Sketchplanations - The Podcast

Bell Boy Productions

Big Ideas explored through Little Pictures. We offer up great conversations about ideas based on simple and insightful sketches in the Sketchplanations online collection, with the aim of giving listeners something fun and interesting to have their own conversations about. This is an explainer podcast for the curious-minded. Topics covered include science, behavioural economics, wellbeing, nature, psychology frameworks, business models, cognitive biases, and even domestic life-hacks.  It's certainly not a self-help podcast, but you might take something away that helps you notice or even enjoy the world around you a little more. Sketchplanations illustrator and author Jono Hey joins lifelong friends Tom Pellereau (2011 Apprentice Winner) and Rob Bell (Engineer & Broadcaster) to share ideas and stories catalysed by each week's sketch. The 3 of us have been friends for over 20 years and have always enjoyed delving into all sorts of conversation topics - usually with some silliness along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Do you Know Your Dashes?

    4H AGO

    Do you Know Your Dashes?

    If you like the finer details of grammar and punctuation, then you're gonna love this episode. We geek out on the subtle, but incredibly important and occasionally crucial differences between three little horizontal lines: the hyphen - the En Dash – and the Em Dash -- Jono explains hyphens for line breaks and compound terms, how usage can evolve into single words (e.g., wildlife, wellbeing), and why hyphen placement can change meaning (e.g., five-dollar bills). The en dash is described as linking ranges and relationships (pages, dates, times, scores, routes, debates, partnerships, negotiations), with notes on how to type it. The em dash is framed as a stronger-than-comma interruption for added thoughts, with style cautions and typing methods. They discuss underscore origins from typewriters, punctuation differences across countries, and how AI popularized em dashes as a telltale sign of machine-written text. Most importantly though, we discuss why this matters and that if used correctly, they can help avoid misunderstandings. Episode Summary 00:00 Welcome to Sketchplanations 00:40 What Are Dashes 03:09 Hyphen Basics 04:32 Hyphenated Words 05:35 Language Evolves 07:00 Hyphen Pitfalls 07:31 Tom on Hyphens 10:38 Meet the En Dash 11:41 Typing En Dashes 12:32 En Dash Use Cases 14:47 Spacing and Style 15:30 Introducing Em Dash 15:33 Em Dash Basics 16:15 Style Guide Rules 18:08 Brackets vs Speech 18:57 Where Names Come From 20:32 Underscore Origins 22:05 Reading Dashes Aloud 24:39 Does It Matter 26:04 Oxford Comma Stakes 28:36 AI Em Dash Tell 29:59 Typing Em Dashes 30:32 Punctuation By Country 31:41 Morse Code And Minus 32:43 Final Sign Off External Link There's only one link this week: Jono referenced the book Strunk and White : The Elements of Style All music on this podcast is provided by the very talented Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  2. Digging Through the Planet: The Geography of Antipodes

    FEB 24

    Digging Through the Planet: The Geography of Antipodes

    Have you ever wondered what's happening on the exact opposite side of the world to you? Wherever you are on our planet, there's a good chance you'd need a snorkel. In this episode, we explore the concept of antipodes—the exact point on the opposite side of Earth from wherever you're standing. We discover why most antipodes end up in the ocean rather than on land and cover a whole host of fascinating geographic facts, including how the Northern Hemisphere contains the vast majority of Earth's land and population, how map projections distort our view of the planet, and why Earth's oblate spheroid shape means some antipode distances are longer than others. Along the way, we also raise the big questions like how deep have humans ever dug into Earth and how long it would take to fall through a frictionless tunnel to your antipode. External Links and mentions on the show: Jono's sketch that explains the Mercator Map Projection Jono references the Antipodal Map in the book Marvellous Maps by  Simon KuestenmacherThe 7.6 mile deep hole Jono talks about is the Kola Superdeep Borehole in Russia, initiated by Soviet scientists in 1970, primarily to better understand the earth’s crust. Here's Jono's sketch about the thickness of the earth's crust being proportionally similar to the thickness of an apple's skin. And finally, if you want to know your exact antipode, you can look here on AntipodeMap.com Episode Summary 00:00 What Are Antipodes 03:23 Land Distribution on Earth 04:14 Map Projections and Perspectives 07:19 Antipodal Map Overlay 08:56 Cultural References Worldwide 10:15 Etymology of Antipode 10:41 Digging Through Earth 12:44 UK Antipodes 13:29 Great Circle Routes 14:20 Earth's Oblate Shape 15:25 Tunnel Through Earth 16:34 Closing Remarks All music on this podcast series is provided by the very talented Franc Cinelli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 min
  3. The closer you look, the longer it gets: The Coastline Paradox

    FEB 10

    The closer you look, the longer it gets: The Coastline Paradox

    When you want to measure something you take your ruler or tape measure and read off the length right? But when it comes to measuring the length of a coastline, things get a bit tricky and totally counter intuitive. 🌊 The science and maths of measuring wiggly coastlines reveal that the smaller the unit of measure, the longer the coastline becomes. Jono recounts the origins of this phenomenon from polymath, Lewis Fry Richardson and its further exploration by Benoit B. Mandelbrot. The trio also relate the concept to various other real-world examples, including the surfaces of the brain and lungs, Romanesco cauliflower, and stock market patterns. Additionally, they touch on the philosophical implications of measurement and delve into the concept of infinity. Episode Summary: 00:00 Introduction the Coastline Paradox 04:12 Historical Context and Discovery 14:10 Fractals and Natural World Applications 17:26 Modern Implications and Analogies 24:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts External Links and mentions on the show: Jono refers to and leans heavily on the writing of Geoffrey West in his book "Scale" to tell the story of how this was discovered.Rob's half-baked fact about The Standardised Meter can be expanded on here.This is what the self-similarity of a Romanesco Cauliflower looks likeHere is the avenue of trees in Bushy Park, in Southwest London that Jono slalomed.Here are more facts on who originally defined the number 'zero' as we know it today. All music on this podcast series is provided by the very talented Franc Cinelli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    26 min
  4. More Than Just Rings: Unity, History, and Ambition.

    JAN 27

    More Than Just Rings: Unity, History, and Ambition.

    Have you ever wondered what the colours on the Olympic flag represent? The Olympic logo is a globally recognised brand and remarkably, it was designed over 100 years ago by the founder of the modern Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin. This time, we discuss the history and symbolism of this design icon ahead of the Winter Olympic Games in Milano Cortina, Italy. We find out about its representation of unity among the five (?) continents (one for each ring), and the careful selection of the flag's colours. The episode also delves into fascinating Olympic trivia, including the evolution of the games, historical moments, and the development of the Olympic motto. Rob also shares insights from filming at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, for his series 'The Vault,' which explores Olympic history through artefacts found in their archives. You can watch all 10 episodes of The Vault for free here on the Olympics Channel. Episode Summary 00:00 Introduction and Excitement for the Winter Olympics 01:42 The Genesis of the Olympic Flag 02:50 Symbolism and Design of the Olympic Flag 05:06 Pierre de Coubertin: The Visionary Behind the Olympics 05:21 Exploring Olympic History and Artifacts 09:35 Evolution of the Olympic Games and Flag 22:28 Conclusion and Farewell All music on this podcast series is by the very talented Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    23 min
  5. Tsundoku: Do you buy books faster than you can read them? 📚🤔

    JAN 13

    Tsundoku: Do you buy books faster than you can read them? 📚🤔

    How big is that pile of books next to your bed? Tsundoku is a Japanese word for buying books and letting them pile up unread. It’s a familiar habit to book lovers everywhere — that growing stack of books you intend to read but haven’t yet. In this episode of Sketchplanations The Podcast, we explore why we buy books we don’t read, why unread books don’t always feel like a bad thing, and what this habit says about curiosity, identity, and our relationship with reading. In this episode we embrace Tsundoku and our conversation ranges from buying too many books to the joy and guilt of collecting unread books, and how tsundoku can extend to audiobooks, hobbies, and other unread things. If you’ve ever wondered why you buy books faster than you can read them — or felt conflicted about your own unread pile — this episode is for you. Links to items (mainly books) that we discussed: The book that changed Tom's life: Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark WintersThe book from Jono's pile he next wants to start: A few short sentences about writing by Verlyn KlinkenborgRobbie is most looking forward to getting started on: Whatever will be will be by Felix WhiteJono recommends cartoons about books and reading by Tom GauldBig Ideas, Little Pictures is the Sketchplanations book by Jono Hey Summary: 00:00 Introduction to Tsundoku: The Act of Collecting Unread Books 02:52 Personal Stories and Reflections on Tsundoku 05:20 The Broader Implications of Tsundoku 07:49 Books as Gifts and Their Value 10:03 The Joy and Guilt of Collecting Books 17:14 Final Thoughts and Reflections 19:34 Conclusion and Farewell All music on this podcast series is by the very talented Franc Cinelli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  6. Family Tree Explainer

    12/30/2025

    Family Tree Explainer

    Do you know who your second cousins are or if you even have any? And what does "once removed" mean anyway? Tune in to this episode as we unravel the mysteries of family relations—which we figured would be particularly helpful at the festive time of year. We explore the subtleties of family trees, making our way to 'Second Cousins Once Removed'. We dig into the confusion around generational terms and the importance of knowing your extended family. We share a few family-related anecdotes and cultural differences, such as the Chinese family tree and Icelandic naming conventions. We strongly encourage you to follow along with the sketch at Sketchplanations.com to better understand your own family connections. Here are the Chinese family tree names mentioned. Episode Summary 00:00 Welcome to Sketchplanations 00:47 Understanding Family Relations 02:13 Exploring Second Cousins 06:06 Generational Differences Explained 11:48 Cultural Perspectives on Family Trees 14:57 Famous Families and Their Connections 15:08 The Mayflower Ancestor Story 15:55 Family Trees and Their Complexity 16:43 The Importance of Family Connections 18:01 Tracing Family History 21:07 Unique Family Names and Their Origins 22:28 Surname Origins and Commonality 25:58 Gender-Neutral Family Terms 27:07 Concluding Thoughts All music on this podcast series is provided by the very talented Franc Cinelli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    29 min
  7. Continuous Partial Attention

    12/16/2025

    Continuous Partial Attention

    Coined in the 1990s by Linda Stone, Continuous Partial Attention describes the state of being constantly connected; trying to do multiple things at once, which often leads to an ever-present, low-level form of stress. We explore how this phenomenon affects modern life, compare it to multitasking, and discuss both its positive and negative aspects. The podcast also highlights how technology has exacerbated this issue and considers potential solutions, such as mindfulness and turning off notifications, to better manage one's attention. Links to stuff we discussed: Dan Kahneman Mind Over Tech Video of Woman who Walks into Fountain Whilst Texting The Film: Her, starring Joaquin Phoenix. Other Sketches and podcast episodes referenced: Phubbing episode and sketch Phone Zombie sketch Hegel's Dialectic: Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis sketch Yak Shaving episode and sketch 5 Ways to Wellbeing episode and sketch Everyone's a Geek About Something episode and sketch How to Instantly Feel Better episode and sketch Picking the Perfect Present episode and sketch Buy Jono's Book: Big Ideas, Little Pictures, for a loved one this Christmas - The Perfect Present and then some... Summary 00:00 Introduction to Continuous Partial Attention 01:31 Depicting Continuous Partial Attention in a Sketch 04:25 Personal Experiences with Continuous Partial Attention 05:54 The Impact of Technology on Attention 08:49 Multitasking vs. Continuous Partial Attention 11:15 The Challenge of Staying Focused 17:05 The Role of Continuous Partial Attention in Different Professions 20:38 The Dilemma of Turning Off Notifications 21:15 Balancing Work and Family Life 22:03 The Art of Multitasking 22:59 The Pitfalls of Continuous Partial Attention 23:49 Turning Cognition into Automation 25:25 The Rise of Single Tasking 27:54 The Productivity of Focused Work 32:07 The Future of AI and Continuous Partial Attention 34:20 Final Thoughts and Recommendations All music on this podcast is provided by the very talented Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
  8. Microlives & The Art of Uncertainty with Sir David Spiegelhalter

    12/02/2025

    Microlives & The Art of Uncertainty with Sir David Spiegelhalter

    What's your life expectancy trade-off for enjoying a crispy bacon sandwich? 🥓 Sir David Spiegelhalter is a celebrated Professor of Statistics at the University of Cambridge; widely accepted as one of the UK's foremost statisticians. He explains the concepts of 'micromorts' and 'microlives', which quantify risk and the impact of lifestyle choices on life expectancy. The discussion delves into acute vs. chronic risks, with practical examples such as the dangers of skydiving or how regular smoking affects longevity of life. The conversation also covers the application of statistics in medicine, the importance of randomisation in clinical trials, and the philosophical underpinnings of uncertainty. Additionally, David highlights the human capacity to judge risks, the pitfalls of intuition, and offers practical advice on dealing with uncertainty in everyday life. Lively anecdotes, insightful explanations, and practical takeaways make this episode a compelling listen for anyone interested in the intersection of statistics, risk, and daily decision-making. David's latest book, The Art of Uncertainty is available in all good bookshops and online. Here are some useful links to further explore some topics raised: The work of Ron Howard at Stanford UniversityJono's sketch on Word SpectrumsDavid's many other books - including Sex by NumbersPoisson Distribution explainedDavid tells the tale of Persi Diaconis - the Mathemagician. Episode Summary: 00:00 Introduction, David's Background & Achievements 01:43 The Wipeout Experience 03:13 Understanding Micro-Morts 04:27 Acute vs. Chronic Risks 05:29 Micro-Morts in Everyday Activities 12:05 Introduction to Micro-Lives 18:03 Medical Applications of Data and Statistics 21:27 The Role of Uncertainty in Life 27:52 Building Resilience Over Robustness 29:18 Embracing Uncertainty in Life 33:35 Misuse of Statistics in Media and Politics 40:30 The Gamblers Fallacy and Intuition 42:29 The Uniqueness of Card Shuffles 45:43 Common Misconceptions About Probability 48:02 Practical Tips for Dealing with Uncertainty 51:33 Final Thoughts and Reflections All music is provided by Franc Cinelli. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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About

Big Ideas explored through Little Pictures. We offer up great conversations about ideas based on simple and insightful sketches in the Sketchplanations online collection, with the aim of giving listeners something fun and interesting to have their own conversations about. This is an explainer podcast for the curious-minded. Topics covered include science, behavioural economics, wellbeing, nature, psychology frameworks, business models, cognitive biases, and even domestic life-hacks.  It's certainly not a self-help podcast, but you might take something away that helps you notice or even enjoy the world around you a little more. Sketchplanations illustrator and author Jono Hey joins lifelong friends Tom Pellereau (2011 Apprentice Winner) and Rob Bell (Engineer & Broadcaster) to share ideas and stories catalysed by each week's sketch. The 3 of us have been friends for over 20 years and have always enjoyed delving into all sorts of conversation topics - usually with some silliness along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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