We said the season was over – but when the chance to sit down with Professor Alison Gopnik comes along, you make an exception. In this bonus episode, we’re delighted to welcome one of the world’s most influential developmental psychologists for an extended conversation on how our minds grow and change over the lifespan.

Drawing on her work on children as “little scientists,” the explore–exploit dilemma and her gardener-versus-carpenter model of parenting, Alison reflects on why play, risk and exploration matter so much in childhood. We also explore caregiving as a form of intelligence – one that becomes increasingly important in later life – and what elders, grandparents and even orcas can teach us about care, culture and human flourishing.

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Are we really making healthy choices for our children in the supermarket? Or are we being nudged by bright colours, on-pack claims and fruit-filled imagery?

Associate Professor Helen Dixon and Jane Martin unpack the psychology, policy and packaging that influence what ends up in our shopping trolleys. They highlight the subtle strategies used to market commercial infant and toddler foods, and discuss what can be done to support parents in making informed choices.

• Kids are Sweet Enough (Food for Health Alliance)

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Misinformation and disinformation now pose some of the biggest global risks to democracy and public trust.

Associate Professor Piers Howe explains how misinformation and disinformation spreads, and the subtle but influential ways they can shift public opinion, disrupt elections and damage society. With the rise of AI and sophisticated campaigns, he explains why it's more important than ever to stay informed, think critically and understand the science behind persuasion.

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