Multi Story

Natalie Pearson, from Birmingham, is thought to be the only teacher in the world with a form of Tourette's syndrome which causes involuntary swearing. She shares some of her experiences of strangers reacting negatively to her tics, in public places, and suggests an alternative; education and compassion.

This mini episode was presented and produced by Becca Bryers. With contributions from Anthony Bartram at BBC Inside Out East Midlands.

You can hear more of Natalie's story on series two of Multi Story, coming soon.

Lee has just turned 30 years old, lives in Leicester and has been homeless for four years. Reading is his passion - one he wants to share with others, by starting a book club.

This mini episode was presented and produced by Becca Bryers. With contributions from James Carpenter at BBC Radio Leicester.

You can hear more of Lee's story on series two of Multi Story, coming soon.

This week: festive audio treats. Featuring the Ipswich man who is preparing for his first Christmas since release from prison and reflecting on five years inside. Also, Derbyshire mum Lisa Foster died from bowel cancer this year but has made sure she'll be a presence in every significant moment of family life. Plus a re-imagining of the nativity story with poet Toby Campion taking the role of the innkeeper, and meet the Nottingham woman who has created her own version with ex-display mannequins.

Presented and produced by Becca Bryers.

With contributions from:

This week: motors, wings and sails, feat. the Shropshire couple who've swapped a five-bedroom house for a van. Plus the 96-year-old man who lives on a yacht in Portsmouth Harbour, and the 18-year-old Essex woman who flew before she drove. And the Leicestershire vicar spreading the word of God, on his Harley-Davidson motorbike.

Presented and produced by Becca Bryers

With contributions from:

This week: fur and feathers. Featuring a woman chasing a deep pet desire - and how her story of buying two loves birds went viral. Plus meet the UK's first guide horse, as he learns to navigate his new job - and the shepherdess who has swapped city for country, following her love of animals. Finally, the canal board home to two humans and three dogs.

Presented and produced by Becca Bryers

With contributions from:

This week: celebrating cultural rituals. Featuring a tale of two fairs, Hull and Loughborough - and their importance to both the people who work, and ride the waltzers. Plus an Australian's first experience of a particular English pastime loved by his girlfriend; Morris dancing. And the Russian delicacy with a secret family recipe, attracting Sheffield fans.

Presented and produced by Becca Bryers

With contributions from:

This week: unknown friends. Featuring the LA cop and the Warwickshire firefighter, reunited a year on from the Las Vegas shooting. Also, the man whose daughter helped arrange a big surprise for his 80th birthday. And Bill Palmer, the 95-year-old who made international news when he was invited into his local radio station. Plus, door-to-door poet Rowan McCabe on connecting with strangers (before they shut the door in his face!).

Presented and produced by Becca Bryers

With contributions from:

This week: stories of the space between lost and found. Featuring the manager of Transport for London’s lost property office, providing insight to how the operation works and what attracted him to the job. Plus, Chryssy grew up in Hull, but study and work has taken her all over the world since, always looking for something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. And Annalisa shares her thoughts on being adopted and reconnecting with her biological parents.

Presented and produced by Becca Bryers

With contributions from:

This week: making a move. Featuring a Bristolian woman whose drug addiction led to homelessness, then prison - and now a new life in London. Plus the Sheffield student who has happy memories of growing up in a refugee camp, and a World War II evacuee revisiting her childhood refuge in Wiltshire.

Presented and produced by Becca Bryers

With contributions from: