logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
49m 30s

Thrillseekers

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Here on Unexpected Elements, we've been glued to the drama of the Paralympic games in Paris. But it's not just the thrill of the competition that's got us hooked, we've also become obsessed with some of the high-octane training regimes undertaken by the athletes.

Take American 'Armless Archer' Matt Stutzman, who shoots arrows through the windows of his own house and car to recreate the high pressure of the Olympic stadium. He's chasing a thrill, and so are we!

We hear about the research on one extraordinary woman who had a medical condition which caused her to have no fear.

And we follow the fate of an extraordinary marine creature, who detaches his own arm in his quest for a mate.

We hear about why humans love to be scared - as long as it's all in good fun.

And we hear about the space debris falling to earth, and the thrilling quest of a plane full of scientists who want to watch it fall.

That and loads more unexpected elements in this week's show.

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Tristan Ahtone and Affelia Wibisono Producer: Emily Knight, with Harrison Lewis, Dan Welsh and Noa Dowling Sound engineer: Gwynfor Jones

Up next
Aug 21
Fashionably late
News of an Australian library book finally finding its way home 150 years after it was borrowed has the Unexpected Elements team thinking about things that get forgotten, filed away or simply turn up much later than expected.We start with the story of a meteorite from Mars that s ... Show More
49m 31s
Aug 14
Light entertainment
As Europe experiences its first total solar eclipse in almost 30 years this week, Unexpected Elements investigates the surprising science that emerges when sunlight is blocked out. We travel to the forests of Italy, where we investigate whether trees can communicate their eclipse ... Show More
49m 30s
Aug 7
Someone's always watching
The UK's Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has found that birdwatching is the second-fastest growing hobby amongst Gen Z with 750,000 of them regularly venturing into the outdoors to spot some of our feathered friends. Inspired by this new appreciation for an old pastime, ... Show More
49m 30s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2023
Inside the Minds of Thrill Seekers
Skydiving, BASE jumping, climbing the highest peaks, adventuring to remote parts of the world — pushing the boundaries of safety. For thrill-seekers, chasing the rush is what it's all about. Where lots of us would break into a cold sweat, they experience something different: calm ... Show More
49m 20s
Aug 2021
Earth, Wind, and Water with Dr. Skateboard, The Armless Archer, and Jud Ready
<p>Shoot an arrow without arms? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly & Chuck Nice explore Olympic events– swimming, archery, and skateboarding– with materials scientist Jud Ready, “Armless Archer” Matt Stutzman, and Bill “Dr. Skateboard” Robertson.</p> <p>NOTE: StarTalk ... Show More
52m 48s
Jul 2021
Stage Fright
<p>The pressure. The expectations. The anxiety. If there's one thing that connects the athletes gathering for the Olympic games with the rest of us, it's the stress that can come from performing in front of others. In this week’s episode, we talk with cognitive scientist <a href= ... Show More
52m 15s
Jun 2007
ARMAGEDDON - Super Volcanoes, Meteorites and Earthquakes
This week a rabies-based Trojan Horse that smuggles drugs across the blood-brain barrier, why first-borns are brighter, progress with Parkinson's and a lunar telescope more powerful than Hubble. Plus in this week's ARMAGEDDON-focused show we look at supervolcanes, earthquakes and ... Show More
57m 12s
Aug 2024
Inspiring While Perspiring
If you’ve ever felt inspired by watching athletes sweat it out for gold medals, we have a treat for you.  Amy and T.J. are joined by 17 time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters who shares her inspirational story of going from a Ukrainian orphanage and losing both her legs to being ... Show More
36m 43s
Oct 2024
Trailer
Curious Cases is returning! Superstar mathematician and broadcaster Hannah Fry teams up with legendary comedian and fellow science nerd Dara Ó Briain for an all-new series of the show which takes your quirkiest questions and solves them with the power of science.In this short pre ... Show More
2m 18s
Jun 2022
Performance Enhancers
This episode of GMFST, Tyler and Mark open up with some URGENT SPORTS NEWS...basically the Indy 500 happened, the Golden State Warriors got some dubs...also some hockey is happening and people in sport are speaking up for social change! Afterwards they talk DRUGS...your faithful ... Show More
1h 8m
Aug 2021
The psychology of courage and bravery
The adventurer and ultra-runner Alex Staniforth talks about his survival on Everest following the devastating Nepalese earthquake in 2015. Rachel Manning from Buckingham University considers why we do or don’t intervene in risky situations and in everyday life. And Patrick Tissin ... Show More
26m 28s
Aug 2024
Animal Crossing #234 - She's Doing Science
It's JB Season, which means the Olympics are here. We have lots to discuss about mascots, Team USA, and all our favorite moments from the first week of the Paris 2024 Olympics. We also catch up on lesser-known annual events that teach us about science. --- Patreon Members Only: V ... Show More
1h 8m