Made of Stronger Stuff

BBC Radio 4

4.8 (73)
HEALTH & FITNESS

Our bodies reflect change in the world around us. Psychologist Kimberley Wilson and Dr Xand van Tulleken ask - one body part at a time - how much control do we have?

03/31/2022

Amygdala

Psychologist Kimberley Wilson and Dr Xand van Tulleken take a journey around the human body, to find out what it can tell us about our innate capacity for change. To finish this series, they're in the brain getting acquainted with the amygdala. Is the amygdala really the home of fear? Kimberley and Xand meet someone who has had theirs removed, discovering the true nature of this part of the brain, and how it can give us a roadmap to dealing with our everyday anxieties. Producer: Georgia Mills Mixer: Tom Brignell Researcher: Leonie Thomas Executive Producer: Robert Nicholson A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

35 min
03/24/2022

Wrist

Psychologist Kimberley Wilson and Dr Xand van Tulleken take a journey around the human body, to find out what it can tell us about our innate capacity for change. This time, they examine the wrist, and its role as the hub where technology meets the body. Kimberley and Xand meet a man whose life was saved by his smartwatch, examine the potential pitfalls of devices that don't work for everyone equally, and learn how much data our wrists can truly give away. Producer: Georgia Mills Researcher: Leonie Thomas Executive Producer: Robert Nicholson A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

34 min
03/17/2022

Ovaries

Psychologist Kimberley Wilson and Dr Xand van Tulleken take a journey around the human body, to find out what it can tell us about our innate capacity for change. This time, the ovaries go under the microscope. Kimberley and Xand hear from someone whose ovaries have caused them to hurtle through major life stages in the course of a few years, meet a scientist who thinks we may have female fertility all wrong, and examine the unresolved mysteries of the menopause. Producer: Georgia Mills Researcher: Leonie Thomas Executive Producer: Robert Nicholson A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

35 min
03/10/2022

Tears

Psychologist Kimberley Wilson and Dr Xand van Tulleken take a journey around the human body, to find out what it can tell us about how we live in the world. In this episode, they find out there's much more to tears than meets the eye. What is the purpose of tears, does crying actually make you feel better, and what happens when you lose your ability to make them at all? Producer: Georgia Mills Researcher: Leonie Thomas Executive Producer: Robert Nicholson A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

33 min
03/03/2022

Dopamine

Psychologist Kimberley Wilson and Dr Xand van Tulleken take a journey around the human body, to find out what it can tell us about our innate capacity for change. In this episode, they take on the social media pariah - dopamine. They examine this tiny chemical's wide roles in the brain and body, and question whether we should make cognitive enhancers available for general use. There's also a dive into some intriguing research which suggests your breakfast could influence your most fundamental decision-making ability. Producer: Georgia Mills Researcher: Leonie Thomas Executive Producer: Robert Nicholson A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

36 min
02/24/2022

Knees

Psychologist Kimberley Wilson and Dr Xand van Tulleken continue their journey around the human body, asking what our insides can reveal about our lives and the world around us. The knee is one of the most complicated joints in the human body, but also one of the most prone to failure. In this episode, Kimberly shares the story of someone with a rare genetic disorder that results in poorly developed kneecaps, while drilling into the gory detail of knee replacements. Later, Xand explores osteoarthritis and the exciting research that could change how we think about joint injury. Producer: James Tindale Researcher: Leonie Thomas Executive Producer: Robert Nicholson A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

36 min
02/17/2022

Sphincters

Psychologist Kimberley Wilson and Dr Xand van Tulleken continue their journey around the human body, asking what our insides can reveal about our lives and the world around us. This week, it's Sphincters' turn. While the one in our bottoms tends to claim the most mindshare, we’re absolutely full of sphincters, and they’re critical to our lives. In this episode, Xand explores the inability to burp, meeting a 27-year-old who was unable to belch until an American Doctor’s revolutionary procedure changed his life forever. Meanwhile, Kimberly investigates urinary sphincter failure and the innovative implants that can help restore continence. Producer: James Tindale Researcher: Leonie Thomas Executive Producer: Robert Nicholson A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

33 min
02/10/2022

Kidneys

Psychologist Kimberley Wilson and Dr Xand van Tulleken take a journey around the human body, to find out what it can tell us about our innate capacity for change. In this episode, Kimberley and Xand are looking at our kidneys, and the enormous societal problems caused by this fist-sized organ. Together they bust some detoxing myths, hear about the dangers of the billion dollar illegal organ trade, and whether an artificial kidney might be on the way. Also - how many glasses of water do we really need in a day? Producer: Georgia Mills Researcher: Leonie Thomas Executive Producer: Robert Nicholson A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

33 min

See All (26)

Kimberley Wilson

Host
Xand van Tulleken

Host
Emma Cowley

Guest
Jeremy DeSilva

Guest
Julia Chi Taylor

Guest

4.8

out of 5

73 Ratings

Love this Show

03/02/2024

Ash_In_Atlanta

I just found and started listening to this show and have loved every moment. Kimberly and Xand bring such different perspectives that have really helped me to understand the nuance of different parts of the body and how they impact my life and the lives of others. I’d love to see more in this series. There’s so much to learn!
KIMBERLY SAVED MY LIFE

01/23/2023

CATNJOE

Kimberly saved my life which 2 medical doctors, 2 emergency room doctors, 1 psychiatrist and 1 endocrinologist could not. Looking at the amygdala as an arousal response as opposed to the fight or flight response is incredibly powerful. Our bodies CAN turn that narrative completely on its head. This inspires us to take back control of our own lives. As confidence begins to emerge, it reinforces itself with more confidence. Please continue to teach us, dear Kimberly. With you, we can begin to change ourselves, our world and those we love.
Just what I needed !

12/11/2022

blindGuyJoe

The episode on the Amygdala solved the mystery of mindfulness & meditation for me. Another series, please!
This is great!

10/29/2022

Anne Bklyn

So sad I discovered this only after it was over. This is so deep and thought provoking. I’d love to hear another series from these two!

Our bodies reflect change in the world around us. Psychologist Kimberley Wilson and Dr Xand van Tulleken ask - one body part at a time - how much control do we have?