

Short Cuts
BBC Radio 4
Short documentaries and adventures in sound presented by Josie Long.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 27, 2025 • 28min
Someone to Watch Over Me
In the first programme of this series of Short Cuts, Josie Long presents a selection of short documentaries which peel back the curtain, peer into the darkness and look out at those who are watching us.By turns delightful and unsettling, today's audio adventures include the secret games teachers play when they're invigilating exams, a photographer whose ambition is to capture 'still lives' of people unawares in their homes at night, and a glimpse of the devices you can buy to spy on those supposedly close to you.The items featured in the programme are:Someone to Watch Over Me
Produced by Sara ParkerStand by Me
Produced by Benjamin PartridgeI Was Bruce Lee
Produced by Leo HornakCracking the Love Code
Produced by Bob CarlsonAll Eyes on Us
Produced by Steve UrquhartShe Sees Your Every Move
Produced by Jonathan MitchellProduced by Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.

Aug 27, 2025 • 27min
Taking Flight
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 falling as he casts himself upwards.The items featured in the programme are:The Fall
Featuring Charlie MorleySky Boy
Produced by Hana Walker-BrownFalling for Rambo
Featuring Holly Walsh
Produced by Benjamin PartridgeThe Dreamers
Featuring Charlie MorleyLooking Up
Originally broadcast in 'Space' from Radiolab
http://www.radiolab.orgProduced by Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.

Aug 27, 2025 • 27min
Split
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 herself how to assume alternate personalities and we recover from heartbreak using the 'Automated Relationship Replacement Hotline'.The items featured in the programme are:Automated Relationship Replacement Hotline
Originally broadcast in WireTap
http://www.cbc.ca/wiretap/String
Produced by Natalie Kestecher
The full version of this story can be found here: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/360/string/4010328Split Voices
Produced by Sarah CuddonOther Halves
Produced by Dennis FunkProduced by Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.

Aug 27, 2025 • 27min
Lines of Communication
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 out.The items featured in the programme are:Guess Who
Found sound from the collection of Mark Vernon
http://www.meagreresource.com/L'Esprit De L'Escalier
Produced by Hana Walker-BrownYanto
Featuring Glenn Patterson
Produced by Rachel HooperMessage from Above
Featuring Tom Robinson
Produced by Alan HallDear Sophie
Produced by Sara ParkerConversations with Nic
Featuring Esther BakerProduced by Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4.

Aug 27, 2025 • 27min
Lost and Found
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 ColganLost in Music
Produced by Steve UrquhartI am Luther Blissett
Produced by Rosanna ArbonFluctuations
Produced by Phil SmithLost Voices
Feat. Jude RogersLooking for Layla
Produced by Hana Walker-BrownProducer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4.

Aug 27, 2025 • 27min
Escape
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 programme are:Swimming in Snafu
Produced by Meagan PerryRiver Guard
Feat. Laura BartonDrive for Portugal
Produced by Leo HornakHead in the Clouds
Produced by Sara ParkerRoad Warriors
Produced by Bob Carlson
Originally featured in Unfictional
http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/uf/uf111202the_road_warriorsSeries Producer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4RptProducer: Eleanor McDowall
A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4.

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