What is melatonin — and should you take it to fall asleep? | Matt Walker

Melatonin is the hormone that tells our brains and bodies it’s time to sleep. But if you think melatonin supplements will significantly improve your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, you may have been…

01/12/2021
The value of kindness at work | James Rhee

Kindness can go a long way when it comes to reshaping a business. Having saved a fashion company from the brink of bankruptcy, entrepreneur James Rhee shares the value of investing in a culture of…

01/12/2021
Is it really that bad to marry my cousin? | Mona Chalabi

There are things we accept as obvious truths that aren’t necessarily backed up by data. A primary example: cousin marriage being taboo. In this episode, data journalist Mona Chalabi looks at the numbers behind our…

30/11/2021
Ancient wisdom for healing the planet | Shweta Narayan

The doctrine of “first, do no harm” is the basis of the Hippocratic Oath, one of the world’s oldest codes of ethics. It governs the work of physicians — but climate and health campaigner Shweta…

29/11/2021
The surprising health benefits of dreaming | Matt Walker

When you fall asleep and start dreaming, you’re actually doing very important work. According to sleep scientist Matt Walker, dreams act like a form of “overnight therapy.” In fact, your dreams may even boost your…

24/11/2021
Dear world leaders, these are our climate demands | Xiye Bastida, Shiv Soin and Latif Nasser

Investing in green energy, holding large corporations accountable for their pollution, stopping pipeline and oil extraction initiatives — these are non-negotiable actions to protect the planet, but they are still just the bare minimum, say…

23/11/2021
The science of extreme weather — and how to reduce the harm | Al Roker, Al Gore, David Biello and Latif Nasser

Floods, droughts, heat waves and cold blasts — why is the weather becoming more extreme? Environmentalist and “America’s weatherman” Al Roker discusses the link between climate change and disruptions to weather patterns worldwide, followed by…

23/11/2021
How accurate is the weather forecast? | Mona Chalabi

No one remembers when you’re right, but no one forgets when you’re wrong. Your local weather person knows that saying all too well. But while they take a lot of the heat (get it?), how…

23/11/2021
The action plan to solve the climate crisis | John Doerr and Ryan Panchadsaram

“How much more damage do we have to endure before we realize that it’s cheaper to save this planet than to ruin it?” asks engineer and investor John Doerr. In conversation with Countdown cofounder Lindsay…

22/11/2021
The science of preserving sight | Joshua Chu-Tan

As you get older, your eyes worsen and become susceptible to a disease called age-related macular degeneration — the leading cause of blindness, with no cure in sight. Sharing the science of how your vision…

22/11/2021