Short Cuts

Latest Episodes:

Midnight Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

Josie 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 Smith

Voice of Nuclear Disarmament With thanks to the British Library Sound Archive, and the family of John Hasted Produced by Jonny Matfin

Perhaps at Midnight, When All Boundaries Are Lost Produced by the Shortwave Collective

Good Company Featuring Jesse Lawson, Izzy Yon and Femi Oriogun-Williams Produced by Jesse Lawson

Curated 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

Earth Dec 29, 2024

Show notes

A 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 Bradley

Melt Tones Featuring Dr Dieter Tetzner Produced by Anton Spice

Sue’s Garden Featuring Sue Trolle Music by Sóley Produced by Rikke Houd

Produced by Andrea Rangecroft Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Merry Christmas Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

A 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 Callin

A 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 Cuddon

Miracle on the George Washington Bridge Produced by Luke Green

Santa Calls Featuring Matt Storrs Produced by Talia Augustidis

Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Feast Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

Feeding the birds, sharing meals and chaotic menus - Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures about eating together.

Bird Feeder Produced by Stella Sims

And to Start... Produced by Mae-Li Evans

Foodhall Produced by Nadia Mehdi

Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Lost Futures Dec 10, 2024

Show notes

Time capsules and yesterday's dreams of tomorrow, Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures exploring lost futures.

That’s Merely an Adjective Produced by Zara Karschay

Time Play by Chelsea Kigano, Lily Sloane, Lilia Vega, and Emily Shaw Originally made as part of The 24-Hour Radio Race from KCRW's Independent Producer Project Music and sound design by Lily Sloane, with Time Ain't Gonna Make Me Stay by Ed Andrews Special thanks to David Lee

Letters Produced by Mika Golubovsky and Sasha Borzenko Featuring Zehnya Feldman and Natasha Zotova

Higher Ground Produced by Leila Goldstein Featuring Winda Safitri, Yoppi and Naya Hidayatul Alialna

Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Produced by Axel Kacoutié A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Into the Night Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

Siren song, lunar eavesdroppers and the gathering dark - Josie Long presents short documentaries about venturing into the night.

Siren Song Featuring melancholydi Produced by Kalli Anderson

Lunar Eavesdroppers An extract from Space Ham, first broadcast in BBC Radio 3's Between the Ears Produced by Rose de Larrabeiti and Caroline Devine A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 3

Beneath Produced by Sami El-Enany

Brücke Featuring Stephen Jenkinson Produced by Phil Smith

Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

The Forest Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures that venture into the forest.

Searching for Eden Written, performed and composed by Nyokabi Kariũki Drums - Chris O'Leary Field Recordings taken in Mũrang'a, Kenya

The Final Breath Featuring Robin Elms Produced by Kendra Hanna and Max Jungreis

El Manglar Featuring Paolo Realpe, founder of Muisne Desde Adentro Special thanks to Dr. Pilar Egüez Guevara, co-founder and director of Comidas que Curan (Foods that Heal) Produced by Mickal Aranha

Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

A Word Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

Wishes, wonders, and wisdom. Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures uncovering the power of words.

mother-house by produced by Catherine Boulle. Inspired by the guided visualisations accompanying the book 'Motherhood: Is it for me?' by Denise L. Carlini & Ann Davidman.

Weird World Whimsy produced and composed by Suzie McCarthy. Featuring actor, teacher and director, Mary Lou Rosato. Interview recording by audio producer Donelle Wederburn in New York City. The piece featured a canoe trip on the Tapiskwan Sipi, which runs through Atikamekw Nehirowisiwok territory in the unceded province of Quebec. Special thanks to Nina Garthwaite, Tom Todoroff, Emily Moulton, Katherina Lindekens and Emma Lehman from Noise Club.

Buranbur: a comfort in words by audio maker and producer Suhaar Ali. Featuring the first Somali woman elected to the cabinet, Fadumo Aalin, who talks about her mother and poet Hawo Jibril.

Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Produced by Axel Kacoutié A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Sound Waves Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

Trying to capture a lost homeland on tape, reclaiming urban landscapes through the sound of skateboarding, and the noise that is one of the great equalisers of the world. Short documentaries that ripple through space - presented by Josie Long.

Sonic Skateboarding Produced by Alice Boyd and Tom Critchley Featuring Ben Dixon, Tom Critchley, Hannah, Zip and Bleu Music composed by Ben Dixon

Nat’s Apartment Written and produced by Emma-Lee Moss Music by Emma-Lee Moss and Nata Lee Hahn

Love in the Time of Flatulence Featuring Alison Downham Moore, Noam Osband, Zebulon Osband and Dahlia Osband Written and produced by Noam Osband

Produced by Andrea Rangecroft Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

In Time Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

Josie Long presents short documentaries against the clock in an episode around time and timing.

Dad's Secret Life of Matchmaking Produced by Josephine Anderson Additional sound recording by Christopher Anderson

Loose Ends Produced by Jon Tjhia

There's Always a Next Time Produced by Steve Urquhart

Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected