You’ve heard about it, but do you really know it? In 3 minutes, we help you understand the true meaning behind the trends, concepts and acronyms that are making headlines. After listening, you will really know for sure.
…
continue reading
Click here to subscribe. Jewels are everywhere. We admire them in the windows of master jewelers, and in the collections of the world's greatest museums. Young lovers, movie stars, and heads of state each have their treasures: objects of desire, fascinating ornaments, or symbols of power. But every piece of jewelry also holds its secrets. Secrets of fabrication… but also… relationships. Stories of love and separation. Myth and curses. Moments of glory or downfalls. The height of an empire or ...
…
continue reading
Welcome to Europod & Sphera • News, your essential source for daily and monthly podcasts that bring you closer to the heart of Europe. From the latest political shifts to the cultural dynamics and challenges shaping the European Union, we offer insightful, compelling content to keep you informed and engaged. Stay up-to-date with Long Story Short, our daily podcast offering concise analysis of key European developments, and Europe Talks Back, a monthly podcast diving deeper into the voices, s ...
…
continue reading
What is ecological debt? Why am I experiencing déjà vu? How do you get better results with ChatGPT?... Do you love learning new things? Do You Really Know is a Bababam Originals podcast which brings you answers to all your questions in under 3 minutes,... even the questions you didn’t know you had! You can tune in and listen to new episodes every d…
…
continue reading

1
The EU is ready to hit US exports with 25% retaliatory tariffs
5:19
5:19
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:19The European Union is gearing up to respond to the United States in a long-standing trade dispute over steel and aluminium. With a 25% retaliatory tariff on a wide range of American goods back on the table, tensions between the two transatlantic partners are rising once again. But what is behind the EU’s move, why some member states are urging caut…
…
continue reading
An often cited estimate suggests that children smile an average of 400 times per day, while when we reach adulthood that figure drops to just 50 times, even for the happiest of us. For most adults, it’s more like 20 times. Now of course most of the time we smile involuntarily in response to something bringing us joy or making us laugh. But it’s als…
…
continue reading
Today, we're going to talk about a condition that affects millions of people around the world, but is rarely discussed openly. It's called shy bladder syndrome, or paruresis, and it's a type of social anxiety disorder that makes it difficult or impossible to pee in public restrooms or with people nearby. This happens when people are psychologically…
…
continue reading
In recent years, gluten-free diets have become more and more popular. No doubt you’ve seen “Free From” aisles in your local supermarket, and you can also get gluten-free items in health food shops or online. Some people have no choice but to adopt such a diet, because they have coeliac disease, a lifelong autoimmune condition which causes their bod…
…
continue reading

1
Why Spain's housing crisis is a European one
5:18
5:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:18This weekend, the streets of Spain turned to an orange and green “no” due to mass protests over housing. Tens of thousands of people across 40 cities took to the streets demanding what should be pretty basic in 2025, affordable housing. But what action is the government taking to solve the housing crisis and why is this more than just a Spanish pro…
…
continue reading

1
Does the Mediterranean diet lower risks of dementia?
4:04
4:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:04According to new research a mediterranean diet could lower the risk of dementia by a quarter regardless of a person's genetic risk. “The findings from this large population-based study underscore the long-term brain health benefits of consuming a Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats," said Joint le…
…
continue reading

1
What is the Oosouji method of house cleaning?
4:48
4:48
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:48In Japan, cleanliness is cultural and synonymous with well-being. That’s down in no small part to the influence of Shintoism, the country's oldest religion. While the number of believers has been steadily decreasing for some time, Shinto philosophy and culture are still widely practised. Cleanliness is seen not just as a physical state but also a s…
…
continue reading
Faecal transplant, also known as faecal microbiota transplantation or FMT, is the transfer of stool from a healthy donor to a patient with a disease. The idea is to restore the balance of bacteria in the gut, which can be disrupted by factors such as antibiotics, diet, or infection but it could potentially help with a range of problems from irritab…
…
continue reading
You’ve no doubt heard that certain foods can increase desire, or even improve sexual performance. Oysters, ginger, chocolate and strawberries are just a few examples of foods that supposedly have that magical effect. They’re labelled aphrodisiacs, a word which comes from the name of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. There are very few scientifi…
…
continue reading

1
How does the "Scully Effect" raise young women's interest in science fields?
4:18
4:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:18The musical film The Little Mermaid was released in cinemas on 24 May 2023. This movie highlights the importance of representations in the media. This effect has a name: the Scully Effect. The combination made for an unprecedented representation of women on TV at the time, with audiences far more accustomed to seeing scientists played by white men.…
…
continue reading

1
What is sex surrogacy, the controversial sex therapy?
4:42
4:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:42It may be a little taboo to talk about it, but there are a lot of people out there who, for a variety of reasons, don’t have as much sex as they would like, or arguably need. And there’s actually a form of therapy out there which is specifically designed to help people become more comfortable with sex and intimacy. The idea of sex surrogacy started…
…
continue reading

1
What is eatertainment, the "next-level" dining experience?
4:10
4:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:10The term is a bit of a mouthful in more ways than one, but eatertainment has been growing rapidly in recent years. Of course, it’s the contraction of “eat” and “entertainment”, and refers to when eating out is more than just a meal; it has a unique entertainment aspect too. A cinema that allows visitors to enjoy a meal during a film showing, or an …
…
continue reading

1
What is brain tapping, the viral technique for improving sleep quality?
4:42
4:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:42According to a 2022 study by Direct Line life insurance, 71% of British adults fail to get the recommended 7 to 9 hours sleep per night. Many people struggle with getting to sleep, and if you use Tiktok, you may well have seen clips of people talking about methods for overcoming that problem. Brain tapping, as found on TikTok, actually combines two…
…
continue reading

1
Are blue eyes really more sensitive to light?
4:44
4:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:44The idea that light-colored eyes are generally more fragile is pretty widespread. They’re less resistant to sunlight and require more protection. According to Medical News Today, it’s estimated that around 8-10% of people in the world have blue eyes. When our eyes are open, rays of light pass through the pupil, the black opening in the center of th…
…
continue reading

1
Trump and JD Vance back Le Pen: ‘This isn’t democracy’
4:50
4:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:50Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far-right National Rally, is now, we could say, a convicted criminal. And her allies across the Atlantic, US Vice President JD Vance and president Donald Trump are not holding back, talking about witch hunts and a minor offense. But why are they supporting Le Pen and what is the reaction from France’s far right…
…
continue reading

1
Are fresh vegetables better for you than frozen ones?
4:08
4:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:08We often assume that fresh is best, but the reality is more complicated. It all depends on how vegetables are stored, how long they’ve been in transit, and even how they’re cooked. While fresh vegetables are packed with nutrients right after harvest, they can lose a significant amount of vitamins and minerals by the time they reach your plate. Acco…
…
continue reading

1
Why are some people constantly sexually aroused?
5:01
5:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:01The condition we’re going to talk about today is pretty rare. It affects around 1% of women, but it can really disrupt the lives of those who suffer from it. Persistent genital arousal disorder, or PGAD for short, was officially identified by the medical community back in 2001, when Sandra Leiblum and Sharon Nathan published an article about it in …
…
continue reading

1
What's the best position for going to the toilet?
4:59
4:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:59The question asked in the title of today’s episode might seem a little strange. After all, we all sit the same way on the toilet, right? Straight up with our knees at a 90-degree angle. But in fact that might not be the best for our digestive system. Stomach doctors, also known as gastroenterologists, suggest that this position can actually make it…
…
continue reading

1
Trump slams EU with 20% tariff, retaliation plans set in motion
5:11
5:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:11Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” just delivered a pretty nasty blow to the global trading system. The United States has decided to impose a 10 percent minimum tariff on all imports coming into the country. The EU, and other top trading partners like China, Japan, and Vietnam, got hit with even higher rates. What kind of economic fallout can we expec…
…
continue reading
The word nomophobia means a fear of being without our smartphone, and it’s affecting more and more people with each passing year. Back in 2021, a phone addiction study by researchers from King’s College London found that 38.9% of young people qualified as smartphone addicts. Many admitted being unable to control their usage and that it got in the w…
…
continue reading

1
S09E02 - Art Deco⏐Raymond Templier, a passion for speed
14:23
14:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
14:23Movie stars have always worn jewelry. In the 1920s, the Art Deco style gradually took over red carpets and film reels. Worn by some of the greatest actresses of the day, from Louise Brooks to Brigitte Helm, Art-Deco jewelry was the epitome of modern beauty. Raymond Templier, one of the leading jewelry-makers of that time, seized this opportunity to…
…
continue reading

1
Why am I getting bags and circles under my eyes?
4:24
4:24
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:24Nobody likes getting up in the morning and looking in the mirror to find dreary bags and circles under their eyes. It can make you look tired and lower your self-confidence as you head to work, feeling like a zombie. But it’s more than just an aesthetic issue. More often than not, it’s an indication of poor health habits, and sometimes a sign of un…
…
continue reading
Have you ever found yourself laughing at a completely inappropriate moment? If so, you know just how embarrassing it can be. And it gets even worse when you make eye contact with someone else and they start laughing too. It then becomes twice as hard to stop. Much like a strong flu, a powerful and genuine laugh can quickly spread to an entire group…
…
continue reading

1
Orbán welcomes Netanyahu, defying ICC arrest warrant
5:17
5:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:17Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Budapest tonight in his very first trip to a European country since the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against him and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes committed in Gaza. But Netanyahu will not be detained in Viktor Orban’s Hungary and the ICC not…
…
continue reading
The brain plays a central role in desire, arousal, and sexual pleasure, but we don’t always realize just how much it influences our sex lives. While hormones and physical attraction are important, it’s the brain that processes emotions, triggers pleasure, and coordinates physical responses. According to neuroscientists, every part of the brain is i…
…
continue reading
When our skin is cut or damaged, the body immediately starts its healing process to close the wound and limit any risk of infection. It’s a wonderful and fascinating process, but nevertheless scars still remain on the skin afterwards. They can be unsightly and visible too, depending on their location, leading to self-consciousness. There are severa…
…
continue reading

1
How can you improve your memory and recall skills?
4:04
4:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:04Memory is the ability to store and retrieve information, and recall is the process of accessing that information when needed. Both are essential for learning, problem-solving, and decision-making, but they can also decline with age, stress, or illness. But there are ways to naturally boost your memory and recall skills. How can I focus my attention…
…
continue reading

1
EPP’s NGO transparency funding review fails by a single vote
5:13
5:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:13On Monday evening, the European People’s Party EPP tried and failed to push for a review of how the European Commission funds certain climate NGOs. The text voted by the MEP’s in Strasbourg argues that the Commission is basically paying NGOs to lobby for the Green Deal. Or,simply put, hiring cheerleaders for its own policies. But what is the underl…
…
continue reading

1
What is the placebo effect and how does it work?
4:14
4:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:14The placebo effect is a phenomenon in which a person's symptoms or well-being improve after receiving a fake treatment that has no specific or intrinsic effect on their condition. For example, a person may feel less pain after taking a sugar pill that they believe is a painkiller, or they may feel more energetic after receiving an injection of sali…
…
continue reading

1
What are 3 sex tips to give your relationship a boost?
3:43
3:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
3:43You might or might not be surprised to learn that warm weather naturally enhances the libido. According to a 2022 survey by the Kinsey Institute, 60% of Americans report that spring is the season when they most want to get under the duvet with their partner. It all comes down to hormones. Light and warmth naturally stimulates our serotonin producti…
…
continue reading
When it comes to getting clean, some people prefer chilling in the bath for a good half an hour or more, while others like how quick and practical it is having a shower. Let’s consider the two choices from a health perspective. It's pretty common knowledge that taking a bath isn't very eco-friendly, in terms of water consumption. Of course there ar…
…
continue reading

1
Le Pen found guilty: A big bang moment for French politics?
5:12
5:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:12The latest news says that Marine Le Pen and eight other MEPs have been found guilty of embezzling EU funds by a Paris court. This isn’t just a slap on the wrist, it’s a political earthquake. The presiding judge, Bénédicte de Perthuis, warned from the start that the judgment would be lengthy, packed with explanations for the decision taken. And yet,…
…
continue reading
How do you react when a piece of food you’re eating falls to the floor? Some people would throw it away in disgust, while others would still eat it, perhaps after rinsing it under water or blowing on it. Of course, there’s those that abide by the five second rule. That’s the popular belief that suggests any food is still fit for consumption as long…
…
continue reading

1
What are the best ways of beating procrastination?
4:38
4:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:38Do you ever feel like you’re always in a rush, constantly getting things done at the latest possible time? It could be paying a bill, cleaning our home or even recording a podcast! Well you’re certainly not alone in that respect. According to Deacon Joseph Ferrari, who specialises in the area, 20% of us are chronic procrastinators. And a 2020 surve…
…
continue reading

1
How can I stop micro-awakenings from disrupting my sleep?
4:42
4:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:42According to a Direct Line Group study from 2022, over 70% of UK adults don’t get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep per night. Nighttime micro-awakenings are a common contributing problem. For many of us, they happen four to six times per night without us even noticing. And they usually just mark the end of a sleep cycle. But they’re more common i…
…
continue reading
The latest edition of the annual World Happiness Report has been released, offering a fascinating insight into global well-being. Compiled by the Gallup World Poll in collaboration with the University of Oxford and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the report analyzes data from over 140 countries to determine where people are happie…
…
continue reading

1
Discover "Long Story Short", Europod’s new daily podcast
2:01
2:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
2:01What’s shaping Europe today? How does it impact your life? And what’s the bigger picture? Long Story Short is Europod’s new daily podcast, cutting through the noise to bring you the facts, the context, and why it all matters in just 5 minutes. Tune in Monday to Friday for sharp, no-nonsense breakdowns of the news that’s shaping Europe. Perfect for …
…
continue reading
Snacking is a bad habit that can have a significant impact on your weight and health in the long term. It can be tricky to beat, so here are our top tips to stop snacking during the day. When the body is in need of energy, it asks for fuel to function, which is totally natural. But you may then want to ask yourself why it didn’t get enough energy f…
…
continue reading
In recent years, dating has become a lot more structured. Terms like "green flags" and "red flags" are now part of everyday language, and the criteria for evaluating potential partners have become more specific and defined. Of course, the main idea behind these colour codes is to help you figure out if someone is right for you based on how they beh…
…
continue reading
We spend a lot of time in bed, and there’s nothing better than snuggling up in fresh, clean sheets. But not everyone seems to share the same standards when it comes to hygiene. A survey commissioned by Pizuna Linens, involving over 2,000 people in the UK, found that 45% of single men wait up to four months before washing their sheets—while a shocki…
…
continue reading

1
Which actors have undergone the most extreme body transformations?
5:11
5:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:11If you were a WWE fan in the 2000s, a mere mention of the name Dave Bautista is likely to get you feeling all nostalgic. During his wrestling career, Bautista became well known for his muscular build. And even after quitting the WWE, he stayed in the spotlight, going into acting and being recognised as the “best wrestler-turned-actor” out there, ac…
…
continue reading
Cellulite is a regular source of insecurity among women. That’s been especially true since women’s magazines came along, pretty much labelling it public enemy number one. In our collective minds, it’s become inextricably linked to being overweight or having gone through pregnancy. In reality, cellulite is the result of a number of factors, and horm…
…
continue reading

1
The tariff war is on: what it means for Europe and how it will react
5:25
5:25
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:25Donald Trump has warned that if the EU and Canada team up against the US, we’ll see huge tariffs, much larger than anything we’ve seen so far. This is coming after Trump announced plans to slap a 25% tariff on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of imported cars and auto parts from countries like Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Japan, and, of cours…
…
continue reading

1
What are the best natural remedies for insomnia?
5:10
5:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
5:10Not being able to fall asleep at night can be incredibly frustrating. You’re tossing and turning, exhausted but unable to drift off. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—millions of people struggle with insomnia, making it difficult to get through the next day. While medication is an option, experts often recommend non-drug approaches as the m…
…
continue reading

1
Why do some people get a headache during sex?
4:34
4:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:34Sex is generally synonymous with pleasure, but sometimes it can bring on headaches that are unpleasant at best. They’re known as sex headaches or orgasm headaches, but the scientific term is “primary headache associated with sexual activity”. And they don’t just kill the mood in the bedroom. The resulting pain usually lasts at least a few minutes a…
…
continue reading

1
Who are the main victims of natural disasters?
4:18
4:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:18Natural disasters lead to damaged property, loss of life, psychological trauma, displaced individuals and families, among other consequences. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, the number of natural disasters has increased five times since 1970. Researchers from all over the whole world have dedicated their careers to studying natu…
…
continue reading

1
Investigation reveals legal and human rights concerns in Italy-Albania asylum centres
4:59
4:59
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
4:59Imagine risking everything to reach safety, only to be sent to another country against your will. That’s exactly what happened to Nizam, who crossed the Mediterranean for a better life in Italy, only to end up detained in a camp in Albania. He’s just one of many asylum seekers caught in Giorgia Meloni’s so-called “fast-track” asylum system. But an …
…
continue reading

1
S09E01 - Art Deco⏐A bouquet of roses by Van Cleef & Arpels
13:37
13:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:37Where do new ideas come from? What is the genesis of those masterpieces that have redefined Modernity? At the beginning of the 20th century, a revolutionary artistic movement emerged, with the ambition of changing everything. This movement was Art Deco. A new style, with clean, pure lines that owes its name to an event with global repercussions, he…
…
continue reading