Undercurrent Stories

28/11/2025

The Houses of Guinness - Unseen, Unheard, Until Now: Adrian Tinniswood - Episode Live!

'Beer built the fortune but the stories and legacy that the Guinness's left behind are far richer.'

Most people know the beer few know the people or the houses. Join me in conversation with historian, Adrian Tinniswood as he takes us on a lavish journey through the Houses of Guinness. Footmen, lavish parties, eccentric rituals—Adrian takes us inside the world most of us only see in period dramas.

The Houses of Guinness weren't just beautiful homes, they were engines of power. Adrian reveals what they tell us about empire, class and ambition.

See comments for episode link and finding out more about the book.

21/11/2025

How To Get Lucky. New Episode:

If you’ve ever watched someone waltz into an amazing job, get a great house or win life's lottery without even trying, you may have quietly wondered…

“Did they make a deal with a wizard?” 🧙‍♂️✨
“Do they have a secret map?” 🗺️
“Is Mercury in retrograde AGAIN?” 😩

Well, plot twist: it’s none of that.
It’s something even wilder — hidden markets quietly deciding who gets what while the rest of us are out here fighting with online forms and refreshing waitlists like amateurs.

So I brought in Wharton Professor Judd Kessler, whose new book Lucky by Design basically exposes the Matrix.
We talked about the invisible rules of life… the ones that might actually explain why some people get tickets for Glastonbury or get frequent work promotions.

If you like mind-blowing insights, “OH COME ON” moments, and learning how to hack the universe just a little, you need this episode.

👉 Listen here before the hidden markets find out: [https://pod.link/1508727524/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xODIyMzUzOQ]

20/11/2025

Undercurrent Stories · Episode

14/11/2025

IS CIVILISATION ABOUT TO COLLAPSE?
Today, on Undercurrent Stories, we turn our attention to the grand sweep of human history — from the hunter-gatherers of the Paleolithic to the great empires of Egypt and Rome, and onward to our interconnected, fragile world of today.

At the heart of our discussion lies a question as old as civilisation itself: why do societies rise — and why do they fall?

My guest is Dr Luke Kemp, a researcher at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for the Study of Existential Risk and author of Goliath’s Curse. In it, he challenges many of the stories we tell ourselves about progress and civilisation — arguing that the very forces that built our modern world may also contain the seeds of its undoing.

We’ll explore the archaeological and historical evidence for collapse, the myths of Hobbesian human nature, and whether our global, technological Goliath can be restrained before it destroys itself.

So join us, as we ask: what can the past teach us about surviving the future?

Listen at https://pod.link/1508727524/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xODE4NTE0NQ

07/11/2025

🌦️ **New Episode Out Now!** How Good is Your Weather Forecast, Really?

We check the weather every day — but how much do we really understand about the forecasts we trust?

In this fascinating conversation, we are joined by journalist and author, Thomas Weber.
Thomas reveals the hidden world behind modern meteorology — from tornado warnings in the American Midwest to farmers in Ghana using text-message forecasts to double their crop yields. 🌍

Discover how far weather prediction has come, why it’s more accurate than ever, and how new technology (including AI) is reshaping our understanding of the skies above us.

🎧 *Listen now: https://pod.link/1508727524/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xODE0NDI3MQ

23/10/2025

New Episode! The Day the Ground Spoke: Following the Longest Dinosaur Footprints Ever Found with Armin Schmitt.

Armin Schmitt reveals how scientists uncovered the longest dinosaur trackway ever found in the UK, plus a stunning new discovery — the first fossilised dinosaur gut contents in Australia.

Discover how these finds are transforming what we know about dinosaur life, movement, and diet.
Epsiode Links in comments.

17/10/2025

History of Everything from the Big Bang to You: Tim Coulson. Episode Live!

In this episode, we explore the the biggest question of all: How did we get here? Joining me is Professor Tim Coulson, biologist and zoologist at the University of Oxford and author of A Little History of Everything: From the Big Bang to You.

Tim traces our story from the birth of the universe to the emergence of life and consciousness — touching on physics, chemistry, biology, and the scientific method that ties it all together.

It’s an enlightening, accessible, and awe-inspiring conversation that connects the dots between science and existence itself.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1eUEMtfzHKjJJujCGGqxCL?si=7dac9414fbcd4e64

Undercurrent Stories · Episode

09/10/2025

The Human League, Heaven 17 and the Power of Sound: Martyn Ware. Episode Live!
Listen here: bit.ly/46XeUhZ

In this episode I'm delighted to welcome musician, producer and sound pioneer Martyn Ware to the show.

Martyn takes us back to his Sheffield roots and shares how the experimental beginnings of The Human League led to the formation of Heaven 17. He opens up about the split with Phil Oakey, the creation of groundbreaking tracks like Being Boiled, and how Heaven 17 carved out their place in 80s synthpop history.

Beyond the hits, Martyn reflects on his production work — including helping relaunch Tina Turner’s career — and his passion for immersive 3D soundscapes. He also discusses the power of music for creativity, connection, and wellbeing.

Highlights include:

*Early days of The Human League and the Sheffield electronic scene
*The moment that inspired Heaven 17
*Stories from the studio with Tina Turner and Terence Trent D’Arby
*Martyn’s new podcastSoundpower and his exploration of sound and healing
*The legacy of synthpop and why fans still follow Heaven 17 today

Whether you grew up on 80s electronic music or you’re discovering it fresh, this conversation is full of stories, insight, and inspiration from one of the genre’s true innovators.

02/10/2025

Bill Tancred: Olympic Athlete, British Discus 25 Year Record Holder & Academic. New Episode! Click bit.ly/46NkF1L to listen.

Today we have a really special guest with us. An international athlete, he competed in the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics in the discus and won bronze and silver medals in successive Commonwealth games from 1970 to 1974. He was the British National discus champion on 7 occasions and held the British record for 25 years.

Since then he has been a leading sports administrator, academic and author and so I am delighted to welcome a true titan of British athletics - Bill Tancred!

19/09/2025

Undercurrent Stories · Episode

19/09/2025

Podcast Episode · Undercurrent Stories · 18/09/2025 · 50m

19/09/2025

In this enlightening episode, we delve into the profound impact of music on the human brain. Join us as we explore how melodies and rhythms can evoke emotions, enhance mental health, and serve as a powerful therapeutic tool.

With insights from leading neuroscientist Stefan Kölsch, discover the science behind music's ability to heal and transform our minds. Whether you're a music enthusiast or curious about its healing potential, this episode offers a captivating journey into the world of sound therapy.

About Stefan

Stefan is a professor of Biological and Medical Psychology and Music Psychology at the University of Bergen. His work explores how music shapes the brain, emotions and health. In addition to scientific articles, he writes popular science books that make complex research accessible to a wider audience.