Dystopias are a longstanding staple of film and literature, particularly science fiction, but what can we learn from them? Do they simply entrench despair or act as a prompt to improve the world? And what do The Two Ronnies have to do with all this? As a stage adaptation of Kay Dick's 1977 novel 'They: A Sequence of Unease' opens at the Manchester International Festival - a work that imagines a Britain that has been purged of culture - Matthew Sweet is joined by writer Una McCormack and New Generation Thinkers Sarah Dillon and SJ Beard to trace the history of dystopias and what they tell us about the fears and preoccupations of successive generations.Producer: Torquil MacLeodMaxine Peake, Sarah Frankcom and Imogen Knight's adaptation of 'They: A Sequence of Unease' by Kay Dick is at John Rylands Library, Manchester 5th-9th July 2023.

Matthew Sweet, a Mindfulness Now Teacher and founder of Brave Body Fitness, teams up with Dr. Agne Straukiene, a leading MS neurologist. They discuss how mindfulness can be a powerful tool for managing MS symptoms and enhancing overall well-being. The conversation explores the profound impact of breathing on health and sleep, as well as practical strategies for incorporating mindfulness into daily routines. They also touch on the neurological benefits of meditation and share guided exercises to deepen self-awareness and connection to nature.