BBC Radio 4 Podcasts

Looking for the latest episode? New episodes of Friday Night Comedy will now be available first on BBC Sounds for four weeks before other podcast apps.If you haven’t already, you can download the BBC Sounds app to listen to the Friday Night Comedy podcast first.BBC Sounds is also available in lots of other places. Find us on your voice device or sm…

Oti Mabuse is a dancer, choreographer and TV talent show judge. She has enjoyed great success on the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing and is one of only two professional dancers to win the glitterball trophy twice.Oti was born in South Africa in 1990, the year that Nelson Mandela was released from prison, and dance was a central part of her life from…

Reports from Ukraine say at least 20 civilians have been killed by Russian troops retreating from the town of BuchaBy BBC Radio 4

Do you have a soundtrack to your life that you return to again and again? Or have music that powers you through? DJ Sister Bliss and Goldsmiths Professor Lauren Stewart, who studies the psychology and neuroscience of music, explore the power of music to affect our mood and well-being. The Ockenden Review was published this week, led by midwife Donn…

As Russian military forces continue bombarding Ukrainian cities and civilians, are your investments supporting the Kremlin's regime? International companies have been pulling out of Russian investment, and pension funds and investment firms say they are reducing holdings in Russian companies. But what can ordinary investors do? Are you aware that a…

Along the Road to Gundagai by Slim Dusty and Bohemian Rhapsody by QueenBy BBC Radio 4

It’s 40 years since Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands – or the Malvinas – as they are known in Spanish. Nearly 1,000 soldiers were killed in the war – more than 600 of whom were Argentinian. Katy Watson spoke to people about what happened in the war and how relations between the two countries have changedAn estimated quarter of a million Russi…

Top commentators review the political weekBy BBC Radio 4

As the Russian Invasion of Ukraine continues, the effects ripple around the rest of the world. One concern involves the wheat harvest. There have been claims that Ukraine and Russia supply 25% of the worlds wheat and that as a result we’re facing a global wheat crisis. We look into this misleading figure to determine what the real impact might be.…

In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspectiveBy BBC Radio 4

'Perhaps, like me,' writes A L Kennedy, 'you can now only picture Cabinet meetings as gatherings where ministers and staff sing la-la-la with their fingers in their ears while dancing between the wine fridges.' In the midst of a lot of bad news, Alison finds some room for cheer. Producer: Adele ArmstrongSound: Peter BosherProduction Coordinator: Ge…

Office for National Statistics figures are released on day free Covid-19 tests end for most people in EnglandBy BBC Radio 4

Discover more episodes in the series by searching for 28ish Days Later on BBC Sounds.What do you really know about the menstrual cycle? India Rakusen explores the whole bloody story, discovering facts that could change your life. Periods are just the beginning. India Rakusen journeys into the womb with Dr. Dornu Lebari, and Dr. Jackie Maybin. We pe…

This week on Fortunately, Fi and Jane choose some of their favourite listener emails from the past few weeks. Their topics include homemade calendars, motorsport feminism and learning lines with your feet in the air. There's also a disagreement on sartorial matters and Jane reveals her vegan gravy technique.Fortunately returns Friday 22nd April.Get…

Kathy Clugston hosts the horticultural programme. Pippa Greenwood, Matthew Wilson, and Christine Walkden answer the questions.This week the panellists suggest some easy-to-grow Euphorbias, as well as giving hope to one gardener whose Mimosa was destroyed in recent storms. They also puzzle over a lack of Granny's Bonnets this year, and come up with …

Have you heard of Nubia from the DC comic books? She’s the adopted sister of Wonder Woman and is DC’s first Black superwoman introduced in the 70s before disappearing from comics for decades. Nubia returned last year in the new comic book Nubia: Real One, which is set in modern day America and tells the story of her teenage life. Anita talks to the…

01 APR 21By BBC Radio 4

From allegations of cursing the king's ships, to shape-shifting into animals, or dancing with the devil, three centuries ago witch-hunting was a mania that spread right across Europe. But nowhere did it exert a greater grip than in Scotland, which had an execution rate five times higher than England's. It remains an example of just how vicious sexi…

Laura Grimshaw and Chris Pearson invite the Radio 4 Extra Comedy Club presenters to share their favourite funny podcasts.Featuring:Jessica Fostekew on Wheel of MisfortuneArthur Smith on My Time CapsuleRob Deering on Films To Be Buried WithIsy Suttie on Cuddle ClubLou Conran on Joan & JerichaHarriet Kemsley on The Year Is...Paul Garner on I Can't Be…

In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspectiveBy BBC Radio 4

No police officers will lose their jobs over the child sex abuse scandal in Rotherham.By BBC Radio 4

Critics Sarah Crompton and Abir Mukherjee review Slow Horses, the brand new series from Apple TV+ starring Gary Oldman, Kristen Scott Thomas, Olivia Cooke, Jack Lowden, Saskia Reeves and Jonathan Pryce. Slow Horses is based on the novel of the same name by Mick Herron, which is part of the author's Slough House series. It tells the story of a team …

As conflict continues in Ukraine, there are invisible ‘cyber frontlines’ running in parallel to the physical fighting. We hear how the country’s tech scene is responding to the Russian invasion, as Mike Sapiton, Tech Editor at Forbes Ukraine gives us a view from the ground, and Professor Madeline Carr explains why cyber warfare can be particularly …

Colleen Thirkell and her husband Richard have been walking stretches of the Saxon Shore Way with their friends Bev and John. In autumn 2020 Colleen fell seriously ill with a rare reaction to a flu jab. She was unable to walk and spent months in hospital. But she has slowly recovered and part of her rehabilitation has been to get out walking with he…

31 MAR 22By BBC Radio 4

In Northern Ireland peace and prosperity have long been prioritised over environmental protection. Tom Heap asks if a new generation can push nature and wildlife up the agenda.For decades a blind eye was often turned to suspect developments in natural areas and breaches of pollution regulations. A more recent upsurge in large-scale dairy, pig and p…

The pounding of civilian infrastructure by Russian forces has continued this week in cities like Mykolaiv and Mariupol even as peace talks were underway. And Russia's claims it will reduce its military activity in the north and focus more on Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region are being treated with scepticism. Orla Guerin is in Kyiv.Ukraine’s Presiden…

Today we are dedicating the whole programme to the biggest maternity scandal in the NHS's history - leading to headlines across newspapers today stating childbirth is not safe for women in England. Those are the stark words of the midwife Donna Ockenden - the author of the long awaited Ockenden Review - published yesterday. Her mission? To find out…

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ancient Sanskrit text the Arthashastra, regarded as one of the major works of Indian literature. Written in the style of a scientific treatise, it provides rulers with a guide on how to govern their territory and sets out what the structure, economic policy and foreign affairs of the ideal state should be. Accord…

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ancient Sanskrit text the Arthashastra, regarded as one of the major works of Indian literature. Written in the style of a scientific treatise, it provides rulers with a guide on how to govern their territory and sets out what the structure, economic policy and foreign affairs of the ideal state should be. Accord…

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ancient Sanskrit text the Arthashastra, regarded as one of the major works of Indian literature. Written in the style of a scientific treatise, it provides rulers with a guide on how to govern their territory and sets out what the structure, economic policy and foreign affairs of the ideal state should be. Accord…

In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspectiveBy BBC Radio 4

Presented by Kate Molleson from Glasgow. As the Burrell Collection reopens in Glasgow after a £68 million refit, Sunday Post art critic Jan Patience discusses the significance of the gallery, which includes rare Persian carpets, Chinese ceramics and sculptures by Rodin. Director Cora Bissett talks about Orphans – the new musical from the National T…

A report has been published looking at maternity care at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, which found errors that may have led to the deaths of more than 200 babies.By BBC Radio 4

Two actors choose their favourite booksBy BBC Radio 4

As the cost of living rises, more people are facing going into debt. Whether it’s your rent, mortgage, utility bills or credit cards, breaking the cycle of debt isn’t easy.Who can you go to when you’re struggling to pay your debts? How do you prioritise your spending? Can you even negotiate your debts down? And how can you avoid debt altogether?Fel…

30 MAR 22By BBC Radio 4

Do you have a soundtrack to your life that you return to again and again? Emma explores the power of music to affect our mood and well being with DJ and song writer and Sister Bliss and Professor Lauren Stewart from Goldsmiths who studies the psychology and neuroscience of music.Whenever there’s a catastrophic event somewhere in the world Lucy East…

In the final part of the Anatomy of Kindness, Claudia Hammond and guests ask 'Can Bosses be Kind'? Using evidence from the Kindness Test, the world's largest psychological study into kindness, Claudia starts her quest with Thom Elliot Co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims, who deliberately set out to foster a kind culture in a sector not exactly known for i…

In depth reporting, intelligent analysis and breaking news from a global perspectiveBy BBC Radio 4

We look at how audience figures are recovering after two years of shutdown and pandemic restrictions. Carolyn Atkinson reports on the business of seat-filling companies and on new models being considered for ticket sales.We announce the winner of the 2022 Windham Campbell Prizes. The awards recognise eight writers annually for literary achievement …

Russia has said it will drastically reduce its combat operations around Kyiv. The Met is to issue fixed penalty fines for Downing Street lockdown parties.By BBC Radio 4

Josie Long presents even shorter short documentaries and audio adventures in this episode built around miniature works of audio art.Our Shared SecretsWritten by Joe DunthorneGretchen Bender - Artificial Treatment. 1988. Recorded at Studio PASS. N.Y. by B. Hutchinson. Published on TELLUS, the Audio Cassette Magazine #21 - Audio by Visual Artists.Don…

29 MAR 22By BBC Radio 4

Emma Barnett speaks to Ella Jarmulska a Polish entrepreneur who wants to provide safer car rides to families fleeing the war in Ukraine. Displaced and disoriented, often with no idea where to go next, refugees are forced to put their trust in strangers. Trafficking rings are notoriously active in Ukraine and neighbouring countries in peace time. Th…