Elemental Conversations | People, Society & Life

Elemental Conversations
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Co-hosts Dr Alexis Willett (science writer) and Richard Purnell (comms expert) take a leisurely look at human life in this ever more complex world - from behaviour to politics, culture to science - through the lens of the four classical elements; water, earth, air and fire. In this first series about water, they explore everything from the pleasures of spa towns and the humble bath, through to power grabs in the Middle East, hovercrafts and murder mysteries. If you want a fresh way of looking at the world, without the usual predictable points of view, Elemental Conversations is for you.

Episodes

  1. Jan 15

    Flood: The Threats To, and From, Water

    As the Earth experiences increasingly volatile weather events, will extreme water-related effects, like flood or drought, accelerate the end of civilisation as we know it? Alexis and Richard round the series off with a look at the watery challenges facing us, and potential solutions, before reflecting back on what we've learned over the last eight episodes. Presenters: Dr Alexis Willett and Richard Purnell Music: Chelsea Hare

    49 min

  2. Jan 7

    Saturate: When Water is Work

    Fishing, shipping, diving and hovering - this episode has it all. While most of us busy ourselves without a thought to what's happening out at sea, thousands are working miles from land and doing some of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Presenters: Richard Purnell and Dr Alexis Willett Music: Chelsea Hare

    54 min

  3. 12/17/2025

    Cleanse: The Symbolism of Water

    Richard and Alexis explore the Cosmic Ocean, River Styx and Well of Urd, amongst other aquatic locations, as they discuss water in religion, spiritual beliefs and folklore. Did gods have their particular powers assigned by a committee? Just how far can we interact with Princess Di’s memorial? And what is Richard’s star sign?Presenters: Richard Purnell and Dr Alexis Willett Music: Chelsea Hare

    49 min

  4. 12/10/2025

    Navigate: The Politics and Power of Water

    Water is never far from politics and its control is often central to power plays and conflict. Richard and Alexis discuss watery dodgy dealings and poor planning decisions around the world and how these affect populations and compound inequality.

    50 min

  5. 12/03/2025

    Splash: The Pleasure of Water

    Water plays a big role in many of our pleasurable experiences in life, whether relaxing in the bath, swimming as an escape from everyday worries or larking about on a boat. Alexis and Richard argue over the merits of baths versus showers, consider water's sensory powers and ride on a rap tide.

    47 min

  6. 11/26/2025

    Submerge: The Dangers of Water

    Literature is awash with physical and metaphorical nods to water as a way of conveying peril and foreboding. So what better way to explore the dangers of water than taking a deep dive into three classic novels?! Alexis and Richard chat about Robinson Crusoe, The Talented Mr Ripley and Towards Zero, and meander into other watery topics along the way. Presented by Dr Alexis Willett and Richard Purnell Music by Chelsea Hare

    44 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    Life: How Water Has Shaped How We Live

    From access to fresh water and a beautiful view to the perils of flood and drought, water is a critical factor in why we live where we live, as well as how we live. In this episode, Richard and Alexis think about our relationship with water and how this has evolved ever since we dragged ourselves from the primordial soup, through the development of the Roman Empire and the Industrial Revolution to the modern Olympic Games. What does this all mean for population displacement, urban developments, water scarcity and house prices?  Presented by: Alexis Willett and Richard PurnellMusic: Chelsea Hare

    42 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    Hydrate: The Water We Drink

    A look at water as something we consume. We all need to drink water to stay alive, but is what's on offer what we really need? Is bottled water better than what comes out of the tap, and how much are we willing to pay for added extras in the pursuit of health benefits? Richard and Alexis explore the origins of the bottled water industry, how it is so profitable, and why it has long been a symbol of our values and status. Presented by: Alexis Willett and Richard Purnell Music by: Tom Hollingworth

    51 min

  9. 11/10/2025

    Introducing Elemental Conversations

    With the world becoming ever more complex, comms pro Richard Purnell and science writer Dr Alexis Willett take a leisurely look at how humans are getting on, through the lens of the four classical elements; water, earth, air and fire. In this first series about water, they explore everything from the pleasures of spa towns and the humble bath, through to power grabs in the Middle East, hovercrafts and murder mysteries.  If you want a fresh way of looking at the world, without the usual predictable points of view, Elemental Conversations is for you. Richard, with a background variously in marketing, writing and poetry, takes a more cultural perspective, while Alexis, with a PhD in biomedical science and long experience of analytical thinking, applies a more scientific lens. Both contribute a smattering of guesswork, idiocy and ignorance. Music by Chelsea Hare

    1 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Co-hosts Dr Alexis Willett (science writer) and Richard Purnell (comms expert) take a leisurely look at human life in this ever more complex world - from behaviour to politics, culture to science - through the lens of the four classical elements; water, earth, air and fire. In this first series about water, they explore everything from the pleasures of spa towns and the humble bath, through to power grabs in the Middle East, hovercrafts and murder mysteries. If you want a fresh way of looking at the world, without the usual predictable points of view, Elemental Conversations is for you.

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