by BBC Radio 4
<p>Best-selling author Matthew Syed explores the ideas that shape our lives with stories of seeing the world differently.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/3/2021
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
0 available
March 5, 2025
<p>In a theatre in Buenos Aires, six veterans from opposite sides of the Falklands War united to re-enact their experiences of the conflict in front of hundreds of people. The play was called Minefield, and it was an ambitious experiment by the Argentinian theatre director, Lola Arias.</p><p>Former Royal Marine Dr David Jackson was one of the veterans who flew across the world to act out his memories of war alongside men he’d fought against over three decades earlier. There were hundreds of people watching, including mothers who had lost their sons in the conflict.</p><p>The play took a risk - it was opening up a part of history that people still didn’t agree on. But in the process, it ended up forging connections between groups that had once been divided.</p><p>Matthew Syed explores the power and potential of re-enactment, and asks what happens when we try to bring the past back to life.</p><p>With veteran, counsellor, and academic Dr David Jackson; director and writer Lola Arias; researcher, educator and humanitarian aid worker Dr Nena Močnik; and Professor of Modern Culture and Media at Brown University, Rebecca Schneider.</p><p>Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Caroline Thornham Editors: Georgia Moodie and Hannah Marshall Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson Theme music by Ioana Selaru A Novel production for BBC Radio 4</p>
February 26, 2025
<p>After the break up of the Soviet Union in the 90s, the problem of street children in Ukraine began to grow. Pastor Gennadiy Mokhnenko started taking them off the streets in the now devastated city of Mariupol and adopting them. The 56 year-old is now father to over 40 kids, serves as a military chaplain on the frontline and continues to adopt throughout the war. </p><p>Matthew Syed asks whether it’s possible to truly love so many children. He hears from a biologist about the scientific limits of love and an anthropologist about the unique ways in which humans can grow and flex their love, almost like a muscle. He also delves into his mother’s deeply personal experience of raising a non-biological child, relates expert analysis to her complex emotions and questions whether human beings really do have the capacity for limitless love.</p><p>With Ukrainian pastor and military chaplain Gennadiy Mokhnenko, anthropologist and author Dr Anna Machin, biologist Dr Liat Yakir and Matthew’s mum, Dilys Syed.</p><p>Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Vishva Samani Editor: Georgia Moodie Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson Theme music by Ioana Selaru A Novel production for BBC Radio 4</p>
February 19, 2025
<p>Tempting fate is often seen as a fine line between courage and foolishness. It’s rooted in the belief that pushing certain boundaries or showing too much confidence might invite some kind of cosmic retribution.</p><p>Even those who don’t believe in fate hesitate to take chances, driven by an instinctual fear of what might go wrong. Matthew Syed explores why we’re both drawn to and wary of tempting fate, and why our minds often trick us into a bit of magical thinking.</p><p>By unpacking the dynamics of hubris, overconfidence, and the possibility of universal retribution, we explore whether challenging fate is a self-defining act - or a dangerous game.</p><p>With pilot Amelia Rose Earhart, professor of Behavioural Science Jane Risen and philosopher Simon Critchley.</p><p>Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Julien Manuguerra-Patten Series Editors: Georgia Moodie Sound Design and Mix: Daniel Kempson Theme music by Ioana Selaru A Novel production for BBC Radio 4</p>
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at [email protected] for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.