Akshaya
The Untold Stories
In a world of specialists, "The Untold Stories" takes a generalist view of the human experience. Join me for explorations that connect the dots between seemingly unrelated fields, from science and art to business and philosophy on every alternate days. Follow to discover the perspectives you didn’t know you were missing.
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Quantum entanglement — Einstein called it “spooky action”. 09.07.2026 6:53
How can two particles across the universe instantly change each other? Albert Einstein famously dismissed it as "spooky action at a distance," but quantum entanglement is entirely real. In this episode, we break down the mind-bending physics of the subatomic world. Explore how entangled particles challenge our ideas of reality, time, and space. Learn how this strange phenomenon is buildi...
The Barnum effect and why horoscopes feel accurate. 07.07.2026 8:51
Ever wonder why your daily horoscope feels like it was written exactly for you? In this episode, we unmask the psychology behind astrology and explore the Barnum Effect . This cognitive bias tricks our brains into believing vague, universal statements are highly personal personality traits. We break down the famous psychological experiments that proved this phenomenon and explain how fortune telle...
CRISPR gene editing: the power to rewrite life, and who controls it. 05.07.2026 9:19
Can rewriting human DNA save our future, or will it create an unequal world of "designer" elites? In this episode, we dive into CRISPR, the revolutionary tool allowing us to edit genetic code like text on a screen. From curing hereditary diseases to the looming threat of corporate monopolies on life itself, we examine the massive power of this technology and the select few who hold the keys. #stor...
The spotlight effect: everyone is not watching you as much as you think. 03.07.2026 9:13
Ever replay an awkward moment convinced everyone saw it? That’s the spotlight effect. We break down the psychology that makes you overestimate how much others notice your mistakes, appearance, or slip-ups, and why people are actually focused on themselves. This episode covers the research behind it, real examples, and practical ways to quiet that self-conscious voice so you can show up without the...
The Nakba — the Palestinian displacement story rarely told 01.07.2026 10:01
In 1948, over 700,000 Palestinians left or were expelled from their homes during the war surrounding Israel’s founding. We examine the events of the Nakba, the experiences of those displaced, and how it shaped Palestinian identity and the broader conflict. This episode looks at firsthand accounts, historical records, and how the Nakba is remembered today across different communities. #storytelllin...
Fast fashion’s water footprint — one jeans costs 10,000 liters. 29.06.2026 10:49
Your favorite pair of jeans comes with a massive, invisible price tag. In this episode, we dive deep into the devastating water footprint of the fast fashion industry. Discover how a single pair of denim pants swallows up 10,000 liters of water—enough to sustain one person for a decade. We break down the environmental toll of global clothing production, expose the true cost of cheap trends, and sh...
Human chimeras — people who carry two distinct DNA profiles. 27.06.2026 7:37
In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of genetic chimeras—individuals who naturally carry two distinct genetic profiles. Discover how this rare phenomenon happens during early embryonic development, why it often goes completely unnoticed, and the mind-bending legal and medical mysteries it creates. From unexpected maternity test results to the frontline of genetic science, we unwrap...
The City Built by an Algorithm — Urban planning AI is now designing road networks, zoning, and infrastructure in new developments across Asia. 24.06.2026 13:37
What happens when humans hand the blueprints of society over to artificial intelligence? In this episode, we explore the rise of AI-driven urban planning across Asia, where algorithms are now building entire cities from scratch. From optimizing massive traffic networks to instantly calculating zoning laws and critical infrastructure, machine learning is replacing the traditional architect. We dive...
Why We Are All Made of Stardust — and Which Specific Types of Stars Made Which Atoms in Your Body✨ 15.06.2026 6:50
✨ We are literally parts of the cosmos. This short episode breaks down the mind-blowing science of stellar nucleosynthesis to explain why you are made of stardust. #storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
Project-based learning taking over — the end of the traditional classroom exam? 14.06.2026 6:58
Are high-stakes exams officially extinct? In this episode, we dive into how project-based learning is replacing traditional testing and changing the way students learn. Discover how moving from memorisation to real-world problem-solving impacts students, teachers, and the future of education. #storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
The Smell of Space — Astronauts returning from EVAs describe a distinct metallic odour — and scientists have finally identified its chemistry 11.06.2026 5:34
What does the final frontier actually smell like? NASA astronauts returning from intense spacewalks have long reported a highly unusual, clinging aroma on their suits: a sharp mix of seared steak, hot metal, and spent gunpowder. Because space is a near-vacuum, it was a mystery how an odourless void could leave such a distinct sensory footprint. In this episode, we break down how scientists finally...
Air quality and brain health — how pollution is quietly damaging cognition 09.06.2026 6:26
Think air pollution only damages your lungs? Think again. In this episode, we expose the invisible crisis happening inside our heads. New science reveals how microscopic pollution particles slip past your body's defenses, entering the brain to trigger inflammation, accelerate cognitive decline, and quietly erode memory. Tune in to discover how the air you breathe shapes how you think—and learn the...
China’s String of Pearls Strategy — Beijing has established port agreements across South Asia, East Africa, and the Pacific in a quiet strategic arc. 05.06.2026 5:33
This podcast episode explores China's String of Pearls Strategy , detailing how Beijing has quietly established a strategic network of naval nodes and port agreements across South Asia, East Africa, and the Pacific. #storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
The Singapore Housing Experiment That Housed 80% of Its Citizens in Government-Built Flats; it Works 03.06.2026 8:00
Discover how Singapore turned a post-war housing crisis into a global success story by putting 80% of its population into state-built apartments. This episode explores the unique economics, social integration policies, and massive engineering feats behind the Housing & Development Board (HDB) model. We dive into how these master-planned neighborhoods shaped a nation's identity and whether this rad...
The Planet Made Entirely of Diamond That Orbits a Pulsar 4,000 Light Years Away; PSRJ1719-1438b is the compressed remnant of a white dwarf. It's roughly the mass of Jupiter. 01.06.2026 6:20
Today, we are exploring PSR J1719-1438b. It is the zombie corpse of a dead star, crushed by gravity into a giant cosmic gem with the mass of Jupiter but compressed into a fraction of the size. #storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
Why People Make Better Decisions for Others Than for Themselves; Psychological distance makes you a better advisor than a participant. The bias is systematic and consistent across cultures. 30.05.2026 5:30
Ever noticed how easy it is to solve your friend's life problems, while your own choices remain a complete mess? This episode dives into the fascinating psychology of why humans make vastly superior decisions for others than for themselves. We explore how "psychological distance" clears away emotional fog, why this bias cuts across every culture on Earth, and how you can trick your own brain into...
The Gift Card Graveyard: $3 Billion Left Unspent Every Year; The gap between receiving a gift card and using it is called 'breakage.' Companies budget for it. You're funding it. 29.05.2026 6:38
"The Gift Card Graveyard" explores the $3 billion annual phenomenon of unused gift cards, known as "breakage." This episode exposes how companies profit from unspent balances and provides strategies to reclaim forgotten funds. #storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
Humans Are Bioluminescent — We Just Glow Too Faintly to See. 27.05.2026 6:53
Did you know you are literally radiant? A landmark 2009 Japanese study revealed that the human body emits visible light—a natural form of bioluminescence that is 1,000 times too faint for our naked eyes to detect. In this episode, we unpack the fascinating science behind our hidden glow, how it rises and falls with our daily circadian rhythm, and what this ultra-weak photon emission tells us about...
How the Sneaker Industry Manufactured Its Own Scarcity; Nike dropped 500 pairs on purpose. The line was the product. 25.05.2026 6:03
Why are people willing to wait in line for hours and pay thousands of dollars for shoes? This episode breaks down the deliberate psychology of "the drop." We explore how Nike and other giants weaponised limited production numbers to transform ordinary shoes into high-stakes status symbols. Learn why the chaos of the line isn’t a logistics failure—it is the ultimate marketing strategy. #storytellli...
The Quiet War Being Fought Under the Ocean Right Now; Submarine cables power the internet. Someone keeps cutting them. 23.05.2026 6:09
In this episode, we dive into the mysterious world of submarine cable cutting. Who is targeting these deep-sea lifelines, and why? From suspected state-sponsored sabotage to the terrifying vulnerability of our connected world, we explore the silent, high-stakes conflict happening thousands of feet below the surface. #storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #i...
How AI Is Diagnosing Cancer Before Doctors Even Suspect It. A retinal scan now predicts heart disease with 90% accuracy. 21.05.2026 8:53
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing diagnostics by identifying microscopic cancer cells and predicting heart disease with 90% accuracy through simple retinal scans. This episode explores how machine learning analyzes hidden bodily patterns to enable early detection and improve long-term patient health outcomes. #storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business...
Why Cats Were Worshipped in Ancient Egypt and Feared in Medieval Europe. One animal. Two civilizations. Two completely opposite conclusions. 19.05.2026 6:43
Cats went from divine symbols guarded by the pharaohs to omens of witchcraft burned at the stake. We trace how religion, politics, and superstition flipped the cat’s reputation in under 2000 years. Find out what changed, why these societies saw the same animal so differently, and what it reveals about how we assign meaning to the creatures around us. #storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lif...
How a Tiny Worm in Your Gut May Be Running Your Mood The microbiome-brain axis is stranger than anyone expected. 17.05.2026 6:34
Parasites, bacteria, and other gut residents send chemical signals straight to your brain. We dig into new research showing how tiny worms and microbes can hijack neurotransmitters, shift anxiety levels, and even influence social behavior. Learn why scientists are calling the gut a "second brain," how your microbiome might explain mood swings, and what this means for future treatments of depressio...
How Airport Lounges Print Money You Never See. The most profitable square footage in modern infrastructure. 15.05.2026 7:01
Those quiet rooms with free snacks are making airports and credit card companies a fortune. We break down the hidden economics of airport lounges. Learn who really pays for that buffet, how lounge access became a status economy, and why this 500 square feet often outperforms an entire terminal in profit. #storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #d...
Structural Batteries: Emerging tech is turning the actual frames of cars and laptops into batteries; instead of a separate battery pack, the carbon fiber structure itself stores the electrical energy. 13.05.2026 6:56
What if your laptop case or car chassis could power the device? Researchers are embedding energy storage into carbon fiber itself, ditching separate battery packs for structures that do double duty. We unpack how structural batteries work, the weight and range breakthroughs they promise for EVs and gadgets, and how close this lab tech is to your driveway. #storytellling #human_connection #humanity...
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