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Learn and practise useful English language for everyday situations.
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Do trees have memories?
We discuss whether plants can 'remember' stressful situations, such as droughts or pests.
06:1930/12/2021
Algorithms
We talk about the maths formulas that are increasingly part of our lives.
06:1923/12/2021
Changing the Earth's climate
Could diamonds help to prevent a climate catastrophe? That's what we discuss.
06:1816/12/2021
Body language online
How can we make video conferences feel more natural? That's what Sam and Neil talk about.
06:1909/12/2021
The Human Library: Life as an open book
Would you like to borrow a person for a half-hour candid conversation?
06:1702/12/2021
How green is nuclear energy?
How safe is a nuclear plant in a world of climate extremes? Listen to Neil and Sam.
06:1725/11/2021
Why we forget the things we learn
Georgina and Rob talk about memory and teach you vocabulary along the way.
06:1918/11/2021
Why is Super Mario so popular?
We talk about a famous video game character from the 80s.
06:1811/11/2021
Should fast food sponsor sport?
Is it right for companies selling unhealthy products to sponsor sporting events?
06:1904/11/2021
Grime: Music from architecture
We talk about the music of Wiley and Stormy, and teach you related vocabulary.
06:1928/10/2021
Where do your tips go?
We talk about tipping: the act of giving extra money to someone that has served you well.
06:1821/10/2021
Angela Merkel
Sam and Neil talk about the influential German leader and teach you related vocabulary.
06:1014/10/2021
Smart tech and climate change
Could AI be used to help fight against climate change?
06:1207/10/2021
Going through the menopause
Why don't people talk more about this aspect of women's lives?
06:1830/09/2021
Bitcoin's energy cost
Bitcoin: is it an investment option for ordinary people?
06:1827/09/2021
I love my language!
Neil and Sam talk about a woman's effort to keep her language alive.
06:1823/09/2021
Why are people collecting NFTs?
What are 'non-fungible tokens'? That's what Neil and Sam talk about in this programme.
06:2020/09/2021
Robot Artists
Will Robots ever be able to think or dream? Could they fall in love or create art?
06:4616/09/2021
Bats: Friend or foe?
Learn more about these furry flying mammals with Neil and Sam.
06:1913/09/2021
Is the planet warming up faster?
Some extreme weather events are puzzling scientists.
06:4609/09/2021
Is technology harmful to youngsters?
Can spending hours online affect the new generation's mental health?
06:1806/09/2021
Is chimp politics like ours?
Just like humans, chimps live in social groups, have leaders and a desire for power.
06:4602/09/2021
Making sense of the census
What's behind counting people in a country? Neil and Sam talk about the census.
06:4426/08/2021
The fear of numbers
Are you afraid of maths? Neil and Sam talk about numbers and teach you vocabulary.
06:1723/08/2021
A future without doctors?
We discuss if artificial intelligence could replace human doctors and nurses.
06:4619/08/2021
Lights! Camera! Kiss! - Intimacy on screen
How actors are made to feel more comfortable when filming intimate scenes.
06:1716/08/2021
Head injury in sport
Contact sports can be dangerous. The truth about the effects on players is coming out.
06:4612/08/2021
Inside the head of Jeff Bezos
How does the founder of the web giant Amazon think? Listen to the programme to find out.
06:1909/08/2021
The history of swimming
We talk about the history of swimming and teach you related vocabulary along the way.
06:4705/08/2021
Are humans a messy species?
Learn the language of going to the toilet.
06:4329/07/2021
The loneliest man in history
We talk about Michael Collins, who orbited the Moon in the command module Columbia.
06:1626/07/2021
How colour affects us
Neil and Georgina add some colour to your life by discussing how colour can make you feel
06:1719/07/2021
Flexible working
Is there a stigma attached to not wanting to work the 9-to-5 shift?
06:1715/07/2021
Hypnotism
Hypnotism has always fascinated us, but can anyone be hypnotised?
06:1808/07/2021
Saving the white rhinos
Conservationists are working on an artificial breeding programme to preserve the species.
06:1601/07/2021
Making old things last longer
Shouldn't we stop throwing things away and start fixing them?
06:1824/06/2021
Building rapport with others
We discuss four styles of communication and teach you related vocabulary along the way.
06:1717/06/2021
Food superstitions
We talk about food superstitions and teach you vocabulary along the way.
06:1810/06/2021
The Rosetta Stone
How the famous piece of rock became the key to decoding Egyptian hieroglyphs.
06:1803/06/2021
Compassion fatigue
Has the pandemic made people tired of feeling sorry for others and themselves?
06:1727/05/2021
Hermits
Why do people decide to be alone for long periods of time?
06:1620/05/2021
When males are not needed
We talk about different animals which can reproduce without having sex.
06:1814/05/2021
Mermaids
We talk about different variations on the concept of mermaids.
06:1806/05/2021
A quieter world
Neil and Georgina discuss noise and whether it is bad for our health.
06:1929/04/2021
US and China vs climate change
Can the world's two biggest emitters of greenhouse gases work together?
06:1722/04/2021
Naked in nature
Hear about why being naked in nature might be good for you.
06:1915/04/2021
The language of biscuits
Rob and Neil talk about the origins and the language of this humble snack.
06:1308/04/2021
Is English really English?
Neil and Georgina discuss where the English language we use today really comes from.
06:1901/04/2021
Astronauts on strike?
Hear all about the Skylab astronauts’ disagreement with mission control.
06:1925/03/2021
Digital help for blind people
Hear about digital technology which helps blind people improve their lives.
06:1918/03/2021