Sliced Bread

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**Sliced Bread**

Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 series Sliced Bread, brings you Dough.

Each episode explores the future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives.

Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today’s everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like within five, 10 and 50 years.

New episodes of Dough are released weekly on Thursdays wherever you get your BBC podcasts. But you can listen to the latest episode on BBC Sounds first, a week earlier than anywhere else.

Produced by Jon Douglas and Linda Walker. Dough is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Sliced Bread returns for a new batch of investigations in October when Greg will investigate more of the latest so-called wonder products to find out whether they really are the best thing since sliced bread.

In the meantime, Dough is available in the Sliced Bread feed on BBC Sounds.

Latest Episodes:

Dough - Series 4: Mobile Phones Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

What will mobile phones be like in future? Greg Foot investigates

Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show 'Sliced Bread', brings you 'Dough'.

Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives.

Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like within five, ten and fifty years.

This time we’re looking at the future of mobile phones - asking whether our handsets will shrink, stretch, roll, fold… or even disappear as new technology takes over? And will super-smart devices with AI assistants that second-guess our every move become the new normal?

Alongside Greg is the futurist, Tracey Follows, and expert guests: leading strategist in the tech industry, Chetan Sharma, innovator and creator from one of the world’s newest Mobile Phone manufacturers, “Nothing Mobile", their AI and design lead, Sélim Benayat and co-founder and CEO of Honest Mobile, Andy Aitken.

This episode was produced by Linda Walker

Dough is a BBC Audio North Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Sliced Bread - Series 14: Baby Sleep Products Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

Sleep deprived parents everywhere are tempted to reach for anything that might help them get a little more sleep overnight – but can products promising to encourage babies to snooze for longer – really do that? And is there any science to back it up?

That is exactly what tired Dad-of-three Dave wanted to know – and whether there were any future implications from using these gadgets, docks, blinds and sleep bags?

New Dad Greg Foot speaks to Director of the Durham Infancy and Sleep Centre Professor Helen Ball, to find out.

You can also read the official Safer Sleep guidance, by copy and pasting the links below into your browser:

NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life/baby/baby-basics/newborn-and-baby-sleeping-advice-for-parents/safe-sleep-advice-for-babies/

Lullaby Trust - https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/safer-sleep-information/safer-sleep-overview/

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM

PRODUCER: KATE HOLDSWORTH & GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 14: Kitchen Knives and Sharpeners Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Which knife is best for the kitchen and how do you keep it sharp?

After buying various knives over the years that ended up blunt, listener Susan is looking for one that will last. She's seen an array of different types and materials: Damascus steel, Japanese Gyuto knives, as well as alloys and additions that promise a sharper edge. They vary hugely in price - anything from £50 to £1,000. And if you do invest, how do you keep a knife sharp?

To cut through the marketing BS, presenter Greg Foot is joined in the studio by Mark Miodownik, Professor of Materials & Society at University College London, and Rob Haslam aka Mr Knife Guy.

All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 14: VPNs Feb 12, 2026

Show notes

Do you really need a VPN?

Listener Andrew has seen and heard lots of adverts for Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and wants to know if they'll beef up the security on his computer. Will they provide extra protection from malware or hackers?

To get the answers, presenter Greg Foot is joined in the studio by Professor Victoria Baines, fellow of the Chartered Institute for IT.

All our investigations start with YOUR suggestions. If you have seen a wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, please do email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk or send a voicenote to our Whatsapp number - 07543 306807.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 14: Kefir Feb 05, 2026

Show notes

Listener Amanda was Kefir curious, and got in touch with Sliced Bread to ask if the Kefir she was consuming for breakfast every day – was really having an impact on her health, cognitive function, and her gut?

She wasn’t the only person to get in touch about kefir either, with others saying they keep seeing the benefits of fermented foods crowed about on social media. Greg Foot talks to head of the Food Biosciences department at the Irish National Research Body Teagasc, to get to the bottom of it.

If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk or send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: KATE HOLDSWORTH & GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 14: Testosterone Replacement Therapy Jan 29, 2026

Show notes

Can taking testosterone help with low libido and energy?

It's all over social media and is often touted by celebs - both male and female - but is testosterone replacement therapy the answer to listener Clive's low energy levels?

Clive got in touch after sending off for a blood test with an online health firm which showed he might have low testosterone and could be a candidate for therapy. But to buy it privately isn't cheap and once started, is a lifelong commitment. So is it worth the money?

Presenter Greg Foot is joined by President of the British Society of Sexual Medicine, Mike Kirby, as well as NHS GP and Director of Men's Health at Manual, Dr Jeff Foster.

If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk or send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 14: Dark Chocolate Jan 22, 2026

Show notes

Listener Jenny, who enjoys a 90% cocoa bar from time to time, got in touch to ask if some of the reports that dark chocolate can have a positive effect on things like circulation and mood - have any truth behind them?

But Jenny also told Sliced Bread that since she read reports that heavy metals such as lead and cadmium could be in dark chocolate - she's been unable to enjoy her regular bar, until she knows it's safe to eat!

Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them? If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk or send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: KATE HOLDSWORTH & GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 14: Weight-loss Injections Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

Is it ok to stay on weight loss injections?

They have been nothing short of a pharmaceutical phenomenon. But for people like listener Lynn who've had huge success on weight loss drugs like Mounjaro, the question now arises about the implications of using them long-term. Could there be a 'maintenance' dose that would potentially allow for use over many years, or even a lifetime? And as scientists study the data, are other benefits emerging that go beyond just losing weight that could burnish their wonder-product reputation?

Presenter Greg Foot is joined in the studio by Lynn to hear her story and do a deep-dive into the science alongside Professor of Molecular Neuroendocrinology at the University of Cambridge, Giles Yeo.

At Sliced Bread we're hungry for your suggestions so we can keep making fresh batches! If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Toast - Series 6: Farepak's Christmas Hampers Dec 25, 2025

Show notes

What led to the collapse of the Christmas savings club Farepak?

The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates with the entrepreneur, Sam White, alongside him.

It's our Christmas special and we're turning the clock back to the mid 1960s…. and looking at a business which started from humble beginnings in a Peckham butcher's shop, and went on to change Christmas for tens of thousands of families all over the UK.

So, why did Farepak end up toast? Sean interviews:

-David Goodhart - founder of Prospect Magazine, journalist, commentator and author. David tells us more about the man known as Farepak's founder, Bob Johnson and how his passion for philanthropy influenced the business.

-Suzy Hall - Former Farepak customer and agent who went on to become a national campaign coordinator for Unfairpak- a campaign set up in the wake of the Farepak collapse.

-Dermot Power - Former senior partner with the accountants BDO Stoy Hayward, Dermot was appointed as joint administrator to the Farepak business and can talk us through what happened and how he worked to help get customers' money back.

Produced by Linda Walker. A BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. Contact: toast@bbc.co.uk

Toast - Series 6: C&A's UK Stores Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

The fashion chain C&A continues to thrive elsewhere so why did it shut all its UK stores?

The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates how they ended up toast, in the company of resident business expert and entrepreneur, Sam White.

C&A used to be one of the biggest fashion retailers on the UK's high streets until a shock decision in 2000 led to the stores' sudden closure.

To help explain what happened, Sean and Sam delve into the BBC archives and hear from expert guests including Donna Bevan - fashion historian, lecturer and course leader at the School of Creative Industries at Southampton Solent University and Stephen McDermott who worked at C&A for 35 years.

Produced by Jon Douglas, Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

If you have a good idea for an interesting Toast topic then tell us about it - email toast@bbc.co.uk

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