Curious about, well… everything? Same.
Welcome to Because Why?! Where science and nature, meets culture and business.
If you care about people and planet, and want to know how the world really works - and how we can do better, you're in the right place.
Because Why?! Because really, everything comes back to science.
Expect episodes on everything from climate change and sustainability, to ethical business and history, politics, nature, conspiracy theories, human behaviour and who knows what else. It's all interesting.
And unlike podcast bros, I have receipts.
A lot of the episodes this year looked at processes we’re supposed to put our faith in – the things that are supposed to make our lives more sustainable or our impact on the planet a bit less terrible.
Stuff like supposed “green” solutions, chocolate that’s marketed as ethical, or the wellness industry promising to save your life.
And yes, we all know some of this is a scam, but I don’t think we really appreciate just how much of a scam it actually is.
So, to wrap up season three, instead of a brand-new episode, you get a recap of the most interesting episodes – the ones that made me frustrated, fascinated, and occasionally hopeful. Three years of consistently inconsistent podcasting later, here we are. You’re welcome.
The past few weeks have been… a lot. Popcorn, my horse, has been trying to die. University exams happened. Incrediballs 2.0 is launching soon. And yes, I might be a little burnt out. But, like a grown-up, I’ll push ahead and see how ignoring that goes.
In this episode, let’s go through:
How much of a scam the things we’re supposed to trust really are
The invention of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser and why it matters for the planet (and our food)
The environmental and human cost of cocoa farming and lawn culture
Disinformation and the totally unregulated wellness industry
How to even begin talking to the climate confused
Some fun and surprising science (yes, really) from fire, to 5G and plane toilets
Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?!
Mā te wā - see you in 2026!
You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course.
Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/
You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/
For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/
5 Oct 2025
Are we doomed? A psychologist’s guide to climate anxiety
The world feels like a really bad parody movie right now – but it’s not funny. There’s a constant background hum of dread – climate change, biodiversity collapse, war – and it’s no wonder eco-anxiety has become a collective condition.
Because of all this, I’m replaying one of our most popular episodes: my conversation with psychologist Dr. Susie Burke about eco-anxiety.
It’s a surprisingly uplifting conversation about climate change – yes, really...
Dr. Susie has years of experience in climate psychology and shares practical ways to handle eco-anxiety and other intense emotions, whether you’re angry, tired, or just numb.
She reminds us that positive change is happening elsewhere and is within our reach. It's a breath of fresh air for anyone overwhelmed by constant climate news (and the news in general, frankly).
In this episode, we talk about:
The perception gap: why more people care about climate change than you might think
The mental health impact of climate change and why eco-anxiety is normal
Strategies to cope with climate emotions, from small practical steps to collective action
How shifting business and consumer behavior can drive more change than waiting for governments
Why we are the first generation with a real shot at creating a sustainable world
How to support children in understanding and feeling empowered about environmental issues
More About Dr. Susie Burke
Check out her website here (https://www.susieburke.com.au/)
Subscribe to Emily Writes here (https://emilywrites.substack.com/)
More about Hannah Ritchie
Author of Not the End of the World, check out her website and books here (https://hannahritchie.com/)
More about The Conceivable Future
Written by Meghan Elizabeth Kallman and Josephine Ferorelli, their website is here (https://www.conceivablefuture.org/)
Tedx Talk: Changing the World: Why it Fails and What Works
By Winnifred Louis, watch it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI4eSI-GbXM)
Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?!
Mā te wā - see you next week.
You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course.
Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/
You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/
For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/
29 Sept 2025
Did you fall for the myth? How misinformation & racism made MSG a monster
MSG causes headaches, chest tightness, tingling arms and weakness - or at least that’s what we’ve all been told. For decades, MSG was considered public enemy number one, banned from restaurants and demonised in the media. But why?
MSG is everywhere: in tomatoes, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, soy sauce, even breast milk. So how did it become a “toxic chemical killer” in the public imagination?
Today I’m breaking down the bizarre story of MSG, from its origins in Japan, to its rise across Asia and the West, through to the flawed science and racism that turned it into a food villain.
So, because why are we so afraid of MSG?
In this episode let's unpack:
The discovery of MSG and the origin of umami
How MSG spread across Asia and into Western diets
Why “Chinese Restaurant Syndrome” started from just one letter
The flawed studies that fuelled the MSG scare
The racial undertones behind the MSG panic
Why MSG is actually safer than table salt
How modern chefs and TikTok are reclaiming MSG as “umami dust”
Thanks for joining me on this episode of Because Why?!
Mā te wā - see you next week.
You can get involved with the podcast online in the meantime, of course.
Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becausewhypod/
You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/
For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/
Who has been a guest on Now, That's What I Call Green.
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dave Richards
Kate
Brianna West
Melissa Márquez
Melissa Cristina Márquez
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
116,390
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
34 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 64 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
63
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
77
Host of Now, That's What I Call Green.?
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