Because Why?! The Science and Society Pod.

Brianne West
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NATURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Curious about, well… everything? Same. Welcome to Because Why?! Where science and nature, meets culture and business. If you care about people and planet, and want to know how the world really works - and how we can do better, you're in the right place. Because Why?! Because really, everything comes back to science. Expect episodes on everything from climate change and sustainability, to ethical business and history, politics, nature, conspiracy theories, human behaviour and who knows what else. It's all interesting. And unlike podcast bros, I have receipts.

  1. OCT 5

    Are we doomed? A psychologist’s guide to climate anxiety

    The world feels like a really bad parody movie right now – but it’s not funny. There’s a constant background hum of dread – climate change, biodiversity collapse, war – and it’s no wonder eco-anxiety has become a collective condition. Because of all this, I’m replaying one of our most popular episodes: my conversation with psychologist Dr. Susie Burke about eco-anxiety. It’s a surprisingly uplifting conversation about climate change – yes, really... Dr. Susie has years of experience in climate psychology and shares practical ways to handle eco-anxiety and other intense emotions, whether you’re angry, tired, or just numb. She reminds us that positive change is happening elsewhere and is within our reach. It's a breath of fresh air for anyone overwhelmed by constant climate news (and the news in general, frankly). In this episode, we talk about: The perception gap: why more people care about climate change than you might think The mental health impact of climate change and why eco-anxiety is normal Strategies to cope with climate emotions, from small practical steps to collective action How shifting business and consumer behavior can drive more change than waiting for governments Why we are the first generation with a real shot at creating a sustainable world How to support children in understanding and feeling empowered about environmental issues More About Dr. Susie Burke Check out her website ⁠here ⁠ Subscribe to Emily Writes here More about Hannah Ritchie Author of Not the End of the World, check out her website and books ⁠here ⁠ More about The Conceivable Future Written by Meghan Elizabeth Kallman and Josephine Ferorelli, their website is ⁠here ⁠ Tedx Talk: Changing the World: Why it Fails and What Works By Winnifred Louis, ⁠watch it here Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

    57 min

  2. SEP 29

    Did you fall for the myth? How misinformation & racism made MSG a monster

    MSG causes headaches, chest tightness, tingling arms and weakness - or at least that’s what we’ve all been told. For decades, MSG was considered public enemy number one, banned from restaurants and demonised in the media. But why? MSG is everywhere: in tomatoes, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, soy sauce, even breast milk. So how did it become a “toxic chemical killer” in the public imagination? Today I’m breaking down the bizarre story of MSG, from its origins in Japan, to its rise across Asia and the West, through to the flawed science and racism that turned it into a food villain. So, because why are we so afraid of MSG? In this episode let's unpack: The discovery of MSG and the origin of umamiHow MSG spread across Asia and into Western dietsWhy “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” started from just one letterThe flawed studies that fuelled the MSG scareThe racial undertones behind the MSG panicWhy MSG is actually safer than table saltHow modern chefs and TikTok are reclaiming MSG as “umami dust” Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

    17 min

  3. SEP 21

    Superfoods, or super scam? How 'superfoods' aren't really super for anyone...

    There is a food trend that aims to give you glowing skin, supercharged memory, endless energy, and protection from every disease that you can probably think of. You’ll have seen the word for it stamped on cereal boxes and blended into smoothies, and it’s always talked about by wellness influencers. What is that magic word? Well, it’s superfood, of course. But are superfoods really all that super? Short answer: no. But the longer answer is that it affects so many people in negative ways, when there are some very simple other foods we could be eating. So today, I’m debunking superfoods and sharing what you could be eating instead. Plus: The early history of superfoodsWhere the term superfood came fromHow wellness culture impacted the rise of the superfood termWhat a ‘health halo’ isWhere the best nutrition comes fromThe foods that are actually a bit superfoody but are very commonHow the exotic factor plays into hyping superfoodsThe farmer exploitation aspect of superfoodsWhat the real superfood/power is Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

    16 min

  4. SEP 14

    It's not me, it's my star sign

    Why do people still believe in horoscopes, even when we know they’re not true? (If this is you, I'm curious, not judging.) For nearly a century, people have turned to horoscopes for all sorts of advice, and they’re actually more popular now than ever. But how is this still so widespread when it’s been clearly debunked time and again? Turns out, there are a lot of reasons - and the story is more complicated (and fascinating) than you might think. In this episode let's get into: The ancient history of the zodiac signsHow astrology and zodiac systems differ across countriesHow science eventually outpaced astrologyWhy zodiac signs got out of alignment - and why no one seemed to careHow astrology reinvented itself to stay relevant and believableThe ways astrology sneaks into modern life that you might not even noticeWhy astrology is booming right nowThe psychology behind why we want astrology to workHow the wording of horoscopes subtly manipulates usHow horoscope writing has been tailored to target womenWhy you can’t convince astrology fans they’re wrongHow celestial bodies really do affect us (just not in the way horoscopes claim) Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

    15 min

  5. SEP 7

    Cycling is the solution to all our problems

    I have the best news: we already have the solution to all of our problems. This could save over 8 million lives a year, make us live longer with fewer sick days, save billions of dollars, and make us all a lot happier to be around... I feel like this should be front-page news? The problem is, it’s boring. Because it’s cycling. It turns out the issue of cycling is actually far, far more complicated than most of us realise. The health, economic and community implications are massive, but we still don’t have huge swaths of the community cycling in droves. So why is this, and what can we do to change it? Well, that’s what this episode is all about. In this episode let's discuss: Why cars are such massive pollution contributorsExamples of cities that have prioritised cycling and actually reaped the benefitsHow cycling impacts communitiesCycling’s benefits on physical healthCycling’s benefits on mental healthThe surprisingly massive impacts of car parksHumans’ inability to assess danger - and why it affects cyclingWhy helmets actually add to the idea that cycling is dangerousThe societal factors that influence cycling uptakeThe tiny annoyances that throw people off using bikesThe main reason people don’t cycleAnd the solution to all of it Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

    31 min

  6. AUG 31

    Is bottled water really better for you?

    So, bottled water is kind of a scam. People think it’s healthier and safer, despite zero evidence to back that up. So… is it all just one giant marketing con? Well… kinda. In this episode, I’m taking you through the wild history of bottled water to show exactly how we ended up here - and why it’s so, so, so ridiculous! Quick note: I originally did the research and writing for this podcast in July 2024, so the stats I mention are current to that period. In this episode I go through: The surprisingly long history of bottled water (it’s been around way longer than you think)What needed to happen to make bottled water a massive global hitThe weird correlation between bottled water sales and countries that already have safe tap waterA statistical breakdown of where people are actually buying bottled waterThe shocking differences in testing requirements between bottled and tap waterHow bottled water companies harm the countries they source fromWhy microplastics could be way worse for our bodies than we realiseWhy bottled water isn’t automatically safer than tap waterThe facts about fluoride and chlorine in tap waterWhy nitrates in water are a concernThe jaw-dropping amount of water it takes just to make one bottle of water Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

    24 min

  7. AUG 24

    You asked: coffee vs tea, milk choices & the bioplastic myth

    Welcome to another This or That episode! I break down the least impactful options from things you’ve been asking about. This episode is actually a repost, because some of you have sent in these questions - clearly, we all have choices that keep us up at night. And often, what we expect isn’t actually the truth! In this week’s selection we have tea vs. coffee, and which is worse for the environment, what the best and worst options are for the milk you use with your drink, and finally, what exactly are bioplastics? And, whether we should even be using them... Let's talk about: The comparison of tea vs. coffeeHow much water it takes to make tea and coffee, respectivelyWhat the most sustainable version of milk isThe worst milk option for the environmentThe various environmental issues caused by dairy farmingThe truth behind a big myth about soy farming in the AmazonThe difference between bio-based plastics and biodegradable plastics Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

    13 min

  8. AUG 18

    You asked: 3 sustainability questions - lightbulbs, bags & food

    Welcome to a This or That episode! I break down the least impactful options from things you’ve been asking about. This episode is actually a repost, because some of you have sent in these questions - clearly, we all have choices that keep us up at night. And often, what we expect isn’t actually the truth! This week’s selection has a pretty controversial topic, and one that maaay just surprise you. See if you can guess the answers before I reveal them - and then let me know if you got them all! In this episode let's cover: What uses more energy, turning off lights or energy efficient bulbs?What has less of an impact, paper or plastic bags?What resources and processes are made to make paper bags?What matters more, what you eat or where its from?What parts of your food intake you should reduce to help lessen your impact? (Don't worry, I'm not telling you to completely give up your favourites.) Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?! Mā te wā - see you next week. You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: ⁠⁠https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/ You can follow me on socials on the below accounts. Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/⁠⁠ Tiktok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest⁠⁠ Linkedin: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/⁠⁠ For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: ⁠⁠https://incrediballs.com/⁠

    9 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Curious about, well… everything? Same. Welcome to Because Why?! Where science and nature, meets culture and business. If you care about people and planet, and want to know how the world really works - and how we can do better, you're in the right place. Because Why?! Because really, everything comes back to science. Expect episodes on everything from climate change and sustainability, to ethical business and history, politics, nature, conspiracy theories, human behaviour and who knows what else. It's all interesting. And unlike podcast bros, I have receipts.

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