Undercurrent Stories

In this episode , we speak with author Sonia Daccarret about her memoir The Roots of a Guava Tree — a deeply personal exploration of childhood, identity, memory, and belonging .Growing up in Colombia in the 1980s, Sonia reflects on a life shaped by cultural hybridity, political change, and family history — with a Jewish mother and a Christian Palestinian father, and no single religious label to claim . She shares what it meant to come of age during a time of violence and transformation, and how revisiting her past through writing brought clarity, empathy, and peace .We explore the symbolism of the guava tree, the ethics of writing memoir, the power of inherited stories, and why preserving personal history matters — not just for writers, but for anyone seeking to better understand where they come from .This is a conversation about roots, memory, migration, and the quiet forces that shape our lives beneath the surface.In This EpisodeGrowing up in Cali during Colombia’s era of changeNavigating identity across cultures and faithsWriting memoir with honesty and ethical careThe meaning behind The Roots of a Guava TreeWhy telling family stories preserves legacy and connectionGuestSonia Daccarret — Author of The Roots of a Guava TreeWebsite: https://www.soniadaccarett.com/Listen If You EnjoyLiterary memoirIdentity, migration, and belongingFamily stories and cultural historyReflective, story-driven conversationsCall to ActionIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review Undercurrent Stories, and share it with someone who loves meaningful conversations.Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In this episode, I’m joined by musician and songwriter Francis Dunnery for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation. Francis Dunnery is best known as the lead singer and guitarist for the British prog-pop band It Bites. After leaving the band in 1990, he launched a diverse solo career, releasing over ten original albums spanning progressive rock, pop, folk, R&B, and blues. A versatile musician, Dunnery has also worked extensively as a sideman and musical contributor for major artists, including Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), Carlos Santana, Lauryn Hill, Chris Difford (Squeeze) James Sonefeld (Hootie and The Blowfish and Ian Brown (The Stone Roses).We talk about growing up in 1970s Britain, nostalgia, memory, creativity, and how those experiences have shaped his new project, England’s Tales of the Council House Kid. From music and storytelling to youth, ageing, and the moments that define us, this is a thoughtful, funny, and honest chat with an artist still very much following his own path.For details of the Feb '26 tour and links to Francis's website see below;https://francisdunnery.com/Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

What if sound could help you switch off, slow down, and reset your nervous system?In this episode of Undercurrent Stories, I'm joined by Cherub Sanson, sound healer and co-founder of the Academy of Integrated Sonic Medicine. We explore why sound can calm the nervous system more quickly than many other well-being practices, how vibration influences stress, sleep, and focus, and why sound healing has moved from the margins into the mainstream. Drawing on science, lived experience, and ancient traditions, Cherub explains what sound healing actually is — and what it isn’t.The conversation looks at sound as a practical tool for modern life: accessible, non-verbal, and effective even for people who struggle with meditation. The episode ends with a short live sound meditation, giving listeners a direct experience of the ideas discussed.In this episode:How sound regulates the nervous systemWhy we respond to sound before thoughtSound healing vs meditation — and how they work togetherStress, sleep, and emotional releaseAncient practices and modern scienceA live sonic meditation to close the episodeListen with headphones for the best experience.🔗 Links & ResourcesAcademy of Integrated Sonic Medicine: ( link)Cherub is  co-host of the Soundpower Podcast with Martyn Ware (Heaven 17):  (link)Undercurrent Stories Podcast: (link)Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

How to Listen to Animals: What They’re Really Trying to Tell Us: Amelia ThomasIn this episode of Undercurrent Stories, host Bob Wells explores animal communication, listening to animals, and the lost human ability to hear what the natural world is telling us.Bob is joined by Amelia Thomas, journalist, author, and naturalist, whose book What Sheep Think About the Weather: How to Listen to What Animals Are Trying to Say examines how animals speak through sound, behaviour, movement, subtle signals and how humans can relearn the skill of listening.From neuroscience and animal behaviour science to tracking, indigenous knowledge, and intuition, this conversation looks at how animals communicate without words, why modern life has weakened our ability to notice these signals, and how learning to listen again can deepen our connection to animals, nature, and ourselves.Whether you live with pets, work with animals, or simply want to understand the natural world more deeply, this episode offers practical insight into listening to animals, slowing down, and paying attention to what’s always been around us.In This Episode, We Discuss:How animals communicate through sound, behaviour, and silenceWhat science reveals about animal emotions and individualityWhy humans have lost the ability to listen to animalsThe link between listening, mindfulness, and awarenessIndigenous tracking and intuitive ways of knowing animalsHow better listening improves relationships with pets and wildlifeAbout the GuestAmelia Thomas is a journalist, author, and naturalist based in Nova Scotia. Her work focuses on animal behaviour, communication, and the human–animal relationship. Her book What Sheep Think About the Weather blends scientific research, lived experience, and ancient knowledge to explore how humans can learn to listen to animals again.Links:https://www.ameliathomas.co.uk/Book: What Sheep Think About the WeatherFollow Undercurrent StoriesIf you enjoy thoughtful conversations about nature, listening, and the hidden currents beneath everyday life, follow Undercurrent Stories on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

What happens when a world war collides with centuries of unresolved tension?In the final episode of our mini-series on the Irish Troubles,  Dr Thomas Leahy guides us from the outbreak of the First World War through to the conditions that ignited what we now call the Troubles. This is the turning point — where long-standing fears, loyalties, and political gambles harden into something far more dangerous.We explore how Home Rule was postponed by global conflict, why armed movements emerged on all sides, and how moments like the Easter Rising reshaped Irish and British politics forever. Along the way, we ask difficult questions: when does resistance become rebellion, and how do historical memories turn into modern conflict?This episode connects the dots between past and present, revealing how decisions made under pressure echoed across generations.🎧 In this episode, you’ll discover:Why World War I changed everything for IrelandHow the Easter Rising shocked Britain and divided Irish opinionThe roots of partition and the birth of Northern IrelandHow competing ideas of loyalty, identity, and power set the stage for the TroublesIf you want to understand how and why the Troubles began, this episode is essential listening.👉 If you haven’t already, we recommend listening to Episodes 1 and 2 first for full context.If you enjoy the show, please consider leaving a review and following Undercurrent Stories on your podcast platform — it really helps others find the series.Links: https://drthomasdmleahy.com/#/Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

How did centuries of history shape the Irish Troubles?In this second episode about the history of 'The Troubles' Dr Thomas Leahy traces the roots of the conflict from the 17th century to the eve of the First World War. From Cromwell and the plantations to rebellion, famine, and the fight for Home Rule, this episode reveals how power, religion, and identity became deeply entangled in Ireland.Rather than starting with violence, this conversation shows how division was built slowly — through laws, land, loyalty, and memory.You’ll learn:Why religion became inseparable from politics in IrelandHow discrimination and land ownership shaped identityWhy events like the Great Famine still matter todayHow Ireland came close to civil war before WWIThis episode connects the dots and sets the stage for understanding the Troubles themselves.🎧 Best enjoyed after Episode One.Look out for our next episode 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

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