Do you really know?

What is a Christmas tree? “O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum, How faithfully you blossom!” is the English translation of lyrics to a traditional folk song written by German composer Ernst Anschütz in 1824. A Tannenbaum is actually a fir tree, and Anschutz likely had no idea his song would be associated with Christmas trees and go on to become one of the most popular carols out there. Fast forward to 2021, Christmas trees and their lovely branches are becoming more controversial. An unconventional tree in New Jersey’s Asbury Park has been the talk of the town of the last few weeks. Normally, the historic boardwalk is decorated with a fresh-cut natural Christmas tree. But this year, in its place is a piece of art made of cardboard that also incorporates elements of the seashore, urban architecture and the city’s musical heritage. It’s also designed to be recycled after it is dismantled. The Christmas tree sculpture has received both praise and criticism. But how did putting up a Christmas tree become a tradition? But what happens to all these trees after the holidays? Can you imagine Christmas without a tree? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is Wikileaks? Who is Spiderman? What is the Santa shortage? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Wikileaks? On December 10th, a UK court ruled that Wikileaks founder Julian Assange could be extradited to the United States. The Australian is currently being held on remand in Belmarsh Prison for breaching the terms of his bail, but he also faces long-standing espionnage charges from the US. Those relate to the publication of secret documents on US army activity in Afghanistan, over a decade ago. That would lead to the former hacker being labelled as the US’ public enemy number one by some observers. When was Wikileaks actually created? How did the video come to light? Did Wikileaks continue to publish during that time? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Who is Spiderman? What is the Santa shortage? What is Ugly Sweater Day? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who is Spiderman? The eagerly-awaited Spider Man: No Way Home hit cinemas last week, becoming the second-biggest box office opening ever. The film brought in $260m on its first weekend alone, according to CNN. Let’s take the opportunity to look back at the story of Peter Parker in the cinema world. The latest instalment continues Hollywood’s third Spiderman series since the turn of the century. What do you mean three adaptations? Is SpiderMan really that big of a deal? How long did it take for Spiderman to end up on cinema screens? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the Santa shortage? What is Ugly Sweater Day? What is apostasy? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the Santa shortage? The latest wave of Covid-19 is impacting 2021 Christmas celebrations in a big way. And that includes one of its most important traditions: that of Santa Claus. Santa is synonymous with the joy of Christmas, and we’re used to seeing him more or less everywhere around this time of year, from Christmas markets to supermarkets to TV adverts. But this time around, the labour shortage has stretched as far as the North Pole. That’s right, North America is faced with a Santa shortage! What exactly does it have to do with Covid then? Is there a shortage in demand due to the pandemic? Are there any alternatives to get around the Santa shortage? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is Ugly Sweater Day? What is apostasy? What is Cheugy? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Ugly Sweater Day? 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? 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 last episodes, you can click here: What is apostasy? What is Cheugy? What is the Xbox? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is a QR code? Thanks for asking! QR codes have likely never been used more than in the Covid age. They’ve become ubiquitous especially since the NHS started using them for its test and Trace app. These odd black-and-white grids may all look alike, but in fact every QR code is unique. QR codes, or quick response codes to give them their full name, were first invented by Japanese engineer Masahiro Hara, working at Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota. They were used in factories to track vehicles while they were being assembled, and to scan components. Of course QR codes really took off in the 21st century, and in particular with the rise of the smartphone. What are QR codes used for? So how do QR codes actually work? Can we create a QR code? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What are the Paralympics? What is sapiosexuality? What is the Taliban offensive? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is apostasy? Christians around the world are preparing to celebrate Christmas, with many non-believers also joining in on the festivities. But what happens when someone decides to give up or denounce their religion? Well that’s known as apostasy and it comes from the ancient Greek word apostasia, meaning a defection or revolt. Of course it touches on the idea of freedom of thought. But the term is most often used in a religious context, isn’t it? Is apostasy punishable by law? Isn’t freedom of religion a matter of individual choice? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the Xbox? What is the FIRE movement? What is Tangping? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is Stop Asian Hate? Thanks for asking! On March 16th, a series of shootings in Atlanta caused eight deaths. The murders took place at three different spas, and six of the deceased victims were Asian women. The 21-year-old perpetrator claims to have been motivated by shame at his own sexual addiction, rather than specifically targeting the Asian community. But some believe the killings should be classed as hate crimes. The Stop Asian Hate hashtag has been trending on social media ever since. On the day of the shootings, social media analytics platform Visitbrain recorded 4 million tweets using the hashtag. It was notably shared by the Black Lives Matter movement, who released an anti-white supremacy statement. Is Stop Asian Hate a recent development? Do we have any statistics on the crimes being carried out? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Who is Ousmane Sonko? What is Generation Covid? What are HFCs? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is the #QuitMyJob trend? Thanks for asking! This hashtag went viral on TikTok during the summer. On social media, thousands of web users used the hashtag QuitMyJob to hand in their resignation directly on the Internet. For starters, to give their notice in style. But more importantly, to call their employers out for unacceptable behaviour. American Shana Blackwell, is seen as having started the QuitMyJob trend. In autumn 2020, she made the following announcement over her Walmart store’s PA system. Hold on, why would anyone want to do that? Can employees get in trouble for making allegations against their employers online? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is a Tiny House? What is tokenism? What is squirting? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Cheugy? Some neologisms end up having an impressive online presence, spreading virally, but without many of us even being aware they exist. Cheugy is one such term! It more or less means old-fashioned or passé, standing for anything which is no longer trendy. It’s a term which has highlighted an intergenerational culture war between the Millennials and Gen Z in 2021, the latter using it to mock their predecessors. The internet is of course a global village, but cheugy definitely has its roots in the USA. How did the term first appear? So what kind of things actually are cheugy? What’s trendy is completely subjective, isn’t it?! In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the Xbox? What is the FIRE movement? What is Tangping? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is Pop-It? Thanks for asking! If 2017 was the year of the hand spinner in the toy world, 2021 is the year of the Pop-It! Even if the name doesn’t immediately ring a bell, the chances are you’ve seen one of these fidget toys in a picture or video on social media without realising. Manufacturers have had to ramp up production due to the recent surge in popularity. The Pop-It is basically a silicone-based tray containing colourful half-sphere bubbles. You’d be forgiven for saying it looks pretty unremarkable at first. You can push the bubbles through one by one, which creates a satisfying popping sound. Once you’ve finished popping one side, you can simply flip it over and pop back the other way! It sounds like a reusable version of bubble wrap! What’s the appeal of Pop-It then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What are sonic weapons? What is the I.O.C.? What is the global bike shortage? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the Xbox? The end of 2021 marks 20 years since the launch of major video game console the Xbox. Back at the E3 trade event in 2001, Bill Gates unveiled Microsoft’s latest project: a big black box with a fluorescent X on top. It represented the company’s first foray into the gaming console market. The “X” part of the name refers to Microsoft’s DirectX technology on which the console runs. It enables the software and hardware to work together, which basically means it helps apps to function. How did the Xbox first come to prominence? What was that? How did Microsoft react to that setback? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the FIRE movement? What is Tangping? What is West Side Story? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is Signal? Thanks for asking! Maybe you’re among the millions of new users to have recently downloaded messaging app Signal. Just like Whatsapp or Messenger, Signal is a free-to-use messaging app which can be used on smartphone or desktop computers. Unlike its competitors though, Signal is independent and prides itself on being the most secure messaging app around. The first version of the Signal app launched in 2015, created by American entrepreneur Moxie Marlinspike. But it was only at the start of 2021 that Signal really took off. And ironically, its new found success is largely down to competitor Whatsapp. For years now many of us have been using Whatsapp to call friends across the globe, without racking up a massive phone bill. Its group functions allow friends, family and colleagues to share media. So what does Signal have that Whatsapp doesn’t? In what way is it independent? Who does Signal belong to? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is compersion? What is Inauguration Day? What is Blue Monday? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the FIRE movement? Imagine you could quit work by the age of 40 and enjoy the freedoms afforded by retirement while still pretty young. Well that’s exactly what the FIRE movement, standing for Financial Independence, Retire Early, is all about. The way of life is particularly popular among millennials, and although its origins date back to a book from the 1990s, it really gained in popularity around 2010, just when those guys were reaching their twenties. Sounds cool! Is it some kind of secret life hack cult? I’m gonna tell my boss to get bent and head for the beach! In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is Tangping? What is West Side Story? What is hybristophilia? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is the IPCC report? Thanks for asking! There may still be a minority of doubters out there, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to deny the existence of climate change and its disastrous consequences. The summer months of July and August have once again seen extreme and unprecedented weather events, like the North American heat dome we discussed in a recent episode, the fires witnessed in Greece caused partly by a lack of rainfall, or the deadly floods which hit Belgium and Germany, countries usually known for having a mild climate. Released on August 9th, the latest Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change comes as a stark reminder that planet Earth is heating up. It’s known as AR6 for short, reflecting the fact that it’s the sixth such report, with the first dating back to 1990. Who actually makes up the IPCC? What can we read in the latest edition? Is there any hope? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is rape culture? What is Maslow's hierarchy of needs? What is the Covid vaccine pill? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Tangping? China is known for its hyper competitive work culture, with young people accustomed to doing long hours and having an always-on mentality. But earlier this year, Tang ping came along as a counter culture, an antidote if you like. Literally the word simply means to lie down flat. But it has taken on political significance in 2021. What kind of pressures are we talking about? Are we saying this movement only applies to young people then? How have the authorities reacted? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is West Side Story? What is hybristophilia? What is Hanukkah? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is Operation London Bridge? Thanks for asking! The recent passing of Prince Philip at the age of 99 has served as a reminder that even Her Majesty the Queen won’t be around forever. Queen Elizabeth II has reigned over the United Kingdom and Commonwealth since February 6th 1952, longer than any other British monarch. Believe it or not, extensive protocol is already in place for the day when the Queen passes away. Plans known as Operation London Bridge were first made in the 1960s and are updated regularly. Wow - That’s going to be the end of an era! Who will be the first to hear the news? How quickly will the rest of us find out? What are the practical arrangements for Operation London Bridge? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is a lateral flow test? What is vegetarianism? What are LGBT-free zones? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is West Side Story? Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story” hit UK cinemas just last Friday. That makes it a perfect occasion to dedicate an episode to one of the most iconic musicals in history. What is the story about? So what makes this story so special? So how did the cinematic adaptation come on? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is hybristophilia? What is Hanukkah? What is a testicle bath? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is rape culture? Thanks for asking! Society generally sees rape as one of the most heinous crimes that exists. But the sociological theory of rape culture suggests that sexual assault continues to be so common precisely because of certain attitudes on gender and sexuality. Certain myths and misconceptions are handed down from generation to generation, ending up embedded in cultural norms. The consequences: victim shaming, impunity for perpetrators and encouraging women to sacrifice freedoms to avoid being raped, are drastic. Are you talking about the idea of the patriarchy? How has the situation evolved in recent years? How can we combat rape culture? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the Covid vaccine pill? What is the black fungus epidemic? What is geophony? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is hybristophilia? We tend to file serial killers among the worst examples of humanity, so it’s hard to imagine anyone would be specifically attracted to them. Well believe it or not the term hybristophilia refers to just that. You could say it’s a bad-boy fixation taken to the extreme. The term comes from the ancient Greek hybrizein, which means committing an atrocity against somebody, and phile, meaning to have a strong attraction. Hybristophilia is sometimes referred to as “Bonnie and Clyde Syndrome”. Hybristophilia can’t be that common, can it? So how do you explain that some women are so fascinated by, and attracted to, these men? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is a testicle bath? What is Yentl Syndrome? What is Ghostbusters? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is Generation Covid? Thanks for asking! 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. 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 last episodes, you can click here: What are HFCs? What is eye yoga? What is a test concert? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What are the Pandora Papers? Thanks for asking! On October 3rd, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists began publishing leaked documents exposing the hidden assets of some of the world’s richest and most powerful people. Five years after the Panama Papers revelations, the latest investigation, carried out over two years, represents the biggest ever leak of offshore data, showing the global scale of tax evasion. In total 11.9 million documents were leaked, totalling 2.94 terabytes worth of data. It has been dubbed the Pandora Papers, evoking Pandora’s Box from Greek mythology, a jar containing the world’s evils. So who is implicated in the Pandora Papers leak? Did they actually do anything illegal? What’s different this time compared to previous leaks like the Paradise Papers and Panama Papers? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is degrowth? What is coolsculpting? What is a bore-out? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Hanukkah? This week saw the end of Hanukkah, so let's look 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. What did the Jewish community do? What happened next? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is a testicle bath? What is Yentl Syndrome? What is Ghostbusters? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is the Olympic flame? Thanks for asking! As Japan prepares to host the delayed 2020 Olympics, let’s look at one of the Games’ iconic symbols, the Olympic flame, and how it spreads the values of the Olympic movement. It brings a sense of identity to the Games, much like the Olympic rings and its Latin motto Citius Altius Fortius. Throughout the Games, the flame burns inside the Olympic stadium, symbolising the ideals of peace and friendship between people. The flame is a reminder of the Games of ancient Greek times, when messengers travelled from city to city announcing competition dates, as well as calling for a sacred Olympic truce. This meant all conflicts ceased, allowing athletes and spectators to travel to Olympia. Of course in 2021, the coronavirus hasn’t agreed to any truce, so the Tokyo Games are being organised under strict measures. Are you saying the history of the Olympics is linked to Ancient Greece? What happens once the flame is lit? What happens if the flame goes out? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the offside rule? What is Auroville? What is Straight Edge? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Yentl Syndrome? You may have already heard about examples of sexist bias in medicine. Well Yentl Syndrome is a perfect demonstration of how women and men sometimes receive different medical treatment. American cardiologist Bernadine Healy, a former President of the National Institutes of Health, came up with the name in 1991, as the title of a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine. To sum up, her evidence seemed to suggest that men were taken more seriously than women when claiming to be sick. Where does the name come from? How exactly does the treatment differ? How have things changed in recent years? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is Ghostbusters? What is an Advent calendar? What is reality shifting? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is a heat dome? Thanks for asking! The Pacific north-west is typically a mild region when it comes to weather. But in late June, Western Canada experienced record temperatures, with the province of British Columbia hit particularly hard. Temperatures are usually around 21° on the Pacific coast, but reached 49.5°C in Lytton, a village around 100 miles to the North-east of Vancouver. Cities on the other side of the border weren’t spared either, with Portland and Seattle both seeing their respective record temperatures smashed. We’re used to talk of heatwaves, but observers have labelled the latest situation a heat dome. What’s the science behind these extreme temperatures? How dangerous is the heat dome? To what extent are heat domes due to climate change? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the Olympic flame? What is the glass ceiling? What is the offside rule? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is a testicle bath? Still in this day and age, the burden of being responsible for birth control falls mainly on women. You’ve got an almost endless list of reversible female methods, such as the pill, coil, vaginal ring and the implant, with new ones never ceasing to emerge. On the other hand, when it comes to male contraceptives, the options out there are pretty limited. Mentalities are evolving but there is little communication on the subject. That’s despite trials on the male pill having been carried out as you may remember from listening to our past episode on male contraception. Of course, men can choose to get a vasectomy but that is a permanent procedure. How does it actually work? It wasn’t a man who came up with this? Should we be expecting to see the testicle bath device available soon? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is an Advent calendar? What is reality shifting? What are fine particles? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What were the Troubles? Thanks for asking! It’s been 23 years since the Good Friday peace agreement put an end to The Troubles, a decades-long period of violence which saw 3,500 people die. Nevertheless, in recent weeks riots broke out in loyalist areas of Northern Ireland’s major cities, including Derry and Belfast. Gangs of youths attacked police, injuring scores of officers in the worst violence the country has seen for years. What’s caused tensions to rise again in Northern Ireland? How did the Troubles begin? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is Operation London Bridge? What is a lateral flow test? What is vegetarianism? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Ghostbusters? Ghouls and spectres beware, the Ghostbusters are back! Ghostbusters: Afterlife hit cinemas on December 1, 2021. This is the long-awaited fourth film in the saga, which was originally due for release in summer 2020. Wait a minute, give us a bit of background for those of us who aren’t Ghostbusters aficionados. What went wrong? So why take a risk by trying again five years later? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is an Advent calendar? What is reality shifting? What are fine particles? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is hygge? Thanks for asking! Picture this: you’re indoors, in front of a warm fireplace, with a plaid rug over your legs, sipping a cup of tea or cocoa while watching a film. Or you could be relaxing with a candlelit bath, soothing music and a book in your hands. Well, you might not realise it, but you’re experiencing a typical hygge moment. Wait a minute, what language are we talking about here? When did hygge get to be so popular? Is this kind of cosiness really that specific to Scandinavia? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen the last episodes, you can click here: What is breaking? What is the cosmic calendar? What is an immunity passport? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is an Advent calendar? If you’re anything like us, you’ll have been eagerly waiting for the clock to go past midnight on December 1st to have the first chocolate from this year’s Advent Calendar! These special festive calendars are used to count down to Christmas, all through the month of December. They traditionally offer simple treats like chocolate, but in recent years, holiday shoppers have been spoiled for choice with liquor, toy and make-up-filled alternatives. Retailers offer a variety of options, including wine, beer, cheese, candy, candles, and more. So what’s the story behind Advent calendars? But what is the religious meaning of the calendar? And what's the deal with the kids? Why make them wait? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is reality shifting? What are fine particles? What is Albedo? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Do you really know?" is Bababam's daily podcast, which helps you understand the words, acronyms, and concepts that are making the news every day. From December 6th to 20th, discover the words that have left their mark on the year, with our 2021 Retrospective. From the "Pandora Papers" affair to the "#QuitMyJob" hashtag and of course the "Long Covid" condition, (re)discover these words that sum up 2021. What is long COVID? Thanks for asking! Even months after infection, some Covid-19 patients have continued to suffer from symptoms such as extreme fatigue, lack of sleep or breathing problems. And these are mostly people who have long been discharged from hospital, or never even went there in the first place. This form of the virus is generally multi-symptomatic and protean. The term long Covid was actually coined by a group of infected patients, who experienced it during the first wave of the pandemic. They had to campaign for months to raise public awareness and draw greater attention from the medical community, getting it on the agenda for scientific research. Does long Covid affect a high proportion of patients? How would I know if I had long Covid? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is Clubhouse? What is a nasal spray vaccine? What is quantum technology? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is reality shifting? This trend took off among teenagers on both sides of the Atlantic during the first round of lockdowns last year. It found its home on TikTok, all starting out with the #ShiftingRealities hashtag, which went from 170 million views to over a billion in just a few months. Shifting implies moving one’s own consciousness to another alternative reality. It could be very similar to the so-called real world, with small differences, or completely fictional. It could be the world you’ve read about in a book, seen on TV or simply invented from scratch. What kind of scenarios are possible with reality shifting? So tell me, how does shifting reality work? And does it actually work?! In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is woofing? What are Yuccies? Who is Peng Shuai? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is a virus variant region? Another variant of the coronavirus has appeared: the omicron variant. An opportunity to talk about variant viruses again. The Indian variant known as B.1.617 is causing concern in Europe, particularly due to a steep rise in infections since early May. It recently spread into the United Kingdom, where it is currently taking over as the dominant variant. As a result, Germany reclassified the UK as a virus variant region on May 23rd. Travel between the UK and Germany is therefore strictly limited for the time being, meaning only German citizens or residents are allowed to enter the country. Even then, whether arriving by train, car or plane, they are also subject to a two week isolation period, which can’t be shortened even by testing negative. I thought the UK’s health situation was going much better! Is Germany the only country to have put in place restrictions against visitors from the UK?Could the Indian variant have an impact on summer holiday plans in Europe? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What are Yuccies? Who is Peng Shuai? What is climate change famine? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are fine particles? According to a European Environment Agency report in November 2021, 307,000 people in the EU died prematurely in 2019 due to fine particle pollution. That number represented a 10% decrease compared to the year before, but that’s not exactly cause for celebration; the figures are still alarming. Fine particle pollution is everywhere, especially in urban areas, and considerably impacts public health. This invisible killer is a major item on the environmental agenda. Are they visible to the naked eye? So are they dangerous for your health? Which countries are the most affected? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is woofing? What are Yuccies? Who is Peng Shuai? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Albedo? The Albedo scale is studied and used in multiple fields like astrology and geology. It actually refers to the reflective power of any surface. The term comes from the Latin word for whiteness, and came into use in the field of optics in 1760. The notion is also significant in climate studies, and the idea of global warming. So how is it calculated? Can you give me any other real life examples? That’s all fascinating, but what does it have to do with climate change? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is woofing? What are Yuccies? Who is Peng Shuai? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is woofing? The world is still in the middle of a health crisis. And while travel has resumed with the reopening of borders, more sustainable tourism practices have come to the fore in the past two years. One such example is wwoofing, which started growing in popularity prior to the Covid pandemic. And no, it’s got nothing to do with dogs despite the name! The name is derived from the acronym WWOOF, standing for World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. So if I work in woofing, do I get paid? So where does woofing come from? How do I become a woofer in the UK? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What are Yuccies? Who is Peng Shuai? What is climate change famine? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are Yuccies? Thanks for asking! In today’s episode, let’s talk about a term which mixes sociology and lifestyle newspeak. Yuccies is an abbreviation for Young urban creatives. The term started trending after American journalist David Infante introduced it in an article on Mashable in June 2015. Within weeks, the concept had been covered on many other websites, with the original article being shared over 75,000 times. Hmm, that sounds a lot like hipsters? What sets yuccies apart? What kind of careers do yuccies tend to pursue? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is climate change famine? What is an unvaccinated lockdown? What is the four-day week? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Fast Fashion? Thanks for asking! Friday, November 19th, 2021, it was Black Friday. The opportunity to come back on the concept of fast fashion. 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. These practices haven’t just come about by magic. They meet an increasing level of demand caused by expanding middle classes across the world, especially in developing countries. These consumers want more clothes and in particular cheaper clothes. The MacArthur Foundation estimates that by 2050, clothes sales will have at least tripled worldwide. This all seems rather bleak, so what can we do? Stop wearing clothes and turn to naturism? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen the last episodes, you can click here: What is Ikigai? What is PTSD? Who are Abba? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who is Peng Shuai? Thanks for asking! If you’re not a tennis follower, the chances are you may never have heard of Chinese player Peng Shuai. But in her discipline, she is kind of a big deal. A two-time doubles Grand Slam winner, she has also been ranked as high as 14th in the world during her singles career. But rather than asking “who is Peng Shuai?”, the question on everyone’s lips over the last couple of weeks has been “where is Peng Shuai?”. Indeed the Twitter hashtag has been used many thousands of times, since she vanished from the public eye. How did it all start? What happened next? Has she been seen since? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is climate change famine? What is an unvaccinated lockdown? What is the four-day week? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is climate change famine? Thanks for asking! The COP26 summit, which took place earlier this month, revealed that concerns related to climate change are now more pressing than ever. In June 2021, Madagascar became the first country in the world officially affected by a climate change famine that swept over the south of the island as a result of global warming. What makes it a particularly affected area is that 9 out of 10 people there live below the poverty line. According to the UN, 30,000 Malagasy are suffering from famine and 1.3 million are victims of acute malnutrition. The World Food Program reported that the figure includes 500,000 children, with over a fifth of those children affected by a severe form. How did this climate change famine come about? What do Madagascar's inhabitants eat then? Is there a chance of similar famines breaking out in other countries? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is an unvaccinated lockdown? What is the four-day week? What are primitive reflexes? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is an unvaccinated lockdown? Thanks for asking! Just when we thought Covid lockdowns were a thing of the past, the pandemic has once again taken a turn for the worse in Europe. Despite a full vaccination rate at 65.5% on average across the EU, a new wave is hitting hard in the build-up to winter. Some countries are now taking a more targeted approach by imposing restrictive measures specifically on those who are not vaccinated. This started out last week, when Austrian Chancellor Alexander Schallenberg announced such a lockdown. Those who hadn’t been fully vaccinated would only be able to leave their homes for essential reasons, like going to work or buying food. What has the reaction been in Austria? Have other countries introduced similar measures? What’s the logic behind such restrictions? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the four-day week? What are primitive reflexes? What is Demon Slayer? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the four-day week? Thanks for asking! It might be an unlikely dream for most of us, but many Spanish workers will be trying out a four-day week from the start of 2022. 200 companies have put themselves forward for a three-year pilot project. The best part? There won’t be any pay cuts to worry about, thanks to a 50M€ support fund released by the country’s government. Spanish fashion company Desigual got off to a headstart, bringing in a similar move a few weeks ago after employees heavily backed the initiative in a vote. In exchange for the additional day’s rest, workers at the company’s Barcelona HQ accepted a 6.5% pay cut. And the results so far certainly seem satisfying both on the worker and employer side. What is the Spanish government hoping for? Have other countries tested the four-day work week? What about in the UK? Could we see something similar soon? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is Demon Slayer? What is PMS? What is Ikigai? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the Covid vaccine pill? Thanks for asking! The United Kingdom has announced the approval of the molnupiravir-based Covid-19 tablet treatment developed by the American laboratory Merck. Summer 2021 has seen Covid-19 vaccine campaigns making steady progress around the world. As of the start of August, 15% of the global population had been fully vaccinated. While health authorities in some countries are considering a third dose by injection, Oravax Medical, a subsidiary of Israeli pharmaceutical company Oramed, is hoping to produce a Covid-19 vaccine in pill form. A pill?! So you’d just swallow it like paracetamol then? How would the vaccine actually work? Is it really that revolutionary of a vaccine method? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is Ikigai? What is PTSD? Who are Abba? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. In partnership with upday UK. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are primitive reflexes? Thanks for asking! According to the UK Office for National Statistics, September 26 was the most popular day to be born over the last two decades, which falls 39 weeks and two days after Christmas day. Babies are born with certain reflexes that result in involuntary movements. These are called primitive reflexes, and the movements happen automatically without the baby sending a message to their brain. Such reflexes develop during the foetal period and indicate that the baby’s brain is functioning well. What are some examples? Isn’t it just the cutest when a baby grabs your finger? Do these reflexes remain with babies as they develop into children? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is Demon Slayer? What is PMS? What is Ikigai? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Demon Slayer? Thanks for asking! Forget Squid Game. Kimestsu no Yaiba is the latest big hit. Doesn’t ring a bell? How about Demon Slayer, the new Shōnen Jump bestseller? Shōnen Jump is the iconic Japanese manga anthology that brought to us such gems as One Piece, Naruto, Dragon Ball, and My Hero Academia. But unlike these extended series, the manga by Koyoharu Gotōge ended in 2020, after 23 volumes. What is it about? Could you say Demon Slayer has revolutionized manga? Are there any future plans for the franchise? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is Ikigai? What is PTSD? Who are Abba? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is PMS? Thanks for asking! Headaches, bloating, painful swelling in the breasts and lower abdomen, stress, extreme fatigue, anxiety, and depression; the list is almost endless. These are some common symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, known as PMS for short. They usually appear two to seven days before a woman gets her period. In rare cases, they can occur as early as two weeks prior. Generally speaking, symptoms disappear when the period arrives, or shortly after. Are you saying it affects all women then? Where do these symptoms come from? Are some people affected more than others? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is Ikigai? What is PTSD? Who are Abba? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Ikigai? Thanks for asking! The Japanese concept of Ikigai roughly translates as “reason for being”, like . The “Iki” part means life, while “gai” refers to value or worth. So it effectively means finding a purpose to life and the things we spend our time doing. This philosophy dates back to the 12th century, but has been gaining in popularity among Westerners in recent years. That’s in particular thanks to the 2017 release of Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, a book by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. It includes the top ten key rules of Ikigai, based on a case study of residents from the village of Ogimi in Okinawa. Okinawa, you say? Why does that ring a bell? So are you saying it’s the secret to a long and meaningful life? Where can I sign up? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Who are Abba? What is healthwashing? What is the Big Quit? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are NFTs? Thanks for asking! NFTs are the talk of the town in early November 2021. Quentin Tarantino is auctioning off NFTs of unedited scenes from "Pulp Fiction". It’s one of the latest crazes in the world of blockchain. Non-fungible tokens are digital certificates of ownership, which state who owns a piece of virtual crypto-art. That’s right, you can now buy collectible digital art, like memes, GIFs, videos and even tweets, all thanks to NFTs. NFTs emerged in 2017, as part of the Ethereum cryptocurrency blockchain. You’ve most likely heard of bitcoin and blockchain before. Well, NFTs are based on the same technology. So are NFTs cryptocurrency then? What are the advantages of using the blockchain? Why would anyone spend millions on something that can be copied endlessly and can’t even be hung up on their wall? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: What is the Big Quit? What is Jackass? What is Squid Game? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is PTSD? Thanks for asking! This mental health condition may be invisible, but it ruins the lives of those who suffer from it. Post-traumatic stress disorder can come on following a number of events. These can include witnessing or being a victim of violence. It could also be a natural disaster or act of terrorism for example. We all experience traumatic events at some point in our lives, which take time to recover from. But with PTSD sufferers, the intense and disturbing thoughts last much longer and can interfere with their daily lives. What are the main signs of PTSD? Is there any way to get around PTSD? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: Who are Abba? What is healthwashing? What is the Big Quit? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices