What? Why? When? Podcast By Jesus College Access cover art

What? Why? When?

What? Why? When?

By: Jesus College Access
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About this listen

The 'What, Why, When' Podcast is produced by the Access Team of Jesus College at the University of Oxford and hosted by Dr Matt Williams, who is the Access Fellow at Jesus College and Tutor in Politics at Oxford.


The aim of this podcast is to recreate Oxford tutorials - the primary teaching method at Oxford consisting of small group conversations around difficult problems.


Whether you like thinking about complicated topics, are considering applying to highly competitive universities like Oxford or you want to know about the skills that highly competitive universities look for, this podcast is for you!


This podcast was produced in the SOUTHWORKS Digital Media Lab at Jesus College Oxford, with thanks to, and in partnership with, SOUTHWORKS.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jesus College Access Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Medical Ethics

    Medical Ethics
    Jul 7 2025

    In this episode of the What? Why? When? podcast, Dr Matt Williams is joined by Jesus College Oxford students Becky (Medicine) and Joel (PPE) for a deep dive into medical ethics.


    Starting with a real Oxford interview question — who should receive a life-saving kidney transplant — the conversation explores pressing ethical frameworks: consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, and more.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    30 mins
  • Science of Stress

    Science of Stress
    Jun 23 2025

    In this episode, Dr Matt Williams is joined by Oxford medical student Becky and access officer Leah for a discussion on stress – from the neuroscience behind it to modern causes, like exams or even hearing Wham! at Christmas.


    We explore:

    - What happens in your brain and body during stress

    - The role of cortisol, adrenaline, and the autonomic nervous system

    - How stress evolved (even bacteria experience it!)

    - Coping strategies backed by science

    - Oxford student perspectives on managing stress at university

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    28 mins
  • Meaning of Life

    Meaning of Life
    Jun 16 2025

    In this episode, Dr Matt Williams speaks with Jubeda (3rd year historian) and Yannick (1st year Physicist) to discuss none other than the meaning of life!


    Tune in to hear the discussions on;


    -The meaning OF life vs the meaning IN life

    -The role of sentience in meaning

    -The role of religion and community in finding purpose

    -What makes US? How do we define what we are?

    -Can life be created synthetically?


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    32 mins
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