BBC Radio Podcasts from The Why Factor
Millennials and business
Why are millennials so attracted to starting their own businesses?
Why do we text instead of talk?
The popularity of texting is changing how we communicate and relate to each other
Why do physical scars matter?
What do the marks on our skin tell us about ourselves and our place in the world?
Dystopias
Why is dystopic fiction so appealing?
Victim blaming
In cases of sexual assault, why do people so often blame the victim?
Parties
Why is party planning so hard?
Resilience
Why are we resilient?
Why does music affect the way we feel?
An exploration of why and how music can exert a powerful effect on our emotions
Why do we need to talk about men?
Michael Blastland investigates talk of a crisis in masculinity.
Why grandparents are important
Why do grandparents care for their grandchildren and what effect does it have on them?
Why do we cheat on our partners?
Could the answer lie in our DNA, our upbringing or our lack of self control?
Why are we conscious?
What evolutionary advantage does consciousness bestow upon us?
Why are we conscious of so little?
Why are humans conscious of so little of what goes on around us?
Why are we shy?
Why do we feel shy and what can we do about it?
Intuition: Why should we be cautious of it?
Why do we get so attached to our intuitions? And can they mislead us?
Intuition: Why should we trust it?
What exactly is intuition? And why should we trust it?
Why do we love camping?
Why do people ditch the comforts of modern life to go and sleep under the stars?
Why do some people reject society?
Why do some people reject traditional forms of education, housing and even government?
Why are we so gloomy about the world?
Sandra Kanthal asks if human nature is wired to fixate on the downsides of life.
Why do we (still) wear make-up?
What’s the power of make-up? Why can't many of us leave the house without it?
Why learn to be happy?
Happiness is a fundamental human desire, yet we often struggle to achieve it.
Why do funerals matter?
Why funerals matter so profoundly to us, as individuals and societies
Why do we blend?
Blending is a distinctly human activity. Why do we do it?
Why does nature calm anxiety?
We find out how the natural world affects our mental health
Why do we care so much about games?
Why do so many people care so much about their sports teams?
Why do some people become hermits?
What makes people choose a life of isolation and silence?
Why should we work together?
Have we become obsessed with the idea of collaboration?
Schadenfreude
Why do we enjoy the misfortunes of others?
Why aren’t more women in computer science?
Computing history is filled with the accomplishments of women. But where are they now?
Why do we care where we come from?
The need to discover our past and what this tells us about ourselves
Why do people risk death in pursuit of adventure?
Why do we choose to do things that could kill us?
Why is it so hard to get people to pay tax?
Attitudes to tax are determined by some surprising factors.
Confidence: How it can help us
How confidence can motivate us and help us live up to our potential
Confidence: Why it misleads us
There is little overlap between how good people think they are and how good they are
Why do we find it hard to cut our losses?
When we know we’re in a hole, why do we find it so hard to stop digging?
Emotional labour
Why should we value emotional labour?
Why is climate change so politicised?
People on the left are more likely to accept climate change than those on the right.
Separating the art from the artist
Why does what we know about an artist affect how we see their work?
Cinderella
Why is Cinderella such a universal story?
Why do stories matter?
How stories help us connect, teach us empathy, and set the rules of society
Mothers and daughters
A look at why living in a patriarchy affects the mother-daughter relationship
Fathers and daughters
Why the father-daughter relationship is so important
Fattism
Why is it OK to be anti fat?
Beauty pageants
Why do women still compete in beauty pageants?
Why is architecture so big on Instagram?
Is Instagram’s popularity changing how architects design buildings and public spaces?
Meritocracy
Is meritocracy just a utopian idea?
Speed
Why do we like to go fast – why are we so taken with speed?
Blame
Why are we so quick to point the finger of blame?
Smart Speakers
How are smart speakers affecting us, from privacy to child development?
Giving Presents
Giving a gift - simple pleasure or risky business?
Fitness Apps
What motivates some to record every aspect of their exercise regime and share it online?
Extreme Sports
Why are more people taking on extreme endurance challenges which test them to the limit?
Zombies
Why are we so fascinated by Zombies?
Musical Instruments
Why is there a hierarchy of musical instruments?
Wine
Why are we so fascinated with wine?
Why do we Collude with Corruption?
Why do we collude with corruption when it is unfair and costs us billions of dollars?
Why Do Men Love Sheds?
We all need a place to call our own. Why, for many men, is that place the garden shed?
Horses
Exploring the connection between horses and humans
Truth
Why is it so difficult to decide what is true in a world riddled with alternative facts?
Fact Checkers
Why Fact Checkers are so important in the fight to combat fake news
Why scarcity can damage decision making
How when we suffer a scarcity of mental resources, we fail to plan for our futures
Plane, Train and Bird Spotting
Why do people love plane, train and bird spotting?
Why Have Women Taken To Wellness?
Nastaran Tavakoli-Far asks why women seek alternative ways to improve their health.
Why do we keep open secrets?
Nastaran Tavakoli-Far on open secrets in religious organisations, businesses and families
Rhetoric
What can the social media generation learn from the ancient art of persuasion?
Compassion Fatigue
Why do we get overwhelmed by caring about other people?
Why has feminism affected the mother-son bond?
Feminist mothers share the complexities of bringing up a son and the conflicts that arise
Why the father-son relationship is important
A father can continue to influence a son long after they have stopped living together
Why do we forget the things we’ve learned?
Why is it we remember some facts easily, and others slip away?
Why do we feel heartbreak?
We take a look at heartbreak and discuss why we suffer pain when a relationship ends.
Antarctica
Why are we fascinated with Antarctica?
Why boredom is interesting
Why boredom can be quite interesting
Being at Sea
Sailor Lesley Curwen asks why we are drawn to go to sea
Why Do We Love Boats?
How our love affair with the boat can be a deep and passionate attachment
Female friendships
Why is new tech a mixed blessing for female friendships?
Male friendships
Why do men crave friendships with other men?
School Reunions
Caz Graham finds out why people go to their school reunion.
Us and Them
Why do we divide the world into us and them?
Status
How would you define your status in society? And why do some suffer status anxiety?
Fishing
Why do people want to fish when it is increasingly difficult?
Why Football is the World’s Game
Why has football becomes the world’s favourite team sport?
Why Do We Love Landscapes?
Why do so many people love landscapes like the English Lake District?
Self-Help
Why do we believe complete strangers can guide us in improving every aspect of our lives
Dogs
Why do we have such a close and complex relationship with dogs?
Immortality
Why do people chase immortality? We those who believe science is close to beating death
Self-Marriage
Why do people marry themselves, is it narcissism, or a bold step to finding happiness?
Romance Fraud
Why do people fall victims to online romance frauds
Giving Away Data
Why are we giving away our data so freely?
Carrying Guns
In the US, those least likely to be victims of gun violence are most likely to carry guns
Fantasies
Why do people create and inhabit fantasy worlds?
Restaurants
Why do people dream of opening a restaurant? Is the reality anything like the fantasy?
Sibling Birth Order
Why is the order in which we are born seen as a key to our character?
Machines and Morals
Why we need to think about machines and morals
Laziness
Why do we look down on laziness?
Why are some places still men only?
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind closed doors of a men only club?
Dinosaurs
Why do so many people love Dinosaurs?
Bullies
Why do bullies do what they do?
Interviews
Why do we rely on the interview process when it's proven to be ineffective?
Pain
The Why Factor asks why we need to understand more about pain.
Hypnotism
Why would anyone allow a stranger to access their mind?
Vegans
Why are more and more people giving up all food produced from animals?
Dreaming
Why do some sleep disorders turn normal dreams into terrifying nightmares?
Noise
Why high levels of noise affects all of us and how to make our lives more tranquil
Why do People Hear Voices in Their Heads?
Around 2% of people claim they regularly hear voices in their heads. Are they all sick?
Sleepwalking
Bizarre bedtime behaviours that include a woman who went motorbiking while asleep
Alcohol Addiction
Catherine Carr asks why excessive drinking can sometimes seem to be socially acceptable
Witches
Why do so many societies demonise women by branding them witches?
The Crowd
Why we take courage from a crowd
Initiations
Initiations can involve ordeals yet people put up with the pain. So why do we need them?
What Can Chimps Teach us About Politics?
What politicians might learn from chimps and other primates about politics
Men, Women and Language
Women apologise too much, men interrupt more. Are these stereotypes true?
Dubbing Movies
Rhianna Dhillon finds out why so many films are dubbed into another language
Dark Tourism
Why do we visit sites of death, disaster and atrocity?
Imposter Syndrome
Why do some of us often feel like frauds?
Serial Killers
Why do many of us find serial killers and their crimes so intriguing?
Breath-holding
Lucy Ash goes in search of her inner dolphin, as she asks why people hold their breath
Staying Put
Why do people decide to stay put when faced with a natural disaster?
How to Live Small
Why is living space important and how much do we really need?
Surrogacy
Why would a woman choose to carry a baby for a complete stranger?
Romance
Why is it such an enduring concept and what does it mean in the modern world?
What Do You Do?
How much emphasis do we place on our jobs defining our identity?
Complexity
Why do potentially life changing devices often feel so frustrating?
Human Remains in Museums
Why is storing and displaying human remains in museums contentious?
News
News has a powerful effect on people. But why do we have it? And what's it for?
Eavesdropping
Why do we eavesdrop?
Why Raise Other People's Children?
Raising children is demanding, so why do we choose to raise other people’s children?
Sign Language
Lee Kumutat explores why deaf people are divided on the significance of Sign Language
Why Do Some People Crave the Limelight?
Why do some people crave the limelight and what does it do to our bodies?
Male Violence
Why are men more violent than women?
Childlessness
Why do some people choose to remain childless?
The kiss
Why do humans kiss?
Polygamy
Why would anyone share their husband or wife with another partner?
Returning Home
Why do foreign migrants yearn to go home and does returning make them happy if they do?
Exams
Are exams a fair judge of ability and understanding, or just a memory test?
Self-Harm
Why do some people cause physical pain to themselves as a way to manage their emotions?
Why Do We Talk To Ourselves?
In this Why Factor, Matthew Sweet asks who are we talking to when we talk to ourselves
Thankless Tasks
Dotun Adebayo discovers why anyone does a job where lots of people hate you
Are you a numbers person?
Are you a numbers person? Timandra Harkness explains how we get intimidated by numbers.
Goths
Why would anyone be a goth? What is the appeal of this dark and spooky subculture?
Habits
Shiulie Ghosh explains why we are all creatures of habits.
Short
Why do some short people lie about their height?
Why Words Matter
Lane Greene explains how the words we choose can tell us a great deal about ourselves.
Underground
What lures people to delve deep beneath the earth, into the dark recesses underground?
Clapping
Becky Milligan uncovers the secrets of applause and how it can be used to infect us all.
Why do Men Want Six Packs?
Why do men all over the world crave these six bumps on their stomach?
Yoga
Valley Fontaine asks why do we do yoga, and how has it become so popular?
Hands
Whether it is making or fixing something, why do we enjoy working with our hands?
Listening
Why is listening different from hearing? And how can we develop that skill?
Stammering
Why does this speech disorder cause so much shame amongst the millions affected by it?
Smiling
Whether a toothy grin, a megawatt beam or a faint curve of the lips, why do we smile?
Hypochondria
What is hypochondria, and why don’t we take this misunderstood malaise more seriously?
Torture
Does torture actually work, and can its use ever be justified?
Cryonics
Why do some people choose to be frozen at death, hoping to be brought back to life?
Regret
Why do we feel regret – is it right to live with it, or should we get over our mistakes?
Carrying Guns
In the countries where it’s legal, why do people choose to bear arms?
Vigilantes
Why do some people take the law into their own hands?
Why Do We Make Lists?
From shopping lists to to-do lists – why do we make lists and what do they say about us?
Forgiveness
Could you forgive the person who killed your child or who raped or tortured you?
Why do we Get Road Rage?
Why does driving bring out the worst in some people?
Revenge
Why did this type of aggressive behaviour evolve? And what purpose does it serve?
The Female Orgasm
Why do we understand so little about female sexual pleasure?
Why Do Cities Make Us Rude?
Why do cities make us rude? What makes us behave so badly in urban areas?
The Family Tree
Why are so many people obsessed with discovering their family origins?
Hoarding
Why do some people fill their homes and their lives with stuff?
Unconscious Bias
Why do we make judgments about people without even realising?
Eye Witness Identification
Mike Williams asks why scientists and courts are so worried about eye-witness testimony
Organ Donation
Why do we donate organs and will we still need to in the future?
Farewell Letters
Why do we write farewell letters? And how do we find the words to say goodbye?
Grief
Why do we feel so many different emotions when someone close to us dies?
Assisted Death
Is it ever right to take a life? Mike Williams explores the dilemmas of assisted death.
Why do Crazes Take Off?
What explains the success of the Hula-Hoop, Rubik’s Cube and Pokemon Go?
Comic Book Superheroes
Why are we so fascinated with the superheroes which populate our comic books and movies?
Why do we find some voices irritating?
Why is it that we find some voices more annoying than others?
The Voice
What do our voices reveal about ourselves?
Why not celebrate introvert personalities?
People are often labelled as shy, but introversion is very much misunderstood. Why?
Why do pet videos go viral?
The strange success of pets on the internet. Why?
Fear of Animals
What lies behind our often overwhelming fear of harmless animals?
Fear vs Fact
Are we living in an age where messages of fear dominate and the truth goes unheard?
Driving
As auto-piloted cars begin tests Mike Williams asks if we will miss driving
Violence
Why are men more violent than women?
Why Are We Getting Smarter
Mike Williams examines the Flynn Effect and finds out why we are all getting smarter.
Newspapers
Digital news is threatening newspapers, so why do they survive and what is their future?
Attraction
Why are we attracted to some people and not to others?
Loneliness
What is loneliness and why do we feel it?
Safe Space
Mike Williams asks what exactly is a safe space?
Copying Art
Why do people copy famous works of art and who buys them?
Thin
Mike Williams asks why so many people want to be thin in a world grappling with obesity.
Why Are We Afraid of Robots?
They help us in homes, hospitals and factories, so do we have reason to fear robots?
Time Perception
Mike Williams asks why some weeks just fly by but sometimes minutes can seem like hours?
Statues: Why we put people on pedestals
To some statues pay homage to gods, to others they are attempts at immortalising man
Life, Liberty and the American Identity
What is the American Identity and why is it a portrait recognized around the world?
How the Rest of the World Sees America
What does the world see when it looks towards America?
Dolly, Dylan or Daft Punk
Gemma Cairney explores our eclectic tastes in music and where those tastes come from
How America Sees Itself
How America's sense of national identity is perceived by the American people
Radio Requests
Music fans and radio stations from Mexico to Myanmar explain the appeal of radio requests
Why I’m Not Just Blind
Lee Kumutat asks why blind people must either be inspirational or deserving pity
Identity
The Why Factor examines one simple question: Who are you?
Fanfiction
What is fanfiction and who writes it?
Supernatural Powers
Mike Williams asks why supernatural beliefs have such a hold over different societies
Magicians: Inside their Minds
Who are the magicians and why do they enjoy performing for us?
Conspiracy Theory
The Why Factor asks why some people believe in conspiracy theories and whether it matters.
Why We Search for the Origins of Life
Why do humans need to understand the infinite and the infinitesimal?
Addiction: Why Do Some People Succumb to it?
Why does pleasure and desire lead to addiction in some people but not others?
Pleasure: Why We Like the Things We Like
The science of pleasure and why we like the things that we like
Why is Water Exceptional?
What does water mean to us?
Impersonators: Why do People Pretend to be Someone Else?
Examining the world of the Impersonators, con-artists and entertainers
Age of Consent
Why does the age of consent for homosexual relationships differ?
Why Do we Want or Need Heroes?
Angie Hobbs asks why do we want or need heroes?
Hypocrisy: Why do People Often say One Thing and do Another?
Is hypocrisy part of the human condition?
Hunting
Why do we hunt? Why kill animals when we no longer need to do so to eat?
Group Thinking
Why do we succumb to 'Groupthink' and how do we overcome the urge to be part of a crowd
Why Do We Make Lists?
From shopping lists to to-do lists – why do we make lists and what do they say about us?
Why Do We Wear Skirts?
Author Jung Chang explains how the skirt was dangerous during the cultural revolution
Why Do We Wear Ties?
Why does the tie symbolise a desire to belong and conform as well as individuality?
Why do we wear Suits?
The suit, it’s survived for the three centuries. But what’s its appeal?
What Makes us Want to Wear T-Shirts?
Mike Williams asks why these simple garments are so appealing
Tutoring
Why is private tutoring becoming so commonplace? And what impact does it have?
Why Can’t Some People Eat Certain Foods?
Why are food allergies increasing in the rich world?
Why Do We Love the Bicycle?
How did the bicycle change the world?
Why Does Everyone Wear Trainers?
How did the trainer become an acceptable item of clothing?
Why Do we Support Sports Clubs?
Why do sports fans follow club teams, even when they may live thousands of miles away?
Why Does Commuting Make us the Way we Are?
Why does commuting make us the people we are and how?
Graffiti: Why do we do it?
Graffiti is both an ancient and modern activity, but why do we do it?
Why Do We Love Dolls?
Despite all the new entertainments on offer, dolls endure. Why?
Why Does the World Love Drinking Tea?
Why tea is the second most popular drink in the world after water.
Why do Humans Need so Much Space?
Why do we have such a complicated relationship with the space we live in?
Why do we have Human Rights?
Where do Human Rights come from and how are they used?
World War One: Sacrifice
An exploration of the meaning of sacrifice to mark the centenary of World War One
Why do people sacrifice their lives?
Why do people give their lives for a nation? For a cause?
Talking about Death
It’s something that will come to all of us. So why is it so hard to talk about death?
Why Do We Need Diaries?
They hold our secrets, and preserve our memories, but why do we need diaries?
Why do we travel?
Mike Williams asks why do we leave the comfort of our homes to go travel?
What is a Home?
Why is a home so important and how does it shape us?
Encryption
What is encryption and why do we do it?
Why do Top Sportsmen and Women Choke?
Why do we lose the ability to do routine tasks under pressure?
Nationality
How would you define yours and how much does it matter?
Why Do We Need Cash?
We have all used cash but what exactly is it and do we still need it?
Why do People Take Risks?
Why do some people expose themselves to risks and why are we so bad at assessing them?
How Chillies Became Hot
The origins and history of chillies and why we eat a food that burns
Why do we Draw?
What makes us draw, how do we get good at it and what do we reveal through our drawings?
The Evolution of Beards
How did beards evolve and what is their purpose?
Blue Jeans
Why do blue jeans have such global appeal?
The Y Chromosome
How the Y chromosome transforms a female embryo to a male one
Television
Why does television have such a powerful influence on our lives?
Collecting
What does collecting of inanimate objects bring to our lives?
Jargon
Why do we use jargon?
Animals Are Us?
Why do people try and project human qualities onto animals?
The Circus
How did modern circuses develop? And why do they appeal to adults and children worldwide?
Daydreaming
Does everyone’s mind wander? And why do we do it?
Suicide
Every year, across the world, around a million people take their own lives. But why?
The Refugee Journey
At the mercy of people smugglers, how do refugees make their often perilous journeys?
Death Penalty
Why more than 50 countries around the world still execute certain criminals
Forgetting
Why do we lose our memories, and why are there are some things we can not forget?
Crime Fiction
Why do we love stories about criminals and the people who bring them to justice?
Skyscrapers
Mike Williams asks why we build tall buildings
Chasing Riches
Why do the rich want to get richer? What drives the wealthy to want more?
Rejecting Riches
Why do some people give the vast majority of their money away?
Why are watches enduring status symbols?
Watches have been an indicator of status since their invention. Mike Williams asks why
Sad Music
Sad music has become more popular according to a recent study. Why do people listen to it?
Why Do We Fly Flags?
From identity symbols to signalling tools, why human societies are fascinated by flags
Loyalty
Mike Williams asks why are we loyal, and who are we really loyal to?
Portrait Photography
Why do we want to capture human faces?
The Moon
Why has the moon fascinated humans from every culture and for all time?
Honour
People have fought for it and died for it. Why is this notion so powerful?
Perfume
Why do we use perfume and what does it say about us?
Sharing
Why do we share? And, what happens inside our brains when we do?
Nudity
Why does the naked human form provoke such strong reactions?
Cookery
Why do we cook food rather than just eat it raw?
Letters
The disappearing art of the hand-written letter and three stories of love
Poetry
Why do we read, or write poetry, as opposed to prose?
Memorialisation
How we remember the dead, and why does it matter?
Memorialisation
How do we remember the dead and why does it matter?
Chess
How has the 1500-year-old game mirrored politics and changes in society?
Embarrassment
What is embarrassment, why do we feel it and is it a good thing? Mike Williams finds out
Karma
Is Karma fatalism or guidance on how to improve your life?
Brands
Why do we place so much trust in brands? And who benefits from them?
What is Charisma?
Why is it so hard to pin down what we mean by charisma?
The Rivals
History’s greatest rivals, and the creative and destructive sides of rivalry
Risking Life For Strangers
Would you risk your life for a stranger?
Protest
What brings people out into the streets to take direct action against the powerful?
The 100th Programme: The Life of Why
Celebrating the 100th edition of The Why Factor
Gardens
Why do people have gardens and do gardening?
Gossip
Why do we like to gossip – and is it good for us?
Ghosts
Why do so many people claim to see ghosts?
Chastity
Associated with morality, modesty, politics and religion why is chastity so complicated?
The Pilgrimage
Why do we go on pilgrimages?
The Walk
Why do we go on long walks? Mike Williams finds out
The Moon
Why has the moon fascinated humans from every culture and for all time?
The Apology
Why do we say sorry – and what do we really mean by it?
Coincidence
What is coincidence and why do we attach meaning to it?
World War One: Patriotism
The power of patriotism from WW1 to today and truths and myths of the modern nation state
Accents
What do our accents say about us? Why do they matter?
Why Eye Contact is Important
Why is making eye contact so important?
The Fool
Mike Williams asks why the fool or jester has been an important figure in many cultures
Diplomacy
How to get ahead in diplomacy, from negotiations to polite language and secret code words
Competition
Why are we competitive? Is it a natural instinct?
Symmetry
Why does symmetry exist and why do we see such beauty in it?
Sticky Songs
What makes snippets of popular songs go round and round in our heads?
The Kiss
Why do humans kiss?
Luck
Does luck exist and does believing in luck help or hinder us in life?
Horoscopes
Why do we read horoscopes?
Racism
Why are people racist and judged by the colour of their skin?
Boredom
Why do we get bored and what does it say about how we engage with the world around us?
Envy
What is envy and why can it be dangerously destructive or make us strive for success?
Dance
Why does movement move us?
Family Names
Could your last name determine your career? Mike Williams explains
Given Names
Everyone has one, but what do names say about us?
Privacy
Why is privacy so important to us?
Coffee
Why the production and consumption of coffee matters so much around the globe
Trees of Life
Why are our feelings about trees so mixed? Mike Williams explains
Adolescence
Why is adolescence so difficult?
Touch
How do different cultures view physical contact in everyday life?
Homosexuality
Why does homosexuality exist? Is it nature or nurture? Mike Williams and guests discuss
Masks
Tracing the power and use of masks and what they mean for us culturally
Alcohol
Why do so many people drink alcohol? And why do some struggle to control it?
Running
In the UK, running is increasing in popularity. So why are we running now more than ever?
Nitrogen: Forgetting Fritz
Fritz Haber harnessed nitrogen to feed billions, but was also the pioneer of gas warfare
Debt
How the way we borrow and lend money is changing
Cross Dressing
Artist Grayson Perry, a train driver and a detective novelist on why they cross dress
Crying
Crying emotional tears is uniquely human but why do we do it?
The Heel
Where did the fascination with elevated footwear come from? Why wear high heels?
Solitude
How far can or should we pursue solitude?
Secrets
They represent power, they can generate fear, but why do we have secrets?
Optimism and Pessimism
Why do some people have a darker outlook on life while others have a brighter one?
The Lie
How different cultures define telling the truth
Speed
Why are we obsessed with speed? Mike Williams investigates.
Bullying
Why do we bully, why do some do it and others allow it?
Swearing
Why some words have such power to shock and offend
Burial
Burial is a practice that’s been carried out for centuries – but why do we do it?
Nostalgia
Why do we look back and yearn for the past, or recall sweet memories of our youth?
Sad Music
Sad music has become more popular according to a recent study. Why do people listen to it?
Fasting
Why people choose to abstain from food for religious - and non-religious - reasons
Memory
How human memory works and why some memories are remembered more easily than others
Female Body Hair
The history of hair removal and what it tells us about notions of female beauty
Monogamy
Does true love have to be monogamous? We hear three very modern love stories.
Celebrity
Why has the modern world become so obsessed with celebrity culture?
Mountains
What draws people to mountains and take risks scaling dangerous peaks?
Violent Entertainment
What explains our enduring attraction to violent entertainment?
Ageing
Why are attitudes towards older people often so negative?
Tattoos
What motivates people to decorate their bodies with ink?
Fire
Why are we fascinated with fire and what do myths tell us about how we view its power?
The City
Why do humans live in cities? And, what are the pros and cons of the modern metropolis?
Bathing: Water, Health and Well-being
The second of two programmes looking at why we bathe: the rituals and practices.
Bathing: Supernatural Waters
Why can the ubiquitous act of bathing mean so many different things for different people?
The Sea
The compelling attractions of the sea through literature and science
Make-up
Why millions of women - and some men - paint their faces
The Ball
Why play with a ball? Mike Williams finds out how ball games first evolved
The Lie
Why do we lie? How do different cultures define telling the truth?
Disgust
Why do we experience disgust?
Pets
Why do we live with cats and dogs?
Gold
Why are we so fascinated by gold?
Singing
Singing is a way of bringing people together, expressing joy or sadness. Why do we sing?
The Kiss
Why do humans kiss?
Ageing
Why are attitudes towards older people often so negative?
Retirement
Why do we retire?
Why do we get insomnia?
The second of two programmes about humans and sleep.
Sleep
The first of two programmes which looks at human behaviour and sleep.
Silence
What role does silence play in our lives and why can it be so poignant or so awkward?
PTSD
What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and why is it so controversial?
Cultural Memory
We all have memories but do we share some of those, socially or collectively? If so, why?
Why are Open Plan Offices the Norm?
Why has the open plan office become the norm in many places, despite the distractions?
Black
Mike Williams peers into the world of black and asks why it has so many different meanings
The Mob
Why do we behave differently when we are in a large crowd?
Mirrors
Mike Williams explores the myths and mysteries of the mirror
The Boxers of Bukom
Why are the men of Bukom in Accra so good at boxing?
The Heel
Where did the fascination with elevated footwear come from and what do they tell us?
Nitrogen: Forgetting Fritz
Why have we forgotten Fritz Haber?
Manners
The strange customs and conduct that make up ‘good manners’. Where do they come from?
The Sackman (and other stories)
The Sackman - a very different Father Christmas
The Drum
Why do we find the beat of the drum so intoxicating?
Fear - Episode 2
Why do some of us enjoy and endure fear, horror and suspense?
Fear - Episode 1
What is fear? Are our fears universal and how do we go about facing our fears?
The Tap
What changes when taps come to town? Mike Williams travels to Ghana.
Blue
The weird world of the colour blue.
Coming of Age
Why do different cultures mark the advent of adulthood at different ages?
The Handshake
Millions of us use this gesture but where does this everyday ritual come from?
The Shaved Head
Why do we care so much about the hair on our heads? Join Mike Williams to find out why.
Why do we laugh?
What is it that actually triggers our laughter, do all of us find the same things funny?
The Bullet
The history and design of the bullet and why people use them
Why do we smoke?
In this week's programme Mike Williams looks at why people start smoking.
Why do we Behave so Oddly Inside Elevators?
This week, the lift. Why do we behave so oddly inside them?
Why do we wear ties?
Why do we do the things we do? This week, Mike Williams asks why we wear neckties.
Why do we have tattoos?
Mike Williams on where tattoos come from and what they say about us.