The Listening Project

Guest presenter Kofi Smiles with strangers, friends and relatives in conversation.

This week strangers Geraldine and Katie exchange stories of living with the knowledge that they could pass Huntington’s Disease on to their children; Craig and Willie share their passion for madcap ways of raising money for charity; autograph hunters and Indiana Jones fans Chris and Tony talk about how they met trying to get Harrison Ford’s signature when he was in town; and animal lovers Josie and Alison talk about cats versus dogs and how pets can lift your spirits in the darkest of times.

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

Fi Glover presents strangers, friends and relatives in conversation.

This week strangers Kieran and Brigid discuss the effects of Brexit, the Northern Ireland protocol and lockdown on their food businesses; Heather and Aaron find common ground talking about mental health and exercise; and police officer Graeme and former criminal Kevin reflect on how they first met when Kevin tried to hold up a shop with a fake gun.

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

Producer: Mohini Patel

Fi Glover presents friends, relatives and strangers in conversation.

This week: Laurie from Stroud, which recently came top in a ‘best place to live’ list, chats to town crier Les whose hometown of Halifax featured in a Top 10 of ‘worst places to live’; Lee, a unionist from Belfast and Andrew from Glasgow who supports independence for Scotland, discuss the challenges of devolution and what being British means to them; and Shabir and Niki share the struggles they’ve faced in applying for British citizenship.

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: Rav Sanghera

Fi Glover presents friends, relatives and strangers in conversation.

This week: listeners Christine and Kathy discover difficult shared memories of attending an Open Air School in the 1960's; Amelie, who works in a strip club, and Debbie who is a choreographer and lecturer, confront the different ways that their professions are perceived; and Ben and Stephanie, who both have schizophrenia, discuss the ways the illness has shaped their lives.

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: Ellie Bury

Fi Glover presents friends, relatives and strangers in conversation.

This week: Maggie, who cares for her husband Tom, and Anthony, who cares for his step daughter Megan, compare the pressures and the funny moments that come with their roles; mother and daughter Tracey and Montana uncover unspoken truths about heritage and identity, and Tracey speaks to Fi after the chat to reflect on what she learned; and retired army major Johnny talks to aspiring corporal Lucy about how the army has adapted to societal change.

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: Ellie Bury

Fi Glover presents friends, relatives and strangers in conversation.

This week: childhood friends Iain and David share their experiences of losing their wives to cancer, six months apart; former footballers Leah and Dana discuss how the experience for female players has changed in the last 50 years; and solo mum Liv speaks to Carl, whose daughter has two mums and two dads.

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

David and Iain's conversation was produced with help from Maggie’s Centre. Both Ana and Catriona used Maggie’s when then they were ill, and the service has provided counselling for David and Iain following their wives' deaths.

Producer: Ellie Bury

Fi Glover presents friends, relatives and strangers in conversation.

This week: Sue and Caroline discuss the impact of an ADHD diagnosis later in life; Anne and Rick compare the pros and cons of staying put vs travelling the world; artists John and Florence discuss the importance of staying true to oneself in an industry that can appear to value conformity; and Carol and Jane consider how the grieving process is altered when a proper funeral isn't possible.

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: Ellie Bury

Fi Glover presents friends, relatives and strangers in conversation.

This week: Duncan and Kai discuss the experience of 'coming out' as survivors of childhood sexual abuse; slacklining fan Glenn and virtual reality gamer Eoin debate whether the popularity of VR will drive people away from socialising through sport; and arts professionals Halima and Adie swap notes on the expectations around motherhood faced by women.

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: Ellie Bury

Fi Glover presents strangers, friends and relatives in conversation.

This week: Strangers Helen and Chris confront each others ideas about how holiday lets and second homes impact communities in parts of Wales; Elvis tribute acts Sal and Tony swap notes on what it takes to be the King; and Claire from Edinburgh, who’s mum is an alcoholic discusses the challenges of day to day life with Sarah, who’s a mother and a recovering alcoholic herself.

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: Kerry Devine

Fi Glover presents friends, relatives and strangers in conversation.

This week: Retired police officer Adge and volunteer patrol founder Rob, discuss the line between enhancing community safety and vigilantism; student nurse Lucy and experienced critical care nurse Liz compare their experiences of their chosen career during the pandemic; Early retiree Andrew, and 84 year old sweet shop owner Tom consider the formula for work life balance; and mothers Kia and Lauren reflect on the stereotypes attached to them as a result of having children in their teens.

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: Ellie Bury