Podcast appearances and mentions of Edward Stourton

Following the death of Pope Francis, Edward Stourton looks at the life and legacy of the spiritual leader of more than a billion Catholics worldwide. He was elected at a time of crisis for his Church, but quickly transformed its reputation. He urged Christians to be less judgemental and more welcoming of gay and divorced people. And as the first Pope from the Global South, he put the poor at the heart of the Church's mission, speaking up for migrants and refugees and those worst hit by the impact of climate change. Edward Stourton speaks to people inside and outside the Catholic Church - including those who worked closely with him.

Archive on 4 is available on BBC Sounds featuring previously unheard tapes of Kenneth Williams reading Bible stories. They were recorded by a young James Jones, now the retired Bishop of Liverpool when he was a young producer working for a Christian charity, charged with getting new recordings that would bring new audiences to Christianity. The tapes explore Williams's talent in bringing these well-known stories to life and 'open a window into his soul', exploring his own relationship with faith through the people who knew him. Edward Stourton discusses Kenneth Williams' faith with Mark Oakley who is the dean of Southwark Cathedral, and James Jones, the former bishop of Liverpool.Also on the programme; the founder of the first secure school for young offenders with a faith ethos, says the spiritual health of teenagers needs addressing. Steve Chalke says schools in his Oasis group use an holistic approach to address bad behaviour. According to a new Teacher Tapp survey commissioned by the BBC, more than a third of secondary school teachers say they've seen misogynistic behaviour from a pupil in their school in the last week. But while Steve Chalke argues that a faith ethos in a school can help, are some religious beliefs part of the problem?As Israel continues its bombardment of Gaza, six UN aid agencies have this week appealed for a ceasefire and the resumption of urgently needed aid deliveries. We hear from Muslim Aid, which has worked with aid workers in the strip for the last 19 years. Meanwhile Jewish people around the world are celebrating the start of Passover – but in Israel some of the hostages who've been released say it's hard to celebrate this festival of freedom when 59 hostages are still in captivity. The President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews gives us the view from the British Jewish diaspora.Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Amanda Hancox Studio Managers: Sam Smith & Nat Stokes Editor: Tim Pemberton

On 4 September 2024, the town of Winder in the US state of Georgia became the latest scene of a school mass shooting. Two students and two teachers were killed. The suspect was 14 years old. The deadly attack at Apalachee High School left a community torn apart by guns and brought together in grief. In each of the previous four years there have been more than 600 mass shootings in the United States - almost two a day on average. Edward Stourton has been to Georgia to visit the church community attached to the high school, as they try to make sense of the violence in their hometown. He meets Pastor Frank Burnat and his pastoral team, who are ministering to a community in which both God and guns are a part of everyday life.

In this episode, Edward Stourton, the veteran journalist and presenter of BBC Radio 4's Sunday programme, examines how truth can survive in a digital age, and explains why truth-telling still matters. He was delivering the Sir Tony Baldry Lecture in Winchester Cathedral on 28 February, as part of the Church Times Festival of Faith and Literature (Features, 7 March). https://faithandliterature.hymnsam.co.uk “Technology can create challenges as well as opportunities,” he says. “Today's digital landscape offers us an abundance — a superabundance — of sources for information, something unimaginable in the 1940s, and, indeed, in the three-television-channel world I joined in the 1970s. If we're offered several versions of the truth, it is only natural to prefer the version which best fits our views and prejudices, and that's a real challenge facing us in what's sometimes called the mainstream media. So, how do we meet that challenge?” Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

Former International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell talks to Edward Stourton about the move to dismantle USAID after Vice President JD Vance accused it of 'spreading atheism'.We hear from author Christopher Gasson and his poll of Gen Z and their views on religion which suggests a majority describe themselves as 'fairly spiritual'.Independent safeguarding is the big topic at General Synod this week. Madeleine Davies of the Church Times tells us about the debates already underway about the best way to keep people safe in the C of E.And the public are being asked to give their views on the qualities needed in the next Archbishop of Canterbury. If you have any thoughts let us know - sunday@bbc.co.uk, @BBCR4SUNDAY on social media.

In this week's US election, Donald Trump secured the backing of 80% of white evangelical Christian voters. We hear insights from Rev. Robert M. Franklin, Jr., a senior fellow at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, and Walter Kim, President of the National Association of Evangelicals.John Smyth ran Christian summer camps in Dorset during the 1970s and 1980s. His “horrific” and violent abuse of over 100 boys and young men was concealed by the Church of England for decades, according to a new report. Edward Stourton speaks with Andrew Graystone, author of Bleedings For Jesus: John Smyth and the Cult of the Iwerne Camps, and Dr Joanne Grenfell, Area Bishop of Stepney and safeguarding lead bishop for the Church of England.Guildford, Surrey, has had a Jewish community for centuries, though it has lacked a rabbi since the expulsion of Jews from England 750 years ago. Now, change is afoot as Alex Goldberg has recently been appointed the town's new rabbi.Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Katy Davis & Amanda Hancox Studio Managers: Amy Brennan & Helen Williams Editor: Rajeev Gupta

In this week's US election, Donald Trump secured the backing of 80% of white evangelical Christian voters. We hear insights from Rev. Robert M. Franklin, Jr., a senior fellow at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, and Walter Kim, President of the National Association of Evangelicals.John Smyth ran Christian summer camps in Dorset during the 1970s and 1980s. His “horrific” and violent abuse of over 100 boys and young men was concealed by the Church of England for decades, according to a new report. Edward Stourton speaks with Andrew Graystone, author of Bleedings For Jesus: John Smyth and the Cult of the Iwerne Camps, and Dr Joanne Grenfell, Area Bishop of Stepney and safeguarding lead bishop for the Church of England.Guildford, Surrey, has had a Jewish community for centuries, though it has lacked a rabbi since the expulsion of Jews from England 750 years ago. Now, change is afoot as Alex Goldberg has recently been appointed the town's new rabbi.Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Katy Davis & Amanda Hancox Studio Managers: Amy Brennan & Helen Williams Editor: Rajeev Gupta

Edward Stourton presents a special US edition of 'Sunday' from Atlanta, in which he reports on the religious vote from the Bible Belt battleground state of Georgia. With unique access to a broad spectrum of faith communities, he gets analysis on the role of religion in the election.Producers: Dan Tierney (in Atlanta) Catherine Murray Peter Everett Saba ZamanStudio managers: Amy Brennon John Cole Jack MorrisEditor: Tim Pemberton

Edward Stourton is in the chair with a debate on what to do with empty churches, as the Church of England blocks plans to allow one in Stoke-on-Trent to become a mosque. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom - an organ of the Federal government based in Washington - has published a report on the Chinese government's efforts to control the country's religions including reports of crosses and images of Jesus and Mary being taken down in churches and replaced with pictures of the Chinese President Xi Jinping.Bond Director Lee Tamahori famous for 'Die Another Day' tells us about his latest blockbuster starring Guy Pearce. 'The Convert' is a film about a missionary and his misgivings about converting Maori tribes to Christianity in 1800's New Zealand.Fr Timothy Radcliffe talks about his surprise at being appointed a Cardinal, his journey to becoming an esteemed preacher and his thoughts on the regalia that comes with being a 'red hat'. Sunday hears from George Antone, one of the last Christians of Gaza who has been in touch with the programme for the past year as he and hundreds of Catholics seek refuge in the Holy Family Church in Northern Gaza. As military action intensifies in the region, George tells us about his fears for the future.

Our head of public policy Tim Dieppe was on BBC Radio 4 with Edward Stourton, commenting on the use of cathedrals and places of worship for God's glory alone.

Edward Stourton takes a look at the religious and ethical issues of the week.

More than 100 Palestinians died trying to get food from an aid convoy earlier in the week. We hear from Gaza's small Christian minority, most of whom have been sheltering in two churches, as well as from ICRC's Matt Morris on the challenges aid agencies face in getting aid across to a people on the brink of starvation.The 26-year-old artist claimed a record-breaking six prizes, including Best Artist and Best Album. She also became the first woman to win songwriter of the year. Raye is outspoken about her life as a committed Christian, and has even suggested that God saved her from taking her own life. She's talked about her faith to the BBC music correspondent, Mark Savage. The prime minister's dramatic appearance at the Downing Street lectern on Friday night, warning of extremists "trying to tear us apart", followed days of roiling political turmoil; the row over the now former Tory MP Lee Anderson claiming that the Mayor of London is "controlled" by Islamists, the claim by another Tory MP, Paul Scully, that parts of London and Birmingham are "no-go areas". All these things played into debates about extremism, race and religion. A report by Jasdeep Bahia looks into one of those so-called no-go areas, and Edward Stourton speaks live to Hope Not Hate's Nick Lowles who conducted a poll on Tory Islamophobia, as well as Tory MP Paul Scully.Editor: Tim Pemberton Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Linda Walker Studio Managers: Sue Stonestreet & Mike Smith Production Coordinator: David Baguley

In a week in which King Charles III shared his cancer diagnosis, Amol and Nick ask why it's important to talk about cancer. Stephen Fry talks about his own diagnosis of an aggressive prostate cancer and we also hear from Paralympian Erin Kennedy, the BBC's international editor Jeremy Bowen, broadcaster Edward Stourton and from Steve Bland whose partner, the ‘You, Me and the Big C' host Rachael Bland, died of cancer in 2018.Nick also talks to Amol about his own experience of cancer and they speak to Professor Pat Price, one of the country's leading oncologists, about why survival rates in the UK are lower than other countries. Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme.If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.ukThe Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the UK's most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC's media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he's also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC's political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV's political editor.The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producer is Hazel Morgan. The editors are Jonathan Aspinwall and Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Jack Graysmark and digital production from Elliot Ryder.Details of help and support with cancer are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline

Edward Stourton is a broadcaster who has worked as foreign correspondent for the BBC, Channel 4 and ITN. He is the presenter of BBC Radio 4's Sunday Program, and presented the Today Program for ten years. He has authored eight books including his most recent, Sunday: A History of Religious Affairs through 50 Years of Conversations and Controversies which is available now.  On the podcast, he recalls chocolate-stuffed baguettes on Swiss ski slopes, reveals the disappointing breakfast options in the Today Program green room, and explains why heaven is eating oysters to the sound of trumpets. 

Edward Stourton is a broadcaster who has worked as foreign correspondent for the BBC, Channel 4 and ITN. He is the presenter of BBC Radio 4's Sunday Program, and presented the Today Program for ten years. He has authored eight books including his most recent, Sunday: A History of Religious Affairs through 50 Years of Conversations and Controversies which is available now.  On the podcast, he recalls chocolate-stuffed baguettes on Swiss ski slopes, reveals the disappointing breakfast options in the Today Program green room, and explains why heaven is eating oysters to the sound of trumpets. 

Pope Francis has called for a global ban on surrogacy, saying it is the commercialisation of pregnancy and a threat to human dignity. Edward Stourton hears the experiences of a couple and their surrogate and explores the ethics of surrogacy with Christian ethicist Dr Helen Watt and fertility lawyer Natalie Gamble. The Houthis in Yemen have been carrying out a campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, prompting US and UK air strikes this week. But who are the Houthis? What do they believe? International relations professor Simon Mabon explains the theology and ideology behind this Shia Islamist group.In recent decades, Ireland has seen the most extraordinary decline in Catholicism, with far fewer people regularly attending Mass. There's also a crisis within the clergy as the supply of vocations has dwindled. The average age of Catholic priests in Ireland is 70, for nuns it's over 80. Two new documentaries from the Irish broadcaster, RTE examine the possibility that both professions could be in terminal decline. This year is the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Austrian composer, Anton Bruckner. He became a prominent figure in 19th century music, famous for his sacred works and his symphonies. The writer and composer, Stephen Johnson reflects on how Bruckner's Christian faith inspired his work and how writing music to the glory of God helped Bruckner to manage his mental health problems. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producer: Jonathan Hallewell and Alexa Good Editor: Tim Pemberton

Edward Stourton presents a special Christmas Eve edition of Sunday, featuring live carols from Manchester Chamber Choir.On Christmas Eve in 1223, in cave near the cliffside village of Greccio in Italy, St Francis of Assisi created what's thought to be the first nativity scene. It was staged for the local villagers and it was a 'living scene' featuring people and animals. Colm Flynn reports from Greccio, and the art historian Dr Geri Parlby explores the nativity scene's fascinating story and enduring appeal.There will be no Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem this year. Shaimaa Khalil reports from the birthplace of Jesus. Rev Dr Munther Isaac, Dean of Bethlehem Bible College, has created a nativity scene in his church directly inspired by the suffering endured as a result of the Israel-Gaza conflict. He reflects on it with Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner.Carol singing is another much-loved tradition at this time of year. But how many of us have really thought about where our favourite carols come from? The composer and conductor Andrew Gant traces the weird and wonderful history of our carol tradition in his book "Deck The Hall". He says, “it can be a bit like trying to sweep up all the stray pine needles when you've taken down your Christmas tree: there's always a corner you find you haven't reached.”Producers: Dan Tierney and Alexa Good Editor: Helen Grady.

Faith is front and centre at Cop28 this weekend. The Pope may have missed the climate summit because of health problems but for the first time at the gathering , a Faith Pavilion has been erected. Edward looks at the role religions can play in mobilising support for action on climate change.Hear about the near death experience involving bright lights and angelic figures that turned a manual labourer into an artist and composer Edward talks to priest Eugene O'Hagan about the faith of Shane McGowan who died this week at the age of 65. The Pogues's singer described himself as a 'religious fanatic' and a 'free-thinking Catholic'. We'll hear how important his religion was to life and his work. A World Health Organization team in Gaza has described scenes in the hospitals there as “like a horror movie”, even before the bombing started again this week. Dr Ghassan Abu Sittah, a British-Palestinian surgeon who operated on patients at the Anglican-run al-Ahli hospital in Gaza, has now returned to the UK and tells Edward Stourton about his experiences.Edward hears from Rachel Goldberg, whose son Hersh was badly wounded when he was taken hostage by Hamas

The USA, the UK and France, which have led the democratic world, are all suffering problems with their constitutions. But the problem is most acute in France, where President Macron has lost his parliamentary majority, and forced his pension reforms through by decree. But worse is to come; Macron can only serve as President until 2027 and will leave a vacuum at the heart of French politics when he steps down. And unlike Charles de Gaulle, he doesn't seem likely to leave an enduring movement or an obvious successor. He hoovered up centrist support when he swept to power, and his main rivals now are either far-left or far-right. They both are populists, anti-NATO and pro-Putin. Edward Stourton explores if France is heading towards a constitutional crisis and asks what political turmoil in our nearest neighbour might mean. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producer: Jonathan IAnson Editor: Clare Fordham

Edward Stourton has been the main presenter of the BBC's Sunday programme for over a decade, and has worked in broadcasting for more than forty years, during which time he has been a foreign correspondent for the BBC, ITN, and Channel 4. In this in-depth interview with Premier Christianity's editor Sam Hailes, Edward recounts the highs and lows of his career, tells us about his Catholic upbringing and continued faith, and introduces his latest book, Sunday, which chronicles half a century of religious affairs and ethical issues. Sunday by Edward Stourton is available now The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity magazine, the UK's leading Christian magazine.

Tommy Sheppard, SNP MP and chair of the Humanists APPG, Jess Sargeant, associate director at the Institute for Government, and broadcaster Edward Stourton, presenter of Sunday, BBC Radio 4's long-running religious affairs programme, join PoliticsHome's Alain Tolhurst to discuss whether the 26 Anglican Bishops in the House of Lords still perform a useful function, or are an anachronism who should not be helping make laws in a 21st century democracy. Presented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton for Podot, edited by Laura Silver

Edward Stourton has worked in broadcasting for more than forty years, and has been a foreign correspondent for the BBC, ITN and Channel Four. He was a one of the main presenters of Radio 4's Today programme for ten years and still regularly presents The World at One, The World this Weekend and Analysis. He's also been the main presenter of Sunday – the radio 4 programme which looks at the religious and ethical issues of the week. He's recently written a book about it with his producer Amanda Hancox which we discuss as well as another very personal book Ed has published this year called 'Confessions:Life Re-examined'. “I am endlessly impressed by the young people I work with, because it seems to me, they've got absolutely the sort of hunger and curiosity and healthy scepticism and love of the job that I like to think I and my mates had when we were all starting off all those years ago. And they don't dismiss things, they ask. They want to know about Hamas, they want to know about what most of us would consider its distorted religious inspiration.”“I think I'm just so soaked in Catholicism, that it's just me and trying to drag it out of me would be a hideously painful process. So, I just think it's easier to acquiesce is my sort of my watchword, just give in and believe - it's just easier. And it's helpful, I think it does provide you with a structure and approach to life.”Support the podcast by signing up to Patreon hereFind all our podcasts here Twitter: @BeebRogerMastodon: @RogerBolton@mastodonapp.ukemail: roger@rogerboltonsbeebwatch.com Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should politicians do God, and does religion still matter in politics? Matt discusses the role of faith in public life and the Israel-Gaza conflict with the broadcaster Edward Stourton.Plus: Columnists Libby Purves and Rachel Sylvester on whether it's right to go to a protest alongside bad actors, covid's ghost children, and why the Austrian "Beer Party", which started as a joke, has surged to third in the Viennese polls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend Pope Francis made an historic visit to Marseille, France; the first papal visit to the port city since Clement VII in 1533. The purpose of the trip is to show solidarity with the migrants as the French government takes a stricter stance amid rising Mediterranean crossings. Edward Stourton speaks to French Christian Journalist, Sophie Lebrun. Relations between Canada and India have become strained after the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau linked the Indian state with the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil. Hardeep Singh Nijjar - a Canadian citizen - is the third prominent Sikh figure to have died unexpectedly in recent months. India strongly denies the allegations and further suspended visa processing for Canadian nationals travelling to India. BBC Monitoring's Nurussanda Garg has the latest on the story and Professor Gurharpal Singh explains the origins of the pro-Khalistan movement. One in seven local authorities in England have adopted a definition of Islamophobia that was rejected by the Government in 2019. While it's since been adopted by Labour, the Lib Dems and the Scottish Conservatives, free speech campaigners say it's confusing and in danger of conflating race and religion. Linsay Taylor from Muslim Engagement and Development and Stephen Evans from the National Secular Society discuss whether the term adequately differentiates between the discrimination of Muslims and the right to be able to criticise a religion. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Jonathan Hallewell Editors: Tim Pemberton & Dan Tierney.

The Church of England's National Safeguarding Team has said it will not discipline Soul Survivor's Mike Pilavachi. Pilavachi, who founded Soul Survivor church and its Christian youth festivals resigned four months after more than 100 people alleged inappropriate behaviour that including wrestling with young teenagers. Edward Stourton speaks to David Gate, a former Soul Survivor church member, who shares his first hand experience. The Archbishop of York said last week that addressing God as 'Our Father' might be 'problematic'. We've gathered the opinions of some theologians - Christian, Muslim and Jewish - about the gender of God. A report published this week says many Catholic and Church of England schools are using American-style Critical Race Theory to teach pupils about racial justice, claiming the lessons are divisive and do more harm than good. Edward Stourton is joined by the author of the report, Alka Sehgal-Cuthbert to debate the issue with The Reverend Nigel Genders, Chief Education Officer for the Church of England. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Peter Everett Studio Managers: Colin Sutton & Helen Williams Production Coordinator: David Baguley Editor: Tim Pemberton

As the biggest cyclone in the Bay of Bengal in 10 years hits Bangladesh and Myanmar, we explore what this devastation means for the persecuted Rohingya Muslim refugees. Edward Stourton speaks to the Global Advocacy Director for Islamic Reliefs Shahin Ashraf. We speak to the British Catholic who is taking the helm of one of the world's biggest aid organisations. Alistair Dutton has just been appointed as Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, which does relief and development work in more than 200 countries. He tells Edward Stourton about the challenges of his new role and his hopes for the future of the organisation. Many Christians in western countries have been alarmed that the Russian Orthodox Church and its leader Patriarch Kirill have supported Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The war has already caused the deaths of thousands of Orthodox Christians. We speak to the author of a new book which throws light on this and examines how the war has affected religious life in Ukraine. It's called "Holy Russia, Holy War" and it's by the writer and historian Katherine Kelaidis, Director of Research and Content at the National Hellenic Museum in Chicago. Editor: Tim Pemberton Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Bara'atu Ibrahim & Catherine Murray Production Coordinator: David Baguley Studio Managers: Carwyn Griffith & Phil Booth

In the lead up to Eid-al-Fitr Muslims are not eating or drinking water during daylight hours. There are some Muslims who feel they cannot break the fast with their family this Ramadan - many of those identify as LGBTQ+. Some charities and organisations have been holding events to make sure they can share an Iftar with others. We hear from the events' organisers. UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, speaks about what its like for ethnic and religious minorities in the country and what plans are to protect people. It's Easter in the Orthodox tradition and people of Russian and Ukrainian heritage will be standing side by side in worship in churches across the UK. The Russian Orthodox Church has allied itself with President Vladimir Putin, echoing Kremlin rhetoric in defending the invasion of Ukraine. However, Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe says that: 'warfare is always a sign of man's degradation'. BBC Two's Pilgrimage is back on screens. The religious reality TV series sees celebrities take on a spiritual journey through Portugal. One of the contributors is actor Su Pollard, who was raised in the Church of England and will be telling Edward Stourton about the journey. There are renewed tensions in Iran as the government has stepped up its crackdown on women not wearing the hijab. The law is being widely flouted, but in the last week it emerged that surveillance cameras are being used to identify unveiled women. Last year there were nationwide protests after the death in custody of 22 year old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for not wearing her hijab properly. It is now understood that a fresh wave of demonstrations is planned. As well as the hijab issue, there is also growing discontent over levels of poverty in the country. We hear the latest news from Iran and some expert analysis. Jurors who take a religious oath themselves are more likely to find a defendant who doesn't swear by almighty God guilty of an offence, according to a recent study published by Royal Holloway University of London. Should that mean swearing religious oaths in court be abolished or replaced completely with something more secular? There is a discussion with the study's author and an Anglican vicar who has a legal background. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producers: Katy Booth and Catherine Murray Studio Managers: Amy Brennan and Jonathan Esp Production co-ordinator: David Baguley Editor: Tim Pemberton

The Brown Dog Affair was a series of demonstrations and riots surrounding a statue that had been erected in the Battersea area of London, commemorating dogs who had been killed due to vivisection. Research: "Ethical Treatment of Animals." The Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology, edited by Jacqueline L. Longe, 3rd ed., vol. 1, Gale, 2016, pp. 376-380. Gale In Context: Science, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3631000262/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=c1943190. Accessed 2 Mar. 2023. "How the cruel death of a little stray dog led to riots in 1900s Britain; Novelist campaigns for statue of terrier experimented on by scientists to regain its place in a London park." Guardian [London, England], 12 Sept. 2021, p. NA. Gale OneFile: Business, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A676433834/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=87481e5c. Accessed 1 Mar. 2023. "London by numbers: The brown dog riots; Source: `The Brown Dog Affair' by Peter Mason, Two Sevens Publishing." Independent on Sunday [London, England], 26 Oct. 2003, p. 7. Gale In Context: Global Issues, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A109233128/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=bf321fb5. Accessed 1 Mar. 2023. "Students looked as its throat was cut. Then it was taken away to be killed: But the brown dog couldn't rest in peace. Barry Hugill recalls the first animal rights riots." Observer [London, England], 30 Mar. 1997, p. 18. Gale OneFile: Business, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A76406108/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=3162fdcd. Accessed 1 Mar. 2023. “Final report of the Royal Commission on Vivisection.” London. His Majesty's Stationery Office. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uiug.30112089397381 Bates, A.W.H. “Anti-Vivisection and the Profession of Medicine in Britain: A Social History.” Te Palgrave Macmillan Animal Ethics Series. 2017. Bates, A.W.H. “Boycotted Hospital: The National Anti-Vivisection Hospital, London, 1903–1935.” Journal of Animal Ethics 6 (2): 177–187. 2016. Boston, Richard. "The Brown Dog Affair." New Statesman, vol. 126, no. 4339, 20 June 1997, p. 48. Gale OneFile: Business, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A20534445/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=dc5e8d6f. Accessed 1 Mar. 2023. Cruelty to Animals Act. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1876/77/pdfs/ukpga_18760077_en.pdf Effron, Jack Edward. “The battle of the vivisected dog.” Hekoten International: A Journal of Medical Humanities. Volume 10, Issue 4– Fall 2018. https://hekint.org/2018/03/21/battle-vivisected-dog/ Ford, Edward K. (1908) The Brown Dog and His Memorial (London: Euston Grove Press), 56 pages. 2013 complete facsimile of 1908 pamphlet. https://profjoecain.net/eyewitness-brown-dog-affair-edward-ford/ Galloway, John. “Dogged by Controversy.” Nature. Vol. 394. August 1998. Galmark, Lisa. “Women antivivisectionists - the story of Lizzy Lind af Hageby and Leisa Schartau.” Animal Issues, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2000. Kean, Hilda. “An Exploration of the Sculptures of Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh, Scotland, and the Brown Dog, Battersea, South London, England.” Society & Animals 11:4. 2003. Lansbury, Coral. “The Old Brown Dog: Women, Workers and Vivisection in Edwardian England.” The University of Wisconsin Press. Nina. “The Brown Dog Affair (1903 - 1910).” The Medicine Chest. University of Cape Town. https://ibali.uct.ac.za/s/LBNNIN001-medicinechest/item/19397 Lind-af-Hagby, L. and L.K. Schartau. “The shambles of science: extracts from the diary of two students of physiology.” 1904. https://openlibrary.org/books/OL27101200M/The_shambles_of_science Stourton, Edward. "When the fate of a dog tore a nation in two; A famous case of animal cruelty sets Edward Stourton and Kudu on a missio." Daily Telegraph [London, England], 3 Apr. 2010, p. 30. Gale OneFile: Business, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A222925631/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=0f1914aa. Accessed 1 Mar. 2023. Thornton, Alicia. “Portrait of a Man and His Dog: The Brown Dog Affair.” 10/22/2012. UCL Research in Museums. https://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/researchers-in-museums/2012/10/22/portrait-of-a-man-and-his-dog-the-brown-dog-affair/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Queen's funeral appeared a resounding reassertion of our enduring commitment to monarchy, but was it a tribute to her rather than the institution? As the coronation approaches, polls suggest support is at its lowest ever, and the King faces difficult questions on several fronts. As supreme Governor of the Church of England, congregation numbers are falling and divisions are deepening over its stance on gay marriage. The union is under threat – what would the monarchy mean if Scotland votes for independence and Northern Ireland joins the Republic? Commonwealth countries from the Caribbean to the Pacific are asking whether it still makes sense to keep a king in London as their head of state. The coronation will be a grand reminder of our history, but hanging over everything is a dark chapter in that history; the monarchy's role in the slave trade. If the King is to represent all his subjects, does he need to say sorry? And what about reparations? Edward Stourton will unravel the challenges and ask how the King meets them. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producer: Jonathan IAnson Editor: Clare Fordham

Edward Stourton is live in Rome reflecting on ten years of Pope Francis. Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected in extraordinary circumstances and his first actions a decade ago marked him out as someone with a different style and priorities to many of his predecessors. It was expected to be a period of great change but how much has he actually achieved? Hear from two men who've been training for the priesthood at the Venerable English college in Rome, an institution that has been educating seminarians for hundreds of years. Find out how much Francis influenced their decision to take holy orders, and why they regard him as a great example as a parish priest. The Synod on Synodality has been called ‘the biggest consultation in human history'. It's Pope Francis's attenpt to listen to ordinary Catholics across the world and find out what they think of their Church and how it interacts with the world. We follow the process of the Synod starting with Janet Obeney-Williams, who gathered the thoughts of her parish, to the writer Austen Ivereigh who synthesised feedback at a national and global level and finally to Sister Nathalie Becquart, the Undersecretary of the Synod and the only woman who gets to vote on it. And Edward is joined by Vatican experts Sylvia Poggioli, Loup Besmond de Senneville and Gerard O'Connell to look at the road ahead for the church PRESENTER: Edward Stourton EDITOR: Helen Grady PRODUCERS: Catherine Murray, Katy Booth, Louise Rowbotham-Clarke STUDIO MANAGERS: Phil Booth, Jonathan Esp and Simon Highfield PRODUCTION CO-ORDINATOR: David Baguley

A teddy bear that was found washed up on a beach has been given a new lease of life and is now providing support to children and people living in care homes. The bear was restored by the Reverend Canon Eleanor Rance and its journey from discarded toy to "therapy bear" generated a global response on social media. The bear, named Sinbad, is used to help people to reflect on issues like brokenness and second chances. Reverend Rance tells us that people have found resonance in how he was washed up on a beach and then given a new start. What's the trick to writing a really inspiring sermon? How can clergy keep their congregation listening? Pope Francis has suggested that Catholic homilies are often a disaster and recently repeated his call for them to be no longer than eight to ten minutes long. Quality is another consideration. Edward Stourton explores the issue with Quentin Letts, parliamentary sketch writer for the Times and drama critic of the Sunday Times and Revd Dr Alycia Timmis, Priest in Charge of the Northleach Benefice in the Anglican Diocese of Gloucester. Producers: Jonathan Hallewell and Bara'atu Ibrahim Presenter: Edward Stourton

In a special programme to mark the death of Pope Benedict XVI, Edward Stourton and guests discuss the life and legacy of the gentle German academic who became the spiritual leader of 1.3 billion Catholics all over the world. The 95-year-old Pope Emeritus, who stood down almost a decade ago due to his poor health, died at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery within the walls of the Vatican, where he had lived during his final years. He led the Catholic Church for fewer than eight years but is considered by many to be one of the most influential religious leaders of modern times. He defended Catholic teaching fearlessly, speaking out against what he called "the dictatorship of relativism", and produced deeply moving spiritual writings. In a special programme, Edward Stourton looks back at his life and pontificate and assesses the impact of his resignation in 2013 - the first by a Pope since Gregory XII in 1415 - and looks ahead to the impact his death will have on his successor Pope Francis. Edward remembers Pope Benedict's UK visit with the screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce, who helped organise it, and one of the young Catholics who met the Pope when he came to Birmingham. And he assesses Benedict's lasting impact on the Catholic Church and the wider world with an expert panel of British Catholics and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. Presented by Edward Stourton. Produced by Julia Paul and Katy Booth. Editor: Helen Grady.

Albania's Catholic Bishops have raised concerns about the depopulation of their country through migration. Edward Stourton explores the impact of this with Sister Imelda Poole, who works much of the year in Albania and is President of RENATE, an organisation dedicated to combatting human trafficking. Jazz musician Courtney Pine is back on tour across the UK performing material from his new album ‘Spirituality'. He tells the Sunday programme how religion, spirituality and jazz have all come together in this latest work. The National Association of Muslim Police is calling for the word ‘Islamist' to be dropped from Counter-Terrorism Policing, they say it reflects negatively on Islam in general. Edward explores the nuances with Alexander Gent, Chairman of the National Association of Muslim Police and Dr Stephen Jones from the University of Birmingham Bishop Jude Arogundade, from the Diocese of Ondo in Nigeria, tells Edward of his concerns for the Christian community across the country. Harry Farley reports on ‘ANie' the breakaway network of churches creating its own formal Anglican denomination, as an alternative for conservative members of the Church of England. Catholic Priest, Father Ray Kelly tells about his ambition to represent Ireland at next year's Eurovision Song Contest. And as the World Cup kicks off in Qatar, we ask whether the FIFA President's claims about the moral hypocrisy of western Journalists in their reporting on the country's human rights record, hold any weight? Our guests Jonty Langley, writer on faith and politics and co-presenter of the Beer Christianity Podcast and journalist Amardeep Bassey, media trainer and consultant. Photo Credit: Alfred Bailey Producers: Jill Collins and Rosie Dawson Editor: Tim Pemberton

Virginia Hall's identity was exposed. Now she had to get out of France and into Spain, and that meant an excruciating climb over 30 miles of tumultuous mountain terrain. Virginia knew that attempting the trek alone would mean death, especially given that she'd be hiking with her prosthetic leg. Luckily, Perpignan, the town she'd landed in, had a Resistance contact she knew fairly well. A man known to her by his codename: Gilbert.Edward Stourton: "If they were found out, things could be very, very nasty indeed and many of them who were caught went off into camps in Germany. A lot of 'em died. A lot of 'em died in really awful ways. The Germans had a system called ‘Nacht und Nebel', Night and Fog, which meant that people just disappeared into the system of concentration camps, and nobody knew where they were. Which of course was intended to frighten anybody considering, going onto the wrong side and, and joining an escape line and helping people to get over over the Pyrenees."This episode contains interviews with:• Edward Stourton: BBC broadcaster who made a commemorative trek across the Pyrenees some 70 years after Virginia Hall; author of the book Cruel Crossing: Escaping Hitler Across the Pyrenees• Judith Pearson: expert on Virginia Hall and author of the book The Wolves at the Door: The True Story of America's Greatest Female SpyLearn more at diversionaudio.com/good-assassins “Good Assassins” is a production of Diversion Audio, in association with iHeartPodcasts. Featuring the voices of Matthew Amendt, Orlagh Cassidy, Raphael Corkhill, Manoel Felciano, Sean Gormley, Mikaela Izquierdo, Lenne Klingaman, Andrew Polk, John Pirkis, Steve Routman.This season is hosted by Stephan Talty and written by C.D. Carpenter. Produced and directed by Kevin Thomsen for Real Jetpacks Productions. Story Editing by Jacob Bronstein with editorial direction from Scott Waxman. Additional research and reporting by Sophie McNulty. Theme music by Tyler Cash. Sound Design, Mixing, and Mastering by Paul Goodrich. Sound Editing by Justin Kilpatrick. Executive Producers: Jacob Bronstein, Mark Francis and Scott Waxman for Diversion Audio. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the BBC turns 100, enjoy 100 Years in 100 Minutes! This is just part 1, 1922-54 - from the company years of Magnet House then Savoy Hill, to the corporation years up to the eve of commercial competition, the last time the BBC was the sole official broadcaster. For the early years, enjoy the archive clips, some very rare - from the first presenters, John Reith and early performers. As time goes on, extracts give way to insights: from experts, podcast listeners and those who were there...   YOU HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO: 1920s: John Reith, Arthur Burrows, Kreisler's Liebesleid (first music on the BBC), A.E. Thompson, Leonard Hawke (Drake Goes West - first music from London), Charles Penrose (The Laughing Policeman), Helena Millais as Our Lizzie, Rev John Mayo, Rev Archibald Fleming, Harold Bishop, Cecil Lewis?, Peter Eckersley, Kathleen Garscadden, Lord Gainford, Dr Kate Murphy, Dr Andrea Smith, Archibald Haddon, Marion Cran, Percy Scholes?, Justin Webb, Nightingale and Cello, Rev Dick Sheppard (first broadcast service), Richard Hughes' Danger (first play), A.J. Alan, King George V, Alan Stafford, Tommy Handley, John Henry and Blossom, Dr Martin Cooper, Harry Graham, Arthur Phillips, Filson Young, H.L. Fletcher, Flotsam and Jetsam, Christopher Stone, Henry Wood, Prof David Hendy, Vita Sackville-West, Clapham and Dwyer, Mabel Constanduros, Toytown   1930s: Norman Long and Stanelli, Harold Nicolson, Simon Rooks, Val Gielgud, Gillie Potter, Henry Hall and the BBC Dance Orchestra, King George VI, Gerald Cock, Elisabeth Welch, Caroll Gibbons and the Savoy Orpheans, Lew Stone, Murgatroyd and Winterbottom, Nelson Keys, Sandy Powell, The Western Brothers, Stuart Hibberd, Charles Siepmann, King Edward VIII, Elizabeth Cowell, Tommy Woodroffe, Bandwaggon, ITMA (Mrs Mopp), Neville Chamberlain, John Snagge   1940s: J.B. Priestley, Winston Churchill, Music While You Work, Edward Stourton, Charles Gardner, Bruce Belfrage, Princess Elizabeth, C.S. Lewis, Stephen Bourne, Una Marson, Nightingale and the Bomber, Charles Huff, Lilliburlero, Romany, Richard Dimbleby, Edward R Murrow, Frank Gillard, Guy Byam, Johnny Beerling, George Elrick, Norman Shelley, Michael Standing, Paul Hayes   1950s: Jeffrey Holland, Julia Lang, Roger Bolton.   (...+ various unknown announcers)   FURTHER LINKS:  Like what we do? Share it! We're on facebook.com/bbcentury, with a separate group on facebook.com/groups/bbcentury, and (while it lasts) on twitter.com/bbcentury. Tag us in, let people know you listen. Love what we do? Support us at patreon.com/paulkerensa The novel based on this podcast is due out in February 2023: Auntie and Uncles - details here: https://amzn.to/3hxe4lX   We look forward to continuing to unpack this century of broadcasting in our usual slower way on the podcast. But next time, join us for part 2 (1955-87) and part 3 (1988-2022). paulkerensa.com/oldradio

It is almost a decade since the dramatic resignation of Pope Benedict. In that time, the Pope Emeritus, now in his 90s, has lived quietly in a monastery within the precincts of Vatican City. Yet many Catholics believe his shadowy presence has served as a lightning rod for division. A recent book by respected Italian journalist Massimo Franco claims a rival court has grown up around Benedict, attracting traditionalists who feel alienated by the direction taken by Pope Francis. Benedict's supporters have real power within the Vatican and have clashed with Pope Francis on major issues, including priestly celibacy, the role of women and whether Catholics who support abortion rights should receive Holy Communion. Has Benedict's long retirement contributed to these internal divisions? Given the contrasting approaches of Benedict and Francis, it was perhaps inevitable that the Church would find itself embroiled in the wider culture wars. The post-retirement Benedict may never have actively sought the role of conservative champion, yet many insist on viewing him in that light. Similarly, Pope Francis's preoccupation with some issues of social justice has seen him categorised, perhaps simplistically, as a liberal. Edward Stourton examines the evidence. He recalls the unexpectedness of Benedict's abdication in February 2013, and the sheer theatre of his exit from St Peter's. Benedict cited old age and looming infirmity, yet there was much speculation at the time about his true motives. While he remains hugely popular in traditionalist circles, his legacy holds less weight among progressive Catholics, not least in Benedict's native Germany. Has Benedict's successor, Pope Francis, been constrained by the existence of a rival court around Benedict? Early expectations that he would be a liberal reformer haven't been fulfilled. Free of Benedict's shadowy presence, might Francis have been more proactive? Few dispute that the past decade has had a profound impact on how the office is viewed. We end by asking how this might affect the succession and the church's future direction. Producer: Hugh Costello Executive Producer: David Prest A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4

As the twin storms of economic turmoil and worsening climate change grip the UK and many other countries around the world, Analysis examines the future of economic growth. Does it offer a route out of economic malaise, or have its benefits reached a ceiling for developed countries? And can further growth be environmentally justified, or do we urgently need to halt - or even reverse - growth to limit the effects of climate change? Can so-called “degrowth” ever be possible? Edward Stourton talks to economists and thinkers from around the world to appraise whether there's still a central role for growth in the 21st century. Presenter: Edward Stourton Producer: Nathan Gower Editor: Clare Fordham Programme Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross Sound Engineer: Neva Missirian

Although the Middle East may not currently be high on the prime minister's list of priorities, faith leaders have increasingly been speaking out about her controversial proposal to move the British Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Both Israelis and Palestinians claim Jerusalem as their capital, and it's one of the most sensitive issues in their long running conflict. As the BBC's religion reporter Harry Farley explains, if the British Embassy was relocated, it would break with decades of UK foreign policy, which until this point has been that the divided city should host consulates, rather than embassies, until a final peace agreement is reached. Thousands of Ukrainians who fled the war and came to live in the UK with host families for six months are now having to find somewhere new to live. For many host families, it's been a positive experience, but others have found it really difficult sharing their home with their Ukrainian guests. We hear from one refugee who now has to find a new home, and the charity that's helping. In Iran the authorities are doing everything they can to suppress the protests that have blown up since a young woman died after being arrested for - allegedly - violating the law on hijab-wearing. But it hasn't worked. We discuss what the continuing protests mean for the Iranian regime. And across the UK, Hindus, Sikhs and Jains are busy preparing for the festival of Diwali which is just over a week away now. Diwali means 'a row of lights' in Sanskrit and symbolises good over evil and inner light over spiritual darkness. We hear a selection of musicians who will be featured on Radio 3 as part of a special celebration of the festival. Presented by Edward Stourton. Produced by Julia Paul and Amanda Hancox.

Tying up our 'summer' specials (now autumn), part 4 of 3 (whoops) is this special on radio as propaganda in World War 2. The non-BBC story. Sefton Delmer sent black propaganda from near Bletchley Park into Germany, as Lord Haw-Haw did the opposite, sending radio propaganda from Germany back into Britain. Meanwhile Hilda Matheson (remember her from two episodes ago?) was sending transmissions from the JBC - the Joint Broadcasting Committee - in Woburn Abbey, also near Bletchley Park. And somehow between here, there and everywhere, bouncing between Germany and Britain and across Europe, somehow involving MI5 and Ian Fleming, there's that man again... Peter Eckersley. It's quite a tale, and here to bring it to you is Tim Wander (author of 2MT Writtle and From Marconi to Melba) and Edward Stourton (author of Auntie's War). Plus with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we bring you the first broadcast from the most broadcast person in the world (I think) - aged 14, Princess Elizabeth on The Children's Hour in 1940. Next episodes from here? Well it's the end of our summer specials, but the start of our centenary specials! The regular episodes in our 1923 timeline will return in the New Year. But first, a few episodes commemorating and celebrating 100 years of British broadcasting - including an episode on 100 Years in 100 Minutes... and for that we need you! Record a short voice memo (20-40 seconds) on ANY element, moment, landmark or programme from the last 100 years. Send to me - paul at paulkerensa dot com. Be on our centenary special! SHOWNOTES: That full clip of Princess Elizabeth (before she was Queen) on The Children's Hour: https://youtu.be/VJI9LPFQth4 More of Lord Haw-Haw: https://youtu.be/Oe-THrWu_4I Edward Stourton's book Auntie's War is available from your local independent bookshop, or online inc: https://amzn.to/3dTA6gX Tim Wander's books include 2MT Writtle, available from some bookshops or online inc: https://amzn.to/3eEC8BX My novel Auntie and Uncles will be out at an undisclosed date. To find out when or for latest info, join my mailing list for updates: http://eepurl.com/M6Wbr ...or find my existing books including Hark! The Biography of Christmas (https://amzn.to/3AZCzjf) Want to read more about WW2 radio propaganda? There's an interesting article on other rogue broadcasters here: https://www.history.com/news/6-world-war-ii-propaganda-broadcasters If you like the episode, share it! It all helps get this project out there. This is run by just one person - so EVERYTHING helps. If you like the podcast enough to want to support it, help it continue, £5/mth on www.patreon.com/paulkerensa gets you extra behind-the-scenes videos - including a few extra readings from old books on the BBC in World War 2. Thanks for £supporting - it honestly keeps us going. We're on www.facebook.com/bbcentury  and www.twitter.com/bbcentury We're nothing to do with the BBC - just talking about how twas. Next time: Museums, Exhibitions and Events celebrating 100 years of British broadcasting... (know of one? Let us know and we'll feature it!)

In this special edition of Sunday, Edward Stourton reflects on the late Queen Elizabeth II's relationship to faith, explores how she stood for continuity amid so much change and hears from leaders of some of the many religious groups that flourished as never before in the second Elizabethan era. Producers: Jill Collins and Julia Paul Editor: Dan Tierney

His was the shortest papacy in modern times. The sudden death of Pope John Paul I, after a pontificate of just 33 days, shocked the world and generated a host of conspiracy theories. As his beatification this weekend takes him one stage closer to becoming a saint, we speak to a man who was invited by the Vatican to investigate his death, John Cornwell, author of ‘A Thief in the Night: Life and Death in the Vatican'. The devastating floods in Pakistan have left millions of people homeless and destroyed buildings, bridges and roads. Vast swathes of the country are now under water. More than a thousand people have died, and more have been injured. Many British Muslims have joined the efforts to provide relief in the country. We hear from the Nottingham based charity, Muslim Hands, which is working in Pakistan, about the help that's needed and how people can offer support. In India, after decades of many unborn girls being aborted, new research suggests the country's sex ratio at birth is beginning to normalise. The Pew Research Center suggests that "son bias" has declined sharply. Edward Stourton asks Professor Jagbir Jhutti-Johal, Professor of Sikh Studies at Birmingham University, why attitudes are changing and daughters are now more often being celebrated. A new book brings together the stories of Christians who feel their disability prevents them from playing a full part in church life. This year's Church of England General Synod unanimously backed a motion committing to the removal of barriers that prevent disabled people from engaging. But personal stories in the book suggest that the problem is not simply with access to church, but with theology too. Producer: Jonathan Hallewell Presenter: Edward Stourton

The BBC in WW2 is our focus for the third of our summer specials - longer-form chats with brilliant authors and their take on a century of British broadcasting. This time meet Auntie's War author and BBC presenter (Today, Sunday, The World at One, and plenty more), Edward Stourton. We can only ever scratch the surface in half an hour (what, no John Snagge?) - but it's a helicopter view of the key moments, from Munich to victory marches in Italy. Discover why reporting from Dunkirk to D-Day differed so much, and which BBC reporter gained notoriety for treating a war report like a football commentary. Hear tales (and clips) of Edward R Murrow, Guy Byam, George Orwell (no clip there alas), J.B. Priestley, Charles Gardner, Winston Churchill.  Professor David Hendy joins us too to shine a light on a forgotten figure of D-Day: Mary Lewis, a BBC duplicator.  (There's a supplementary episode too, next time - on the flipside of broadcasting in WW2: black propaganda, as programmes were sent from Germany to Britain by Lord Haw-Haw and co, or from Britain to Germany by Sefton Delmer and co... and somehow involved in both, was our favourite radio pioneer, Peter Eckersley - next time!)   SHOWNOTES: Edward Stourton's book Auntie's War is available from your local independent bookshop, or online inc: https://amzn.to/3dTA6gX David Hendy's book The BBC: A People's History is available from your local independent bookshop, or online inc: https://amzn.to/3TnsX8Z Our previous summer specials included authors Sarah-Jane Stratford (https://amzn.to/3CHhFqk) and Stephen Bourne (https://amzn.to/3ARHoKf) Join my mailing list for updates on my forthcoming novel Aunties and Uncles: http://eepurl.com/M6Wbr ...or find my existing books including Hark! The Biography of Christmas (https://amzn.to/3AZCzjf) Be on our centenary special! '100 Years in 100 Minutes'. Pick a moment (the start of television? The final Top of the Pops?), a programme (Python? Grandstand?), or a year of broadcasting history, record yourself talking about it for 20-60sec, and send it to me: paul at paulkerensa dot com (spelt out to dodge the spambots!). I'd love to get lots of different voices on that episode, and who better than the voices of listeners! Go on. Send something in.  If you like the episode, share it! It all helps get this project out there. If you like the podcast enough to want to support it, help it continue, £5/mth on www.patreon.com/paulkerensa gets you extra behind-the-scenes videos, written updates, filmed walking tours of broadcasting heritage sites, readings from the first ever book on broadcasting... and anything else you'd like. You request, I'll see what I can do! Thanks for £supporting - it keeps me in books and web hosting. We're on www.facebook.com/bbcentury  and www.twitter.com/bbcentury We're nothing to do with the BBC - just talking about how they used to be. Next time: More WW2 broadcasting tales from Auntie's War author Edward Stourton, plus author of 2MT Writtle Tim Wander, on black propaganda. It's quite a tale... Stay subscribed to hear it!

How many pre-WW2 black British broadcasters can you name? We'll let's change that after this episode: summer special no.2 from The British Broadcasting Century... EARLY BLACK BRITISH BROADCASTERS - WITH STEPHEN BOURNE Author and social historian Stephen Bourne specialises in black heritage, and joins us to inform, educate and entertain us about people of colour on air between the wars. I first encountered Stephen's work when I spotted Evelyn Dove's scrapbook in the BBC100 ‘Objects of the BBC' season. Stephen owns her archive, and was keen to chat about some of the early black stars of British broadcasting. You'll hear about: Layton and Johnstone, Lawrence Brown, Paul Robeson, Marion Anderson, Evelyn Dove, The Kentucky Minstrels, Scott and Whaley (aka Pussyfoot and Cuthbert), Elisabeth Welch, Una Marson, Ken Snakehips Johnson, Adelaide Hall... and more. Separately, you'll also hear a song from singer Kathie Touin – a new exclusive version of one of the earliest songs about wireless: ‘There's a Wireless Station Down in My Heart'. Thanks Graham Brown and Kathie Touin for arranging, performing and sending! Details of her album below... SHOWNOTES: Stephen Bourne's books are available at stephenbourne.co.uk/books/ and include ‘Deep are the Roots: Trailblazers who Changed Black British Theatre', ‘Evelyn Dove: Britain's Black Cabaret Queen', ‘Black in the British Frame: The Black Experience in British Film and Television' and ‘Under Fire: Black Britain in Wartime 1939-45'. Do grab a book and read more on this – plenty more stories to discover. Kathie Touin's website has more on her albums and singles: www.kathietouin.com. Kathie's lockdown single was ‘This Time (Save the World?): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kToCUypZWic Thanks Kathie! See/hear a clip of Una Marson from West Indies Calling – well worth a watch: https://youtu.be/ViGwxJloI70 I told a tale of broadcasting history on the proper BBC this week: a Pause for Thought for Zoe Ball's Radio 2 Breakfast Show on 100 years since the first religious broadcast. Have a listen: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0cr3ghj If you like the episode, share it! It all helps get this project out there. If you like the podcast enough to want to support it, help it continue, £5/mth on www.patreon.com/paulkerensa gets you extra behind-the-scenes videos, written updates, filmed walking tours of broadcasting heritage sites, readings from the first ever book on broadcasting... and anything else you'd like. You request, I'll see what I can do! Thanks for £supporting - it keeps me in books and web hosting. We're on www.facebook.com/bbcentury  and www.twitter.com/bbcentury We're nothing to do with the BBC - just talking about how they used to be. One more author special next time: The BBC in WW2: Auntie's War with Edward Stourton. Then the timeline continues - Feb 1923 at the early Beeb...  

The former Prime Minister Gordon Brown is calling for an emergency budget to support the poorest through the autumn and winter, as the cost of living rises. He's commissioned a report, co-signed by more than 60 faith groups and charities, which says there is a “growing gap between need and current provision” for the lowest income families. Edward Stourton is joined by Gordon Brown and Pastor Mick Fleming who runs ‘Church on the Street', an anti-poverty charity in Burnley. The Lambeth Conference draws to a close with the dominant issue of the week being the Anglican Church's stance on homosexuality. Two bishops with very different perspectives reflect on this and on the wider purpose of the global Anglican Communion. The singer Beyoncé's new album 'Renaissance' has gone straight to the top of the charts. Her music has often incorporated religious themes and imagery, which has made her both an empowering and controversial figure. Two fans talk about what Beyoncé means to them as black Christian women. Producers: Dan Tierney and Jill Collins Editor: Helen Grady.

Episode 49 and that old favourite Peter Eckersley returns - he's started regular British broadcasting, helped spark a boom in radio sets, mocked the BBC, been inspired by the first OB to join Auntie Beeb... and now this episode, he's hired. In this bumper episode, we hear from Eckersley expert Tim Wander, and PPE himself, as well as Noel Ashbridge and Rolls Wynn. Plus our special guest: Professor David Hendy, author of The BBC: A People's History, on the pioneer years. This is the last of our regular timeline type shows for the summer - but next time, author interviews, with Sarah-Jane Stratford, then Stephen Bourne and Edward Stourton. Stay subscribed, and please rate/review us if you can. It all helps spread word. David Hendy's book The BBC: A People's History is here and in all good bookshops: https://amzn.to/3ap1l1y Patreon supporters can see the full 55min video interview with David Hendy here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/65412562 We mention the documentary in 2BP, Ireland's first radio station. Nothing to do with us, but it's here and it fills in a few gaps: https://www.mixcloud.com/TheIrishPirateRadioExhibition/the-history-of-2bp-irelands-first-radio-station-in-1923/?fbclid=IwAR0dVFIPWwlCcQhyQ4OOYd2UvSwGkKqoqORmvsiN2QA8LI3fscW79Mvlwc8 We mention Peter Eckersley's book The Power Behind the Microphone. You can read it online as a PDF here: https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/The-Power-Behind-The-Microphone-Eckersley-1941.pdf Join us on social media: www.twitter.com/bbcentury, www.facebook.com/bbcentury Thanks to Will Farmer for the original music. We're nothing to do with the present-day BBC - it's entirely a solo-run operation. Archive clips are either public domain due to age, or some rights may belong to owners we know not whom. BBC content is used with kind permission, BBC copyright content reproduced courtesy of the British Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved. Subscribe, share, rate, review us - it all helps! Next time: Summer specials! linktr.ee/paulkerensa

Edward Stourton presents political discussion from Washington Academy, Tyne and Wear.

As Russia's brutal war with Ukraine enters its fourth month, Edward Stourton asks who Russia's allies and friends are and looks at the nation's influence overseas. While President Putin has made no secret of his belief that Ukraine should be part of a “greater Russia”, what is less apparent is how far Russia's influence is spreading in other parts of the world. These include sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. With the West having left a vacuum in parts of Africa, President Putin has been able to offer military help in unstable countries such as Mali and the Central African Republic. This follows Russia's intervention in Syria's civil war on the side of Bashar Al-Assad's government, with implications for the wider geopolitics of the region. And in Latin America, Russia is accused of using soft power tactics through its media channels to polarise society and spread anti-US and anti-Western propaganda. Edward Stourton asks to what extent this shows that Russia is trying to rebuild the old Soviet-US spheres of influence of the Cold War. Producer: Caroline Bayley Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Sound Engineer: James Beard Production Coordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick

The brutal and corrupt regime of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos was overthrown in 1986, yet their son, known as Bongbong, is leading the race to become the next president of The Philippines. Edward Stourton profiles the life and career of Philippine presidential hopeful, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

It is 60 years since the Algerian War of Independence. But it still casts a shadow over the present. As France goes to the polls to elect a new president, Edward Stourton presents stories from the country's colonial past which still affect day-to-day life. He tells the surprising story of how, in the 1870s, a tiny insect called phylloxera created the climate for the Algerian War. He hears about the intriguing story of a knife abandoned in a house in Algiers on a night in March 1957. And he talks to the "Milk Bar Bomber", immortalised in the film The Battle of Algiers.

This week Jack picks through the long and turbulent relationship between the government and the BBC, and asks why these two great pillars of British public life can't seem to get along.Veteran BBC Radio 4 presenter and author Edward Stourton and BBC historian Professor Jean Seaton discuss the checkered history of government/BBC relations, from the 1926 General Strike right through to the modern day — via World War II, the Falklands and Iraq. Former Culture Secretary John Whittingdale and Jeremy Corbyn's former aide James Schneider offer critiques from the Right and the Left, each suggesting the Beeb struggles with ideas it sees as outside the mainstream.And the BBC's current Executive Editor for Politics, Katy Searle, offers a firm defense of the corporation's approach — and reveals the angry 6 a.m. phone calls she frequently receives from Downing Street. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.