Do you really know?

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  What is terraforming? 19.08.2026 4min

  What is terraforming? Thanks for asking! If you’re a fan of sci-fi, the idea of terraformation should be familiar. It refers to all the techniques and technologies which aim to transform the surface of a planet, making it suitable for human inhabitation. Basically, it means making a planet similar to Earth. To make a Hollywood comparison, that’s exactly the purpose of the Weyland-Yutani company in Ridley Scott’s Alien series. Terraforming may have originally been dreamt up in works of fiction, but today's real-world science has taken inspiration and is trying damn hard to put it into practice.  The first recorded use of the term terraforming appeared in Astounding Science Fiction magazine in 1942. Which planets would be most likely terraforming candidates? So, how likely is it we could survive on Mars? ⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!⁠ To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is empty nest syndrome? ⁠ ⁠What is air rage? ⁠ ⁠What are silent discos? ⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. See ⁠acast.com/privacy⁠ for privacy and opt-out information. First Broadcast: 6/9/2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Could unfaithfulness be caused by genetics? 19.08.2026 5min

  No one's proud of being unfaithful, but what if some people’s cheating was actually caused by genetics, rather than selfishness? That might sound like a convenient excuse, but actually there could be some scientific basis behind it. In 2022 researchers at the University of Queensland in Australia analysed the DNA of over 7,300 twins aged between 18 and 49, all of whom had been in relationships for several years. What were the study’s results then? Are some people simply programmed to cheat then? To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Is it a good idea to sleep with my pet?⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠How can I stop micro-awakenings from disrupting my sleep?⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Does sex help us to sleep better?⁠⁠⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 1/10/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What is the Pegasus Project? 19.08.2026 5min

  What is the Pegasus Project? Thanks for asking! Ever since the Snowden case of 2013, the world has gotten used to the idea that states use surveillance to monitor people’s activity. All the same, the fallout from the Pegasus Project revelations of recent weeks has been huge, making it a highly significant cyber espionage scandal. The initiative was coordinated by French media nonprofit organization Forbidden Stories, who last year obtained access to a list of 50,000 phone numbers targeted by Pegasus spyware. Thanks to the work of a consortium of investigative journalists from all around the world, as well as the support of Amnesty International, the global scale of government surveillance has become apparent. Where does the name of the project come from? Who do the phone numbers belong to then? What have the repercussions been following the Pegasus Project revelations? ⁠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. First Broadcast: 8/7/2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What is geophony? 18.08.2026 4min

  What is geophony? Thanks for asking! Taking its name from the Greek prefix geo, as in the earth and phony as in sound, geophony could be most simply described as part of Planet Earth’s music. It’s a component of the soundscape that has surrounded us humans ever since we have been present on Earth.  We owe the concept to experts like Canadian composer and environmentalist Raymond Murray Schafer, who popularised the idea of the soundscape, or American and bioacoustician Bernie Krause. This field of study gives us a lot of insight into the state of the planet. What kinds of sounds are we talking about? What can geophony tell us about the world? ⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!⁠ To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is Godwin’s Law?⁠ ⁠What are the Puppy Blues?⁠ ⁠What are blue zones?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Does the G spot really exist? 18.08.2026 7min

  Ah, the G-spot... An often cited but frequently elusive erogenous zone which has a reputation of being able to unlock intense female orgasms if you know how to stimulate it the right way.  The G-spot was first discovered by German gynecologist Ernst Gräfenberg - hence the G part of the name - back in 1950. But the term was only coined in his honour in the 1980s, by a group of researchers who were writing about female ejaculation and popularised Grafenberg’s findings in a book. Gräfenberg attributed three main functions to this hotspot: generating pleasurable sensations, causing swelling, and sometimes leading to female ejaculation. Where is the G-spot said to be located? Is this area really a magic button for intense orgasms? What’s the best way to stimulate the G-spot? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠How do I know if I'm addicted to sex?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is King Charles’ role in the Church of England?⁠⁠ Where does our phobia of clowns come from? A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 10/5/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What is broken heart syndrome? 18.08.2026 6min

  The idea of a broken heart may make you think of a cartoon, an emoji or a bad break-up from your past. But broken heart syndrome is a real physical condition, which is also known as Tako-tsubo. Good guess but just wide of the mark. Tako-tsubo syndrome was described for the first time in Japan, at the start of the 1990s. Researchers in the western world didn’t acknowledge the condition until several years later, towards the end of the decade. The name is Japanese because that’s where the first case was recorded? How can we recognise the symptoms? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Could hot rodent men be the new male ideal?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why are mini animals so popular?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why does walking through doorways make us forget things?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 10/5/2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Why should I avoid showering after a workout? 17.08.2026 5min

  Because moving and doing regular physical activity is important for our physical and mental health! Listen again to our episodes about sport! After an intense and sweaty workout, the first thing most of us want to do is jump into the shower to relax our muscles and wash off the sweat. However, that’s not actually the best idea. Showering too soon after a workout can have harmful effects on our health. Really? Like what? Is it better to take a hot or cold shower? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions ! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠⁠How much do surrogate mothers get paid?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is the Barnum effect?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How to spot, prevent and treat heatstroke ?⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast : September 30th, 2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Could moon breathing help you sleep better? 17.08.2026 6min

  In this day and age, it’s common to feel stressed every day, even right through to the evening. Have you ever struggled to lower your stress levels when it comes to bedtime, and taken a long while to fall asleep as a result? The worry of not getting enough sleep then just gets you even more frustrated; it’s a vicious circle. If you’re falling victim to anxiety and fatigue for that reason, it’s time to stop binge-watching Netflix and try moon breathing instead! What’s that? How can I get started with moon breathing then? How does it actually affect the body? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠What is relationship anarchy?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What does a full moon do to our bodies?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Could assisted dying become legal in the UK?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 16/1/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What is empty nest syndrome? 17.08.2026 4min

  With the summer holiday season drawing to a close, many university students are preparing to leave home for the first time and head to campus accommodation. While they’re enjoying freshers week, chances are their parents may be finding it unsettling that their child is no longer present at home. That’s even more likely when it’s their last child who’s just left home. This form of grief is known as empty nest syndrome and it disproportionately affects mothers, who statistically tend to spend more time taking care of children than men, when it comes to heterosexual couples. Why would that be a cause of sadness though? Shouldn’t parents be happy to see their children moving forwards in life? What can parents do to cope with empty nest syndrome? ⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions !⁠ To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠Is "quiet quitting" helping employees find a better work-life balance?⁠ ⁠How is the #Periodsomnia campaign helping to close the period sleep gap?⁠ ⁠What is the windscreen phenomenon?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 6/9/2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Could the PAUSE method help me make better decisions? 16.08.2026 6min

  Are you someone who thrives on making decisions at work, or do you prefer to take a back seat and let others have the final say? Decisions can be a source of anxiety, even for those who generally like making them. That's especially true when the sheer quantity of decisions to be made adds up, and you've got a limited amount of time in which to make them. That happens frequently to people working in a high-pressure role or environment. This is down to a phenomenon known as decision fatigue, which we've talked about in the past on Do You Really Know. It's easy to get weighed down in such scenarios, but thankfully there are ways of beating decision fatigue and making effective decisions without getting burned out. One such example is the PAUSE method. Who came up with that? What do the other steps consist of in concrete terms? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Why do some men get ill after they orgasm?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Is nostalgia good or bad for us?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How can the unisex condom improve my sex life?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 19/11/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What is eco-anxiety? 16.08.2026 6min

  The UN’s COP26 summit is due to start this Sunday, and it’s pretty clear to most of us that climate change is the most serious threat to our health. Of course it’s a physical threat, especially to the vulnerable, due to extreme weather events like heatwaves, storms and fires, which are increasingly frequent and intense.  But we mustn’t neglect the mental impact, as fear of the future is eating away at the minds of many. Indeed, climate-related disasters and environmental catastrophes are causing a lot of confusion and worry about the future of the planet. Is it really that widespread? What’s the best way to manage feelings of eco-anxiety? ⁠⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Could brain dumping help you manage your anxiety?⁠ ⁠Why are so many people suffering from AI anxiety?⁠ ⁠Do anti-anxiety patches really work?⁠ First Broadcast: november 2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What are Fan Tokens? 16.08.2026 4min

  What are Fan Tokens? Thanks for asking! Even if you’re not a football fan, you can’t have missed the news of Lionel Messi’s recent transfer to Paris Saint Germain in mid-August. But you may not have heard details of the star’s €30M sign-on package at PSG, a significant proportion of which was paid in the club’s Fan Token cryptocurrency. The move led to a spike in PSG trading, with the token value more than doubling from one week to the next. Where can you buy fan tokens? And what’s the point? Why do football clubs need more money anyway? ⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!⁠ To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is terraforming?⁠ ⁠What is a deepfake?⁠ ⁠What is empty nest syndrome?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 8/9/2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What is mucosal immunity? 15.08.2026 4min

  What is mucosal immunity? Thanks for asking!  It was announced last week that Covid booster vaccines would soon be available to millions of people across the UK, including all over 50s and other people with underlying health conditions.   In the meantime, new ways to combat the virus are emerging, specifically that of an nasal spray vaccine designed to boost mucosal immunity. Regular listeners may recall our recent episode on this kind of vaccine. The latest developments this month saw a team of French researchers present promising results from preliminary clinical trials on mice and hamsters. How is mucosal immunity different to what’s generated by traditional vaccines then? Are you saying we won’t ever reach herd immunity with the existing vaccines? ⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions!⁠ To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What are Butler Cafés?⁠ ⁠What is last chance tourism?⁠ ⁠What is toxic positivity?⁠ 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
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  Which of Asimov's predictions have come true? 15.08.2026 7min

  Speculative science fiction really is a genre of its own. Some people love it, others find it pointless, but you can’t deny the mental gymnastics involved in imagining the future of our societies, especially when some of those predictions turn out to be right.  In that field, there are a few writers who stand out above the rest: George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and, perhaps most famously, Isaac Asimov. Who exactly was Isaac Asimov? Did he predict a future full of robots then? What about space?To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is future faking?⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Will the meat of the future be printed in 3D?⁠ ⁠Why do we see faces in inanimate objects?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 15/10/2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What are sonic weapons? 15.08.2026 4min

  In June it emerged that Greek police had acquired two long range acoustic devices, designed to discourage migrants from approaching the country's border with Turkey. At the size of a small TV, the cannons don’t look particularly threatening, but are capable of emitting powerful sound waves as loud as a jet plane. An LRAD is an example of a sonic weapon, which is an umbrella term used to cover the many different types of acoustic harassment devices. They emit a particularly audible sound in a precise direction, making it very unpleasant for those who get close. The use of LRADs has been a source of controversy in a number of scenarios. In addition to the pain and disorientation caused, their alert feature has been reported to cause lasting hearing damage. In what other scenarios are sonic weapons used? Is there anything peaceful protesters can do to protect themselves? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Is binge drinking over in the UK?⁠ ⁠How can I improve my posture in the office?⁠ ⁠Do I need to take vitamin D supplements?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  How can I have a healthier relationship with my smartphone? 14.08.2026 6min

  For a number of years now, our smartphones have played a central role in many aspects of our lives, from work to personal relationships to entertainment. There’s a close and sometimes addictive connection.  Just think of doomscrolling for example, which is a phenomenon we’ve discussed in the past on Do You Really Know. It’s a form of behaviour which sees us compulsively scrolling through depressing content on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok. It can easily end up draining us, leaving us feeling unfulfilled and possibly leading to anxiety or exhaustion.  How can I recognise if I’m addicted to my smartphone? What about at other times of the day? What’s the best way to get started? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠How much do surrogate mothers get paid?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is the Barnum effect?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How to spot, prevent and treat heatstroke ?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast: 12/1/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Does the law of attraction really work? 14.08.2026 5min

  Over on TikTok, the #idontchaseiattract hashtag is nearing in on 20,000 publications at the time of recording. It really took off in late 2023, especially after Kendall Jenner said the following in an interview with Enews.  Behind the simple statement are young women advocating that with enough belief, you can manifest whatever you want in life. You might have also heard of "Lucky girl syndrome" and "manifesting," which have also gone viral on Tiktok in the past, and are based on similar principles.  And these trendy ideas are essentially a modern spin on an age-old principle: the law of attraction, which gained popularity in the early 2000s within the realm of personal development. How exactly did the "law of attraction" come about then? Is there any scientific basis to these ideas? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Why do some men get ill after they orgasm?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Is nostalgia good or bad for us?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How can the unisex condom improve my sex life?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 25/2/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  What are the best ways to reuse my household waste? 14.08.2026 4min

  November is synonymous with Black Friday, great deals but what cost? Over consumption is endangering our already fragile planet. Is it time to change our ways? This week Do You Really Know is highlighting concepts and initiatives about reducing our consumption. All week long we’ll be discussing anticonsumerist trends as an alternative to Black Friday. Zero waste is a good example of one that has become very popular in recent years. The practice helps reduce consumption of non-recyclables but it’s also plain common sense. Let’s look at some simple ways to recycle waste at home and also save some cash while you’re at it. What about composting fruits and vegetables? What about food that has already gone bad? What about waste that isn't organic? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: ⁠⁠What is premium mediocre - the illusion of luxury?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is Gross National Happiness, a potential alternative to GDP?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Why are my ears ringing?⁠⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 23/11/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Is shaving too often bad for you? 13.08.2026 7min

  There’s a lot of popular ideas out there about body hair removal. Shave too much and the hair becomes thicker. Wax, and it will gradually start thinning out. It can be hard to know who or what to believe. Both women and men increasingly spend a lot of their time and money removing body hair, even though it acts as a barrier to bacteria, and sexually transmitted diseases in the case of pubic hair. Shaving with a razor, using an electric epilator and waxing all have their own pros and cons. But let’s take a moment to consider the rarely discussed topic of whether any of them pose health risks. Shaving for example is perhaps the most popular hair removal method due to how quick, easy and cheap it is. Using a razor is actually quite harsh on the skin though, and tends to dry it out in the long run. Depilatory creams are a gentler alternative, but they also contain certain hair-softening chemicals which can irritate the skin or worse, trigger an allergic reaction. Are there any risks associated with waxing? It is said that bikini waxing can be particularly harmful. Is that true? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Why is sugar bad for our memory?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Does the law of attraction really work?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How can I stay trendy buying only second hand clothes?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 28/2/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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  Why are we having children later and later? 13.08.2026 6min

  According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of births in the UK continues to fall. Experts are even talking about a “baby bust”, the opposite of the “baby boom”, to describe these statistics, which have reached the lowest level since records began in 1938. One explanation for this could be that people are having children later than previous generations, leaving them with a reduced fertility window. In 2020, the Office for National Statistics notes that the average age at which women become mothers is 30, compared with 26 in 1975. In addition to this, the latest ONS birth data, released in 2020, reveals that 28% of women have their first child after the age of 30 and 5% after the age of 40. Can you run into problems if you want to get pregnant after the age of 30? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠Could intentional lazy parenting foster your child's independence?⁠ ⁠What causes tocophobia, the fear of pregnancy and childbirth?⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Why do children have imaginary friends?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First Broadcast: 27/2/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices