

Arts & Ideas
BBC Radio 4
Leading thinkers discuss the ideas shaping our lives – looking back at the news and making links between past and present. Broadcast as Free Thinking, Fridays at 9pm on BBC Radio 4. Presented by Matthew Sweet, Shahidha Bari and Anne McElvoy.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 17, 2019 • 45min
Tolerance, censorship and free speech.
Moral philosopher Susan Neiman studies lessons from German & US history. Ursula Owen went from Virago to Index on Censorship. Christopher Hampton has translated an Ödön von Horváth novel about the fallout from an accusation of racism. Anne McElvoy brings them together for a conversation about tolerance, censorship and parallels between the past and the present. Written in exile while in flight from the Nazis, Youth Without God was the last book by Ödön von Horváth (1901-1938), a German-writing Austro-Hungarian-born playwright and novelist . Christopher Hampton's stage version has its UK stage premiere at the Coronet Theatre, Notting Hill London from 19 Sep–19 Oct
Susan Neiman's latest book Learning from the Germans: Confronting Race and the Memory of Evil looks at western struggles with the legacies of racism and colonialism. A white girl from the American South, Susan Neiman is also a Jewish woman living in Berlin and the book draws on these experiences.
Urusula Owen's parents were German Jews who fled Berlin for London. Her career has seen her work as a founder director of Virago Press and later as Chief Executive of Index on Censorship. Her memoir is called Single Journey Only. Producer: Harry Parker

Sep 16, 2019 • 51min
New Thinking: Fashion, AI and Sustainability
Fashion experts Mark Sumner and Stephen Westland discuss sustainable practices in the industry, including renting clothes, AI predicting color trends to reduce waste, and changing consumer behavior. Future Fashion Factory project aims to boost sustainability. New Generation Thinker Jade Halbert shares insights from a clothes recycling facility in Yorkshire.

Sep 13, 2019 • 21min
Proms Plus: Witches & Witchcraft
Witchcraft, witch-trials and the image of the witch are explored by historian Professor Suzannah Lipscomb and Dr Thomas Waters. Hosted by New Generation Thinker Fern Riddell. Dr Thomas Waters is the author of Cursed Britain: A History of Witchcraft and Black Magic in Modern Times. Suzannah Lipscomb has presented a Channel 5 TV programme on witchcraft and written a Ladybird Expert Book on the topic.
Produced by Luke Mulhall

Sep 12, 2019 • 45min
Revisit Anxiety, Teenagers, University and Leaving Home
Caroline Dower is a psychotherapist and currently Head of the Counselling Service at Durham University. She has a special interest in the experience of psychological distress, and the experience of anxiety in young adults.Ceyda Uzun is a student at Kings College London, currently in her final year studying English Literature. She is a former Into Film Reporter and Head Editor of The Strand Magazine who has written on topics including mental health, identity and youth culture.Stephen Briers is a British clinical psychologist who took part in BBC Three's Little Angels and Teen Angels, working with Tanya Byron. He has presented the Channel 4 series, Make Me A Grownup, The 10 Demandments for Channel Five and appeared on GMTV. He has written a parenting book called Superpowers for Parents, Help your Child to Succeed in Life and contributes frequently to the Times Educational Supplement.BBC Action Line 08000 155 998 - http://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline

Sep 11, 2019 • 38min
Proms Plus: Letters
The best selling thriller writer, Ruth Ware and the editor of the popular Letters of Note anthologies, Shaun Usher, join Sophie Coulombeau to discuss letter writing in the 21st century. Producer: Zahid Warley

Sep 2, 2019 • 21min
Proms Plus: Sacrifice
Why the bible story of Jephtha caused more controversy than your average burnt offering. Reverend Richard Coles and Old Testament scholar Dr Deborah Rooke explain it all. Presented by John Gallagher. Producer: Torquil MacLeod

Aug 27, 2019 • 34min
Proms Plus: Landscape
Writer and broadcaster, Horatio Clare and the rapper and playwright, Testament join Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough to explore the ways in which the British landscape - urban and rural -- inspires writers.
Producer: Zahid Warley

Aug 22, 2019 • 34min
Proms Plus: Nina Simone's life and legacy
Nina Simone - singer, pianist, civil rights activist and black feminist icon -- Kevin Legendre, Ayanna Witter-Johnson and Zena Edwards discuss her achievements and legacy. Producer: Zahid Warley

Aug 21, 2019 • 25min
Proms Plus: Beethoven's 9th Symphony
Presenter Seán Williams discusses Beethoven the man and. Through a series of readings we learn what inspired the composer’s work.

Aug 21, 2019 • 35min
Proms Plus: Kipling's Jungle Books
Anindya Raychaudhuri discusses Kipling's Jungle Books with children's novelist Frances Hardinge and academic Sue Walsh, recorded in front of an audience at Imperial College Union. How does Kipling use language to create character and discuss identity? And can we separate the adventure and storytelling from the imperialist baggage of the Jungle Books? Producer: Luke Mulhall


