Short Cuts

The lust to escape your life, gifts that make you feel misunderstood and a mystery with an elusive man at it's centre - Josie Long unfurls stories of mistaken identity.The writer Nikesh Shukla and his friends, Nick Hearne and Robbie Lingham, talk about the frustrating mysterious character who entered their lives after they sent a lamb chop into space. The Australian producer Natalie Kestecher is horrified by a gift from a close friend and a young woman plots her escape in a call from Laura Mayer's How Are You Doing Project.Navy Story Originally recorded for the How Are You Doing Project Produced by Laura MayerThe Gift Featuring writing from the Redundant Women series Produced by Natalie KestecherAdam Featuring Nikesh Shukla, Nick Hearne and Robbie LinghamSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.

Josie Long hears stories of observation - from glimpsing who you might become to an artist who secretly surveilled her father.Rosalind Jana explores the crackle of possibility and hope in a love story observed across a crowded room, Johanna Heldebro talks about her art project - To Come Within Reach of You - in which she followed and photographed her father, and Sarah Algashgari talks about working at the first football match in Saudi Arabia that allowed female spectators.Deciphering Featuring Rosalind JanaThe Watchers Featuring Sarah Algashgari Produced by Andrea RangecroftFollowing Father Featuring Johanna Heldebro Produced by Tom HenleySeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in 2018.

A porcine presidential campaign, the feeling of freedom in a communal action and a Danish poet who helps you re-imagine the world - Josie Long hears stories of small radical acts.Comedian and activist Mark Thomas talks about the feeling of liberty on a city street flooded with bicycles, we explore how Inger Christensen's words have fed into the imaginations of Danish activists, and we hear about Pigasus's curtailed political campaign.Pigasus the Immortal Featuring Abe Peck, Jim Lato and Judy Gumbo Interviews by Sarah GeisInger Christensen Produced by Maria DønvangCritical Mass Featuring Mark Thomas Produced by Sarah CuddonSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in June 2018.

Josie Long presents short documentaries about creating something out of nothing, fresh starts and the beginning of the end.From a band that existed before they'd ever met each other to the new beginnings which bring sweet, if painful, endings in a relationship between a mother and daughter.The Dandelion Adventure Produced by Geoff BirdGood Year for the Roses Produced by Sophie TownsendMeteor Shower Produced by Nanna Hauge KristensenSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast on May 2018.

A dream-like journey, a man trying to prove he hasn't died and a reflection on a eulogy. Josie Long presents documentaries where words linger long after they're uttered. Featuring the voices of the oral historian Studs Terkel, recorded a couple of years before he passed away, and the writer Julia Cooper, finding the words she wished she could offer her younger self.A Taxi Stops Produced by Rikke HoudAfterwords Featuring Jeremy Lee Bass Produced by Andrea RangecroftEulogy Featuring Julia Cooper Produced by Veronica SimmondsSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in May 2018.

From tree climbing to getting lost in the forest, Josie Long ventures into the woods. Featuring Sook-Yin Lee on the wild forest of her childhood, the musician and radio producer Phil Smith on the love and freedom of clambering amid the branches, and a mother and daughter losing themselves amongst the trees.Climb Featuring Jochen Raiss and Leah Produced by Phil SmithLost Featuring Rachel and Carolyn Lloyd Produced by Andrea RangecroftBehind My House Music by Sook-Yin Lee Produced by Sook-Yin LeeSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2018.

Josie Long hears stories drawn from the silver screen. Luke Skywalker helps Joe Dunthorne reckon with his own mortality, the writer Ross Sutherland explores the hidden history of the audience and Amanda Foster offers an insight into the life of a stuntwoman. Luke Deathbringer Featuring Joe DunthorneBody Double Featuring Amanda Foster Produced by Andrea RangecroftHollywood Forever Featuring Ross SutherlandSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2018.

Josie Long presents short documentaries and stories about the quest for resolution. Years spent in search of a solution to Elgar's Enigma, an adult seeks an answer to a childhood letter and a mother records her young son's responses.The Being Sound Produced by Stephanie RowdenGet Pierced Produced by Duncan CowlesCounter Melody Featuring Bob Padgett (who runs the website The Enigma Theme Unmasked) Produced by Daniel Estrin, Jessi Carrier, Steven Jackson and Nick van der Kolk.Series Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in March 2018.

A quiet walk through an abandoned prison camp in darkness, late night ambient sound in the Maasai Mara - Josie Long listens for sounds in the hush of the night.Silent Night Featuring Carl Cattermole Produced by Thomas Glasser and based on his documentary for National Prison Radio, Sounds InsideCrickets - Night - Maasai Mara Produced by Jonathan ZentiAmbient Sir Featuring Jordan Scott Jordan Scott's writing can be found at his website Lanterns at Guantánamo Produced by Jess ShaneSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in March 2018.

Josie Long presents short documentaries and stories about unearthly happenings - from the myths surrounding Lake Stechlin, which is said to boil whenever a major catastrophic event happens anywhere in the world, to an uneasy evening at a conference for exorcists.Possession Produced by Geoff BirdPsychic Blob Originally made for KCRW's Radio Race Music by The Black Spot Produced by Jeff EntmanLake Stechlin Featuring Jessica J LeeSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in March 2018.

Blue skies, a rainbow of strangers and lipstick shades weave through today's short documentaries about colour. Josie Long explores how it affects the way we experience the world.Blue Featuring Laura BartonLipstick Featuring Davia Nelson Produced by Benjamen WalkerI Know Light Now Featuring Vanessa Potter Produced by Leila HussainRing a Rainbow Produced by Dennis FunkSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in February 2018.

From an island which resists invasion to a beloved city in which you can't be free - Josie Long presents a series of short documentaries where the landscape becomes a character.Ribbon Gums Produced by Sophie TownsendResistance Featuring Lars Christian Kofoed Romer and Viola Produced by Rikke HoudMosul Eye Produced by Andrea RangecroftSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in February 2018.

Love lost and found, a lingering goodbye and the after image of a loved one - Josie Long presents stories of holding on.From the echoes of a partner that linger after their death to an extraordinary tale of love regained after fifty years apart.Her Name Was Jean Featuring Dennis Vinar, Karen Lehmann Vinar and Jean Voxland Produced by Andrea RangecroftThe Awkward Goodbye Produced by Duncan CowlesAfter Image Featuring Dr Jacqueline Hayes Produced by Edward LawrensonSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in February 2018.

A two-decade long commitment to writing a new Christmas standard, an Icelandic documentary fairytale and the comedian Mark Thomas feature in Josie Long's festive documentary special.The Night Before the Night Before Christmas Featuring Seymour Sarnoff Song performed by Jennifer Sheehan, arranged by Peter Millrose and written by Seymour Sarnoff Produced by Alex LewisSolla Decorates for Christmas Produced by Rikke HoudDad's Christmas Featuring Mark Thomas Produced by Sarah CuddonSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in December 2017.

Josie Long explores the way our collections and accidental archives define us. Diving into a head full of palindromes, love letters, artistic accidents and family recipes.Featuring the writer Nikesh Shukla, the illustrator Ralph Steadman, love letter writer extraordinaire Janet Gallin, and Martin Clear, the winner of the World Palindrome Championship.Janet Gallin Interview by Lina Misitzis Originally broadcast in The Heart episode Love Letters produced by Kaitlin Prest http://www.theheartradio.org/audio-smut/lovelettersRalph Steadman: Better than Being in a Tent Featuring Ralph Steadman Produced by Leo HornakYoko Is Not a Palindrome Featuring Martin Clear Produced by Miyuki JokirantaFamily Recipe Featuring Nikesh ShuklaSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2017.

Falling from a great height and last words across a telephone line - Josie Long hears stories of relationships stretched across space.From the crossover between skydiving, Soren Kierkegaard and falling in love, to the final words uttered into the ear of a loved one on another continent.Rafadan Yumurta Produced by Phil SmithOn Top Produced by Maria DonvangAlfred and Katie Featuring Dr Alfred Aidoo and Katie Stakolich Produced by Andrea RangecroftSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in December 2017.

Josie Long hears stories from within hidden worlds - a doctor living in quarantine, the founder of a time travellers convention and a radio DJ offering a lifeline to prisoners.On The Inside Featuring Bruce Aitken Produced by Eliza LomasThe Time Traveller's Convention Produced by Jeff Emtman Originally made for KCRW's Here Be Monsters Music by The Black Spot https://www.hbmpodcast.comQuarantine Featuring Dr Adaora Okoli Produced by Andrea RangecroftSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.first broadcast in November 2017.

Josie Long hears stories spell craft, poetry and art coming to life.What can a poet learn from a consultant sorcerer? Ross Sutherland explores the poetic possibilities of spell craft. A fragment of Sappho's poetic longing is unpicked alongside a reading by Anne Carson. And at night, in a gallery, art springs to life.Incantations Featuring Ross Sutherland and Dr Alexander CumminsAfter Fragment 31 Featuring Anne Carson and Jennifer Metsker Produced by Stephanie Rowden and Jennifer MetskerNocturne Produced by Neville Edwards and Cathy FitzGerald On behalf of Antenna International for The National Gallery, London Original poetry by Jacob Sam-La Rose and Aoife MannixSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in November 2017.

Josie Long hears stories which come out of nowhere. A story of creation, time and disappearance; a writer takes a precarious drive down an icy road imagining the dive into nothing at the edge of her vision, and the unexpected kindness of a stranger pulls a man back from the brink. Thin Air Feat. Laura BartonThe Water Produced by Rikke Houd Originally broadcast on CBC's Love Me http://www.cbc.ca/radio/loveme/the-island-and-the-sea-1.4234588The Kindness of Strangers Produced by Claire CroftonSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in November 2017.

What can we learn from the humanity of others? From seeing ourselves reflected in someone else? Josie Long presents stories of role models."You know, vampires have no reflections in a mirror? There's this idea that monsters don't have reflections in a mirror. And what I've always thought isn't that monsters don't have reflections in a mirror. It's that if you want to make a human being into a monster, deny them, at the cultural level, any reflection of themselves... Part of what inspired me, was this deep desire that before I died, I would make a couple of mirrors. That I would make some mirrors so that kids like me might see themselves reflected back and might not feel so monstrous for it." - Junot DiazWater Fleas Featuring Akira Sakata Produced by Phil SmithMirrors Featuring Nikesh ShuklaNadia Produced by Sophie TownsendIntolerants Not Welcome Featuring Mark Thompson Produced by Alan HallSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowallA Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4 first broadcast in September 2017.