Undercurrent Stories
Discovering the hidden depths of the people and world around us.
Documentary interview show with an eclectic mix of people and subjects including: history, music, philosophy, the outdoors, wildlife, food and drink, sport, personal achievements, spirituality and many more.
IG:https://www.instagram.com/undercurrentstories/ FB:https://www.facebook.com/undercurrentstories/ TW:https://mobile.twitter.com/undercurrentst1
Episodes
176 episodes
Understanding The Irish Troubles: Dr Thomas Leahy. (Ep.2)
How did centuries of history shape the Irish Troubles?In this second episode about the history of 'The Troubles' Dr Thomas Leahy traces the roots of the conflict from the 17th century to the eve of the First World War. From Cromwe...
•
44:08
Understanding the Irish Troubles: Dr Thomas Leahy. (Ep.1)
In today’s episode, (the first of 3), we take a deep dive into one of the most defining and emotionally charged chapters of modern British and Irish history — the Troubles. With the anniversary of the Downing Street Declaration<...
•
35:16
How The English Language Will Never Be The Same Again: Anne Curzan
Why is English always changing—and why does that change so often make us uneasy? In this fascinating conversation, we're joined by linguist, author, and University of Michigan Dean Professor Anne Curzan to explore how English evolves, wh...
•
1:00:08
The Houses of Guinness - Unseen, Unheard, Until Now: Adrian Tinniswood
'Beer built the fortune but the stories and legacy that the Guinness's left behind are far richer.'Most people know the beer few know the people or the houses. Join me in conversation with historian, Adrian Tinniswood as he takes us on a...
•
35:45
How To Get Lucky: Judd Kessler
Have you ever wondered why some people always seem to get the best opportunities — the ideal job, the perfect house, or even a place for the kids in the school everyone wants — while others, just as qualified, miss out?It’s tempting to c...
•
59:24
Is Civilisation About to Collapse? Luke Kemp
Today, on Undercurrent Stories, we turn our attention to the grand sweep of human history — from the hunter-gatherers of the Paleolithic to the great empires of Egypt and Rome, and onward to our interconnected, fragile world of today.<...
•
1:09:25
How Good is Your Weather Forecast, Really? Thomas Weber
For centuries, humans have looked to the sky in search of signs. Today, our tools are satellites and data models rather than clouds and folklore. In this episode, we hear from Thomas Weber about the people and technology transformi...
•
1:07:47
The Day the Ground Spoke: Following the Longest Dinosaur Footprints Ever Found with Armin Schmitt
Paleontologist and author Armin Schmitt returns to the show where we explore two remarkable dinosaur discoveries that are reshaping what we know about life millions of years ago.From the longest dinosaur trackway ever uncovered...
•
36:59
History of Everything from the Big Bang to You: Tim Coulson
In this episode, we explore the the biggest question of all: How did we get here? Joining me is Professor Tim Coulson, biologist and zoologist at the University of Oxford and author of
•
51:18
The Human League, Heaven 17 and the Power of Sound: Martyn Ware
In this episode I'm delighted to welcome musician, producer and sound pioneer Martyn Ware to the show.Martyn takes us back to his Sheffield roots and shares how the experimental beginnings of The Human League led to the formation ...
•
1:09:47
Bill Tancred: Olympic Athlete, British Discus 25 Year Record Holder & Academic
Today we have a really special guest with us. An international athlete, he competed in the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics in the discus and won bronze and silver medals in successive Commonwealth games from 1970 to 1974. He was the British...
•
44:39
Good Vibrations - Unlocking the Healing Power of Music: Stefan Koelsch
In this enlightening episode, we delve into the profound impact of music on the human brain. Join us as we explore how melodies and rhythms can evoke emotions, enhance mental health, and serve as a powerful therapeutic tool. With in...
•
50:23
Heroes, Villains, and Everything In Between: Steve Carroll.
Today I’m joined by returning guest Steve Carroll — artist, lecturer, and author of the Diaspora science fiction series.In this episode, Steve opens up about the creative process behind his writing, and we dive deep into ...
•
32:14
The Untold Stories of Tudor Women with Author Tony Riches
Acclaimed historical fiction author Tony Riches returns to Undercurrent Stories to discuss his latest Tudor novels, Bess: Tudor Gentlewoman and Frances: Tudor Countess. We explore the hidden influence of ...
•
34:00
Why Some Teams Fly and Others Fall Apart: Dr Colin Fisher
In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Colin Fisher, author of the book T...
•
57:35
Calling all the Guitar Heroes: Finding Your True Voice with Quint Starkie
Singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer Quint Starkie joins us from his UK tour to talk about music, meaning, and finding his true voice. From growing up in Lancashire to playing ...
•
40:46
The Secrets to Making Hit Records: A Masterclass with Stephen Lipson
Have you ever wondered what it really takes to produce a classic hit? Or what goes through a producer’s mind when they're building a song from the ground up—or tearing it down to start again? Here to help us understand that...
•
41:52
AI Is Here—Here's How You Can Use it to Your Advantage: Gary Rivlin
In this episode of Undercurrent Stories, we sit down with Pulitzer prize winning journalist and bestselling author Gary Rivlin t...
•
51:30
Beneath the Canvas: The Hidden World of Art Conservation with Rachel Barker
In this episode, I’m delighted to speak with Rachel Barker, a leading expert in art conservation and the founder of Rachel Barker Associates. With a career spanning decades — including over 20 years at the Tate Gallery — Rachel has restored som...
•
39:43
From South London to the Boardroom: Life Lessons with Neil Lawrence
Today, I’m joined by Neil Lawrence—someone who’s been at the heart of the UK’s builders merchant scene for decades. From starting out in South London with £20 a week to becoming Chief Operating Officer of Jewson and running some of the c...
•
1:15:46
Rockin' All Over the World: The John Coghlan Story from Status Quo to Quo Reimagined
In this live episode of Undercurrent Stories, host Bob Wells sits down with John Coghlan, the legendary original drummer of Status Quo. From "Caroline" to "Rockin’ All Over the World," John reco...
•
47:01
George Underwood Artist: Bowie, Bolan & His Iconic Album Covers
In this episode we dive into the fascinating world of British artist George Underwood — a name that resonates not only in the world of fine art but also in rock history. From designing iconic album covers to painting otherworldly portraits, Geo...
•
44:24
Bruce Woolley: From Video Killed the Radio Star to Music, Innovation and the Theremin
This episode features music pioneer Bruce Woolley, best known for co-writing the groundbreaking hit Video Killed the Radio Star. But as this conversation reveals, that’s just one highlight in a storied and continually evolving c...
•
1:06:17
Fixing Bikes, Fixing Lives: A Volunteer Project Changing a UK Town: Stuart Wills
In a world where so much is driven by profit, Stuart Wills reminds us of the quiet, powerful difference one person can make — without asking for a penny in return.In this heartwarming episode, I visit Stuart at his home to hear how a few...
•
19:52
Gordon Giltrap Interview: Guitar Legend on Heartsong, Legacy & His 2025 Auction
Gordon Giltrap MBE is a British guitar virtuoso known for his innovative fingerstyle technique and genre-blending compositions. With a career spanning over five decades, he has released numerous acclaimed albums, including the iconic Per...
•
34:13