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Shakespeare’s maths

This podcast episode explores the presence of mathematics and accounting in Shakespeare's works, highlighting the use of numbers, accounting terminology, and mathematical beauty in his writings. It also touches on the ongoing discussions surrounding Shakespeare's genius and the debate on whether there are individuals w...

Leaflets, taxes, oil workers and classrooms

This podcast episode explores the use of tactical messages and deceptive bar charts in election campaigns, the unreliability of political leaflets, changes in tax policies and their impact on different income groups, potential job losses in the oil and gas industry, the statistics and dynamics of class sizes and the sc...

Why medical error is not the third leading cause of death in the US

This podcast episode explores the controversial claim that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the US. The episode discusses an article that questions the measurement of deaths from medical errors and the need for better data collection. It challenges the weak research and unsupported extrapolation u...

Debate, Reform, tax evasion and ants

This podcast episode covers various topics including the Labour Party's Green Prosperity Plan, the disagreement between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer on NHS waiting lists, migration and small boat crossings, Reform UK's draft manifesto, net zero and its impact on climate change, tax evasion and avoidance, enforcing tax ...

Data for India

This podcast episode explores the changing population dynamics of India, focusing on the declining fertility rates and the shift in causes of mortality. It highlights the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in these trends and discusses the importance of conversations around aging and development. The section also emp...

UK growth, prisons and Swiftonomics

Is intermittent fasting going to kill you?

This podcast episode explores the topic of intermittent fasting and discusses the recent headlines suggesting a link between intermittent fasting and increased risk of death from heart disease. A cardiologist and cardiovascular epidemiologist provide insights on time-restricted eating and its potential benefits for wei...

MP misconduct, NHS waiting lists and gold (gold)

This podcast episode explores various topics, including the investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Members of Parliament (MPs), the NHS waiting list and waiting times for medical treatment, the importance of understanding probabilities, the UK's trade performance, and advertisements for products like ...

Are falling marriage rates causing happiness to fall in the US?

This podcast episode explores the correlation between marriage and happiness. While there is a strong correlation between the two, the research does not imply causation. The decrease in marriage rates in recent years has coincided with a decrease in happiness, but the research does not suggest one causing the other. Th...

Is reading for pleasure the single biggest factor in how well a child does in life?

This podcast episode explores the correlation between reading for pleasure and a child's success in life. Research studies and analysis from the OECD and Alice Sullivan suggest that reading for pleasure is associated with higher literacy scores, better employment prospects, and improved academic success. While the caus...

Do one in five young Americans think the holocaust is a myth?

This podcast episode explores the challenges and concerns surrounding opt-in surveys and their reliability in gauging public opinion. The Pew Research Centre conducted research comparing opt-in survey results to well-known benchmarks, revealing significant errors, particularly among young adults and Hispanic Americans....

Has Milei fixed Argentina’s inflation problem?

This podcast episode explores the economic challenges faced by Argentina and the policies implemented by President Javier Milei to address them. It highlights the complex economic situation inherited by Milei, with a staggering annual inflation rate of over 250%. The episode discusses the measures implemented by Milei,...

98%: Is misinformation being spread about a review of trans youth medicine?

This podcast episode explores the quality of research on gender-affirming care, particularly in the context of studies on young people. The episode discusses the challenges in evaluating research quality, the origin of a claim regarding the exclusion of research, and the nuances of interpreting systematic reviews. It e...

Tackling The Three-Body Problem

This podcast episode explores the challenges of the three-body problem in astronomy and the difficulties in predicting the future behavior of celestial systems. The episode discusses the mathematical equations used to solve the two-body problem and how they can be applied to the three-body problem. It also highlights t...

Is loneliness as bad for you as smoking?

This podcast episode explores the health risks of social disconnection and the relationship between social connection and mortality. It discusses the findings of a meta-analysis conducted by Julianne Holt-Lunstad, which revealed that social disconnection is a significant predictor of earlier mortality and death. Furthe...

Remembering Daniel Kahneman

Bonus episode: Daniel Kahneman on Thinking, Fast and Slow

What's happening to arctic ice?

Does the Russian government really spend 40% of its budget on the military?

Is public speaking really our biggest fear?