Susannah Cahalan: The Acid Queen takes listeners deep into the extraordinary story of journalist and author Susannah Cahalan, whose bestselling memoir Brain on Fire documented her battle with a rare autoimmune disease that was misdiagnosed as psychosis. She went on to write The Great Pretender, an investigation into the blurred lines between sanity and madness and the legacy of 1970s psychiatric experiments.

In this episode, Cahalan turns to her latest book, The Acid Queen, a bold exploration of counterculture, experimentation, and the shifting frontiers of psychiatry. With sharp insight and fearless curiosity, she examines how society defines mental illness, who gets to draw those boundaries, and the profound consequences for people’s lives.

This episode, The Acid Queen, originally aired on Radio Reverb, Brighton’s community radio station.

https://www.susannahcahalan.com/

What separates creatures who feel from those who don't? Where exactly does consciousness begin, and what responsibilities do we have toward beings capable of suffering?

In this episode, we speak to Professor Jonathan Birch, director of the Jeremy Coller Centre for Animal Sentience at the London School of Economics. Through groundbreaking research, Birch reveals surprising evidence that insects—creatures with brains smaller than pinheads—demonstrate behaviors suggesting they experience pleasure and play. Bees roll balls without reward, seemingly for fun, while fruit flies repeatedly ride miniature carousels purely for enjoyment.

This conversation ventures into unexpected territory, from the policy implications of recognizing sentience in octopuses and crabs to the heartbreaking ethical dilemmas surrounding human patients with brain injuries. Birch shares his work leading a government review that extended legal protection to invertebrates previously excluded from animal welfare laws, while questioning medical practices that make stark distinctions between conscious and unconscious states when evidence suggests a more complex reality.

Perhaps most provocative is the exploration of artificial intelligence and consciousness. Are we creating systems that merely mimic sentience perfectly, or could they develop genuine experiences? As Birch explains, we might have more in common with a bee than with even the most sophisticated AI—despite the latter's ability to converse fluently.

Throughout this fascinating discussion, one principle emerges consistently: when uncertainty exists about consciousness, we should err on the side of caution. This precautionary approach has profound implications for how we farm, conduct research, practice medicine, and develop technology. Join us for a mind-expanding journey that will transform how you see the creatures sharing our world—and perhaps even what it means to be conscious.

It All Makes Sense Now: ADHD Coach Meredith Carder

Ever wondered why certain things have always felt harder — or just different — for you or someone you love? In this illuminating episode, we sit down with ADHD coach Meredith Carder to unpack the realities of living with ADHD and what it actually means in day-to-day life.

From late diagnoses and misunderstood behaviours to self-compassion and neurodivergent strengths, Meredith brings insight, humour, and years of lived and professional experience to the conversation. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, supporting someone with ADHD, or just curious — this episode is full of lightbulb moments.

📻 Broadcast on RadioReverb 97.2FM

https://meredithcarder.com/

We delve into the world of imaginary friends with esteemed experts, Professor Marjorie Taylor and Dr. Naomi R. Aguiar in light of the second edition of Imaginary Friends and the People Who Create Them (Second Edition).

Professor Taylor, a leading researcher and author of the acclaimed book Imaginary Friends and the Children Who Create Them, shares her extensive insights into how these companions contribute to child development. Professor Taylor is a developmental psychologist (Ph.D., Stanford University) who is currently Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon.

Dr. Aguiar, a child psychologist with years of experience studying the role of fantasy in psychological growth, brings her perspective to the discussion. Naomi holds a doctorate in Psychology from the University of Oregon and currently serves as the Associate Director of Research at Oregon State University Ecampus.

Join us as they explore the psychological benefits of imaginary friends, including enhanced creativity and emotional intelligence. We’ll address common misconceptions surrounding these companions, highlighting their role in helping children navigate social interactions and emotional challenges. With engaging anecdotes and insights from their experiences, our guests reveal the profound impact of these imaginary relationships on children’s lives. Tune in for a captivating conversation that redefines what it means to have an imaginary friend!

https://cas.uoregon.edu/directory/psychology/all/mtaylor

https://naomiaguiar.wixsite.com/research

In this episode, Leaf and Elfie chat with Sir David Spiegelhalter about his new book, The Art of Uncertainty. Spiegelhalter, one of the world's leading statisticians, shares his insights on how we can better understand and navigate uncertainty in everyday life. From the role of luck and risk to how statistics help us make smarter decisions, the discussion is full of practical advice for handling life’s unpredictability.

Sir David also talks about the importance of embracing uncertainty, especially in a world where people often crave certainty. His clear and engaging explanations make complex ideas around probability and risk accessible to everyone. It’s a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their decision-making in an uncertain world.

Find out more about Sir David Spiegelhalter and his work at https://understandinguncertainty.org.

In this episode we sit down with Christian Amys, renowned wild food forager and chef who wowed audiences on MasterChef: The Professionals. Chris shares his fascinating journey into the world of foraging, exploring how his passion for wild ingredients blossomed and influenced his culinary career. We delve into the health benefits of foraging and the sustainable practices that make it a rewarding pursuit.

Chris also takes us behind the scenes of his latest venture, Urban Forage in Stanmer, Brighton, where he combines his culinary expertise with a deep love for nature. Whether you're a food enthusiast, a sustainability advocate, or simply curious about the wild food movement, this episode offers a unique insight into the life of a modern forager and chef. Don't miss it!

To connect with Christian, follow him on Tik Tok for foraging ideas and seasonal food tips or visit the Urban Forage website.

We have the absolute pleasure of welcoming Jo Woolf back onto the show.

Jo passionately discusses women explorers who broke taboos by venturing out to explore the world. This episode exposes bold, brave, and expert women who often travelled alone to faraway lands, having both liberating and scary experiences, and contributed immensely to institutions such as The Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

Jo is a Writer-in-Residence at The Royal Scottish Geographical Society and has written The Great Horizon.
"The vignettes in this beautifully written book are all drawn from the archives of the RSGS and include insight into names such as Shackleton, Scott, Amundsen and Armstrong! Prepare to be inspired!" RSGS.

Please take a look at Jo's website, The Hazel Tree, where you can find more of Jo's brilliant work, including Britain’s Landmarks and Legends, Britain’s Birds: A Treasury of Fact, Fiction and Folklore, Britain’s Trees: A Treasury of Traditions, Superstitions, Remedies and Literature (Published by HarperCollins for The National Trust;); James Croll and his Adventures in Climate and Time (Published for the Royal Scottish Geographical Society)

- https://www.rsgs.org/shop/the-great-horizon-by-jo-woolf
- https://www.facebook.com/thehazeltreemagazine/
- https://www.rsgs.org/

Also aired on Radio Reverb

🎧 🌱🚫 In this episode we discuss veganism and allergy awareness with the insightful Oli Weatherall.

Oli raises awareness of living with severe allergies through articles, interviews, and speeches in various media outlets such as the BBC, The Independent and V-Land UK!

Discover the intersection of plant-based living and allergy education. Tune in for valuable insights and an eye-opening discussion!

Links as per discussion:

• V-Land UK
• Is a vegan diet inherently and uniquely healthy?
• Oli Weatherall Linkedin
• Plant-Based Nutrition in Clinical Practice
• The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation
• Allergy UK
• Anaphylaxis UK