Hunter-gatherers slept less than you think. And they didn’t complain about being tired. We’re told we’re living through a sleep epidemic but were our ancestors actually sleeping better than us? The answer might change how you think about your nightly routine entirely.
In this episode, we dig into the real science of sleep: from why modern life is making us chronically exhausted, to whether you can actually recover from sleep debt and the surprising truth about what just a few missed hours does to your brain.
We also unpack the unexpected connection between your gut microbiome and your sleep quality, explore which foods and supplements actually work, and ask whether sleep trackers are genuinely helping you or quietly making your anxiety worse.
Plus, we get into the science of napping β how long is too long, what the military knows about tactical naps that most of us don’t, and whether offices should be installing nap pods. And if you’ve ever wondered whether cheese really gives you nightmares, or whether a poop transplant could help you sleep better, we have answers.
00:00 Intro
00:52 Are we really in a poor sleep epidemic?
06:22 Getting into sleep debt
16:47 How sleep affects your microbiome
25:36 Sleep trackers and other tech
29:28 Perfect the art of the nap
Offering their sleep tips in this special episode of the podcast are Rowan Hooper, Madeleine Cuff, Catherine de Lange and Alison George.
What does the latest science actually mean for us? Each week, New Scientist editors Rowan Hooper and Penny Sarchet dig into the biggest stories in science alongside expert scientists, from the mysteries of consciousness to the search for dark matter, to feed your curiosity and make sense of an uncertain world.
Bruno Mars is back with a new album called The Romantic, his first solo release since 2016’s 24k Magic. At first listen, the lead single, “I Just Might,” sounds like an outtake from 2021’s collaborative album with Anderson Paak, the Philly soul-inspired An Evening with Silk Sonic. Listen closer, though, and another element emerges: a fast-paced conga drum line.
The rest of Mars’s nine-track confection chases that Latin influence. This is not just another retread of 70s funk and soul. In fact, The Romantic makes the case that Mars is pop’s great counter-programmer, finding styles of the past that no one else has yet mined.
Charlie and Nate break down all the new territory covered by Mars, from Latin boleros to Cuban cha chas, Nuyorican boogaloo to a mariachi “My Way.” The results may not change your mind about Mars, but they might make you appreciate the finer points of what is sure to be an omnipresent new release.
00:00 Time Travel Cold Open
01:01 Bruno Returns and Big Questions
01:57 Career Recap and Retro DNA
04:27 Latin Heritage and Pop Timing
06:41 Track One Risk It All Bolero Breakdown
11:17 Mariachi My Way Mashup
14:00 Track Two Cha Cha Cha Explained
18:26 Track Three I Just Might Easter Eggs
21:36 Track Four God Was Showing Off
23:06 Philly Soul
24:53 Latin Percussion Threads
25:27 Quick Break Preview
25:38 Why You Wanna Fight
26:38 On My Soul Curtis Link
30:11 Something Serious Boogaloo
34:11 Nothing Left Rock Outro
36:00 Bandmates And Team
37:27 Dance With Me Finale
39:20 Album Wrap And Verdict