Thorough Examination With Drs Chris And Xand, A [2

Thorough Examination With Drs Chris And Xand, A [2 - Can I Change?]

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

The Twin Effect

20221206

20221207 (R4)

In episode 1 - The Twin Effect - Dr Clare Llewellyn explains why we should all care about twin studies and the importance of understanding the impact of genetics vs environment on our development. Chris and Xand meet identical twins Mia and Alexandra who were separated at birth. They reflect on their twin dynamic through the years - what has it meant for their development and can they change the dynamic they have now?

Series Editor Jo Rowntree

Does Our Birth Order Affect Our Personality?

20221206

20221213 (R4)
20221214 (R4)

In episode 2 - Does Our Birth Order Affect Our Personality? - the twins find out whether the order in which we're born has any bearing on our personality. They call their little brother J who lives in New York and reminisce about their childhood. Chris' wife Dinah and her older sisters debate whether showing off is the reserve of the youngest sibling. And psychologist Laura Botzet shares her findings from studies on the effect of birth order on personality. Does it have any credibility?

Nature Via Nurture

20221206

20221220 (R4)
20221221 (R4)

In episode 3 - Nature via Nurture - the psychologist Wendy Johnson explodes some home truths around the great nature vs nurture debate. The twins speak to their younger brother J about some changes he's been trying to implement in his own life that he hopes will improve the way he interacts with his kids. It leaves Chris wondering what he needs to exploit to continue trying to convince Xand to improve their relationship.

Does Willpower Even Exist?

20221206

20221227 (R4)
20221228 (R4)

In episode 4 - Does Willpower Even Exist? - Chris examines the slippery concept of willpower. Is it something that we all need in order to make personal change and if so, can Chris harness it to encourage Xand to make changes in their relationship? Xand is preoccupied with his exercise bike which stands unused and dusty in his house, can he find the motivation to use it? The psychologist and psychoanalyst Dr Stephen Blumenthal explains willpower in the brain - when does and doesn't it work?

Series Editor Jo Rowntree

Learning To Listen

20221206

20230103 (R4)
20230104 (R4)

In episode 5 - Learning To Listen - Chris considers the triggers for his many arguments with Xand and wonders if it might be because he's not being a good listener. The psychotherapist Erene Hadjiioannou offers Chris some advice on how to react in the heat of an argument. Xand meanwhile is cocooned in his pottery shed contemplating Chris' complete disinterest in his hobby. He wonders why everyone else in the family shows some enthusiasm, except his twin.

How To Listen To Your Body

20221206

20230110 (R4)
20230111 (R4)

In episode 6 - How To Listen To Your Body - Professor Sarah Garfinkel teaches the twins about interoception - or how we understand and act on what's going on inside our bodies. She tests their ability to interpret their emotions and both Chris and Xand are surprised at the results.

Changing In A Crisis

20221206

20230117 (R4)
20230118 (R4)

In episode 7 - Changing in a Crisis - the twins speak with Louise, a social worker who supports people every day to make changes in their lives. Chris wants to know how people facing significant obstacles can make positive and successful changes. Louise's experience prompts Chris to consider the way he approaches improving his relationship with Xand as well as how he advises his own patients.

Changing Our Environment

20221206

20230124 (R4)
20230125 (R4)

In episode 8 - Changing Our Environment - Xand convinces Chris to come into his pottery shed and give it a whirl. Working together has historically resulted in heated arguments, so it's time for Chris to act on what he's learnt about improving his relationship with Xand. The twins consider how easy it is to roll out change on a large scale and ask Will Norman how he manages to implement change in the face of opposition.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	The Twin Effect	20221206	20221207 (R4)	In episode 1 - The Twin Effect - Dr Clare Llewellyn explains why we should all care about twin studies and the importance of understanding the impact of genetics vs environment on our development. Chris and Xand meet identical twins Mia and Alexandra who were separated at birth. They reflect on their twin dynamic through the years - what has it meant for their development and can they change the dynamic they have now? Series Editor Jo Rowntree
02	Does Our Birth Order Affect Our Personality?	20221206	20221213 (R4) 20221214 (R4)	In episode 2 - Does Our Birth Order Affect Our Personality? - the twins find out whether the order in which we're born has any bearing on our personality. They call their little brother J who lives in New York and reminisce about their childhood. Chris' wife Dinah and her older sisters debate whether showing off is the reserve of the youngest sibling. And psychologist Laura Botzet shares her findings from studies on the effect of birth order on personality. Does it have any credibility?
03	Nature Via Nurture	20221206	20221220 (R4) 20221221 (R4)	In episode 3 - Nature via Nurture - the psychologist Wendy Johnson explodes some home truths around the great nature vs nurture debate. The twins speak to their younger brother J about some changes he's been trying to implement in his own life that he hopes will improve the way he interacts with his kids. It leaves Chris wondering what he needs to exploit to continue trying to convince Xand to improve their relationship.
04	Does Willpower Even Exist?	20221206	20221227 (R4) 20221228 (R4)	In episode 4 - Does Willpower Even Exist? - Chris examines the slippery concept of willpower. Is it something that we all need in order to make personal change and if so, can Chris harness it to encourage Xand to make changes in their relationship? Xand is preoccupied with his exercise bike which stands unused and dusty in his house, can he find the motivation to use it? The psychologist and psychoanalyst Dr Stephen Blumenthal explains willpower in the brain - when does and doesn't it work? Series Editor Jo Rowntree
05	Learning To Listen	20221206	20230103 (R4) 20230104 (R4)	In episode 5 - Learning To Listen - Chris considers the triggers for his many arguments with Xand and wonders if it might be because he's not being a good listener. The psychotherapist Erene Hadjiioannou offers Chris some advice on how to react in the heat of an argument. Xand meanwhile is cocooned in his pottery shed contemplating Chris' complete disinterest in his hobby. He wonders why everyone else in the family shows some enthusiasm, except his twin.
06	How To Listen To Your Body	20221206	20230110 (R4) 20230111 (R4)	In episode 6 - How To Listen To Your Body - Professor Sarah Garfinkel teaches the twins about interoception - or how we understand and act on what's going on inside our bodies. She tests their ability to interpret their emotions and both Chris and Xand are surprised at the results.
07	Changing In A Crisis	20221206	20230117 (R4) 20230118 (R4)	In episode 7 - Changing in a Crisis - the twins speak with Louise, a social worker who supports people every day to make changes in their lives. Chris wants to know how people facing significant obstacles can make positive and successful changes. Louise's experience prompts Chris to consider the way he approaches improving his relationship with Xand as well as how he advises his own patients.
08	Changing Our Environment	20221206	20230124 (R4) 20230125 (R4)	In episode 8 - Changing Our Environment - Xand convinces Chris to come into his pottery shed and give it a whirl. Working together has historically resulted in heated arguments, so it's time for Chris to act on what he's learnt about improving his relationship with Xand. The twins consider how easy it is to roll out change on a large scale and ask Will Norman how he manages to implement change in the face of opposition.