Podcast Episodes

Are women in the UK the biggest binge drinkers in the world?

We check out suspect stats on boozing Brits and fishy figures on fishing fleets in the South China Sea.

With the help of Professor John Holmes from the University of Sheffield's School of Medicine and…

Published on 2 years, 1 month ago

Can maths prove the existence of aliens?

Are we alone in the universe – and if not, how many other civilisations might there be? Remarkable images and data sent back to Earth by the James Webb telescope have given a new impetus to a well-wo…

Published on 2 years, 1 month ago

Do Indian women own 11% of the world’s gold?

The cultural importance of gold in India as a symbol of wealth, prosperity and safety is well known – but how much do Indians actually own? Reporter Perisha Kudhail looks at a widely circulated claim…

Published on 2 years, 1 month ago

The Overlooked Mathematicians of History

Conventional histories of mathematics are dominated by well-known names like Pythagoras, Leibniz or Newton. But to concentrate solely on figures from Europe gives us only a patchwork understanding of…

Published on 2 years, 2 months ago

What do windscreen splats tell us about insect decline?

Do you notice fewer insect splats on windscreens than you used to? There’s a study in the UK trying to measure this ‘windscreen phenomenon’, as it’s become known. We hear more about the study and whe…

Published on 2 years, 2 months ago

Greedy jobs and the gender pay gap

Harvard professor Claudia Goldin has become only the third woman to win the Nobel Economics Prize for her groundbreaking research on women’s employment and pay. Tim Harford discusses her work showing…

Published on 2 years, 2 months ago

Are half the words in English from French?

Are almost half the words in the English language of French origin? It’s a claim one of our loyal listeners found surprising. Tim Harford talks to Dr Beth Malory, lecturer in English Linguistics at U…

Published on 2 years, 2 months ago

Vaccine claims, Alzheimer's treatment and Tim's Parkrun times

John Campbell, a YouTuber whose posts get millions of views, has made claims about excess deaths and the Covid vaccine. We show why he's incorrect. Also will a much-vaunted new treatment for Alzheime…

Published on 2 years, 2 months ago

Is the UK really ahead in cutting carbon emissions?

The UK Prime Minister has announced several changes to key policies designed to help Britain reach net zero by 2050. In a major speech justifying what many see as a watering down of commitments, Rish…

Published on 2 years, 2 months ago

NHS consultant pay, Net Zero claims and Scotland's ferry woes

NHS consultants in England are striking over a pay offer of 6%. We look at whether they are paid an average of £120,000 a year and examine how much their pay compared to inflation has fallen. Also we…

Published on 2 years, 3 months ago