Sideways

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 respected neuroscience professor at Indiana University was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in 2003. It was devastating news, Joshua was only 30, and a new father. And so, with nothing to lose, he and his wife pursued an unconventional path - especially for a scientist. Together with their newborn daughter, they travelled across America, praying for a miracle. Matthew Syed delves into instances where inexplicable recoveries have been interpreted as evidence of divine intervention. He examines the unexpected ways in which the Vatican works with scientists to deem certain events miraculous. The whole idea touches on something deeply personal to Matthew as someone who grew up in a family that believed in miracle healings. He now struggles with the idea and is a firm non-believer, but he reunites with a much-loved pastor from his childhood for a frank conversation and meeting of their two viewpoints. Through Joshua’s remarkable journey, Matthew probes at whether miracles can ever be compatible with scientific thinking. With Joshua Brown, Professor of psychological and brain sciences at Indiana University and Director of the Global Medical Research Institute; oncologist Dr Ranjana Srivastava; Jacqueline Duffin, haematologist, historian, and Professor Emerita at Queen’s University, Canada; and Matthew’s childhood pastor, Nigel Thompson.Presenter: Matthew Syed Producer: Vishva Samani Editor: Katherine Godfrey Sound Design and Mix: Mark Pittam Theme music by Ioana Selaru A Novel production for BBC Radio 4Featuring archive from the Reinhard Bonnke Legacy Collection -Something to Shout About, produced and distributed by Christ for All Nations (CfaN) ministry.

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.

Anna Go-Go, a performer and author of the Cat Lady Manifesto, discusses her journey breaking stereotypes as a drummer and dance instructor alongside her feline friends. She explores the cultural anxieties surrounding the 'crazy cat lady' myth, shedding light on how it has evolved from a source of mockery to a symbol of empowerment. Joined by experts, they delve into societal perceptions of women and cats, celebrating the bond between them and reimagining what it means to embrace independence and creativity without judgment.