Plus Bites 1 | Cleopatra's Strategy, The Trolley's Choice & The Sun's Shield

Journey through history, ethics, science, language, and the human condition in this diverse episode of Plus Bites! We challenge common sayings like "All's well that ends well" – does a good ending truly negate a difficult journey? We strip away the myths surrounding Cleopatra VII to reveal a savvy political leader, not just a seductive figure, and question whether Columbus really fought against flat-Earth beliefs (spoiler: probably not!). Then, grapple with the classic Trolley Problem – would you sacrifice one to save five? We explore the immense power of consistent hard work versus relying on luck, and delve into the ancient Persian mythology of Bahram, the yazata of victory, and his celestial connection to Mars. Shift gears to the internal landscape as we discuss the profound strength found in vulnerability and analyze Sam Harris's potent reminder to live in the present moment. Discover the meaning of 'lassitude' – that deep, soul-level weariness – and uncover the science behind the Sun's protective bubble, the Heliosphere. We'll even investigate the persistent legend of Ivan the Terrible's lost library and demystify the surprisingly complex reflex behind the simple hiccup. Join Talia, Caleb, Ezra, Daphne, Selene, Elara, Silas, Kieran, Elias, Liam, Sarah, and Nina for a fascinating exploration across twelve distinct topics designed to pique your curiosity and expand your knowledge. What’s included in this episode? English Express (Talia): Does "All's well that ends well" hold true? Exploring the complexities beyond the happy ending. History Bites (Caleb): Beyond the Myths: Uncovering the intelligent, politically savvy Cleopatra VII. Pep Talks (Ezra): Hard Work vs. Luck: Is effort the real key to opportunity? Mythbuster (Daphne): Columbus and the Flat Earth: Debunking a persistent historical myth. Gods and Heroes (Selene): Bahram: Meeting the ancient Persian yazata of victory and his ten forms. Philosophy Nuggets (Elara): The Trolley Problem: Navigating impossible moral choices. Questions That Matter (Silas): The Power of Vulnerability: Is it weakness, courage, or the key to connection? What They Said (Kieran): Sam Harris on the Present: Why "now" is the only time we have. Science Sparks (Elias): The Heliosphere: Understanding our solar system's protective bubble. Unsolved Mysteries (Liam): Ivan the Terrible's Lost Library: Fact or legendary fiction? Word of the Day (Sarah): Lassitude: Defining and reflecting on deep weariness. Why It Happens (Nina): Hiccups Explained: The science behind the spasm. To unlock full access to all our episodes, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series now available in our English Plus Podcast’s shop!