Do you really know?
Episodes
What can we expect from Lula’s presidency in Brazil?
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Following a bitter and highly divisive campaign, marked by fake news and attacks between the two leading candidates, Brazil has a new president. Well,...
How did Guy Fawkes become more than just a bonfire effigy?
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Remember, remember the 5th of November. Gunpowder treason and plot. On the 5th November there are fireworks displays all over England. In some places ...
[RERUN] What is sapiosexuality?
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What are you most attracted to when looking for someone to date? Social status? A sense of humour? Good looks? Those are all positive traits for sure...
What does the future hold for the Amazon rainforest?
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been two years since we last discussed the Amazon on Do You Really Know, and even in that time, the outlook for the world’s largest tropical ...
Why are Just Stop Oil activists targeting works of art?
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Picture this. You’re in a fine art museum, admiring some of the greatest masterpieces of all time, and all of a sudden someone throws a can of soup ...
Could you be genetically immune to Covid?
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Covid has swept the globe sparing very few, in fact some people have had covid multiple times. But then there are some lucky people who have never ha...
[RERUN] What are puff bars?
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Health professionals have warned against the dangers of puff bars on younger consumers for some time now. This recent phenomenon has become massively ...
Why do we celebrate Halloween?
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Halloween is here and if you’re anything like us, you’ll be frantically doing some last-minute pumpkin carving or stocking up on sweets for trick-...
Why do we change clocks twice per year?
30 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
“Spring forward, fall back” goes the saying; that’s right - today, Sunday the 30th of October 2022, saw the clocks go back an hour, meaning it g...
[RERUN] What is ghosting?
30 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With Halloween right around the corner, find out about the not-so-spooky internet behavior we all hate: ghosting. Listen to our rerun episode! Ghost...
What is sad nipple syndrome?
29 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The nipples are an erogenous zone for many people. But as it turns out, having them touched can bring on a whole other kind of feeling for others. The...
Why is my circadian rhythm so important?
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve no doubt heard references to the existence of body clocks, and it’s no surprise because all of our bodily functions are regulated by the ci...
Why do we enjoy being scared?
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ghost stories told around a camp fire, visiting a haunted house or watching a scary film are all common Halloween activities. We clearly enjoy scaring...
[RERUN] What is an oil shock?
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The energy crisis is still going on in all of Europe. The price of oil and gas is worrying governments as the cold winter months get closer. In this e...
What is King Charles’ role in the Church of England?
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022, her son Prince Charles became King at the age of 73. He inherited the many titles that hi...
Should I be worried about my diarrhea?
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Diarrhea is a common ailment that affects many of us, from time to time. While it’s often the subject of off-colour jokes, in reality it’s the num...
What is the great unretirement?
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The great un-retirement is a term that has been coined to explain the fact that people are working longer or even coming out of retirement completely ...
[RERUN] What is K-Pop?
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The K-Pop band BTS made headlines recently: its members are due to enroll in South Korea's mandatory military service. Listen to our rerun episode to ...
Am I fexting in my relationships like the Bidens?
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Interviewed by Harper's Bazaar in June 2022, US First Lady Jill Biden admitted to arguing over text with her husband. She said it’s been a good way ...
What is Neom, Saudi Arabia’s futuristic city project?
23 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On 4th October 2022, Saudi Arabia was named as host country for the 2029 Asian Winter Games. The event takes place every four years, bringing together...
[TECH WEEK] What is the interspecies internet?
23 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Do You Really Know?, we're all about tech. In constant evolution, digital technologies are shaping the world we live in today and are rev...
Why is Russia on the UN Security Council?
22 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In early October 2022, Russia used its veto power to prevent the UN Security Council from collectively condemning its annexation of four Ukrainian reg...
How can I tell if I’m at risk of ‘quiet firing’?
21 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Just a month or so ago we were talking about quiet quitting on Do You Really Know?. In the episode, we are talking about another modern workplace rea...
Can jellyfish offer the key to immortality?
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Throughout history people have been keen to find the answer to immortality. It's now commonly accepted that eternal life is not possible. Yet, somewhe...
[TECH WEEK] What is quantum technology?
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Do You Really Know?, we're all about tech. In constant evolution, digital technologies are shaping the world we live in today and are rev...
How can I manage my chronic pain?
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chronic pain is pain that lasts for an extended period of time, usually 12 weeks or more, despite medication or treatment. A study carried out by Ipso...
What is the European Political Community, the continent’s new intergovernmental organization?
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The European Political Community was launched in 2022 to discuss the future of Europe, mainly in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. French Pr...
[TECH WEEK] What is Fintech?
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week on Do You Really Know?, we're all about tech. In constant evolution, digital technologies are shaping the world we live in today and are rev...
What is an inclusive Barbie?
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Barbie has quite the impressive CV. She has had over 150 careers including fashion editor, surgeon and astronaut - enough to inspire any young fan. B...
What is queerbaiting, the marketing technique Harry Styles is accused of using?
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Singer Harry Styles is set for a starring role in upcoming romantic drama My Policeman, which is set for release in October 2022. He plays a gay polic...
[RERUN] What is popcorn?
16 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Believe it or not, the history of popcorn stretches back as far as ancient times. The first traces go back to Peru over 7,000 years ago, according to ...
What is the psychology behind the bystander effect?
16 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve probably already walked by a stranger spreadeagled on the ground. Chances are that if you saw several people already offering assistance, you...
What are the warning signs of depression?
15 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In any given week in England, 3 in 100 people are suffering from depression, according to a NatCen Social Research study published in 2014. Depression...
Who are Iran’s infamous morality police?
14 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The recent death of 22-year old Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini has led to uprisings in Iran and has caused outrage across the globe. Amini was visi...
[RERUN] What is digital sobriety?
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Digital sobriety is all about reducing the ecological footprint of our daily digital lifestyles. That’s right, using your cell phone, PC or connecte...
How to spot a heart attack if you are a woman?
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A heart attack can be deadly but thankfully there are life saving treatments out there. However, research from the British Heart foundation has foun...
How should you get ready for your first mammogram?
12 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The thought of taking a mammogram is often scary for women, but it’s a highly important medical exam, and one we should bear in mind in the context ...
Who is Giorgia Meloni, the new face of the Italian far right?
12 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Giorgia Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy party won the most votes in the Italian general election of late September 2022. She is poised to become ...
[RERUN] What is mental health?
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Yesterday, the 10th of October, was the World Mental Health Day. Since the start of the Covid crisis, mental health has become an increasingly importa...
Is feeding birds in your garden a bad idea?
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Leaving food out for the birds seems like a harmless and even generous idea, but research by the British Trust for Ornithology is showing that bird fe...
Why will we be using liquefied natural gas to heat our homes this winter?
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Talk of energy has been storming the headlines recently. A long, cold winter is approaching and prices are soaring, due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine ...
[RERUN] What are sonic weapons?
09 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In June it emerged that Greek police had acquired two long range acoustic devices, designed to discourage migrants from approaching the country's bord...
How can I improve my concentration at work?
09 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
No matter how prepared you are going into your normal day at the office, spending hours at your desk can get mundane and boring. Before you know it, y...
What is Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, the disorder affecting Justin Bieber?
08 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In June 2022, Canadian superstar singer Justin Bieber took to Instagram to reveal that he has a rare neurological disorder called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome...
How does the "Scully Effect" raise young women's interest in science fields?
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever seen an episode of 1990s series The X-Files, you’ll likely remember Dana Scully as an FBI detective. The character, played by Gilli...
[RERUN] What is the single currency?
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It was back in January 2002 that euro coins and banknotes were introduced, and the biggest cash changeover in history took place across 12 EU countrie...
Is binge drinking over in the UK?
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Binge drinking is defined as consuming 5 or more drinks for a man, or 4 or more drinks for a woman, in about 2 hours, and the UK has a rather notoriou...
Do I need to take vitamin D supplements?
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Vitamin D is known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, and it’s not for nothing. Our bodies make it from cholesterol when exposed to sunlight. The sun’...
How can I improve my posture in the office?
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Musculoskeletal disorders, like back pain and arthritis, are recognized as occupational diseases in Western countries which have a large office workfo...
[RERUN] What is space tourism?
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos stepped down from his position as the company’s CEO to focus on other projects. He’ll remain executive chairman at Amazo...
Resale, repair, rental, refill… could this be the new way to shop?
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You might have heard of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ a motto with the aim of encouraging us to think about how we consume and consider the impact that...
What are lolcows, the unwitting targets of online bullies?
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The online bullies have come up with a derogatory term for their targets; lolcows. Like cash cows, they are exploited, or milked, for entertainment pu...
[RERUN] What is nuclear deterrence?
02 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Three days after his army invaded Ukraine, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced he was raising his country’s military nuclear deterrence threa...
How can I improve my sporting performance through mental preparation?
02 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's back to school! Do You Really Know is dedicating a special week to sport. Because moving and doing regular physical activity is important for our...
Why is exercise good for my skin?
01 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's back to school! Do You Really Know is dedicating a special week to sport. Because moving and doing regular physical activity is important for our...
[RERUN] Is running actually bad for our joints and bones?
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's back to school! DYRK is dedicating a special week to sport. Because moving and doing regular physical activity is important for our physical and ...
Why should I avoid showering after a workout?
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's back to school! Do You Really Know is dedicating a special week to sport. Because moving and doing regular physical activity is important for our...
How often should you wash your bedsheets?
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We spend a lot of time in bed and there is nothing nicer than snuggling up in clean fresh sheets but apparently not everyone feels the same. Accordi...
Why are people boycotting the Qatar World Cup?
28 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's back to school! Do You Really Know is dedicating a special week to sport. Because moving and doing regular physical activity is important for our...
How can I keep my exercise eco-friendly?
28 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's back to school! Do You Really Know is dedicating a special week to sport. Because moving and doing regular physical activity is important for our...
Could insects replace meat?
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Although it is quite usual to find insects in markets in both Africa and Asia it is rather more unusual for people in the West to eat them. However,...
[RERUN] What is eye yoga?
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's back to school! DYRK is dedicating a special week to sport. Because moving and doing regular physical activity is important for our physical and ...
Can exercise snacking help me beat a busy schedule to stay fit?
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's back to school! DYRK is dedicating a special week to sport. Because moving and doing regular physical activity is important for our physical and ...
[RERUN] What is CrossFit?
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's back to school! DYRK is dedicating a special week to sport. Because moving and doing regular physical activity is important for our physical and ...
What is sex surrogacy, the controversial sex therapy?
25 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It may be a little taboo to talk about it, but there are a lot of people out there who, for a variety of reasons, don’t have as much sex as they wou...
What is orthorexia, the disorder which sees healthy eating go too far?
24 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
According to the American National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, around 9% of the US population are affected by an eating ...
[RERUN] What are sleep streams?
24 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How do you like the idea of going to sleep and waking up richer? Sounds pretty sweet, huh? Well believe it or not, sleep streams have actually become ...
Will Star Wars: Andor live up to the hype?
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As we head into the final quarter of 2022, the world’s biggest entertainment franchises are going head to head. HBO struck first with Game of Throne...
Why were the queen’s bees told of her death?
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The announcement of the sad news of the Queen’s passing, like all of the events following her death, followed strict protocol. The Prime Minister ...
[RERUN] What is Cobra Kai?
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve got Netflix, you’ve no doubt seen this series pop up in your recommendations more than once. All the more so given the fourth season jus...
Do I have poor blood circulation?
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve got heavy legs, nighttime cramps, varicose veins or swelling in the legs, you may have blood flow issues. When you consider that our bodie...
Can I cure my fear of spiders?
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If just thinking of spiders is enough to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, or you jump any time you see one, the chances are you suffe...
Will the British museum finally give back the Parthenon marbles?
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not news that museums all around the world contain works of art that have been looted or forcefully taken during colonial rule but is it time ...
[RERUN] What is the P-Spot?
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Most of the time, when we hear the word prostate, we associate it with cancer. We don’t necessarily know where it’s situated in the male body and ...
What did the Jane Collective do for US women’s rights?
19 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There’s been a lot of discussion of Roe vs Wade this year, with the US Supreme Court controversially overturning the decision nearly half a century ...
How can I wake up refreshed every morning?
18 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Some people believe they simply can’t function in the morning until they’ve had a cup of coffee. Others seem to be grumpy every morning, as if the...
[RERUN] What is World Cleanup Day?
18 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today is World Cleanup Day! World Cleanup Day is held annually on the third Saturday of September all over the world. This year it falls today, on Se...
What are the secrets behind the Lord of the Rings saga?
17 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The three Lord of the Rings stories quickly became huge hits when first released as novels in the 1940s. They quickly built a cult fan base due to the...
What is tagskryt, the Scandinavian sustainable travel trend?
16 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve already talked about flygskam and the no-fly movement in the past. Today, let’s discuss the shift towards train travel which has come about ...
Is it time the UK acknowledged its role in the slave trade?
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Prof Kehinde Andrews, the UK’s first professor of Black studies and one of the UK’s leading experts on race, has called for a public holiday to re...
[RERUN] What is brand activism?
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Brand activism is when companies seek to have an impact on a social, economic, environmental, or political problem. It’s increasingly common, espe...
Why do we sneeze?
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all become a lot more self-conscious about sneezing since COVID-19 came along. Whether you’re out in the street or worse in crowded public t...
Why is male fertility declining so drastically?
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For 30 years, male sperm counts have been declining all around the world, particularly in Western countries. It’s been demonstrated over and over ag...
Do we have a treatment for Monkeypox at last?
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the last few months alone more than 3,000 people in the UK have caught the monkeypox virus and around 20 cases are being confirmed a day. As of ...
[RERUN] What is the Aukus alliance?
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On September 16th 2021, Australia announced it had signed a strategic pact with the United States and United Kingdom. The aim is to ensure stability i...
Who are digital nomads, the new generation of remote workers?
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Digital nomads earn a living working online, while moving freely around the world. Since the first COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, remote work has beco...
Could "mouth taping" really help me sleep better?
11 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mouth taping involves putting tape over your mouth. It's supposed to improve your sleep by forcing you to breathe through your nose rather than your m...
[RERUN] What is the 9/11 Museum?
11 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been twenty-one years since the 9/11 attacks which shocked the entire world, killing 2977 people. As part of the commemorations, President Bide...
Do I really need to flush toxins out of my body?
10 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There are an increasing number of trends and products out there to rid your body of toxins, such as infrared saunas, liver-purifying supplements and ...
[DEATH OF ELIZABETH II] What is Operation London Bridge?
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022 at the age of 96. The operation that accompanies her death is called London Bridge. A major procedure that...
Who is FN Meka, the world’s first AI rapper?
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
FN Meka is the world’s first AI rapper. At the time of recording, he had accrued a whopping 10.3 million followers on TikTok. We’ve seen all sort...
Who is Liz Truss, the new British Prime Minister?
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Former Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has been chosen as the new Prime minister, beating former Chancellor Rishi Sunak to replace Boris Johnson. Altho...
[RERUN] What are neobanks?
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Neobanks are 100% digital. They run exclusively through mobile apps, with no brick-and-mortar premises. They offer customers a user-first design, and ...
What are mirror hours?
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever checked the time on your phone or TV set and seen a quirky number like 13:13, 11:11 or 20:20? Well of course you have, but what you may not know ...
How can I ease my foot pain?
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Feet carry our body weight and bear the impact of every step we take. Furthermore, they play an active role in balance control, thanks to sensors loca...
Why does not getting enough sleep make you selfish?
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Not getting a good night’s sleep can certainly leave you feeling grumpy and groggy, but can it also make you selfish? Sleep experts at the Universi...
[RERUN] What is empty nest syndrome?
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With the summer holiday season drawing to a close, many university students are preparing to leave home for the first time and head to campus accommod...
Is "quiet quitting" helping employees find a better work-life balance?
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Quiet quitting" has been getting a lot of attention of late. So many young people have been rejecting “hustle culture”, which puts work at the c...
[RERUN] What is woofing?
04 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Woofing consists of working on a farm while travelling to reduce costs. These volunteers help out their hosts for five half-days per week during their...
Why do I have white spots on my nails?
03 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
To understand where white spots come from, we must first explain how nail growth works. If you’ve ever had white spots on your nails before, you ma...