What does hobby-maxxing do to the brain?

We've been looking into the phenomenon of "hobby-maxxing." Adam Fleming spoke to Ciara McCabe, Professor of Neuroscience, Psychopharmacology and Mental Health at the University of Reading.

Are people trying too hard with their hobbies? Gen Z in particular are being accused of getting too competitive with their pastimes. Having a hobby has, according to various metrics, become a lifestyle trend in 2026. We look at what the term "hobby-maxxing" means. Is it a good or a bad thing? What happens to your brain when you do your hobby, and when did hobbies become a significant part of our lives? Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Beth Ashmead Latham, John Murphy and Annabel Deas Studio Manager: Hal Haines Programme co-ordinator: Katie Morrison Editor: Penny Murphy

Antisocial behaviour and what to do about it has long been a concern of governments and ordinary citizens. Within any country or society most people tend to agree what constitutes acceptable and unacceptable behaviour - be it to do with queuing, or playing your music loud in a public space, or using your phone at a cinema. But attitudes differ across different societies. Pontus Strimling of the Institute for Future Studies in Stockholm, Sweden, has been comparing social norms across roughly 90 different countries.

The battle against antisocial behaviour. "Share the journey, not the noise" - so says the government as it has launched new measures to prevent noise and antisocial behaviour on public transport. It's the latest in a long line of policies by governments of all hues against nuisance behaviours. Is antisocial behaviour getting worse? Or are we becoming less tolerant? And do government policies to tackle it actually work? Adam Fleming explores all this.Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: John Murphy, Annabel Deas and Ellie House Studio Manager: Jack Wilfan Editor: Penny Murphy

We're drowning in data but what will be saved and what will be lost? And how will future researchers and historians remember us? Adam Fleming speaks to Professor Katrin Weller who leads one of Europe's biggest research data archives at the Leibnitz Institute for social sciences in Germany.

Are there enough women writing history and being written about? The broadcaster Sandi Toksvig has announced she is launching an alternative to Wikipedia after claiming the site is "deeply biased". Along with the University of Cambridge, she hopes that her Mappa Mundi project will be an “interactive digital atlas where we can find a home for the vast amount of knowledge that is currently sidelined or deleted”. Adam Fleming explores who writes history and how the present will be remembered in the future. Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: John Murphy, Lucy Sheppard, Annabel Deas. Studio Manager: Andrew Mills Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison Editor: Penny Murphy

Do we have a duty to intervene if we think a crime is being committed? Adam Fleming spoke to Nick Brett, a partner at the law firm Brett Wilson, about what the legal position is when it comes to intervening in or reporting a crime.

Are you complicit if you don't intervene? A debate has blown up on social media over the so-called Cornell 7 allegations in the US, after a young woman accused seven students from Cornell University of raping her. On social media people have been saying that this is not just about the Cornell 7, it is also about the Cornell 57 - referring to a group chat where sex with the woman was allegedly advertised. Adam explores the limits - or not - of intervention in cases where you think a crime is being committed. What is your moral or civic duty to intervene and what does the law say?The programme involves a discusson of sexual violence which contains language that you might find offensive and issues that are sensitive. If you have been a victim by sexual abuse or violence, details of help and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline, or you can call for free, at any time to hear recorded information on 0800 077 077.Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: Ellie House, John Murphy, Annabel Deas. Studio Manager: Andrew Mills Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison Editor: Penny Murphy

The BBC has faced criticism for editing parts of old Mitchell and Webb shows, as well as Horrible Histories, before putting them back onto the iPlayer. Some argue this is censorship while others point out that tastes have moved on.Adam Fleming hears from TV executive Tim Hincks. Tim is co-CEO of Expectation TV; he's also the former chief executive of Endemol UK. In his career he oversaw Big Brother, Deal or No Deal, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Would I Lie to You? and plenty of other shows.

Peace talks for the culture wars. The BBC has faced criticism for editing parts of old Mitchell and Webb shows, as well as Horrible Histories. This is before publishing them on the iPlayer. Some argue it's censorship while others say times and tastes have moved on and it's a sensible thing to do. Adam Fleming hears from both sides of the argument. Presenter: Adam Fleming Producers: John Murphy, Annabel Deas, Tom Gillett Production coordinator: Katie Morrison Studio Manager: Andrew Mills Editor: Penny Murphy