麻豆社

Optimism and Pessimism

Why do some people have a darker outlook on life while others have a brighter one?

• 17 mins

Secrets

They represent power, they can generate fear, but why do we have secrets?

• 17 mins

Solitude

How far can or should we pursue solitude?

• 17 mins

The Heel

Where did the fascination with elevated footwear come from? Why wear high heels?

• 17 mins

Crying

Crying emotional tears is uniquely human but why do we do it?

• 17 mins

Cross Dressing

Artist Grayson Perry, a train driver and a detective novelist on why they cross dress

• 17 mins

Debt

How the way we borrow and lend money is changing

• 17 mins

Nitrogen: Forgetting Fritz

Fritz Haber harnessed nitrogen to feed billions, but was also the pioneer of gas warfare

• 17 mins

Running

In the UK, running is increasing in popularity. So why are we running now more than ever?

• 17 mins

Alcohol

Why do so many people drink alcohol? And why do some struggle to control it?

• 17 mins

Masks

Tracing the power and use of masks and what they mean for us culturally

• 17 mins

Homosexuality

Why does homosexuality exist? Is it nature or nurture? Mike Williams and guests discuss

• 17 mins

Touch

How do different cultures view physical contact in everyday life?

• 17 mins

Adolescence

Why is adolescence so difficult?

• 17 mins

Trees of Life

Why are our feelings about trees so mixed? Mike Williams explains

• 17 mins

Coffee

Why the production and consumption of coffee matters so much around the globe

• 17 mins

Privacy

Why is privacy so important to us?

• 17 mins

Given Names

Everyone has one, but what do names say about us?

• 17 mins

Family Names

Could your last name determine your career? Mike Williams explains

• 17 mins

Dance

Why does movement move us?

• 17 mins

Envy

What is envy and why can it be dangerously destructive or make us strive for success?

• 17 mins

Boredom

Why do we get bored and what does it say about how we engage with the world around us?

• 17 mins

Racism

Why are people racist and judged by the colour of their skin?

• 17 mins

Horoscopes

Why do we read horoscopes?

• 17 mins

Luck

Does luck exist and does believing in luck help or hinder us in life?

• 17 mins

The Kiss

Why do humans kiss?

• 17 mins

Sticky Songs

What makes snippets of popular songs go round and round in our heads?

• 17 mins

Symmetry

Why does symmetry exist and why do we see such beauty in it?

• 17 mins

Competition

Why are we competitive? Is it a natural instinct?

• 17 mins

Diplomacy

How to get ahead in diplomacy, from negotiations to polite language and secret code words

• 17 mins