Jo Brand

Jo Brand, a sharp-witted comedian and writer, joins psychologist Matti Wilks, who specializes in morality, to explore the depths of altruism. They tackle fascinating questions like why humans choose to help others and the biological roots of altruism. The conversation dives into how personal relationships dictate generosity, and surprising insights reveal how children perceive kindness. With humor and expert analysis, the duo discusses the intricate balance between self-interest and altruism, alongside a look at gender influences in charitable behavior.

Brian Cox and Robin Ince are joined by comedian Jo Brand, mathematicians Prof Hannah Fry and Dr Eugenia Cheng, and xkcd webcomic creator Randall Munroe to discover how thinking like a mathematician could solve some tricky everyday conundrums. From the optimal strategy to finding your true love, to how to fix a wonky table in the pub, thinking like a mathematician can help you in some very unlikely situations. They discover how mathematical thinking can help answer some truly out of this world questions as well: how much soup would it take to fill the solar system? What would happen if you shrank Jupiter to the size of a house? Not problems we'd encounter in everyday life maybe, but all questions sent to Randall Munroe for his "What If?" series of books. At first glance the questions may seem impossible, but, as it turns out, maths and physics can provide an answer to these headscratchers, as the panel discover.Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem

Join Jo Brand, the sharp-witted British stand-up comedian and actress, as she shares her journey from psychiatric nurse to comedy stalwart. She delves into the shared trauma of lockdown, recounts hilarious stories of violent hecklers, and dishes out some revenge tales involving wee at restaurants. The conversation blends humor with poignant insights on family dynamics, mental health, and the evolution of comedy, leaving listeners both chuckling and reflecting on life's absurdities.