Podcasts about producer laurence grissell

Jonathan Freedland explores historical parallels to concerns around the harms of social media today. What can history tell us about those worries might be addressed? Jonathan looks for historical precursors to fears around the harms of social media platforms. He examines the controversial unstamped press in the Victorian era, the rise of the motor car and road safety in the early 1900s as well as the role of whistle-blowing in exposing the tobacco industry in the second half of the 20th century. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Jonathan Freedland explores what history can tell us about how today's tensions with China today might play out. Jonathan looks for historical precursors to the rise of China. He examines the rise of the Macedonian Empire in the 4th century BC, the Anglo-Dutch Wars in the 17th century and the rise of the United States in the second half of the 19th century. What can history tell us about how conflict might be avoided when a new power threatens an existing one? Producer: Laurence Grissell

The staff of Cornwall Airport Newquay prepare to receive President Biden and other world leaders for the G7 summit in June. The stakes couldn't be higher for airport boss Pete Downes. This is President Biden's first foreign trip since taking office and receiving a huge aircraft like Air Force One presents a big challenge for this tiny airport. Preparations begin months in advance. Pete and his team must oversee the construction of a whole new parking area for the world leaders' aircraft, as well as a brand new building. Then they must seamlessly coordinate the arrival and departure of scores of aircraft carrying prime ministers, presidents and their entourages. For a weekend, the eyes of the world will be on Cornwall. Should anything go wrong, the team know it will be international news. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Jarvis Cocker gets lost in the forest at night and encounters a series of rather intriguing characters. As darkness falls on the forest, Jarvis realises he's hopelessly lost. Disorientated and desperately trying to find his way out, his nocturnal woodland walk takes a series of increasingly dark turns. He stumbles upon members of Essex Ghost Hunters who are mounting some rather spooky paranormal investigations. Another presence in the woods tonight is storyteller Lisa Schneidau who recounts some very strange fairy tales and legends of the forest after dark. He then runs into mountaineer Nick Bullock who recalls his own terrifying encounter in the forests of Alberta, Canada. But just as the darkness of the forest seems to be at its most impenetrable, Jarvis runs into bushcraft expert David Willis who guides him back to the light. Lisa Schneidau is the author of 'Woodland Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland', and Nick Bullock is the author of 'Tides: A Climber's Voyage'. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Grace Dent follows Cornwall Airport Newquay over the tough pandemic winter. The Untold has been tracking the fortunes of the airport since March 2020, when the regional airline Flybe collapsed. Since then successive lockdowns and travel restrictions have left the airport close to permanent closure. The Untold follows the airport's director and staff over the difficult winter months, as well as speaking to one of the airport's taxi drivers and the owners of the nearby airport hotel, the Smugglers' Inn. As winter turns to spring, finally there's some much-needed good news. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Grace Dent follows Cornwall Airport Newquay as it fights for survival during one of the most difficult periods in aviation history. The Untold first visited the airport earlier in the year when the regional airline Flybe collapsed. Then the national lockdown forced the temporary closure of the passenger terminal. Now the terminal has reopened for business, but the airport continues its struggle to remain viable. The Untold follows the airport's director and staff over a tough summer, as well as speaking to one of the airport's taxi drivers and the owners of the nearby airport hotel, the Smugglers' Inn. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Grace Dent follows two young Hong Kongers over a crucial two weeks in their bid to make the UK home. Friends and housemates Chris and Louise have been living in the UK for the past two years. After the recent turmoil in Hong Kong, they now want to settle in the UK permanently. There's just one problem - Chris's visa is about to expire. The Untold follows them over a critical couple of weeks which will determine their future forever. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Jonathan Freedland takes the long view of presidential elections fought against a backdrop of racial turmoil, comparing 2020 with 1968, the year when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. In 1968, Richard Nixon adopted a 'law and order' strategy to win over the so-called 'silent majority' in the face of escalating unrest. Donald Trump has adopted the same language in 2020 following outrage provoked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The law and order approach worked for Nixon in 1968 - will it work for President Trump this November? Readings are performed by Clarke Peters who stars in the latest Spike Lee film, Da 5 Bloods and who played detective Lester Freamon in the hit TV show The Wire. Jonathan is also joined by Dr Peniel Joseph, who holds a joint professorship at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the History Department at The University of Texas at Austin; Asma Khalid, political correspondent for NPR and co-host of The NPR Politics Podcast; and Corrin Rankin, founder of the Legacy Republican Alliance. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Comedian James Veitch gets drawn into the world of smash hit computer game Animal Crossing. Lockdown prompts James to make some major resolutions about life - including reading Proust. But he soon gets distracted by Animal Crossing, the computer game that allows you to escape to your own tropical island. In common with millions of others shut indoors over the past few months, he becomes increasingly obsessed with creating his own island paradise. As his addiction grows, James explores the game's compulsive appeal... and Proust gets shelved. Producer: Laurence Grissell

In search of a new income stream, comedian James Veitch tries his hand at mind reading. James investigates the latest science of brain decoding - and speaks to world famous spoon bender Uri Geller. He explores fears that the big tech giants may soon be able to tap into our innermost thoughts - which in James' case is very scary indeed. Producer: Laurence Grissell

James Veitch hopes to fix things with his ex-girlfriend by attempting time travel, with the help of former Doctor Who Sylvester McCoy. New series. Comedian James Veitch bumbles his way through more factual investigations in an attempt to secure a regular slot on Radio 4. He opens the series by attempting to reverse a recent split with his ex-girlfriend. The answer: time travel. First though he must get to grips with the fundamentals of quantum mechanics. Producer: Laurence Grissell

The lift comes to life and tells the story of how the elevator changed the way we live. Emma Clarke plays the voice of the lift in this cultural history of the elevator. As we step inside, the doors close and the lift starts to speak, telling us its story. Before the lift, the top floor was the least desired and most unhealthy place to live. The lift changed all that and made the penthouse glamorous and desirable. The lift made life immeasurably easier but it also brought many anxieties - about safety and the strange, forced intimacy of the lift car. It's also been a source of inspiration for writers - from 19th century German literature right through to Hollywood. And now the lift is about to undergo a radical shift - as engineers develop a lift with no limits on how high it can go. Step inside, relax, and allow the lift to tell you its story. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Comedian James Veitch tries to start a new life, off grid. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Comedian James Veitch struggles to create a new challenge-based format for Radio 4. In episode one he is tasked with examining the Dark Web but soon clashes with his producer. In James' mind the BBC's rules are made to be broken. The BBC takes a very different view. Instructed to create a challenge which will allow him to explore the Dark Web, James seems entirely bereft of ideas.... until an online shopping error results in the delivery of 22 packets of button mushrooms. James Veitch's TED Talk - "This is what happens when you reply to spam email" - was a massive hit. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Comedian star James Veitch enters the murky world of deepfakes. James is concerned the BBC may not commission another series of his show. He hits on an idea which might persuade BBC bosses: deepfake his producer. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Comedian and YouTube star James Veitch wonders if mindfulness can help him create a new factual podcast format. Miraculously, BBC Radio 4 have commissioned James to make another three episodes. But, as ever, James lacks focus and application. Could mindfulness be the answer? James turns to renowned mindfulness expert Sam Harris for help. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Alan Dein connects with people around the world united by their desire to find fulfilment. Alan speaks to a young gay man in China troubled by homophobia and an Egyptian woman determined to resist the religious extremism she witnesses in her small city. He also reaches out to an Iranian man struggling to pursue his passion for foreign languages against the odds and a jobless Nigerian distressed by his inability to provide for his family. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Laura from London visits a death row inmate in Florida to seek answers about her late father's final years. Laura's dad John was an alcoholic. He spent the last ten years of his life writing to Michael, a man condemned to death for murder. John confided things in Michael which he didn't share with his own daughter. 29 year old Laura enters a maximum security prison in Florida to find out what Michael knows. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Jonathan Freedland compares the drive to attract more women into intelligence and cybersecurity today to the recruitment of women at Bletchley Park during World War Two. The government's National Cyber Security Centre - a branch of GCHQ - are keen to address the shortage of women in their workforce. Jonathan travels to Bletchley Park to look at what lessons can be learned from the wartime codebreaking operation where by the end of the war 75% of the workforce were female. Among Jonathan's guests is Charlotte Webb, who worked at Bletchley Park during the Second World War and is author of the book Secret Postings. Jonathan is also joined by Erica Munro, Exhibitions Manager at Bletchley Park; Jacqui Chard, Deputy Director for Defence & National Security at the National Cyber Security Centre; Elisabeth Braw of the Royal United Services Institute; and Jane Frankland, Cyber Security Consultant. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Grace Dent presents the story of two councillors who've quit their parties to run as independents in the local elections. Rowan has left Labour over antisemitism, while Brian has quit the Conservatives over Brexit. Will their gamble pay off? Producer: Laurence Grissell

Alan Dein connects with strangers across the world, exploring the things that unite people across cultures and borders. Today, Alan reaches out to people in Afghanistan, the Philippines, Sierra Leone and beyond - exploring what it means to belong. He hears people yearning for a better life elsewhere - and those determined to make a go of it where they are. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Jonathan Freedland compares Theresa May's woes now with those of Arthur Balfour in 1903-06, taking the long view of prime ministers confronted with deep divisions in their own party. In the early 1900s Prime Minister Arthur Balfour was faced with a seemingly irreconcilable split in his party. Back then, Balfour's Conservatives were tearing themselves apart over Imperial Preference - a proposal for a free trade zone within the British Empire. Advocates of Imperial Preference saw it as vital to maintaining Britain's place in the world. Opponents saw it as a dangerous folly. Jonathan Freedland looks at what lessons can be drawn from Balfour's experiences. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Grace Dent presents the story of Amanda and her fight to get 24 hour care for her 96 year old dad who has dementia - before it's too late. Alan calls his daughter Amanda up to twenty times a day, confused and paranoid. But he's adamant he doesn't want to go into a care home. We follow Amanda's struggle to get him the care she feels he needs. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Jarvis Cocker hosts a special festive edition, telling stories of a shepherdess and a miracle birth, whilst a wise man looks out for bright lights in the Christmas skies. On a cold and frosty Christmas night, a baby is set to enter the world in the most inauspicious circumstances, a pair of shepherds keep watch over their flocks and a star gazer scans the heavens for unusual signs. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Jonathan Freedland compares safety on the railways in the 1830s to the debate around driverless cars today. The Liverpool and Manchester Railway was opened to great fanfare on 15 September 1830. It was clear this new form of transport would radically transform society. Yet the day was overshadowed by the death of William Huskisson MP who stepped on the tracks and was struck by Stephenson's Rocket as it steamed down the line. With the the first death to result from driverless vehicles in Arizona a few weeks ago, Jonathan Freedland and guests tell the story of Huskisson's death and explore the implications for the development of self-driving vehicles today. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Jonathan Freedland compares Theresa May's weakened premiership with that of Liberal prime minister Lord Rosebery in 1894-5. MPs Iain Duncan Smith and Grant Shapps join Jonathan to examine what lessons can be learned. Rosebery was appointed to the premiership as a unity candidate, chosen to heal rifts in the Liberal Party caused by the issue of Home Rule. But Rosebery had powerful rivals in his cabinet - most notably the chancellor Sir William Harcourt. As the months passed, Rosebery's leadership was increasingly called into question with the government accused of being in office but not in power. Also on the panel, former spokesperson for Theresa May, Joey Jones, Katy Balls of The Spectator and historian Dr Luke Blaxill. Actor Anton Lesser performs the historical readings. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein travels the world via the internet talking to parents and children about navigating the tricky expectations they have of each other. Among those Alan strikes up conversation with today: a Filipino mother estranged from her gay son, a Ugandan woman whose education was cut short and a young Korean man hiding his tattoos from his parents. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein travels the world via the internet, talking to people trying to survive against the odds. Locking himself away in a studio in Broadcasting House, Alan crosses time zones and continents speaking to random strangers using Facebook, Skype and WhatsApp. Among those Alan gets chatting to today is BJ who spends half his life working on the confines of an oil rig in the East Timor Sea so that he can spend the rest of his time throwing himself off high rise buildings as he pursues his super dangerous pastime, base jumping. Then there's Syrian refugee Abdulkader who tells of his epic journey to Europe from the ruins of Aleppo. Also on Alan's contacts list today are Sam and Anna, co-workers in a call centre in Ukraine, who dream of leaving their poorly paid jobs behind forever. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Grace Dent returns with a new series of untold stories from modern Britain. The new series opens with the story of former care home manager Rachel Burns who was sacked after posting a photo of one of her residents on Facebook. Though Rachel Burns admitted she'd made a number of mistakes in her use of social media, she felt that dismissal was too draconian after 21 years working for her employer, the local council. The Untold follows Rachel over a twelve month period as she pursues an unfair dismissal claim. The odds seem stacked against her in the employment tribunal. While the council is represented by a barrister, she has no formal legal representation. And as the case drags on, Rachel's debts mount and the experience starts to take a severe emotional toll. Will the employment tribunal rule in her favour - or dismiss her claim? Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Steve Punt returns as Radio 4's very own private detective. In this tenth anniversary edition, Steve's called in to investigate the unlikely disappearance of American and Russian nuclear weapons - with assistance from best-selling thriller writer Frederick Forsyth. At first, Steve's sceptical - surely no nuclear power could actually lose possession of weapons capable of causing Armageddon. But as his investigation gathers pace, the story starts to becomes rather disturbing. From an H-bomb lost over Savannah, Georgia to a cache of so-called 'suitcase nukes' which rumours suggest could still be stashed in modern day Moldova, Punt weighs up the evidence - with a little detour via Dorking... Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Jonathan Freedland compares cyber-attacks today with the Great Siege of Dover Castle in 1216 during which the French used new offensive techniques to try to seize the English throne. In 1216, Prince Louis of France's near-successful bid for the English throne climaxed in Dover, where his forces used a multitude of techniques in a major assault on the castle - including digging beneath the castle gate and use of the trebuchet to attempt to breach the walls. Jonathan draws on this medieval example to discuss cyber security in the 21st century context. Joining Jonathan at Dover Castle are medieval historian Marc Morris; General Sir Richard Barrons, former Commander Joint Forces Command, one of the six Chiefs of Staff leading the UK Armed Forces until April 2016; Kenneth Cukier of The Economist; and Sara Perez, ethical hacker at SensePost. Readings are by Hugh Simon who played MI5 Data Analyst Malcolm Wyn-Jones in the popular BBC TV series Spooks. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Grace Dent follows Doncaster businessman Eddie Todd in his colourful campaign to be the town's Mayor. Rejecting traditional politics, Eddie's standing as an independent - but without a party machine behind him can he convince enough voters to put a cross next to his name? Eddie starts his campaign with high hopes but as 4 May approaches he realises he's got a mountain to climb. We're with Eddie from the moment he unpacks his megaphones right through to the nail biting tension of election night and those all important results. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Jarvis Cocker rides in the driver's cab of a late night Tube train, hearing tales of nocturnal travellers across London. With Beyonce-loving Night Tube driver Kylie at the controls, Jarvis is whisked along the Victoria line late into the night. En route he hears from a cast of characters embroiled in their own dramas as they make their way around the capital in the small hours - including a late night reveller who fell sleep on the train and got more than she'd bargained for. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Jonathan Freedland compares Donald Trump's proposed border wall with the impenetrable 2500 mile Great Hedge of India constructed in the 1840s to control trade between British India and the Princely States. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

A mobile food van takes on a catering giant at a Wiltshire army base. Linda and Jacqui Clark have been serving bacon baps to the soldiers of Larkhill Barracks in Wiltshire for 27 years. Now they've been given their marching orders as the army's official caterers launch their own van. 8000 soldiers have signed a petition in support of Katie's Kitchen - but will top brass take notice and grant Katie's Kitchen a last minute reprieve? Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Grace Dent follows BHS worker Anthony as he hunts for a new job - one of 11,000 BHS staff made redundant in 2016. The story starts in August as BHS Cardiff Bay closes its doors for the last time. Furniture sales consultant Anthony resolves to leave retail and find a job with more sociable hours. But the 50 year old finds changing direction is more difficult than he'd hoped. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self finally reaches Zwickau, the birthplace of the Trabant. With gearbox problems having ruined hopes of arriving in his own Trabant, Will and his friend Mike have no choice but to complete their journey by train. Nevertheless, their arrival causes something of a stir. The local museum have some surprises in store - including a meeting with the widow of the man who designed the iconic communist car. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will runs into mechanical difficulties with his iconic communist car. Having resolved to continue his 700 miles journey to where the car was manufactured, Will's vehicle develops a gearbox problem on the motorway. Will and his travelling companion Mike hope that a friendly Trabant enthusiast might be able to save the day. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will makes it to the former East German border in his iconic communist car. But he starts to worry about the safety of the vehicle and wonders whether it's time to call the journey off. Having started out in London, Will and his childhood friend Mike had planned to drive 700 miles all the way to where the car was manufactured in Zwickau, Germany. On the former border, they meet a teacher who grew up in the GDR and has fond memories of the Trabant. But it's becoming clear just how flimsy the plastic-bodied car is. Over dinner in Eisenach, Will and Mike discuss the wisdom of continuing the trip. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self continues his 700 mile road trip in a Trabant, the iconic East German car. Having started out in London, Will and his childhood friend Mike plan to drive all the way to where the car was manufactured in Zwickau, Germany. Just outside Brussels, Will and Mike meet a Belgian Trabi enthusiast who was asked spy for East Germany. And over dinner in Bonn, the pair argue about whether it's feasible to take a more positive view of life in the former GDR. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self embarks on a 700 mile road trip in a Trabant, the iconic East German car. Starting in London, Will plans to drive all the way to where the car was manufactured in Zwickau, Germany. Will's travelling companion - and the instigator of this strange road trip - is his childhood friend Mike Shamash, a person of restricted growth. Mike's fascinated by all things East German and hopes that the Trabant will yield a more nuanced picture of life behind the Iron Curtain. Will remains unconvinced. The pair have barely left Broadcasting House before it dawns on them that 700 miles is a long way to drive in this flimsy, noisy and cramped car. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein talks to his Facebook friends across America about the election of Donald Trump. Just hours after the result, Trump and Clinton supporters alike talk passionately about why they voted the way they did - and share their hopes and fears about the future of the United States. Working through the night, Alan tries to understand what the election has revealed about modern America - from California to Tennessee. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Steve Punt returns as Radio 4's very own private detective. Punt travels to Paris to investigate the suspicious death of celebrated writer Émile Zola. Zola died in 1902 from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by a blocked chimney. At the time, the authorities reached a verdict of accidental death. Subsequently, evidence has emerged that Zola's death may have been murder. Certainly Zola's role in France's notorious Dreyfus Affair made him many enemies. But as Punt discovers, the case is far from clear cut. For one thing, carbon monoxide is a very unusual way of murdering someone. Punt summons the experts and weighs up the evidence. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

A headteacher's fate hangs in the balance as she awaits a visit from a school inspector. When Sue Vermes became headteacher of struggling Rose Hill Primary School less than two years ago, she hoped to reverse its fortunes. Instead, an Ofsted inspector labelled the Oxford school 'inadequate' and placed it into so-called 'Special Measures'. Now Sue's future is in question as she awaits the verdict of a follow-up visit by Ofsted. Have Sue and her team done enough to arrest the school's decline? Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein presents the moving story of three years in the life of Hank & Norma, a couple in their 60s from Arkansas, USA - told entirely by the messages left by Hank for Alan on Skype. Alan first spoke to harp-playing Hank three years ago for Don't Log Off. Shortly afterwards, Hank started to leave Alan occasional messages and audio recordings. As the months went by, the recordings became more intimate and revealing, charting Hank's major heart surgery and Norma's experiences with cancer. Entirely on his own initiative, Hank started to record every detail of the couple's lives - including the final hours of Norma's life. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein embarks on a new series of nocturnal excursions via Facebook and Skype, hearing the real life dramas of random strangers. Alan holes himself up in a studio through the night and invites the online world to talk to him. Knowing nothing about the people he is about to talk to, he settles down for an evening of intriguing encounters. Tonight he connects with a Nigerian trapped in Abu Dhabi, a Hungarian woman who found salvation in the birth of her son, a Dutch man who believes he's a reincarnated slave and a grounded Canadian test pilot coming to terms with the fact he'll never fly again. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Grace Dent tells the story of a clash between a bestselling author and a millionaire hotel developer in the idyllic setting of Babbacombe Bay. Millionaire businessman Peter de Savary has applied to build a car park on the hill overlooking Torquay's picturesque Babbacombe Bay. The car park would service the expansion of the Cary Arms, a luxury hotel on the bay. The car park is opposed by million selling author Lesley Pearse along with a number of other local residents, who mount a vocal campaign against the plan. The decision will be made at an all-important meeting of the council's planning committee. As crucial vote approaches, which side will emerge victorious? Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Grace Dent tells the story of Jean, 73, who's being harassed by her 80 year old estranged husband, George. After over 40 arrests, a judge must decide whether George's actions are the result of dementia. Jean and George finally split up in early 2015 after nine years of unhappy marriage. But for George, that wasn't the end of their relationship. For months, George has been harassing Jean: writing her love letters, verbally abusing her and coming to her flat trying to gain entry. Jean now feels like a prisoner in her own home, scared to go out alone. Despite over 40 arrests, George won't keep away. As the day of George's court appearance approaches, a judge must weigh up whether George's actions are deliberate or if they stem from dementia. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Grace Dent presents a new series documenting the untold dramas of 21st century Britain. The stakes couldn't be higher for 26 year old Steve: he needs to prove he's quit gambling by Christmas in order to move back in with his partner and two kids. Steve and Stacey met as teenagers ten years ago but Stacey kicked him out when she discovered he was gambling away thousands of pounds on smartphone apps. Things came to a head when Steve blew his entire wage packet in just one hour - on payday - leading Stacey and their children facing eviction. Steve lost everything - can he win back Stacey's trust in time for a happy Christmas in the family home? Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Jarvis Cocker continues his nocturnal exploration of the human condition. Tonight: an unlucky trucker, a hopeful hitch-hiker and a host of Scottish ghostbusters. As Jarvis climbs up into the Wireless Nights monster truck, he hears from a long distance lorry driver who received a nasty surprise, a hitcher trying to make it to Liverpool and he travels along the most haunted stretch of road in Scotland. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self concludes his 600 mile road trip on the trail of much neglected Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell who 150 years ago pioneered the theory of the electromagnetic waves which made mobile phones, radio, radar and GPS possible. In a bid to feel the wonder of Maxwell's work and legacy, Will is driving from Edinburgh to London in an electric car, accompanied by Akram Khan, professor of particle physics at Brunel University. Will ends his journey in Cambridge posing the question: was Maxwell really a genius? Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self continues his 600 mile road trip on the trail of much neglected Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell who 150 years ago pioneered the theory of the electromagnetic waves which made mobile phones, radio, radar and GPS possible. In a bid to feel the wonder of Maxwell's work and legacy, Will is driving from Edinburgh to London in an electric car, accompanied by Akram Khan, professor of particle physics at Brunel University. Following a clash of views about the value of scientific progress, Will & Akram drive to Jodrell Bank Observatory in a bid to understand more about the application of Maxwell's equations. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self continues his 600 mile road trip on the trail of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell who 150 years ago pioneered the theory of the electromagnetic waves which made mobile phones, radio, radar and GPS possible. In a bid to understand Maxwell and his legacy, Will is driving from Edinburgh to London in an electric car, accompanied by Akram Khan, professor of particle physics at Brunel University. Over a Chinese meal in Manchester, Will expresses fundamental concerns about the nature and value of scientific progress. Akram is troubled by Will's misgivings. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self continues his 600 mile road trip on the trail of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell who 150 years ago pioneered the theory of the electromagnetic waves which made mobile phones, radio, radar and GPS all possible. In a bid to understand Maxwell and his legacy, Will plans to drive from Edinburgh to London in an electric car, stopping off at locations relevant to the much neglected 19th century physicist. Today Will's at Glenlair, Maxwell's country estate, where he attempts to get to grips with what inspired the physicist's scientific imagination. Will's electric car, on the other hand, is proving somewhat less than inspirational... Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self embarks on a road trip from Edinburgh to Cambridge on the trail of Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell who 150 years ago pioneered the theory of the electromagnetic waves which made mobile phones, radio, radar and GPS all possible. In a bid to understand Maxwell and his achievements, Will plans to drive 600 miles in an electric car, stopping off at locations relevant to the much neglected 19th century physicist. Will's trip starts promisingly enough when he has a chance encounter with Nobel prize-winning physicist Professor Peter Higgs on an Edinburgh back street not far from Maxwell's birthplace. But things then start to go awry as Will has a rather less welcome run-in in a multi-storey car park... Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Steve Punt returns with a brand new series of investigations - starting with the unsolved murder of major Hollywood director William Desmond Taylor in 1922. Taylor was one of Tinseltown's biggest names - until he was shot dead in his bungalow in February 1922. Despite a multitude of suspects, Taylor's killer was never caught. It's a bizarre case with a multitude of suspects. Was the murderer former child star Mary Miles Minter or her controlling mother Charlotte Shelby? Or was it Taylor's rather shady private secretary Edwards Sands? Steve casts a fresh eye over the evidence and returns to Taylor's native Ireland where he makes some surprising discoveries about the murdered movie director's past. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Anne-Marie Duff narrates a new documentary series for BBC Radio 4, telling stories of survival and resilience on the UK's ring roads - in towns & cities often overlooked. The ring road is the circulatory system of the city - a perilous place where life can seem fragile, but one which also bears witness to tales of great resilience. In this episode, Wolverhampton is in the spotlight. Among the tales, the huge fire at leading family firm Carvers which threatened to wipe out the business and the story of Wolverhampton's famous tramp, Fred, who lived on the central reservation of the ring road for decades and was rumoured to have been in the SS. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Anne-Marie Duff narrates a new documentary series for BBC Radio 4, telling stories of survival and resilience on the UK's ring roads - in towns & cities often overlooked. The ring road is the circulatory system of the city - a perilous place where life can seem fragile, but one which also bears witness to tales of great resilience and kindness. In this first episode, Coventry is in the spotlight. Among the stories, the murder of Eritrea-born Genet Kidane who was pushed to her death from a bridge over the ring road. Also, one man's miraculous survival after a head-on collision with a car going the wrong way round the ring road. As drivers jostle for space in the busy lanes of traffic, the ring road is contested in other ways too. In Coventry a massive development planned just adjacent to the ring road has provoked a fierce debate about the future of the city. Also in the series, stories from the roads of Wolverhampton and Bedford. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self concludes his 50 kilometre circumnavigation of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN just outside Geneva - entirely on foot. Following the course of the Collider through the French and Swiss countryside, Will stops at regular intervals to descend to the tunnel below and view the experiments. As Will gets close to completing his circuit, he visits Voltaire's chateau and an abandoned CERN experiment. The excursions put Will in a pensive frame of mind as he heads towards Geneva Airport. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self continues his 50 kilometre circumnavigation of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN just outside Geneva - entirely on foot. Following the course of the Collider through the French and Swiss countryside, Will stops at regular intervals to descend to the tunnel below and view the experiments. So far Will has been feeling completely baffled. Following an ultimatum to his CERN hosts, he receives a crash course in particle physics from Professor Akram Khan of Brunel University. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self continues his 50 kilometre circumnavigation of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN just outside Geneva - entirely on foot. Following the course of the Collider through the French and Swiss countryside, Will stops at regular intervals to descend to the tunnel below and view the experiments. Invited to 'feel the wonder' of particle physics, Will is still baffled. He decides to issue an ultimatum to his CERN hosts. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self continues his 50 kilometre circumnavigation of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN just outside Geneva - entirely on foot. Following the course of the Collider through the French and Swiss countryside, Will stops at regular intervals to descend to the tunnel below and view the experiments. Invited to 'feel the wonder' of particle physics, Will is so far baffled. Far from wondrous, he very soon finds himself wondering about his own capacity for misunderstanding - expressing concerns that his walking tour may be a complete waste of time. And to make matters worse, just as he emerges from one of the tunnels Will is engulfed by a huge thunderstorm. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Will Self embarks on a 50 kilometre walking tour of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN just outside Geneva. Following the course of the Collider through the French and Swiss countryside, Will stops at regular intervals to descend to the tunnel and view the experiments below. He aims to complete the circuit entirely on foot. Invited to 'feel the wonder' of particle physics, Will is unconvinced. At lunch with his CERN hosts, he questions them closely on the rationale for their work. And as Will's journey gets under way, far from wondrous, he very soon finds himself wondering about his own capacity for misunderstanding - expressing concerns that his walking tour may be a complete waste of time. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Jarvis Cocker attempts to fly to the moon, with the aid of astronaut Chris Hadfield - famous for his rendition of David Bowie's Space Oddity on the International Space Station. En route he hears stories of those touched by the moon in its many manifestations. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Alan Dein crosses the world via Facebook and Skype, hearing the real life dramas of random strangers. Today, people tell stories about grappling with issues of identity. A disabled woman from the Ukraine talks about ethnic tensions as crisis grips the country, keeping an audio diary of her reflections as the situation develops. Alan also hears from a young woman in Moscow who discusses the difficulties of being gay and mixed race in Russia. Meanwhile, a young Bolton man whose family originate from Pakistan recounts his horror after being shot at during his last visit there, reflecting on how it has informed his views on nationality. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Steve Punt turns gumshoe, investigating curious rumours surrounding the Baker Street bank robbery of 1971. Quite possibly the most audacious heist in British history, the robbers tunnelled into the bank's vault from the basement of a shop two doors down. They escaped with a haul worth an estimated £30 million today. Though four robbers were convicted, intriguing claims persist - most notably that the security services mounted the heist to secure compromising photographs of a senior public figure. Punt sifts the evidence, calls in the experts and attempts to establish fact from fiction. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Steve Punt returns as Radio 4's very own gumshoe, examining the mysterious case of millionaire financier Alfred Loewenstein who fell out of his own aeroplane in 1928. The suspicious death of this fabulously wealthy Belgian tycoon - then reportedly the world's third richest man - may well be Punt's most baffling investigation yet. During that fateful flight across the English Channel, Loewenstein got up to go the loo - but somehow ended up falling out of the plane. What exactly happened to him remains a mystery to this day. Was it just an accident, did Loewenstein jump - or was it murder? Punt reopens the case. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein follows Pat & Hayley Mallon - a husband and wife singing duo - around the pubs of Bath. The show must go on - even as 69 year old Pat prepares for major surgery on an aneurysm. Bath's pub circuit is a far cry from the packed houses that Pat was playing with his 5 piece Country & Western band back in the 1980s. His has been a life well-lived. During those heady days, he was on two bottles of whiskey and 100 cigarettes a day. But now Pat's facing the prospect of major surgery. Fearing he may not be able to return to gigging, he's grooming wife Hayley - 23 years his junior - to take over. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

As the Royal Family sit down to their festive dinner on the Queen's Norfolk estate, Alan Dein invites Radio 4 listeners to spend Christmas at a rather different Sandringham - the Sandringham Hotel in Weston super Mare. Alan joins the seafront hotel's 'Turkey & Tinsel' celebrations as three coachloads of revellers - mostly retired people - head south to celebrate Christmas in November. "We're not the bees' knees, we're not the finest hotel in Weston super Mare..." says Ken Perrett, the hotel's owner. And it's true - the hotel is a little rough around the edges. Yet Ken must be getting something right - nearly a hundred people have checked in for five days of early festivities. Amidst the laughter, turkey and tinsel, a bittersweet story emerges - as Alan discovers many are here celebrating without the ones they love. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein hears the story of Bryan from the US and Anna from Russia who met online - using Google Translate. Bryan doesn't speak Russian and Anna doesn't speak English - they conduct their communication entirely via the online translation tool. Alan has been following the story for Don't Log Off for over a year, speaking to Bryan on Skype on numerous occasions. Since they first spoke, Anna decided to move to the US with her two children. She sells her house in Russia and takes just three suitcases to set up home with Bryan. The couple's understanding of each other's languages remains minimal. She arrived in the US in July this year - and the couple had 90 days to get married or Anna would have to leave the country. The wedding date is set for 21st September - but then, suddenly, it's called off... because Anna has concerns. Alan decides to travel to Boise, Idaho to see how things work out... Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein crosses the world via Facebook and Skype, hearing the real life dramas of random strangers as Don't Log Off comes to Saturday mornings for the first time. And in this first programme, Alan speaks to a range of people looking for escape - in a range of honest and moving encounters which take him right around the globe. He hears from a female human rights activist in Saudi Arabia trying to flee the country after hearing her life is in danger - and a Marilyn Manson fan yearning to escape Russia. There are lighter moments, too, as Alan speaks to a Japanese man about his dashed hopes of a career singing love songs and a Ugandan hoping for a happy ending to his romance with a woman in Finland. Hooked up to a computer into the early hours of the morning, Alan crosses continents online - inviting anyone and everyone to talk to him. He never knows who he will be speaking to next or what secrets they will reveal. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

In the second of two programmes, Alan Dein follows the mixed fortunes of a new primary school on a housing estate just outside Peterborough over the course of a year. As the school opens its doors, the school is still struggling to attract the number of children headteacher Jackie Ashley hopes for. She leaflets the entire estate in the hope of boosting numbers. Alan speaks to parents and joins the school at key moments in its first year from the Christmas play to the end of year disco. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

To kick off the new series of Lives in a Landscape, Alan Dein presents a two part special following a year in the life of a new primary school just outside Peterborough - from initial construction to the end of the third term. For headteacher Jackie Ashley, the opening of St Michael's Church School will be the culmination of her life in teaching and probably her last role before retirement. She's keen to see the school grow to its full capacity of 210 pupils under her leadership. But as building work continues, there are concerns it may not open its doors on time and Jackie only has five children confirmed to start in September. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Jarvis Cocker stars in his own horror movie as he continues his nocturnal examination of the human condition, exploring the battle between the forces of darkness and light. He hears from horror movie goers at the Electric Cinema in Birmingham, keen to turn the lights off and let the scares begin; the National Grid control room which is charged from keeping the lights on; and Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel - where the electricity switches off at midnight. What is lurking in the basement as Jarvis approaches the darkest hour? Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein crosses the world via Facebook and Skype, hearing the real life dramas of random strangers. Tonight, stories about the power of belief. Alan hears the epic story of a Peruvian man who believes that a Canadian visa will persuade his Belarusian ex-wife to come back to him, an American woman tells of her relationship with a Muslim which raised eyebrows in the Midwest and a Canadian man talks about speaking to the spirit of his late father. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein crosses the world via Facebook & Skype, hearing the real life dramas of random strangers. He never knows who he will be speaking to next or what secrets they will reveal. Tonight, he hears a moving story of widowhood from 60 year old Jennie in the Australian Bush. The line is so bad that Alan decides to send her a digital recorder so that she can record herself in quality. What emerges is a bittersweet and intensely personal story but one which also touches on key events in Australia in the post-1945 era, including the Vietnam War and the catastrophic Darwin Cyclone. She also uses the recorder to capture some of the abundant bird life in her remote and rural part of Queensland. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Jarvis Cocker becomes a nightwatchman in a high rise office block as he continues his nocturnal exploration of the human condition. Decked out in regulation uniform and armed with a powerful torch, Jarvis starts his rounds protecting London's 36 storey Euston Tower. Along the way, he hears tales from others keeping watch during the dark hours. Among those who share their stories of late night vigilance are the parents of a young girl with a rare condition which causes her to stop breathing when she falls asleep; a man at a control centre in Portsmouth who monitors the Indian Ocean for Somali pirates and a former spy recalling a dangerous meeting with a Middle Eastern agent. For Jarvis, the strain of this late lonely night starts to takes its toll as he attempts to play table tennis - with himself. As ever, the stories in tonight's dark vigil are accompanied by Jarvis' own musical selections. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein crosses the world via Facebook and Skype, hearing the real life dramas of random strangers. Hooked up to a computer well into the early hours of the morning, Alan circumnavigates the globe online inviting anyone and everyone to talk to him. He never knows who he will be speaking to next or what secrets they will reveal. In the first programme, Alan hears stories of connection and separation. He connects with a man in Cairo as a gunfight rages outside, a French woman nervously awaiting a meeting with her estranged father and a Brazilian man mystified at the disappearance of an online lover. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein goes in search of stories from Britain today. 1. Gone Astray. Maureen's black and white cat Rosie has gone missing and the pensioner is scouring the neighbourhood to find her. Little does she know that further down the same Portsmouth street, the Fletcher family have had a visitor. Last Sunday night a black and white cat wandered into their house, sprawled herself out and showed every indication she wanted to stay. The cat has brought the family back together after a nightmare summer holiday with their teenage children. But does their feline peacemaker actually belong to Maureen? Alan Dein finds out in a tale of lost and found cats, aided by Joy Wilson of Portsmouth and District Cat Rescue, who has devoted her life to the welfare of cats. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein sets out on nocturnal excursions via Facebook and Skype, discovering the real life dramas behind the online profiles, talking to people in every corner of the globe. Holed up in the studio late into the night, Alan makes conversation with people all over the world, talking to them about their stories. He never knows what he'll be hearing next. This time, the theme is War and Peace as Alan connects with a Beirut man shot by a sniper during the Lebanese civil war, a woman whose father was imprisoned during the Cuban revolution and a young man in California jailed for domestic violence. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Alan Dein sets out on a series of nocturnal excursions via Facebook and Skype, discovering the real life dramas behind the online profiles, talking to people in every corner of the globe. Holed up in the studio late into the night, Alan makes conversation with people all over the world, talking to them about their stories and whatever else is on their mind. He never knows what he'll be hearing next. Among those he connects with this time are a 66 year old widow in rural Texas and an 18 year old with Aspergers who makes a living playing online poker all night. He also catches up with Jennifer in Nova Scotia who featured in the last series - whose ex-husband is just about to come out of jail and marry her best friend. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

In the first of a new series of documentary stories from contemporary Britain, Alan Dein captures the dramas of young families just moving into Cardea: a brand new housing estate on the outskirts of Peterborough. Just two years ago, Cardea was just open fields - now it's a burgeoning community. Two families in particular attract Alan's attention. Sara Jane and Stacey are both expectant mums in their early twenties. Together with their partners, they're about to embark on a new life on a new-build estate. Cardea represents a fresh start for both women after an often difficult past. Sara Jane was brought up on council estate and vowed that she wanted a different upbringing for her own children. At the same time, Stacey hopes that her ambitions to become a midwife - thwarted through ill-health - might yet bear fruit as she starts out in a new home. Alan follows the young families up to and beyond moving day, talking to them about their hopes and fears for the future. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

Jarvis Cocker prowls the dark, finding stories of the night people in a Prix Italia winning series. Tonight, in an edition which won the Prix Italia for Extraordinary Originality and Innovation - a top European radio prize - the theme is Overnight Delivery. Jarvis boards the red-eye, taking a transatlantic flight of the imagination - peering down at the human dramas beneath as the world slowly rotates - accompanied by Jarvis' own musical selections. As Jarvis reaches cruising altitude, he finds himself gripped by the compelling life and death stories of a shepherdess in the midst of a very difficult birth, a transplant nurse on late shift and a priest who performs the role of deliverance ministry - in layman's terms: exorcism. But this dark night is not without light relief, as Jarvis muses on the trying experience of long haul air travel, revealing his own antidote to a fear of flying: Hugh Grant. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Alan Dein follows the fortunes of Iraq veteran turned wedding photographer Stefan Edwards as he contends with the difficulties of life on civvy street and tries to cut himself a slice of the increasingly competitive wedding market. It's a March wedding for Lorraine and Richard from Newport and photographer Stefan Edwards exudes an air of military authority as he helps to chronicle the pair's big day. On the inside, though, Stefan's every bit as nervous as the couple anxiously awaiting the exchanging of vows. For Stefan's a newcomer to the wedding photography business - six months previously, he'd been out in Iraq using his camera to chronicle the war ravaged country, first for the British army and then for a private security contractor. Having visited virtually every corner of Iraq, Stefan eventually decided to return to the UK to be with his Newport-based family who'd grown increasingly concerned at his absence. With steady work hard to find, Stefan has decided to go into the photography business, swapping one risk for another. Alan Dein joins him at the start of the wedding season as he attempts to drum up trade for his new venture and put the trauma of Iraq behind him. Producer: Laurence Grissell.

In the first ever Lives in a Landscape, the Ancient and Honourable Society of Ratters leave London clubland behind and head for Yorkshire to experience the excitement of a real rat-hunt, masterminded by ex-miner Brian Oliver. But when he invites them back to his council semi, it's not quite what they're expecting. Alan Dein has presented the programme since 2008 - before then, most editions were audio montages without a presenter. Producer: Laurence Grissell

Alan Dein goes to Boston, Lincolnshire to explore the simmering tensions caused by a large influx of migrant workers from Eastern Europe. On arriving in this traditional market town dominated by its vast church known locally as the Stump, Alan hears rumours of escalating crime, homelessness and enforced repatriations. Migration is without doubt the number one issue here - the population of this market town has swollen dramatically since the expansion of the EU, with workers drawn by the ready supply of agricultural work. Alan talks to Bostonians and migrant workers alike. He witnesses for himself the troubles in the town on a Saturday night, attempting to build up a balanced picture of the truth behind the rumours. Producer: Laurence Grissell.