
Short Cuts
Short documentaries and adventures in sound presented by Josie Long.
Latest episodes

Jan 7, 2025 • 35min
Midnight
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
Featuring Xelis de Toro
Produced by Phil SmithVoice of Nuclear Disarmament
With thanks to the British Library Sound Archive, and the family of John Hasted
Produced by Jonny MatfinPerhaps at Midnight, When All Boundaries Are Lost
Produced by the Shortwave CollectiveGood Company
Featuring Jesse Lawson, Izzy Yon and Femi Oriogun-Williams
Produced by Jesse LawsonCurated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
Mix by Mike Woolley
Executive Producer: Alan Hall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Dec 29, 2024 • 28min
Earth
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 BradleyMelt Tones
Featuring Dr Dieter Tetzner
Produced by Anton SpiceSue’s Garden
Featuring Sue Trolle
Music by Sóley
Produced by Rikke HoudProduced by Andrea Rangecroft
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Dec 24, 2024 • 31min
Merry Christmas
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 CallinA 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
Produced by Sarah CuddonMiracle on the George Washington Bridge
Produced by Luke GreenSanta Calls
Featuring Matt Storrs
Produced by Talia AugustidisCurated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Dec 17, 2024 • 29min
Feast
Feeding the birds, sharing meals and chaotic menus - Josie Long presents short documentaries and audio adventures about eating together.Bird Feeder
Produced by Stella SimsAnd to Start...
Produced by Mae-Li EvansFoodhall
Produced by Nadia MehdiCurated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Dec 10, 2024 • 29min
Lost Futures
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 KarschayTime 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
Special thanks to David LeeLetters
Produced by Mika Golubovsky and Sasha Borzenko
Featuring Zehnya Feldman and Natasha ZotovaHigher Ground
Produced by Leila Goldstein
Featuring Winda Safitri, Yoppi and Naya Hidayatul AlialnaCurated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Produced by Axel Kacoutié
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Dec 3, 2024 • 30min
Into the Night
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 AndersonLunar 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 3Beneath
Produced by Sami El-EnanyBrücke
Featuring Stephen Jenkinson
Produced by Phil SmithCurated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Sep 24, 2024 • 30min
The Forest
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, KenyaThe Final Breath
Featuring Robin Elms
Produced by Kendra Hanna and Max JungreisEl Manglar
Featuring Paolo Realpe, founder of Muisne Desde Adentro
Special thanks to Dr. Pilar Egüez Guevara, co-founder and director of Comidas que Curan (Foods that Heal)
Produced by Mickal AranhaCurated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Sep 17, 2024 • 29min
A Word
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 audio producer Donelle Wederburn in New York City.
The piece featured a canoe trip on the Tapiskwan Sipi, which runs through Atikamekw Nehirowisiwok territory in the unceded province of Quebec.
Special thanks to Nina Garthwaite, Tom Todoroff, Emily Moulton, Katherina Lindekens and Emma Lehman from Noise Club.Buranbur: a comfort in words by audio maker and producer Suhaar Ali.
Featuring the first Somali woman elected to the cabinet, Fadumo Aalin, who talks about her mother and poet Hawo Jibril.Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Produced by Axel Kacoutié
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Sep 10, 2024 • 29min
Sound Waves
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 DixonNat’s Apartment
Written and produced by Emma-Lee Moss
Music by Emma-Lee Moss and Nata Lee HahnLove in the Time of Flatulence
Featuring Alison Downham Moore, Noam Osband, Zebulon Osband and Dahlia Osband
Written and produced by Noam OsbandProduced by Andrea Rangecroft
Curated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Sep 3, 2024 • 29min
In Time
Josie Long presents short documentaries against the clock in an episode around time and timing.Dad's Secret Life of Matchmaking
Produced by Josephine Anderson
Additional sound recording by Christopher AndersonLoose Ends
Produced by Jon TjhiaThere's Always a Next Time
Produced by Steve UrquhartCurated by Axel Kacoutié, Eleanor McDowall and Andrea Rangecroft
Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4
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