The Sackman (and other stories)

The Sackman - a very different Father Christmas

• 17 mins

Manners

The strange customs and conduct that make up ‘good manners’. Where do they come from?

• 17 mins

Nitrogen: Forgetting Fritz

Why have we forgotten Fritz Haber?

• 17 mins

The Heel

Where did the fascination with elevated footwear come from and what do they tell us?

• 17 mins

The Boxers of Bukom

Why are the men of Bukom in Accra so good at boxing?

• 17 mins

Mirrors

Mike Williams explores the myths and mysteries of the mirror

• 17 mins

The Mob

Why do we behave differently when we are in a large crowd?

• 17 mins

Black

Mike Williams peers into the world of black and asks why it has so many different meanings

• 17 mins

Why are Open Plan Offices the Norm?

Why has the open plan office become the norm in many places, despite the distractions?

• 17 mins

Cultural Memory

We all have memories but do we share some of those, socially or collectively? If so, why?

• 17 mins

PTSD

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and why is it so controversial?

• 17 mins

Silence

What role does silence play in our lives and why can it be so poignant or so awkward?

• 17 mins

Sleep

The first of two programmes which looks at human behaviour and sleep.

• 17 mins

Why do we get insomnia?

The second of two programmes about humans and sleep.

• 17 mins

Retirement

Why do we retire?

• 17 mins

Ageing

Why are attitudes towards older people often so negative?

• 17 mins

The Kiss

Why do humans kiss?

• 17 mins

Singing

Singing is a way of bringing people together, expressing joy or sadness. Why do we sing?

• 17 mins

Gold

Why are we so fascinated by gold?

• 17 mins

Pets

Why do we live with cats and dogs?

• 17 mins

Disgust

Why do we experience disgust?

• 17 mins

The Lie

Why do we lie? How do different cultures define telling the truth?

• 17 mins

The Ball

Why play with a ball? Mike Williams finds out how ball games first evolved

• 17 mins

Make-up

Why millions of women - and some men - paint their faces

• 17 mins

The Sea

The compelling attractions of the sea through literature and science

• 17 mins

Bathing: Supernatural Waters

Why can the ubiquitous act of bathing mean so many different things for different people?

• 17 mins

Bathing: Water, Health and Well-being

The second of two programmes looking at why we bathe: the rituals and practices.

• 17 mins

The City

Why do humans live in cities? And, what are the pros and cons of the modern metropolis?

• 17 mins

Fire

Why are we fascinated with fire and what do myths tell us about how we view its power?

• 17 mins

Tattoos

What motivates people to decorate their bodies with ink?

• 17 mins