and still have fun? Should we be worried about the Lensa AI avatar app? How does the 3-30-300 rule affect my mental health? 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

You’re most likely familiar with the concept of Dry January, which started out in the UK in 2013 and has since become hugely popular. It involves not consuming a single drop of alcohol for the whole month of January. In 2022, record participation numbers were recorded, with over 130,000 people signing up with Alcohol Change to take part. On average, British people drink 9.8 litres of pure alcohol per year, according to figures released by the OECD in 2021. Right from the first few hours of cutting out alcohol, the body starts its detox process. You may get noticeable withdrawal symptoms, depending on how dependent your body is on alcohol. If you’re a moderate drinker, you may have a little trouble getting to sleep. If you drink more often, you might get headaches or break into a sweat. It’s often said that the first three days are the hardest. Is there really an impact in such a short space of time? What about from week two onwards? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I celebrate New Year’s at home and still have fun? Should we be worried about the Lensa AI avatar app? How does the 3-30-300 rule affect my mental health? 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

We all know that the effects of tobacco on the human body are devastating. The World Health Organisation says that it kills more than 8 million people each year, making it one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever seen. It’s hardly surprising when you consider that cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemical substances, and at least 50 of them are carcinogens, meaning they are linked to an increased risk of cancer. Many people will attempt to quit smoking as part of their New year’s resolutions, and we’re here to provide some information on the best ways to do so. It seems so, at least according to the most recent large-scale study on the subject which was published by Jama Network Open in October 2022. If I give up, will my body ever fully recover? What different methods are out there? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I celebrate New Year’s at home and still have fun? Should we be worried about the Lensa AI avatar app? How does the 3-30-300 rule affect my mental health? 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 noticed more of your friends talking about their star signs of late? Maybe they try to guess the sign of people they meet, or come out with unexpected references to “Mercury in retrograde” or “Saturn return” over dinner. Maybe you’re into it yourself; and you have an app which sends you horoscope notifications all day long. It wasn’t so long ago that most people would just read horoscopes in the paper for a laugh, but these days astrology seems to be all the rage. Dedicated webpages are getting more and more traffic, and there are even astrology based dating apps, like Ilios and Stars Align. Analysing human behaviour according to star and planet positions has existed for millenia across different civilisations, like the Mayas for example. Are we saying astrology has never been this popular before? What’s caused the resurgence then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I celebrate New Year’s at home and still have fun? Should we be worried about the Lensa AI avatar app? How does the 3-30-300 rule affect my mental health? 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

"Dear you, spending painful days pretending to be okay for someone else. You don't need to tell us everything... but how about just a little of it?" Imagine you’re in the bathroom at uni and you notice a message like that printed on the toilet roll. Pretty weird right?! Well that’s exactly the situation students in the Yamanashi region of Japan found themselves in, when authorities rolled out their new suicide prevention initiative. That’s one example of the messages that were thought out by mental health specialists, and the toilet rolls also feature the number of a suicide prevention helpline and soothing images, like a cat playing with a ball or a young girl underneath an umbrella. Why are they looking to help young people specifically? Are things worse in Japan than elsewhere in the world? What's the attitude towards mental health in Japan? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I celebrate New Year’s at home and still have fun? Should we be worried about the Lensa AI avatar app? How does the 3-30-300 rule affect my mental health? 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

Heading out to celebrate the New Year can be great fun, but it can also be stressful, crowded and expensive. And it is not always possible you might live far from a town, have little children and no babysitter or maybe you are just not feeling up to it. Whatever the reason, here are some tips on how to ring in the new year from the comfort of your own home but still have fun! Being at home does not mean being alone. You could invite friends over for a dinner party, a game night or even just a film night. You can choose whether you want to dress up, keep it casual or even go for fancy dress. You can make it special by planning a meal and dressing the table or even decorating the house and of course planning the playlist. If you choose to host a games night it could be as simple as monopoly or scrabble or you could go all out and host a murder mystery party complete with roles to play and a killer to uncover. How can I still see friends but stay at home? What if my friends live far away? What if I just want to be alone? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I return unwanted gifts? Could the deep work technique help me concentrate better at work? What can I do to relieve heartburn? 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. In late June 2022, the US Supreme Court controversially overturned the landmark Roe vs Wade decision which for decades protected women’s freedom to have an abortion anywhere in the country. Five of the six conservative judges sitting on the supreme court voted in favour of the reversal, ensuring a majority. US President Joe Biden said it was a “sad day for the court and for the country” and called on Americans to elect local candidates who will restore abortion rights. How quickly will the impact of the decision be felt? How did the Roe vs Wade ruling first come around? Why has everything changed now? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I return unwanted gifts? Could the deep work technique help me concentrate better at work? What can I do to relieve heartburn? 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’re a big social media user, you’ve likely seen an influx of illustrated selfies on your feeds in the last month or so. All of a sudden, your friends started posting self-portraits showing them transformed into fairy princesses, anime characters or astronauts. These impressive images might look like works of art, as if they’ve been carefully hand-crafted by hand. But they’re actually the result of Prisma Lab’s Lensa AI app, and more specifically the newly added Magic Avatar feature. It promises to “make your selfies look better than you ever imagined” and as of December 2022 became the top free-to-download app in the US App Store. How does it work? What’s not to like then? What about personal data? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I return unwanted gifts? Could the deep work technique help me concentrate better at work? What can I do to relieve heartburn? 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 our increasingly urbanised world, it’s important to make time for reconnecting with nature. The latest study to grab our attention in this area was conducted by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health and published in December 2022. It looked into the so-called 3-30-300 rule, which was theorised by Spanish forest researcher Cecil Konijnendijk in 2021. It's made up of three criteria, which each give our mental health a boost: we should have three trees in view from our home, live in a neighbourhood with 30% tree canopy cover and live within 300 metres of a park. Researchers interviewed over 3,000 residents in Barcelona and found that less than 5% of them were lucky enough to live in an area which met all three of the 3-30-300 rule’s criteria. Indeed, 22.4% of respondents had none of the elements. Interesting, so what did we learn from the latest study? What is it about green spaces that makes us calmer? What are the best ways to apply the 3-30-300 rule? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I return unwanted gifts? Could the deep work technique help me concentrate better at work? What can I do to relieve heartburn? 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

It’s great to be remembered by friends, colleagues, and family at Christmas, but despite people’s best intentions, they don't always get you what you want. So now the festive season is over and the wrapping is off it might be time to take some of those gifts back rather than let them gather dust in a cupboard. If you bought something, in-store or online and it is faulty then by law you can get a full refund if you return it within 30 days. After 30 days, the store's obliged to provide a repair or a replacement. However, legally speaking, you do not have the right to return an item because you don't like it. That said most shops have their own, generous returns policy so it is worth finding out what their terms are before you try and return an unwanted item and expect the money back if they only offer exchanges or store credit. What are your rights? What’s a gift receipt? What can you do if you can’t return it? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I protect my mental health during the holiday season? Why does Christmas boost our libido? Is Santa Claus red because of Coca Cola? 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. In a report published on 3rd April, international NGO Human Rights Watch made allegations of "war crimes" carried out by Russian soldiers against civilians in occupied areas of Ukraine. These included executions, violence, threats and war rape, which is the subject of today’s episode. Since the start of the war, accounts have begun to emerge, with the truth being brought to light by victims and witnesses. A woman from a village near to Kharkiv told how she had been beaten, cut with a knife and repeatedly raped by a Russian soldier. Why does war lead to more rapes? How far back do the first records of war rape go? How is war rape punished? 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? How can I prepare my home for a blackout? 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

Distractions in the workplace are almost endless, from Slack group notifications to questions from colleagues to the dozen or more tabs you’ve got open in your browser. By the time your next meeting comes along, you realise two hours have passed and you’ve barely done any productive work at all. Sound familiar? Thankfully there’s a method to improve your efficiency and concentration which may help. It’s called deep work. We owe it to Cal Newport, a computer science professor at Georgetown University in the US. Newport is a renowned figure in personal development and in 2016 he released a self-help book entitled: Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, which would go on to be a bestseller. Where does the concept come from? What’s the best way to concentrate on deep work? What if my boss and colleagues think I’m being rude? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I protect my mental health during the holiday season? Why does Christmas boost our libido? Is Santa Claus red because of Coca Cola? 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. Dating practices evolve over time along with our ways of life. Over the last two years, Covid-19 restrictions and remote work have had a huge impact on the love lives of singletons all across the world. All of a sudden, it was much less practical to meet a potential suitor face to face. As a result dates became few and far between for many. Now of course, in-person interactions have become safer, but for some their habits may have changed for good! For most of us, a typical date involves evening drinks or dinner. How did we find out about dawn dating? What are the main differences between morning and evening dates? Have there been many other changes in dating since the Covid pandemic started? 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? How can I prepare my home for a blackout? 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 festivities often go hand in hand with overindulgence, in the form of large servings of roast dinner, yummy pudding and alcohol consumption. That can result in heartburn, a condition which despite the terrifying sounding name, is usually relatively harmless. It’s a burning sensation felt in the chest, behind the breastbone, which explains where the name comes from. But it’s actually down to stomach acid travelling back up the oesophagus, which is the tube that carries food down from your throat. Let’s discuss a few tips for preventing heartburn, or relieving the symptoms if you do get some during the holiday season. Are some people more vulnerable than others? Are there particular foods to avoid? What can I do to calm the symptoms? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I protect my mental health during the holiday season? Why does Christmas boost our libido? Is Santa Claus red because of Coca Cola? 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. Marketing technique shrinkflation is becoming more and more common in large retail stores, in particular down to the ongoing war in Ukraine. It sees manufacturers quietly reducing the size of their products, but maintaining prices at the same level. Shrinkflation is often a result of an increase in raw material prices and other production costs, but is seen as a form of hidden inflation and has been heavily criticised in many places. In the context of the current cost of living crisis, it’s definitely a sensitive subject. Do you have any specific examples? Is shrinkflation illegal? As a consumer, how can I avoid falling victim to shrinkflation? 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? How can I prepare my home for a blackout? 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 were to turn on your TV right now, or open up Netflix, the chances of you stumbling upon a cheesy Christmas movie would be pretty high. They tend to be full of clichés, cringeworthy one-liners and predictable plots, but still we just can't seem to get enough. Let’s take a moment to delve into the psychology behind Christmas movies, and how they got to be so successful. Mormon director George Albert Smith released the first Christmas film : a short silent drama called Santa Claus, in 1898, which showed Santa visiting a house on Christmas eve. Moving into the 20th century, the history of Christmas movies reflects the story of Hollywood itself. In the US, they really became a genre, or even tradition, in their own right. The first wave came in the 1990s. Who made the first Christmas film? If they’re repetitive and predictable, how come we keep coming back for more? What are the key ingredients for a good Christmas film then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: How can I protect my mental health during the holiday season? Why does Christmas boost our libido? Is Santa Claus red because of Coca Cola? 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. "Quiet quitting" has been getting a lot of attention of late. So many young people have been rejecting “hustle culture”, which puts work at the centre of a person’s life and can lead to burnout. On this podcast, we’ve talked about a lot of factors affecting young workers and their mental health in recent times. It’s pretty well established that the Covid pandemic was a game changer, in that flexible working models became the norm and everybody started reassessing their priorities in life. Is that like slipping out the back door? Is quiet quitting a good thing? 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? How can I prepare my home for a blackout? 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. The chances are at some point in your life you’ve taken an Uber ride, perhaps heading home from a night out, to get to the airport or when running late for work for example. The company’s rise to prominence over the last decade has been staggering, and it’s now worth over $40 billion. But the ride-sharing tech giant has had its fair share of controversy along the way. And less than two weeks ago, a massive leak called the Uber files saw the company again come under the spotlight for the wrong reasons. It stands accused of employing questionable tactics on its way to the top. How did the scandal break out? How did Uber develop into the giant it is these days? What else did the leaks reveal? 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

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