Undercurrent Stories

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

In this enlightening episode, we delve into the profound impact of music on the human brain. Join us as we explore how melodies and rhythms can evoke emotions, enhance mental health, and serve as a powerful therapeutic tool. With insights from leading neuroscientist Stefan Kölsch, discover the science behind music's ability to heal and transform our minds. Whether you're a music enthusiast or curious about its healing potential, this episode offers a captivating journey into the world of sound therapy.About StefanStefan is a professor of Biological and Medical Psychology and Music Psychology at the University of Bergen. His work explores how music shapes the brain, emotions and health. In addition to scientific articles, he writes popular science books that make complex research accessible to a wider audience.https://www.stefan-koelsch.de/His latest book, 'Good Vibrations: Unlocking the Healing Power of Music' is available now. Click to order.Episode image photo: Niels WestraQuestion or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Today I’m joined by returning guest Steve Carroll — artist, lecturer, and author of the Diaspora science fiction series.In this episode, Steve opens up about the creative process behind his writing, and we dive deep into the role of characters in storytelling — how they evolve, why they matter, and what they can teach us about resilience, belonging, and transformation.It’s an inspiring discussion not just for writers or sci-fi fans, but for anyone interested in how creativity reflects real life. You’ll hear insights on: 🔹 Finding inspiration from everyday people 🔹 Why flaws and struggles make characters — and us — stronger 🔹 The importance of keeping imagination alive at every stage of lifeIf you’re looking for a dose of creativity, hope, and storytelling wisdom, this episode is for you.Linkshttps://stevecarrollarttutor.uk/Purchase 'Diaspora'  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1578918https://www.instagram.com/stevepaintprint/Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

 Acclaimed historical fiction author Tony Riches returns to Undercurrent Stories to discuss his latest Tudor novels, Bess: Tudor Gentlewoman and Frances: Tudor Countess. We explore the hidden influence of Elizabeth I’s ladies-in-waiting, the challenges of bringing real historical figures to life, and why these women’s stories still resonate today. Perfect for fans of Tudor history, historical fiction, and untold stories from the past. Tony's links:Website: https://www.tonyriches.com/ Writing blog: https://tonyriches.blogspot.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/tonyriches Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonyriches.author Podcasts: https://tonyriches.podbean.com/ Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Colin Fisher, author of the book The Collective Edge: Unlocking the Secret Power of Groups. Colin’s journey is a fascinating one—starting out as a professional jazz trumpet player before becoming a leading scholar in organisational behaviour. His research digs into the dynamics of how groups and teams really work, why they so often succeed—or fail—and what leaders can do to harness their true potential.We talk about everything from sports and music to corporate life and family dynamics, exploring why some teams thrive while others stumble, the balance between individual ego and collective success, and even how AI and remote work are reshaping collaboration today.Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or just curious about why groups behave the way they do, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.So, sit back and enjoy my conversation with Dr. Colin Fisher.Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com