The investigations of neuroscientist and psychologist Prof Paul Howard-Jones as he explores how our minds and brains are responding to climate change and environmental issues.
In this final podcast of the season, Paul discovers that religion can have an important influence in how we use natural resources. He continues his journey South, finally reaching the Sahara Desert. At a well frequented by nomads, local guide Zakarya explains why water is precious but also why you shouldn’t have to pay for it. More info on mindbrainplanet.com
11 Jun 2026
S2 EP8: Water commons in the Draa Valley - how do you share a precious resource?
The Draa valley in Southern Morocco is one of the driest places on Earth and getting drier. Paul talks to local residents and farmers about a system of sharing water that has been operating for over 500 years - a longstanding example of a successful "commons". In a world where access to scarce resources is leading to conflict, commons may offer insights about achieving more sustainable and equitable approaches to sharing our planet. Researcher Sabina Pedrazzini explains what psychologic...
1 May 2026
S2 EP7: UK to Sahara by public transport - can a train take you further (mentally) than a plane?
Paul explores how surface travel may effect the brain in different ways compared to flying. Could the sciences of mind and brain help reduce carbon emissions due to flying? Paul spends 3 days travelling from Bristol to the Sahara desert by public transport, and reports on how that feels compared with a 3 hour flight from his local airport. On a cycle tour around Marrakesh, we meet Yessir who explains what it's like to live in a country where droughts are becoming more common, and we find out ...
1 Apr 2026
S2 EP6: Is climate activism good for the activist?
What's it like to be a climate activist and can it be good for you? Protest and civil disobedience have won many of the benefits and freedoms we enjoy today, but what about the activists themselves? Is it all about hardship, risk and stress, or can activists benefit too? Paul interviews research Robyn Gulliver (University of Queensland, Australia) about her research on the wellbeing of activists, and hears again from climate activist Rosie about her first-hand experience of getting invo...
2 Mar 2026
S2 EP5: Why do people become climate activists?
Why invest all that time, energy and emotions – even risk your personal freedom – when the impact of your efforts on the earth’s temperature will be, at best, invisibly small? Paul interviews climate protester Rosie about her motivation to take action - and asks researcher Ans Verkammen (Curtain University, Perth) about the emotions that drive us to speak out and act up for the environment. Paul signs up to protest with Extinction Rebellion. More info on mindbrainplanet.com
2 Feb 2026
S2 EP4: Eco-anxiety - how should we respond?
After a brief update on Episode 6 from Season 1 "Flying, climate change and the bystander effect", we continue exploring eco-anxiety. Expert Panu Pihkala explains how eco-anxiety can be viewed as a process involving emotional engagement, self-care and action. Paul considers the educational implications of the link to action, and meets climate activist Rosie, who explains how she has experienced climate anxiety and responded to it. More info on mindbrainplanet.com
2 Jan 2026
S2 EP3: Eco-anxiety - what is it?
Do you lie awake at night thinking about food shortages, conflicts over vanishing resources, nature loss and mass migrations? If so, you may be suffering from eco-anxiety. But how prevalent is eco-anxiety, who is most at risk and is it a disorder? Paul meets experts Ans Vercammen and Panu Pihkala, and talks to Fenella Lloyd about her experience of eco-anxiety amongst young people at Black Mountains College. More info on mindbrainplanet.com
1 Dec 2025
S2 EP2: Can Last Chance Tourism help us think more about the environment?
Quick, book a trip to see polar bears, glaciers, rainforests before they disappear forever! Can "last chance tourism" help sensitise us to environmental issues or is it just about self-gratification at any cost? Paul interviews geographer Dr Salim Emmanuel and tries to find out what last chance tourism is really all about. More info on mindbrainplanet.com
31 Oct 2025
Melting glaciers and our adversity to ambiguity
Climate change is melting our glaciers at an alarming rate, dramatically changing landscapes. That might suggest visitors to popular glacier sites would leave with better environmental intentions. Paul visits the Rhône Glacier in Switzerland and discovers not everyone is making the connection. Does our adversity to ambiguity help us avoid connecting glacial melting with our personal lifestyle? More info on mindbrainplanet.com
22 Aug 2025
6. Flying, climate change and the "bystander effect"
Why do we carry on producing large carbon emissions when we know these are damaging the lives of others? Paul explores this question in the context of the university student community – where mobile young people whose flights contribute to climate change are studying alongside those experiencing its devastating effects. Can this paradox be explained by the so-called “bystander” effect? More info on mindbrainplanet.com
22 Jun 2025
5. Alien species - the climate change invaders in your garden
Dr. Tanja Straka discusses with Paul the ecological damage caused by migrating species due to climate change and how human biases impact our response to these new arrivals in this interview.
27 Apr 2025
Persuasive Messaging
Send us a text One of the biggest challenges faced by those who care about sustainability is getting others on board. In this episode, Paul helps launch a local initiative to address climate change, powered by cookies and drawing on expert advice from Profs Cindy McPherson-Frantz and Cassandra Troy on how to create persuasive messages. More info on mindbrainplanet.com
28 Feb 2025
Pumps and bumps on the road to low carbon heating
To reach net zero, we’re being expected to switch from gas boilers to heat pumps but, with the lowest installation rates in Europe, many consumers in the UK appear wary. Trust is surfacing as a key issue. Can the sciences of mind and brain help us understand what trust is and how it forms? What will help us trust in novel and greener types of heating technology? More info on mindbrainplanet.com
13 Dec 2024
Climate change and having a family
Climate change expert Dr. Katharine Hayhoe explores how environmental concerns are influencing family planning decisions, offering insights on the psychological and neurological implications of having children in a rapidly changing world.
25 Oct 2024
Where did you get that potato?
How does the way we obtain our food can impact on our relationship with nature? In this episode, Paul Howard-Jones travels to Berlin to discover a range of food initiatives and interviews Dr Felix Zoll, who has been studying their impact on how we think about food and the natural world that produces it.More info on mindbrainplanet.com
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 17 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
21
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Host of Mind, Brain and Planet?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
