Wind is all around us and one of the most powerful forces on Earth. It has a massive effect on our lives and the lives of every living thing on the planet. Not to mention things that aren't alive at all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 17, 2025•39 min
Witchcraft has nearly always been used to do good. In physical health and in wellbeing. But there was a time in the 14th and 15th centuries and onwards when it was very much frowned upon. Today, we delve into the world of witches and witchcraft, exploring the fascination with women who sought alternative ways of healing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 10, 2025•28 min
Holidays are fun - usually. In fact most of the fun of a holiday comes from its antici pation. We didn't mention it in this episode, but here's a link to a study... https://www.nathab.com/blog/anticipation-is-the-happiest-part-of-a-travel-journey They're good for your health, too, and to enhance one's perception of this wonderful ball we all live on. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Jul 03, 2025•39 min
Spoons can be used for eating or drinking from or serving or even playing. This episode looks at all kinds of uses of the common or garden spoon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 26, 2025•36 min
Salt is part of life. We wouldn't be anywhere without salt - literally, it's essential to human life. From the sea that we crawled out of, to the preservation of food, we need salt. This episode shakes the facts, and seasons your ears with salty goodness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 19, 2025•32 min
Tennis is one of the most-watched sports in the world. And it's been around a long time. From early origins as a game played with the hand against a wall, to the high-tech judged matches we can watch on TV today. In this episode, we explore all that history, with some heavy slices of weird thrown into the net for luck. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 12, 2025•37 min
Geese have been with us forever, domesticated for their meat and feathers, not to mention their guardianship properties. In this episode, we delve into geese in all their beauty and practicality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 05, 2025•35 min
You need hands to hold someone you love. In fact you need hands for all sorts of things. This episode looks at lots of aspects of hands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 29, 2025•32 min
Grass is everywhere. You can wear it, you can eat it, you can drink it, you can play on it - you can even grow it underwater. Grass is vital to the health of the planet and everyone on it. In this episode, we run our fingers through this wonderful plant in all its iterations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 22, 2025•38 min
Noses. They smell. That's what they're there for. To warn you of bad things, to alert you to good things. To be as plain as they are on your face. In this episode, we dig deep into noses. Not with our fingers, but with our minds! We stick our noses into a foundry of facts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 15, 2025•35 min
It sounds weird. You see a goat dancing having eaten something, and you decide to give it a try. Yet this is the apocryphal story of the origin of coffee. Today it's a massive industry and addicts are rarely seen without a cup - even when walking to work! Today is all about the bean. As always, click on the pics to take a sip of lots more about this brilliant beverage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 08, 2025•46 min
Kangaroos are weird. They move differently, give birth differently, and they even communicate differently. They're absolutely fascinating. And this episode is different, too. It's a three-hander where we're chatting with our friend on the spot, Gregory Dwyer, all about these extraordinary Australian animals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 01, 2025•37 min
There are cooks, and there are chefs. This one is about the latter. Those who train under greatness and go on to achieve greatness themselves - even if, at the end of the day, it's only a plate of food. From the first celebrity chef to the buttons on the overalls, this one is for the foodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 24, 2025•30 min
Beds... We spend a third of our life in them, but where did they originate? And why do men generally sleep on the door side of the bed? Lots of answers in this week's episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 17, 2025•30 min
Do you like trains? We do. They are to travel what podcasts are to entertainment. You can do lots of other things whilst enjoying getting from A to B. Or in the case of this episode, from Stockton to Beijing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 10, 2025•37 min
Think you know what a berry is? Think again. So many things that we think of as berries aren't technically berries. Find out what is and isn't a berry in this berry episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 03, 2025•26 min
There's nothing quite like the exhilaration of downhill skiing. The cold, clear mountain air is invigorating, and although skiing has been around since the Stone Age, the downhill version has only been around for a century or so. Dive into the mogul hills of facts in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 27, 2025•35 min
Getting from A to B requires a route, and if many people take the same route, that eventually becomes a road. Roads are integral to modern life, and this episode explains what they are and why they're brilliant - especially if, like Bruce, you enjoy driving Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 20, 2025•34 min
Soup is one of the easiest things to make from scratch; it's even easier in a can, or you can just add boiling water to a packet! This episode looks at various varieties of soups, where they came from and how they got into space! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 13, 2025•31 min
These days, we can't imagine a world without electricity, but it hasn't been that long since we tamed this mighty beast. It's always been around in the form of lightning and static, but what are its origins, and where have we taken it? As always, click on the pics for extra amp-le facts (see what we did there?) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 06, 2025•31 min
Beards have been around forever. Protecting, attracting, warming, styling, everything you can do with a man's face is in the hair. This episode explains the quirks and foibles of beards and aims to demystify them for the 50% of listeners who can't grow one! As always, click on the pics to delve deeper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 27, 2025•38 min
Holes are a part of our lives. Our bodies are full of them, as is the universe around us. This episode explores some of the lesser-known aspects of holes. If you want to go down a hole of your own, click on the pics for a whole lot more hole fac Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 20, 2025•34 min
Prison isn't fun. but we thought it worthy of a Factoraly Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 13, 2025•30 min
The bus was first invented as a service to transport a few people from Nantes to a Spa/Mill. Now 604 million people all over the world take the bus. What's the story behind this successful form of public transport? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 06, 2025•33 min
The horn is synonymous with celebration. Whether it's for sounding the appearance of brave Vikings or drinking a toast to their return, horns get everywhere. From Egyptian gods to Toad of Toad Hall, the horn is a symbol of knowledge and reckless speed! Dive into this horn of plenty - it gets pretty noisy, though. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 30, 2025•31 min
From ancient origins to modern styles, from practical purpose to cultural significance, trousers offer a fascinating lens through which to view history, social change, and even language itself. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 23, 2025•35 min
This episode explores the history of eyeglasses, from their 13th-century Italian origins to the modern-day dominance of Luxottica. We detail the evolution of lens technology, examining both the science behind vision correction and the social impact of increased screen usage. It also highlights the cultural significance of spectacles through iconic wearers and quirky innovations, while discussing the business side of the industry and its potential monopolies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...
Jan 16, 2025•34 min
Carpets and rugs have been around for some time. From floors covered with rushes to modern deep-pile luxury, we've always enjoyed walking on something soft and lush. As always, clic on the pics for more information and fun facts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jan 09, 2025•28 min
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Jan 04, 2025•9 min
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Jan 03, 2025•9 min