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Capturing the nation in conversation to build a unique picture of our lives today as we adjust to the 'new normal' and preserve it for future generations. Presented by Fi Glover.

LONG: Fi Glover presents friends and strangers in conversation as the nation adjusts to the 'new normal'. In this week's programme, three conversations, all between men. None of them knew each other before being brought together by our producers to reflect on their shared interests and experiences.

Cocoa and Ian come from different backgrounds but share a passion for charity work. Nigel and Faisal are mad about sci fi and the George Lucas franchise. And Steve and Jack, two men in their 60s, have a remarkable, harrowing conversation about how they were sexually abused as children and the effect its had on their lives.

The Listening Project is a Radio 4 initiative that offers a snapshot of contemporary Britain in which people across the UK volunteer to have a conversation. The
conversations are being gathered across the UK by teams of producers from local and national radio stations who facilitate each encounter. Every conversation lasts up to an hour, and is then edited to extract the key moments of connection between the participants. Most of the unedited conversations are being archived by the British Library and used to build up a collection of voices capturing a unique portrait of the UK in this decade of the millennium. You can learn more about The Listening Project by visiting bbc.co.uk/listeningproject

Producer: Mohini Patel

Available now

28 minutes

Broadcast

  • Sun 31 Jan 2021 13:30

Animated conversations

Listening project conversations brought to life by talented young animators.

Fi Glover and Jane Garvey

Fi Glover and Jane Garvey roam the fields of broadcasting talking to interesting people.

Find a conversation

Broadcast across Radio 4 and on local radio stations across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Podcast