Short Cuts

Latest Episodes:

The Dreamers Nov 28, 2016

Show notes

Josie Long hears stories of dreamers - from the search for utopia to striving to transform into the writer Barbara Cartland.

Becoming Barbara Produced by Natalie Kestecher

Utopia Featuring Michaela Vieser Produced by Tim Hinman and Michaela Vieser

Dear Face at Deer Lake with Deer People Originally made for Third Coast International Audio Festival Produced by Dear Deer Face Collective

Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2016.

Vox Nov 21, 2016

Show notes

Josie Long presents stories about brushes with the unknown.

Finding your voice, life or death conversations and seeking anonymity.

Josie Long explores the power of the human voice. From losing yourself in a crowd of others to the medium who finds herself conversing with a murderer.

Cards on the Table Produced by Andrea Rangecroft

Frantumaglia Produced by Phil Smith

Power and Freedom Produced by Sarah Boothroyd

Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2016.

Borderlands Nov 14, 2016

Show notes

Josie Long explores uncertain territory - from a micronation to the porous borders between dreams and reality.

We hear from Prince Michael of Sealand, the head of state in an unrecognised micronation that sits in the North Sea, and the doctor who's documenting the dreams of the dying.

Sealand Feat. Prince Michael of Sealand Interviewed by Deborah Coughlin

Squatting the Embassy Producer: Olivia Humphreys

Dreams Producer: Ed Lawrenson

Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2016.

Losing Yourself Nov 07, 2016

Show notes

Josie Long hears stories of what can be found as we lose ourselves - from disappearing into anonymous environments to confronting existential threats.

Found Featuring Penny Rimbaud

Lost Featuring Laura Barton Producer: Ibby Caputo

Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2016.

The Witching Hour Oct 31, 2016

Show notes

* An invitation to wander out into the darkness * An actor who discovers she's been killed off in real life * A late night wander into the Icelandic night

Josie Long hears tales of the witching hour as she ventures out for a midnight walk in the woods.

The Sudden Walk Produced by Phil Smith

Lazaretto Produced by The Inner Ear

The Witching Hour Feat. Heather Donahue Interviewed by Deborah Coughlin

Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2016.

Wild Youth Oct 24, 2016

Show notes

Falling in love, losing yourself and vicious sibling rivalries - Josie Long presents tales of wild youth.

We hear the writer Joe Dunthorne and his sister Leah try to unpick old family scars and a story of attempted teen rebellion from Mae Martin.

Rivals Featuring Joe and Leah Dunthorne

Wild Youth Featuring Mae Martin

Julius and Moses Featuring Julius Matovu and Moses Walumsimbi Producer: Andrea Rangecroft

Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2016.

The Deep End Oct 17, 2016

Show notes

Josie Long presents stories about people who have fallen in the deep end.

From the man who sets out to scam the con artists trying to exploit him, to the hypnotist who finds himself face to face with Uday Hussein, we hear true tales of falling down the rabbit hole into unsettling situations - including the moment when the poet Ross Sutherland accidentally crossed the boundary between fiction and reality and found himself being dragged into a wrestling match.

Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in October 2016.

Field Guides Jul 26, 2016

Show notes

Josie Long ventures outdoors to present stories of how our hearts entwine with the landscape - forests, lakes and skylines of the natural world.

The lessons about love and life that we can learn from a fig, a walk in the woods and a connection to a lost love found in the water.

Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2016.

Rivals Jul 19, 2016

Show notes

Josie Long presents stories about rivalry.

Fights for territory, standing your ground and petty feuds

From a bitter battle conducted in a laundrette to an ongoing argument between academics on either side of the world.

Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2016.

Illuminations Jul 12, 2016

Show notes

A mysterious character offering to illuminate a course of action, an activist thrust into a glaring spotlight and the dull glow of car tail lights - presenter Josie Long looks for stories featuring illuminations in the darkness.

Featuring the actress and activist Sacheen Littlefeather walking onstage to collect Marlon Brando's oscar, a singing medium and Laura Barton on driving at night.

Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall

A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in July 2016.