Instant Genius

There can be few animals that are as iconic and instantly recognisable as giraffes. But despite their unique, almost mystical appearance and enduring worldwide popularity, their numbers are dwindling. According to researchers, they are undergoing something known as a silent extinction.In this episode we catch up with Dr Sam Penny, a conservationist and lecturer based at Bristol Zoological Society.He tells us about the current thinking on the existence of not one but several different giraffe species, how they only have one remaining genetic relative, and goes on to talk about his own conservation work in Cameroon’s Benoue National Park. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first quarter of 2024, infectious diseases including measles, plague, and cholera have all reared their ugly heads again. Are we seeing an unprecedented level of disease re-emergence? Why do they come back? And what would it take for another Black Death to happen? To find out, we spoke to Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine at UEA’s Norwich Medical School. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn from Prof Daniel Freeman about the common thought patterns of paranoia and social anxiety. Discover how to measure your paranoia levels, build self-esteem, and reduce social paranoia. Explore the blurred lines between paranoia and social anxiety, and techniques to manage worries and fears.

Explore the concept of languishing as a global epidemic and strategies to overcome aimlessness. Learn about the differentiation between languishing and depression, and the urgent need to address it. Discover the importance of social integration, coherence, self-acceptance, and purpose in well-being. Navigate workplace pressures and cultivate personal growth to combat listlessness. Embrace play and leisure for adult mental health, and learn practical steps to overcome aimlessness.

The placebo effect is a seemingly wonderful experience, healing people with no apparent cure - but how does it really work? We spoke to Jeremy Howick, an epidemiologist and author of the new book The Power of Placebos to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this podcast, the health psychologist discusses how we cope with tough times, the interplay between genetics and experiences in shaping coping mechanisms, the effects of stress on mental and physical health, managing anticipatory anxiety through acceptance, the importance of gentle recovery, and tips for coping with challenges and recovery

It's easy to try to ignore feelings of boredom, but it can actually be trying to tell you something. We spoke to James Danckert, a professor of cognitive neuroscience to find out more about this strange feeling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From birdsong to wolf howls, from dolphins’ clicks and whistles to gibbons’ whoops and wows, the natural world is filled with a myriad of animal vocalisations that are as varied as they are numerous. But what is their purpose? How did they evolve? And will we ever be able to understand them? In this episode we catch up with Dr Arik Kershenbaum, a zoologist based at the University of Cambridge and author of the new book Why Animals Talk. He tells us why some animals are chattier than others, how wolves have regional accents and how dolphins give themselves names. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christopher Hendon, a computational materials chemist and coffee expert from the University of Oregon, shares tips on making great coffee at home, the significance of a good grinder in the coffee brewing process, the debate over coffee's effects on cortisol levels and health, the unique process of coffee and tea brewing, and the potential future of coffee and the need for sustainable brewing.

Laughter is a fundamental part of our lives, but why do we do it? We spoke to Sophie Scott, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University College London to better understand why and how we laugh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices