Talking Features

In this week's Talking Travel, Rory talks about the importance of Lighthouses. Whilst they seem like a beautiful set piece on our coastlines, there are still several operating around the UK, and this episode delves into what uses they still have in the modern day. 

In this week's Talking Life, Rory discusses why Christmas cards appear so early in our shops, and how far in advance supermarkets and card shops think about Christmas. 

In this week's Talking Tech, Kieran is joined by Ben Whatley, CEO of precision oncology pioneers Astron Health. They discuss Astron's revolutionary new partnership with the NHS, and how it is democratising advanced treatment methods for cancer patients that traditionally required rare specialists reserved for expensive private clinics.

In this week's Talking Health, Kieran is joined by Emma White, the Nutrition Lead at Nutracheck. They discuss new research from her company revealing the nutritional sacrifices many women make as they juggle work, family, and the demands of daily life. Many women with priority overload may turn to weight-loss medication – but without proper support, this may worsen their overall health. Emma elaborates on the research and gives her advice on how to navigate these challenges.

In this week's Talking Money, Rory talks about the most common types of fraud and scams that people fall victim to in the UK, and how to avoid being fooled by them.

In this week's Talking Travel, Kieran is joined by James Golding, Chief Guest Experience Officer at Riviera Travel - the UK's leading river cruise operator. They discuss what the intense summer droughts have done to Europe's well-travelled waterways, and how they and others are dealing with the unprecedented challenges the low water levels present.

In this week's Talking Life, Kieran is joined by Eddie Hooker, CEO of mydeposits, one of the UK's best-known tenancy deposit protection brands. They discuss the state of the renting world four months on from the introduction of the landmark Renters' Rights Act, how landlords and tenants have reacted, and the ways that both parties can protect themselves under the new Act by following the letter of the law.

In this week's Talking Tech, Rory talks about 4K resolution and why companies create TVs and monitors with picture qualities better than what our eyes can perceive.

In this week's Talking Health, Kieran is joined by Katie Goodchild, a Senior Registered Care Manager at Prestige Nursing and Care. They discuss new research suggesting that millions of us could be missing the early warning signs of dementia – mistaking them for a normal part of getting older. They discuss whether or not the public feels they could care for a family member themselves, and where people can go for support and more information.

In this week's Talking Money, Kieran asks what a country's cash really says about it. From the coins of a nation that doesn't officially exist, to a note worth one hundred trillion dollars, he looks at how money quietly records what a society values, fears and does.

In this week's Talking Travel, Rory talks about the effect travel can have on young children. Whilst we may not remember many of the first holidays our parents or guardians took us on, psychologists reckon they've had a profound impact on who we are today. 

In this week's Talking Life, Kieran discusses the slow disappearance of the "third place": the spaces that are neither home nor work. They're closing across Britain, and what is lost is more than economic value. He looks at what we lose when these utilities vanish, and why community is something that must be built on purpose, or quietly allowed to erode.

In this week's Talking Tech, Rory talks about the shared experience of seeing your phone run out of battery, how to preserve your phone's battery life and the fastest ways to charge your phone. 

In this week's Talking Health, Kieran discusses the health trend sweeping the nation: Health MOTs. These privately funded, full-body health check-ups can bring relief and peace of mind, but they come with some caveats. While they can offer an early warning opportunity for health problems, they also can lead to false positives and statistically insignificant issues that are sent back to the NHS, putting extra stress on an already overloaded system.

In this week's Talking Money, Rory talks to Chand Chudasama, the Chairman of Accounting firm Price Bailey, about some research he's done into what business leaders and MPs think the solutions to the cost-of-living crisis are.  

In this week's Talking Travel, Kieran is joined by Doug Glenwright, the Guest Experience Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. They discuss why more people than ever are choosing to explore the world on their own terms, and some of the obstacles that stop would-be solo travellers from taking that first step.

In this week's Talking Life, Kieran looks at analogue wellness; the growing movement to put screens aside and replace them with a calming 'offline' activity instead. He argues that the real payoff isn't nostalgic back-gazing, but rather a moment in the day where no one is tracking your activity, vying for your attention, or trying to sell you something. Even a single moment like this per day can be meditative, calming, and healing.

In this week's Talking Tech, Rory talks to the interim CEO of Toynbee Hall, Matt Dronfield, about an initiative to introduce debt advice kiosks into prisons and hospitals to help some of the most vulnerable with their finances. 

In this week's Talking Health, Kieran discusses what modern science reveals about gut health: how the trillions of microbes living in your gut shape far more than digestion, influencing your immune system and even your mood. He explains the gut-brain connection and the simple, everyday habits that help your microbiome thrive.

In this week's Talking Money, Kieran is joined by Savings Expert from The Royal Mint, Stuart O'Reilly. They reflect on the nation's feelings about potential investments and the pros and cons of investing in precious metals.

In this week's Talking Travel, Rory discovers just how far you can travel down many of the UK's rivers – and where some of them begin and end.     

In this week's Talking Life, Kieran is joined by Jonathan Bourne, the CEO of apprenticeship providers Damar Training. Over a million 16-24 year-olds are Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET). Kieran and Jonathan discuss what has caused this epidemic, and what can be done to stem the tide.

In this week's Talking Tech, Rory talks about how mobile data works, how to manage using it if you have a fixed amount every month and what “4G” and “5G” actually mean.

In this week's Talking Health, Kieran discusses the humble bike helmet: the simple mechanism of physics it's based upon, how it evolved from useless leather caps to life-saving foam, and how to secure it correctly so that it actually protects your head.

In this week's Talking Money, Kieran looks at new research from the Money and Pensions Service suggesting that millions of people across the UK are still struggling to keep up with their bills. The figures come from MoneyView, the service's flagship annual survey, which lays bare just how varied the nation's financial fitness really is. Kieran is joined by Alan Nicholls, England Regional Partnerships Lead at MaPS, to elaborate on the findings.

In this week's Talking Travel, Rory takes a trip to the Big Apple, to uncover just how much there is to do in one of the US' biggest cities.  

In this week's Talking Life, Kieran unpacks the stress of Results Day and the Clearing scramble. He is joined by Michelle Amos from the University of Salford to demystify the process, and show students what to do and where to go.

In this week's Talking Tech, Rory talks about the history of smart glasses and asks if they're the next natural evolution of smartphone technology or just another technological fad. 

In this week's Talking Health, Jess explains the negative effects of sugar on health. She outlines how sugar acts on the body, where sugar is hiding in our diet, and how you can act to monitor your sugar intake.

In this week's Talking Money, Kieran discusses the instability of the oil market during wartime, and how it doesn't affect your energy bills like you may think. He describes the separation between oil and gas prices, the challenges of transportation, and where Britain sits in the global market pecking order.

In this week's Talking Travel, Rory talks about the benefits of travelling to study, and education and travel combined really do broaden the minds of many students.  

In this week's Talking Life, Kieran talks to Frederike Berens, a Play Expert from the kids' outdoor equipment company, Wickey. They discuss new research conducted that uncovers the shame half of UK parents feel surrounding their kids' lack of outdoor play opportunities. Frederike highlights the importance of outdoor play, and advises parents on how they can get their kids outside more.

In this week's Talking Tech, Rory discusses how humans talk to AI and the effect that has on us – how do we react when it gives us answers, are we polite when we write prompts and how does AI shape human behaviour in the real world? 

In this week's Talking Health, Kieran discusses the dangers of over-exercise. He points out the disturbing phenomenon of active adults in their younger years requiring surgeries, the signs to look out for when exercising, and what you can do to work out with longevity as the forefront concern.

In this week's Talking Money, Kieran discusses the government's new cut to VAT on electricity, and why the saving may be a drop in the ocean compared to the deluge of bill hikes to come.

On this week's Talking Life, Kieran speaks with co-parenting podcaster Ang Burns. They discuss the extra challenges faced by co-parents over the summer months, and what proactive solutions can be useful when communication and good will breaks down.

In this week's Talking Travel, Rory looks at how older British cities, whose streets were designed for people walking and maybe a horse and cart, were changed and modified to accommodate modern forms of travel, and the challenges city planners still face when it comes to working around how these old cities are designed. 

In this week's Talking Tech, Rory discusses how humans talk to AI and the effect that has on us – how do we react when it gives us answers, are we polite when we write prompts and how does AI shape human behaviour in the real world? 

In this week's Talking Health, Jess discusses the importance of work-life balance, the risks that come with overwork and burnout, and the benefits of maintaining a good work to labour ratio in your life.

In this week's Talking Money, Kieran discusses the new rules for buy now, pay later credit: how a sector worth 60 million pounds in 2017 grew to more than 13 billion, why the government stepped in, what protections shoppers get from today, and the trade-off for those who may now be turned down.

In this week's Talking Travel, Rory talks about the relevance of postcards in our holidays these days - why is their popularity declining and are tourists overlooking the iconic souvenir tradition of sending one to a loved one?

In this week's Talking Life, Kieran is joined by Head of Marketing at hotukdeals, and entrepreneurial prodigy, Ben Smye. They discuss new research surrounding summer holiday spending habits, the extra cost of the World Cup, and how you can get the best bang for your buck this summer.

In this week's Talking Tech, Rory talks about what therecommended amount of screen time is for people in the UK and discusses how we can build healthy screen time habits. All health-related information is correct at the time of release. 

On this week's Talking Health, Jess discusses mindfulness, paying attention to the present moment, and how the simple habit can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve concentration and sleep, and even support physical health. From mindful walks to guided meditation, Jess explores easy ways to build the practice into daily life, even in just five to ten minutes a day.

In this week's Talking Money, Kieran talks to the Chief Legal Officer of Simpler Law, to untangle some of the common confusions surrounding inheritance and cohabitiation without a will when it comes to unmarried partners. She's sums up the situation from a legal perspective, and gives advice to couples who are living unmarried long-term.

In this week's Talking Travel, Rory explores the UK's green spaces to see how rewilding is changing our environments up and down the country.  

In this week's Talking Life, Kieran is joined by Liam Sparks, the Prestige Manager of Buffalo Trace, to discuss what research has found regarding how British tastes are being influenced by big cultural summer moments in the US.

In this week's Talking Tech, Rory goes over tips to avoid creating a mess of wires – how do we avoid that situation where wires have entangled themselves in your pocket or behind a desk? 

In this week's Talking Health, Rory talks to Doctor Tony Cox OBE about the importance of sample storage in the world of medicine, as someone who manages the leading UK sample storage facility.

In this week's Talking Money, Kieran explains how poor public transport connections are holding back many disabled people from joining the workforce, and how this could be costing the economy billions.

In this week's Talking Travel, Kieran discusses the EU's new border checks, why they're causing queues that could cost you your flight, and the three things to sort before you travel to avoid getting caught out.