What's Up Docs?
BBC Radio 4
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: whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk
Whatsapp: 08000 665123A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
Whatsapp: 08000 665123A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 11, 2025 • 29min
How to escape all-or-nothing thinking
Kimberley Wilson, a Chartered psychologist and author of Complex, joins Chris and Xand to tackle all-or-nothing thinking. She defines this binary mindset and explains why our brains lean towards simplistic views. They discuss how early childhood shapes these extremes and the clinical consequences of rigid thinking. Kimberley offers practical strategies like curiosity and giving the benefit of the doubt to shift toward nuance. The conversation emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty for better mental health.
Nov 4, 2025 • 44min
Doctors’ Notes: Heart Special at BBC Radio Theatre
In this insightful discussion, Professor Sian Harding, an expert in cardiac pharmacology and author, and Professor Stephen Westaby, a pioneering cardiothoracic surgeon, delve into the marvels of the human heart. They explore how emotions directly influence heart function, revealing how stress can lead to sudden cardiac events. Sian explains the heart's complex cellular structure and the potential of stem-cell therapies, while Stephen reflects on the evolution of heart surgery techniques. They also share vital lifestyle tips for heart health, igniting optimism for future advancements.
Nov 4, 2025 • 28min
How can you look after your amazing heart?
Join Emeritus Professor Sian Harding, an expert on heart biology and author of "The Exquisite Machine," and Professor Stephen Westaby, a pioneering cardiothoracic surgeon. They delve into why emotions trigger heartbeats and the heart’s intricate engineering. Discover how heart disease has evolved, cutting-edge artificial heart technology, and the importance of lifestyle for prevention. Harting also highlights the difficulty in regenerating heart tissue, while Westaby shares his inspiring journey into surgery and the key habits for a healthy heart.
Oct 28, 2025 • 21min
Doctors' Notes: False Memories
Dr. Linda Henkel, a cognitive psychologist specializing in memory and false memories, joins the hosts to explore the intriguing world of memory. They discuss how false memories shape identity and why some feel incredibly vivid. Linda shares insights on repressed memories, the potential impact of suggestive therapy, and the vulnerability to false recollections. The conversation also touches on unique cases from research, like the lost-in-mall study, and the implications for legal systems regarding eyewitness reliability.
Oct 28, 2025 • 29min
What should we do about false memories?
Dr. Linda Henkel, a Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences, dives into the intriguing world of false memories. She explains how vivid but incorrect recollections can form through plausible imagination and the brain's source monitoring errors. Discussion covers how quickly these memories can develop and why some individuals are more susceptible to them. Henkel also shares practical tips to enhance memory accuracy, like collaborating with a friend and taking notes, while emphasizing the importance of accepting the fallibility of our memories.
Oct 21, 2025 • 24min
Doctors' Notes: Napping
Join Professor Russell Foster, a circadian neuroscience expert from the University of Oxford, as he dives into the intriguing world of napping. Discover why some people fall asleep with ease while others struggle. Explore cultural variations in napping habits, from Spain's siestas to Japan's power naps. Russell highlights how sleep needs shift with age, the impact of short naps on cognitive functions, and the genetic factors influencing our napping tendencies. Uncover the fascinating science behind our craving for rest!
10 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 29min
Should you take naps?
Professor Russell Foster, a leading expert in circadian neuroscience from the University of Oxford, joins the conversation to decode the science of napping. He discusses why people nap differently and shares his own 25-minute napping technique. Learn about the brain's sleep stages, and how short naps can boost cognitive function. Foster also highlights studies linking regular napping to brain health while cautioning against long naps. He offers tips for the ideal napping routine and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing sleep for overall well-being.
Oct 14, 2025 • 17min
Doctors’ Notes: Embarrassment
Chris and Xand continue their conversation about embarrassment with Dr Tiffany Watt Smith, a cultural historian interested in the histories of emotion and medicine.They want to know: how power and hierarchical structures in your relationships affect your levels of embarrassment, and how embarrassment functions within the context of other emotions.If you’d like to share your thoughts on this or any other topic covered on the podcast, you email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or Whatsapp on 08000 665 123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken
Guest: Dr Tiffany Watt Smith
Producer: Maia Miller-Lewis and Jo Rowntree
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Researcher: Grace Revill
Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable
Social Media: Leon Gower
Digital Lead: Richard Berry
Composer: Phoebe McFarlane
Sound Design: Ruth RaineyAt the BBC:
Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith
Commissioning Editor: Rhian RobertsA Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4.
Oct 14, 2025 • 28min
Why do we get embarrassed?
Welcome to What’s Up Docs?, the podcast where doctors and identical twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken untangle the confusion around every aspect of our health and wellbeing.In this episode, the Doctors turn their attention to the curious emotion of embarrassment - why do we feel embarrassed? They want to know how it links to blushing, how it differs from shame or guilt, and whether it might actually serve a useful, protective and even healthy role in our lives.To get some answers, they speak with Dr Tiffany Watt Smith, a writer and cultural historian interested in the histories of emotion and medicine. If you want to get in touch, you can email us at whatsupdocs@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08000 665 123.Presenters: Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken
Guest: Dr Tiffany Watt Smith
Producers: Maia Miller-Lewis and Jo Rowntree
Executive Producer: Rami Tzabar
Editor: Kirsten Lass
Researcher: Grace Revill
Tech Lead: Reuben Huxtable
Social Media: Leon Gower
Digital Lead: Richard Berry
Composer: Phoebe McFarlane
Sound Design: Ruth RaineyAt the BBC:
Assistant Commissioner: Greg Smith
Commissioning Editor: Rhian RobertsA Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4
Oct 7, 2025 • 32min
Doctors’ Notes: Nature
Baroness Kathy Willis, a biodiversity expert from Oxford University, dives into the fascinating ways nature impacts human health. She shares compelling clinical studies demonstrating how views of nature can expedite recovery and reduce stress. Kathy discusses the calming effects of specific landscapes and scents, revealing that our innate responses to natural stimuli can enhance well-being. She emphasizes the need for urban green spaces and policies to ensure everyone can access nature, reminding us that a thriving ecosystem benefits us all.
