Undercurrent Stories

In today’s episode, (the first of 3), we take a deep dive into one of the most defining and emotionally charged chapters of modern British and Irish history — the Troubles. With the anniversary of the Downing Street Declaration approaching, this is a timely and gripping dive into the people, politics, and centuries-long tensions that shaped the conflict.Many of us, myself included, were brought up during 'The Troubles' and never fully understood the long history of division and conflict associated with it. To help make sense I'm joined by Dr. Thomas Leahy, senior lecturer in British and Irish politics, who guides us through the centuries of division, identity, and power struggles that set the stage for the Troubles.Look out for the next 2 episodes which complete our journey through the history of the Irish Troubles.Links: https://drthomasdmleahy.com/#/Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Why is English always changing—and why does that change so often make us uneasy? In this fascinating conversation, we're joined by linguist, author, and University of Michigan Dean Professor Anne Curzan to explore how English evolves, who influences that change, and what our reactions to new words and usages reveal about culture, identity, and power.Anne shares insights from her latest book Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words, and unpacks everything from the rise of pronouns and slang to the hidden rules behind texting, emojis, and intensifiers like “super.” Along the way, Anne explains why dictionaries don’t tell us how to use language—they reflect how we already use it.Whether you’re a dedicated word-lover, a reformed “grammando,” or simply curious about how English works, this episode offers a lively, accessible look at the stories behind the way we speak today.In This EpisodeWhy language change can feel unsettling—and why it shouldn’tThe origins of words like grammando and wordieAmericanisms in the UK and Britishisms making their way into the USWhy prescriptive grammar rules (like not ending sentences with prepositions) often don’t reflect how English actually worksHow kids naturally acquire grammar—and what their “mistakes” teach usWhat dictionaries really do (and don’t do)How texting, punctuation, and emojis function as a new kind of tone and gestureThe evolution of singular they—and why it’s not a modern inventionWhy language is more like fashion than we thinkHow technological change and global contact influence the pace of language evolutionAbout Anne CurzanProfessor Anne Curzan is  the Geneva Smitherman Collegiate Professor of English, Linguistics, and Education at the University of Michigan, where she also served as the dean of the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts from 2019 - 2024. Her most recent book is Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words (2024). Resources & LinksBook: Says Who? A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About WordsAnne’s website: (https://annecurzan.com/)Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

'Beer built the fortune but the stories and legacy that the Guinness's left behind are far richer.'Most people know the beer few know the people or the houses. Join me in conversation with historian, Adrian Tinniswood as he takes us on a lavish journey through the Houses of Guinness. Footmen, lavish parties, eccentric rituals—Adrian takes us inside the world most of us only see in period dramas.The Houses of Guinness weren't just beautiful homes, they were engines of power. Adrian reveals what they tell us about empire, class and ambition.We hear about:The Guinness connection to Irish, British and Global historyWhat wealth was really like in the age of aristocracyScandalsTheir generous philanthropyHuman storiesAdrian's new  book, 'The Houses of Guinness' is out now see (link)Adrian Tinniswood is a professorial research fellow in history at the University of Buckingham, adjunct professor of history at Maynooth University, and one of the foremost experts on the history of British country homes. He has authored many books including The Long Weekend, Noble Ambitions, The Power and the Glory and his latest book, The Houses of Guinness, is out now (link).Episode creditsHost: Bob WellsGuest: Adrian TinniswoodMusic: Bob WellsHosted on Buzzsprout. Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Have you ever wondered why some people always seem to get the best opportunities — the ideal job, the perfect house, or even a place for the kids in the school everyone wants — while others, just as qualified, miss out?It’s tempting to call it luck. But what if luck isn’t random at all — what if it’s designed?My guest today, Judd Kessler, is a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and one of the leading thinkers in behavioural economics and market design. His new book, Lucky by Design: The Hidden Economics You Need To Get More of What You Want, reveals the invisible systems that quietly decide who gets what — not through prices or money, but through rules, algorithms, and priorities we rarely think about.In this conversation, we’ll explore how these hidden markets shape everything from job offers to organ donations, why fairness and efficiency don’t always go hand in hand, and what you can do to navigate these systems more wisely.It’s a conversation about luck, design, and the unseen forces organising our lives.Links:Book- Lucky by Design: The Hidden Economics You Need To Get More of What You WantJudd's website - https://juddbkessler.com/Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Today, on Undercurrent Stories, we turn our attention to the grand sweep of human history — from the hunter-gatherers of the Paleolithic to the great empires of Egypt and Rome, and onward to our interconnected, fragile world of today.At the heart of our discussion lies a question as old as civilisation itself: why do societies rise — and why do they fall?My guest is Dr Luke Kemp, a researcher at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and author of Goliath’s Curse. In it, he challenges many of the stories we tell ourselves about progress and civilisation — arguing that the very forces that built our modern world may also contain the seeds of its undoing.We’ll explore the archaeological and historical evidence for collapse, the myths of Hobbesian human nature, and whether our global, technological Goliath can be restrained before it destroys itself.So join us, as we ask: what can the past teach us about surviving the future?Links:Book: Goliath's CurseQuestion or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

 For centuries, humans have looked to the sky in search of signs. Today, our tools are satellites and data models rather than clouds and folklore. In this episode, we hear from Thomas Weber about the people and technology transforming meteorology, and how accurate forecasts are reshaping lives across the globe. About Thomas;Thomas E. Weber is an American journalist and author known for exploring the intersection of science, technology, and society. A Princeton graduate, he began his career at The Wall Street Journal, where he became the paper’s first internet columnist and later a bureau chief.He later held senior editorial roles at Newsweek/The Daily Beast and TIME magazine, and has taught journalism at Princeton, Columbia, and NYU.Thomas's  2025 book, Cloud Warriors, explores how scientists and technologists are transforming weather forecasting in the era of climate change. He lives in New York City with his family.Links;https://www.thomaseweber.com/Book - Cloud WarriorsQuestion or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Paleontologist and author Armin Schmitt returns to the show where we explore two remarkable dinosaur discoveries that are reshaping what we know about life millions of years ago.From the longest dinosaur trackway ever uncovered in Oxfordshire, England, to the first-ever discovery of fossilised gut contents inside a sauropod in Australia, Armin shares the science — and the stories — behind these once-in-a-lifetime finds.We hear how ancient footprints reveal the daily lives of long-necked giants, what a 100-million-year-old meal can teach us about dinosaur diets, and how new technologies are helping paleontologists read the Earth’s oldest stories written in stone.Armin takes us on a journey through deep time — from Jurassic lagoons to Cretaceous forests — filled with curiosity, wonder, and the enduring human desire to understand the world beneath our feet.🧭 In This EpisodeHow scientists discovered the longest continuous dinosaur trackway in EuropeWhat fossilised gut content reveals about sauropod diets for the first time in historyThe technology behind modern paleontological excavations and 3D mappingWhy dinosaurs’ behaviour, speed, and environment still hold mysteriesThe story behind Armin’s  book, The Lost World of the Dinosaurs, and his upcoming children’s project🔗  LinksGuest: Armin Schmitt – Paleontologist & Author📘 The Lost World of the Dinosaurs🌐 Follow Armin on [LinkedIn] | [Instagram] | [Youtube] Undercurrent Stories: https://www.undercurrentstories.com/Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In this episode, we explore the the biggest question of all: How did we get here? Joining me is Professor Tim Coulson, biologist and zoologist at the University of Oxford and author of A Little History of Everything: From the Big Bang to You.Tim traces our story from the birth of the universe to the emergence of life and consciousness — touching on physics, chemistry, biology, and the scientific method that ties it all together.It’s an enlightening, accessible, and awe-inspiring conversation that connects the dots between science and existence itself.Links:Book:  A Little History of Everything: From the Big Bang to You.Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In this episode I'm delighted to welcome musician, producer and sound pioneer Martyn Ware to the show.Martyn takes us back to his Sheffield roots and shares how the experimental beginnings of The Human League led to the formation of Heaven 17. He opens up about the split with Phil Oakey, the creation of groundbreaking tracks like Being Boiled, and how Heaven 17 carved out their place in 80s synthpop history.Beyond the hits, Martyn reflects on his production work — including helping relaunch Tina Turner’s career — and his passion for immersive 3D soundscapes. He also discusses the power of music for creativity, connection, and wellbeing.Highlights include:Early days of The Human League and the Sheffield electronic sceneThe moment that inspired Heaven 17Stories from the studio with Tina Turner and Terence Trent D’ArbyMartyn’s new podcastSoundpower and his exploration of sound and healingThe legacy of synthpop and why fans still follow Heaven 17 todayWhether you grew up on 80s electronic music or you’re discovering it fresh, this conversation is full of stories, insight, and inspiration from one of the genre’s true innovators.LInks:Soundpower Podcast Heaven 17  (includes tour dates)Autobiography: Electronically Yours Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Today we have a really special guest with us. An international athlete, he competed in the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics in the discus and won bronze and silver  medals in successive Commonwealth games from 1970 to 1974. He was the British National discus champion on 7 occasions and held the British record for 25 years.Since then he has been a leading sports administrator, academic and author and so I am delighted to welcome a true titan of British athletics - Bill Tancred!Links to Bill's books - Bill Tancred: An Ordinary Olympian But What a Life   British and USA Film Stars of WW11Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com