Best Bbc Micro Podcasts (2024)

1
Micro Nuclear Reactors 28:15

14d ago28:15

28:15

Guest presented by Liz Bonnin. As the UK strives to achieve net zero by 2050, nuclear energy is looking more and more likely as a key player in reaching this goal. But it’s not just massive power plants like Hinkley point C - there’s are newer smaller reactors on the scene: small and micro modular reactors. 100 to 1000 times smaller than a conventi…

1
Ep. 228 - Join Saul in his back garden where the tasks are never ending - so he spends a day looking after his collection of Jungle plants, focusing on how he feeds and setting up the start of his potential ... 31:23

1d ago31:23

31:23

The Summer season has come full circle again, that time of year where everyone enjoys being outside, especially in their gardens on a long, sunny day. Gardener's are still in full flow - planting out new beds, mowing their lawns and cajoling their vegetable gardens into burgeoning yields. It's a great time to be alive in horticulture as the show se…

1
How do we solve antibiotic resistance? 28:02

1h ago28:02

28:02

The looming danger of antibiotic resistance may have fallen out of the public consciousness but is still very much in the mind of those in public healthcare and research. As promising new research is published, the University of Birmingham’s Laura Piddock and GP Margaret McCartney get to the bottom of why antibiotic resistance is still so difficult…

1
Soil & Soul the infinite Connection - A conversation with Zach Bush 1:58:26

1d ago1:58:26

1:58:26

In this episode, Zach Bush graces the mic with his unique perspective and expertise. and shares his profound insights into the interconnectedness of human health and the environment. I am a big fan of Zach’s work and on the few occasions that we have met I have been blown away by this man’s mind. Zach’s fascinating insights and mind-blowing revelat…

1
Ep. 227 - Returning to our gardens after BBCGWL, it's a wall of heat and humidity, but that doesn't stop Lucy and Saul with questions from listeners on Agretti and (weirdly) Waterproof coats, failing Sweet ... 36:33

5d ago36:33

36:33

The Summer season has come full circle again, that time of year where everyone enjoys being outside, especially in their gardens on a long, sunny day. Gardener's are still in full flow - planting out new beds, mowing their lawns and cajoling their vegetable gardens into burgeoning yields. It's a great time to be alive in horticulture as the show se…

1
Why do we sleep? 28:20

7d ago28:20

28:20

Guest presented by Liz Bonnin. We all instinctively know that sleep is incredibly important but science doesn’t actually have a satisfying answer for why we need to sleep. There are multiple theories, but now, new research from Imperial College London has suggested that the leading idea might actually be incorrect. Science journalist Ginny Smith ex…

1
Is play the answer to breaking through the broken educational mould? - A conversation with Peter Gray 1:13:04

16d ago1:13:04

1:13:04

Welcome back to The NatLifePod. I am thrilled to bring you today's episode with someone who has been a huge inspiration for our family dynamic. In this episode, I have the honour of interviewing Peter Gray, acclaimed author of "Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students …

1
BBC GWLive 2024 Bonus Episode: Saul and Lucy are at the BBC Gardeners World Live show at the NEC for another year as the Plant Experts, giving tours of the Floral Marquee, answering garden queries and ... 32:01

17d ago32:01

32:01

Saul and Lucy are at BBC Gardener's World Live 2024 as the Plant Experts. The show spans the 13th-16th June and is a sprawling show of the finest gardens and plants to grace mid-June (as well as the BBC Good Food Show). As well as early morning tours for the very keenest of gardens, the pair have been on their usual Advice Desk answering the broade…

401
Is gene therapy the future? 28:09

25d ago28:09

28:09

Last week, a girl who was born deaf had her hearing restored following gene therapy. In the US, the first commercial gene therapy for sickle cell disease has just begun. And Great Ormond Street Hospital has found great success in their trials and a gene therapy for children lacking an immune system. Gene therapy is clearly having a moment. But how …

1
Ep. 226 - What's better than looking after all your favourite plants, well buying new ones of course. And that's what Saul is up to as he takes you along on his visit to the Tregrehan Rare Plant Fair. 35:12

26d ago35:12

35:12

The Summer season has come full circle again, that time of year where everyone enjoys being outside, especially in their gardens on a long, sunny day. Gardener's are still in full flow - planting out new beds, mowing their lawns and cajoling their vegetable gardens into burgeoning yields. It's a great time to be alive in horticulture as the show se…

1
Is treated sewage worse for the environment than raw? 27:31

28d ago27:31

27:31

There has been increasing public outrage at raw sewage discharges into our rivers and seas, but new research at Lake Windermere suggests that treated sewage is as much to blame. Wastewater experts Simon Evans and Ali Morse get into the nitty gritty of sewage treatment and why it might be causing so many problems. Last week, the Sumatran orangutan R…

1
Ep. 225 - It's the Grow Your Own episode! Lucy takes you on a tour of her home plot, where she's been applying all she's learnt about growing delicious fruits, vegetables and herbs 36:00

1M ago36:00

36:00

Spring is the time of the gardening year where all gardeners sigh with relief, it's really time to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. A garden waking up and showing its early colour and form is a wonderful space to live and work in, an it's no exception that Lucy and Saul revel in this time of year, as their gardening …

1
Ugly animals and asteroid Apophis 28:00

1M ago28:00

28:00

One year ago, the World Health Organisation declared that COVID-19 would no longer be categorised as a global health emergency. But the pandemic has left us with a new normal in all areas of our lives. From vaccine rollout to wastewater monitoring, we’re asking: how has COVID altered the scientific landscape? Marnie Chesterton is joined in the stud…

1
REDEFINING 50 And The Modern Day Mismatch Malaise 1:08:18

1M ago1:08:18

1:08:18

This Episode of The NatLifePod is with me, Tony Riddle. Human, Husband, Father. Yep I’m back flying solo behind the mic to answer your questions and speak to the free but incredibly freeing practices that shape me and enable me to show up and really be here now. I unpack my morning routine and my redefining 50. There’s a few Tony tangents, but that…

1
Ep. 224 - The RHS Chelsea Flower show happens with a floral big bang every year, and Lucy and Saul bring you some of their highlights as they get a privileged Monday preview. 39:52

1M ago39:52

39:52

Spring is the time of the gardening year where all gardeners sigh with relief, it's really time to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. A garden waking up and showing its early colour and form is a wonderful space to live and work in, an it's no exception that Lucy and Saul revel in this time of year, as their gardening …

1
Can we get plastic waste under control? 27:44

1M ago27:44

27:44

As the UN tries to get a global agreement on plastic waste we hear from two delegates at the conference in Ottawa; John Chweya, a Kenyan waste picker, and plastics scientist, Steve Fletcher, discuss the impacts of plastic pollution and the possible solutions. Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department, exposes the pain a break up can c…

1
Ep. 223 - Our gardens are ramping up! Whether it's edibles on their plots or ornamentals at Stonelands and Beth Chattos, Saul and Lucy can see that the rate of growth has hit warp speed - and talking of ... 35:19

2M ago35:19

35:19

Spring is the time of the gardening year where all gardeners sigh with relief, it's really time to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. A garden waking up and showing its early colour and form is a wonderful space to live and work in, an it's no exception that Lucy and Saul revel in this time of year, as their gardening …

1
Do we need a new model of cosmology? 31:39

2M ago31:39

31:39

Earlier this week, some of the world's leading astrophysicists came together at The Royal Society to question the very nature of our Universe. Does the Lambda Cold Dark Matter model, which explains the evolution of the cosmos and the Big Bang, need a rethink? Dr Chris North, an astrophysicist from the University of Cardiff, joins us in the studio t…

1
Bird flu outbreak in cows 31:41

2M ago31:41

31:41

A strain of highly pathogenic bird flu, H5N1, has been spreading unchecked through wild bird, and some mammal, populations for the past few years. Last week, news of a large number of dairy cows in the USA being infected with bird flu has alarmed the public and virologists alike. One farm worker has also picked up the virus and although they are no…

1
A Parenting epiphany - A conversation with Katarina Riddle 1:34:49

2M ago1:34:49

1:34:49

I'm super excited to be bringing you another conversation with my wife and natural lifestyle and parenting partner Katarina Riddle. Katarina is an incredible advocate for natural parenting, unschooling, and holistic living. Katarina's deep understanding of the importance of nurturing children in harmony with nature has made her a beacon of inspirat…

1
Ep. 222 - It's been a whole year, but Talking Heads is back at Beaulieu for their annual outing at BBC Gardeners World Spring Fair - leading tours and running workshops - its one of the most enjoyable ... 31:56

2M ago31:56

31:56

Spring is the time of the gardening year where all gardeners sigh with relief, it's really time to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. A garden waking up and showing its early colour and form is a wonderful space to live and work in, an it's no exception that Lucy and Saul revel in this time of year, as their gardening …

1301
200 years of dinosaur science 27:52

2M ago27:52

27:52

In 1824, 200 years ago, Megalosaurus was the first dinosaur to ever be described in a scientific paper. William Buckland studied fossils from Stonesfield in Oxfordshire in order to describe the animal. In this episode, Victoria Gill visits palaeontologist Dr Emma Nicholls at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, who shows her those very …

1
Ep. 221 - Blossom season is upon us, and what a season we're having. Orchards are heaving with flower, so Lucy and Saul discuss the impacts of having an Orchard and visiting the National Fruit collection ... 32:36

2M ago32:36

32:36

Spring is the time of the gardening year where all gardeners sigh with relief, it's really time to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. A garden waking up and showing its early colour and form is a wonderful space to live and work in, an it's no exception that Lucy and Saul revel in this time of year, as their gardening …

1401
Inside Your Microbiome 28:10

2M ago28:10

28:10

Microbiomes are a multi-million-pound industry. Every week, many people send off poop samples to be examined so we can learn about our own ecosystems of bacteria, virus and fungi that live in our guts, with a view to improving health. But how accurate are these tests? Microbiologist Prof Jacques Ravel is calling for better controls in what is curre…

1
From mobility scooter to marathon - A conversation with Samphire Hayes 1:32:30

3M ago1:32:30

1:32:30

You may of heard of couch to 5k. Well this is a story of mobility scooter to marathoner. My next guest samphire Haye’s shares a story of true healing and transformation. Sam talks to her healing journey from being a couch bound chronic pain sufferer on pain meds to a thriving, marathoning Natural Lifestyle Coach and how healing herself through a ho…

1
Our Accidental Universe 36:14

3M ago36:14

36:14

Professor and presenter, Chris Lintott, talks about his new book Our Accidental Universe; a tour of chance encounters and human error in pursuit of asteroids, pulsars, radio waves, new stars and alien life. Even with incredible technological developments, the major astronomical events of the past century are largely down to plain ol’ good luck; dis…

1
Ep. 220 - It's the greenhouse special! Lucy gives you a guided tour of her beloved greenhouse, explaining how she manages light, temperature, location, space and cropping cycles to gain optimum performance ... 31:14

3M ago31:14

31:14

Spring is the time of the gardening year where all gardeners sigh with relief, it's really time to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. A garden waking up and showing its early colour and form is a wonderful space to live and work in, an it's no exception that Lucy and Saul revel in this time of year, as their gardening …

1
Ep. 219 - This week, we discuss the 3 Ps: Precipitation, Propagation and Pests - all three of them are in full swing in Devon and Essex! Pls accept our apologies for expletives... 35:29

3M ago35:29

35:29

Spring is the time of the gardening year where all gardeners sigh with relief, it's really time to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. A garden waking up and showing its early colour and form is a wonderful space to live and work in, an it's no exception that Lucy and Saul revel in this time of year, as their gardening …

1701
World’s oldest forest fossils 28:14

3M ago28:14

28:14

The world’s oldest fossilised forest was uncovered in Somerset last week. We head to palaeobotanist, Dr Christopher Berry’s, lab at Cardiff University to learn about these cladoxylopsids. They lived 390 million years ago and although they are not the ancestors of today’s trees, they reveal some extraordinary evolutionary secrets. Also, Marnie speak…

1
Ep. 218 - With more rain scheduled in Devon, most of Saul's gardening at the moment is under cover, and that's when his Houseplant collection keeps his plant addiction thriving, so join him for some Houseplant ... 31:13

3M ago31:13

31:13

Spring is the time of the gardening year where all gardeners sigh with relief, it's really time to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. A garden waking up and showing its early colour and form is a wonderful space to live and work in, an it's no exception that Lucy and Saul revel in this time of year, as their gardening …

1801
How pure is the water from your tap? 28:12

3M ago28:12

28:12

A recent study on how to get rid of microplastics in water sparked presenter Marnie Chesterton’s curiosity. When she turns on the tap in her kitchen each day, what comes out is drinkable, clean water. But where did it come from, and what’s in it? Dr Stewart Husband from Sheffield University answers this and more, including listener questions from a…

1
Melatonin, Mould, Micro biome & Motherhood - A Conversation with Grace Kingswell 1:33:05

3M ago1:33:05

1:33:05

I believe when experience and knowledge have a baby we call that baby wisdom. Introducing my wise mate Grace Kingswell to the NatLifePod. Grace is a nutritional therapist specialising in fertility and gut health, with a keen interest in everything to do with babies and children. Grace is hugely qualified and incredibly passionate about her field. H…

1
Ep. 217 - When will the rain stop? Who knows, but until then the Talking Heads pair bring you more Horticultural waffle looking at grow lights, where to get a good Garden job and Alpine plants. 34:33

3M ago34:33

34:33

Spring is the time of the gardening year where all gardeners sigh with relief, it's really time to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. A garden waking up and showing its early colour and form is a wonderful space to live and work in, an it's no exception that Lucy and Saul revel in this time of year, as their gardening …

1951
Dimming the Sun 33:14

3M ago33:14

33:14

Switzerland has submitted a proposal to create a United Nations expert group on solar geoengineering to inform governments and stakeholders. The idea was discussed at the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, this week. Professor Aarti Gupta shares how, after tense negotiations, the different member states could not agree, and the proposal was…

1
14 - Sonic and Knuckles on the Mega Drive with DJ Slopes 41:14

3M ago41:14

41:14

If you haven't heard of DJ Slopes, I stronly recommend you check out his YouTube channels. His Kickscammer playlist is one of my favourite on the internet. He makes funny, interesting and intelligent videos and hopefully you'll get a kick out of watching them. Here is his YT - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC455p7ts9lh8IWi5zuf_8tQ Hosted on Acast…

1
Ep. 216 - Join Lucy and Saul in their Essex and Devon gardens as Spring unfolds, the gardening pair bring you along as they bask in the glory of the season's blossom and check their precious vegetable ... 35:23

4M ago35:23

35:23

Spring is the time of the gardening year where all gardeners sigh with relief, it's really time to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. A garden waking up and showing its early colour and form is a wonderful space to live and work in, an it's no exception that Lucy and Saul revel in this time of year, as their gardening …

2051
Laboratory-Grown Meat 28:10

4M ago28:10

28:10

Professor Ben Garrod guest presents. As a new 'meaty rice' is created and Fortnum & Mason launch a scotch egg made with cultivated meat that they hope to have on sale as early as next year, we investigate the world of laboratory-grown meat. Mark Post made the first ever synthetic meat in 2012 to the tune of £200,000. He tells us how these lab-grown…

1
Is sobriety the missing link? - A Conversation with Andy Ramage 1:17:55

4M ago1:17:55

1:17:55

What if I told you, you could take a magic pill and with that pill you could become a better version of yourself, improve your family life, your health, your wellbeing, and that you could wake early, alert and on your A game. And in those early hours of the morning, before work, you could write two books, study a masters, start a PHD and build a bu…

1
Spiritual embodiment and the shadow - A conversation with Catherine 1:22:52

4M ago1:22:52

1:22:52

My next guest on the NatLifePod is the inspiring, insightful and imagination stirring Catherine Björkstén.Catherine is a beautiful multi faceted wise soul. She’s a spiritual guide, healer, shadow worker, shaman and holds the all important motherhood role to her two sons.We are fortunate to have Catherine in our NatLifeTribe community where she hold…

1
13 - Airwolf on the ZX Spectrum with Rose Tinted Spectrum 39:48

4M ago39:48

39:48

I was lucky enough to have Dave (RTS) get in touch with me when I started doing this delightful little pod. Not only was I grateful because he is a decent human being, but also because it meant I became aware of his excellent YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@RoseTintedSpectrum It's absolutely brilliant. Very funny, quite sweary and put toge…

1
Ep. 215 - Is it Spring, is it not spring - that's the question as Lucy and Saul continue to wrestle their wet gardens into fit shape, and one of the projects you can do is creating Raised Beds, the subject ... 31:29

4M ago31:29

31:29

Spring is the time of the gardening year where all gardeners sigh with relief, it's really time to get out and about and enjoy the wonderful world of horticulture. A garden waking up and showing its early colour and form is a wonderful space to live and work in, an it's no exception that Lucy and Saul revel in this time of year, as their gardening …

2201
The Gulf Stream’s tipping point 28:01

4M ago28:01

28:01

The Gulf Stream, also known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), is essential to stable global climate, and the reason we have moderate temperatures in Northern Europe. Now, a new modelling study suggests that this circulation could, at some point, be at a tipping point and collapse. We hear from one of the minds behind the mo…

1
Ep. 214 - Lack of gardening, the Eden Project and perennial vegetables - thats the kind of Horticultural waffle the Talking Heads pair like as they finally return to their usual format (oh and don't forget ... 46:18

4M ago46:18

46:18

Winter in the UK is either mild and damp, or cold and windy - and who would want to be outside as a gardener at this time of year - well Saul and Lucy for one, as these months are some of the busiest in all of the 12. While the garden may be slumbering, Head Gardeners and their teams are beavering away on major jobs, garden renovations, cleaning an…

2351
Ancient Roman writings revealed 28:16

4M ago28:16

28:16

As part of the Vesuvius Challenge, computer scientists have used machine learning to successfully reveal 2,000 characters from the Herculaneum scrolls. These artefacts were charred to a crisp following the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Papyrologist Federica Nicolardi has been translating the writings, and tells us what exactly has been deciphered.…

1
12 - Sim on the BBC with Iain Lee 41:05

4M ago41:05

41:05

Hello you. David Turner here. Growing up in the 90's, I was a big fan of Iain Lee. The 11 O'Clock Show made me howl and I've followed his journey since then. Whether it be stealing strawberries or winding people up on late night radio, he's always a fun character. Don't forget, if you want to support the show head over to www.patreon.com/tcgs Hoste…

1
Ep. 213 - Join Lucy at the Garden Press Event - the starting herald to the gardening season where the horticultural media meet exhibitors with new products and new media campaigns, plus a small cameo from ... 38:35

4M ago38:35

38:35

Winter in the UK is either mild and damp, or cold and windy - and who would want to be outside as a gardener at this time of year - well Saul and Lucy for one, as these months are some of the busiest in all of the 12. While the garden may be slumbering, Head Gardeners and their teams are beavering away on major jobs, garden renovations, cleaning an…

2501
When brains and computers meet 27:12

4M ago27:12

27:12

Are cyborgs now reality? Elon Musk certainly thinks so. His company, Neuralink, has successfully implanted one of its wireless brain chips in a human. Although billed as a breakthrough, they’re not the first to do it. In fact, similar devices have already been implanted, all with the aim of connecting our brains to computers with the aim of tacklin…

2601
Hydrogen and the race to net zero 28:12

5M ago28:12

28:12

Hydrogen has long been touted as a potential wonder gas that could play a significant role in our race to net zero. Now, planning permission has been granted for the UK’s largest production hub of its kind, and one of the most advanced in the world. Located in Cheshire, it bills itself as a vital piece of Northwest England’s mission to help manufac…

1
11 - Doom on the PC with ctrl-alt-rees 36:41

5M ago36:41

36:41

Rees hosts a YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/ctrlaltrees where he makes some fascinating videos explaining consoles, computers and games. He also spends a lot of time restoring old machines. I find the latter incredibly relaxing. I have no real idea what he's doing, but for me it's almost meditative. He also host a delightful podcast call…

1
Ep. 212 - Saul enjoys some solo time in the garden, so come and join him at Stonelands, where he's dodging puddles, sorting out his greenhouse and attempts a live seed sowing demonstration (what could ... 35:57

5M ago35:57

35:57

Winter in the UK is either mild and damp, or cold and windy - and who would want to be outside as a gardener at this time of year - well Saul and Lucy for one, as these months are some of the busiest in all of the 12. While the garden may be slumbering, Head Gardeners and their teams are beavering away on major jobs, garden renovations, cleaning an…

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