Paris meets a disabled BTS super fan who finds community and connection with fellow fans and a My Little Pony bro who explains what happened when the right wing infiltrated their fandom. Speaking to clinical psychologist Dr Lynn Zubermis, Paris looks at how our passions for things can enrich our lives. Are only certain people able to become hardcore fans? Presented and Written by Paris Lees Produced by Sarah Myles Assistant Producer Hannah Uguru Sound Designed and mixed by Mau Loseto Production Manager Emily Jarvis Executive Producer Rubina Pabani

We hear the story of a man whose celebrity friend break up ruined his Hollywood career and another of a Drag Queen who stopped drinking and stepped away from friends that weren’t good for them. Dr Mariso G. Franco talks to Paris about the connections we form with other people and how that affects our health, our motivation and our sense of self. Presented and Written by Paris Lees Produced by Sarah Myles Assistant Producer Hannah Uguru Sound Designed and mixed by Mau Loseto Production Manager Emily Jarvis Executive Producer Rubina Pabani

Paris talks to YouTuber Contrapoints about the envy she felt for her as a fellow trans woman in the public eye and we meet someone in a polyamorous relationship who explains how to not feel envious of your partner's other partners. With the help of psychotherapist Rahim Thawer, Paris looks at what makes us envious, how we can recognise it in ourselves and what deeper meaning it reveals about what we want. Why do people feel envious and what is envy telling me about myself? Presented and Written by Paris Lees Produced by Sarah Myles Assistant Producer Hannah Uguru Sound Designed and mixed by Mau Loseto Production Manager Emily Jarvis Executive Producer Rubina Pabani

Paris meets someone using dating apps to procrastinate and speaks to Dr Anastasia Dedyukhina who gave up their smartphone to be more present in their own life. Dr Pragya Agarwal talks to Paris about procrastination being a form of unconscious bias and explores what it’s like to live with ADHD. Can avoiding the task at hand, ever lead to something good? Presented and Written by Paris Lees Produced by Sarah Myles Assistant Producer Hannah Uguru Sound Designed and mixed by Mau Loseto Production Manager Emily Jarvis Executive Producer Rubina Pabani

From an African American who moved to Taiwan and felt more aware of her race to a man who found Animal Crossing to be the perfect world to test out his interest in gender fluidity, Paris asks where we see our race and our sexual identity differently when our surrounding demographics change. Organisational psychologist Hajo Adam helps us to understand what impact our surroundings have on our decision making, creativity and identity. If we change our surroundings, is this a quick fix to changing who we are? Presented and Written by Paris Lees Produced by Sarah Myles Assistant Producer Hannah Uguru Sound Designed and mixed by Mau Loseto Production Manager Emily Jarvis Executive Producer Rubina Pabani

Paris speaks to a hostage negotiator who shares key takeaways from her role and a woman who was persuaded to join a multi-level marketing scheme where she started to phone people up to persuade them to sign up. Our expert is Dr. Alice Pailhes who looks at the psychology of illusory mind control, she can also do a few card tricks! Together they’ll look at exactly what makes some of us more easily persuaded than others. Presented and Written by Paris Lees Produced by Sarah Myles Assistant Producer Hannah Uguru Sound Designed and mixed by Mau Loseto Production Manager Emily Jarvis Executive Producer Rubina Pabani

Being lied to and being encouraged to lie are stories explored in this episode, with a woman who was led down a garden path by a man and a political activist who stood up against corruption and lies. Professor of neuroscience Tali Sahrot helps Paris look at the lies we tell about ourselves on the internet and what they reveal about who we really are. Does lying destroy our trust in each other or can it be used to bind us closer? Presented and Written by Paris Lees Produced by Sarah Myles Assistant Producer Hannah Uguru Sound Designed and mixed by Mau Loseto Production Manager Emily Jarvis Executive Producer Rubina Pabani

From the climate activism of George Monbiot who believes the media does more harm than good to C4 News reporter Minnie Stephenson who thinks sometimes we all just need to watch a cat video. Paris Lees looks at why we’re able to switch off when it comes to issues facing our planet. With the help of clinical psychologist Dr Mary E. McNaughton, she looks at strategies to cope with stress caused by the constant barrage of content. We try to understand, how can we switch off from doom scrolling the news whilst also staying informed? Presented and Written by Paris Lees Produced by Sarah Myles Assistant Producer Hannah Uguru Sound Designed and mixed by Mau Loseto Production Manager Emily Jarvis Executive Producer Rubina Pabani

Hosted by Paris Lees, this science and storytelling podcast hears two stories from opposite sides of the coin and uses science to ask questions about elements of the human experience we take for granted. From why we lie or why we procrastinate, to the art of persuasion and why humans have to sometimes switch off from the news. With international stories explored through social science, Paris Lees reflects on what makes us human.

Could you be radicalised? Paris Lees talks to a former yoga enthusiast who realised her community was a little too cult-ish for her liking, and a football fan who would go to extremes to see his team win the league. In this episode, we speak to cognitive scientist Dr. Nafees Hamid about sacred values and what happens when we prioritise a group’s wellbeing over our own. The Flipside is hosted by Paris Lees, and written by Hannah Varrall and Paris Lees. The Assistant Producer is Lucy Evans, The Production Manager is Emily Jarvis. Audio engineering is by Chris Carter and Nick Webb and it is mixed by Mau Loseto It’s produced by Hannah Varrall and the Executive Producer is Rubina Pabani It’s made by ITN Productions for BBC Radio 4

Should we think more like teens? From a 16-year-old CEO to a climate activist to a rebellious, teenage Paris Lees, we examine impulsivity and bad decisions. Dr. Frances Jensen speaks to Paris Lees about synaptic plasticity in a teenager’s brain during this active social phase, and why these formative years are key to establishing the adults we become. The Flipside is hosted by Paris Lees, and written by Hannah Varrall and Paris Lees. The Assistant Producer is Lucy Evans, The Production Manager is Emily Jarvis. Audio engineering is by Chris Carter and Nick Webb and it is mixed by Mau Loseto It’s produced by Hannah Varrall and the Executive Producer is Rubina Pabani It’s made by ITN Productions for BBC Radio 4

When do our bad habits become a problem? Paris speaks to an ex-drug and alcohol addict and a gaming addict both of whom slipped into unhealthy patterns of behaviour. One found professional help and a new focus, the other learnt his limits. Doctor Henrietta Bowden-Jones shares her research into behavioural addictions such as gambling and gaming. The Flipside is hosted by Paris Lees, and written by Hannah Varrall and Paris Lees. The Assistant Producer is Lucy Evans, The Production Manager is Emily Jarvis. Audio engineering is by Chris Carter and Nick Webb and it is mixed by Mau Loseto It’s produced by Hannah Varrall and the Executive Producer is Rubina Pabani It’s made by ITN Productions for BBC Radio 4

What makes someone family? Paris speaks to a woman who found out her father wasn't exactly her father and another woman who will probably never even meet her offspring. Dr Rachel Farr shares her research into children born into diverse families, specifically those born with LGBTQ+ parents. Hosted by Paris Lees. Written by Hannah Varrall and Paris Lees. Assistant Producer: Lucy Evans Production Manager: Emily Jarvis Audio Engineers: Chris Carter and Nick Webb Mixed by Mau Loseto Producer: Hannah Varrall Executive Producer: Rubina Pabani An ITN production for BBC Radio 4

We hear stories from a Palestinian whose young daughter was killed by an Israeli soldier, and an Australian who killed a man in a car accident after a night of partying. Paris asks them questions about how they can forgive others and themselves. The Flipside is hosted by Paris Lees, and written by Hannah Varrall and Paris Lees. The Assistant Producer is Lucy Evans, The Production Manager is Emily Jarvis. Audio engineering is by Chris Carter and Nick Webb and it is mixed by Mau Loseto. It’s produced by Hannah Varrall and the Executive Producer is Rubina Pabani. It’s made by ITN Productions for BBC Radio 4.

Are we obsessed with sex? Paris meets a female incel (involuntary celibate) and a woman who’s deep in the swinger lifestyle, and asks questions about what our intimate relationships with other people, tell us about ourselves. Professor Lisa Wade shares her findings from her studies into hookup culture on college campuses. The Flipside is hosted by Paris Lees, and written by Hannah Varrall and Paris Lees. The Assistant Producer is Lucy Evans, The Production Manager is Emily Jarvis. Audio engineering is by Chris Carter and Nick Webb and it is mixed by Mau Loseto It’s produced by Hannah Varrall and the Executive Producer is Rubina Pabani It’s made by ITN Productions for BBC Radio 4

Can speaking in another language change who we are? Paris speaks to a YouTuber who found herself going through therapy in her second language and a woman who lost her mother tongue after crossing the US border. Assistant professor and bilingual Sayuri Hayakawa explores how speaking a second language can affect how we think and behave. The Flipside is hosted by Paris Lees, and written by Hannah Varrall and Paris Lees. The Assistant Producer is Lucy Evans, The Production Manager is Emily Jarvis. Audio engineering is by Chris Carter and Nick Webb and it is mixed by Mau Loseto It’s produced by Hannah Varrall and the Executive Producer is Rubina Pabani It’s made by ITN Productions for BBC Radio 4

Is happiness a choice? Paris speaks to a Bhutanese travel blogger about why Bhutan values happiness higher than GDP and a Syrian cheese-maker who was forced to flee his home country in a traumatic way. Bruce Hood, who runs the Science of Happiness course at Bristol University, tells us what he knows about happiness. The Flipside is hosted by Paris Lees, and written by Hannah Varrall and Paris Lees. The Assistant Producer is Lucy Evans, The Production Manager is Emily Jarvis. Audio engineering is by Chris Carter and Nick Webb and it is mixed by Mau Loseto It’s produced by Hannah Varrall and the Executive Producer is Rubina Pabani It’s made by ITN Productions for BBC Radio 4

This science and storytelling podcast looks at two very different human experiences, as told by the people who lived them. Using social science, we find threads that tie the opposing stories together, and uncover bigger questions about the ways we behave. Journalist Paris Lees hosts the podcast with warmth and intimacy, encouraging the guests to share their stories while also being open with her own history and anecdotes. Immersive sound design brings us deeper into the stories and the science, which we weave together to reflect on why we are the way we are.