iPM: We Start With Your Stories

Follow iPM: We Start With Your Stories
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

A weekly companion to PM where the expertise and insights of the BBC Radio 4 audience shape a programme that sees news differently. Presented by Luke Jones.


    • Mar 29, 2019 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 22m AVG DURATION
    • 169 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from iPM: We Start With Your Stories with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from iPM: We Start With Your Stories

    "A civilised life"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2019 13:47


    iPM's second programme from Islay, after listener Chris suggested the Hebredian island for an outside broadcast. What's it like for the younger residents of the island? What makes non-Ileachs choose to move there? And what about the families who've been there for generations? Plus, a bumper edition of our Your News bulletin, read by iPM favourites Martha Kearney, Paddy O'Connell, Jane Garvey and Simon Mayo. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    "Everybody here is important"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2019 13:54


    The first of two programmes from Islay, after iPM listener Chris suggested the Hebredian island for an outside broadcast. Who lives there? What makes them tick? And how do they keep local traditions alive? We also hear from Ileachs - the residents there - about the booming whiskey industry, the impact its growth is having on Islay's infrastructure and how it attracts huge numbers of tourists to the island each year. iPM is the programme that starts with your story - iPM@bbc.co.uk And Newsnight's Kirsty Wark reads our Your News bulletin. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    From Crime to Coffee

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2019 13:52


    iPM listener, Aiden, shows us round the business he set up in a prison, roasting and packaging coffee at Feltham Young Offenders Institute, South West London. He wants to give the young men working with him experience and skills they can use when they're released, and the prison governor tells iPM it's schemes like this that help cut re-offending rates. Also - Jonathan Dimbleby reads our Your News bulletin. iPM is the programme that starts with your story - email iPM@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    My relationship with social media

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2019 13:58


    Social media companies are in the spotlight about the harmful content that can be found on their platforms. In this programme, an iPM listener explains why she used to seek out such images, and how she doesn't want to quit social media now she's recovered. We'll have more news about our future programmes coming from Islay. Also, Caroline Wyatt reads our Your News bulletin. iPM is the programme that starts with your news - send us yours, in a sentence, to iPM@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Should I have to quit my job?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2019 13:55


    Listener, Alex, has a son with autism who's in a mainstream school. She explains how, after a difficult week, she was told to rethink how much she works in order to spend more time with her son. Paddy O'Connell - presenter of BBC Radio 4's Broadcasting House - reads our Your News bulletin. iPM is the programme that starts with your story - email iPM@bbc.co.uk. Presented by Becky Milligan. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    My secret NDA

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2019 13:37


    This week, an iPM listener explains how she came to sign a non-disclosure agreement with her employer, how it made her feel, and why she's never quite gotten over it. LBC's Shelagh Fogarty reads our Your News bulletin. iPM is the programme that starts with your story. Email us: iPM@bbc.co.uk. Presented by Becky Milligan. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    I can't grieve my dad's death yet

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2019 13:38


    iPM listener, Vicky, learned her father had died 10 days after it happened. She then found out the funeral had already taken place. She describes the impact this has had on her - and her family's - ability to grieve. BBC 5Live's Emma Barnett reads our Your News bulletin. iPM is the programme that starts with your stories - send us yours: iPM@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    How to influence people

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2019 13:35


    Listener Sara Tasker first appeared on iPM in 2014, when she was a superuser on the photosharing platform, Instagram. Five years later, we hear how she's made a full time career out of posting pictures, whether she gets paid to advertise brands, and what she makes of calls for social media companies to better protect vulnerable users. Channel 4's Jon Snow reads our "Your News" bulletin. iPM is the show that starts with your story. iPM@bbc.co.uk is how to get in touch. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    "It's taken all the stress out of the relationship"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2019 16:06


    iPM listeners often get in touch about their marriages and relationships. This week we hear form a woman how joining an extra-marital dating site is actually keeping her marriage together. And from another woman who's gone down the same route to save her relationship. iPM is the show that starts with your story. ipm@bbc.co.uk is how to get in touch. And Sue MacGregor reads our Your News Bulletin. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    My extreme hobbies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2019 25:15


    Two iPM listeners take their hobby to extreme. Rachel ran a marathon when she was a teenager. Then a few years ago she challenged herself to run 26 marathons in 3 years, one for every letter of the alphabet. Twenty down, and six to go, she takes Luke for a training run. Meanwhile, Mary wanted to make a difference so for 18 months has been protesting, on her own, outside a government department dressed in a badger outfit. Luke finds out why. Richard Madeley reads our Your News bulletin. iPM is the show that starts with your story. ipm@bbc.co.uk is how to get in touch. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth

    Pained at being apart

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2019 23:38


    iPM listener Robert describes the six months he's spent without his wife while they wait for her visa to settle in the UK, and find out if they'll be reunited soon. We have news on the iPM Outside Broadcast "OB" not a competition chance to host a whole iPM programme. And Sara Cox takes a break from her new Radio 2 Drivetime show to read our "Your News" bulletin. iPM is the show that starts with your story. ipm@bbc.co.uk is how to get in touch. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth

    Why won't anyone rent to our daughter?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2019 24:26


    "In the same way that they were saying 'no pets, no smokers', they were saying 'no LHA'." Listeners Graham and Sara tell how difficult it was to find their daughter - who has cerebal palsy and learning difficulties - a flat because landlords wouldn't accept tenants who received housing benefits. We find out why landlords are saying no to tenants who get Local Housing Allowance (LHA), the impact this has on vulnerable people like our listeners' daughter and how they found her a home in the end. Jeremy Vine reads our Your News bulletin - email your sentence of news to iPM@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    The diagnosis which made me quit my job and put me on stage

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2019 25:22


    iPM listener, Nicola on why a cancer diagnosis gave her the impetus to try something new. Dame Esther Rantzen reads our Your News Bulletin. IPM@bbc.co.uk Another listener shares a letter she found from her grandfather, written on the front line in World War One. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Ring out the old

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2018 23:54


    iPM listeners take the programme around the country - in 2018 we've been wild swimming in Cumbria, up tower blocks in Manchester, in to outer space, and over the seas to remote islands. We've also delved into divorce proceedings, surrogate pregnancies, online dating and into all manner of family secrets, surprises and upsets. Here are just a handful of some of the best from the year. And Stephen Fry returns to read our Your News bulletin. Email your sentence of news to iPM@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Here's a church, here's a steeple...

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2018 25:30


    With news that Shetland is set to lose two thirds of their churches, iPM takes a closer look at the houses that God built. Sue Lawley reads Your News. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Scott Adam. iPM@bbc.co.uk

    'You will do it naked, won't you?'

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2018 25:57


    A listener on the deathbed promise she made, and whether she fulfilled it. Another listener describes finding parents halfway around the world and overcoming the guilt she's felt about it all her life. Plus Stephen Fry reads our Your News. Send us your news: ipm@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Carrying my friend's baby

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2018 25:13


    How one woman became a surrogate for her childhood friend, and Sarah Jones from Surrogacy UK explains how it all works in the UK. Adam Boulton from Sky News reads our Your News bulletin. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth Send us your news Ipm@bbc.co.uk

    The Generation Game

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2018 27:04


    Retirees and teenagers who meet once a fortnight for a chat. iPM@bbc.co.uk Evan Davis reads our Your News bulletin. And we have an update from the iPM listener who hadn't yet fulfilled the deathbed promise she'd made to her stepmother - has she done it now? Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Living in sin

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2018 15:12


    After suddenly losing her husband after 30 years of years of marriage, our listener Ann tells us about moving on. iPM starts with your story. iPM@bbc,.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth

    We went right to the edge of adoption breakdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2018 14:09


    "People just didn't get it... He was in a lovely family now, he had lots of support from loving parents, it was in the past. It was already starting to be in the past. But no; this is our present". A listener explains how her son's adoption in infancy affects him as a teenager, and the impact it has on the family. Send us a sentence of Your News: ipm@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth

    Inside the high-risk pregnancy clinic

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2018 17:09


    iPM visits a pre-term pregnancy clinic at St.Thomas' Hospital in London, which tries to prevent miscarriages and help mothers carry to term. A few weeks ago we spoke to a listener who had decided not to try again for a baby after miscarrying. A trainee doctor heard this and invited us to the clinic which might be able to help. iPM starts with your story. Let us know yours on iPM@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones Produced by Frankie Tobi

    Elderly, female and trailblazing

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2018 13:41


    How a group of women built the UK's first senior co housing project. Let us know what's happening in your world - ipm@bbc.co.uk. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Scott Adam.

    The charity inspired by my Houdini husband

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2018 13:42


    When Eileen's husband started suffering from dementia, she couldn't take him out anywhere. After his death, the experience inspired her to set up a charity. Michael Buerke reads Your News. Let us know what's happening in your world - ipm@bbc.co.uk. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Scott Adam.

    Slowing the flow

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2018 13:42


    The residents trying to protect their Yorkshire town from flooding. Hebden Bridge was badly hit by floods in 2015. In the valley above the town, volunteers have taken up saws and pickaxes to try and ensure it doesn't happen again. Let us know what's happening in your world. ipm@bbc.co.uk You can tweet us @BBCiPM Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    'I can't go through it again'

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2018 15:22


    iPM listener Sophie always wanted a big family. But after losing two babies late on during the pregnancies, she and her partner made the agonising decision to not try again. And Tony Blackburn reads our Your News bulletin. Email IPM@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Arrested for giving my daughter medicine

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2018 14:13


    Who knows best: the parents or medical professionals? This iPM listener bought her daughter thyroid medicine on the internet, but she was later arrested and spent nearly two years on bail. The case has now been dropped, but should she have been more cautious? Plus Kirsty Wark reads your news bulletin. iPM@bbc.co.uk is how to send us your sentences of news. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Married, divorced, married

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2018 24:36


    A couple on why their divorce was almost too amicable. Plus iPM listener Charlotte on why childcare meant she couldn't go back to work and how that impacted her life. Mariella Frostrup reads our bulletin of your news. Email ipm@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Family Secrets

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2018 26:44


    Family secrets feature a lot on iPM. The listener who hated her stepsons but couldn't tell anyone. The listener whose mum had secretly remarried. That time we heard from the wife and then the husband on the mistress. Here one listener, Steven, on how his family secret was kept from him for 50 years, and what happened when the truth came out. We also hear from Jo, a listener with another suggestion for our outside broadcast. She explains what she's been doing in her area to reduce plastic use. And Broadcasting House's Paddy O'Connell reads our Your News bulletin. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Faulty divorce?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2018 27:19


    Should the idea of 'fault' be taken out of the divorce process? The government has announced a consultation and iPM listeners weigh in. A few weeks ago Carole and Peter told us fault should go, but a listener who is a divorce barrister has doubts. Our latest suggestion for where we should do an outside broadcast from is poo and Charlotte Green has our bulletin of your news. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    I'm not looking to be a father

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2018 26:53


    iPM listener, James, told us how he'd finally made contact with his biological father, who'd donated his sperm 30 years ago. Now that man explains what led him to be a donor in the first place, and what he expects when he meets James for the first time. Radio 2's Simon Mayo reads our Your News bulletin. And we hear from our listener Fabida who's returned from Kerala, where the worst flooding in a century left thousands homeless. Let us know your story on iPM@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Finding my real dad

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2018 25:25


    Our listener James only learned as an adult that he'd been conceived by sperm donation. Ten years later, he's now found his biological father. They plan to meet next week. Plus Simon Jack reads our Your News bulletin. Let us know your story on iPM@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    I couldn't reach my wife

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2018 24:46


    Our iPM listener Noushad watched as India's heaviest monsoon rains in a century destroyed the place he had called home for 30 years. But concern turned to anguish when he lost contact with his wife who had been visiting family in Kerala. Here he tells us how he watched and waited. Also this week our Your News bulletin and suggestions from two iPM listeners about where we should choose to do an outside broadcast from, in our highly competitive non competition. Let us know your story on iPM@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones and Sarah Smith. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Struggling to divorce

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2018 27:41


    After a landmark case saw a woman told she couldn't divorce her husband, two iPM listeners tell us about trying to end their marriages. Should "no-fault" divorces be introduced? We've also got our Your News bulletin and alpacas. Let us know your story on iPM@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones and Chris Mason. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Will my daughter fall behind at school?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2018 24:05


    Our listener Sarah got in touch about her daughter Isla who is deaf and until recently received extra funding at school to help her. But Sarah doesn't yet know if that will continue in the new school year. Our Your News bulletin is read by BBC Weather's Carol Kirkwood. And iPM is taking suggestions from where we could broadcast an entire programme. A recommendation from one listener takes us to Chiswick in London, to see what the RNLI lifeboat team do there. Send us your ideas to iPM@bbc.co.uk Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    My son was too big to bury

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2018 23:41


    A listener on the problems she faced after her son died suddenly and why it might be something which might affect others. Plus Jim Naughtie reads our bulletin of Your News. Presented by Luke Jones and produced by Cat Farnsworth. This is the programme that starts with your story. Let us know yours. ipm@bbc.co.uk

    The advert that ended my relationship

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2018 15:55


    One listener explains how a TV advert made him see that he was in an emotionally abusive relationship, and how he moved on. Let us know your news. iPM@bbc.co.uk Katie Derham reads the Your News bulletin. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    Last chance at justice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2018 16:10


    A listener on half a decade of trying to find out what happened to his teenage sister. Colin Frost, the brother of Elsie Frost, has one last shot at getting information. ipm@bbc.co.uk Presented by Eddie Mair and Luke Jones Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    The final frontier

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2018 15:48


    One listener tells of how she discovered a project to establish an independent "space nation" - Asgardia - and how she's now been elected as an MP for it. Kathy Clugston reads Your News. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    What I finally said to my boss

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2018 13:57


    A listener on an unexpected encounter with her boss and how she had the last word. Presented by Luke Jones. Let us know what his happening with you on ipm@bbc.co.uk

    Shutting up shop

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2018 15:08


    A listener closes his bookshop after 40 years on the high street. We have an update on the ashes Sheila has been keeping in her broom cupboard. Plus Zeb Soanes has Your News. Get in touch ipm@bbc.co.uk or @bbcipm Presented by Luke Jones and produced by Kate Collins.

    We bought an island

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2018 18:02


    We're looking for somewhere to broadcast from. Small horses or small islands. iPM is the show that starts with your story. ipm@bbc.co.uk is how to get in touch. Presented by Luke Jones and Eddie Mair. Produced by Kate Collins.

    'The devil of all drugs'

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2018 17:25


    A listener, who heard our series with a mother and daughter whose lives were changed by heroin, tells us about his experience with drug abuse. He lost his job and was admitted to rehab. But now things are looking better. ipm@bbc.co.uk Presented by Eddie Mair and Luke Jones

    The cradle of rhythm and blues

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2018 16:31


    A listener takes us round the Red Room club in Ealing, West London. In the 1960s, the venue was called the Ealing Club and was where The Rolling Stones and The Who played some of their earliest gigs. But there are fears that regeneration in the area will mean the club will have to close its doors forever. Is enough done to protect grass roots music venues? Plus Annie Nightingale reads our Your News bulletin and reminisces about the iconic Maida Vale studios. Presented by Luke Jones and Eddie Mair. Produced by Cat Farnsworth. Email: ipm@bbc.co.uk. Twitter: @BBCiPM.

    Is my tower block safe now?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2018 15:31


    The week the inquiry into the the Grenfell Tower fire starts, iPM talks again to a listener and former firefighter, who investigated his own high-rise tower block in Manchester. Plus Susan Rae reads our Your News bulletin. Presented by Luke Jones and Eddie Mair. Produced by Cat Farnsworth. Email: ipm@bbc.co.uk. Twitter: @BBCiPM.

    Home is where the shed is

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2018 27:33


    Listeners on making homes, making gardens and living in a shed. Peter Gibbs from Gardeners' Question Time reads our Your News bulletin. Presented by Luke Jones and Eddie Mair. Produced by Cat Farnsworth. Email: ipm@bbc.co.uk. Twitter: @BBCiPM.

    Hello, is it me you're looking for?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2018 26:24


    We hear from listeners taking a second chance on love. Jilly Cooper reads our Your News bulletin plus we hear from a listener in Jersey who was so frustrated by a local problem she decided to stand in the general election there this week. ipm@bbc.co.uk if you want to get in touch. Presented by Luke Jones and Eddie Mair. Produced by Kate Collins.

    In the classroom

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2018 29:39


    Two listeners on the challenges of teaching. One has been at the chalkface for 25 years, the other has been teaching almost a year. Plus Fi Glover from Fortunately reads Your News. Presented by Luke Jones and Eddie Mair.

    My house is falling in the sea

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2018 27:35


    Our listener Malcolm on trying to save his house. Another listener suggests we go wing walking with them but unfortunately due to rules we can't, so what a shame we'll just have to ask them about it instead. Plus BBC Radio 1's Alice Levine reads our Your News Bulletin. Get in touch on ipm@bbc.co.uk or @BBCiPM Presented by Luke Jones and Eddie Mair. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    I've always felt like an alien, now I know why.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2018 25:16


    After 50 years of struggling to cope, a diganosis means the world no longer seems so strange for our listener. Get in touch on ipm@bbc.co.uk or @BBCiPM Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    The hole story

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2018 27:14


    iPM listeners tell of their encounters with potholes and share their expertise on how we can improve Britain's roads. And a listener rediscovers her family's connection with Enoch Powell, 50 years after his Rivers of Blood speech. Plus Sarah Montague reads Your News. iPM is the news programme that starts with its listeners. Email ipm@bbc.co.uk. Twitter: @BBCiPM. Presented by Eddie Mair and Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

    The outsider

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2018 27:33


    A listener reignites an old flame, only to find himself cut off from her by her family. Plus what is wild swimming? Presented by Eddie Mair and Luke Jones. The producer is Scott Adam. iPM is the news programme that starts with its listeners. Email ipm@bbc.co.uk. Twitter: @BBCiPM.

    Claim iPM: We Start With Your Stories

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel