The Listening Project

By BBC Radio 4Society & Culture Personal Journals

The Listening Project episodes

June 19, 2022 The Human Need to Connect
Four conversations presented by Fi Glover.
This week: as the 50th anniversary of Pride UK approaches, Ashley and Chris reflect on the impact the marches have had on their live; Charlie and Richard share their poignant feelings about Father’s Day and losing people they love; and super fans Seyi and Robert bemoan the passing of the hit Australian TV soap ‘Neighbours’ - soon to be axed after 37 years.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation lasts up to an hour and is then edited to extract the key moments of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in this decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Mohini Patel
28 min
June 12, 2022 Open to Change
Fi Glover presents four conversations between strangers.
This week: two Mums, Sarah and Jessica, reflect on the realities of trying to make ends meet amid the cost of living crisis; Matthew and Jennifer share their stories of being caught up in travel chaos at some of the UK’s airports; Pete and Amy, bushcraft and outdoor skill enthusiasts talk about the value of their passion; and Gerry and Quincey discuss the future of Northern Ireland from different sides of the political divide.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation lasts up to an hour and is then edited to extract the key moments of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in this decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Mohini Patel
28 min
June 05, 2022 The Power of Language
Three conversations presented by Fi Glover.
Oksana, a newly arrived Ukrainian refugee, and her host Pippa reflect on the experience of coming together from both perspectives. Jahmal, a semi-professional footballer and football coach, and Sam, also a coach, share their own similar stories in the light of professional footballer Jake Daniel’s recent decision to come out as gay. And in our 10th year we are taking the opportunity to look at how The Listening Project archive at the British Library is being used. In this edition Dr Vaclav Brezina, Senior Lecturer in Corpus Linguistics, Department of Linguistics and English Language at Lancaster University, explains how he and his team have been using it to study how we speak.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation lasts up to an hour and is then edited to extract the key moments of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in this decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Mohini Patel
29 min
May 29, 2022 Finding the Answer
Fi Glover presents four conversations between strangers.
This week, Dafydd and Huw come together from either side of the debate on Rewilding the countryside; Glenys and Leon share enthusiasms for their hobbies of magnet fishing, beachcombing and meadow trawling; Christine and Shane swap perspectives on ambulance wait times from the view of the patient and the paramedic; Archie and Owen discuss their relationship with body image as young men from different communities.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation lasts up to an hour, and is then edited to extract the key moments of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in this decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Sam Peach
29 min
May 22, 2022 Trials and Tribulations
Fi Glover presents four conversations between strangers.
This week: Claire and Georgia share their experiences of surviving the Manchester Arena bombing five years ago and the Omagh bombing in 1998; Becky and Paul talk through the rights and wrongs of horse racing; Jonathan and Kit discuss the arguments for and against second homes; and Natalie and Chloe reflect on the possibility of there being an afterlife.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation lasts up to an hour and is then edited to extract the key moments of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in this decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Mohini Patel
28 min
May 15, 2022 Walking the Tightrope
Fi Glover presents friends, relatives and strangers in conversation.
This week: Veteran comic Chris and new stand-up Katie swap advice and opinions on negotiating the comedy circuit; Jane, mother of five, and Nicola, who has two sons, share their experiences of bringing up young boys to respect young girls; following their mums’ chat, Jane’s daughter, Mairi, and Nicola’s son, Karl, debate the lessons they’ve learnt growing-up; and Fi talks to Jonnie Robinson, the man in charge of The Listening Project archive at the British Library, about 10 years of capturing the nation in conversation.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation lasts up to an hour, and is then edited to extract the key moments of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in this decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Jane Wilkinson
28 min
May 08, 2022 Strength in Numbers
Fi Glover presents four conversations between strangers.
This week: Joe and Brian discuss the impact of the cost of living crisis on their lives; Ellie and Paula reflect on how the nature of protest has changed in just one generation; environmental activists Stephen and Liam defend some of the controversial methods used; and Sam and Bronte share differing views the importance of voting.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation lasts up to an hour and is then edited to extract the key moments of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in this decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Mohini Patel
28 min
May 01, 2022 Adapting and Nurturing
Fi Glover presents four conversations between strangers.
This week: Andy and Jen share their experience of the Falklands War, living with PTSD and with guilt; Andy and JR discuss their struggles to start a family and the stigma attached to male infertility; Emma and Colin compare notes on fostering and adoption; and French ex-pats Richard and Kemal talk about adapting to the life and culture of the UK.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation lasts up to an hour and is then edited to extract the key moments of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in this decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Mohini Patel
28 min
April 24, 2022 Floods, Fashion, Town and Country
Fi Glover presents four conversations between strangers.
This week: Lana and Vicky share stories of their homes and villages being flooded; Iso and Helen talk about fashion - whether it should be disposable or sustainable; Jason and Luke compare notes on living in London and living in Manchester; and Jo and Nicole reflect on the pros and cons of where you live when you raise family.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation lasts up to an hour and is then edited to extract the key moments of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in this decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Mohini Patel
28 min
April 17, 2022 Belief & the Wonder of Nature
Fi Glover presents four conversations between strangers.
This week: Hannah and Matthew reflect on when the person you love, doesn’t hold the same faith.
Joanna living with Long COVID and Jay with M.E. share their experiences and the changing public perception of their debilitating conditions.
Paul and Coryn talk about the wild big cats they have spotted in the English countryside.
And Richard shares his joy of bright illuminations at night, with Ant, who is passionate about star gazing - a hobby only possible when all the lights are switched off.
The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation. The conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation lasts up to an hour and is then edited to extract the key moments of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in this decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject
Producer: Cathy Moorehead
28 min