Dream decoder and author Theresa Cheung talks about being homeschooled by a family of spiritualists and astrologers, getting into Cambridge and the red flags to watch out for if you visit a psychic. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

Seoyhun Lee’s father was one of North Korea’s privileged party members, but when the regime came for their friends the family made the decision to defect. Seoyhun Lee tells Nicky about her best friend's kidnapping by the state, what’s really going on in Pyongyang and life in America. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

Rhonda McCrimmon explains to Nicky what being a shaman is all about, plays him the drum that takes you into a dream state and explains why Scotland is so tied up with ancient magic. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Craig Edmondson

Dr Jill Bolte Taylor is an author and neuroanatomist who used her own stroke to better understand how her brain perceives reality. She tells Nicky about that experience, about how her brother’s schizophrenia inspired her to start her career, and they explore which bits of the brain do what.

Nicky talks to Giles Duley, a conflict photographer, chef and founder of the Legacy of War Foundation. Giles lost three limbs when he stepped on a landmine in Afghanistan, where he was embedded with US troops and reporting on the conflict. He tells Nicky about overcoming his injuries and his determination to return to war zones as a triple amputee, and how cooking has helped with his mental health. WARNING: This episode contains graphic descriptions of injury, violence and war For details of organisations that can provide help and support for some of the issues raised, visit bbc.co.uk/actionline. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

In the first series of Different Nicky spoke to journalist Alex Renton about the abuse that he saw and experienced at his school, the Edinburgh Academy, in the 1970s. Since the episode, ‘Edgar’ was published, many more victims have come forward, and the case against the alleged living abuser continues. After that episode Nicky received many emails, one of which was from the daughter of the man who abused him, Hamish Dawson. Nicky travels to Edinburgh to meet Jenny Pearson to discuss her childhood, and how hearing her father’s name on the radio shook her world. She talks about healing, volunteering to speak to her father’s victims and thriving despite the legacy her father left behind. WARNING: This episode contains bad language, descriptions of child abuse and violence that some listeners may find upsetting. If you’ve been affected by the topics discussed, you can find more information and support on the BBC Action Line website: http://bbc.co.uk/actionline Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Craig Edmondson

Richard Reeves tells Nicky about his new book which explores “the male malaise” and investigates whether boys and men are failing at everything from school, to work and relationships. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

Nicky hears what it’s like to quit the rat race in a big way. Gaynor Leeper left her London city life to move to the Arctic Circle and train sled dogs - despite a fear of dogs. They talk about dark mornings, racing sleds and owning 43 dogs. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Craig Edmondson

Ex undercover operative Mubin Shaikh tells Nicky how he became radicalised as a teenager, before changing his views and being recruited by the Canadian government to gather information on terror suspects. He talks de-radicalisation, terror threats and his faith now. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

Nicky spends time with David Denison who has pancreatic cancer and is now in end of life care. David has been campaigning for assisted dying to be made legal in the UK and believes he should have been allowed the legal right to choose when he dies - without criminalising his partner. He tells Nicky what it’s like to know you’re nearing the end of your life, his legacy and why he thinks assisted dying reform is on the way.

World renowned animal behaviourist Temple Grandin meets Nicky to talk about how her extraordinary visual brain means she can think like the farm animals she works with. They discuss diagnosing autism, how she learned to make small talk and scary shadows. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

After hearing Alex Renton’s BBC Radio 4 documentary, In Dark Corners, Nicky Campbell chose to speak out about abuse he witnessed and experienced at Edinburgh Academy. One of those abusers, “Edgar” is alive and living in South Africa, awaiting extradition. In this episode Alex updates Nicky on Edgar’s extradition, and they speak to another survivor of Nicky’s abuser, who tells them how the abuse he experienced affected his whole life. WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of child abuse and attempted suicide that some listeners may find upsetting. If you’ve been affected by the topics discussed, you can find more information and support on the BBC Action Line website: http://bbc.co.uk/actionline Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

Nicky speaks to author and neuroscientist Anil Seth about consciousness, free will and how our memory works - are we remembering, remembering? WARNING: This episode includes a conversation about recreational hallucinogenic drugs Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

Nicky explores an experiment in slow journalism. Paul Salopek has been walking in the steps of the first humans as they left the mother continent of Africa. Paul has been following that journey and speaking to the people he meets along the way. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

Nicky and broadcaster Iain Lee swap stories of how their neurodivergence affects them in the studio. We hear stories of Iain Lee on the 11 O’Clock show and Nicky forgives him for the part he unwittingly played in the show…along with some other insider secrets (Iain Lee - Gemini). They’re joined by Nicky’s daughter Kirsty, who received her ADHD diagnoses and medication as a teenager - taking her from D’s to A’s practically overnight, they discuss the positives and negatives of ADHD. Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

Is heaven a concept? Or a literal place? And might it be quite boring? Nicky Campbell and Leicester Imam Ibrahim Mogra chew over those questions, as Ibrahim paints a picture of Islam’s incredibly detailed depiction of where we go when we die. From rivers of honey to fragrant burps… Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

Comedian Janey Godley tells Nicky why she’s different- from her neurodivergent family, her old tweets nearly getting her cancelled, to getting a cancer diagnosis in lockdown. WARNING: This episode contains reference to attempted suicide. If you’ve been affected by any of the topics discussed you can find more information and support on the BBC Action Line website http://bbc.co.uk/actionline Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

Retired drug smuggler David McMillan sits down with Nicky to discuss his extraordinary life. What’s it like being on the run? How does knowing you may face the death penalty affect you? And how do you escape Thailand’s notorious, sprawling, Klong Prem prison? WARNING: This episode contains some strong language and reference to attempted suicide. If you’ve been affected by any of the topics discussed you can find more information and support on the BBC Action Line website http://bbc.co.uk/actionline Produced by Audio Always Producer: Ailsa Rochester Editor: Jo Meek Sound: Rob Green

Mortician and author Caitlin Doughty talks to Nicky about some of the most unusual death rituals around the world, and how she thinks we get death wrong. In this episode Nicky and his guest talk frankly about what happens to our bodies after we die, and get into things like the details of cremation and some quite unusual funeral practises around the world, which do get graphic and gory in places, and may not be suitable for all audiences.

Finn Mackay has been called “the author hoping to end the gender wars”. Nicky finds out how and why the trans conversation has become so heated.