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Artwork for Why Do We Do That?

Why Do We Do That?

BBC Radio 4
Gossip
Grandmother Hypothesis
Laughter
Social Bonding
Anthropology
Communication
Evolutionary Biology
Menopause
Maternal and Paternal Grandmothers
Dogs
Emotional Expression
Social Norms
Human Behavior
Cultural Studies
Child-Rearing
Evolutionary Anthropology
Mammals
Neuroscience
Human Interaction
Animal Behavior

Why Do We Do That? An anthropologist's guide to the modern world.

There are lots of everyday things which, when you think about them, are pretty weird. Like kissing, doomscrolling and sitting down to go to the loo. Social media may tell you to blame the latest influencer who went viral. Your therapist might tell you to blame your parents. But palaeoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi is here to tell yo... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes36Founded3 years ago
Category
Science

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Why Do We Do That?

Latest Episodes

Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Play with Brenna Hassett.

BBC Studios Audio Producer: Olivia Jani Additional Production: Emily Bird Series Producer: Geraldine Fitzgerald Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem

Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi asks why do humans play?

The Neanderthals are a species that was so close to us that we could reproduce with them, they had creativity, technology and they made art - handprints on cave walls and painted shells st... more

Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Bad Boys with Julia Stern.

BBC Studios Audio Producer: Olivia Jani Additional Production: Emily Bird Series Producer: Geraldine Fitzgerald Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem

Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi looks at the evidence for what people want in a partner and how it changes as they get older. Psychologist Julia Stern from the University of Bremen shares the results of a study which recruited people from a singl... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Brenna Hassett
Anthropologist and archaeologist at the University of Central Lancashire
University of Central Lancashire
Episode: More... Play with Brenna Hassett
Dr. Brenna Hasset
Anthropologist and archaeologist at the University of Central Lancashire
University of Central Lancashire
Episode: 12. Why do we play?
Dr. Julia Stern
Psychologist at the University of Bremen in Germany
University of Bremen
Episode: 11. Why do we fall for the bad boy?
Adele Parks
Bestselling novelist
Episode: 11. Why do we fall for the bad boy?
Dr. Bronwyn Tarr
Associate professor at the London Interdisciplinary School and researcher at Oxford University
London Interdisciplinary School, Oxford University
Episode: More... Dancing with Bronwyn Tarr
Robin Dunbar
Evolutionary psychologist at Oxford University
Oxford University
Episode: More... Pubs with Robin Dunbar
Gregory Bratman
Associate Professor at the University of Washington, focusing on nature relationships and mental health.
University of Washington
Episode: More... Nature with Gregory Bratman
Dr. Gregory Bratman
Psychologist at the University of Washington
Episode: 8. Why does nature make me feel calmer?
Robin Muir
Head of Maggie's Cancer Care Centre in Manchester
Maggie's Cancer Care
Episode: 8. Why does nature make me feel calmer?

Host

Ella Al-Shamahi
Host and paleoanthropologist, exploring human behavior through an anthropological lens.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 190 ratings
  • Love this pod

    Welcome back Ella. I love this podcast it’s full of facts and information, talking points and fantastically presented. Hoping there will be more seasons in the future too.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bridog_au
    Australia7 months ago
  • Soo interesting

    Exploring little every day habits in a scientific way but also a very funny way.

    Too bad there hasn’t been any new content since dec. 2022.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Glasomiel
    France2 years ago
  • Funny & genuinely interesting

    I’ve loved listening to this and have used it as a handy antidote for all the depressing news we are subject to at the moment 😊

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Puppymaster300
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Amazing

    I’m leaning and laughing at the same time even my school can’t do that

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LMG SON WOOOO
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Awesome

    I’ve learned a bunch already and can’t wait for more crazy info I never thought I wanted to know😂 People are weird and cool😄

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ms. Ragnarok
    Norway3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many express a desire for longer episodes to deepen discussions, indicating they find the content enriching and entertaining.
The podcast has garnered positive feedback for its unique approach to dissecting quirky human behaviors.
Listeners appreciate the show's informative nature, mixing humor and interest, making complex topics accessible and engaging.
Some comments highlight a wish for consistent new content, underlining strong audience interest and engagement.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#72
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#45
South Africa/Science
Apple Podcasts
#48
Finland/Science
Apple Podcasts
#58
Argentina/Science
Apple Podcasts
#106
Philippines/Science
Apple Podcasts
#195
New Zealand/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

More... Play with Brenna Hassett
Q: Are we actually shooting ourselves in the foot by not just giving children scheduled playtime?
This may train children for a society that values structure and appointments, potentially shaping their adult roles.
More... Play with Brenna Hassett
Q: What do you think the impact of technology is on children's play?
Technology creates anxiety about how kids play, but children adapt and can engage in play with modern tools like games and apps.
8. Why does nature make me feel calmer?
Q: Could you talk me through the main theories about why and how nature has this calming effect?
Dr. Bratman outlines two main theories: stress reduction theory and attention restoration theory, both explaining how nature promotes relaxation and cognitive replenishment.
8. Why does nature make me feel calmer?
Q: Could you just talk me through this resting state scan?
Dr. Bratman explains that it's an MRI scan testing where blood is sent in the brain without specific instructions given, examining neural activity related to rumination.
8. Why does nature make me feel calmer?
Q: What kind of tests are those?
Various tests are conducted, including self-reporting, heart rate monitoring, and cognitive function tests such as the operation span task.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Why Do We Do That?

What is Why Do We Do That? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the intriguing intersections of anthropology and everyday human behavior, this podcast examines the cultural, historical, and evolutionary roots of common habits. Topics range from the peculiarities of social rituals to the quirks of contemporary life, with episodes exploring subjects such as the psychology behind play, the allure of 'bad boys', the significance of dance, and how natural environments influence well-being. Listeners can expect a thoughtful and often humorous approach to understanding why people do what they do, presented through engaging conversations with experts and fascinating anecdotes.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Why Do We Do That?:

1. Sliced Bread
2. The Infinite Monkey Cage
3. Why? with Emma Kennedy
4. Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
5. You're Dead to Me

How many episodes of Why Do We Do That? are there?

Why Do We Do That? launched 3 years ago and published 36 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Why Do We Do That??

Recent guests on Why Do We Do That? include:

1. Brenna Hassett
2. Dr. Brenna Hasset
3. Dr. Julia Stern
4. Adele Parks
5. Dr. Bronwyn Tarr
6. Robin Dunbar
7. Gregory Bratman
8. Dr. Gregory Bratman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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