Undercurrent Stories

It's the early 1940s. The world's biggest movie stars could have sat the war out in comfort — instead, they walked off film sets, traded tuxedos and evening gowns for uniforms, and went to fight. This conversation features British Army veteran, Olympic discus thrower, and author Bill Tancred to explore the extraordinary true stories behind the actors who lived the wars they later portray...

What's really behind the stone walls of a sleepy English village?  In this live walking-tour episode, I'm joined by local historian Adrian Gombault, author of the book 'Belmesthorpe: Then and Now' for a stroll through the English village of Belmesthorpe. We uncover Viking place names, a vanished railway, a rare 18th-century dovecote, a forgotten riot, and a surprising Cold War-...

Trillions of invisible organisms produce every other breath you take — and almost no one talks about them. This week, that changes. Bob is joined once again by Vincent Doumeizel — UN food and ocean advisor, food innovation expert, and author of The Power of Plankton   — for a deep dive into the most overlooked organisms on the planet. Vincent explains how plankton produce half the world's oxy...

What happens when a parent leaves not just their family, but the entire world they once knew? In this episode, I talk with author and memoirist Lily Dunn about her powerful memoir Sins of My Father . When Lily was six years old, her father abandoned the family to join a spiritual movement that would shape the course of both his life and hers. We discuss the lasting effects of childhood abandonment...

What do you do when life suddenly changes direction? In this episode I'm joined by author and former production editor David Hermakowski. David talks about resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose after unexpected challenges. Following a major health scare and brain surgery, David faced questions about identity, recovery, and what comes next. We explore major life changes as a new beginni...

What happens when the life you've built no longer fits? In this episode we hear from author, journalist, and book coach Carolyn Flynn to discuss her memoir Boundless and the unexpected opportunities that can emerge during life's biggest transitions. As a single mother preparing to send her twins off to college while facing uncertainty in her journalism career, Carolyn found herself confr...

Animal welfare expert Laura Foster joins host Bob Wells to reveal the hidden realities behind dog rescue, rehoming and responsible pet ownership in the UK. If you've ever adopted a rescue dog, worried about your pet's behaviour, or wondered what really goes on inside animal welfare organisations like Dogs Trust and the RSPCA this episode is for you. Laura Foster is a senior animal welfar...

In this episode we meet pioneering wolf biologist and author Diane Boyd who talks  about her extraordinary four decades studying wolves in the remote wilderness of Montana near Glacier National Park. In the 1970s she was the only female biologist in the United States researching and radio-collaring wild wolves. With her two dogs for company she faced the rigours of the Montana winter in an isolate...

We’re back in Stamford with historian Bill Cunningham, uncovering the town’s hidden past. From Burghley House to the famous George Hotel. Expect wild stories of bull runs, political corruption, and unforgettable local characters in one of England’s most beautiful towns.  Question or comment? Send us a text message. www.undercurrentstories.com

Most of us like to think our decisions are grounded in facts. Whether it’s in medicine, business, or everyday life, we assume the “best” option rises to the top through clear evidence. But for most of history — and even today — that hasn’t really been the case. In this episode, I talk with science journalist Helen Pearson, author of Beyond Belief: How Evidence Shows What Really Works , about the s...

In this re-released episode of Undercurrent Stories , we revisit our powerful conversation with Rita Gigante — author, healer, psychic, and daughter of the infamous mafia boss Vincent “The Chin” Gigante. Rita shares her extraordinary journey growing up in the shadow of one of New York’s most feared crime families, the trauma and secrets she carried from childhood, and how those experiences led her...

Imagine sitting down at a gig in Stockholm, striking up a conversation with the person next to you, and realising you’re talking to a man who didn't just witness music history—he helped package and sell it. From the tactile era of vinyl to the invisible world of streaming, he’s seen it all. Today’s episode is a special one. It’s the result of a chance meeting at a Quint Starkie gig with a man...

🔥 Episode Summary World War II is often told through a European lens—but across Asia, a parallel history unfolded that claimed tens of millions of lives. In this episode, Jenny Chan shares how her grandmother’s story led her to uncover overlooked WWII atrocities, digitise over a million archival documents, and preserve survivor accounts before they disappear. We explore why this history remains l...

What is the paranormal—really? Author and speaker Neil Nixon joins the show to explore ghosts, UFOs, and the limits of human understanding. From eerie encounters to cutting-edge theories about consciousness, this episode challenges what we think we know about reality. 💬 Memorable Quote “We’re not smart enough yet to ask the right questions.”  📚 About Neil Nixon Neil Nixon is a writer, speaker, a...

How do you tell the story of 4.5 billion years of Earth’s history in a way that’s engaging and easy to understand? In this episode, I talk with Jamie Woodward, Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Manchester about his book A Little History of the Earth. Jamie explains how scientists piece together the planet’s deep past—from the formation of the universe to the shifting of continen...

Why do so many breakthroughs happen by accident—and can we create the conditions for them? In this episode of the Undercurrent Stories Podcast , Bob Wells speaks with innovation expert and author Paul Sloane about his book The Art of Unexpected Solutions . They explore creativity, innovation, lateral thinking, and problem solving , and how mistakes and unexpected events have led to some of the wor...

It started with a walk… and a few unusual stones in a field. In the smallest county in England, a chance discovery during lockdown led to one of the most remarkable Roman finds in recent years—a mosaic hidden beneath the soil for nearly 2,000 years. In this episode, I’m joined by Jim Irvine, the man who found it, as we walk the very ground where the discovery was made. From oyster shells and satel...

What does it mean to inherit one of the most famous family legacies in the world? In this episode of Undercurrent Stories , Bob speaks with Ned Guinness , the current head of the Guinness family , 4th Earl of Iveagh , and author of Guinness: The Family Succession . Drawing on private family archives, Ned reflects on legacy, responsibility, Irish history, philanthropy, and the small decisions that...

Where did religion come from — and why did humans start believing? In Part One of this three-part mini-series, evolutionary psychologist Professor Robin Dunbar explores how religion may have emerged from early human cognition, language, imagination, and our awareness of death. We look at early spirituality, trance, symbolic thinking, and the evolutionary foundations of belief — long before organis...

Why does religion bring people together? In Part Two of this three part mini-series on the history of religion, Professor Robin Dunbar explores how rituals like singing, prayer, music, and shared worship strengthen social bonds and create deep feelings of belonging. We examine the science of endorphins, Dunbar’s Number, friendship layers, and why humans seem wired for community — revealing religio...

How has religion shaped civilizations — and where is belief heading next? In the final episode, Professor Robin Dunbar examines how religion helped build societies, fueled conflict, responded to crisis, and continues to influence the modern world. From ancient empires to modern secular life, we explore whether religion is declining, transforming, or preparing for a resurgence — and what that means...

In this episode , we speak with author Sonia Daccarret   about her memoir The Roots of a Guava Tree   — a deeply personal exploration of childhood, identity, memory, and belonging . Growing up in Colombia in the 1980s , Sonia reflects on a life shaped by cultural hybridity, political change, and family history — with a Jewish mother and a Christian Palestinian father, and no single religious label...

In this episode, I’m joined by musician and songwriter Francis Dunnery for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation.  Francis Dunnery is best known as the lead singer and guitarist for the British prog-pop band It Bites. After leaving the band in 1990, he launched a diverse solo career, releasing over ten original albums spanning progressive rock, pop, folk, R&B, and blues. A versatile...

What if sound could help you switch off, slow down, and reset your nervous system? In this episode of Undercurrent Stories , I'm joined by Cherub Sanson , sound healer and co-founder of the Academy of Integrated Sonic Medicine.   We explore why sound can calm the nervous system more quickly than many other well-being practices, how vibration influences stress, sleep, and focus, and why sound...

How to Listen to Animals: What They’re Really Trying to Tell Us: Amelia Thomas In this episode of Undercurrent Stories , host Bob Wells explores animal communication , listening to animals , and the lost human ability to hear what the natural world is telling us. Bob is joined by Amelia Thomas , journalist, author, and naturalist, whose book What Sheep Think About the Weather: How to Listen to Wha...