Best Pretty Penny Podcasts (2026)

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Are there any buttons left for Penny Hardaway to push with these Tigers? 1:15:08

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8h ago1:15:08

1:15:08

Memphis basketball was knocked off its perch, tied atop the American Conference standings, in deflating fashion Jan. 11. That's when the Tigers were beaten handily by FAU, sending some fans' emotions into a tailspin. Not necessarily because the team lost one game. But largely because the same issues that plagued the team in ugly losses to UNLV and …

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Why does America want Greenland?; Mystery of dark DNA; Ozempic weight rebound 31:18

5d ago31:18

31:18

Episode 340 Acquiring Greenland has been deemed a national security priority by America. President Trump wants to use the country to deter adversaries in the Arctic, have control over its rare minerals and oil - and maybe even build experimental cities. But with the challenges of a changing climate, difficulty actually extracting any natural resour…

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How meaningful is rest of regular season for Memphis? 1:39:04

6h ago1:39:04

1:39:04

The Tigers are 2-0 in American Conference play, which is good enough for a first-place tie with Tulane and Temple. It's an encouraging start for Penny Hardaway's team, especially considering how shaky some other teams' starts were. But how much does the next nine weeks matter in the grand scheme of things for the Tigers, all things considered? On t…

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17. Why Most Brands Fail at Retail Partnerships (And How to Get It Right) 10:41

17h ago10:41

10:41

Welcome to a new year and a new level of strategic focus. In this episode of The Retail Edit, former Fortune 50 buyer Kristin Engen pulls back the curtain on what actually matters to retail buyers and why dilution is the fastest way to stall your growth. After 15 years managing a $4B retail portfolio and now advising brands at the highest level, Kr…

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Humans are finally heading back to the moon; Cheaper weight loss drugs are coming; Milestone for LSD trials; Promise of new carbon tax 32:30

12d ago32:30

32:30

Episode 339 Humans are finally going back to the moon. NASA’s Artemis II mission is set to launch in April, taking four astronauts in a loop around the moon. If it goes well, it’ll set the stage for a lunar landing by Artemis III - bringing us closer to creating permanent settlements on the surface. And that’s not all - SpaceX is planning to visit …

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16. The Power of Mentorship: How Successful Founders Fast-Track Retail Growth 12:18

15d ago12:18

12:18

As we stand on the edge of 2026, it’s time to talk about the decisions that actually determine whether your brand stays stuck… or steps confidently into retail readiness. This week, Kristin pulls back the curtain on where founders should really be investing their time, energy, and money especially if retail is part of the plan. From foundational pr…

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Best science TV, film and books of 2025 | The New Scientist culture review 24:03

19d ago24:03

24:03

Episode 336 Looking for something great to read or watch on TV over the festive period? We’ve got you covered. In a special edition of the podcast, we share our favourite books, TV and films of 2025 - for those moments when you need a break from the festivities. From pure science fiction to books exploring climate change and the history of our earl…

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15. Retail Readiness for 2026: How to Position Your Brand for Long-Term Growth 11:13

14d ago11:13

11:13

As we wrap up 2025 and step into a brand-new year, this special Festivus episode is your permission slip to exhale, reset, and remember that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be in your business journey. After 21 years in retail and 15 of them as a Costco and Amazon buyer making make-or-break decisions for hundreds of brands—Kristin is pulli…

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Top Science Stories of 2025 | The New Scientist Features Special 59:57

26d ago59:57

59:57

Episode 337 As we reach the end of the year, catch up on some of New Scientist’s most exciting and thought-provoking features of the past twelve months. For decades we’ve got autism in girls all wrong. Symptoms present quite differently in girls to boys, meaning they often go undiagnosed. So why have we failed to see the differences - and why are g…

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Special edition: New Memphis football coach arrives in 'Huff City' 52:28

28d ago52:28

52:28

Memphis football has officially ushered in the Charles Huff era. The Tigers' new football coach was introduced Dec. 10, when he made clear, "it's time to win a championship." Anything less is a goal unreached. On this special football edition of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, Jonah Dylan and Jason Munz put a bow Ryan Silverfield's somewhat complicat…

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Why the Louisville loss might be a one-off and why it may not be 1:09:33

28d ago1:09:33

1:09:33

The Memphis Tigers, nine games into the season, are still searching for a signature win. Maybe they'll get it against No. 12 Vanderbilt on Dec. 17. If so, it could prove that the issues from the monster loss at No. 11 Louisville are correctable. Will Penny Hardaway's team bounce back and get that marquee victory it needs in a bad way? On this week'…

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14. The Ultimate SMS Strategy for eCommerce Brands Wanting More Sales 11:25

26d ago11:25

11:25

SMS marketing isn’t just “nice to have” anymore. It’s one of the fastest ways to boost engagement, drive conversions, and keep your brand top of mind… especially during the chaos of December. In today’s punchy, power-packed episode, Kristin breaks down exactly how to send texts your customers will actually respond to—not roll their eyes at. From st…

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Orcas and dolphins are now hunting together; Genetic root of psychiatric conditions; Black hole stars and cosmic ecology 33:02

1M ago33:02

33:02

Episode 336 In an unlikely turn of events, orcas and dolphins have been observed teaming up - to hunt and kill massive chinook salmon in the pacific. Given that orcas sometimes prey on dolphins, what’s going on? Despite the promising signs of cooperation between these two species, there may be something less heartwarming at play. We dig into the fi…

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Memphis and Louisville should play regularly no matter what 1:36:22

1M ago1:36:22

1:36:22

The storied Memphis-Louisville basketball rivalry resumes Dec. 13, 2025, after an eight-year hiatus. And, for that, we are thankful. In fact, we should never again be left to wonder when the next time the Tigers and Cardinals will play. They should square off regularly no matter what. In this case, the upcoming meeting at the KFC Yum! Center is the…

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13. How to Use Email Marketing to Grow Your DTC Brand (Without Being Salesy) 14:23

1M ago14:23

14:23

If you’ve been dragging your feet on email marketing because it feels overwhelming, complicated, or “just one more thing” on your plate… this episode is your permission slip to finally simplify it and make email your brand’s most powerful community-building tool. Inspired by the unexpected art of pantomimes (yes, really!), Kristin breaks down the t…

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How exercise shrinks tumours and starves cancer; Weird molecules found on comet 3I/ATLAS; Einstein v Bohr on the nature of light 25:25

1M ago25:25

25:25

Episode 335 Exercise has been shown to shrink tumours by 60 per cent. A new study shows another link between regular exercise and cancer prevention, this time revealing that muscle cells may outcompete cancer cells for energy - basically starving them. We explore the links between metabolism and glucose - with the caveat that so far this has only b…

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Is Hasan Abdul Hakim the missing ingredient for Memphis? 1:06:53

1M ago1:06:53

1:06:53

Penny Hardaway and his Memphis basketball Tigers are gearing up for an important stretch of games, starting with New Orleans on Dec. 3. It continues with Baylor, then Louisville, Vanderbilt and Mississippi State. And how the team fares might have major March Madness at-large candidacy implications. With that in mind, will the recent debut of forwar…

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12. The DTC Strategy I’d Use to Launch a Brand Today 13:10

1M ago13:10

13:10

If you were launching a brand today, what would you actually do first? In this episode, Kristin breaks down the exact roadmap she’d walk any new founder through—no fluff, no outdated advice, no money-wasting steps. She shares why so many DTC founders burn cash too early, how to validate your product before spending a dime, and the simple, strategic…

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The evolution of sperm and the enduring mystery of the scrotum; How our brain rewires itself 4 times in life; The (real) disaster scenarios of imminent climate breakdown 39:11

2M ago39:11

39:11

Episode 334 Which sperm is the oldest sperm - the ancestor sperm that came before all others? Well, you might think it links back to an ancient animal that came before us, but the oldest sperm may actually predate animals altogether. We explore this plus the enduring mystery of the scrotum - and why a male’s most important body part is so delicate …

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Memphis basketball, at 1-4, is not a pretty sight. But sit tight 1:31:00

2M ago1:31:00

1:31:00

There's only one way to absorb a 1-4 start that includes a four-game losing streak. Recovering from such a thing won't be easy. It may even be impossible. But the Memphis basketball team can dig itself out of the hole it's in. So says Tiger basketball beat writer Jason Munz. On this week's episode of the Tiger Basketball Podcast, he and Tiger footb…

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11. Turning Setbacks Into Strategy: A Mindset Episode for DTC Brands 13:00

1M ago13:00

13:00

This week’s episode hits a little different — no frameworks, no formulas, no retail deep-dives. Instead, we’re pulling up a booth at Los Margaritas for a real, honest conversation about what it actually feels like to be in the messy middle of building something big. Kristin shares a tender, funny, and surprisingly profound story about dinner with h…

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The origin and evolution of music: Steve Pretty plays the conch 30:43

2M ago30:43

30:43

Episode 333 It’s not often you get to see or hear someone playing music on a conch shell. So prepare yourself for a musical treat with musician and podcaster Steve Pretty, who brings into the studio a trumpet and a collection of his favourite conches, rigged up to some modern electronics. Steve is best known as the bandleader of the Hackney Collier…

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Is it already time to reset your expectations for the Tigers? Joe Lunardi says yes 1:29:13

2M ago1:29:13

1:29:13

Memphis basketball has made a name for itself in recent years as a significant threat in non-conference play. From 2021 to 2024, Penny Hardaway's Tigers are 31-8 outside American Conference play in the regular season. That stretch includes wins over UConn, Clemson, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri, Texas A&M, Auburn, Vanderbil…

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10. 5 Things You Should Never DIY When Scaling into Retail 12:27

2M ago12:27

12:27

If you’ve ever found yourself cozied up with your laptop, ChatGPT, and a mug of hot cocoa trying to “figure it out” yourself when it comes to breaking into retail — this episode is your reality check. In today’s episode, Kristin is breaking down the five critical areas DTC brands should never DIY if they want to protect their margins, avoid costly …

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New genome of ancient human; 95% of us have a dormant virus that causes disease; Formula E cars faster than F1; Bill Bryson joins the pod! 45:02

2M ago45:02

45:02

Episode 332 For only the second time, the genome of an ancient Denisovan has been sequenced - thanks to the discovery of a 200,000-year-old tooth found in a Siberian cave. This ancient member of the human family has long been a mystery, so this genome is being described as a bombshell moment, revealing an early stage of Denisovan history. We explor…

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Encouraged or resigned? How Memphis has created two distinct camps 1:16:13

2M ago1:16:13

1:16:13

Two games into the regular season, Memphis basketball fans seem to be either heartened by the Tigers' play or resigned to a ho-hum existence that may or may not result in a March Madness appearance. There isn't much in-between. Penny Hardaway has his team off to a 1-1 start with a home win over San Francisco and a road loss to Ole Miss. Where do we…

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Why the claims about Hitler’s genome are misleading 29:00

2M ago29:00

29:00

Episode 331 This week sees the broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK of a documentary called Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a dictator. Geneticists have managed to find a DNA sample from Adolf Hitler and have sequenced it and verified it, and now we have his genome. The big question is what does this really tell us – what can we tell from someone’s genome? …

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09. The Five “Love Languages” of Retail: How to Speak So Buyers Actually Listen 20:30

2M ago20:30

20:30

Ever wonder why some brands fly through retail approvals while others get the polite “we’ll circle back”? 👀 Spoiler: it’s not just your product — it’s your language. In this episode, Kristin pulls back the curtain on what really got her brand, Filter Baby, onto Target shelves (in record time!) and breaks down the five communication shifts that can …

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COP30: The world's climate future hinges on this meeting 31:30

2M ago31:30

31:30

Episode 330 COP30 is nearly upon us - and this climate conference may be the most crucial so far. In a year where we’ve seen the first major global tipping point reached, destructive wildfires raging in Los Angeles and much more, joint action has never been more urgent. But as hope starts to wane and climate goals continue to be missed, many are qu…

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What do we know about the Tigers with regular season starting? Nothing 1:05:09

2M ago1:05:09

1:05:09

The Memphis basketball team lost to Arkansas and Auburn by more than 20 points apiece in a pair of lopsided exhibition games. Are those results harbingers of dark days ahead for the Tigers, who open the regular season against San Francisco (2 p.m., Nov. 8, ESPN+)? Or, are they merely a mirage? The answer is simple: We don't know. On this week's epi…

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08. The 5 Branding Realities Every DTC Founder Needs to Know Before Going Retail 16:16

2M ago16:16

16:16

Think your brand identity is bulletproof? Think again. In this episode of Retail & Shiz, I share a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens when your DTC brand hits retail shelves and why your stunning branding might not survive the buyer review process. From last-minute endcap changes to compliance curveballs, I break down the five branding r…

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The collapse of America’s health data system; How sleep affects your focus; Life on Mars in liquid veins? 23:51

2M ago23:51

23:51

Episode 329 America’s health data system is in crisis. The US government has been bleeding public health experts – many of whom run crucial public health surveys and databases which help identify, monitor and respond to health threats across the country. From drug use to food security and birth data, discover the 5 surveys most critically hit by th…

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New-look Tigers display 'proof of concept' in Arkansas loss 1:15:31

3M ago1:15:31

1:15:31

Any discussion about preseason exhibition college basketball should feature a healthy dose of nuance. The Memphis basketball team's 99-75 loss to Arkansas is no exception. The result is the result, but it's far from the most important thing. If nothing else, it did nothing to put a damper on the Tigers' confidence level about this season. The oppos…

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07. When to Walk Away from a Retail Deal (Without Burning Bridges) 20:42

2M ago20:42

20:42

Saying “no” might just be THE most powerful move you can make in retail. In this episode, Kristin dives deep into the art of knowing when and how to walk away from a retail deal that doesn’t serve your brand. Drawing from 21+ years of experience with giants like Costco & Amazon, she shares why strategic compromise is necessary, but blind agreement …

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Setting up John Calipari and Arkansas vs. Penny Hardaway and Memphis 1:06:28

3M ago1:06:28

1:06:28

For the first time in more than 20 years, Memphis basketball will host the Arkansas Razorbacks. Sure, it's an exhibition game (part of the second annual Hoops For St. Jude Tip Off Classic). It won't count toward either program's record. It won't help either team in the standings. It won't do anything for their March Madness outlook. But John Calipa…

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How mRNA vaccines teach your body to kill cancer; Grim state of climate action; Why birds sing the dawn chorus 29:20

3M ago29:20

29:20

Episode 328 Not only has the mRNA covid vaccine saved 14 million lives, it may also help our bodies fight off cancer. A study of cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy treatment showed those who received an mRNA vaccine lived nearly twice as long - and this effect was discovered by accident. In a trial of cancer vaccines, Elias Sayour’s team at t…

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06. The Real Key to Retail Success: Why Grit Beats Glamour Every Time 15:08

3M ago15:08

15:08

Retail might look glamorous on Instagram — those Target shelfies and Costco launches make it seem effortless but the truth? It’s 5% glam, 95% grit. In this episode, Kristin pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to make it in retail. From late-night calls with overseas teams to air-freighting product at the cost of your margins, she’s break…

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Neuroscience of reality; Quest for dark matter; Folklore of geoscience (New Scientist Live Special) 28:29

3M ago28:29

28:29

Episode 327 A special episode recorded on October 18 at New Scientist Live in London, featuring experts in geoscience, dark matter and neuroscience. Anjana Khatwa is an Earth scientist and TV presenter. In her new book, The Whispers of Rock, she brings together Western scientific knowledge about the evolution of our Earth and indigenous knowledge a…

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First climate tipping point triggered; Man controls another person's body by brain implant; health worries over sumo wrestlers 34:00

3M ago34:00

34:00

Episode 326 The world’s first major climate tipping point has been triggered. The decimation of warm water coral populations caused by rising temperatures is now irreversible - passing the point of no return. The global consequences of widescale coral dieback could be catastrophic, so experts are sounding the alarm. But is anyone listening? A man w…

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Who are these guys? Breaking down the entire 2025-26 Memphis basketball roster 1:32:24

3M ago1:32:24

1:32:24

We, here at The Commercial Appeal, recognize it can be difficult to keep up with the vast amount of roster turnover Memphis basketball undergoes each season. But especially this season. All 15 players on Penny Hardaway's 2025-26 roster were members of someone else's roster last season. Top to bottom: they're all brand new to the Tigers. Well, almos…

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05. Measure What Actually Matters: The Retail Data Every Buyer Cares About 9:55

3M ago9:55

9:55

Your product might be incredible but if you’re tracking the wrong metrics, it won’t stand a chance in retail. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the exact data that separates retail dreamers from retail winners. After 15 years as a Fortune 50 retail buyer managing a $4B portfolio, I’ve seen too many DTC brands crash and burn—not because th…

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Space 2075: How Humanity Will Live, Work and Make Drugs off-planet | Live Recording at the Royal Society 53:35

3M ago53:35

53:35

A special episode all about the future of space exploration, recorded in front of a live audience at the Royal Society in London. Earlier this year, the Royal Society published ‘The Space: 2075 report’, which recognises the huge changes we’re seeing in space exploration, and urges for action to be taken to make sure the next 50 years of activity in…

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How Jane Goodall changed the world; How the universe ends; How “selfish sperm” affect male fertility 43:27

3M ago43:27

43:27

Episode 324 The legendary primatologist Jane Goodall died last week aged 91, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. Her work studying tool use in chimpanzees completely reshaped the way we view animal intelligence. Fiercely protective of the natural world, she was also responsible for a huge amount of advocacy during her life. Primatologist Alejandra …

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04. Cash is Queen (And Your Brand Story Isn't Paying the Bills) 11:36

3M ago11:36

11:36

Everyone loves to whisper sweet nothings about “building your brand,” but let’s cut the crap. Retail buyers? They don’t give two hoots about your carefully curated brand vibe or how your logo makes people feel. They want to know if your product’s going to sell. Full stop. Because retail buyers aren’t betting on your mood board. They’re betting on y…

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Emergency in Antarctica; How movement changes the brain; Why women live longer than men 30:56

3M ago30:56

30:56

Episode 323 Temperatures in Antarctica have soared by over 35°C. Scientists are concerned about how quickly things are changing on the continent as these warmer temperatures impact the polar vortex. Coupled with record lows in sea ice cover over the last decade, this could be a sign that Antarctic weather patterns have shifted permanently. What’s d…

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02. The Unfiltered Truth About Getting Into Retail 10:26

4M ago10:26

10:26

So you’ve built a successful DTC brand and now retail feels like the next logical step but every buyer pitch feels like a dead end. In this episode of Retail & Shiz, Kristin Engin (former Fortune 50 retail buyer turned DTC scaling strategist) breaks down what it really takes to move from direct-to-consumer to store shelves without the sugarcoated a…

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03. The #1 Thing Retail Buyers Actually Care About (and It’s Not Your Brand Story) 11:07

4M ago11:07

11:07

You’ve got the perfect pitch deck, a compelling founder story, and a mission to change the world but retail buyers aren’t biting. Why? Because you’re missing the one thing that matters most. In this episode of Retail & Shiz, Kristin pulls back the curtain on what really drives buyer decisions: consumer intelligence. Forget the fluff—buyers want pro…

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01. Why I Started Retail & Shiz (and Why the Usual Retail Advice is Failing You) 8:06

4M ago8:06

8:06

Welcome to the very first episode of Retail & Shiz—the no-BS podcast that reveals what really happens when DTC brands step into the retail arena. I’m your host, Kristin Engen, a former Fortune 50 retail buyer who spent 15+ years managing a $4B portfolio at Costco and Amazon. I’ve said yes (and no) to hundreds of brands across every category, and no…

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Skull rewrites story of human evolution; Autism and Tylenol; discovery of wind coming from black hole 33:57

4M ago33:57

33:57

Episode 322 An ancient skull discovered in China may have just rewritten the story of human evolution. It’s widely accepted that the common ancestor of Homo sapiens, Denisovans and Neanderthals came out of Africa. But this skull upends that assumption - potentially showing human evolution began in Asia. Discover how a new reconstruction of the Yunx…

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The evolutionary price we pay for longer lives; the asteroid coming VERY close to Earth; how dinosaurs shaped the ecosystem 32:59

4M ago32:59

32:59

Episode 321 Humans live a lot longer than other primates - and much of that is down to our immune system. But there’s a price we pay for the capacity to fight off infections: inflammation. Chronic inflammation is to blame for a range of health issues, especially those related to older age. And now research has revealed exactly why inflammation is g…