Podcast
Short Cuts
Hosted by BBC Radio 4 · EN
Short documentaries and adventures in sound presented by Josie Long.
17episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Someone to Watch Over Me
Aug 2700:27:44Tap to summarizeIn the first programme of this series of Short Cuts, Josie Long presents a selection of short documentaries which peel back the curtain, peer into the darkness and look out at those who are watching us.By turns delightful and unsettling, today's audio adventures include the secret games teachers play when they're invigilating exams, a photographer whose ambition is to capture 'still lives' of people unawares in their homes at night, and a glimpse of the devices you can buy to spy on those supposedly close to you.The items featured in the programme are:Someone to Watch Over Me Produced by Sara ParkerStand by Me Produced by Benjamin PartridgeI Was Bruce Lee Produced by Leo HornakCracking the Love Code Produced by Bob CarlsonAll Eyes on Us Produced by Steve UrquhartShe Sees Your Every Move Produced by Jonathan MitchellProduced by Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.
Transcribe →Taking Flight
Aug 2700:27:14Tap to summarizeJosie Long presents a selection of short documentaries in which people hurl themselves into the air with the hope of taking flight.We glide through the air, fall into the sea and explore grand leaps of the imagination, which cross the border between dreaming and reality.From comedian Holly Walsh's tale of hurtling off the edge of a pier in a handmade helicopter, through to the story of a trapeze artist balancing on the edge of falling as he casts himself upwards.The items featured in the programme are:The Fall Featuring Charlie MorleySky Boy Produced by Hana Walker-BrownFalling for Rambo Featuring Holly Walsh Produced by Benjamin PartridgeThe Dreamers Featuring Charlie MorleyLooking Up Originally broadcast in 'Space' from Radiolab http://www.radiolab.orgProduced by Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.
Transcribe →Split
Aug 2700:27:18Tap to summarizeJosie Long presents a series of delightful and adventurous short documentaries, brief encounters, true stories and found sound.We examine rips in the fabric of the universe as Josie Long delves into stories of splits, divisions and tears. From broken hearts to divided personalities.We hear from a woman who was so tired of being in two minds that she surrendered all of her decision making to a piece of string, a mimic who taught herself how to assume alternate personalities and we recover from heartbreak using the 'Automated Relationship Replacement Hotline'.The items featured in the programme are:Automated Relationship Replacement Hotline Originally broadcast in WireTap http://www.cbc.ca/wiretap/String Produced by Natalie Kestecher The full version of this story can be found here: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/360/string/4010328Split Voices Produced by Sarah CuddonOther Halves Produced by Dennis FunkProduced by Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.
Transcribe →Lines of Communication
Aug 2700:26:50Tap to summarizeJosie Long presents a selection of short documentaries about communication - messages that could break your heart, rescue you from a fight or save you from a long stay in jail.The writer Glenn Patterson explains why sometimes we should ignore the writing on the wall, and musician Tom Robinson describes the unlikely message he sent at a time when he was in a lot of trouble.Stories of last words, lost love and lights being knocked out.The items featured in the programme are:Guess Who Found sound from the collection of Mark Vernon http://www.meagreresource.com/L'Esprit De L'Escalier Produced by Hana Walker-BrownYanto Featuring Glenn Patterson Produced by Rachel HooperMessage from Above Featuring Tom Robinson Produced by Alan HallDear Sophie Produced by Sara ParkerConversations with Nic Featuring Esther BakerProduced by Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.
Transcribe →Lost and Found
Aug 2700:27:22Tap to summarizeJosie Long presents a selection of short documentaries with stories of loss and discovery.From being lost in the music to lost love - Josie delves into tales of forgotten cassette tapes, voices rediscovered and teenage rebellion.Hide and Seek Feat. Steve ColganLost in Music Produced by Steve UrquhartI am Luther Blissett Produced by Rosanna ArbonFluctuations Produced by Phil SmithLost Voices Feat. Jude RogersLooking for Layla Produced by Hana Walker-BrownProducer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4.
Transcribe →Escape
Aug 2700:27:26Tap to summarizeJosie Long presents a showcase for delightful and adventurous short documentaries and makes her escape as we hear stories of running away, flight and car chases.From breaking away to disappearing into escapism - we hear the tale of a narrow escape as three young Australian men desperately try to manoeuvre themselves out of trouble, alongside the story of a 93 year old wing walker getting lost in the clouds.The items featured in the programme are:Swimming in Snafu Produced by Meagan PerryRiver Guard Feat. Laura BartonDrive for Portugal Produced by Leo HornakHead in the Clouds Produced by Sara ParkerRoad Warriors Produced by Bob Carlson Originally featured in Unfictional http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/uf/uf111202the_road_warriorsSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4RptProducer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4.
Transcribe →Midnight
Jan 7, 202500:34:42Tap to summarizeJosie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures as the clock slips closer to midnight. In the last Short Cuts on BBC Radio 4, 13 years after the broadcast of our first ever episode 'Misadventures', we listen to radio waves after dark with the Shortwave Collective, tumble into a radio poem alongside a sleeping child, tune into a late night pirate radio station from the early 1960s, and raise a parting glass.At Least Featuring Xelis de Toro Produced by Phil SmithVoice of Nuclear Disarmament With thanks to the British Library Sound Archive, and the family of John Hasted Produced by Jonny MatfinPerhaps at Midnight, When All Boundaries Are Lost Produced by the Shortwave CollectiveGood Company Featuring Jesse Lawson, Izzy Yon and Femi Oriogun-Williams Produced by Jesse LawsonCurated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall Mix by Mike Woolley Executive Producer: Alan Hall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
Transcribe →Earth
Dec 29, 202400:28:25Tap to summarizeA friendship forged working the land, memories of volcanic eruptions from 800,000 years ago frozen in Antarctica’s ice cores, and the importance of wild, patient gardens. Short documentaries presented by Josie Long that rise up from the earth.Wintering Music by Jules Bradley Produced by Jules BradleyMelt Tones Featuring Dr Dieter Tetzner Produced by Anton SpiceSue’s Garden Featuring Sue Trolle Music by Sóley Produced by Rikke HoudProduced by Andrea Rangecroft Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
Transcribe →Merry Christmas
Dec 24, 202400:31:29Tap to summarizeA criminal defence lawyer finds a surprising new job foisted upon him and a son attempts to recover his joyfulness on a family holiday. Josie Long presents short festive documentaries and merry sonic adventures.Family Yoga Produced by Kit CallinA Conversation with my Mum at Christmas Featuring Rhik Samadder A version of this story first appeared in Rhik Samadder's memoir, I Never Said I Loved You Music by The Enchanted Cinema Produced by Sarah CuddonMiracle on the George Washington Bridge Produced by Luke GreenSanta Calls Featuring Matt Storrs Produced by Talia AugustidisCurated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
Transcribe →Feast
Dec 17, 202400:29:26Tap to summarizeFeeding the birds, sharing meals and chaotic menus - Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures about eating together.Bird Feeder Produced by Stella SimsAnd to Start... Produced by Mae-Li EvansFoodhall Produced by Nadia MehdiCurated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
Transcribe →