Are curses real - or are they powerful stories humans have told for centuries to explain misfortune?

In this episode of It’s A Small World, Tanya and Mich explore the strange history of curses, from ancient Roman curse tablets and African spiritual traditions to European folklore and modern horror stories.

Why have humans across almost every culture believed that misfortune could be deliberately sent to someone? Is it about magic… revenge… justice… or something deeper in human psychology?

Along the way we look at the difference between curses and superstitions, why humans have such a deep need to create meaning when life feels chaotic, and how belief itself can influence reality through concepts like confirmation bias and the nocebo effect.

We also explore famous stories of cursed objects, unsettling films that seem surrounded by misfortune, and the fascinating ways perception and belief shape what we see and experience.

Because as evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould once said:

Humans are primates that tell stories.

And sometimes those stories are powerful enough to feel real.

Next week: Epigenetic Curses - can trauma really be passed down through generations?

Welcome to It’s A Small World! - the podcast where we explore identity, culture, belief systems, human behaviour… and the subtle societal shifts that say something much bigger about who we’re becoming.

Sometimes we go deep.
Sometimes we go philosophical.
And sometimes… we talk about dogs.

This week’s episode was inspired by something simple that made us smile: a cinema for dogs.

Instead of asking, “Should dogs be allowed in places?”We’re asking… why not?

Because dogs are everywhere - cafés, pubs, hotels, offices, shops… and now museums and cinemas. For some people, that’s a step too far. For us, it opens up a bigger cultural conversation.

Are dogs just pets anymore? Or are they family?

In this episode, Tanya and Mich explore:

• Why dogs make spaces feel warmer and more human
• How modern loneliness and flexible living have changed our relationship with animals
• Whether “dog mum/dad” culture reflects something deeper
• The real issue behind the backlash - is it dogs… or bad owners?
• Where dogs should (and shouldn’t) be allowed
• And the etiquette code every responsible owner should follow

This isn’t about chaos.
It’s about comfort.
It’s about connection.
It’s about whether public spaces are evolving to reflect how people actually live now.

Because when someone says, “It’s only a dog”…
For many of us, it really isn’t.

It’s companionship.
It’s grounding.
It’s family.

And maybe the world feels better - when it makes room for what people love.

So yes, we’re firmly in the camp of:
Let the dogs in. Responsibly. Respectfully. But unapologetically.

Gendered Ageism, Media Bias & Turning 50

In this episode of It’s A Small World!, we explore gendered ageism, workplace bias, media representation and the cultural double standard of ageing.

Why are older men described as “distinguished,” “seasoned” and “authoritative”, while women are sold anti-ageing products and warned about wrinkles before they’ve earned them?

We discuss:

• What ageism really means (for young and old)

• Gender bias in the workplace

• Age discrimination in media and television

• Anti-ageing culture and cosmetic pressure

• Imposter syndrome vs societal messaging

• Turning 50 and navigating visibility

• Professional age preferences and trust bias

• How ageing impacts income, confidence and identity

From “silver fox” stereotypes to newsroom double standards, from job adverts coded with “digital native” language to influencer culture and cosmetic surgery, we unpack how society frames female ageing differently.

Is ageing decline, or accumulation of power, authority and lived experience?

If you're interested in identity, culture, feminism, workplace equality, psychology, or how media shapes self-worth - this episode is for you.

New episodes every Wednesday.

Book mentioned in episode 'Super Ageing" available from Amazon - https://amzn.to/46Y3v2f

That quiet voice that says you don’t belong.
That you’ve somehow slipped through the net.
That any moment now, someone is going to find you out.

In this episode of It’s A Small World!, Tanya and Mich explore imposter syndrome - what it is, why it’s increasing, and how it links directly to burnout, particularly for women in the workplace.

Drawing on research from Claire Josa’s Imposter Syndrome Study, we unpack the connection between imposter syndrome, mental load and chronic stress, including the finding that over half of female employees are now concerned about burnout.

We discuss:

• The 4 P’s – Perfectionism, Procrastination, Project Paralysis and People Pleasing
• Why leadership structures are still based on outdated assumptions
• The “spotlight effect” (and why most people aren’t judging us as much as we think)
• How school grading, comparison culture and relationships shape self-worth
• The difference between internal doubt and external bias

We also share personal stories - from school experiences and career fears to confidence, failure and questioning whether we’re ever really “enough.”

If you’ve ever replayed conversations in your head or felt like your achievements were down to luck, this episode is for you.

Next week: Ageism - where imposter syndrome ends, and systemic bias begins.

And remember… sometimes the world is smaller and stranger than we think.

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about love, but for a lot of people, it brings pressure, comparison, self-doubt, and a strange emotional weight that’s hard to explain.

In this episode of It’s A Small World!, we step back from the cards, flowers, and expectations to ask a different question: why does one symbolic day have so much power over how we feel about ourselves and our relationships?

We explore how Valentine’s Day evolved from ancient rituals into a modern, highly curated story, and how that story shapes the way we measure love, worth, and connection. From social media highlight reels to transactional gestures, we unpack why people often end up questioning themselves instead of questioning the narrative.

Along the way, we talk about:

Why Valentine’s Day isn’t really about relationships, but the idea of them

How comparison culture and public displays affect how we experience love

Why the day can hit single people, long-term couples, and those in relationships in very different way

The psychology behind symbolic dates, emotional conditioning, and validation

Why love isn’t meant to be measured, and why expecting someone to love us exactly how we want may be part of the problem

This isn’t an anti-Valentine’s episode.
It’s an invitation to soften the pressure, reflect honestly, and understand what’s really being stirred beneath the surface.

Because if Valentine’s Day messes with your head, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.
It means you’re human.

How does Valentine’s Day make you feel?

Mentioned in this episode:

Shirley Valentine https://amzn.to/4ts8F0a

What actually is the Law of Attraction - and why does it divide so many people?

In this episode of It’s A Small World!, we explore the Law of Attraction beyond the clichés.

Not as a quick-fix promise, and not as a way to “get” things - but as an idea rooted in awareness, belief, frequency, and how we experience the world around us.

We talk about why people are drawn to manifestation, where it can go wrong, and how ideas like attention, emotion, and meaning shape what we notice - and what we ignore.

We also touch on coincidence, synchronicity, and whether there’s a difference between mindset, psychology, and something more mysterious.

No preaching.
No convincing.

Just an open conversation about how people make sense of life, and whether the world is really as random as it seems.

Discussed Podcasts listed below

'The Magic' by Rhonda Byrne https://amzn.to/45LYf19

How do people really come into our lives - by chance, coincidence, or something a little deeper?

In this episode of It’s A Small World!, we talk about how we first met and became friends, and the strange, subtle moments that seemed to nudge our paths together. From shared timing to unexpected overlaps, we explore the idea of coincidence versus synchronicity - and whether there’s a meaningful difference between the two.

We reflect on those moments that make you pause and think, that can’t just be random, without trying to force answers or conclusions. Is life quietly guiding us? Do certain people appear when we’re ready for them? Or do we simply notice patterns more when we’re paying attention?

As always, this is an open, honest conversation, not about convincing anyone of anything, but about noticing the smaller connections that often get overlooked in the noise of everyday life.

If you’ve ever looked back on your life and wondered how certain people, conversations, or moments found their way to you, this episode is for you.

This episode contains occasional strong language

Fresh starts are everywhere - new years resolutions, rituals, promises to ourselves.
But do they actually change anything?

In this episode of It's A Small World!, we explore why humans are so drawn to the idea of a reset, what resolutions really say about us, and whether meaningful change comes from discipline… or intention.

We talk about:

• Why January feels psychologically powerful

• The difference between resolutions and rituals

• Letting go of old identities to make space for new ones

• Redefining what a “fresh start” really means - especially when life doesn’t run on a calendar

This is an honest, reflective conversation about belief, behaviour, and choosing how we move forward - without the pressure to become a completely new person overnight.

This episode contains occasional strong language and adult themes.

Listener discretion is advised.

Topics discussed:

• New Year psychology and symbolic resets

• Personal rituals vs performative change

• Why resolutions often fail

• Identity shifts and intentional living

• Creating meaning without rigid rules

Referenced ideas & themes:

• Cultural obsession with “new beginnings”

• Ritual as a psychological anchor

• Quiet change vs loud transformation

Listener takeaway:
You don’t need permission, a date, or a deadline to begin again.

If this episode resonated, follow A Small World on Spotify and join the conversation.