Short Cuts

Josie Long presents a selection of short documentaries in which people hurl themselves into the air with the hope of taking flight.

We glide through the air, fall into the sea and explore grand leaps of the imagination, which cross the border between dreaming and reality.

From comedian Holly Walsh's tale of hurtling off the edge of a pier in a handmade helicopter, through to the story of a trapeze artist balancing on the edge of fall...

Josie Long presents a series of delightful and adventurous short documentaries, brief encounters, true stories and found sound.

We examine rips in the fabric of the universe as Josie Long delves into stories of splits, divisions and tears. From broken hearts to divided personalities.

We hear from a woman who was so tired of being in two minds that she surrendered all of her decision making to a piece of string, a mimic who taught her...

Josie Long presents a selection of short documentaries about communication - messages that could break your heart, rescue you from a fight or save you from a long stay in jail.

The writer Glenn Patterson explains why sometimes we should ignore the writing on the wall, and musician Tom Robinson describes the unlikely message he sent at a time when he was in a lot of trouble.

Stories of last words, lost love and lights being knocked ou...

Josie Long presents a selection of short documentaries with stories of loss and discovery.

From being lost in the music to lost love - Josie delves into tales of forgotten cassette tapes, voices rediscovered and teenage rebellion.

Hide and Seek Feat. Steve Colgan

Lost in Music Produced by Steve Urquhart

I am Luther Blissett Produced by Rosanna Arbon

Fluctuations Produced by Phil Smith

Lost Voices Feat. Jude Rogers

Looking for Layla Produc...

Josie Long presents a showcase for delightful and adventurous short documentaries and makes her escape as we hear stories of running away, flight and car chases.

From breaking away to disappearing into escapism - we hear the tale of a narrow escape as three young Australian men desperately try to manoeuvre themselves out of trouble, alongside the story of a 93 year old wing walker getting lost in the clouds.

The items featured in the...

Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures as the clock slips closer to midnight.

In the last Short Cuts on BBC Radio 4, 13 years after the broadcast of our first ever episode 'Misadventures', we listen to radio waves after dark with the Shortwave Collective, tumble into a radio poem alongside a sleeping child, tune into a late night pirate radio station from the early 1960s, and raise a parting glass.

At Least Fea...

A friendship forged working the land, memories of volcanic eruptions from 800,000 years ago frozen in Antarctica’s ice cores, and the importance of wild, patient gardens. Short documentaries presented by Josie Long that rise up from the earth.

Wintering Music by Jules Bradley Produced by Jules Bradley

Melt Tones Featuring Dr Dieter Tetzner Produced by Anton Spice

Sue’s Garden Featuring Sue Trolle Music by Sóley Produced by Rikke Houd

P...

A criminal defence lawyer finds a surprising new job foisted upon him and a son attempts to recover his joyfulness on a family holiday. Josie Long presents short festive documentaries and merry sonic adventures.

Family Yoga Produced by Kit Callin

A Conversation with my Mum at Christmas Featuring Rhik Samadder A version of this story first appeared in Rhik Samadder's memoir, I Never Said I Loved You Music by The Enchanted Cinema Produ...

Time capsules and yesterday's dreams of tomorrow, Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures exploring lost futures.

That’s Merely an Adjective Produced by Zara Karschay

Time Play by Chelsea Kigano, Lily Sloane, Lilia Vega, and Emily Shaw Originally made as part of The 24-Hour Radio Race from KCRW's Independent Producer Project Music and sound design by Lily Sloane, with Time Ain't Gonna Make Me Stay by Ed Andrews ...

Siren song, lunar eavesdroppers and the gathering dark - Josie Long presents short documentaries about venturing into the night.

Siren Song Featuring melancholydi Produced by Kalli Anderson

Lunar Eavesdroppers An extract from Space Ham, first broadcast in BBC Radio 3's Between the Ears Produced by Rose de Larrabeiti and Caroline Devine A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 3

Beneath Produced by Sami El-Enany

Brücke Featuring Stephen J...

Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures that venture into the forest.

Searching for Eden Written, performed and composed by Nyokabi Kariũki Drums - Chris O'Leary Field Recordings taken in Mũrang'a, Kenya

The Final Breath Featuring Robin Elms Produced by Kendra Hanna and Max Jungreis

El Manglar Featuring Paolo Realpe, founder of Muisne Desde Adentro Special thanks to Dr. Pilar Egüez Guevara, co-founder and direct...

Wishes, wonders, and wisdom. Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures uncovering the power of words.

mother-house by produced by Catherine Boulle. Inspired by the guided visualisations accompanying the book 'Motherhood: Is it for me?' by Denise L. Carlini & Ann Davidman.

Weird World Whimsy produced and composed by Suzie McCarthy. Featuring actor, teacher and director, Mary Lou Rosato. Interview recording by au...

Trying to capture a lost homeland on tape, reclaiming urban landscapes through the sound of skateboarding, and the noise that is one of the great equalisers of the world. Short documentaries that ripple through space - presented by Josie Long.

Sonic Skateboarding Produced by Alice Boyd and Tom Critchley Featuring Ben Dixon, Tom Critchley, Hannah, Zip and Bleu Music composed by Ben Dixon

Nat’s Apartment Written and produced by Emma-...

Star maps, messages from Earth to the moon and reaching out across distance as Josie Long presents short documentaries about constellations.

Star Map Featuring Ferdinand Hauge Leth Music by Kirstine Lindemann Captured by Trawl Hz Produced by Nanna Hauge Kristensen

News to the Moon and Back Recordings courtesy of the NASA archive Produced by Mika Golubovsky

The Complaints Department Featuring Evan Gregg and letters from www.dearmisterw...

A black and white film transformed, searching the sunset for the green flash and a reimagining of red. Josie Long presents a kaleidoscopic collection of short documentaries.

Autism Plays Itself Adapted for radio by Jodie Taylor and Janet Harbord Based on the short film directed by Janet Harbord, produced by Whalebone Films and sound designed by Action Pyramid

Green Flash Written by Joe Dunthorne

Red of Visibility Produced by Phoebe M...

Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures which emerge from dreams, hidden places and the afterlife.

The Dreams (Extract) From Inventions for Radio by Barry Bermange and Delia Derbyshire Originally broadcast on the BBC in 1964

Zero Fixation Points Produced by Nada Smiljanic Location production by Avi Varma Archive courtesy of Rowan Farrell Featuring Professor Bridget Anderson and Dr Travis Van Isacker from the Uni...

Evaporating answers, mysterious music and disappearing dialects - Josie Long presents short documentaries about things in danger of becoming lost.

Pot-8-Toes Featuring Billy Butler and Wally Scott Originally broadcast in Hold Your Plums on Radio Merseyside

A Corner Seat in a Smoker, Facing the Engine Produced by Robin the Fog

Echoes of Cockney Produced by James Trice

Panchiko Produced by Tom Whalley

Curated by Axel Kacoutié and Eleanor ...