Played
-
Humans have been making music for thousands of years, but for Michael Mosley and our volunteer Matthew, the musical journey is only just beginning. Playing a musical instrument has been shown to strengthen your memory and lift your mood. It can even reduce chronic inflammation. Dr Sofia Seinfeld from the Open University in Catalonia tells Michael why it’s never too late to start making music, and how it can enhance your cognitive abilities by activating regions of the brain associated with motor co-ordination and the processing of emotions. Meanwhile, Matthew gets to grips with the ukulele to see if he can master a tune and boost his wellbeing. Series Producer: Nija Dalal-SmallEditor: Zoë HeronA BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
There’s no question that exercise is important for our health, but many of us find it difficult to fit into our busy schedules. In this episode, Michael Mosley explores how high-intensity interval training, HIIT for short, might be the most time-efficient way to get fitter. It can also boost your cognitive performance, help you live longer, and improve your quality of life. Martin Gibala, Professor of Kinesiology at McMaster University in Ontario, reveals all about the beneficial impact of HIIT on your cardiorespiratory system, your ability to control your blood sugar levels, and your risk of chronic diseases. Meanwhile, busy mum and NHS worker Suzanne finds HIIT a great way to incorporate a workout into her hectic routine.
Series Producer: Nija Dalal-SmallEditor: Zoë HeronA BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
Michael Mosley discovers that enjoying more olive oil in your daily diet can come with a whole host of surprising benefits, including protecting your brain, improving your memory and reducing chronic inflammation. The Mediterranean diet has been shown to be one of the healthiest in the world, and a major component of this is olive oil. Dr Bill Mullen from the University of Glasgow tells Michael about his recent research, which found that two tablespoons of olive oil a day can significantly reduce biological markers of heart disease. Meanwhile our volunteer Ellen, an avid home cook, reaps the benefits of switching to olive oil. Series Producer: Nija Dalal-SmallEditor: Zoë HeronA BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
It’s time to dig out that skipping rope, as Michael learns that the popular childhood pastime could have big benefits for health and wellbeing, especially as we get older. Professor Urs Granacher from the University of Freiburg, shares how skipping is a form of jumping exercise, which could help increase not just our speed, but could also help us age healthily. These exercises help increase muscle power and can also strengthen our bones. Our volunteer Shona, a new mum based in Shetland, uses skipping as an excuse to get outside.
Series Producer: Nija Dalal-SmallScience Producer: Catherine WylerResearcher: Sophie RichardsonResearcher: Will HornbrookProduction Manager: Maria SimonsEditor: Zoe HeronA BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
We are a nation of snackers and we tend to get a whopping 25% of our daily calories from our snacks. But surprisingly, snacking isn’t necessarily bad for our health. Dr Sarah Berry at Kings College London explores a pragmatic approach to snacking, and tells Michael how what you snack on and when you snack has the greatest impact on your health. You don’t have to stop snacking - just snack smartly by swapping in some less-processed options. Our volunteer Denise, a hotel facilities manager from Liverpool, tries to reap the benefits of better snacks.
Series Producer: Nija Dalal-SmallScience Producer: Catherine WylerResearcher: Sophie RichardsonResearcher: Will HornbrookProduction Manager: Maria SimonsEditor: Zoe HeronA BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
Greg Jenner is joined in the 18th century by historian Dr Katherine Parker and comedian James Nokise on the maiden voyage across the Pacific ocean with Captain Cook.
He discovers why Tahititi is always a good idea, just how many men you can fit on a ship built for only fifteen and how the exceptional art of Polynesian navigation techniques led to the creation of the first maps of the area.
Research by Claudia Treacher and Rosanna EvansWritten and produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg JennerAssistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-GoodfellowProject Management: Siefe Miyo and Isla MatthewsAudio Producer: Abi Paterson
The Athletic production for BBC Radio 4
-
By November 1938 the scene in Germany was at its darkest yet, as the full scale of Hitler’s intentions for the Jewish population of the German Reich was becoming evermore apparent. As the threat of another world war increased, so the Nazi anti-semitism machine went up a gear. Synagogues were destroyed, Jewish businessmen, bureaucrats, lawyers and doctors disbarred, plans were made for a mass expulsion of Jews from Europe. But the worst was yet to come, as the assassination of a German official in Paris in late 1938 instigated the most savage wave of Jewish persecution in Germany so far…
Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the build up to Krystallnacht - the Night of Broken Glass - and the diabolical destruction, brutality and violence that ensued. By the end of 1938, Hitler’s two dearest ambitions, an apocalyptic victory over the Jewish people and the conquest of Europe itself, seemed terrifyingly within reach.
*The Rest Is History LIVE in 2024*
Tom and Dominic are back onstage this summer, at Hampton Court Palace in London!
Buy your tickets here: therestishistory.com
Twitter:
@TheRestHistory
@holland_tom
@dcsandbrook
Producer: Theo Young-Smith
Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett
Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
Tracking your exercise is a simple and surprisingly effective way to motivate you to move more. Most of us own an exercise tracker, whether it’s the fitness app on our phone or a special bit of kit on our wrist. But how do they make us more active? Professor Carol Maher, from the University of Southern Australia, has found wearing an activity tracker really can encourage more physical activity. She tells Michael how the instant feedback allows people to take control of their activity levels. Michael learns the extra movement a tracker encourages can really help improve your brain power and reduce your risk of certain cancers and type 2 diabetes. Volunteer Rumbi opens her fitness app and steps out to see if it really works.
Series Producer: Nija Dalal-SmallScience Producer: Catherine WylerResearcher: Sophie RichardsonResearcher: Will HornbrookProduction Manager: Maria SimonsEditor: Zoe HeronA BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
Michael discovers his long-time penchant for an early night could have some real health benefits. If you are someone who could go to sleep earlier and simply put it off with an extra episode or phone scrolling, Michael recommends going to bed an hour earlier than normal because getting enough sleep deeply impacts your brain, protecting against depression and other neurological problems. Professor Esra Tasali at the University of Chicago's Sleep Centre, shares her research that sleeping an extra hour a night has been found to have an incredible effect on our appetite, reducing cravings often linked to weight gain. Our volunteer Dylan, who is very health and exercise conscious, is surprised to find a little more sleep every night could benefit his fitness routine.
Series Producer: Nija Dalal-SmallScience Producer: Catherine WylerResearcher: Sophie RichardsonResearcher: Will HornbrookProduction Manager: Maria SimonsEditor: Zoe HeronA BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
Michael discovers incorporating wholegrains into our diet, is a tasty swap that could really benefit our health. Wholegrains such as wholegrain pasta, bread and brown rice contain more fibre, vitamins and minerals, than refined grains. This simple swap can help reduce blood pressure, improve heart health and boost the gut microbiome. Michael talks to Dr Caleigh Sawicki, from the Brigham and Women’s hospital and Harvard Medical School, whose research suggests that the fibre consumption of wholegrains can keep us fuller for longer and this slow digestion could result in a lower increase in blood sugar.
Series Producer: Nija Dalal-SmallScience Producer: Catherine WylerResearcher: Sophie RichardsonResearcher: Will HornbrookProduction Manager: Maria SimonsEditor: Zoe HeronA BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
Michael adds a plank into his exercise routine and is surprised to learn of its huge benefits to our physical health.
Dr Jamie O'Driscoll, a Reader of Cardiovascular Physiology at Canterbury Christ Church University, reveals how the plank is a form of isometric exercise, where muscles are held still, neither stretching nor contracting. Jamie shares his research that found these exercises, including the plank and the wall-squat, could massively reduce our blood pressure.
Michael also explores how the plank can even be better than crunches or sit ups for your abs and core muscles. Our volunteer Penelope takes on the plank, excited to learn that this small addition to her fitness regime could yield great results.
Series Producer: Nija Dalal-SmallScience Producer: Catherine WylerResearcher: Sophie RichardsonResearcher: Will HornbrookProduction Manager: Maria SimonsEditor: Zoe HeronA BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
In this series of special editions of BBC Radio 4 podcast Just One Thing, Michael Mosley quizzes the world’s leading health experts on the best ways to live well. In this Exercise Special, we hear from Marie Murphy – Professor of Exercise and Health at Ulster University and leading expert in physical fitness and lead scientist advising on the UK physical activity guidelines.
We hear the top tips that Professor Murphy swears by to get maximum fitness for minimum effort. Could exercising in short bouts be better for you? Why should we all be building muscle over 30? And could the way you walk change your life? And as this is a Just One Thing special, Michael ends the interview by asking Professor Murphy for the single most effective health hack for keeping in shape.
Series Producer: Dom ByrneProduction Manager: Maria SimonsExec Producer: Zoe HeronSpecially composed music by Richard Atkinson (Mcasso)A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
Do you feel like quitting on your goals?
Do you want to give up on your resolutions?
Are you just plain unmotivated?
Mel delivers her most powerful pep talk, designed to light the fire inside you so you can break through any setback.
She’ll give you the tools you need to power through resistance and shut down any negative thoughts holding you back. You will want to listen to this over and over again.
You will learn the secret to gaining unstoppable confidence. You’ll get incredible insights on how to reinvent yourself if you feel like giving up and reclaiming the dream you gave up on.
In this episode, you will learn:
The research that reveals what day of the month most people quit on goals and resolutions.Two truths about life that help you tap into your power.What you need to REALLY do the next time you miss a day of the new challenge, diet, or workout plan, so you stay on track.The advice you need if you’re struggling with your new goals.One thing to remember when your motivation plummets.What to do when you’re not seeing results.Why the resolutions you make on vacation are impossible to sustain.Why your dreams are an important part of achieving your goals.The one essential question that will change your life.What to do when your life feels “blah” and uninspiring.How to build unshakeable self-confidence.What you MUST watch at least once in your life.The truth about waiting for the “right time” to change.This episode comes with a 29-page companion workbook. This workbook is designed using the latest research to help you get clear about what you want and empower you to take the next step forward in your life. And the cool part? It takes less than a minute for you to get your hands on it.
Just sign up at melrobbins.com/bestyear
Watch the episodes on YouTube: https://bit.ly/45OWCNr
Check out Mel’s book, The High 5 Habit: https://a.co/d/g1DQ8Pt
Follow Mel:
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3QfG8bb
The Mel Robbins Podcast Instagram: https://bit.ly/49bg4GP
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/46Mh0QB
TikTok: https://bit.ly/46Kpw2v
Sign up for my newsletter: https://bit.ly/46PVnPs
Want more resources? Go to the podcast page here.
Disclaimer
-
In this series of special editions of BBC Radio 4 podcast Just One Thing, Michael Mosley quizzes the world’s leading health experts on the best ways to live well. In this Stay Young Special, we hear from Professor Andrew Steptoe, Head of Behavioural Science and Health at University College London, who leads the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). We hear the top tips that Professor Steptoe swears by to keep youthful. How can having a sense of purpose keep you genetically young? Why can feeling younger make you physically youthful? And how can your social life keep you in your prime? And as this is a Just One Thing special, we'll end each interview by asking Professor Steptoe for the one single most effective health hack to help you stay young.
Producer: Dom ByrneProduction Manager: Maria SimonsExec Producer: Zoe HeronSpecially composed music by Richard Atkinson (Mcasso)A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
In this series of special editions of BBC Radio 4 podcast Just One Thing, Michael Mosley quizzes the world’s leading health experts on the best ways to live well. In this Weight Loss Special, we hear from Professor Giles Yeo, a leading expert in the genetics of obesity at the University of Cambridge. We hear the top tips Professor Yeo swears by to help you shed the pounds. What’s the best way to lose weight? What should you be eating and how should you be exercising? And what’s the best way to keep it off?
And as this is a Just One Thing special, we'll end each interview by asking Professor Yeo for the one single most effective health hack to shift a few pounds.
Producer: Dom ByrneProduction Manager: Maria SimonsExec Producer: Zoe HeronSpecially composed music by Richard Atkinson (Mcasso)A BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
We could all use a little kindness in our lives. Surprisingly, a little altruism can actually have big benefits for our own health! Michael discovers that small acts of kindness can not only boost your mental health and improve your relationships but also boost the immune system. Dr Tristan Inagaki from the San Diego State University explains to Michael how her research has revealed that those performing acts of kindness had lower levels of systemic inflammation, which could reduce the risk of many major diseases. Meanwhile, our volunteer Sam enjoys finding ways to consciously incorporate kindness into his week.
Series Producer: Nija Dalal-SmallScience Producer: Catherine WylerResearcher: Sophie RichardsonResearcher: Will HornbrookProduction Manager: Maria SimonsEditor: Zoe HeronA BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
-
Want to get the mental sharpness of someone decades younger? Challenging your brain with something difficult, like learning a new language or taking up juggling, can trigger your brain to form new connections, increasing your brain’s white matter and making it more resilient against age-related decline. In this episode, Michael speaks to Dr Rachel Wu from the University of California Riverside who has discovered that learning three new skills at the same time can significantly boost the memory in older adults - so much so that they performed as well as someone 50 years younger in a series of cognitive tests. Superager Lord Richard Wilson shares his top tips for a sharper mind and the role of grit, determination, and insatiable curiosity. Producer: Catherine WylerAssistant Producer: Gulnar Mimaroglu Executive Producer: Zoe HeronA BBC Studios production for BBC Sounds / BBC Radio 4.
