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A lot of the episodes this year looked at processes we’re supposed to put our faith in – the things that are supposed to make our lives more sustainable or our impact on the planet a bit less terrible. Stuff like supposed “green” solutions, chocolate that’s marketed as ethical, or the wellness industry promising to save your life. And yes, we all know some of this is a scam, but I don’t think we really appreciate just how much of a scam it actually is. So, to wrap up season three, instead of a brand-new episode, you get a recap of the most interesting episodes – the ones that made me frustrated, fascinated, and occasionally hopeful. Three years of consistently inconsistent podcasting later, here we are. You’re welcome. The past few weeks have been… a lot. Popcorn, my horse, has been trying to die. University exams happened. Incrediballs 2.0 is launching soon. And yes, I might be a little burnt out. But, like a grown-up, I’ll push ahead and see how ignoring that goes. In this episode, let’s go through: How much of a scam the things we’re supposed to trust really areThe invention of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser and why it matters for the planet (and our food)The environmental and human cost of cocoa farming and lawn cultureDisinformation and the totally unregulated wellness industryHow to even begin talking to the climate confusedSome fun and surprising science (yes, really) from fire, to 5G and plane toilets Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you in 2026! You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

The world feels like a really bad parody movie right now – but it’s not funny. There’s a constant background hum of dread – climate change, biodiversity collapse, war – and it’s no wonder eco-anxiety has become a collective condition. Because of all this, I’m replaying one of our most popular episodes: my conversation with psychologist Dr. Susie Burke about eco-anxiety. It’s a surprisingly uplifting conversation about climate change – yes, really... Dr. Susie has years of experience in climate psychology and shares practical ways to handle eco-anxiety and other intense emotions, whether you’re angry, tired, or just numb. She reminds us that positive change is happening elsewhere and is within our reach. It's a breath of fresh air for anyone overwhelmed by constant climate news (and the news in general, frankly). In this episode, we talk about: The perception gap: why more people care about climate change than you might think The mental health impact of climate change and why eco-anxiety is normal Strategies to cope with climate emotions, from small practical steps to collective action How shifting business and consumer behavior can drive more change than waiting for governments Why we are the first generation with a real shot at creating a sustainable world How to support children in understanding and feeling empowered about environmental issues More About Dr. Susie Burke Check out her website ⁠here ⁠ Subscribe to Emily Writes here More about Hannah Ritchie Author of Not the End of the World, check out her website and books ⁠here ⁠ More about The Conceivable Future Written by Meghan Elizabeth Kallman and Josephine Ferorelli, their website is ⁠here ⁠ Tedx Talk: Changing the World: Why it Fails and What Works By Winnifred Louis, ⁠watch it here Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

MSG causes headaches, chest tightness, tingling arms and weakness - or at least that’s what we’ve all been told. For decades, MSG was considered public enemy number one, banned from restaurants and demonised in the media. But why? MSG is everywhere: in tomatoes, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, soy sauce, even breast milk. So how did it become a “toxic chemical killer” in the public imagination? Today I’m breaking down the bizarre story of MSG, from its origins in Japan, to its rise across Asia and the West, through to the flawed science and racism that turned it into a food villain. So, because why are we so afraid of MSG? In this episode let's unpack: The discovery of MSG and the origin of umamiHow MSG spread across Asia and into Western dietsWhy “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” started from just one letterThe flawed studies that fuelled the MSG scareThe racial undertones behind the MSG panicWhy MSG is actually safer than table saltHow modern chefs and TikTok are reclaiming MSG as “umami dust” Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

There is a food trend that aims to give you glowing skin, supercharged memory, endless energy, and protection from every disease that you can probably think of. You’ll have seen the word for it stamped on cereal boxes and blended into smoothies, and it’s always talked about by wellness influencers. What is that magic word? Well, it’s superfood, of course. But are superfoods really all that super? Short answer: no. But the longer answer is that it affects so many people in negative ways, when there are some very simple other foods we could be eating. So today, I’m debunking superfoods and sharing what you could be eating instead. Plus: The early history of superfoodsWhere the term superfood came fromHow wellness culture impacted the rise of the superfood termWhat a ‘health halo’ isWhere the best nutrition comes fromThe foods that are actually a bit superfoody but are very commonHow the exotic factor plays into hyping superfoodsThe farmer exploitation aspect of superfoodsWhat the real superfood/power is Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

Why do people still believe in horoscopes, even when we know they’re not true? (If this is you, I'm curious, not judging.) For nearly a century, people have turned to horoscopes for all sorts of advice, and they’re actually more popular now than ever. But how is this still so widespread when it’s been clearly debunked time and again? Turns out, there are a lot of reasons - and the story is more complicated (and fascinating) than you might think. In this episode let's get into: The ancient history of the zodiac signsHow astrology and zodiac systems differ across countriesHow science eventually outpaced astrologyWhy zodiac signs got out of alignment - and why no one seemed to careHow astrology reinvented itself to stay relevant and believableThe ways astrology sneaks into modern life that you might not even noticeWhy astrology is booming right nowThe psychology behind why we want astrology to workHow the wording of horoscopes subtly manipulates usHow horoscope writing has been tailored to target womenWhy you can’t convince astrology fans they’re wrongHow celestial bodies really do affect us (just not in the way horoscopes claim) Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

I have the best news: we already have the solution to all of our problems. This could save over 8 million lives a year, make us live longer with fewer sick days, save billions of dollars, and make us all a lot happier to be around... I feel like this should be front-page news? The problem is, it’s boring. Because it’s cycling. It turns out the issue of cycling is actually far, far more complicated than most of us realise. The health, economic and community implications are massive, but we still don’t have huge swaths of the community cycling in droves. So why is this, and what can we do to change it? Well, that’s what this episode is all about. In this episode let's discuss: Why cars are such massive pollution contributorsExamples of cities that have prioritised cycling and actually reaped the benefitsHow cycling impacts communitiesCycling’s benefits on physical healthCycling’s benefits on mental healthThe surprisingly massive impacts of car parksHumans’ inability to assess danger - and why it affects cyclingWhy helmets actually add to the idea that cycling is dangerousThe societal factors that influence cycling uptakeThe tiny annoyances that throw people off using bikesThe main reason people don’t cycleAnd the solution to all of it Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

So, bottled water is kind of a scam. People think it’s healthier and safer, despite zero evidence to back that up. So… is it all just one giant marketing con? Well… kinda. In this episode, I’m taking you through the wild history of bottled water to show exactly how we ended up here - and why it’s so, so, so ridiculous! Quick note: I originally did the research and writing for this podcast in July 2024, so the stats I mention are current to that period. In this episode I go through: The surprisingly long history of bottled water (it’s been around way longer than you think)What needed to happen to make bottled water a massive global hitThe weird correlation between bottled water sales and countries that already have safe tap waterA statistical breakdown of where people are actually buying bottled waterThe shocking differences in testing requirements between bottled and tap waterHow bottled water companies harm the countries they source fromWhy microplastics could be way worse for our bodies than we realiseWhy bottled water isn’t automatically safer than tap waterThe facts about fluoride and chlorine in tap waterWhy nitrates in water are a concernThe jaw-dropping amount of water it takes just to make one bottle of water Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

Welcome to another This or That episode! I break down the least impactful options from things you’ve been asking about. This episode is actually a repost, because some of you have sent in these questions - clearly, we all have choices that keep us up at night. And often, what we expect isn’t actually the truth! In this week’s selection we have tea vs. coffee, and which is worse for the environment, what the best and worst options are for the milk you use with your drink, and finally, what exactly are bioplastics? And, whether we should even be using them... Let's talk about: The comparison of tea vs. coffeeHow much water it takes to make tea and coffee, respectivelyWhat the most sustainable version of milk isThe worst milk option for the environmentThe various environmental issues caused by dairy farmingThe truth behind a big myth about soy farming in the AmazonThe difference between bio-based plastics and biodegradable plastics Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

Welcome to a This or That episode! I break down the least impactful options from things you’ve been asking about. This episode is actually a repost, because some of you have sent in these questions - clearly, we all have choices that keep us up at night. And often, what we expect isn’t actually the truth! This week’s selection has a pretty controversial topic, and one that maaay just surprise you. See if you can guess the answers before I reveal them - and then let me know if you got them all! In this episode let's cover: What uses more energy, turning off lights or energy efficient bulbs?What has less of an impact, paper or plastic bags?What resources and processes are made to make paper bags?What matters more, what you eat or where its from?What parts of your food intake you should reduce to help lessen your impact? (Don't worry, I'm not telling you to completely give up your favourites.) Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

Welcome to the first episode under the brand-new banner, Because Why?! The show where my curiosity gets the better of me, and I drag you along for the ride. (You're welcome?) We’re still talking about the environment, but now the scope is much wider: science, ethical business, politics (even when it makes my eye twitch), and the weird, wonderful, and occasionally infuriating claims floating around out there. In this episode, I’m kicking things off with wellness trends, dodgy health claims, and overhyped “miracle” fixes people keep getting sold. From seed oil scaremongering to the microplastic “hoover,” cold plunges, cortisol face, and the mysterious world of “structured water,” let's dissect the pseudoscience to establish what’s true, what’s nonsense, and why these ideas catch on in the first place. In this episode, you’ll hear about: ​Seed oils - are they really as bad as people say? (No)​The actual science behind seed oils​What the microplastic hoover is - and whether it works (It probably doesn't)​How therapeutic apheresis really stacks up​Practical tips to reduce your microplastic exposure​Why cold plunges might carry more risks than you think​Can you really tell your stress hormone levels just by looking in the mirror? (No)​What cortisol actually does in your body​Why “hormone balancing” is mostly myth and marketing​The three biggest reasons anecdotal evidence tricks us​Can water really be “structured” or “vortexed” to be better for you? (No)​The truth about hydrogen water and the science behind it If you want to keep doing cold plunges, I’m happy for you! Just... be careful. And if you’ve got $20,000 burning a hole in your pocket, maybe think twice before signing up for a microplastic blood cleanse. The boring truth is usually what works: sleep, balanced diet, exercise, social connections. Thanks for joining me on this first episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠ Sources: Seed oils: (word count prevents proper referencing.) - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2012.03.029 - https://doi.org/10.1186/1743-7075-8-36 - https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000510 - https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD011737.pub3 - https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.114.010236 - https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(17)30307-8

A few weeks ago, we had the amazing physicist, science writer, and communicator Laurie Winkless on the podcast. She was so great, one episode wasn’t enough... so she’s back to do some mythbusting! In this episode we talk about: If glass is really a liquidA bunch of physics myths that have been debunkedWhat 5G actually is and whether 5G towers kill or control peopleHow microwaves work and if they are safeWhether you can use your mobile phone at petrol stationsIf you really need to turn off your phone on a planeWhether a plane toilet could suck your innards out (yes, really)If you are safe in a car during a lightning stormWhat would happen if you dropped a coin from a building... would it slice through someone?And even what happens if you stick toast to a cat Quotes from the episode: “People want simple answers, and the reality is that few things are simple.” “The less you know, the more arrogant you are about the little bit you know.” More about Laurie Find her via her ⁠website ⁠or on social media. You can get involved with the podcast online too of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallgreen⁠ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠ Tiktok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠ Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

Welcome back to Part 2 of a fascinating kōrero with science journalist and author Bethany Brookshire. This one gets a smidge more controversial... We talk about the animals we hate because they’re successful (looking at you, pigeons), the cultural weirdness of how we define pets vs pests, and how control - or our lack of it - shapes our relationship with the natural world. Plus, there's a story involving Burmese pythons and a pair of trousers (you’ve been warned) and yes, we talk about cats in Aotearoa. In this episode we cover: The rise and fall of the humble pigeon - and why we hate them nowCats and conservation in New Zealand (yes, it’s a problem)Pets vs pests - what’s really the difference?Why “invasive species” is more about us than the animalsThe real reason we hate common animalsEmpathy, ethics, and ice cream trucks on every cornerAnd the man who hiked pantless through the Everglades with snakes in his trousers For more about Bethany find her via her website And don’t forget to head to our Instagram ⁠for a chance to win her book Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains You can get involved with the podcast online too of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallgreen⁠ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠ Tiktok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠ Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

You know when you see someone on social media and you just KNOW they'll be amazing to chat to? Well, that's Bethany Brookshire for you. Bethany is a science journalist, animal behaviorist and author who writes about the animals most people hate. Rats, cockroaches, spiders, pigeons... And how our feelings about them are mostly cultural, not scientific. We talked about where fear and disgust come from and how cute a mouse eating a fruit loop is. Also, how US science funding is collapsing and how bad that's going to be long term, why postgrad burnout is real, and how she wrote a brilliant book. Part two gets a little more controversial, as we talk cats in Aotearoa. What we cover: Bethany’s journey from academic to science journalist. Fear and disgust; how we learn what animals to hate. Rats, lab mice, cockroaches, snakes, spiders… and Fruit Loops. The collapse of US science funding and what that means long term. Quotes from Bethany: “I always tell people my life is an entire story of failing upwards. Or at least failing sideways.” “There is a feeling of disgust and fear around animals like spiders and snakes that we think is evolutionary. It’s not.” “Startlement can become joy, or it can become fear. It depends who’s around you when it happens.” “I have the self-confidence of a mediocre white man.” “Giving a mouse a Froot Loop is like watching a human try to eat a car tyre.” You can find more about Bethany at https://bethanybrookshire.com/.

Today's guest is Laurie Winkless. She's a physicist, a science writer and she's the only person I know who's actually made writing about friction interesting. You could say she's a science friction writer... She’s appeared everywhere from Forbes to Wired to BBC, and she has written two books. Oh and she won a scholarship to do some training at NASA. As you do. I am very excited to talk about her transition from scientist to science communication and why she thinks that's so important. In this episode she shares: - Her background and how she got into physics - What actually is a PhD and if she'll ever get one - What science communication is, how she got into it and why we need more people in it - Why she brings creativity into her job and why sexism prevented her from doing it earlier - Her (brilliant) books and what you should know about them - How she wrote her first book - Her very interesting favourite friction fact. - One science myth that she wishes would die - What shark inspired swim suits are and why they help swimming Key Quotes “Most of the noise that we hear on the roads is not actually from the engines it’s from the interaction between the tyre and the tarmac.” “So much of the universe is defined by the interaction between surfaces.” “I think sometimes people are afraid to be a bit weird.” More about Laurie Find her via her website or on social media. And don’t forget to head to our Instagram for a chance to win one of her signed books. You can get involved with the podcast online too of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallgreen You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/

I wanted to talk about politics and combating polarising opinions… but I didn’t want to get dark about it. So, to help, I’ve called in my friend and optimism security blanket, Dave Richards. He’s one of those people who has realistic but optimistic insight into the world. He’s lived all over the world, has a deep cultural understanding, and just makes me feel better about the state of things. So I thought I’d have him join me for a bit of a wide-ranging, mostly optimistic chat about the state of the world. In this episode we talk about: The importance of maintaining optimism amid global and local challengesWhy politics often seems theatrical, but politicians may genuinely care about making changeThe fact that environmental progress over decades shows improvement, even if it’s hard to see in the short termThe significance of media literacy, critical thinking, and recognising manufactured divides and misinformationThe potential of podcasts and open dialogue to foster understanding across political and ideological linesWhy we should meet people where they are, find common ground, and avoid polarisationThe myth of political and societal "us vs them" dividesThe importance of science-based policies and genuine conversations, even with those holding opposing viewsHow media, algorithms, and social platforms influence polarisation and radicalisation If you want to check out Dave’s incredible photography head along to his Instagram. Giveaway! This week, I'm giving away copies of Talking Across the Divide, by Justin Lee. It’s a brilliant read on how to actually talk to people you disagree with - something we all probably need a bit more of. Join me over on Instagram to enter. Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallgreen/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/