Sideways

Holly Mathieson, a New Zealand-born conductor turned software engineer, left a two-decade international music career to retrain in coding. She talks about the weight of being gifted, how COVID opened space for change, the isolating pressures in elite music, and finding creativity and collaboration in software.

Steven Nolt, historian of Amish life, explains the cultural and theological roots of communal forgiveness. Marie Monville, author and speaker who survived the Nickel Mines shooting’s aftermath as the shooter’s wife, shares her journey through compassion and healing. They explore how Amish decisional forgiveness works, the difference between public and emotional forgiveness, and the long, quiet processes that reshape lives.

Mathijs Bal, psychologist and management professor who studies organisational absurdity. Nina Holm Vohnsen, anthropologist who researched bureaucracy from inside a ministry. Michael Foley, writer on everyday absurdities and finding humour in the strange. They discuss surreal arrests, how bureaucratic rules warp outcomes, why workplaces normalise nonsense, and ways people resist or laugh at modern absurdities.

Iain McGilchrist, psychiatrist and philosopher exploring brain hemispheres and balance. Curt Jaimungal, podcaster who chases big theories and lived-through philosophical crises. They talk about ontological whiplash, risks of intense self-inquiry, how Eastern non-dual ideas were repackaged in the West, and practical ways to stay grounded when philosophical thinking becomes destabilizing.

Djamila Azzouz, former Ithaca vocalist who moved from musical theatre to powerful harsh vocals. She talks about discovering screaming as emotional release and career pivot. Discussions cover vocal technique to stay healthy, sexism in metal, historical control of women’s screams, and how screaming is being reclaimed in music and horror as a form of empowerment.

Londi Sherrills-Hills, an older sister and storyteller whose childhood imaginings shaped her family, recalls inventing a kung fu tale that gave her siblings purpose. Short, vivid scenes show how that ritual seeded moral imagination, returned during crisis, and helped spark community peace efforts. Multiple experts link narrative to empathy and identity.

Dr Anna Machin, evolutionary anthropologist and author, explains paternal biology and why men hide intense parental longing. Simon Burrell, a gay single man who pursued fatherhood via surrogacy, shares his extraordinary journey to become a dad. They discuss male baby lust, myths about fathers, fertility and ageing, cultural portrayals of dads, and the emotional and legal challenges of single surrogacy.

Joshua Brown, a neuroscience professor who recovered from an inoperable brain tumour and now researches claimed healings. He recounts his prayer-fueled road trip across America and a mysterious turn in his health. Conversations explore how scientists and the Vatican assess alleged miracles, and the clash between faith, doubt and scientific investigation.

Sideways returns with eight new stories of seeing the world differently and the ideas that shape our lives. Stories about everything from miracle healing and science, to the evolution of women's screams, explored through heavy metal music, to why male broodiness shouldn't be overlooked. Listen to the latest series of Sideways first on BBC Sounds.Presenter: Matthew Syed Producers: Julien Manuguerra-Patten and Vishva Samani Series Editor: Katherine Godfrey Sound Design and Mix: Mark Pittam Theme music by: Ioana Selaru Produced by: Novel for BBC Radio 4

Lydia Laurenson's journey into San Francisco’s secretive Latitude Society reveals the allure of belonging to a hidden world. The podcast explores how secret societies tap into our fundamental need for connection, contrasting childhood dreams with adult fears of exclusion. It discusses the balance between privacy and the modern demand for transparency, while highlighting the societal impact of these elusive groups. Ultimately, it examines how secrecy can foster creativity and the emotional ties that bind members together.