Short Cuts

Josie Long presents short Christmas-themed documentaries and adventures in sound. We hear from a long time resident of Santa Claus, Indiana, the comedian Mark Thomas offers a tender reflection on Away in a Manger, and Karolyn Grimes - the woman who played Zuzu Bailey in the festive classic It's a Wonderful Life - explores how it's interwoven with her life. The Chief Elf of Santa Claus, Indiana Featuring Pat Koch Produced by Andrea Rangecroft Away in a Manger Featuring Mark Thomas Produced by Sarah Cuddon It's a Wonderful Life Featuring Karolyn Grimes Produced by Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Josie Long presents new short documentaries on searching for hope in the gathering darkness. John McCarthy and Brian Keenan look back on a single act of human kindness that glows amid much darker memories, a late night conversation explores the hope bound up in playing the lottery, and we hear as voices fade in a Danish hospice. The Gloaming Featuring John McCarthy and Brian Keenan Produced by Geoff Bird Fading Produced by Nanna Hauge Kristensen The Lottery Produced by Phoebe Wang Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

Josie Long presents new short documentaries and audio adventures tied to the changing of the seasons. Laura Barton offers an ode to the sticky heat of summer, we hear the beat of hummingbird wings in autumn and a love story tied to cold British winters and Colombia's 'spring city'. On Music Overheard Produced by Phil Smith Heat Featuring Laura Barton Tiny Jalopy Produced by Michelle Macklem Olga Produced by Phil Smith Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree Production for BBC Radio 4

Navigating the technological nightmare of the afterlife, the feeling of weightlessness during a late night drive and finding yourself adrift at sea - Josie Long presents short documentaries and mini works of fiction about finding yourself untethered to the world around you. Please Hold (Extract) Originally made for the podcast 'Imaginary Advice'. Featured in the episode 'After This' Produced by Ross Sutherland Night Rider Produced by Ariana Martinez Lauren and Ken Produced by Andrea Rangecroft Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4

A father and son stare out to sea and talk about a lost love, a woman writes a letter to her young daughter unpicking the complex intersections between motherhood, art, selfhood and capitalism, and a widow finds an unusual spirit guide for her grieving. Victoria, My Spirit Widow Produced by Sophie Townsend The Art of Knowing When to Retreat Produced by Stacia Brown Originally made for the podcast Hope Chest A Friend Produced by Sayre Quevedo Series Producer: Eleanor McDowall A Falling Tree production for BBC Radio 4