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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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Check latest episodes from What's Up Docs? podcast

Drs' Notes: What should you do if you get a fever after travelling?

2026/11/03

Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation about fevers with Dr Catherine Houlihan, consultant in clinical virology and infectious diseases at University College London Hospitals. They find out about her work as a consultant in infection at the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory, UK Health Security Agency and what to do if you develop a fever after travelling abroad. 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 Catherine Houlihan Producer and researcher: Dr Samara Linton Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar 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 should you treat a fever?

2026/11/03

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 examine fevers. They ask how and why our body sometimes turns up the dial on its internal thermostat, and what, if anything, we should do about it. To help them answer these questions, they are joined by Dr Catherine Houlihan, a consultant in clinical virology and infectious diseases at University College London Hospitals. She is also a consultant in infection at the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory, UK Health Security Agency. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected] Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Catherine Houlihan Producer and researcher: Dr Samara Linton Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar 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: Can 'recreational fear' be good for you?

2026/10/27

Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation with Professors Marc Andersen and Mathias Clasen. Together, they explore the work Marc and Mathias do at the Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus University in Denmark. Chris and Xand also uncover the different types of horror fans, and how Marc and Mathias would design the perfect, haunted house. 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: Professors Marc Andersen and Mathias Clasen Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Mill Ostojic Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar 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.

Why do we love scary movies?

2026/10/27

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 recreational fear - the kind we experience when we actively seek out things that make us afraid, for pleasure! Joined by Professors Marc Andersen and Mathias Clasen, co-directors of the Recreational Fear Lab at Aarhus University in Denmark, they explore what recreational fear is, and what happens in the body when we experience it. Chris and Xand also find out what the different forms of recreational fear are, and what might compel us to seek our fear for fun. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected]. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professors Marc Andersen and Mathias Clasen Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Mill Ostojic Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar 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: Can your joints repair themselves?

2026/10/20

Doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation about osteoarthritis with Professor Tonia Vincent, Director of the Centre for Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis and professor of musculoskeletal biology at University of Oxford. They talk more about what happens inside the joints when you have arthritis, how Tonia got into this line of study, and why this area of medicine is in the process of transformation and how this may lead to changes in other areas of medicine. 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 Tonia Vincent Producer: Claire Justin Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Researcher: Claire Justin 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.

Will we all get osteoarthritis?

2026/10/20

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 look into the incredibly common joint disease, osteoarthritis. Known as the wear and tear disease, around a sixth of the population suffers from a form of osteoarthritis but why do most of us get it? And what can we do to manage it? To help answer these questions they are joined by Professor Tonia Vincent, Director of the Centre for Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis and professor of musculoskeletal biology at University of Oxford. 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 Tonia Vincent Producer: Claire Justin Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Researcher: Claire Justin 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 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

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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