Episodes

  • Why does the year begin on January 1st?

    Why does the year begin on January 1st?
    Jan 1 2026
    As we embrace resolutions and light up the skies with fireworks, it's time to mark the arrival of the New Year! All of us on the Do You Really Know team, hoping you soaked in the holiday vibes and send you our warm wishes for a splendid 2024. Today, planet Earth has set off on another full orbit around the sun, a journey which will span 365 days until we hit the reset button again next year. And that's why we now refer to January 1st as New Year's Day. But bear in mind, that wasn't always the case. We can trace back our calendar roots to the Romans and their initial 355-day calendar. That’s right: 355, and not the 365 we're used to these days. That lunar-based system was credited to Numa Pompilius, the legendary second King of Rome, who succeeded Romulus. And it saw the New Year kick off in March, a nod to Mars, the Roman god of war. When did January 1st appear then? What about elsewhere in the world? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What is body neutrality?⁠ ⁠What are the most popular and unusual baby names in the UK?⁠ ⁠How can I return unwanted gifts?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 1/1/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • How can I sleep well with a blocked nose?

    How can I sleep well with a blocked nose?
    Jan 1 2026
    It’s not uncommon for rhinoviruses to resurface during the spring and autumn seasons. They’re the main cause of the common cold. At the same time, spring also brings increased pollen circulation, leading to hay fever symptoms which are very similar to those of a viral cold. Having a blocked nose can be particularly bothersome, what with having to blow your nose every two minutes, sneezing, having a sore throat and sometimes getting a fever. Most of the time, all you want to do is rest. But that’s not easy when you have a cold. Let’s discuss some tips that can help you get a better night’s sleep! Is there a way to stop coughing so much? Should I try sleeping in a certain position? What about drinking fluids? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Why is Disney becoming unpopular?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠What is the coffee cup test in job interviews?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Faux self-care: are we being fooled by the wellness industry?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First broadcast : 12/03/23 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • Why is going to the cinema so romantic?

    Why is going to the cinema so romantic?
    Dec 31 2025
    As date night options go, the cinema is a timeless classic which can be both fun and romantic. Even in the age of “Netflix and chill”, there’s an appeal to the immersive experience you can only get watching a film on the big screen. So if you’re wondering what to do this Valentine’s Day, why not book a cinema visit? You may not be having a conversation, but you can interpret body language. If it’s a first date, and they’re on their phone all the time, that might be off putting. If your date is comfortable enough to hold your hand or let you put your arm around their shoulder without it being awkward, that’s a good sign. Of course, don’t be pushy or intrusive. Make sure you ask your date for consent before trying any kind of physical intimacy. How can you have a good date when you’re not even talking to one another during the film? Any tips for a great cinema date? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠How can I reduce my belly fat?⁠ ⁠What are the health benefits of algae?⁠ ⁠Why am I getting bags and circles under my eyes?⁠ A Bababam Originals podcast, written and produced by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 12/2/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    4 mins
  • Why are there more single people than ever before?

    Why are there more single people than ever before?
    Dec 31 2025
    In the 2020s, we’re living in an era where there's never been more different ways to find a new partner. For a start, just think of all the dating apps out there, of every kind imaginable. Combined, they’re used by over 11 million people in the UK, according to Statista. Even hobby apps like Strava and Goodreads have become a common way of finding someone to date! How do you explain that then? Are dating apps the only reason for this trend? Has the general perception of being single changed over time? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the latest episodes, click here: What is hobby dating? What is bae-realing, the new dating trend? What are yellow flags in dating? A Bababam Originals podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • Could the Pomodoro technique help me work better ?

    Could the Pomodoro technique help me work better ?
    Dec 31 2025
    Do you ever feel like time is slipping through your fingers? That you had several hours to complete one or two simple tasks, but you didn't notice the clock ticking away? The problem might stem from poor time management or a tendency to procrastinate. It could also result from an inability to isolate yourself from sources of distraction. Let’s delve into a productivity strategy that could potentially revolutionise the way you work: the Pomodoro technique. Where does the name come from? How does the Pomodoro method actually work? Why is it so effective? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠What is the Pygmalion effect?⁠ ⁠What are the alternatives to air conditioning?⁠ ⁠What is misogynoir?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 19/8/2023 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • Why are mini animals so popular?

    Why are mini animals so popular?
    Dec 30 2025
    In late March 2024, french actor Pierre Niney took to TikTok to reveal his newest love affair—not with a co-star, but with an adorable miniature donkey he’s recently adopted. The allure of miniature animals is multifaceted. For starters, social media is awash with their antics, sparking a growing fascination with owning one. Moreover, these videos suggest that you can enjoy the perks of farm life without owning a sprawling farm. Why the Sudden Craze for Miniature Animals? So what's the problem? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠⁠Why is my circadian rhythm so important?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Is it a bad idea to fall asleep in front of screens?⁠⁠ ⁠⁠How can social media exposure lead to vicarious trauma?⁠⁠ A podcast written and realised by Amber Minogue. First broadcasting 27 juin 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • What are the best hangover foods?

    What are the best hangover foods?
    Dec 30 2025
    If you wake up feeling rough after a night of heavy drinking, it's likely your liver couldn't handle all that alcohol, and your body couldn't flush it out completely. That's when you get stuck with classic hangover symptoms, like nausea, a pounding headache and perhaps even a bout of diarrhoea. Apart from chugging water to rehydrate, figuring out what to eat to get back on your feet can be a bit tricky. When you're in this situation, there's often a hankering for fast food. A 2016 study from the University of Chicago's Department of Medicine suggested this craving is linked to sleep deprivation, which causes the brain to release endocannabinoids, compensating for the energy drop. That leads to a yearning for comfort food, often on the greasier or sweeter side. Interestingly, the sweeter the alcohol you consume, the more likely it is that your appetite will be revved up the next day. Why does that happen? So what should else we eat then? In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions! To listen to the last episodes, you can click here: ⁠What are the pros and cons of homeownership in the UK?⁠ ⁠How can I make and keep my new year’s resolutions?⁠ ⁠Why does the year begin on January 1st?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 3/1/2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • What is Stendhal syndrome?

    What is Stendhal syndrome?
    Dec 30 2025
    What is Stendhal syndrome? Stendhal’s syndrome is a rare and unusual psychological disorder. It’s a psychosomatic condition whereby certain people suffer from a rapid heartbeat, fainting or even hallucinations, when exposed to objects or works of art of great beauty. The condition takes its name from a famous French writer who experienced a similar state of intense emotion upon visiting Rome, Naples and Florence. Stendhal wrote about his visit to Florence’s Santa Croce Basilica in a book entitled Naples and Florence: A journey from Milan to Reggio. If I see something amazingly beautiful, I could just faint at any moment? Does it only happen in Florence? ⁠In under 3 minutes, we answer your questions !⁠ To listen to the last episodes, you can click here : ⁠What is Roe vs Wade, the ruling that guaranteed American women abortion rights?⁠ ⁠Could tourism quotas help preserve endangered local environments?⁠ ⁠Is bikini waxing harmful for your health?⁠ A podcast written and realised by Joseph Chance. First Broadcast: 10/7/2022 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    6 mins