Best Ship Of Knowledge Podcasts (2025)

1
The traffic lights tackling poverty 23:17

2d ago23:17

23:17

Despite a lot of progress in the last few decades, more than a billion people still live in acute poverty, according to the UN. Many don’t have access to basic needs like food, water, shelter and clothing. We look at an innovative project in Paraguay where people identify their own needs using a traffic light system and are then linked up with busi…

1
What to do with stray animals 23:23

10d ago23:23

23:23

How the numbers of stray dogs - and feral pigeons - can be kept down kindly in urban areas. From street dogs to feral pigeons, many towns and cities are having to deal with exploding bird and animal populations which can pose risks to health and safety. This week we take a look at ways we can control numbers in an effective and humane way. We visit…

1
Making hospitals kinder for kids 23:20

17d ago23:20

23:20

Being in hospital can be frightening and lonely for children — but playful ideas are helping make the experience a little easier. In Scotland, professionally trained clowns are visiting paediatric wards to bring joy and distraction, while in the US, immersive video games are helping young patients come to terms with illness and long stays. We meet …

1
Making life easier for older people 23:13

24d ago23:13

23:13

Barcelona in Spain is famous for its beautiful streets, lined with tall apartment buildings. But the architecture is a problem for many people who have lived for years in upstairs apartments but who now find the stairs unmanageable. In 2008, a survey found that in one district there were 300 people who could not leave their homes alone. A group of …

1
Shipping containers fixing the world 23:26

1M ago23:26

23:26

Shipping containers are a staple of global trade, helping in the transport of all sorts of goods by sea across the world. But their relatively cheap cost and sturdy structure lends them to many other purposes. In this episode we look at a start-up business in the UK that uses shipping containers to store carbon captured from the air in the producti…

1
Malawi's waste warriors 23:18

1M ago23:18

23:18

What do you do with your waste if you live somewhere that doesn’t have the infrastructure to deal with it? Turns out there are some really simple solutions. Presenter Myra Anubi is in Malawi where she meets the cafe owner in the capital Lilongwe who has set up a recycling hub as well as the women making valuable compost from food scraps and animal …

1
Working with our minds 24:13

2M ago24:13

24:13

Mindfulness meditation, which involves becoming aware of the breath in the present moment, has been a core part of Eastern contemplative practices for thousands of years. Over recent decades however, it’s ‘exploded’ throughout the West as scientists have sought to prove the physical and mental benefits of regular practice - like feeling calmer, les…

1
Helping Chile's stolen children 23:51

2M ago23:51

23:51

During the 1970s and 80s, thousands of Chilean babies were illegally kidnapped, trafficked and adopted. The practice was widespread during the rule of General Augusto Pinochet. Today many of Chile’s ‘stolen children’ are trying to trace their birth families - and their mothers are also looking for them. Hundreds of them have been successfully reuni…

1
The classroom tablet revolution 23:25

2M ago23:25

23:25

From Malawi, Myra Anubi takes a look at ways that technology is improving children’s education. Malawi has free primary schools - but almost 90% of 10 year olds are unable to read properly. So the government is distributing tablets to schools up and down the country. They use software that helps kids to learn maths and reading at their own speed an…

1
Tackling bias in health 23:18

2M ago23:18

23:18

Bias in the way medical research is carried out means that new medicines for diseases such as cancer – as well as the tools used to diagnose patients with some conditions – are disproportionally tested on people of European heritage. This can lead to those not represented in the data being misdiagnosed as well as some treatments not working as well…

1
Gadgets for blind people 23:32

2M ago23:32

23:32

Myra Anubi is joined by BBC Access All presenter Emma Tracey to look at new technology that could help blind people in their everyday lives. Glide is a new mobility aid – it’s a device with wheels and cameras that aims to provide blind people with an alternative to white canes and guide dogs, while using AI to give them more information about their…

1
How sport can bring outsiders in 23:26

3M ago23:26

23:26

This week we look at two projects that show how sport can be a powerful tool for social inclusion. We go rowing with some refugees in Seville, Spain, and discover how being part of a crew has helped both adults and kids feel part of their new community. And we join a special scheme in southern England that uses football coaching to break down barri…

1
Recovery for all 23:16

3M ago23:16

23:16

There are more people alive and living for longer - but with that comes more people experiencing failing health. While some of this is inevitable, some can be reversible through rehabilitation. The WHO says 2.6 billion people could benefit from rehabilitation services but in low and middle income countries fewer than half receive these services. We…

1
Avocados 8:32

3M ago8:32

8:32

In this episode of The Curious Minds: Knowledge in a Nutshell, we trace the path of the avocado from ancient forests to global brunch tables. Discover how this fruit became a $15 billion global trade, why it’s called “green gold”, and how its supply chain is shaped by logistics, climate, and even organized crime. It’s a story of agriculture, econom…

1
Radioactive rhinos 23:18

3M ago23:18

23:18

The global rhino population has fallen by 95% since 1900, mainly due to poaching. Now an atomic approach is being used to stop the poachers in South Africa by placing radioactive material into the horns of rhinos. We journey to the South African bush to meet the scientists - as well as the rhinos being protected. People Fixing The World from the BB…

1
Building a clinic to save a forest 23:25

3M ago23:25

23:25

How do you stop people chopping down precious rainforest? In the Indonesian part of Borneo, researchers for a conservation charity discovered that local people were chopping down the rainforest around them for an incredibly understandable reason – they needed to pay for medical treatment for themselves and their children. So they started a project …

1
Helping the children of sex workers 23:43

4M ago23:43

23:43

In the red light districts of Kolkata, India, there exists an extraordinary youth club. DIKSHA, as it’s known, looks after the children of sex workers when their mothers are working. While they’re at the youth club, girls and boys learn about their rights and are empowered to take control of their futures. Since the club started in 2001 it has work…

1
Fishing trash from our oceans 23:13

4M ago23:13

23:13

Around the world, rubbish is collecting in our gutters and waterways, with millions of tonnes being washed out to sea every year. As the soup of ocean debris kills and injures millions of marine animals, we look at two projects trying to make a dent in the problem. We discover a Greek project which has enlisted thousands of fishermen around the Med…

1
Vatican City - How Does This Country Work 8:14

4M ago8:14

8:14

Vatican City may be the world’s smallest country, but its influence spans the globe. In this episode we uncover the history, economy, and unique governance of the Vatican. How did this tiny state gain independence? How does it function with fewer than 800 citizens? Where does its $300–400 million annual revenue come from? And why does the Vatican o…

1
257 - Future of AndroidDev in an AI world with Vinay Gaba 47:39

4M ago47:39

47:39

Join us as we talk with Vinay Gaba, Android GDE and leading voice in Android development, about the future of the field. Vinay shares insights from interviews with top Android devs on their three-year predictions, and offers his own perspective. We cover AI's impact, evolving development roles, and crucial future skills. You can find the full shown…

1
Renewable kids on the block 23:17

4M ago23:17

23:17

Globally, energy production and use is responsible for around 75% of the world’s carbon emissions, with around a third of that on electricity and heat alone. To tackle climate change, we need to get more energy from renewable sources, so this week we’re taking a look at some of the more surprising ways people have come up with to harness clean ener…

1
Mangoes - The King of Fruits and its Global Journey 8:12

4M ago8:12

8:12

In this episode of The Curious Minds: Knowledge in a Nutshell, we uncover the geography, economics, and logistics of mangoes, from their origins in South Asia to their journey across the world’s biggest trade routes. How do mangoes get from farms to supermarket shelves? Which countries dominate production and exports? And why are some mangoes worth…

1
The artificial limbs bringing hope in Gaza 24:33

4M ago24:33

24:33

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in every 100 people in Gaza have a life-changing injury because of the conflict. It’s currently impossible for most to leave the strip and get medical treatment but a team of Jordanian medics has been able to enter Gaza and fit war victims with cutting-edge prosthetics which clip on quickly and…

1
256 - Rapid prototyping with Kotlin 21:37

4M ago21:37

21:37

In this episode, we dive into the power of rapid prototyping for Android developers using Kotlin. We explore how this crucial skill can impress stakeholders, accelerate your workflow, and help you stay ahead in today's fast-paced tech landscape. We'll cover use cases across scripting, web development (with Ktor & HTMX), mobile apps (Jetpack Compose…

1
255 - Data Oriented Programming 31:32

5M ago31:32

31:32

In this episode, we dive into the programming paradigm — Data Oriented Programming (DOP) and why making data the star can simplify your code. Learn how well-modeled data reduces defensive logic, prevents invalid states, and keeps your apps stable. We’ll also contrast DOP with Object Oriented Programming (OOP) and Functional Programming (FP), sharin…

1
How to have better sex 23:23

5M ago23:23

23:23

Sex is one of the few things in life that is available to everyone and is free. But achieving enjoyable sex is not possible for many. Some people are held back by fear, ignorance or culture - others don’t know or understand their rights around sex. For years public health campaigns focused on warning people about the downsides of sex - danger, dise…

1
Making money go further 23:17

5M ago23:17

23:17

Billions of people struggle to make ends meet a lot of the time. We look at ways in which people who don’t have much money or are in financial distress can make what they do have go further. We visit savings and credit groups which are helping women to start businesses in Guatemala and see how a cooking at home scheme is helping to save cash - and …

1
How Landfills Work – Engineering and Economics of Waste Management 7:40

5M ago7:40

7:40

Landfills aren’t just giant holes in the ground—they are engineered systems designed to store, manage, and sometimes even extract value from waste. In this episode we uncover how landfills work, from high-tech waste containment and methane collection to the billion-dollar business of garbage. How are they built? Who profits from them? And what does…

1
Improving our eyesight 23:22

5M ago23:22

23:22

Many agricultural workers don’t have the eyesight they need for the work they do, affecting both their comfort and their ability to earn more money. They're among the billion plus people who have visual impairments but can't get the assistance they need. We visit a coffee plantation in southern India where workers are being given glasses on the spo…

1
Shipping Containers – The Box That Changed the World 8:16

5M ago8:16

8:16

Discover how a simple steel box revolutionized global trade and reshaped the modern economy. In this episode of The Curious Minds: Knowledge in a Nutshell, we uncover the story of the shipping container—from its invention to its role as the backbone of globalization. Learn about the economics of container shipping, the vast scale of mega-ships, and…

1
Sharing the river 23:24

5M ago23:24

23:24

In the farming community of Los Negros in rural Bolivia, the river is their life and livelihood. So when that river started to dry up, it made life very hard. They blamed the villages upstream for not looking after their precious water. This conflict could have turned ugly. But with the support of a local charity, what came out of it instead was a …

1
We're coming back for 2025! 1:37

5M ago1:37

1:37

A quick hello and happy new year from Myra and a preview of some of the great solutions coming up on People Fixing The World. Share our podcast with your friends and family and give them something to cheer about as we look ahead to 2025. People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We'd love you to let …

1
Singapore – From Swamps to Global Powerhouse 8:47

6M ago8:47

8:47

In this episode of The Curious Minds: Knowledge in a Nutshell, we explore the incredible transformation of Singapore, a nation that rose from swamps and poverty to become one of the world's wealthiest and most dynamic countries. Discover how bold leadership, innovative policies, and a relentless focus on progress turned a struggling island into a g…

1
Estonia – From Soviet Shadow to Digital Pioneer 8:52

6M ago8:52

8:52

In this episode of The Curious Minds: Knowledge in a Nutshell, we delve into the inspiring story of Estonia, a small nation that transformed itself from the shadows of Soviet control into one of the most digitally advanced societies in the world. Learn how visionary leadership, technological innovation, and a commitment to transparency turned this …

1
The Zipper: A Simple Innovation That Changed Everything 7:43

6M ago7:43

7:43

In this episode of The Curious Minds: Knowledge in a Nutshell, we uncover the story of the zipper—an everyday tool with extraordinary impact. From its beginnings to revolutionizing fashion, outdoor gear, and even space exploration, discover how this simple invention became an essential part of our daily lives and global industries.…

1
Restoring nature for all 22:58

6M ago22:58

22:58

Myra Anubi visits a major project in the north of England that’s restoring a damaged landscape. Haweswater in the Lake District is an area of stunning natural beauty but over the years it’s been degraded by humans and livestock. This has created flood risks and reduced biodiversity. But now work is underway to restore the site to benefit both peopl…

1
254 - 8× faster 5× memory savings with Dan Rusu’s Immutable Arrays 49:16

6M ago49:16

49:16

In this episode, discover how Dan Rusu’s pods4k Immutable Arrays library can deliver 2–8× speed boosts and 5× lower memory usage in Kotlin/Android apps. We first revisit the fundamentals of autoboxing/unboxing and immutability to understand their impact on performance. Then we hear from Dan himself on his library, motiviations for building it, how …

1
Our favourite solutions 22:59

6M ago22:59

22:59

Presenter Myra Anubi and the team chat about some of their favourite projects that have been covered on People Fixing The World over the last twelve months. We’ll be returning to Thailand and the school run by kids; checking in with a family of beavers which are part of an urban rewilding project in the UK and hear more about saving kelp forests in…

1
How Maps Have Shaped the Way We See the World 8:27

6M ago8:27

8:27

In this episode of The Curious Minds: Knowledge in a Nutshell, we explore the fascinating evolution of maps and their profound impact on how we see the world. From ancient star charts to modern satellite imagery, discover how maps guide exploration, define borders, and even help us navigate Mars and beyond.…

1
The cows fighting wildfires 22:57

7M ago22:57

22:57

This summer, deadly wildfires raged in countries like Spain, Canada, and Greece. And as the earth warms up, they’re becoming increasingly common and harder to deal with. Today, we will hear about a special herd of cows which are helping to keep some of the flames under control. And we find out how cutting edge space technology could be used to quic…

1
The Nail That Built Civilizations 5:19

7M ago5:19

5:19

In this episode of The Curious Minds: Knowledge in a Nutshell, we uncover the surprising story of the nail—a tiny invention that built civilizations. From ancient Egypt to the Industrial Revolution, nails have powered economies, shaped architecture, and driven innovation. Discover how this simple tool transformed industries, sparked ingenuity, and …

1
Introducing The Curious Minds: Knowledge in a Nutshell 1:02

7M ago1:02

1:02

Discover 'The Curious Minds: Knowledge in a Nutshell,' where we uncover the extraordinary in the everyday. Join Jakub for bite-sized stories that explore overlooked details, surprising insights, and fascinating ideas—all designed to satisfy your curiosity and inspire your imaginationBy jakubbitomsky

1
253 - logcat - a new look at logging with Piwai from Square 40:30

7M ago40:30

40:30

Kaushik looks at a new logging library from Square called logcat. He starts by seeing how the popular Timber library does it along with the benefits. He then interviews Pierre-Yves Ricau (Piwai) of Square, the creator of logcat, to explore its origins and advantages. You can find the full shownotes over at fragmentedpodcast.com. Show Notes Timber l…

1
Reducing gun violence 23:37

7M ago23:37

23:37

The misuse of guns is a problem for lots of countries across the world. This week we look at projects trying to reduce deaths and injuries. In the US we visit the company which says it has successfully developed the world’s first ‘smart gun’ which uses facial recognition and fingerprints to identify the gun owner - meaning only they can fire the gu…

1
Cleaning up India's streets 23:01

7M ago23:01

23:01

The world produces about 400 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. A lot of this waste, such as multi-layered plastic packaging and cigarette butts, is hard to recycle. Instead, it fills up landfills and contaminates the environment. We travel to the Indian city of Pune where eco-social company Recharkha upcycles plastic packaging waste into co…

1
252 - Everyone needs a starter template 24:44

7M ago24:44

24:44

In this episode of Fragmented, Kaushik dives into the importance of creating your own starter template to streamline app development and minimize decision fatigue. He shares insights from his own starter template - Playground Android. Looking to the future, JetBrains has an exciting tool called Amper that might make all of this much easier. Kaushik…

1
Coconuts fixing the world 23:14

7M ago23:14

23:14

We eat millions of tonnes of coconuts every year - with the dense white flesh of the fruit making a tasty snack and the juice a refreshing drink. But the inedible husk and shell go to waste – and it’s this part that innovators and entrepreneurs around the world are now putting to work to solve a whole host of problems. In Sierra Leone, a personal t…

1
Sorting extreme waste 22:58

8M ago22:58

22:58

We rely on space for our communications, weather monitoring and security. Yet rising levels of space junk increase the risk of collisions, putting these things at risk. This week we are heading to a space lab in the UK to meet the scientists building a special waste collector that will clean up defunct satellites. We’ll also be heading to the Himal…

1
251- There's a new king in DI town 18:22

8M ago18:22

18:22

In this episode, Kaushik explores the evolution of dependency injection (DI) in Android development. Dagger has been the de-facto solution for DI in Android but there might be a new king in DI-town. He also chats with friend of the show and dependency injection expert Ralf Wondratschek for a final gut check. Shownotes: https://fragmentedpodcast.com…

1
A wheelchair that learns 23:03

8M ago23:03

23:03

Powered chairs offer people with limited mobility the chance to be independent, since they can be controlled with an array of switches and pads. For some people though, unpredictable muscle spasms mean that driving can be time-consuming, stressful or dangerous. We try out a new device from Belgium that uses artificial intelligence to quickly learn …

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