Robin Dunbar - How Religion Evolved: Evolution, Language & the Human Mind (Part 1)

It started with a walk… and a few unusual stones in a field.In the smallest county in England, a chance discovery during lockdown led to one of the most remarkable Roman finds in recent years—a mosaic hidden beneath the soil for nearly 2,000 years.In this episode, I’m joined by Jim Irvine, the man who found it, as we walk the very ground where the discovery was made.From oyster shells and satellite images to uncovering a Roman villa, this is the story of how curiosity uncovered history.If you’d like to explore the story further, Jim’s book Finding Troy is available now. Book link - Finding Troy 👣 Explore Your Own Local HistoryJim’s advice: "Start with maps, aerial images, and local records—you might be surprised what’s beneath your feet."If you enjoyed this episode:Follow the podcastLeave a reviewShare it with someone curious about historyQuestion or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

What does it mean to inherit one of the most famous family legacies in the world?In this episode of Undercurrent Stories, Bob speaks with Ned Guinness, the current head of the Guinness family, 4th Earl of Iveagh, and author of Guinness: The Family Succession.Drawing on private family archives, Ned reflects on legacy, responsibility, Irish history, philanthropy, and the small decisions that shape generations — revealing the human story behind the Guinness name beyond the brand.Quote“It’s the little things that matter in life… the small decisions become big things.”Featured Book📖 Guinness: The Family SuccessionIn This Episode, You’ll Hear About:The real human story behind the Guinness nameGrowing up inside an historic family legacyThe Guinness family’s role in Irish history and philanthropyHow small decisions can shape generationsNavigating politics, religion, and social inequalityLessons on responsibility, resilience, and stewardshipReflections on Netflix’s The House of GuinnessWhy preserving family history — honestly — mattersQuestion or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Why does religion bring people together?In Part Two of this three part mini-series on the history of religion, Professor Robin Dunbar explores how rituals like singing, prayer, music, and shared worship strengthen social bonds and create deep feelings of belonging.We examine the science of endorphins, Dunbar’s Number, friendship layers, and why humans seem wired for community — revealing religion as a powerful social technology.A fascinating look at belief as connection, not just faith.GuestProfessor Robin Dunbar — evolutionary psychologist, author of Dunbar’s NumberBook - How Religion Evolved (more info)Next Episode Part 3 — Empires, Power & the Future of Belief Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

Where did religion come from — and why did humans start believing?In Part One of this three-part mini-series, evolutionary psychologist Professor Robin Dunbar explores how religion may have emerged from early human cognition, language, imagination, and our awareness of death.We look at early spirituality, trance, symbolic thinking, and the evolutionary foundations of belief — long before organised religion or sacred texts.A science-led journey into the origins of faith and what it reveals about the human mind.GuestProfessor Robin Dunbar — evolutionary psychologist, author of Dunbar’s NumberBook - How Religion Evolved (more info)Next EpisodePart 2 — Religion as Social Glue: Ritual, Bonding & CommunityQuestion or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

How has religion shaped civilizations — and where is belief heading next?In the final episode, Professor Robin Dunbar examines how religion helped build societies, fueled conflict, responded to crisis, and continues to influence the modern world.From ancient empires to modern secular life, we explore whether religion is declining, transforming, or preparing for a resurgence — and what that means for humanity’s future.A thought-provoking conclusion to the mini-series.GuestProfessor Robin Dunbar — evolutionary psychologist, author of Dunbar’s NumberBook - How Religion Evolved (more info)Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In this episode , we speak with author Sonia Daccarret about her memoir The Roots of a Guava Tree — a deeply personal exploration of childhood, identity, memory, and belonging .Growing up in Colombia in the 1980s, Sonia reflects on a life shaped by cultural hybridity, political change, and family history — with a Jewish mother and a Christian Palestinian father, and no single religious label to claim . She shares what it meant to come of age during a time of violence and transformation, and how revisiting her past through writing brought clarity, empathy, and peace .We explore the symbolism of the guava tree, the ethics of writing memoir, the power of inherited stories, and why preserving personal history matters — not just for writers, but for anyone seeking to better understand where they come from .This is a conversation about roots, memory, migration, and the quiet forces that shape our lives beneath the surface.In This EpisodeGrowing up in Cali during Colombia’s era of changeNavigating identity across cultures and faithsWriting memoir with honesty and ethical careThe meaning behind The Roots of a Guava TreeWhy telling family stories preserves legacy and connectionGuestSonia Daccarret — Author of The Roots of a Guava TreeWebsite: https://www.soniadaccarett.com/Listen If You EnjoyLiterary memoirIdentity, migration, and belongingFamily stories and cultural historyReflective, story-driven conversationsCall to ActionIf you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review Undercurrent Stories, and share it with someone who loves meaningful conversations.Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

In this episode, I’m joined by musician and songwriter Francis Dunnery for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation. Francis Dunnery is best known as the lead singer and guitarist for the British prog-pop band It Bites. After leaving the band in 1990, he launched a diverse solo career, releasing over ten original albums spanning progressive rock, pop, folk, R&B, and blues. A versatile musician, Dunnery has also worked extensively as a sideman and musical contributor for major artists, including Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), Carlos Santana, Lauryn Hill, Chris Difford (Squeeze) James Sonefeld (Hootie and The Blowfish and Ian Brown (The Stone Roses).We talk about growing up in 1970s Britain, nostalgia, memory, creativity, and how those experiences have shaped his new project, England’s Tales of the Council House Kid. From music and storytelling to youth, ageing, and the moments that define us, this is a thoughtful, funny, and honest chat with an artist still very much following his own path.For details of the Feb '26 tour and links to Francis's website see below;https://francisdunnery.com/Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

What if sound could help you switch off, slow down, and reset your nervous system?In this episode of Undercurrent Stories, I'm joined by Cherub Sanson, sound healer and co-founder of the Academy of Integrated Sonic Medicine. We explore why sound can calm the nervous system more quickly than many other well-being practices, how vibration influences stress, sleep, and focus, and why sound healing has moved from the margins into the mainstream. Drawing on science, lived experience, and ancient traditions, Cherub explains what sound healing actually is — and what it isn’t.The conversation looks at sound as a practical tool for modern life: accessible, non-verbal, and effective even for people who struggle with meditation. The episode ends with a short live sound meditation, giving listeners a direct experience of the ideas discussed.In this episode:How sound regulates the nervous systemWhy we respond to sound before thoughtSound healing vs meditation — and how they work togetherStress, sleep, and emotional releaseAncient practices and modern scienceA live sonic meditation to close the episodeListen with headphones for the best experience.🔗 Links & ResourcesAcademy of Integrated Sonic Medicine: ( link)Cherub is  co-host of the Soundpower Podcast with Martyn Ware (Heaven 17):  (link)Undercurrent Stories Podcast: (link)Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

How to Listen to Animals: What They’re Really Trying to Tell Us: Amelia ThomasIn this episode of Undercurrent Stories, host Bob Wells explores animal communication, listening to animals, and the lost human ability to hear what the natural world is telling us.Bob is joined by Amelia Thomas, journalist, author, and naturalist, whose book What Sheep Think About the Weather: How to Listen to What Animals Are Trying to Say examines how animals speak through sound, behaviour, movement, subtle signals and how humans can relearn the skill of listening.From neuroscience and animal behaviour science to tracking, indigenous knowledge, and intuition, this conversation looks at how animals communicate without words, why modern life has weakened our ability to notice these signals, and how learning to listen again can deepen our connection to animals, nature, and ourselves.Whether you live with pets, work with animals, or simply want to understand the natural world more deeply, this episode offers practical insight into listening to animals, slowing down, and paying attention to what’s always been around us.In This Episode, We Discuss:How animals communicate through sound, behaviour, and silenceWhat science reveals about animal emotions and individualityWhy humans have lost the ability to listen to animalsThe link between listening, mindfulness, and awarenessIndigenous tracking and intuitive ways of knowing animalsHow better listening improves relationships with pets and wildlifeAbout the GuestAmelia Thomas is a journalist, author, and naturalist based in Nova Scotia. Her work focuses on animal behaviour, communication, and the human–animal relationship. Her book What Sheep Think About the Weather blends scientific research, lived experience, and ancient knowledge to explore how humans can learn to listen to animals again.Links:https://www.ameliathomas.co.uk/Book: What Sheep Think About the WeatherFollow Undercurrent StoriesIf you enjoy thoughtful conversations about nature, listening, and the hidden currents beneath everyday life, follow Undercurrent Stories on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com

What happens when a world war collides with centuries of unresolved tension?In the final episode of our mini-series on the Irish Troubles,  Dr Thomas Leahy guides us from the outbreak of the First World War through to the conditions that ignited what we now call the Troubles. This is the turning point — where long-standing fears, loyalties, and political gambles harden into something far more dangerous.We explore how Home Rule was postponed by global conflict, why armed movements emerged on all sides, and how moments like the Easter Rising reshaped Irish and British politics forever. Along the way, we ask difficult questions: when does resistance become rebellion, and how do historical memories turn into modern conflict?This episode connects the dots between past and present, revealing how decisions made under pressure echoed across generations.🎧 In this episode, you’ll discover:Why World War I changed everything for IrelandHow the Easter Rising shocked Britain and divided Irish opinionThe roots of partition and the birth of Northern IrelandHow competing ideas of loyalty, identity, and power set the stage for the TroublesIf you want to understand how and why the Troubles began, this episode is essential listening.👉 If you haven’t already, we recommend listening to Episodes 1 and 2 first for full context.If you enjoy the show, please consider leaving a review and following Undercurrent Stories on your podcast platform — it really helps others find the series.Links: https://drthomasdmleahy.com/#/Question or comment? Send us a text message.www.undercurrentstories.com