Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation about walking with Professor Steve Haake.

Recording in Sheffield's Botanical Gardens, they discuss how why creating opportunities for walking can have benefits far beyond physical health and how Steve got into researching walking. Together, they also take a closer look at public health initiatives, such as parkrun – one of the UK's most successful examples – examining why it has proved so popular and what it can teach us about encouraging lifelong physical activity.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, please email us at [email protected].

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Steve Haake Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Grace Revill Assistant Producer: Mike Ellis Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Production Manager: Lisa Lipman Editor: Jo Rowntree 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.

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, recorded while walking through Sheffield Botanical Gardens, they turn their attention to one of the simplest and most accessible forms of exercise - walking.

Joined by Professor Steve Haake, Professor of Sport Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University and a leading expert on physical activity, they explore what happens in the body when we walk, how walking differs from running, and why such a simple activity can have such profound effects on our physical and mental health.

From weight management and cardiovascular fitness to stress, mood and social connection, they examine the evidence behind the many benefits of walking. Along the way, they tackle some common myths, including whether we really need 10,000 steps a day, whether faster is always better, and whether short walks are just as beneficial as longer ones.

They also discuss why modern life can make walking harder than ever, and ask what individuals, communities and policymakers can do to help us move more.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected].

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Steve Haake Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Researcher: Grace Revill Assistant Producer: Mike Ellis Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Production Manager: Lisa Lipman Editor: Jo Rowntree 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 Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation about crying with counselling psychologist Kimberley Wilson.

They look at why people have different thresholds for crying, why other people’s tears can make some of us feel uncomfortable and how we can manage that. They also ask Kimberley why some people can’t cry. Chris is one of those people. What can he do about it? They also discuss how crying shows up in therapeutic settings. Can showing emotion validate someone else’s experience?

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: Kimberley Wilson Producer: Faye Lyons-White Executive Producers: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Dr Samara Linton 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.

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 something many of us are familiar with - crying. We cry with laughter, with sadness, and in moments of awe or overwhelm, but it can also be a surprisingly confusing part of our emotional lives. Some people welcome a good cry, while others rarely, if ever, shed tears. Why do we cry? Why do we sometimes feel better after we cry? Is crying actually any good for us?

To help answer these questions, they’re joined once again by counselling psychologist Kimberley Wilson, host of What’s Up Docs? sister podcast Complex.

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: Kimberley Wilson Producer: Faye Lyons-White Executive Producer: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Dr Samara Linton 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 Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation about relaxation with philosopher and author Julian Baggani.

They look at the history of relaxation, the activities we have chosen to do in order to switch off and how that has changed over the years. They also look at whether relaxation has become commodified and what that might mean for our ability to do it successfully.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, please email us at [email protected].

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Dr Julian Baggani Producer: Claire Justin and Faye Lyons-White Executive Producers: Jo Rowntree and Rami Tzabar Researcher: Claire Justin Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Visual Producer: Leon Gower Technical Lead: Reuben Huxtable Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Ruth Rainey

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

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 look at relaxation. We are all aware that relaxation has an importance in our lives, when things get too much we book holidays and time off work. But what does it actually mean to relax and are the activities we chose actually allowing us to escape our stresses?

To help answer these questions, they’re joined by philosopher and journalist Dr Julian Baggini.

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 Julian Baggini Producers: Claire Justin and Faye Lyons-White Executive Producers: Jo Rowntree and Rami Tzabar Researcher: Claire Justin 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 Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation about hydration with Dr John Whittle, a consultant in anaesthesia, critical care and perioperative medicine at University College Hospitals and an honorary associate professor at University College London.

Most of the time our bodies are brilliant at regulating fluid but what happens when that process gets disrupted by illness, stress or ageing? And crucially, what can we do about it?

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 Producer and researcher: Dr Samara Linton Executive Producers: 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.

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’re exploring hydration. We’ve all heard we should be drinking eight glasses of water a day, but does it hold up? Chris and Xand look at what water actually does in the body and how we regulate fluid.

They also separate fact from fiction on the hydration beliefs and trends that are everywhere right now. Does drinking more water actually help you lose weight? What about the online trend of loading water with supplements and flavourings to maximise its benefits? Should we all be adding electrolytes to our water?

To help answer these questions, they’re joined by Dr John Whittle. He’s a consultant in anaesthesia, critical care and perioperative medicine at University College Hospitals and an honorary associate professor at University College London.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected]. Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Producer and researcher: Dr Samara Linton Executive Producers: 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

Chris and Xand van Tulleken continue their conversation with Professor Sunita Sah about why humans follow advice they suspect, or even know, is bad.

They explore what first drew Sunita to this area of research, alongside her own experiences of following advice she knew she should probably question. Together, they unpack the psychology behind why rejecting advice can feel so uncomfortable, and why intelligence or expertise doesn’t necessarily protect people from poor decisions.

If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, please email us at [email protected].

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Sunita Sah Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Visual Producer: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Ruth Rainey

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.

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 discuss a behaviour almost everyone recognises - following advice we suspect is bad, or even know is wrong. So why do we do it?

From medicine and wellness culture to friendships and everyday life, Chris and Xand unpack the psychology behind why bad advice can be so hard to resist. They consider how authority, confidence and social pressure shape our decisions, and why warning signs don’t always protect us from making choices we later regret. They also ask why questioning experts can feel so difficult, even when our wellbeing depends on it.

Along the way, they discuss how people can become more confident questioning advice, seeking second opinions, and making decisions that genuinely align with their own judgement and wellbeing.

To help them untangle it all, they’re joined by Professor Sunita Sah, Organisational psychologist at Cornell University.

If you want to get in touch, you can email us at [email protected].

Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken Guest: Professor Sunita Sah Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar Editor: Jo Rowntree Researcher: Grace Revill Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable Social Media: Leon Gower Digital Lead: Richard Berry Composer: Phoebe McFarlane Sound Design: Ruth Rainey

At the BBC: Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4

Chris and Xand continue their conversation about eyes with Mr Raj Das-Bhaumik.

The doctors want to know what particular things we should be doing to look after our eyes in the summer, including how to protect them while swimming or spending time outdoors. They're also curious about dry eye, a common condition that could affect over half of the UK population, and how to manage it, as well as other eye conditions like glaucoma and cataracts and how they are particularly affected in the summer months.

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: Mr Raj Das-Bhaumik Producer: Dr Samara Linton Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar 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.