Why Do We Do That?
A weekly Science podcast
Why Do We Do That?
Episodes
Episodes of Why Do We Do That?
Mark All
Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Play with Brenna Hassett.BBC Studios AudioProducer: Olivia JaniAdditional Production: Emily BirdSeries Producer: Geraldine FitzgeraldExecutive 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 she
Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Bad Boys with Julia Stern.BBC Studios AudioProducer: Olivia JaniAdditional Production: Emily BirdSeries Producer: Geraldine FitzgeraldExecutive 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
Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Dancing with Bronwyn Tarr.BBC Studios AudioProducer: Olivia JaniAdditional Production: Emily BirdSeries Producer: Geraldine FitzgeraldExecutive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Dance seems like such a natural thing, a good beat comes on and you can’t help it, you might find yourself bobbing, even the rhythmically impaired might find themselves tapping their fingers along to the music and it starts early - one study ha
Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Pubs with Robin Dunbar.BBC Studios AudioProducer: Olivia JaniAdditional Production: Emily BirdSeries Producer: Geraldine FitzgeraldExecutive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Humans have evolved to drink alcohol, or at least to be able to metabolise it. And we share this ability with our closest living relatives, the chimpanzees and gorillas, who are also able to convert alcohol into sugar. It gave our ancestors
Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Nature with Gregory Bratman.BBC Studios AudioProducer: Olivia JaniAdditional Production: Emily BirdSeries Producer: Geraldine FitzgeraldExecutive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Nature is charismatic, a good view can take our breath away and a walk in the woods can help de-stress our frazzled minds. But have we always been this way? Because after all, our early ancestors didn’t have cities to escape from. Is an affinit
Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Blushing with Laith Al-Shawaf.BBC Studios AudioProducer: Olivia JaniAdditional Production: Emily BirdSeries Producer: Geraldine FitzgeraldExecutive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi asks why we blush. Even Darwin was intrigued by blushing. He called it “the most peculiar and most human of all expression” but didn’t think it had a function. Dr Laith Al-Shawaf from the University of Colo
Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Lies with Roman Stengelin.BBC Studios AudioProducer: Olivia JaniAdditional Production: Emily BirdSeries Producer: Geraldine FitzgeraldExecutive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Ella Al-Shamahi asks why do we lie?You might think that deception is a uniquely human characteristic, but does camouflage or mimicry in nature, where animals pretend to be another animal or the actual environment like the insects leaf-mimic
BONUS: Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Laughs with Sophie Scott.BBC Studios AudioProducer: Olivia JaniAdditional Production: Emily BirdSeries Producer: Geraldine FitzgeraldExecutive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Ella Al-Shamahi asks why do we laugh?Some people might not have a sense of humour, you might even know someone who never laughs… but there isn’t a culture out there, say a tribe, where people just never laugh. It does appear to be universal but
Ella Al-Shamahi asks why do we love dogs? Dogs evolved from wolves but why did they choose us humans to be their best friends?They say dogs are a man’s best friend but all dogs, even chihuahuas are descended from wolves, the grey wolf, a maj
BONUS: Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Dogs with Greger Larson.BBC Studios AudioProducer: Olivia JaniAdditional Production: Emily BirdSeries Producer: Geraldine FitzgeraldExecutive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Grandmothers with Emily Emmott.BBC Studios AudioProducer: Olivia JaniAdditional Production: Emily BirdSeries Producer: Geraldine FitzgeraldExecutive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Grandmothers are a bit of a mystery, biologically speaking. If the biological purpose of life is to survive and have children, why are they so important even once they've stopped being able to reproduce? Of course, as we all know, grandma's ar
Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Football Fanatics with Martha Newson.BBC Studios AudioProducer: Olivia JaniAdditional Production: Emily BirdSeries Producer: Geraldine FitzgeraldExecutive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
Ella Al-Shamahi is joined by Crystal Palace superfan Bobby and psychologist Martha Newson to find out why it's so devastating when our football team loses.People who normally keep a stiff upper lip through life's ups and downs are distraught a
BONUS: Ella Al-Shamahi explores evolutionary mysteries in More Gossip with Nicole Hagen Hess.BBC Studios AudioProducer: Olivia JaniAdditional Production: Emily BirdSeries Producer: Geraldine FitzgeraldExecutive Producer: Alexandra Feachem
It can be the source of drama that ruins reputations or simply keeps you entertained during your lunch break. But is gossip ingrained in our nature? Anthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi digs into our evolutionary history to uncover the truth behind t
Ella Al-Shamahi is back to once again investigate the origins of everyday human habits and behaviour.
Unlock more with Podchaser Pro
- Audience Insights
- Contact Information
- Demographics
- Charts
- Sponsor History
- and More!
- Account
- Register
- Log In
- Find Friends
- Resources
- Help Center
- Blog
- API
Podchaser is the ultimate destination for podcast data, search, and discovery. Learn More
- © 2025 Podchaser, Inc.
- Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Contact Us