What's Up Docs?

In this BBC Radio 4 podcast, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves.

Although they are identical twins, Chris and Xand are very different and they never stop thinking and arguing about science and health. They want to lead healthy, happy lives and as doctors, they want this for everyone. Yet they tussle over how best to get there.

When it comes to looking after our own health, it can be confusing. Medicine and science produce amazing new treatments and diagnostics every day and we are bombarded with so many headlines and pieces of advice; but how are we supposed to know what's really best for us and then successfully apply it to our lives?

Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken embrace this challenge; even as they marvel at the scientific breakthroughs, they grapple with the competing claims about health, wellbeing and how to live.

From understanding testosterone therapies to microplastics in our diets, and the concept of 'hangriness' to the power of saying no - this podcast deals with the health stresses we all face every day, while taking on board how the decisions by corporations and governments affect all our health.

Each episode, Chris and Xand are joined by an expert guest to examine the latest research, psychological insights, and data, to help listeners navigate the overwhelming amount of information and advice out there. They talk about the trials and tribulations in their own lives in their characteristically witty way - each teasing the other as they search for solutions. Xand has trouble sleeping , Chris has noisy knees, one of them has got an embarrassing itch. They have different ways of looking at things and find it really helpful to get the other one's point of view. These doctors are trying their best and encouraging listeners to do the same.

Email: whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk Whatsapp: 08000 665123

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Last refreshed: April 10th, 2026 at 2:36 PM ⓘ

Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.

Follow on

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

RSS

Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app

Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Am I getting enough sleep?

In this episode, Chris and Xand explore sleep deprivation, something they both experience. Many people have become obsessed with getting the perfect night’s sleep. We’re using gadgets, monitoring how many hours we’re getting each night, and taking supplements. But how worried should we actually be? Chris and Xand talk to Russell Foster, Professor of Circadian Neuroscience at Oxford University, to seek some reassurance. How do we stop our lack of sleep from keeping us up at night? If you’d like t...

Apr 22, 2025•29 min•Ep. 11

Doctors' Notes: Testosterone

Chris and Xand dig deeper into the role of testosterone with Dr Channa Jayasena, expert in reproductive endocrinology from Imperial College London. They discuss how testosterone interacts with other hormones, particularly oestrogen and the different roles these hormones play when it comes to male and female biology. They also explore the populism of testosterone. If you’d like to share your thoughts on this, or any other topic in the series, you can email at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on ...

Apr 15, 2025•19 min•Ep. 10

Do I need testosterone?

In this epsiode, Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore testosterone replacement therapy. It’s been suggested to Xand that he needs some testosterone replacement therapy - but should he take it? Does testosterone really boost mood, sexual appetite and energy? When testosterone declines in men as they get older and when women go through the menopause, can increasing testosterone offer positive results? Chris and Xand are joined by Dr Channa Jayasena, expert in reproductive endocrinology to find out....

Apr 15, 2025•29 min•Ep. 9

Doctors' Notes: Knees

Join Chris and Xand for some bonus content, digging deeper into the topic of each week’s episode of What’s Up Docs? In this episode they look at knees and are joined by Philip Conaghan, Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Leeds. They discuss key exercises we can be doing to help with chronic knee pain, what the best kind of pain relief is, and how to ensure longevity of the ligaments. If you’d like to share your thoughts on this, or any other topic in the series, you can e...

Apr 08, 2025•21 min•Ep. 8

How can I look after my knees?

In a new podcast from BBC Radio 4, doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the messy and complicated world of health and wellbeing. In this episode they want to know about knee pain - why do we get it, what can we do to treat and prevent it, and should we really just ‘push through it’? They talk to Philip Conaghan, Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Leeds, to find out. If you want to get in touch, you can email at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp ...

Apr 08, 2025•29 min•Ep. 7

Doctors' Notes: Hanger

Join Chris and Xand for some bonus content, digging deeper into the topic of each week’s episode of What’s Up Docs? Such is their passion for health and wellbeing that when joined by an expert they find it hard to contain their excitement and the questions just keep coming. Doctors' Notes is the solution. Here, they spend a little more time with the expert and explore some ideas that they can’t get out of their minds. In this episode, picking up from their conversation with Professor of Social P...

Apr 01, 2025•16 min•Ep. 6

Am I hangry?

In a new podcast from BBC Radio 4, doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the messy and complicated world of health and wellbeing. In this episode they want to know about ‘hanger’. Is it real? Or is being hangry just a marketing tool? Guest Professor of Social Psychology Viren Swami from Anglia Ruskin University says it's real - but hunger is not the only thing that contributes to our emotional state. If you want to get in touch, you can email at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or...

Apr 01, 2025•29 min•Ep. 5

Doctors' Notes: Willpower

Join Chris and Xand for some bonus content as they dig deeper into the topic of each week’s episode of What’s Up Docs? Such is their passion for health and wellbeing that when joined by an expert they find it hard to contain their excitement and the questions just keep coming. Doctors' Notes is the solution. Here, they spend a little more time with the expert and explore some ideas that they can’t get out of their minds. In this episode, picking up from their conversation with chartered psycholo...

Mar 25, 2025•26 min•Ep. 4

How important is willpower?

In a new podcast from BBC Radio 4, doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode they want to know about willpower. What does it do? Can any of us get better at doing difficult things? Guest Kimberley Wilson, a chartered psychologist, says it's the biggest question and longest standing issue in psychology and philosophy. Does willpower even exist? If you want to get in touch with us, you can email at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.u...

Mar 25, 2025•29 min•Ep. 3

Meet the Docs

In a new podcast from BBC Radio 4, Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the messy and complicated world of health and wellbeing. Chris and Xand are identical twins (although Xand is seven minutes older...). They’re also both doctors and became interested in medicine at the same time. But they got into medicine for different reasons and studied different specialties. So, even though health and wellbeing is very much a shared interest, they come at it from different angles. In What’s Up Docs? Chris...

Mar 25, 2025•15 min•Ep. 2

Welcome to What's Up Docs?

In this BBC Radio 4 podcast, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves. When it comes to looking after our own health, it can be confusing. With new statistics and treatments coming out every week, it feels impossible to decide what works best for us. So each episode, Chris and Xand are joined by an expert guest to examine the latest science, insights and data, to help you navigate the overwhelming amount of information and advice out there. From w...

Mar 20, 2025•2 min•Ep. 1

← Prev

For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android