Why rare earth metals “hold the key to our future”
In Radio 4’s The Scramble for Rare Earths, Misha Glenny explains how this small group of elements has replaced natural…
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The real Boris Johnson
The BBC’s Adam Fleming discusses what he learned when making his new podcast series about the UK’s “all vibe” prime…
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BBC Radio 4’s Torn takes a fresh look at fashion history
This documentary series explores the impact of fashion through the ages – from its role in slavery to driving at…
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BBC Radio 4’s Party’s Over is a perfectly timed tale of a disgraced prime minister
Imagining the escapades of a fictional failed politician provides ample opportunity to comment on some real ones.
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Rory Stewart’s lessons in arguing well
In a three-part radio series, the former Conservative minister aims to bring reason and rhetorical flair back to public discourse.
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What does it really mean to forgive?
A new BBC Radio 4 series variously frames forgiveness as difficult, healing, a tool to regain power and an act…
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How statistics mislead us
Anna Lawlor’s BBC Radio 4 show Typical! reveals how a poor grasp of means and modes skews our idea of…
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The People vs J Edgar Hoover reveals how the FBI seized power in the United States
Emily Maitlis explores how the bureau’s unaccountable director became the architect of the US’s deep state.
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The Future Will Be Synthesised: a glimpse into a deepfake dystopia
The rise of “deepfake porn” – turning harmless images into hardcore footage – begins a BBC Radio 4 series on…
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The letter that started a scandal
The Trojan Horse Affair, a podcast from the makers of Serial, exposes the deep-seated fears about Islam in British schools.
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BBC Radio 4’s “Room 5” tells intimate stories of life-changing medical diagnoses
This podcast sounds like it should be depressing – but its honesty brings light to some of the darkest moments…
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The messy sex lives of monkeys
A delightful mix of science, history and feminism, BBC Radio 4’s Political Animals explores what animal sexuality reveals about the…
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BBC Radio 4’s Night Watch offers insight into female fear – but is it useful?
The shadow of Sarah Everard’s murder looms over this catalogue of women’s experiences of walking at night.
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BBC Radio 4’s God Squad has borrowed from Life of Brian – but left behind the laughs
This sitcom about a University Christian Association is reminiscent, ironically, of a student sketch show.
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BBC Radio 4’s A Home of Our Own explores Britain’s housing crisis
Across ten episodes, Lynsey Hanley speaks to people who are shut out of the housing market. The picture is bleak.
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To dissect a good joke, do you have to kill it?
Perhaps the most futile of all questions is why some things make us laugh, which doesn’t bode well for BBC…
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BBC Radio 6 Music’s The Happiness Map is pure escapism disguised as a chat show
Listening to musicians discuss their best travel experiences is both magical and otherworldly.
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BBC Radio 4’s My Teenage Diary is as delightful – and embarrassing – as ever
The tenth series of Rufus Hound’s hit show opens with Jane Horrocks and an adventurous “coming of age” holiday to Sorrento.
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A BBC Radio 4 documentary allows young people to speak directly about their experiences of the pandemic
Adults, Almost mixes anecdotes and interviews with clips recorded in teenagers’ homes, as well as musical and spoken word sequences.
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BBC Radio 4’s The Untold returns with offbeat human stories
Episodes can be heavy in subject matter or dovetail with broader topical issues – the Windrush scandal, Brexit and Covid-19…
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