The Human Element with Joe Massey

Joe Massey
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The Human Element is an investigation into the patterns of our past and the potential of our future. From the ruins of Ancient Egypt to the cutting edge of CRISPR and the minds of elite performers—we interview world-class experts to uncover the "Golden Threads" that connect us all. 

  1. 1d ago

    #28 - The Scouse Scientist: Medicine’s Biggest Shift, Preventing Disease Instead of Treating It.

    Send us Fan Mail Is genetics "playing God"? A clinical scientist in the NHS explains what DNA testing really does, where the ethical lines are, and why the dark history of eugenics still shapes how people feel about it. This week I'm joined by Holly Ellis, the Scouse Scientist, a clinical scientist in genetics who analyses patients' DNA in an NHS diagnostic lab. She's also a science communicator, and recently made her debut as a science expert on BBC Morning Live. We talk about how a single blood test can reveal risks like BRCA2, how doctors are shifting from cure to prevention, and why the fear around genomics often comes from headlines rather than reality. We also get into the harder questions: Would you want to know a condition you can't treat? Who owns your genetic information when it affects your family? And where is the line between healing and enhancing? In this episode: - How genomics is moving medicine from reactive to preventative - Why a faulty BRCA2 gene matters for screening and prevention - The history of eugenics and why genetics still carries that shadow - Huntington's disease and the ethics of "do you want to know?" - The case of a daughter who sued a hospital over her father's diagnosis - How gene therapy is saving babies born with SMA - Pharmacogenomics: how your DNA can decide your drug dose - Why Holly believes science is for everyone, whatever you look or sound like CHAPTERS 00:00 Meet the Scouse Scientist 02:15 What a clinical scientist in genetics actually does 05:00 One blood test: prevention over cure 07:22 What can you do once you know about a "spelling error"? 09:18 Fear, privacy and consent in genomics 14:16 Gene therapy and saving babies with SMA 16:50 Vanity, designer babies and the slippery slope 18:29 "Playing God" and the dark history of eugenics 21:40 Prenatal testing and the Generation Study 26:30 Do you want to know? The Huntington's dilemma 31:53 Who owns your genetic information? 34:22 What testing can and can't find (incidental findings) 37:25 Pharmacogenomics and the end of one-size-fits-all medicine 44:12 Is personalised medicine only for the rich? 47:52 Where genomics is heading in the next 5-10 years 50:07 What worries her: legislation and AI 53:12 Her ten-year-old self, Oxford and breaking stereotypes 56:54 Advice to her younger self 57:33 What she hopes you take away, and her BBC debut FIND HOLLY YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and podcast: The Scouse Scientist FIND THE HUMAN ELEMENT Instagram: @the_humanelementpodcast YouTube: @Thehumanelementwithjoe If this one made you think, share it with someone who'd have an opinion on the "do you want to know?" question.

  2. Oct 3

    #27 - Dr Julia Troche: Time Capsule to Ancient Egypt

    Send us Fan Mail The ancient Egyptians believed you die twice. The first death is when your body goes into the grave. The second is the last time anyone says your name. In this episode, I sit down with Egyptologist Professor Julia Troche to time-travel 3,000 years back to the foot of an Egyptian temple, and to ask what a civilization obsessed with being remembered can teach us about how we live now. We cover: - What you'd see, hear and smell as an ordinary ancient Egyptian - Why we're closer in time to Cleopatra than she was to the pyramid builders - The real Imhotep: architect, sage, and eventually a god of medicine - How (and how rarely) humans became gods in ancient Egypt - The God's Wife of Amun, one of the most powerful roles for women in Egypt - Who actually built the pyramids, and the trash pit that revealed how workers lived - Pilgrim grooves: why people carved away pieces of temple walls - And yes, did aliens build the pyramids? THE GOLDEN THREAD You live on through being useful to others and through the words and memories you leave behind. Be useful while you're alive, and your name outlasts your body. TIMESTAMPS 01:47 Time capsule to ancient Egypt 16:20 Closer to Cleopatra than the pyramids 26:16 "You die twice" 30:19 Who was Imhotep? 59:52 The God's Wife of Amun 01:09:14 How Egyptian society really worked 01:14:34 Pilgrim grooves 01:29:40 Did aliens build the pyramids? ABOUT OUR GUEST Professor Julia Troche is a full professor of history at Missouri State University, author of "Death, Power, and Apotheosis in Ancient Egypt" (Cornell University Press), and co-founder of the Missouri chapter of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE). Find Julia: Instagram (Professor Julia Troche), LinkedIn, and arcemissouri.org The Human Element explores ancient wisdom and historical figures, examined philosophically, for modern life. Follow the show and leave a rating to help more people find it. Instagram: @the_humanelementpodcast YouTube: @Thehumanelementwithjoe

  3. Sep 17

    #26 - Tim Doyle: Rebranding Your Identity, Faith, and the Discipline of Sitting With Pain

    Send us Fan Mail For 100 episodes, this show was called The Outworker. In this episode, host Tim Doyle explains why he changed the name to Soulture and why the hardest part of any transformation isn't finding a new name, it's staying with a decision long enough to earn it. Tim and I dig into what it actually means to rebrand yourself not as a business tactic, but as something that happens when the old identity stops fitting who you've become. From there, the conversation moves into deeper territory: the difference between intuition and fear, why "starting ugly" matters more than starting polished, and how Tim's seven months of debilitating chronic back pain became, in his words, the best and worst period of his life. They talk about the modern instinct to numb discomfort rather than sit with it, why creation has to outweigh consumption, and how a single line recited at Catholic mass "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed" became the moment everything shifted for him. This is a conversation about pain with a purpose, faith without pretense, and why the most memorable thing you'll ever create is the story you lived through, not the content you made about it. Guest: Tim Doyle, host of Soulture (formerly The Outworker) — Instagram: @Tim.doyle | Listen to Soulture on all streaming platforms.

  4. Sep 3

    #25 - Dr Erica Canela: The Radical Origins of the Quakers: A 17th Century Revolution

    Send us Fan Mail England, the 1650s. A country torn apart by civil war, and into that chaos steps a movement that shouldn't have survived its first decade, let alone three centuries.  Historian Dr. Erica Canela joins me to unpack the real story of early Quakerism: not the quiet, sober image most people know, but a radical, apocalyptic, confrontational movement. We trace George Fox's spiritual awakening, Margaret Fell's role as the organizing force behind the movement, and the astonishing endurance of figures like Humphrey Smith, who held to his faith through imprisonment.  This is a Golden Thread episode about conviction, what it costs to believe something the world isn't ready for.  Guest: Dr. Erica Canela, author of Zealous: A Darker Side of the Early Quakers  Topics covered:  What "zealous" really meant to early Quakers1650s England and the apocalyptic mindset behind Quaker growthGeorge Fox's spiritual journey and Margaret Fell's organizing roleConfrontational tactics and pamphlet wars with Richard BaxterHumphrey Smith's imprisonment and unwavering faithThe shift from radicalism to the Peace Testimony and pacifism Chapters:  00:00 Introduction and guest introduction  03:46 What does 'zealous' mean in the context of early Quakers?  05:37 Why study the Quakers? Their significance in history  07:03 The environment of chaos in 1650s England  09:25 The urgency and apocalyptic mindset of early Quakers  12:01 The growth and radicalization of Quaker beliefs  16:24 The social and political context of the English Civil War  24:47 The survival and resilience of early Quakers  43:11 George Fox's background and spiritual awakening  54:43 The role of Margaret Fell in Quaker history   Resources: 📖 Zealous: A Darker Side of the Early Quakers by Erica Canela — https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Zealous+Erica+Canela 🔗 The Civil Wars of the Three Kingdoms (Wikipedia) — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Civil_War Connect with Erica Canela: Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/ericonella

  5. Aug 26

    #25: Darcy ThePastTimes - How Chaos and Charisma Built Adolf Hitler

    Send us Fan Mail   How did an aspiring artist from Austria transform into the architect of history’s most brutal regime? In this episode, I sit down with guest Darcy Lee of ThePastTimes to break down the psychological, social, and political mechanics behind the rise of Adolf Hitler. Together, they trace Hitler’s journey from his middle-class childhood and military service in World War I to the political chaos of Weimar Germany. They explore how public anxiety, scapegoating, and Joseph Goebbels’ propaganda machine weaponized charisma to dismantle democracy from within—offering crucial lessons on ego, public awareness, and critical thinking for the modern world. In This Episode, We Cover: Early Roots & Turning Points: Hitler’s upbringing, artistic rejections, and how WWI shaped his radical nationalist views.The Mechanics of Propaganda: How speeches, symbols, media manipulation, and Goebbels crafted a religious cult of personality.Psychology of Tyranny: Scapegoating, follower psychology, personal dynamics, and the erosion of democratic norms.Historical Lessons: The vital role of critical thinking and vigilance in safeguarding modern democracy.Timestamps & Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Adolf Hitler's Early Life02:54 – Understanding Family Dynamics06:03 – Education & Artistic Aspirations09:05 – Rejection, Homelessness, & WWI Turning Point15:04 – Military Experience & Nationalism32:22 – Post-WWI Political & Economic Chaos39:30 – Political Awakening & Early Strategy44:04 – The Orator: Rise to Power50:17 – Media Manipulation & Goebbels' Propaganda01:04:11 – The Erosion of Democracy01:13:29 – Cult of Hitler & Religious Zealotry01:21:44 – Modern Relevance & Holocaust Denial01:30:54 – Key Lessons from HistoryResources Mentioned: Treaty of Versailles BackgroundThe Weimar Republic HistoryHeinrich Hoffmann PhotographyConnect with Darcy: Instagram: instagram.com/thepastimes

  6. Aug 19

    #24 - Kelsy Luengen: Nudge Theory - The Nice Way to Manipulate Someone

    Send us Fan Mail   We like to think our choices are our own. Kelsey Luengen — a security influence and behavior change specialist with a background in criminology — says otherwise.  In this conversation, Kelsey breaks down nudge theory: the science of shaping decisions not through persuasion, but through environment. Put candy on the counter and fruit in the cupboard, and you already know which one gets eaten. It's not lying, it's not coercion — it's architecture. And once you see it, you can't unsee how often it's being used on you.  We get into:  The line between a "nudge" and outright manipulationWhy men and women respond to different psychological levers — and how Kelsey uses that as her "superpower"Why dating apps have broken our attention span (and our standards)The eye-tracking study that reveals why we spot obvious scams but miss sophisticated onesWhy a 10-minute in-person conversation changes behavior more than a full day of online trainingThe uncomfortable truth about why we crave being seen more than being heard This one turns into a genuine audit of modern life — dating, work, social media, attention — through the lens of someone who studies human behavior for a living. You'll walk away noticing the nudges everywhere.

  7. Aug 12

    #23 - Dr. Nicholas Morton: Why NO ONE Could Stop Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with renowned military historian and author Dr. Nicholas Morton to dissect the rise, military machine, and legacy of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire. From Temujin’s horrific early life and torture to the psychological warfare, decimal military structure, and mobile wagon cities that swept across Eurasia, Dr. Morton breaks down how a nomadic civilization reshaped global history. We also explore religious tolerance, siege technology transfer, and the pivotal battle that finally halted their expansion. --- ### ⏱️ CHAPTERS * **00:00** – Introduction & Welcome * **00:38** – The Fear of Nomadic Invasions in Eurasian History * **01:55** – Templars, Samurai, & Mamluks vs. The Mongol Machine * **03:27** – Why Nomadic Life Produced Superior Warriors * **04:59** – Who Was Temujin? The Origin Story of Genghis Khan * **06:34** – From Traumatized Captive to Chinggis Khan * **07:04** – How Environment and Context Shape Great Leaders * **09:59** – How Genghis Khan Centralized Power Among Rivals * **11:35** – "Submit or Die": Mongol Diplomatic Policy & Tengri * **13:51** – Brutal Methods of Assimilation & Control * **15:15** – The Decimal Military System & Forced Loyalty * **16:54** – Adopting Foreign Tech: Siege Warfare & Gunpowder * **20:00** – Meritocracy & Religious Tolerance Under Mongol Rule * **22:56** – Research Institutes, Alchemy, & Trigonometry (Maragheh) * **24:42** – Dispelling the "Barbarian Horde" Myth: Keshek & Ulu * **27:55** – The Fast Horse Courier System (Yam Logistics) * **32:50** – Rolling Wagon Cities & Nomadic Imperial Culture * **38:34** – Why Nomadic Societies Survive Post-Apocalyptic Chaos * **42:18** – The Geopolitical Map Before the Invasion * **46:26** – The Execution of Traders & The Fall of Otrar * **51:03** – The Mamluks, Ain Jalut, & Stopping the Mongol Conquest * **55:16** – Where to Find Dr. Nicholas Morton & His Books --- ### 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED * *The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East* by Nicholas Morton * *The Crusader Storm* by Nicholas Morton --- ### 🔗 CONNECT WITH DR. NICHOLAS MORTON * **YouTube:** @medievalNearEast * **Socials:** Search "Nicholas Morton" on X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, BlueSky, and LinkedIn

  8. Jul 30

    #22 - Mihaela Threads of Time: The Dark True Story of Vlad Dracula (Beyond the Legend)

    Send us Fan Mail Many people are introduced to Vlad Dracula through Bram Stoker's novel 'Dracula'.  But who was the real Dracula behind the myth we know so well?  Beyond gothic fiction and vampire folklore lies the complex 15th-century history of Vlad III, commonly known as Vlad Dracula or Vlad the Impaler. In this episode, I speak with Romanian history expert Mihaela of Threadsoftime to unpack the life and political reality of Wallachia’s most famous ruler. Together, we discuss Vlad’s childhood as a political hostage in the Ottoman court alongside his brother Radu, his rise to power as Voivod, the severe methods he used to consolidate control against rival nobility, and how early printing press pamphlets helped shape his historical legacy. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro and common misconceptions about Dracula01:32 – Name origins: Vlad Tepes, Dracul, and the Order of the Dragon03:00 – Understanding the role of a Voivod04:11 – Wallachia’s geopolitical position between Hungary and the Ottomans09:32 – Life as noble hostages in the Ottoman court13:24 – Comparing the brothers: Vlad vs. Radu the Handsome17:15 – Vlad’s initial return to power in his late teens26:27 – The Battle of the Vlads and taking the throne28:41 – The Easter Feast, impalement, and political deterrence34:00 – Rebuilding Poenari Fortress and handling the boyar class37:06 – The "Bonfire of the Beggars" and the role of Saxon propagandaLinks & Resources: Subscribe for future historical deep dives and podcast episodes.Comments and constructive discussions are always welcome below.

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The Human Element is an investigation into the patterns of our past and the potential of our future. From the ruins of Ancient Egypt to the cutting edge of CRISPR and the minds of elite performers—we interview world-class experts to uncover the "Golden Threads" that connect us all. 

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