Do you really know?

Have you ever felt anxious about going to see the doctor? Maybe the thought of a needle or having a tooth pulled makes you tense. Well that's pretty common but for some people, the fear of medical appointments goes much deeper and it can lead to what's become known as FOFO.  The colloquial abbreviation stands for a Fear Of Finding Out, and it’s usually used in relation to a person's fear of discovering they have a health problem. For some, that fear is so strong that they put off appointments or avoid screenings altogether, worried that the doctor might find something serious. Why would someone feel that way? Can FOFO affect anyone? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What should I do with expired medicines? What is Quantum medicine and is it a scam? Why is physical contact important for our health? A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Those are no doubt familiar instructions if you’ve ever taken a plane. Today's topic is one that has been a part of our digital lives for quite some time: Flight Mode. Have you ever wondered why this feature exists on our devices, and what purpose it serves beyond just flying on airplanes?  The main function of Flight Mode is to disable your device's cellular radio. This includes the mobile network as well as 4G or 5G connections. That of course means you can’t receive voice calls or text messages.  Why do we have to activate it when flying then ? Is Flight Mode beneficial for health? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠How can I best preserve food in my freezer ?⁠ ⁠What are the biggest misconceptions on beating heatwaves?⁠ ⁠What is a salt tooth ?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 23/7/2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The average British household usually puts on their central heating by October 24, according to British Gas. But this year, thanks to soaring energy costs, and a mild winter it may well be later. Turning down your heating can have real savings. The Energy Saving Trust calculates that turning your thermostat down from 20c to 19c should cut your energy bill by around 10 per cent. But as well as saving money there are possible health benefits. According to a study carried out by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Australia spending time in an environment at 19° increases your ‘brown fat’. This is unlike normal fat, because it is packed with mitochondria which act like mini power stations, turning food into energy. What are the health benefits? Should we go lower than 19°? Should anyone not turn down the temperature? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠Can you get rid of cellulite?⁠ ⁠Do you know about home design maximalism?⁠ ⁠What is toxic positivity?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 15/11/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In September 2023, UK consumer watchdog Which published research showing just how much cheaper budget brands can be. One striking example was the price of rice at Asda. Shoppers could get 1kg of Asda Just Essentials rice for 52 pence, while the store’s standard own-brand Easy Cook Long Grain White Rice was £1.80 for the same quantity. That’s 246% more. Similar cases were found at supermarkets like Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrison’s, on staple foods like baked beans, spaghetti and tea bags. The cost of living crisis has seen a lot of people switch to budget food brands in order to save. And an early 2023 survey by Attest found that 70.2% of Brits plan to stick with own-label brands, rather than reverting to premium options. What counts as a budget food brand? Are the products of good enough quality? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Why is funflation causing us to spend more on live entertainment?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Are gas cookers dangerous?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How do I know if I'm allergic to gluten?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 26/11/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“The rich get richer and the poor get poorer”, the saying goes. And there’s actually a name for that phenomenon: the Matthew Effect. The term was first coined by sociologists Robert K. Merton and Harriet Zuckerman in 1968, in relation to how “already eminent scientists were given disproportionate credit in cases of collaboration or of independent multiple discoveries.” In other words, if a group of scientists made a discovery together, with equal input, the most famous one would tend to get the most credit. Unfair, right? But sadly true! The Matthew Effect was not limited to scientific citations. Other researchers found that it also applied to wealth and status in society. Where does the Matthew part come from? How do rich people get richer? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Why are some people clumsier than others?⁠ ⁠What is Quantum medicine and is it a scam?⁠ ⁠How to follow the beach flag system?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 10/5/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the warmer weather that summer brings, it’s especially important to be aware of the best techniques for freezing food before it goes bad. This ensures food safety and minimises waste. Furthermore, proper freezing techniques help preserve the taste, texture, and nutritional value of the food. You might think it’s as simple as bunging something in the freezer and leaving it there for as long as you want, but actually there are a number of finer points to bear in mind, which many people are unaware of. Fear not though, as usual we've got you covered. Get ready to beat the heat and become a food freezing expert. Let's jump right in! Is it OK to freeze something that has already thawed ? What’s the ideal temperature for maintaining a freezer ? Are there any food items that are not suitable for freezing? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Why do women live longer than men?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Does money really make us happy?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Do I need to take vitamin D supplements?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 19/7/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

£2.99 for biscuits, £6.99 for moisturiser, £49.99 for a mixer. In shops, one small detail stands out: price tags overwhelmingly end in 99. It’s eye-catching, though not exactly convenient for anyone trying to track their spending. Is it really so common? Is that a recent invention? Is that why prices still end in 99? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What does the popcorn index teach us about the economy? Why don't prices fall when inflation slows? What is the gig economy? A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In some religions, people believe in reincarnation or an afterlife, but in medicine, life is generally considered to end when the heart stops beating. Recently though, researchers have challenged that view.  In November 2024, American biologists Peter A Noble and Alex Pozhitkov published groundbreaking findings in The Conversation under the title “Biobots arise from the cells of dead organisms − pushing the boundaries of life, death and medicine.” They showed that, under certain conditions, dead cells can not only survive but also reorganise and form new multicellular structures. And that discovery suggests the existence of an intermediate state where biological organisms are neither fully alive nor completely dead. Scientists are now referring to this as the "third state." Doesn’t death occur when the brain stops functioning? How would that even be possible if the person is deceased? What are the implications of the third state? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is a near-death experience?⁠ ⁠What is citizen science, the concept opening up research to the general public ?⁠ ⁠How did Covid lead to the emergence of meta cities?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 3/1/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve most likely heard of this plant before, and seen one if you were lucky! Maybe you’ve even tried to find one in a field or a garden. The four leaf clover is without doubt one of the most popular and fascinating symbols of luck. A four leaf clover is a clover plant that has four leaves instead of the usual three. A clover plant is a type of herb that belongs to the pea family. It has small flowers that can be white, pink, or purple. It grows in many parts of the world, especially in temperate and humid regions. How do four leaf clovers differ from regular clovers? Where does the myth come from? What are the most common uses of four leaf clovers? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠How long do I have to wait to swim after eating?⁠ ⁠What are the world's least safe travel destinations?⁠ ⁠Why do we get travel sick?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 17/6/2023 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! Flying vehicles have long been imagined as part of the not-too-distant future, as well as a making regular appearances in TV and film works of fiction. Just think of the Jetsons or Harry Potter for example. And the attraction is understandable. Imagine you could avoid all road congestion by travelling by air, even over a short distance. Well, even if we’re not quite there yet, we may be getting closer, due to the emergence of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, known as EVTOLs for short. A lot of manufacturers are getting on board. Hyundai has said it expects the air mobility market to be worth close to $1.5tn within the next 20 years. Where does the name come from? Are there any vertiports already open? What are the challenges? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to more episodes, click here: ⁠⁠Are my smart devices spying on me?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is synthetic fuel?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is a frozen conflict?⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast. Written and produced by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 18/1/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Calimero is a black chick with a half-broken eggshell on his head. He’s always complaining about something or other, with “But it’s an injustice” being his favourite line. A more recent animated version of the cartoon appeared on Disney Junior in the UK in the 2010s. Maybe you can think of someone you know in real life who’s an eternal complainer. Is there any chance other people might think that way about you? Well, French psychoanalyst Saverio Tomasella went as far as naming a syndrome after the cartoon chick. He released The Calimero Syndrome as a book in 2017, covering it extensively.  Isn’t it normal to complain when things don’t go our way? So why do Calimeros complain so much then? How can I beat Calimero syndrome? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠What is Lucky Girl syndrome, this new method that is all the rage on Tik Tok?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How often should I wash my hair?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why is it so important that the ozone layer heals?⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 8/2/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether it’s in the street, on public transport or at home, almost all of us use headphones or earphones to listen to music. Now music might bring us joy and a whole lot of other emotions, but when it’s too loud, it can also represent a risk for hearing health.  The same is also true when going to entertainment venues like nightclubs, bars, music concert arenas and sports stadia. The danger comes when the sound level gets too high, we’re exposed to it for too long, or worse, both. What are healthy listening levels then? Are there any warning signs to look out for? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is future faking?⁠ ⁠Why are we so fascinated by true crime?⁠ ⁠Why is the UK not as happy as it used to be?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 30/01/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Data suggests that around one in six of us will experience depression at some point in our lifetime. And if you’ve had family members who have been affected, you may well have asked yourself whether it could happen to you too, or if there are ways to prevent it.  Now, there is some evidence of a predisposition when depression appears in the family. According to Stanford University: “In most cases of depression, around 50% of the cause is genetic, and around 50% is unrelated to genes”. What’s the difference between hereditary conditions and predispositions? Why do these predispositions seem to run in families where depression is common? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What are the warning signs of depression? Why do we change our hairstyle when we’re depressed? hat is sad nipple syndrome? A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In January 2023, Prince Harry published his memoirs, in the form of an autobiography entitled "Spare". The book led to a lot of controversy, particularly regarding the relationship between Harry and his brother William, the future King of England. A number of observers have suggested that Prince Harry suffers from second child syndrome. For example, behavioural expert Abdullah Boulad was quoted by the Daily Express and other media outlets as saying: “In the long term, Harry may focus for the rest of his life on blaming others for his missed childhood and life circumstances.” What are the negative effects of this syndrome? How can I as a parent prevent second child syndrome? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠What are the biggest misconceptions on beating heatwaves?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What are the health benefits of using sex toys?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Which foods should I avoid after their expiry date?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 22/2/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While it’s not a scientifically recognised food category, the term “superfoods” has become common when referring to certain foods that are very rich in nutrients and micronutrients. You may have heard about the disease-preventing wonders of seeds and algae for example, or weight loss benefits associated with fruits such as goji berries, spirulina, and pomegranates. Let’s investigate whether all the hype is actually justified! Back in February 2019, health and fitness writer K. Aleisha Fetters penned an article for Vice.com under the headline “There’s No Such Thing As A Superfood.” Fetters said that superfoods are in reality “something between wishful thinking and really effective marketing.” Is there any doubt as to whether they’re good for you? So, superfoods are actually useless then, are they? Can you give me any examples? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠How can I best preserve food in my freezer ?⁠ ⁠Are budget food brands really worth the savings they offer?⁠ ⁠What are the best plant-based protein foods?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 17/3/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s not news that if you don't get a good nights sleep you will probably not be your best the next day, but while you are snoozing, particularly in deep sleep, your brain is not just powered down, it is busy cleaning out the days toxins, almost like it is ‘washing your brain’ and getting it ready for the next day.   “Sleep is not just a state where things turn off. Sleep is a very active state for the brain – and it seems to be a special state for fluid flow within the brain,” says Laura Lewis, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Boston University in the Guardian newspaper.  What happens if we don't get enough deep sleep? How can we boost our deep sleep? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠⁠What is conscious quitting?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why is Israel going through a major political crisis?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How should I organise my fridge?⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 6/4/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In recent years, gluten-free diets have become more and more popular. No doubt you’ve seen “Free From” aisles in your local supermarket, and you can also get gluten-free items in health food shops or online. Some people have no choice but to adopt such a diet, because they have coeliac disease, a lifelong autoimmune condition which causes their body to attack its own tissue when gluten is consumed. According to Coeliac UK, the condition affects just 1% of the population. However, there have been claims that going gluten-free has benefits like weight loss, increased energy and improved overall health, but there’s little in the way of research to back all that up. So, what is it about gluten that causes health problems ? Which foods contain gluten ? How can you tell if you really have Coeliac disease ? To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠⁠What do I need to know before getting a tattoo?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Is swallowing chewing gum dangerous?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Could the human race become infertile?⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast. A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 29/4/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The trend of workplace presenteeism has increased in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. A September 2020 report by RAND Europe suggests that presenteeism is mainly driven by stress, suboptimal mental health, lack of sleep and poor financial well-being, which have all intensified during the pandemic. Presenteeism is the practice of being present at one's place of work for more hours than is required, especially as a manifestation of insecurity about one's job. It can also refer to the practice of coming to work despite illness, injury or anxiety, which often results in reduced productivity.  How does presenteeism manifest itself? And what are the causes? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠What is the snowball method of paying back debt?⁠ ⁠What is PimEyes, the powerful tool ending online anonymity?⁠ ⁠Is the fertility cliff real?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 25/5/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The UK’s Online Safety Bill has been in the pipeline for a number of years now, and is currently being considered by the House of Lords. The proposed bill has caused a lot of controversy due to its broad ambitions and a perceived threat to people’s privacy. But it’s been welcomed in some quarters, and in particular by children’s charities like the NSPCC, who say that it’s needed to tackle grooming and child sexual abuse online. Indeed, the NSPCC says such measures are long overdue and that over 3,500 online sex crimes are likely happening each month that the bill is delayed. How does online grooming happen, and who are the typical targets ? Does this only happen online? How can you identify a child victim ? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠What happens to your online life after you die?⁠ ⁠What is PimEyes, the powerful tool ending online anonymity?⁠ ⁠What are lolcows, the unwitting targets of online bullies?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance First broadcast: 31/07/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all know what it feels like to get pins and needles. It usually happens when we’ve been in the same position for too long, sleeping on one of our arms for example. Bad posture when seated can make this more likely to happen. It’s a slightly uncomfortable feeling of numbness and tingling, as if someone was raking your skin repeatedly with small pointed objects. That’s where the name “pins and needles” comes from, which goes back to the mid-19th century, according to word-detective.com. There is a scientific term for the sensation too by the way: paresthesia. Where does the pins and needles reaction come from? Can it be related to diseases ? When should we worry? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠What is retinol, the miracle anti ageing skincare treatment?⁠ ⁠What is the best time of day to take a shower?⁠ ⁠How can I recognise ultra-processed foods?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 14/6/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices