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★★★★★

4.8

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33 reviews

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In this BBC Radio 4 podcast, Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken are on a mission to help us take better care of ourselves. Although they are identical twins, Chris and Xand are very different and they never stop thinking and arguing about science and health. They want to lead healthy, happy lives and as doctors, they want this for everyone. Yet they tussle over how best to get there. When it comes to looking after our own health, it can be confusing. Medicine and science produce amazing new treatments and diagnostics every day and we are bombarded with so many headlines and pieces of advice; but how are we supposed to know what's really best for us and then successfully apply it to our lives? Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken embrace this challenge; even as they marvel at the scientific breakthroughs, they grapple with the competing claims about health, wellbeing and how to live. From understanding testosterone therapies to microplastics in our diets, and the concept of 'hangriness' to the power of saying no - this podcast deals with the health stresses we all face every day, while taking on board how the decisions by corporations and governments affect all our health. Each episode, Chris and Xand are joined by an expert guest to examine the latest research, psychological insights, and data, to help listeners navigate the overwhelming amount of information and advice out there. They talk about the trials and tribulations in their own lives in their characteristically witty way - each teasing the other as they search for solutions. Xand has trouble sleeping , Chris has noisy knees, one of them has got an embarrassing itch. They have different ways of looking at things and find it really helpful to get the other one's point of view. These doctors are trying their best and encouraging listeners to do the same. Email: [email protected] Whatsapp: 08000 665123 A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

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Drs' Notes: How can spots affect mental health?

2026/10/13

In this Doctor's Notes episode of What's Up Docs?, Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation with Professor Tess McPherson, Consultant Dermatologist at Oxford University Hospitals. Together, they explore the emotional side of acne, discussing why a visible skin condition can have such a profound effect on confidence and mental health. They look at how social media, filtered images and skincare influencers have shaped expectations around "perfect skin", and whether there is a particular stigma attached to adult acne. The conversation also turns to skincare treatment. If you'd like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you can email us at [email protected]. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Tess McPherson Producer: Dr Samara Linton Researcher: Grace Revill Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Jo Rowntree Visual Producer: Leon Gower Technical Lead: Reuben Huxtable Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

What can you do about your spots?

2026/10/13

Welcome to What's Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the ideas shaping our health and wellbeing. In this episode, they turn their attention to acne, a condition that affects most people at some point in their lives, yet remains surrounded by myths and misinformation. Joined by Professor Tess McPherson, Consultant Dermatologist at Oxford University Hospitals, they explore what causes acne, why it is so common during the teenage years, and why it can continue well into adulthood. The conversation also covers the treatments available, from over-the-counter products to prescription medicines, including what the evidence tells us about their benefits and risks. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected] Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Tess McPherson Producer: Dr Samara Linton Researcher: Grace Revill Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Jo Rowntree Visual Producer: Leon Gower Technical Lead: Reuben Huxtable Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Drs' Notes: How can we manage chronic pain?

2026/10/06

Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation with Dr Cathy Stannard, clinical lead of the pain transformation programme at NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board and the clinical lead for the NICE guideline on chronic pain. Together, they take a closer look at chronic pain, exploring what happens when pain persists beyond the original injury. The conversation also explores how chronic pain is treated. They discuss why medical treatments that work well for acute pain may be less effective for chronic pain and the evidence for approaches such as psychological therapies and social support. They also tackle some of the misconceptions surrounding pain. If you'd like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you can email us at [email protected] Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Cathy Stannard Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Grace Revill Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Jo Rowntree Visual Producer: Leon Gower Technical Lead: Reuben Huxtable Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

How can we better understand pain?

2026/10/06

Welcome to What's Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the ideas shaping our health and wellbeing. In this episode, they turn their attention to pain - one of the most familiar, yet least understood, experiences of being human. Joined by Dr Cathy Stannard, clinical lead of the pain transformation programme at NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board and the clinical lead for the NICE guideline on chronic pain, they explore what happens in the body when we feel pain and why two people with seemingly identical injuries can experience very different levels of pain. They also explore the difference between acute and chronic pain, and what happens when pain persists beyond the original injury. Along the way, they discuss how doctors measure something so subjective, and why some pain treatments work better than others. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected]. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Cathy Stannard Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Grace Revill Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Jo Rowntree Visual Producer: Leon Gower Technical Lead: Reuben Huxtable Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Doctors' Notes: Sleep Disorders

2026/10/01

Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation about sleep disorders with Dr Sophie West, a consultant respiratory physician and lead of Newcastle regional sleep service. They explore what good sleep hygiene looks like and how temperature and hydration can affect our sleep. They also dig into dreams: why we have them, whether we can control them, and how to stop recurrent nightmares. If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at [email protected] or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Sophie West Producer: Rami Tzabar Assistant Producer: Leon Gower Editor: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Samara Linton Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Visual Producer: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

Drs' Notes: Why did neurodiversity evolve?

2026/09/29

Drs Chris and Xand continue their conversation about neurodiversity with Professor Duncan Astle. The doctors want to know what evolution could say about neurodivergence, how the definition of neurodivergent conditions has changed over time, how modern societal structures interact with neurodivergence and what could be changed, how social media interacts with neurodiversity, what we can all do to understand and empathise with neurodiversity. If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you can email us at [email protected]. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Duncan Astle Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Mili Ostojic Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Visual Producer: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Olga Reed At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

How can we better understand neurodiversity?

2026/09/29

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where identical twin doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. What is neurodiversity really? It's a term we hear a lot, but do we actually understand what it means? In this episode, Chris and Xand van Tulleken break down the concept of neurodiversity. From discussing diagnosis to discovering how to rethink the narrative around neurodiversity, the twins explore the facts behind one of the most talked about topics. Chris and Xand are joined by Professor Duncan Astle, Professor of Neuroinformatics at the Department of Psychiatry at Cambridge University, and leader of the 4D Research Group, which looks at childhood development and developmental disorders. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected]. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Duncan Astle Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Mili Ostojic Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Visual Producer: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Olga Reed At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Drs' Notes: How do athletes look after their ankles?

2026/09/22

Chris and Xand continue their conversation about ankle health with Genevieve Tawiah. The doctors want to know how different sports and performance arts can impact your ankles, but also how they can help strengthen and protect such a unique set of joints. They also want to know about different conditions that might affect the ankle and what can be done to manage them, and to learn more about Gen’s experiences working as a performance physiotherapist for a wide range of athletes and performers. If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at [email protected]. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Genevieve Tawiah Producer: Dr Samara Linton Editor: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Mili Ostojic Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Visual Producer: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Olga Reed At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

How can you better look after your ankles?

2026/09/22

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where identical twin doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, they discuss ankles and how to best strengthen and protect them - from uncovering the biology behind one of the most heavily stressed parts of the body, to discussing tips and tricks for strengthening your ankles, preventing injury or managing existing issues. Chris and Xand are joined by Genevieve Tawiah, a performance physiotherapist who has worked with West End shows, theatre tours, Badminton England, and even Strictly Come Dancing. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Genevieve Tawiah Producer: Dr Samara Linton Editor: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Mili Ostojic Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Visual Producer: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Olga Reed At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Do you have ADHD? (from Complex with Kimberley Wilson)

2026/09/18

Today we’re sharing an episode from our sister podcast, Complex with Kimberley Wilson. In the episode, Kimberley asks CBT therapist Joshua Munn about the symptoms of ADHD and how to recognise it. He has lived experience of the condition and explains some of the ways he manages it. In Complex, Kimberley Wilson, chartered psychologist, is on a mission to sift through all the information and misinformation that’s out there around our mental health to help create more self-awareness and understanding. She invites expert guests - trained psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists - to join her and together they share insight and valuable tips. If you enjoy this episode, you can find more by searching for Complex with Kimberley Wilson on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your BBC podcasts. You can also get in touch if there’s anything you would like Kimberley to explore. The email address is [email protected]. We might use what you tell us in the show, but we will do so anonymously. If you don’t want your email to be included in the podcast, then please remember to let us know. Kimberley is not able to answer emails personally. If you are concerned you have a medical or mental health issue, then please contact your GP or seek expert help. Please also take a look on the BBC Actionline page: https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/ where you can find details of organisations offering information and support for common issues. Complex is a Loftus Media production for BBC Sounds. Producer: Kirsten Lass Assistant Producer: Katie Chandler Clarke Researcher: Grace Revill Science Editor: Rami Tzabar Tech Producer: Reuben Huxtable Sound Designer: Jaz Harvey Digital Lead: Richard Berry Podcast artwork photography: Darren Skene And for BBC Sounds: Assistant Commissioner: Izzy Lee-Poulton Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

Doctors' Notes: Type 2 Diabetes

2026/09/15

Chris and Xand van Tulleken take a deeper dive into type 2 diabetes and the bigger factors shaping one of the world's most common health conditions. Joined by Dr Tamara Hibbert, they explore why type 2 diabetes rates are rising, the role of inequality and deprivation, and why some communities are disproportionately affected. They also discuss how type 2 diabetes treatment has evolved, how important group consultations are in treating the condition, and what can happen when type 2 diabetes is not properly managed. If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at [email protected]. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Tamara Hibbert Producer: Faye Lyons-White Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Visual Producer: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

How can we better understand type 2 diabetes?

2026/09/15

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the ideas shaping our health and wellbeing. In this episode, they turn their attention to type 2 diabetes. To understand this condition, they start with the basics: what blood sugar actually is, why our bodies need it, and how it is normally kept under control. They explore where blood sugar comes from, what healthy levels look like, and what happens when those levels become too high. They then look at who is most at risk, and why the condition can affect so many parts of the body. Along the way, they discuss the symptoms people should look out for, and what to do if you're worried about your own health including going through the ‘8 care processes’ often described as a diabetes MOT. To help them unpack it all, they’re joined by Dr Tamara Hibbert, Chair of Newham LMC and Diabetes UK Clinical Champion If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected]. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Tamara Hibbert Producer: Faye Lyons-White Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Visual Producer: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

How to Spot a Sleep Disorder

2026/09/08

Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where identical twin doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken cut through the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing. In this episode, they dig into sleep disorders, including insomnia, restless leg syndrome and parasomnias, which include sleepwalking, sleep talking, and night terrors. They explore what it means to have healthy sleep. Joining them is Dr Sophie West, a consultant respiratory physician and lead of Newcastle regional sleep service, with national roles across the OSA Alliance, British Thoracic Society, and NICE Sleep Disordered Breathing Guidelines group. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Sophie West Producer: Rami Tzabar Assistant Producer: Leon Gower Editor: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Samara Linton Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Visual Producer: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Doctors' Notes: Routine

2026/09/01

Doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken are back with a bonus episode, continuing their conversation on routines with Bas Verplanken, Professor Emeritus of Social Psychology at the University of Bath. They take a deeper look at how our routines influence our behaviour - do they matter more than our attitudes and beliefs? They also want to know whether routines help or hinder creativity and how our age and social roles shape the routines we form. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected]. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Bas Verplanken Producer: Dr Samara Linton and Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Dr Samara Linton Executive Producer: Jo Rowntree Visual Producer: Leon Gower Technical Lead: Reuben Huxtable Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Should you get back into a routine?

2026/09/01

Welcome to What's Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore the ideas shaping our health and wellbeing. In this episode, they turn to routines. With many families heading back to school and September still feeling like a reset for a lot of us, there's no shortage of advice on building the perfect routine, or optimising the ones we have. But are routines actually good for our health and wellbeing? And when, if ever, is breaking one a good thing? To help cut through the noise, they’re joined by Bas Verplanken, Professor Emeritus of Social Psychology at the University of Bath. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected]. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Bas Verplanken Producers: Dr Samara Linton and Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Dr Samara Linton Executive Producer: Jo Rowntree Visual Producer: Leon Gower Technical Lead: Reuben Huxtable Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Melvin Rickarby At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Podcast reviews

Read What's Up Docs? podcast reviews

4.8 out of 5

33 reviews

★★★★★

Joytsna 2026/01/09

Illuminating, Funny, Grounded, Facts

Thank you, Docs VT. I have become so much better informed after listening to your episodes. Loss of Hearing, Core Strength, Back Pain, Dental Hygiene,...

★★★★★

Earplugs next time 2025/09/23

Sounds

I used to be able to listen to this awesome show on BBC Sounds but thanks to the Beebs wisdom to remove Sounds from USA and rest of the world I now ha...

★☆☆☆☆

G&8#8 2025/09/09

A lot of waffle

Sadly not information rich. Had to skip 7minutes into the podcast to hear any real information- I don’t have time to waste like that.

★★★★★

DawnRPT 2025/05/21

Entertaining

The banter between the docs is precious and uplifting. They also engage the expert guests in a way that makes the scientific findings accessible to a...

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