A very personal story today, as we hear about a special man from Jamaica, part of the Windrush generation, who touched many lives and made a huge difference to so many people. If you enjoy this episode of What's The Difference?, please, please, please subscribe, rate and review to support us; it really is a small detail that makes a huge difference…

The unsettling story of The Watcher, the mysterious figure who wrote to an unsuspecting suburban family when they bought their dream home. What did The Watcher want? Why were they writing the bizarre letters? Were the threats for real? And most of all, who was The Watcher? This is the spookiest story we've told, and we can't stop thinking about it.…

We're very sorry but there's no episode this week, as we just needed to catch up with life and our respective families. But we will be back soon with more fascinating stories where small details made a big difference. In the meantime, if you've not heard all the episodes yet, check out the rest of Season 1, and let us know what your favourite stori…

The difference one little word can make - frustration, hunger, hilarity, and more! Instead of one main story, we have lots of shorter stories this time, all with the same theme of Lost in Translation. And a special thank you to Scott Sammons, our very first guest! If you enjoy this episode of What's The Difference?, please, please, please subscribe…

There is no such thing as a random number. Particularly when it's chosen by a human. Don't believe us? Listen to Nathan explain. And how "Benford's Law" helps unearth fraudsters. It will also help you find out how to be better at committing fraud, but don't do that! If you enjoy this episode of What's The Difference?, please, please, please subscri…

We're in Florida, and other places (Clare gets confused!) this time. The FBI are about to get their man, who has been committing crimes for years and years...when they make a small mistake that could have a huge impact! This is the story of the McDonalds Monopoly Scandal, and we discuss who was behind it, and who really got harmed. If you enjoy thi…

We're in Sicily in January 2023, outside a clinic, where the police approach a sick, elderly man and arrest him. Nathan explains why, and tells us about the decades' long investigation into the Mafia that brought the authorities to this point, and the small details along the way, that had big impacts. If you enjoy this episode of What's The Differe…

This is the story that gave us the name for this podcast, that Clare's been wanting to tell for a long time. We tell you about TV presenter Erin Andrews, and how she was violated in a hotel (another Marriott Hotel - remember the Hotel Hacker in episode 6?) by someone who claimed to be her friend, but was anything but a friend. If you enjoy this epi…

Another cautionary tale, in the UK this time, about how ego can trip us up. This is the well known case of The Canoe Man, also known as John Darwin, and his wife Ann Darwin. And as Nathan explains to Clare, he has both a geographical and a personal connection to the case! If you enjoy this episode of 'What's The Difference?' please, please, please …

When Axton Betz-Hamilton discovered the identity theft that had blighted her childhood was still causing her trouble as an adult, she became an expert in the field of childhood identity theft, even winning awards with her parents standing proudly beside her, and earned a PhD in the subject. When she found out who was behind her family's money and c…

You might feel differently about staying in hotels after you hear about the Hotel Hacker, and how he was able to get away with his crimes for so long... but stay tuned to the end for a low-tech solution to your worries! If you enjoy this episode of What's The Difference?, please, please, please subscribe, rate and review to help us get the podcast …

A cautionary tale about the dangers of being addicted to TV - the story of the Boy in the Balloon. In Colorado, in 2009, a UFO-shaped balloon takes off on a test flight...but where is 6 year-old Falcon? His parents raise the alarm when it appears he must be in the balloon flying across the state! If you enjoy this episode of What's The Difference?,…

Nathan explains why the saying, "If it's free, you're the product" is now out of date... but not necessarily in a good way! ---------------------------------------- What’s The Difference? is co-hosted by Nathan Bent and Clare Paterson, two data geeks… sorry, enthusiasts, with a fascination for the small details in life that can make a big impact. F…

In this episode, Clare tells Nathan about someone who claimed to have extraordinary powers to heal the sick, but he wasn’t a doctor, or any other type of medical professional – he was healing people using divine revelation and "God-given ability"...apparently. (Clare uses the word "apparently" a lot in this one!) Peter Popoff didn't come off well a…

Did you hear the one about the business case and the judge? No, it's not a weird joke, it's just two of the ways the new AI craze - ChatGPT - has been used recently. In this episode, Nathan explains to a very un-techy Clare what ChatGPT is, what it can do, and most importantly what you can't trust it to do! And of course, we have a few laughs along…

We’re in Dublin, in October 2013, and the police (the gardai) have a conundrum. They need help in identifying a vulnerable teenage girl and want to publish a photograph of her in the media to see if anyone recognises her. But being a minor, who may have suffered trauma and abuse, they have to think very carefully about the potential benefit versus …

A sneak peek at what you can expect from the What's The Difference podcast, and the story of how Nathan and Clare came to be making a podcast together! We'll be telling fascinating stories, some that you might already know, but maybe not from this angle. There will be a lot of tangents and laughter along the way too, because we don't take ourselves…