Short Cuts

BBC Radio 4
  • 4.8 (160)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • UPDATED MONTHLY
Short Cuts

Short documentaries and adventures in sound presented by Josie Long.

  1. JAN 7

    Midnight

    Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures as the clock slips closer to midnight. In the last Short Cuts on BBC Radio 4, 13 years after the broadcast of our first ever episode 'Misadventures', we listen to radio waves after dark with the Shortwave Collective, tumble into a radio poem alongside a sleeping child, tune into a late night pirate radio station from the early 1960s, and raise a parting glass. At Least Featuring Xelis de Toro Produced by Phil Smith Voice of Nuclear Disarmament With thanks to the British Library Sound Archive, and the family of John Hasted Produced by Jonny Matfin Perhaps at Midnight, When All Boundaries Are Lost Produced by the Shortwave Collective Good Company Featuring Jesse Lawson, Izzy Yon and Femi Oriogun-Williams Produced by Jesse Lawson Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall Mix by Mike Woolley Executive Producer: Alan Hall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

    35 min

  2. 12/29/2024

    Earth

    A friendship forged working the land, memories of volcanic eruptions from 800,000 years ago frozen in Antarctica’s ice cores, and the importance of wild, patient gardens. Short documentaries presented by Josie Long that rise up from the earth. Wintering Music by Jules Bradley Produced by Jules Bradley Melt Tones Featuring Dr Dieter Tetzner Produced by Anton Spice Sue’s Garden Featuring Sue Trolle Music by Sóley Produced by Rikke Houd Produced by Andrea Rangecroft Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

    28 min

  3. 12/24/2024

    Merry Christmas

    A criminal defence lawyer finds a surprising new job foisted upon him and a son attempts to recover his joyfulness on a family holiday. Josie Long presents short festive documentaries and merry sonic adventures. Family Yoga Produced by Kit Callin A Conversation with my Mum at Christmas Featuring Rhik Samadder A version of this story first appeared in Rhik Samadder's memoir, I Never Said I Loved You Music by The Enchanted Cinema Produced by Sarah Cuddon Miracle on the George Washington Bridge Produced by Luke Green Santa Calls Featuring Matt Storrs Produced by Talia Augustidis Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

    31 min

  4. 12/17/2024

    Feast

    Feeding the birds, sharing meals and chaotic menus - Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures about eating together. Bird Feeder Produced by Stella Sims And to Start... Produced by Mae-Li Evans Foodhall Produced by Nadia Mehdi Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min

  5. 12/10/2024

    Lost Futures

    Time capsules and yesterday's dreams of tomorrow, Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures exploring lost futures. That’s Merely an Adjective Produced by Zara Karschay Time Play by Chelsea Kigano, Lily Sloane, Lilia Vega, and Emily Shaw Originally made as part of The 24-Hour Radio Race from KCRW's Independent Producer Project Music and sound design by Lily Sloane, with Time Ain't Gonna Make Me Stay by Ed Andrews Special thanks to David Lee Letters Produced by Mika Golubovsky and Sasha Borzenko Featuring Zehnya Feldman and Natasha Zotova Higher Ground Produced by Leila Goldstein Featuring Winda Safitri, Yoppi and Naya Hidayatul Alialna Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Produced by Axel Kacoutié A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min

  6. 12/03/2024

    Into the Night

    Siren song, lunar eavesdroppers and the gathering dark - Josie Long presents short documentaries about venturing into the night. Siren Song Featuring melancholydi Produced by Kalli Anderson Lunar Eavesdroppers An extract from Space Ham, first broadcast in BBC Radio 3's Between the Ears Produced by Rose de Larrabeiti and Caroline Devine A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 3 Beneath Produced by Sami El-Enany Brücke Featuring Stephen Jenkinson Produced by Phil Smith Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

    30 min

  7. 09/24/2024

    The Forest

    Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures that venture into the forest. Searching for Eden Written, performed and composed by Nyokabi Kariũki Drums - Chris O'Leary Field Recordings taken in Mũrang'a, Kenya The Final Breath Featuring Robin Elms Produced by Kendra Hanna and Max Jungreis El Manglar Featuring Paolo Realpe, founder of Muisne Desde Adentro Special thanks to Dr. Pilar Egüez Guevara, co-founder and director of Comidas que Curan (Foods that Heal) Produced by Mickal Aranha Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

    30 min

  8. 09/17/2024

    A Word

    Wishes, wonders, and wisdom. Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures uncovering the power of words. mother-house by produced by Catherine Boulle. Inspired by the guided visualisations accompanying the book 'Motherhood: Is it for me?' by Denise L. Carlini & Ann Davidman. Weird World Whimsy produced and composed by Suzie McCarthy. Featuring actor, teacher and director, Mary Lou Rosato. Interview recording by audio producer Donelle Wederburn in New York City. The piece featured a canoe trip on the Tapiskwan Sipi, which runs through Atikamekw Nehirowisiwok territory in the unceded province of Quebec. Special thanks to Nina Garthwaite, Tom Todoroff, Emily Moulton, Katherina Lindekens and Emma Lehman from Noise Club. Buranbur: a comfort in words by audio maker and producer Suhaar Ali. Featuring the first Somali woman elected to the cabinet, Fadumo Aalin, who talks about her mother and poet Hawo Jibril. Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft Produced by Axel Kacoutié A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

    29 min
See All (249)

    Hosts & Guests

    4.8
    out of 5
    160 Ratings

    About

    Short documentaries and adventures in sound presented by Josie Long.

    Information

    • Creator
      BBC Radio 4
    • Years Active
      2013 - 2025
    • Episodes
      249
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © (C) BBC 2025
    • Show Website
      Short Cuts

    More From BBC

    You Might Also Like

    Content Restricted

    This episode can’t be played on the web in your country or region.

    To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

    Stay up to date with this show

    Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
    Select a country or region

    Africa, Middle East, and India

    Asia Pacific

    Europe

    Latin America and the Caribbean

    The United States and Canada