
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Radio 4 has a new health and wellness offering, What's Up Docs? It's a weekly podcast helmed by twin brothers Dr Chris and Dr Xand Van Tulleken, covering everything from low testosterone to creaky knees. But has its chatty style been a hit with listeners? and how are they getting on with a podcast being transmitted as part of the Radio 4 schedule? Presenter Andrea Catherwood puts your thoughts to Rhian Roberts, Head Commissioner for Podcasts and Formats.
In an unstable world, you might want to distance yourself from busy news schedules by taking a trip to somewhere else. That's what The Patch has been doing on BBC Radio 4 for the last few years, by generating a random UK postcode and then telling a unique or unheard story from the area. Two listeners from places featured on The Patch enter our VoxBox to give their views on the series. Andrea follows up with the programme's presenter and producer Polly Weston to hear her take on their discussion.
And one listener was so moved by the 100th episode of Add to Playlist that she pulled over to the side of the road to send us a message - we'll hear it in full here.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
A Whistledown Scotland Production for BBC Radio 4
The Feedback inbox has been full of comments on the band Bob Vylan's chanting against the Israel Defense Forces at Glastonbury, with some listeners wondering if the BBC gives stories about itself undue prominence.
BBC Sounds Commissioning Editor Rhian Roberts returns to give listeners a wide-lens view of the podcast landscape.
And The Today Podcast recently became yesterday's news, replaced by Radical with Amol Rajan. Andrea speaks to Senior News Editor Sam Bonham about the recent changes and asks if the informal tone of news podcasts is influencing the presentation style on linear programmes.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4
Feedback returns for a new series, just as the BBC has its hands full with covering an increasingly tense conflict between Israel and Iran. We hear your response to BBC Radio 4's reporting of events.
Last month, Sarah Montague interviewed Sebastian Gorka - President Trump's deputy assistant and senior director for counter-terrorism - on World At One. It provoked a flood of emails in our inbox. Andrea talks to Sarah about handling fiery interviews, and interviewees. Dr Alban Webb, historian and lecturer in Media and Cultural Studies at the University of Sussex, gives his view on the BBC's approach to these kinds of interviews - which seem to be increasingly common.
And an episode of This Cultural Life, in which John Wilson spoke to pianist and campaigner James Rhodes, also moved a number of listeners to get in touch nominating it for Feedback's Interview of the Year.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4
The death of Pope Francis on the 21st April understandably led to a wave of media coverage, but did the BBC get it right? Andrea Catherwood puts your views to Aleem Maqbool, Religion Editor for BBC News, and hears about what it takes to prepare for such a solemn occasion. And what did listeners think of the episode of Witness History that came directly after the Pope's Requiem Mass on the Sunday morning?
Listeners talk about Clive Myrie's Music on the Front Line which returned for another series as part of Radio 3's Music Matters this Spring. Clive interviews fellow journalists about the music they've turned to while reporting from some of the world's most dangerous conflict zones.
And you might have noticed a questionnaire - Our BBC, Our Future - in your email inbox recently, asking what you watch and listen to and your thoughts on the future of the Corporation. We hear your reactions, and Andrea talks to Professor Matt Walsh, Head of the Journalism School at the University of Cardiff, about the biggest public engagement exercise the BBC has carried out.
Producer: Pauline Moore
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4
In last week's episode we announced that the BBC will be continuing to allow access to BBC Sounds for international listeners until adequate alternative provisions have been put in place. This week, we hear listeners' reaction to the BBC's statement.
Elizabeth and Jack are grandmother and grandson, and are also Radio 4 listeners. When Elizabeth got in contact with Feedback to tell us that she regularly sends her grandson recommendations for listening material, Andrea was curious to know more - so she invited them into the studio to share their perspectives on what the BBC can provide for listeners from different generations.
Although it seems like many BBC Audio programmes have fallen under the axe recently, In Our Time has show no signs of slowing down since its inaugural episode in 1998. Listeners Hamish and Nick try to explain its cult classic appeal in our Feedback VoxBox.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
A Whistledown Scotland Production for BBC Radio 4
After the news that Radio 3 was to cancel its drama commissions, Radio 4 has come forward with an alternative - a new monthly slot for a long-form 90 minute drama. Andrea speaks to Nicola Baldwin from The Writers' Guild of Great Britain about the new entry in BBC Radio's drama programming. We also hear about this development from Alison Hindell, Radio 4's Commissioning Editor for Drama and Fiction.
And continuing the theme of new additions to BBC Radio's schedules, Andrea talks to Tom McKinney, who has taken over from Petroc Trelawney on Radio 3's Breakfast programme. He's brought with him a whole aviary of bird calls to wake listeners up with the dawn chorus - but are they enjoying it?
Finally, there's an update on the future of BBC Sounds for overseas listeners.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4
It was announced months ago that the 5.30am News Briefing would be removed from Radio 4's early morning schedule due to budget constraints, but the changes didn't come into place until the beginning of last week. For some of those who include Radio 4 within their morning routines, the change has been a rude awakening. We hear your reactions to the replacement in this week's episode of Feedback.
Since 2021, Add to Playlist has been taking listeners on a voyage of musical discovery through a never ending playlist, added to by the presenters and guests - and it might be the only place on Radio 4 where you can hear Tchaikovsky and Eminem in quick succession. Andrea Catherwood puts your comments about the most recent series to presenters Jeffrey Boakye, Anna Phoebe, and editor Tim Prosser.
And we've had a number of different questions in the inbox this week that just need a simple answer from the BBC. We've got answers for you.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4
A Point of View has officially left the airwaves after a long run on BBC Radio 4, with Howard Jacobsen writing and presenting the final episode. Feedback announced the exclusive news on last week's programme, but it was before listeners had time to react. This week, Andrea Catherwood presents your opinions on the end of the Sunday morning single voice opinion slot.
We're still getting listener questions about the changes to BBC Sounds overseas, and so this week Andrea talks to cricketer and journalist Simon Hughes about the worldwide coverage of Test Match Special.
Finally, it's been five years since the first COVID lockdowns were announced, in the spring of 2020. Factual series Lockdown's Legacy looked back on the impact the society-wide restrictions had on a range of people - from children, to teachers, to medics. Some listeners found it impactful, but others had a different point of view. Commissioner Hugh Levinson returns to respond to your comments and critiques.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4
Andrea Catherwood shares exclusive news of the end of a long-running Radio 4 programme. Frequent contributors and the programme's commissioning editor give their thoughts on the well-known brand as it nears its final episode.
BBC Sounds is soon to become unavailable outside of the UK. Listeners from all over the world have been in touch to voice their disappointment about the changes, and we've heard in particular from people in the Republic of Ireland who tune into BBC Radio content from north of the border. Will the geo-blocking cause unintended political ramifications? Andrea discusses the issue with Shane Harrison, former BBC correspondent in Dublin.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4
As the news spreads about access to BBC Sounds being blocked outside the UK, we hear more of your comments on the issue. Andrea Catherwood speaks to Radio Cymru reporter Alun Thomas about what these changes will mean for Welsh speakers living abroad.
A recent episode of Radio 4's Inside Health about hearing loss intrigued listeners - and then baffled those experiencing hearing loss themselves by including a section that was particularly difficult to hear.
After listeners criticised a recent Archers storyline about Linda Snell fasting for Ramadan, we hear from the people who found it enlightening and uplifting.
And what did Martha Kearney do after Today? Well, she's been talking to more public figures - but this time, it's all about their personal connections to nature. Two listeners, Christine and Kate, review her series This Natural Life for our VoxBox. Martha joins Andrea to respond to their thoughts.
Presenter: Andrea Catherwood
A Whistledown Scotland production for Radio 4
From the publisher's feed
Radio 4's forum for comments, queries, criticisms and congratulations

7,573 Listeners

1,077 Listeners

399 Listeners

871 Listeners

1,043 Listeners

39 Listeners

5,520 Listeners

1,805 Listeners

1,798 Listeners

1,024 Listeners

1,979 Listeners

111 Listeners

46 Listeners

43 Listeners

27 Listeners

166 Listeners

57 Listeners

69 Listeners

3,222 Listeners

1,004 Listeners

731 Listeners

1,006 Listeners

106 Listeners

42 Listeners

175 Listeners