Do you really know?
Episodes
What is the three loves theory?
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if you could only fall in love three times in your life? Well that’s the idea behind the three loves theory, that breaks our romantic lives dow...
What is omotenashi, the Japanese art of hospitality?
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In some cultures, being well at home is all about making sure that others feel well when visiting, by welcoming them in the right way. In Japan, for e...
What is the Fermi paradox?
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever felt tiny when contemplating the vast, 14-billion-year-old universe? Maybe you’ve wondered, “Is there another form of intelligence o...
How can I save money on my gas bill?
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As of 1st July 2023, UK energy regulator Ofgem brought the energy price cap down to £2,074, a significant fall from the previous price guarantee of £...
Who are the main victims of natural disasters?
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Natural disasters lead to damaged property, loss of life, psychological trauma, displaced individuals and families, among other consequences. Accordin...
What do I need to know before getting a tattoo?
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A 2022 YouGov study suggested that 26% of British people have at least one tattoo, a statistic which reflects just how the perception of tattoos has c...
Sleep divorce: is it a good idea to sleep in separately?
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sleeping next to your partner can be comforting, but it also means dealing with snoring, night sweats, or fighting for space on a too-small mattress. ...
How can I tell if I’m at risk of ‘quiet firing’?
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whereas quiet quitting is all about employees sticking to doing the bare minimum, quiet firing is kind of the opposite. It’s when an employer nudges...
Why do we change clocks twice per year?
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“Spring forward, fall back” goes the saying; that’s right - today, Sunday the 27th of October 2024, saw the clocks go back an hour, meaning it g...
What are umbrella species?
08 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Within an ecosystem there are many different species, and it can be difficult for conservationists to come up with specific strategies to protect ever...
Will ChatGPT replace Google?
08 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The ChatGPT AI chatbot has grabbed a lot of attention since it was released in December 2022. GPT stands for generative Pre-trained transformer, and t...
Why did the man who invented the lobotomy win a Nobel Prize?
08 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In 1949, neurologist Egas Moniz reached the pinnacle of his career when he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine. He received this honor for what is...
Why do children have imaginary friends?
07 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What fun it is to have an imaginary friend to blame when you get into mischief! If you have children, you may have experienced a rather amusing situat...
Faux self-care: are we being fooled by the wellness industry?
07 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You’ve probably seen the ads for products and services that promise to make you happier, healthier, and more fulfilled. Things like journals, air pu...
Do superfoods actually work?
07 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While it’s not a scientifically recognised food category, the term “superfoods” has become common when referring to certain foods that are very ...
Why were the queen’s bees told of her death?
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Queen Elizabeth II was crowned on June 2nd, 1953. Today, it is difficult to comprehend the Queen's death. The announcement of the sad news of the Que...
What should I eat before going to bed?
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
No doubt you’ve realised that some types of food have a boosting effect, like eggs, oats and avocado for example. That’s because they contain tyro...
What can I do to relieve heartburn?
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christmas festivities are coming and often go hand in hand with overindulgence, in the form of large servings of roast dinner, yummy pudding and alcoh...
Why is yawning contagious?
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all yawn regularly, without giving it much thought most of the time. Harvard Health Publishing says that people yawn between 5 and 20 times per day...
Is it dangerous if I get heart palpitations?
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On average the human heart beats at a rate of 1.16 times per second, or 100 times per minute. Sometimes the heart rate gets faster, slower or is irreg...
Why is there such a taboo over the prostate?
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The prostate is a male organ that's situated right above the bladder, in front of the rectum. It's a small gland the size of a chestnut that plays a f...
Could a bathroom divorce help your relationship to thrive?
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
According to a survey back in the 2010s, the average couple has 312 arguments a year. Household chores are one of the main reasons for arguing, and th...
Why does Nobel disease cause some winners to promote unscientific ideas?
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For physicists, chemists, diplomats, medical researchers, and even writers, the Nobel Prize represents the ultimate accolade. Since Their inception in...
Why do our bodies need to sleep?
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sleep is often seen as a waste of time. Many businessmen, politicians, and celebrities boast about sleeping only 5 hours per night or even being insom...
What is kakeibo, the mindful Japanese budgeting method ?
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There are a number of possible reasons why people don’t manage to save as much money as they would like. For example: paying for things with a credi...
Does our personality change when we speak in another language?
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to what proportion of people speak more than one language, estimates vary but the general consensus is that at least half of the world’...
What are Butler Cafés?
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
According to Chinese media outlet The Sixth Tone, butler cafés are enjoying impressive success. They’ve been springing up all over big cities since...
What is “cottagecore”?
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cottagecore first started appearing online around 2017, but it wasn’t until the lockdowns of 2020 that it really took off. As more people grew tired...
Does refusing cookies really protect our data?
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's face it, we’re so accustomed to seeing those little pop-up windows when landing on a website that we barely pay any attention to them anymore....
Would you be more likely to go to work if you could bring in your pet?
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you are a pet owner you know how hard it can be to leave your furry friend at home when you go to work. You may worry about their wellbeing, feel g...
Do "light" food products really help you lose weight?
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you believe the marketing slogans printed on their packaging, light or reduced-calorie food products offer you the same enjoyment but with fewer ca...
What are the world’s biggest kleptocracies?
01 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You may remember that we’ve talked about the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index in the past on Do You Really Know, which assigns each o...
Are budget food brands really worth the savings they offer?
31 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In September 2023, UK consumer watchdog Which published research showing just how much cheaper budget brands can be. One striking example was the pric...
How did the Act Up group change the way we think about AIDS?
31 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every year, 1st December is World AIDS day. To mark the occasion, let’s look back at the story of the Act Up group. Act Up started causing a buzz in...
How can I strengthen my pelvic floor to increase sexual pleasure?
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your body is a complex machine, and sometimes it’s more intricate than we realize. Take the pelvic floor, for example. It’s a group of muscles tha...
What is Focus Friday?
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Let's be honest: being productive at work on Fridays can be a real challenge. A 2019 study by Accountemps found that Friday was the least common choic...
What’s the function of the perineum?
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The perineum is a group of muscles that works like a hammock, stretching from the pubic bone to the tailbone. To pinpoint its location, try coughing; ...
Is skipping meals bad for you?
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
No doubt at some point in your life you’ve skipped a meal, whether it was to save money, lose weight or just because you were too damn busy with wor...
What is Lima Syndrome?
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You may have heard of Stockholm Syndrome, which is when a hostage or a victim develops a positive bond with their captor or abuser. But did you know t...
How can I learn 1000 words in a new language?
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For our 1000th episode we thought we would bring you a special edition with a focus on the number 1000 and since we have a French and a English podcas...
Can you have sex on your period?
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Getting intimate while you or your partner are menstruating isn’t always straightforward. Still, the idea of period sex has gradually become less an...
How can I choose the right mattress for me?
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Getting restorative sleep and putting an end to back pain are both good reasons to opt for quality bedding. And if another reason was needed: on avera...
Why do we see faces in inanimate objects?
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever looked at a piece of toast, a cloud or a nearby house and had the impression there’s a face in it, looking right back at you? If you’...
Can I get health benefits from masturbation?
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Masturbation tends to be somewhat of a taboo topic in society, often down to religious or spiritual beliefs. You’ve probably also heard some of t...
What are neobanks?
27 May 2025
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 ...
How can you boost your morale in just 8 minutes?
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Modern life moves fast—work, responsibilities, and that endless to-do list. It often feels like there’s no time for what truly matters. Relationsh...
What are the four types of attachment in our relationships?
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The types of attachment were theorized by British psychologist John Bowlby in the 1950s. They are widely used to help us understand how we react to si...
Why are we obsessed with presenteeism?
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The trend of workplace presenteeism has increased in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. A September 2020 report by RAND Europe sugge...
What is online grooming?
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The UK’s Online Safety Bill has been in the pipeline for a number of years now, and is currently being considered by the House of Lords. The propose...
How can I eat healthy on a budget?
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The first quarter of 2023 has seen food inflation in the UK surpass 16%, according to the Office for National Statistics. Such inflation rates hadn’...
What are the dangers of using Botox?
25 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Botox is the name of a brand that offers a popular cosmetic treatment that involves injecting a toxin into the facial muscles to reduce wrinkles and s...
What are the best plant-based protein foods?
24 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vegetarians and vegans, do you ever find it difficult to keep your diet balanced? Meat-eaters, if you’ve ever considered going veggie, was that some...
Why are women’s rights regressing?
24 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
According to a World Bank report from March 2023, the global pace of reforms toward equal treatment of women under the law has slumped to a 20-year lo...
Can deep sleep help stop dementia?
24 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not news that if you don't get a good nights sleep you will probably not be your best the next day, but while you are snoozing, particularly in...
What is negging, the toxic flirting technique?
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Right from primary school age, we tell children that if another boy or girl has teased them, it’s “because they like them”. And playful teasing ...
How can I best preserve food in my freezer?
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the warmer weather that summer brings, it’s especially important to be aware of the best techniques for freezing food before it goes bad. This ...
How can I stop being a people pleaser?
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Did you get roped into taking care of your neighbour's dog again? End up laughing at a colleague’s awkward joke about your outfit? Or say yes to a l...
Who invented emojis?
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all know them and use them; so today let’s celebrate them. World Emoji Day falls on 17th July. Yes that’s right, a day has been set aside for h...
Could EMDR therapy help you recover from past traumas?
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing was only created in the late 20th century, but it’s since established itself as a popular and increasi...
Why do we get recurring dreams?
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
According to a study published in Dreaming journal in 2022, between 50% and 75% of adults have experienced a recurring dream at least once. These tend...
How can I avoid the side effects of antibiotics?
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Antibiotics are critical to modern medicine, and have saved millions of lives since first being introduced in the mid-20th century. However, there are...
Why do we talk about “left” and “right” in politics?
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, “left” and “right” are the main labels we use to categorise political views, but their origins go back over two centuries. To understan...
How to protect your art from AI exploitation?
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You may have heard of AI art generators, tools that use artificial intelligence to create images based on language prompts. For example, you can type ...
Which types of alcohol should we avoid mixing?
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
During the extended holiday feasts, it's common to let loose a little, perhaps mixing different kinds of alcohol. You might start out with a glass of ...
Trump, Musk, Bezos... Are They Really Self-Made Men?
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all know the classic tale: a man from humble beginnings works tirelessly, overcomes adversity, and rises to the top. It’s the famous myth of the ...
What is benevolent sexism?
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Discussions of sexism are commonplace in public discourse. And despite government policies aimed to ensure equality between women and men, the problem...
Should you sleep with socks on?
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For many, slipping into socks before bed is as natural as brushing their teeth. It’s comforting, like a warm hug for your feet. But not everyone’...
Why is the celibacy movement attracting young people?
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Young people have much less of an appetite for sex these days, it seems. The phenomenon has been labelled a “sex recession” in the media and terms...
Why is sitting with your legs crossed bad?
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When sitting, some of us cross our legs at the knee, while others do so at the ankle. According to a study published in Neuropsychologia in 1994, 62...
How can you spot a cloned website?
18 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're all aware that scammers are getting more meticulous day by day. Iit used to be our grandparents who were the primary targets of their schemes, b...
Has the climate breakdown really begun?
17 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On September 6th, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres released a 96-word statement in which he referred to “climate breakdown” having begun. It ...
Why do some people talk during their sleep?
17 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Imagine yourself tucked snugly under the covers in your bed, anticipating a blissfully restful night's sleep when all of a sudden, you're jolted awake...
Could Highlander syndrome help humans become immortal?
17 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Humans have long been intrigued by the idea of achieving eternal life, and wondered whether it could ever become possible thanks to medical and techno...
Which bread is best for your health?
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The French famously love their delicious baguette and a staggering 320 of them produced every second in France! But Brits, Americans, and people all o...
What are the three types of female orgasm?
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
While it remains a complex phenomenon, the female orgasm is becoming a focus of more and more medical studies. Back in 2016, French sociomedical resea...
Are my smart devices spying on me?
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Smart devices can be very handy, but increasingly people are worried about exactly how smart they are, what they know and what they are doing with our...
Why do we get moles?
15 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The number of moles we have on our bodies largely depends on sun exposure. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Most people have 10 to 45 moles that appea...
Why do we tend to hate the sound of our own voice?
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever cringe after listening to a voice note you just sent—wondering how your voice could possibly sound that high-pitched or nasal? You’re not ima...
What is the 12 week method for achieving your goals?
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every January, many of us set ambitious resolutions for the year ahead. We jot down our aspirations, fueled by goodwill, and promise ourselves that th...
What is the Cannes Film Festival ?
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every year in May, film stars and fans flock to the French city of Cannes for a 10-day celebration of cinema, or as it’s referred to in the host cou...
How to choose the best detergent?
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the days of yore, clothes were scrubbed with soap, brushes, and sheer elbow grease. But today, laundry detergents have revolutionized the way we cl...
Is taking milk with coffee good for you?
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Coffee purists tend to look down on the likes of the latte, cappuccino and mocha, suggesting that only black coffee is the real deal. They often dou...
Can this budgeting method help us save better?
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Data published by YouGov in August 2022 showed that as of the previous month, Britons were using a whopping £3.5bn worth of overdrafted funds from th...
What is “revenge bedtime procrastination”?
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wonder whether gold is really the “safe haven” everyone says it is? With so much talk of inflation, market crashes, and economic uncertainty,...
Can standing on one leg save your life?
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Surprising as it may seem, balance is more important than you might think. In September of 2022 the British Journal of Sports Medicine published the r...
What's the best way to cut your toenails?
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Caring for yourself involves more than just tending to your nails; it's about making sure they're well-groomed, especially those on your toes. Trimmin...
Why does walking through doorways make us forget things?
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever walked into your living room, kitchen or bedroom and completely forgotten what you went there for? It can be pretty annoying, and a litt...
How will our bodies adapt to climate change?
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we enter 2023, we’re desperately looking for ways to combat human-induced climate change. It’s a worthy cause, but it’s clear that some irrev...
What is Calimero syndrome?
11 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Calimero is a black chick with a half-broken eggshell on his head. He’s always complaining about something or other, with “But it’s an injustice...
Are scented candles and air freshener bad for your health?
10 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Scented candles, air fresheners and even scented cleaning products are all designed to make your home smell nice, clean and fresh. But using them ca...
What is prowling, yet another toxic dating trend?
10 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
“You’re hot and you’re cold, you're yes then you're no, you're in then you're out, you're up then you're down.” So goes Katy Perry’s hit s...
Why does time go by faster with age?
10 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you remember how as a kid, it would always seem like an eternity waiting for Christmas or your birthday to come around? But having reached adulthoo...
Why is it so important that the ozone layer heals?
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to news about the environment, it can feel like everything is doom and gloom. But we recently discussed how some people’s climate anxi...
Is wine in cans better for the environment?
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
First there were screw top wines, then wine in boxes and now the latest alternative is wine in cans. Although it’s still relatively niche, it's a f...
What is the Dunning Kruger effect, the phenomenon that causes overconfidence?
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Charles Darwin once wrote that “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge”, and real-life situations which reflect that are...
What is fika, the uplifting daily ritual from Sweden?
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Scandi lifestyle trends have been all the rage for a number of years now. Regular listeners may remember we’ve talked about Hygge and lagom on the s...
What is phubbing, the annoying habit that can ruin relationships?
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today, we’re talking about a new phenomenon that affects social interactions. Phubbing is something we've all likely experienced or done ourselves a...
How can I avoid always feeling hungry?
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The feeling of hunger can be difficult to explain sometimes, especially if you feel like you've eaten as much as you usually do. As a result, we often...
Is drinking decaf bad for my health?
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the world, with an average of 98 million cups consumed in the UK every day, according to the British Coffe...
Is snoring really dangerous for your health?
07 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It might seem like just a loud (and annoying) habit, but snoring can sometimes be a sign of deeper health issues—including sleep apnea, stroke risk,...