Award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by funny and fascinating comedians, doctors, scientists, and historians to celebrate medicine's inspiring past, present and future. In each programme, Kiri challenges her guests to make a case for what they think is 'the best medicine', and each of them champions anything from world-changing science to an obscure invention, an every-day treatment, an uplifting worldview, an unsung hero or a futuristic cure. Whether it's micro-robotic sur ...
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A season of programmes from Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra exploring the Red Planet of our dreams and, maybe, our futures...
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They claim to cure video game addiction - but what's really going on? Mind-bending thriller from the makers of The Cipher, starring Armin Karima (Sex Education).
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Admiral Lord West tells the story of the Royal Navy during the 20th century.
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James Naughtie profiles 60 public figures nominated to mark the diamond jubilee
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Presenters recommend their favourite podcasts and speak to the people who make them.
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Psychiatrist Dr Anthony Clare conducts in depth interviews with prominent people from different walks of life.
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Making a selection of objects from the British Museum and collections across the UK, Neil MacGregor uncovers the stories they tell about Shakespeare's world.
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Will Self goes on a 700-mile road trip in a Trabant, the iconic East German car.
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Professor of Mathematics Marcus du Sautoy reveals the personalities behind the calculations and argues that mathematics is the driving force behind modern science.
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The week's news stories lovingly bashed, mashed and moulded into sketches and one-liners by the public.
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Kathy Willis considers our changing relationship with plants over the last 250 years - from tools to exploit, to objects of beauty, to being an essential resource we must conserve.
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Adam Zmith has found some lost sound recordings from 1930. As he listens to this archive of intriguing noises, he imagines a film that could have changed the world.
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Clare Balding presents a 30-part series charting how sport has shaped the British and how Britain has shaped sport
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Film critic Mark Kermode reveals the economic realities behind the film industry.
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In this chatty new podcast, comedians Michelle De Swarte and Laura Smyth review their weeks and share what they’re obsessed with, and whether it’s worth your time. Will having cold showers every morning make you a better person? (No, they will make you cold.) Are first class train tickets worth the extra £200 quid? (Sometimes.) Is it possible to upload a selfie to Instagram without looking like a d&*k? (Probably not but won’t stop us trying.) We’re going low brow, we’re going high brow. We’r ...
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Melvyn Bragg explores the pivotal role of England's north in the shaping of modern Britain.
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Will Gompertz enters the Royal Collection to examine some of the objects that have adorned, defined and described the story of a thousand years of the British monarchy.
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An intimate portrait of Dorothy Hodgkin, the only British woman to win a Nobel Prize for science, for cracking the chemical structures of penicillin and vitamin B12.
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* SUBSCRIBERS PLEASE NOTE episodes are added in batches of 100*. Castaways choose eight records, a book and a luxury to take with them to the mythical desert island. Full listings can be found on the Desert Island Discs website. Archive episodes are broadcast on Radio 4 Extra, Wednesdays 10.00 and Sundays 10.00.
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Right, roll up your sleeve, it’s time for an extra dose of Best Medicine! This is a special episode of unheard bits that couldn’t be squeezed into Series 2, featuring more fascinating medical insights, extended bits and a whole Petri dish of jokes – some more cultured than others. Laura Smyth shares more on sleep, Zoe Lyons delves into transplants …
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6. Pain Management, Organoids, Prosthetic Leg Covers
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28:46
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28:46Joining Kiri this week is comedian Desiree Burch who explains the best ways to cope with pain following surgery. Dr Abdullah Khan engineers mini versions of human organs in a dish to enable more effective testing of new medical treatments, and Mark Williams shows off personalised prosthetic legs clad in anything from gold and flames to beer and the…
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Joining Kiri this week in a literary special recorded at the Hay Festival is comedian Ignacio Lopez who heals family wounds through writing. Dr Paul Craddock explains how one of the most prestigious medical journals started as a scandal magazine, Miss Shabnam Parkar shares how poetry helps her perform surgery, and Professor Neil Frude walks Kiri th…
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Joining Kiri this week are Dr Claire Roddie who retrains cells to fight cancer using revolutionary, game-changing CAR T-cell therapy, and comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri who finds spiritual healing in water. Dr Lindsey Fitzharris takes comfort in rituals both historical and present-day to help her remember her grandmother Dorothy Sissors, and Rev Benjami…
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3. Sleep, FMTs, Dr Charles Drew, Stem Cell Transplantation
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28:52Joining Kiri this week is comedian Laura Smyth who discovered the importance of sleep as she underwent cancer treatment. Historian Subhadra Das celebrates the incredible medical pioneer of blood transfusion Dr Charles Drew, Professor Lindsay Hall uses golden poo donors to cure serious infections, and Professor Nicholas Embleton’s life is saved by a…
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2. Sweating In Nature, Animals, Transplantation, Horticulture
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28:46
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28:46Joining Kiri this week at the Hay Festival is comedian Zoe Lyons who tells Kiri how running helps with the stress associated with her alopecia - and how she survived getting rammed by a badger. Dr Matt Morgan explains how kangaroo vaginas held the key to developing IVF and whales’ hearts inspired new heart treatments for humans, Dr Fotios Sampaziot…
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1. MV140, Origami Surgical Capsules, Denial, Defibrillators
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28:45
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28:45Joining Kiri Pritchard-McLean this week is comedian Daliso Chaponda who champions Denial as the best medicine (or does he?). Urology Consultant Mr Bob Yang explains how a pineapple-flavoured UTI vaccine is changing lives, Dr Dana Damian takes Kiri on a journey through the body with tiny swallowable Origami Surgical Robots, and paramedic Thomas Mart…
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Best Medicine: Series 2 - time for your second dose!
1:25
1:25
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1:25It's time for your second dose of Best Medicine! Award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by a funny and fascinating panel of comedians, doctors, scientists, and historians to celebrate medicine’s inspiring past, present and future. Each week Kiri challenges her guests to make a case for what they think is 'the best medicine', and eac…
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Joining Kiri this week are historian Dr Paul Craddock who unravels how vascular surgery owes a debt to 19th century Parisian embroiderer Marie-Anne Leroudier, historian Subhadra Das unearthing stories of death prevention, comedian Ria Lina pushing epidurals as the best medicine, and paediatrician Dr Guddi Singh who shows off with play. Best Medicin…
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9. Autopsies, Light, Escapism, Henrietta Lacks
28:32
28:32
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28:32Joining Kiri this week is a druid, a drag queen and a mortician...it's one man, Kristoffer Hughes, who puts forward the autopsy as the best medicine. Professor Olivette Otele tells us the tale of Henrietta Lacks, an extraordinary woman whose so called 'immortal cells' have saved countless lives, movie reviewer Ali Plumb talks about the importance o…
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8. Doing Less, Gardening, The Smartphone, Expertise
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28:32
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28:32Joining Kiri are historian Dr Paul Craddock who talks about what gardening and skin grafting have in common, comedian Shaparak Khorsandi who tells us how doing less helps manage her ADHD, Professor Roger Kneebone who explains how puppeteers, fighter pilots and chefs can teach surgeons to become more skilful and Professor Jamie Ward, who reveals how…
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7. Failure, Detection, Herpes, Climate Change
28:43
28:43
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28:43Joining Kiri this week are Dr Lindsey Fitzharris who brings with her a Victorian clockwork surgical saw to demonstrate why failure can sometimes be the best medicine, while Professor Kevin Harrington explains how he uses molecular scissors to modify the herpes virus to attack cancer cells. We also hear from his patient Nigel who went from palliativ…
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6. CT Scans, Inhalation, Faith, Attention
28:34
28:34
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28:34Joining Kiri this week are Reverend Kate Bottley who offers up faith as the Best Medicine, Dr Subarna Chakravorty and John James OBE who team up to talk about sickle cell, comedian Ria Lina who wants everyone to get a CT scan, and historian Caroline Rance debunking dodgy inhalation practices throughout history. Best Medicine is your weekly dose of …
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5. Laughter, Other People, Inclusion, Tissue Engineering
27:59
27:59
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27:59This week comedian Nabil Abdulrashid tells us how laughter and comedy reduced the levels of violence in prison, heart surgeon Professor Massimo Caputo describes how he used tissue engineering in a world-first life-saving heart operation, neuroscientist Dr Adam Kampff brings us an incredible insight into the human brain by taking us from rats that p…
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4. Surgical Microrobots, Backlash, The Immune System, Keeping an Open Mind
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29:02Joining Kiri this week are Dr Christos Bergeles demonstrating surgical micro-robots that can transport the surgeon to areas of the body that are normally impossible to operate on, historian Dr Elinor Cleghorn champions Backlash by bringing us the tale of Victorian medical hero Mary Putnam Jacobi, Professor Daniel Davis explores the beauty of the im…
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Joining Kiri are friend of the show historian Dr Lindsey Fitzharris who shares her own breast cancer recovery story with a detour via Victorian breast cancer surgery. Comedian Jordan Gray champions boob jobs, Sarah Kerruish unveils the life-saving power of AI with MIA, an algorithm that can read 80,000 mammograms in a weekend, and Dr Samantha Terry…
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2. Cytosponge, Fresh Air, Showmanship, Alkaline Breathing
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28:22
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28:22Joining Kiri this week are Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald OBE who demonstrates the Cytosponge test which detects throat cancer with a revolutionary pill on a string, Dr Jack Hartnell brings tales of surgical showmanship from the middle ages, comedian Thanyia Moore extols the virtues of Alkaline Breathing, and Dr Tolullah Oni explains how you treat an…
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1. Sobriety, Touch, Camellia Sinensis, Trust
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28:36
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28:36Joining Kiri this week are haptic technology specialist Dr Ally Barrow with the power of touch and a demonstration of virtual reality injections, mental health nurse Ed Freshwater speaks about a powerful treatment for mental illness, journalist and broadcaster Seyi Rhodes explores what happens when trust is lost in medicine, and comedian Felicity W…
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Joining Kiri this week are medical historian Dr Lindsey Fitzharris with the story of the pioneering World War I surgeon who transformed wounded soldiers faces, comedian Darren Harriott and his love of dancing, biomedical engineer Professor Eleanor Stride with cancer curing micro bubbles, brain surgeon Professor Mark Wilson with the GoodSAM app that…
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Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by funny and fascinating comedians, doctors, scientists and historians to celebrate medicine’s inspiring past, present and future.By BBC Radio 4
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This week Laura Smyth and Michelle De Swarte are talking about the iconic Judge Judy, inspiring women to embrace their wisdom and life experience and take over the world at any age. Michelle has broken her laptop (you will never guess how) and thinks it's time we start saying please and thank you to Alexa. Meanwhile, Laura has been living her ‘amis…
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It’s HOT out here, which means it’s time to embrace the humidity, whip out the paddling pool and bake in the sun until you smell like bacon. This week, find out how Michelle’s run in with the police led to her championing boredom in the bath and appreciating downtime. Meanwhile Laura tells us about being beefed by her son and gives us a deep dive o…
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In maybe our most quote worthy episode yet, Laura and Michelle chat about motherhood and choosing not to have children, the icon that was Tina Turner, buddhist chanting, nearly going camping in North Wales and regretting your fashion choices on Live At The Apollo. And if you have any suggestions on topics you'd like Laura and Michelle to cover then…
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This week Laura’s asking some big questions. Does buying disposable fashion make you a bad person? Are street Whatsapp groups the Long Covid we’re not talking about? Does not paying tax get you on the cover of Sports Illustrated? Meanwhile, Michelle talks us through her complicated skincare routine of lotions, potions, a cauldron and a full moon, p…
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Michelle has beef with Jo Malone, updates us on her attempt to give up smoking and faces the wrath of the Beyhive with an honest review of Beyoncé's latest UK tour. Is it possible she enjoyed the train to the gig more? Meanwhile, Laura is waxing lyrical about the cranio-osteopathist and goes in deep on the new series of Selling Sunset. Is watching …
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This week Laura Smyth and Michelle de Swarte ask whether we can ever really reach Nirvana or if peace will always be disrupted by a snoring bloke manspreading in the seat next to you. Michelle has been meeting some of her female heroes, is livid about being born too late for the rave scene, and has decided to avoid menopause by bathing in a vat of …
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Laura Smyth and Michelle de Swarte discuss what’s been making them laugh, cry and fume this week. Better late than never, Laura shares her hot take and conspiracy theories on TV show ‘Succession’ as well as explaining her latest cosmetics dilemma. Meanwhile Michelle wonders if she’ll ever grow out of using slang and gets incredibly heated about cer…
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This week, Michelle De Swarte is hungover. So be gentle. Laura Smyth tells us about the content creators making her howl as well as her obsession with the ramen restaurant Bone Daddies. Michelle De Swarte wonders whether bingeing an entire season of Love Is Blind in just two sittings is a problem and shares her dazzling review of the new Alice Neel…
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Table for one please... this week Michelle and Laura talk about the importance of occasionally sacking off your family for some well-earned me time. Michelle tells us all about her love for chucking away 'bad vibe' items and Laura tastes her first slice of social media fame. Producer: Pete StraussExec Producer: Rich MorrisProduction Co-Ordinator: K…
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6. The Grand National, Margate, Obsession on Netflix and A Streetcar Named Desire
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26:13
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26:13Is it socially acceptable to leave a play if you're not enjoying it? Did Laura win big on The Grand National? And why does Michelle have beef with Margate? Find out the answers to all of the above in another cracking episode of Bang On It. Producer: Pete StraussExec Producer: Rich MorrisProduction Co-Ordinator: Katie BaumEditor: Calum SampleA BBC S…
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5. Nalini Malani’s new exhibition, Reduced Skincare, Kid’s Party Entertainers and I’ve Had It
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30:38This week, Michelle talks us through her new obsession with reduced price skincare and her love for Nalini Malani's new exhibition at The National Gallery. And Laura raves about children's party entertainers and her new favourite podcast, I've Had It. Producer: Pete StraussExec Producer: Rich MorrisProduction Co-Ordinator: Katie BaumEditor: Calum S…
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4. Easter, Swarm, Anaesthetic and Saying Goodbye To Your Therapist
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31:50
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31:50It's a banger of an episode this week. This week, Laura talks about Easter being her favourite holiday and her love of anaesthetic. And Michelle raves about Donald Glover's new show Swarm and the pitfalls of saying goodbye to your therapist. If you're enjoying the show then please do subscribe, leave a review and shout about it all over social medi…
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3. Sisters, Hockney, Breadwinners and Tarot Cards
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29:40
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29:40It's Wednesday and that can only mean one thing... a brand new episode of Bang On It! This week, Laura talks about reconnecting with her sister and having her mind blown by David Hockney. And Michelle talks us through her tarot card obsession and her desire for a stay-at-home husband. A really cracking episode so please do subscribe, leave a review…
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2. Multitasking, Audiobooks, Giving up vaping and Paula
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32:04We’re back for our second ever episode and Laura and Michelle are going in on some of the things that have entered their orbit this week. Michelle is trying to give up vaping (successful so far) and multitasking (less successful). And Laura is bang on audiobooks on the road and Paula – Channel 4’s new Paula Yates documentary. New Episodes every Wed…
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1. Boundaries, Body Make-Up, Burgers and Booking Things
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29:19Hello and welcome to the first EVER episode of Bang On It! We are off to a flyer! This week, award-winning comedians and close friends Laura Smyth and Michelle de Swarte are covering all the B’s – Boundaries, Body Make-Up, Burgers and Booking. New episodes every Wednesday available on BBC Sounds. Producer: Pete StraussExecutive Producer: Richard Mo…
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It's BBC Radio 4 Extra's final Podcast Radio Hour so Laura Grimshaw, Amanda Litherland and Chris Pearson look back at some of the best co-hosts, podcasts and interview guests. With contributions from regular co-hosts Scott Bryan, Jon Holmes, Isy Suttie, Jessica Fostekew, Shivani Dave, Ella Watts, Ellie Gibson, Greg Cochrane, Imriel Morgan, Jake Yap…
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Wes Butters and his Producer, Kerry present a few of the best podcasts on fungi. Dr. Gordon Walker talks about the role of social media in sharing high quality information about fungi, Dr. Merlin Sheldrake tells us about the importance of amateurs in the field of Mycology - and the Podcast Producer, Katharine Kerr reveals the things that she learne…
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Chris Pearson and Ella Watts recommend apocalypse audio fiction. Jenny Turner Hall talks Marvel's Wastelanders: Wolverine, and discusses the pressures of working on a Marvel property, as well as the stakes that come from writing stories starring young characters. Plus Kc Wayland discusses We're Alive: Descendants - the latest iteration in the We're…
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Chris Pearson and Scott Bryan suggest new listening for October. Tubsey and Hyder, Bafta winners, join us to talk about their first steps into podcasting. Why did they want to start "The World According to Tubsey and Hyder" - and what do they love about working with each other? Plus we'll hear new conversation, documentary, and drama podcasts, incl…
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Open the door, what’s my name, play the game to the end… Camp Restart is a secretive facility in the desert of New Mexico set up to help teenagers addicted to video games. When sixteen-year-old Eddie witnesses the abduction of his online gaming friend, he risks all and goes on a quest to find him, uncovering the shocking true purpose of Camp Restar…
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Training regime, a friend IRL, the escape… Camp Restart is a secretive facility in the desert of New Mexico set up to help teenagers addicted to video games. When sixteen-year-old Eddie witnesses the abduction of his online gaming friend, he risks all and goes on a quest to find him, uncovering the shocking true purpose of Camp Restart. Armin Karim…
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Hunters and hunted, the “happy kids”, an ancient mechanism… Camp Restart is a secretive facility in the desert of New Mexico set up to help teenagers addicted to video games. When sixteen-year-old Eddie witnesses the abduction of his online gaming friend, he risks all and goes on a quest to find him, uncovering the shocking true purpose of Camp Res…
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Extreme detox, the kill, the other side of the camp… Camp Restart is a secretive facility in the desert of New Mexico set up to help teenagers addicted to video games. When sixteen-year-old Eddie witnesses the abduction of his online gaming friend, he risks all and goes on a quest to find him, uncovering the shocking true purpose of Camp Restart. A…
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Life at Camp Restart, the Boss, a baggage handler who stole a plane… Camp Restart is a secretive facility in the desert of New Mexico set up to help teenagers addicted to video games. When sixteen-year-old Eddie witnesses the abduction of his online gaming friend, he risks all and goes on a quest to find him, uncovering the shocking true purpose of…
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The video game designer, a military base, an errant priest… Camp Restart is a secretive facility in the desert of New Mexico set up to help teenagers addicted to video games. When sixteen-year-old Eddie witnesses the abduction of his online gaming friend, he risks all and goes on a quest to find him, uncovering the shocking true purpose of Camp Res…
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The video game journalist, the janitor, a desert grave for ET… Camp Restart is a secretive facility in the desert of New Mexico set up to help teenagers addicted to video games. When sixteen-year-old Eddie witnesses the abduction of his online gaming friend, he risks all and goes on a quest to find him, uncovering the shocking true purpose of Camp …
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"Do you want to go on an adventure?” From the makers of THE CIPHER and PASSENGER LIST an original mind-bending thriller starring Armin Karima. Camp Restart is a secretive facility in the desert of New Mexico set up to help teenagers addicted to video games. When sixteen-year-old Eddie witnesses the abduction of his online gaming friend, he risks al…
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Camp Restart is a secretive facility in the desert of New Mexico set up to help teenagers addicted to video games. When sixteen-year-old Eddie witnesses the abduction of his online gaming friend, he risks all and goes on a quest to find him, uncovering the shocking true purpose of Camp Restart. Armin Karima (Sex Education) stars in this mind-bendin…
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Children's Podcasts with Chrystal Genesis
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59:00Chris Pearson and Chrystal Genesis with podcasts for young ears. Molly Bloom discusses the debate show Smash Boom Best, and tells us why it's important to introduce children to debating at an early age. And Rebecca Sheir talks about her global storytelling podcast Circle Round, which introduces children to stories from around the world. Plus we'll …
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Podcast Radio Hour showcases new podcasts from the 2022 Class of BBC Sounds Audio Lab, and meets the six audio creatives who have bought their innovative ideas to BBC Sounds. Talia Randall discusses the urban nature series 'Blossom Trees and Burnt-Out Cars'Hamza Salmi talks about the series profiling someone described as 'the Forrest Gump of black …
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