The Curiosity of!?

A podcast about history, science, tales and everything in between. A father and son, aged 13, discuss things they are curious about from science and history to monsters and games. We look at the quirky and unusual from around the world as well as seeking out local history, events and characters. We keep it friendly and embrace what we discover - the world is an amazing, curious place.

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Episodes

Friday Feb 11, 2022

Pepper, king of the spices. Found in every kitchen and on every restaurant table pepper is a spice that’s ‘just there’. Today we take this spice for granted but this wasn’t always the case as great European powers fought over it’s control wanting to monopolise the trade and the wealth it brought. The Portuguese, Dutch and British sent countless sailors and soldiers on voyages to the mystical east. But they weren’t only there to trade and soon conflict and brutality would stain the history of pepper. We tell this story, taste some of the finest peppercorns available, test Roman and Greek medical recipes and explore how today pepper is being rediscovered as a power medicine.
Full show notes: https://thecuriosityofachild.com/episodes/king-of-spices-the-potent-power-of-pepper

Thursday Dec 23, 2021

We are honoured to be joined by Greg Wah, science communicator from Australia and co-host of the excellent Smart Enough to Know Better podcast. We discuss the size of the universe and how the JWST is going to help us look back further than ever, iconic images from Hubble, the beauty and importance of science and more.
Podcast: https://smartenough.org/
Greg on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thewah
SE2KB on Twitter: https://twitter.com/se2kb
Show notes: https://thecuriosityofachild.com/episodes/interview-greg-wah-science-communicator-and-podcaster

Wednesday Dec 22, 2021

Keeping with our space theme we chat to Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy about how he captures his incredible images, space travel, aliens and more. You have to check out Andrew’s photos, they’re mind-blowing. He definitely has an eye for creating something beautiful but it’s backed up by a sound scientific knowledge and genuine love for the wonders of space.
Follow Andrew: Twitter, Instagram, website store
Show notes: https://thecuriosityofachild.com/episodes/interview-andrew-mccarthy-astrophotographer

Thursday Dec 16, 2021

History remembers many great men but it forgets far more. Warren De la Rue, born 1815, was an engineer and scientist who pioneered astral photography. From designing and operating the photoheliograph – the first instrument created specifically for photographing celestial bodies – to improving chemical processes to decrease exposure times De la Rue was a true innovator. Working alongside some of the greatest names of the age he helped advance not just astronomy but many fields of research through hard work, dedication, intelligence and generosity. Warren De la Rue should be better known today and, with the launch of the James Webb telescope, what better time than now to remember him.Oh, he also has an incredible invention - a very bight idea! 😉
Show notes: https://thecuriosityofachild.com/episodes/warren-de-la-rue-the-man-who-looked-at-the-sun-scientist-engineer-eclipse

Wednesday Nov 10, 2021

We go ghost hunting in a Neolithic passage grave, taking with us an infrared robot, an EMF metre and recording equipment for EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon). Do we capture anything? Does anything capture us!?
Belief in ghosts and spirits is a worldwide phenomenon, it crosses cultures and ages. You’d expect modern science to taper these ideas, but surveys show over half of Americans still believe. We look at some of the theories, from stone tapes to infrasound, as we try to understand what is really going on. But reading books and articles will only get us so far, we need to seek answers ourselves with a series of ghost hunts at ancient locations.
Show notes: https://thecuriosityofachild.com/episodes/ghost-hunters-of-the-neolithic

Saturday Oct 23, 2021

Halloween is drawing near and the spirits are stirring so what better time than now to chat with Tim Brown from the Paranormal Intelligence Gathering Service (PIGS). Anton and I really enjoyed talking to Tim as he explained how PIGS conduct their research, what findings they’ve discovered and the use of EVP in some of the unique locations Guernsey offers for those seeking contact with the deceased.
Far from believing every story he hears, Tim wants to find and understand exactly what people are experiencing – is it infrasound, simply being in a heightened state or a haunting spirit? Join us this episode as we learn more. Will we be ready for our ghost hunting trip next episode?
For more information on the PIGS visit their website.
Show notes: https://thecuriosityofachild.com/episodes/interview-with-tim-brown-from-the-paranormal-intelligence-gathering-service

Thursday Oct 21, 2021

We were invited to chat to our local BBC radio station and they very kindly gave us permission to reproduce the show. If you’re curious how the podcast begun and what Anton’s favourite topic has been (I can’t believe he said it live on air, on the BBC!!) then have a listen! It was great fun and we’re so pleased they invited us on, thank you BBC Guernsey.
Find out more about our podcast: https://thecuriosityofachild.com/

Thursday Sep 30, 2021

This episode marks our two year anniversary and we celebrate in style!
I recreate the 1858 Great Stink of London, a terrible smell caused by an overburdened sewerage system and unresponsive government. Cholera filled the streets killing thousands - bad air or miasma was thought to be the cause. The city needed a hero...Anton then tells of modern day pollution - plastic dumped into the world’s oceans where it kills wildlife. One of the worst affected areas is the small atoll of Midway where the Albatross population is under threat.
Show notes: https://thecuriosityofachild.com/episodes/miasma-a-london-stink-and-plastic-pollution

Saturday Aug 14, 2021

What is perception? How do we see the world? How do our senses trick and lie to us? Through a series of simple experiments you can try at home we look at all these questions. We then delve deeper into our perception and understanding of the world around us. Most people perceive themselves as above average, can’t take on new ideas and misremember events. Being aware of this will help us all understand the world and each other with deeper respect.
Show notes: https://thecuriosityofachild.com/episodes/perception-how-we-see-the-world

Friday Jun 04, 2021

We are honoured to be joined by the very charming George McGavin. One of the leading entomologists he taught at the University of Oxford before embarking on TV career that has taken him deep into the jungles of Guyana, New Guinea and more. Always lively and passionate George is full of stories of his adventures and the importance of understanding our position in, and the protection of, our fragile environment. We had an amazing time talking with George and hope you’ll enjoy the interview as much as we did!
Show notes: https://thecuriosityofachild.com/episodes/we-chat-with-entomologist-george-mcgavin
Cover photo: Lois Wendon

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