The Untold Stories

By Akshaya

In a world of specialists, "The Untold Stories" takes a generalist view of the human experience. Join me for explorations that connect the dots between seemingly unrelated fields, from science and art... more

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FAQs about The Untold Stories:

How many episodes does The Untold Stories have?

The podcast currently has 65 episodes available.

The Untold Stories episodes:

June 24, 2026 The City Built by an Algorithm — Urban planning AI is now designing road networks, zoning, and infrastructure in new developments across Asia.
What happens when humans hand the blueprints of society over to artificial intelligence? In this episode, we explore the rise of AI-driven urban planning across Asia, where algorithms are now building entire cities from scratch. From optimizing massive traffic networks to instantly calculating zoning laws and critical infrastructure, machine learning is replacing the traditional architect. We dive into the groundbreaking efficiency of these new developments—and the profound risks of letting data, rather than human culture, dictate how we live.

#storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
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14min
June 15, 2026 Why We Are All Made of Stardust — and Which Specific Types of Stars Made Which Atoms in Your Body✨
✨ We are literally parts of the cosmos. This short episode breaks down the mind-blowing science of stellar nucleosynthesis to explain why you are made of stardust.

#storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
...more
7min
June 14, 2026 Project-based learning taking over — the end of the traditional classroom exam?
Are high-stakes exams officially extinct? In this episode, we dive into how project-based learning is replacing traditional testing and changing the way students learn. Discover how moving from memorisation to real-world problem-solving impacts students, teachers, and the future of education.

#storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
...more
7min
June 11, 2026 The Smell of Space — Astronauts returning from EVAs describe a distinct metallic odour — and scientists have finally identified its chemistry
What does the final frontier actually smell like? NASA astronauts returning from intense spacewalks have long reported a highly unusual, clinging aroma on their suits: a sharp mix of seared steak, hot metal, and spent gunpowder. Because space is a near-vacuum, it was a mystery how an odourless void could leave such a distinct sensory footprint.In this episode, we break down how scientists finally decoded the cosmic chemistry behind this phenomenon.

#storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
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6min
June 09, 2026 Air quality and brain health — how pollution is quietly damaging cognition
Think air pollution only damages your lungs? Think again. In this episode, we expose the invisible crisis happening inside our heads. New science reveals how microscopic pollution particles slip past your body's defenses, entering the brain to trigger inflammation, accelerate cognitive decline, and quietly erode memory. Tune in to discover how the air you breathe shapes how you think—and learn the immediate, actionable steps you can take to protect your cognitive health today.

#storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
...more
7min
June 05, 2026 China’s String of Pearls Strategy — Beijing has established port agreements across South Asia, East Africa, and the Pacific in a quiet strategic arc.
This podcast episode explores China's String of Pearls Strategy, detailing how Beijing has quietly established a strategic network of naval nodes and port agreements across South Asia, East Africa, and the Pacific.

#storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
...more
6min
June 03, 2026 The Singapore Housing Experiment That Housed 80% of Its Citizens in Government-Built Flats; it Works
Discover how Singapore turned a post-war housing crisis into a global success story by putting 80% of its population into state-built apartments. This episode explores the unique economics, social integration policies, and massive engineering feats behind the Housing & Development Board (HDB) model. We dive into how these master-planned neighborhoods shaped a nation's identity and whether this radical blueprint can solve modern housing crises worldwide.

#storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
...more
8min
June 01, 2026 The Planet Made Entirely of Diamond That Orbits a Pulsar 4,000 Light Years Away; PSRJ1719-1438b is the compressed remnant of a white dwarf. It's roughly the mass of Jupiter.
Today, we are exploring PSR J1719-1438b. It is the zombie corpse of a dead star, crushed by gravity into a giant cosmic gem with the mass of Jupiter but compressed into a fraction of the size.

#storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
...more
7min
May 30, 2026 Why People Make Better Decisions for Others Than for Themselves; Psychological distance makes you a better advisor than a participant. The bias is systematic and consistent across cultures.
Ever noticed how easy it is to solve your friend's life problems, while your own choices remain a complete mess? This episode dives into the fascinating psychology of why humans make vastly superior decisions for others than for themselves. We explore how "psychological distance" clears away emotional fog, why this bias cuts across every culture on Earth, and how you can trick your own brain into becoming your own best advisor.

#storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
...more
6min
May 29, 2026 The Gift Card Graveyard: $3 Billion Left Unspent Every Year; The gap between receiving a gift card and using it is called 'breakage.' Companies budget for it. You're funding it.
"The Gift Card Graveyard" explores the $3 billion annual phenomenon of unused gift cards, known as "breakage." This episode exposes how companies profit from unspent balances and provides strategies to reclaim forgotten funds.

#storytellling #human_connection #humanity #lifestories #science #art #business #interviews #documentary
...more
7min

FAQs about The Untold Stories:

How many episodes does The Untold Stories have?

The podcast currently has 65 episodes available.