This Upbeat Life

Edible Slime?! - Crib Mattress Hazards - The B.O.R.G.

On this episode: Quick News is all about Chlorella Vulgaris, a superfood, but unfortunately it resembles pond slime - and tastes like it too! On the Real Deal I look at the dangers of brand new crib mattresses that give off potentially dangerous gases and on Far Out Stuff I set phasers to stun and ponder the BORG - but not as you know it, Captain. No, I'm investigating the phenomenon of Blackout Rage Gallons, the Frat students favourite. Enjoy.Sources for Crib Mattress Off Gassing study: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00051 (original study)https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.5c03560 (additional study)Music accreditation – Shane Ivers at https://www.silvermansound.com/Any comments please drop me a line at thisupbeatlife@gmail.com - cheers!

A Brilliant Interview With Ann Lloyd

Ann chats about diet, pet peeves, her favourite music, the love of the outdoors, playing rugby and football as a young woman in the 1970s, her favourite doughnut, her run in with a ghost! - and what makes her happy.Ann also talks about her work in Health & Social Care and what it means for her and the people she supports and advocates for.Music accreditation – Shane Ivers at https://www.silvermansound.com/

Artificial sweeteners, Your brain is ageing rapidly and a neutered dog? No probs!

Yes, in this episode on Quick News we delve into the realities of artificial sweeteners in our diet. Are they bad for us or is it all a storm in a teacup (or diet soda can)?You probably think that your brain starts ageing later in life, like your 70,s. Apparently not! Find out on the Real Deal.And on Far Out Stuff, you've neutered Fido and he's lost his swagger. It looks like this is it - but fear not, prosthetic nuts may just be the answer to Fido's doggy prayers.Music accreditation – Shane Ivers at https://www.silvermansound.com/

A Jolly Interview with Martyn Jones!

Martyn is now retired from his job at the British Library and he joins me where we have a discussion and a laugh about his life and what makes him happy.Music accreditation – Shane Ivers at https://www.silvermansound.com/

Sleepy Teens, Sunscreen Schemes, and a Crime of Desperation

Welcome to another edition of This Upbeat Life, where we explore the lighter, stranger, and occasionally eyebrow-raising corners of health, wellness, and happiness.Quick News: Sleep-Deprived TeensThis week’s headline topic examines a major study tracking more than 3,000 adolescents through sleep monitors, brain scans, and cognitive testing. The results are striking: teenagers who sleep earlier and longer demonstrate sharper thinking, better memory, stronger vocabulary, improved problem-solving skills, and even larger brain volume.Listeners are invited to self-experiment: try three or four nights of proper rest and see if life feels easier. Report back to: thisupbeatlife@gmail.com.The Real Deal: Sunscreen ContouringToday’s deep dive explores the unusual and risky social-media trend of sunscreen contouring—using different SPF levels to create natural-looking contour lines through tanning. Dermatologists universally warn against it, noting the very real dangers of UV damage, premature ageing, and skin cancer.Have you tried sunscreen contouring or its safer alternatives? Share your story at thisupbeatlife@gmail.com.Far Out Stuff: The Man Who Robbed a Bank to Escape His WifeIn 2017, 70-year-old Lawrence John Ripple of Kansas took marital frustration to spectacular extremes. After arguing with his wife, he declared he’d rather be in jail than at home—then walked into a bank with a note claiming he had a gun, collected $3,000, and calmly waited for police.Thank you for listening! Until next time, remember: happiness is the best medicine.Music accreditation – Shane Ivers at https://www.silvermansound.com/