Antisocial

We can't end the fighting, but we can tell you how it started, why it started - and help you work out what the arguments of our times are really about.

Why is the conversation about trans rights and women's rights so toxic?

This week, two sports governing bodies decided that trans women should not compete in women's categories. Other sports announced they would review their policies. There's a row about that, but beneath that is a deeper argument about how the tensions around gender identity are discussed and debated.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Lucy Proctor & Simon Maybin

Researcher: Ellie House

Music: Oskar Jones

Editor: Emma Rippon

This week, parents are voicing concerns about the way the concept of white privilege is being taught in schools.

How did the conversation about white privilege go mainstream in the UK? Where did it come from?

The BBC's Home Editor Mark Easton shares some data on the experiences of different ethnic groups in Britain. And a teacher grapples with whether you can tell poor pupils that they're actually privileged.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Lucy Proctor & Simon Maybin

Researcher: Ellie House & Octavia Woodward

Production coordinator: Brenda Brown

Studio Manager: Hal Haines

Music: Oskar Jones

Editor: Emma Rippon

How the concept of white privilege is being taught in schools.

Motorists have been staging go-slow protests on motorways over how expensive it is to get everywhere. Meanwhile, environmental protestors have been letting down the tyres of the biggest gas-guzzlers to stop them going anywhere. They want people to give up their cars, but drivers don't like being told what to do. It's getting people angry on social media.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin & Lucy Proctor

Researchers: Ellie House & Octavia Woodward

Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown

Studio Manager: Hal Haines

Music: Oskar Jones

Editor: Emma Rippon

R4

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Chloe Hadjimatheou & Lucy Proctor

Researchers: Ellie House & Octavia Woodward

Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown

Studio Manager: Chris Murphy

Music: Oskar Jones

Editor: Emma Rippon

Fears that clamping down on online harm means censorship.

The reality TV show Love Island has once again ignited discussion about the way men treat women in relationships. Two domestic violence charities called out what they called gaslighting and coercive control. Meanwhile on social media a wider conflict about these new terms has rumbled on.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Josephine Casserly & Lucy Proctor

Researcher: Ellie House

Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown

Studio Manager: Hal Haines

Music: Oskar Jones

Editor: Emma Rippon

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin & Lucy Proctor

Researchers: Ellie House and Octavia Woodward

Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown

Studio Manager: Chris Murphy

Music: Oskar Jones

Editor: Emma Rippon

Are ethnic minorities fairly represented in public life?

A spate of protests outside libraries has focused attention on the idea of drag queen story hours - drag queens reading stories to young children in libraries and other public spaces. For some, it's the perfect way to build acceptance of LGBTQ+ identities, plus it's fun and fabulous for the children. For others, it risks exposing young minds to adult entertainment and complex themes of sex and gender.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin & Lucy Proctor

Researcher: Ellie House

Music: Oskar Jones

Editor: Hugh Levinson

A woman who says she was raped by a Premier League footballer put her allegations and evidence for them online. On social media some people have tried to pick holes in her account and demanded anonymity for people accused of rape. Others are outraged that the player hasn't been suspended by his club. In real life, an aeroplane banner protest said `Kick rapists off the pitch??. What's the law on identifying rape suspects? How common are false allegations of rape? And do people actually understand the law on rape?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin & Lucy Proctor

Researcher: Ellie House

Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele & Helena Warwick-Cross

Music: Oskar Jones

Editors: Hugh Levinson & Penny Murphy

People online are debating whether contestants from ITV's Love Island should be signing mega-bucks deals with clothes companies that sell people stuff cheaply and often - so-called fast fashion. Others claim it's a bit rich for the well-off to lecture everyone else about what's in their wardrobe? We'll look at how fast fashion got turbo-charged, see if the stats on climate change and fashion add up, explore how fashion and social class have interacted over the years, and ask if `sustainable fashion?? is an oxymoron.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin & Josephine Casserly

Researcher: Ellie House

Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown

Music: Oskar Jones

Editor: Emma Rippon

Some higher education institutions are accused of 'wokery' and pandering to 'snowflake' students because texts now sometimes come with notes saying some students may find the content distressing. People in favour of such warnings see them as an unintrusive way of respecting students' mental well-being. But what does 'triggering' actually mean? What do students think about trigger warnings? How did they end up on university campuses? And do they actually work?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin & Josephine Casserly

Researcher: Octavia Woodward

Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown

Music: Oskar Jones

Editor: Emma Rippon

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin & Lucy Proctor

Researchers: Ellie House & Octavia Woodward

Production co-ordinator: Jacqui Johnson

Music: Oskar Jones

Editor: Emma Rippon

The criticism of dancing police officers and rainbow police cars.

Animal Rebellion protestors have blockaded dairies, making the case for a ?plant-based future??. They say the dairy industry is a key contributor to the climate crisis and is based on cruelty and exploitation. Online, opponents say they want to choose what they eat and that the direct action is counter-productive. Are the claims made by protesters true? And why is milk such a touchy subject in this country?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin & Lucy Proctor

Researchers: Ellie House & Octavia Woodward

Production co-ordinator: Jacqui Johnson

Music: Oskar Jones

Editor: Emma Rippon

For some, Harry and Meghan represent a couple who speak their truth and challenge racism, sexism and attitudes towards mental health. For others, they have betrayed their family and are emblematic of a privileged, navel-gazing world view. Why have the Duke and Duchess of Sussex become such symbols?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane and Ellie House

Editor: Emma Rippon

Prince Harry's autobiography is dividing the nation.

In an era of polarisation, propaganda and pile-ons, AntiSocial offers an alternative: understanding, facts, and respect. Each week, Adam Fleming takes on a topic - something from the news - that's generating conflict on social media, blogs, talk shows and phone-ins and helps you work out what the arguments are really about.

Producer: Lucy Proctor

Over the last week the reaction to the all-male nomination list for Best Artist has been fierce, with many women outraged at the lack of female representation.

Is the music industry ready for gender neutrality? Does inclusivity come at the expense of women?

Presenter: Victoria Derbyshire

Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane and Ellie House

Editor: Emma Rippon

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane and Ellie House

Editor: Emma Rippon

That has brought the ongoing battle about whether trans women should be in women's prisons to the top of the social media agenda. Some argue that men's prisons are not safe for trans women. But others say that biological males should never be in women's prisons.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane and Ellie House

Editor: Emma Rippon

The row over a trans woman convicted of rape sent to a women's prison in Scotland.

Some claim that domestic violence spikes around rugby matches, making the song even more inappropriate. Others point to the long British and American tradition of songs about murder and question whether a song can provoke domestic abuse. Should we impose modern values on culture from the past?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane, Ellie House and Octavia Woodward.

Editor: Emma Rippon

Calls for rugby fans to stop singing Delilah.

How talk of traffic restrictions in Oxford became a heated debate about freedom.

Local residents have started to mount protests near the hotels, prompting claims from commentators and counter-protestors that they are 'far right'. What does that term mean? Are these protestors really 'far right'. And to what extent is the extreme right on the rise across the country?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane, Ellie House and Octavia Woodward.

Editor: Emma Rippon

Protestors about asylum seekers in hotels have been called 'far right'.

Many body positivity activists have reclaimed the word 'fat' while promoting more diversity in the body shapes and sizes we see in our media. But some accuse the movement of denying the health risks associated with being overweight. Is it true we can be healthy at any size? Where did the body positivity movement come from? And should we be worried about the return of size 0 fashion?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane and Ellie House.

Editor: Emma Rippon

The body positivity movement is accused of promoting obesity.

How do you balance respect for religion with free speech?

Archive from British Pathe, David Rosler via the British Film Institute and the Netflix series Sex Education.

Some school pupils are learning about pleasure, and parents think it's too explicit.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Lucy Proctor, Phoebe Keane and Ellie House.

Editor: Emma Rippon

An MP's speech about Covid vaccines was removed from YouTube for alleged misinformation.

The Barbie movie's portrayal of the patriarchy and a world in which men have all the positions of power has triggered debate on social media around whether the UK is a patriarchal society.

According to Barbie's friend Ken, patriarchy is when ?men on horses run everything?. According to history, Marxist scholars first described the patriarchy as a system that favoured men over women and characterised it as integral part of the capitalist system.

Years later, in the 1970s, it became a focal point for feminist activists who campaigned for equal rights and representation for women. In Britain today, though, when many of the laws that gave more power to men have been overturned, is there still a system in place that gives men more power than women? Is the word useful?

We explain the history of the phrase and fact-check the ways in which people across the debate measure gender equality.

Contributors:

Charlotte Proudman, campaigner and barrister specialising in gender based violence cases

Mike Bell, creator of the website Equi-law which researches disadvantages experienced by men and boys

Lucy Delap, Professor of Modern British and Gender History at the University of Cambridge

Kelly Beaver, CEO for UK & Ireland at Ipsos

After a Costa Coffee van featured artwork of a trans man with mastectomy scars, there have been calls to boycott the chain on social media. And there's been controversy over banks rejecting customers because of their political views. Are businesses trying to make the world better or just more money? And is it the place of companies to fight what they see as social injustice?

Guests:

Lucy McKillop, CEO of OutVertising

Ben Habib, former MEP for the Brexit Party and CEO of a property investment fund management firm

Aileen McColgan, barrister specialising in discrimination law

Xinrong Zhu, assistant professor in marketing, Imperial College London Business School

Daniel Korschun, Associate Professor and Marketing Department Head at Drexel University in Philadelphia

A newspaper columnist questioned whether a rise in people out of work because of bad mental health might include some who could have ?soldiered on?? It reignited a discussion online about the benefits of work and the importance of emotional wellbeing. On one side are those who think a better understanding of mental health is a necessary correction following decades of neglect. On the other, people who say all the talk of conditions like depression and anxiety has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. What's the evidence?

Guests:

Dr Jay Watts, Consultant clinal psychologist

Gillian Bridge, author and former addiction counsellor

Andy Bell, CEO of Centre for Mental Health

Ann John, professor of public health and psychiatry, Swansea University

Darren Morgan, Director of Economic Statistics Production & Analysis at the Office for National Statistics

A ?queering the collection? blogpost from the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth was criticised for making what some saw as tenuous links between historic objects from the ship and the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people. Supporters of ?queering? museums and galleries say it's needed to redress a traditional approach to history that has often ignored non-heterosexual people or stories. But it's led to controversy and criticism that some institutions have gone too far by focusing on the LGBT angle at the expense of others or imposing a modern interpretation that wouldn't have made sense at the time.

Guests:

Dominique Bouchard, Head of Learning and Interpretation at English Heritage

Mary Harrington, Contributing Editor at UnHerd

Jackie Stacey, Professor of Media and Cultural Studies at the University of Manchester.

Josh Adair, Professor of English at Murray State University

A design guide from the Mayor of London's office included a photo of a white family along with the caption ?Doesn't represent real Londoners?. A spokesman for Mayor Sadiq Khan said the text was ?added by a staff member in error?, but some on social media said it showed City Hall was racist against white people. What was actually in the guide? Where does the concept of racism come from? And what does the law say about whether white people can be victims of racism?

Guests:

Rakib Ehsan, researcher, writer, and commentator specialising in immigration and integration

Jaya Gordon-Moore, teacher of A-level Criminology and rapper (JayaHadADream)

M?nica Moreno Figueroa, Professor of Sociology at the University of Cambridge

Mike Walters, Professor of Criminal Law and Criminology at the University of Sussex

The argument about prejudice, power, and the disputed idea of reverse racism.

The actor Bradley Cooper is playing Leonard Bernstein, the conductor and composer of many works, including West Side Story. Bradley Cooper, who isn't Jewish, wears a prosthetic nose as part of his portrayal. The Bernstein family were consulted on the film and say they're ?perfectly fine' with it. But it's prompted a debate about whether non-Jewish actors should play Jewish roles. Is it always problematic for an actor to wear a fake nose due to the history of negative caricatures? Should casting be based simply on someone's acting ability?

Guests:

Rebecca Wilson, actor

Josh Kaplan, Head of digital at the Jewish Chronicle

Bryan Cheyette, Professor of English Literature at Reading University

Danny Stone, CEO, AntiSemitism Policy Trust

The debate about whether Jewish characters should always be played by Jewish actors.

Does your sexual history matter, and is it relevant whether you're a man or a woman?

A viral tweet criticised a woman for having a high 'body count' - a term used to describe how many sexual partners a person has had. It's a popular topic on platforms like TikTok, where some people boast about their big numbers, but others are critical of people with high body counts. Claims that women are less attractive if they've slept with lots of people have led to arguments about double standards and sexism. We look at how this debate emerged, the origins of 'slut-shaming,' and what we know about how many sexual partners the average Briton has had.

A photo that appeared to show an NHS healthcare worker wearing a Palestine badge caused a heated debate on social media. Some say during the current conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Palestine flag becomes a political symbol and therefore breaches the principal that NHS staff should appear to be impartial. Others point to a double standard and question why the poppy can be worn by state sector workers even though some believe it is a political symbol. What counts as 'political' and how free should we feel in the workplace to express our beliefs?

Should we be free to wear any political symbol at work?

The row over whether NHS staff should be able to wear a Palestine badge and what counts as a 'political' symbol.

Would you swap cash for a central bank digital currency?

Central banks in the UK and elsewhere are considering digital versions of their currencies, but some fear it could lead to restrictions on how we spend our money.

The debate around so-called 'lefty lawyers'. What's behind the use of the phrase?

The debate around the use of the phrase 'lefty lawyers'. What's behind the phrase, who uses it, and why?

A contestant on the TV show I'm a Celebrity sparks a debate about racism and misogyny.

A contestant on the TV show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here sparks a debate about racism and misogyny - is British reality TV guilty of 'misogynoir'?

Social transitioning isn't the same as having surgery or taking drugs. So what is it? Schools have been crying out for some guidance from the government. We'll hear what teachers have been doing in the meantime. There are laws that protect pupils and laws that protect teachers. We'll find out where they sometimes clash.

How schools should deal with kids who want to change their gender identity.

The debate about how schools should deal with kids who want to change their gender identity and 'socially transition'.

The debate about whether we should sing God Save the King.

The debate about whether university students should sing the national anthem and whether we should choose a new one.

In Italy, there's a battle over surrogacy - bringing into question the rights of same-sex couples, the exploitation of women, and the influence of the Church.

In Spain, more than half the country thinks that men are being discriminated against with the push for women's equality.

And across borders, both progressive and conservative activists are creating international networks to spread their message.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producer: Ellie House

Reporter: Sofia Bettiza

Researcher: Thomas Farmer

Editor: Richard Vadon

Studio Managers: Graham Puddifoot and Matt Cadman

Production Coordinators: Janet Staples and Katie Morrison

Surrogacy in Italy, feminism in Spain, and culture wars activism across borders.

In Italy, there's a battle over surrogacy. Meanwhile in Spain, 53% think feminism has gone too far. How are these fights playing out, and how do they spread across borders?

The so-called ?Black Out? nights are scheduled for two dates of Slave Play?s West End run. Some have labelled the move divisive and unnecessary, and even Downing Street has got involved. The show?s playwright and producers say they?re aiming to bring new audiences to the theatre and allow black people to watch it without the ?white gaze?. But what does this term mean, what are the origins of Black Out performances, and is this a concept that?s applicable to other minority groups?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Ellie House, Sandra Kanthal, Simon Tulett

Editor: Richard Vadon

Are stage shows aimed at black audiences inclusive or divisive?

A West End play about race issues and slavery has announced plans for two performances to be primarily for black audiences. Is the idea inclusive or divisive?

What role did Muslims play in the two World Wars? Do other religious groups have their own memorials? And how have monuments like this become flashpoints of the culture wars?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Production team: Simon Tulett, Nick Holland, and Ellie House

Editor: Penny Murphy

Plans for a Muslim war memorial have sparked debate about history, identity and monuments.

Plans to spend £1 million of taxpayer cash on a Muslim war memorial have sparked debate about history, identity and monuments. Adam Fleming and guests discuss.

People online are threatening to report misgendering - for example referring to a trans woman as a man - to the police. They say new Scottish legislation due to come into force in April will make misgendering a criminal offence. What does the new law actually say? What existing laws apply across the UK around misgendering? And does Scotland's new law prioritise trans people over women?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin, Simon Tulett, Ellie House, Paige Neal-Holder

Editor: Richard Vadon

Exploring the debate around gender, pronouns, and Scotland's new hate crime law. Does Scotland's new law prioritise trans people over women?

The song contest's organisers say the event is non-political, but this isn't the first time global events have had an impact on participation and even lyrics - we chart the key moments. And it's not the first time Israel's participation has sparked debate - a Eurovision expert talks us through the ups and downs of its long association with the event.

We'll also hear about the controversy around Israel's song this year and how it's changed, plus the view from the Middle East on what Israelis and Palestinians are saying.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Tulett, Simon Maybin, Ellie House and Paige Neal-Holder

Editor: Penny Murphy

The war in Gaza prompts calls to boycott this year's song contest.

The war in Gaza, and Israel's continued participation in this year's song contest, prompts calls to boycott the event. Adam Fleming and guests explore the debate.

Data shows that the rural population is 97% white, much more so than in towns and cities, so might that be an explanation for some people feeling out of place? Why has a prominent museum rehung some of its paintings, adding context about the nationalist sentiment some of them might evoke? And how did this debate start in the first place? We track its evolution and the contested evidence at the heart of it.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Tulett, Ellie House, Arlene Gregorius and Ajai Singh

Editor: Richard Vadon

The UK countryside is very white, but is it racist?

The UK countryside has been described as a white, 'colonial' space, that makes ethnic minorities feel unwelcome. But is it racist? Adam Fleming and guests discuss.

An employment tribunal is set to rule on whether a mental health charity in Leeds was right to withdraw a job offer from a Christian social worker who thinks homosexuality is a sin. How can employers - and our legal system - balance the sometimes competing rights of different minority groups? How Christian is Britain these days anyway? And what is “minority stress theory???

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Tulett, Simon Maybin, Ellie House, Jameel Shariff

Editor: Penny Murphy

TV and radio presenter Jeremy Vine posts a video of a car failing to give way to him while he's riding a penny farthing. Cue angry comments hurling insults and telling him he'd be safer in a car - and sympathetic responses from fellow cyclists. What does the Highway Code actually say about priorities on the roads? What are the stats on cyclists and safety? And how and why has cycling become such a toxic topic?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin, Simon Tulett, Nathan Gower

Editor: Richard Vadon

It's a debate that spans culture and economics, so we look at what the data and the history tell us. Is there evidence that the ‘kidult' is a real phenomenon, where do our ideas of adulthood actually come from, and what on earth is a ‘Disney Adult'?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Tulett, Simon Maybin, Nathan Gower

Editor: Penny Murphy

Are young people refusing to grow up, or just enjoying harmless escapism?

After Harry Potter actor Miriam Margolyes tells adult fans to grow up, we look at the concept of ‘kidults'. Is there anything wrong with a generation growing up later?

Most are saying they'd choose the bear, saying that men are potentially more dangerous to them than the wild animal. Cue arguments on social media about just how dangerous to women men are. Where did the meme come from? What can crime stats tell us about gender and violence, including sexual violence? And how has the way our society views violence between men and women developed over time?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin, Simon Tulett, Ellie House, Jay Gardner

Editor: Richard Vadon

Some suggest the instructions, which include ‘sit up', ‘eye contact' and ‘smile', are indicative of a super-strict approach some schools have taken, which might be distressing for children, especially those with special needs. We find out where this approach came from, and hear about the American educator who popularised the all-important acronym ‘SLANT.

Supporters of the approach say strict discipline is essential for learning, and that it generates better outcomes. What evidence is there to back this up?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Tulett, Simon Maybin, Ellie House, Jay Gardner

Editor: Richard Vadon

How strict is too strict, and do tougher schools get better results?

How strict is too strict, and do tougher schools get better results? Adam Fleming and guests discuss the best way to educate our children.

Encampments of students protesting about Israel's military action in Gaza have been popping up on campuses across the UK. They're calling for their institutions to divest from - sell their stakes in - companies linked to the conflict or Israel, but others say they're demonising the country and stoking antisemitism. How did the movement start and how have universities been responding? What's the history of political activism around university investments? And what does the law say about pitching tents on university land?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin, Simon Tulett, Ellie House, Jameel Shariff

People online are angry because a history journal has dropped “Anglo-Saxon?? from its title. Critics say it is pandering to American academics who are unduly worried about the term being used by white supremacists. The journal says that's got nothing to do with it. It's part of an ongoing debate about whether “Anglo Saxon?? is useful and appropriate. How did the argument start? Where did the term actually come from? And how has it been used in modern times to talk about race?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Tulett, Simon Maybin, Natasha Fernandes

Editors: Bridget Harney, Sam Bonham

Should the term Anglo-Saxon be dropped because it's been adopted by racists? Adam Fleming and guests discuss.

A university is accused of “going woke?? after reports it is transitioning to 100% plant-based catering by 2027. Climate activists are calling on universities and other public bodies like councils to ditch animal food products to help tackle the climate crisis. But what did the university in question actually decide and how widespread is the shift to plant-based menus? What's the evidence about the climate impact of meat and dairy versus vegan alternatives? And what is the best way to change people's behaviour when it comes to what they eat?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin, Jordan Dunbar, Ellie House, Natasha Fernandes

Editor: Bridget Harney

Guests:

Maxine Bowler, Stand up to Racism, Sheffield

Andrew Trotter, who was Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the Met Police from 1998-2004 where he had overall command for demonstrations and riots.

Professor Nigel Copsey from the University of Teeside

Professor Cliff Stott from Keele University who's studied the psychology of crowds

Are counter-protests important for sending a message or can they make things worse?

Are counter-protests important for sending a message or can they make confrontation more likely?

After the Government announced it would look at ‘extreme misogyny' in a review of its counter-extremism strategy, a fierce row kicked off on social media.

Would creating a category of ‘extreme misogyny' be a long-overdue move, or dangerous overreach that risks labelling young men and boys as radical?

We look at the kind of misogynist content the government might be worried about, what the law does and doesn't say about extremism, and how the government's de-radicalisation programme Prevent is already dealing with forms of misogyny.

Guests:

Ally Fogg, co-founder of the Men & Boys Coalition

Dr Charlotte Proudman, barrister and founder of campaign group Right to Equality

Dr Joe Whittaker, lecturer in Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy at Swansea University.

Jonathan Hall KC, UK's independent reviewer of terrorist legislation

Evelina Gibson, former Prevent officer

The government is considering classing some kinds of misogyny as extremism - but what could the consequences be?

GUESTS:

Jasmine Andersson, writer and journalist

Jonathan Meades, writer and critic

Lynda Mugglestone, Professor of the history of English at the University of Oxford

Dr Christian Ilbury, lecturer in Socio-linguistics at the University of Edinburgh

Is it classist to stop Geordies using the term of endearment 'pet'? Is Received Pronunciation equalising or has it led to discrimination?

The Prime Minister has confirmed he's thinking about extending the indoor smoking ban to include outdoor areas restaurant terraces and pub gardens. This, in addition, to plans to progressively increase the age at which you can buy cigarettes so a whole generation never even starts smoking.

It's sparked a social media discussion on personal freedom, the nanny state and the removal of civil liberties. But others argued that it would improve health, help the NHS and de-normalise smoking.

Adam Fleming asks what does this reaction tell us about attitudes to public health, the collective wellness of a nation and the role of the individual within it?

GUESTS

Chris Snowdon, Head of Lifestyle Economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs

Deborah Arnott Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)

Dr Tessa Langley, health economist specialising in the field of tobacco control, University of Nottingham

Virginia Berridge , Professor of History and Health Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Prof George Davey Smith, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, Bristol Medical School

Is banning smoking outdoors good for our health or an infringement of our civil liberties?

[LISTEN NOW]

Disney is remaking its 1937 classic Snow White as a live action film - but this time there's no mention of dwarfs in the title. Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage, who has a form of dwarfism, has questioned whether the story should be retold at all, calling it “backward”. But others argue that it's just a fairytale - and one that can provide valuable work to actors with dwarfism. So how will the remake handle the dwarfs? What is dwarfism and what are the best terms to use? And we take a tour through Hollywood history, from Oompa Loompas to Middle Earth.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin, Phoebe Keane, Ellie House

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

[LISTEN NOW]

A teacher was put on trial after she was pictured at a pro-Palestinian march holding a placard that showed then prime minister Rishi Sunak and then home secretary Suella Braverman as coconuts. The term “coconut” can be used to suggest that someone who is brown on the outside is white on the inside - that they are somehow acting in a way inconsistent with their ethnicity. The prosecution called “coconut” a “racial slur”; the judge said the placard was “political satire” and found the teacher not guilty. How did the case play out in court? What's the history behind this use of the word coconut and others like it? And what does the law say about when speech becomes criminal?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin, Ellie House, Elliot Ryder

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Richard Vadon

[LISTEN NOW]

Reports that a school child in Scotland identifies as a wolf have gone viral on social media. Some say stories like it are whipped up to attack trans gender identity; others that they are a sign of gender ideology running rampant in the education system. What do we know about the latest example? The child is said to identify as a “furry” - what does that mean? And what really happened when a child in south-east England was reported to identify as a cat?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin, Arlene Gregorius, Beth Ashmead Latham, Caroline Bayley

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Richard Vadon

[LISTEN NOW]

American singer Chappell Roan pulled out of two appearances at short notice - not for the first time - saying she needed a few days to prioritise her health. Earlier in the summer, she called out fans' “creepy behaviour” and said abuse and harassment of famous people shouldn't be normalised. Her critics say she's ungrateful and her cancellations cost fans money. But supporters argue she represents a new generation of artists who are no longer willing to put up with the industry's damaging demands.

How has Chappell Roan's relationship with fans evolved as her career has taken off? How have radical changes to the music industry's business model affected demands on artists? And what has social media done to the connection between pop stars and their followers?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin, Ellie House, Caroline Bayley

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Richard Vadon

Archive: British Pathe; Netflix.

Music artists are cancelling gigs to protect their mental health. What do they owe fans?

[LISTEN NOW]

With an ageing population and not enough babies born to fully replace the older generations, some people are warning of population collapse. It was a hot subject at this year's Conservative Party Conference - one fringe meeting discussed how to encourage people to have more children - and the phrase ‘Breed for Britain' was soon trending on X.

Some people say that conversations like this are bad for women, and our total population is still growing - thanks to net migration. Others argue that immigration isn't the solution, and we need to increase our fertility rate.

What do the figures show about demographic trends? How have other countries tried to boost their birth rates, and have they succeeded? And how has a conspiracy theory about the so-called ‘Great Replacement' shifted into the mainstream?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Ellie House, Simon Maybin, Caroline Bayley

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

[LISTEN NOW]

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Tulett, Emma Close, Jo Casserly

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

[LISTEN NOW]

Does the workplace need more masculine energy? Do businesses need aggression and competitiveness to succeed?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Josephine Casserly, Simon Tulett, Emma Close

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg sparks a row about gender in the workplace.

[LISTEN NOW]

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Emma Close, Josephine Casserly, Simon Tulett

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

Racism and mental health, safe spaces for ethnic minorities and addressing whiteness.

[LISTEN NOW]

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been complaining about the £100m being spent on a tunnel to stop bats being squished by trains on the HS2 railway line. A debate about whether looking after the environment is getting in the way of developing Britain's infrastructure has ensued.

Is nature conservation getting in the way of economic growth - and can there only be one winner?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Josephine Casserly, Simon Tulett, Beth Ashmead-Latham

Editor: Penny Murphy

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Studio engineer: Andy Mills

[LISTEN NOW]

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Josephine Casserly, Beth Ashmead Latham and Emma Close

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

Should surrogacy be allowed?

An online debate about whether surrogacy should be allowed was energised this week after actress Lily Collins and her partner announced they had a baby by surrogate on Instagram. In this episode, we explore what surrogacy is like when you're not a celebrity including hearing from a woman who was a surrogate for her best friend. In the UK surrogacy is legal but it can't be done for money. We assess calls to change the law and find out where the movement in opposition to surrogacy comes from.

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We'll find out how the station got its bilingual sign and examine the data on immigrants' language skills. How are non-English speakers accommodated in other walks of life?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Charlotte McDonald, Arlene Gregorius and Beth Ashmead

Studio manager: Hal Haines.

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Richard Vadon.

From train stations to hospitals, is it OK to have signs translated into other languages?

From train stations to hospitals, is it okay to have signs translated into other languages?

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This month we've seen Bianca Censori break the internet after her red carpet appearance in a transparent dress and artists in north London upset about their life drawing class being moved. What actually happened and why were people so censorious about Bianca? Also, what is the history of nudism in the UK?

To discuss the power of the naked body Adam is joined by Dr Victoria Bateman – an economist and author of Naked Feminism: Breaking the cult of female modesty and Stephanie Murray , a freelance journalist and contributing writer for The Atlantic.

Presented by Adam Fleming

Produced by Emma Close, Beth Ashmead and Clare Williamson

Studio manager: Annie Gardiner

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

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Her case has caused controversy online, with some describing her as a 'political prisoner' and claiming that the justice system is treating some people more harshly than others.

But to others, Lucy Connolly is being appropriately punished for an incendiary post at a time of high tensions.

Are heftier sentences meted out to some people more than others? Are some groups treated differently in the courts because of their ethnicity or political views?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Josephine Casserly, Simon Maybin and Beth Ashmead-Latham

Studio manager: Andy Mills

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Bridget Harney

Does the justice system treat some people more harshly than others?

News and discussion of consumer affairs

[LISTEN NOW]

What does the Supreme Court ruling on biological sex mean for the health service?

The UK's top court says that under equality law a woman is a biological woman and a man is a biological man. It's sparked discussion about how the NHS accommodates trans people when it comes to single sex spaces, like women-only wards. What do the judgment and equality legislation say about providing services to only one sex? What does NHS policy say and how might it change? And why has the language used by health services become so controversial when it comes to women's health?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Maybin, Josephine Casserly, Bethan Ashmead Latham, Tom Gillett

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

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A campaign to get verbal abuse on the agenda has sparked debate with headlines that say shouting at children is as bad as physical abuse.

What does the evidence actually say about the words we use when speaking to children? Where did the phenomenon of gentle parenting come from, and how do you do it? And who decides how we treat our kids?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Lucy Proctor, Josephine Casserly, Bethan Ashmead Latham, Tom Gillet

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

Parents are arguing online about how we speak to our children.

Parents are arguing online about how we speak to our children in the wake of research on shouting.

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There's a row in the Labour Party about cutting the benefits paid to disabled people. Ministers say they're trying to manage a budget that's ballooning. That's partly because of more claims from the young and from people with mental health conditions. But others say that these payments are lifelines for people with both mental and physical disabilities.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Josephine Casserly, Viv Jones, Bethan Ashmead-Latham and Tom Gillett

Production Coordinator: Janet Staples

Studio Engineer: Hal Haines

Who should get personal independence payments?

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As the Prime Minister announced reforms to the UK's immigration system, he warned that without these changes we risk becoming an 'island of strangers'. This has drawn criticism comparing his remarks to historical examples of inflammatory language on immigration. Others say this comparison is unfair and his comments were part of a sensible conversation about immigration.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Bethan Ashmead Latham, Josephine Casserly, Viv Jones and Nik Sindle

Editor: Richard Vadon

Production Coordinator: Janet Staples

Studio Engineer: Hal Haines

How careful should politicians be with emotive language on immigration?

How do Keir Starmer's remarks on immigration fit into the language used by other politicians, and what is the impact of language?

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The government has launched a new initiative to help teachers address a crisis in mental health among young people and a sharp drop in school attendance since the pandemic. The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says she wants schools to teach children greater 'grit and resilience' to handle 'life's ups and downs'.

It's the latest in a long line of interventions from education secretaries seeking to encourage the values they think children should be learning in school.

Is this the promotion of an important life skill or the latest gimmick burdening teachers?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Josephine Casserly, Viv Jones, Jason Murugesu and Nik Sindle

Editor: Penny Murphy

Production Coordinator: Janet Staples

Studio Engineer: Hal Haines

Should schools be teaching children to toughen up?

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An extension of workers' rights, designed to further protect them from harassment on the job, has been criticised as an attack on free speech.

The Employment Rights Bill, first tabled in October 2024, would make it an employer's responsibility to prevent harassment of their staff by customers, clients and members of the public, as well as fellow colleagues.

Some argue the bill, which is not yet law, would effectively outlaw banter - particularly in settings like pubs - and pressure companies to more closely monitor conversations. Others welcome the plans, arguing that workplace harassment is rife and that banter is often used as an excuse for discriminatory and upsetting behaviour.

We go through the proposed changes, look at examples where banter has been used as a defence in court, and explore the origins and evolution of the word itself.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Tulett, Tom Gillett, Nik Sindle

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

New rights designed to protect workers have prompted a row about free speech.

Proposed changes to employees' rights, designed to protect them from harassment, have sparked a debate about free speech in the workplace and beyond.

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Just a few years ago the gender gap in book publishing was seen as an issue to address, with many publishing houses focussed on boosting women authors. Has it all gone too far? Are men, especially straight, white men, now being locked out of telling their stories? And what might that mean for society?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Nik Sindle, Lucy Proctor, Tim Gillet

Editor: Richard Vadon

Many male authors say they are struggling in a female-dominated world.

Publishing fiction seems to have become a woman's game - does this matter?

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The debate around a hierarchy of racism was reignited this week when Labour MP Diane Abbott appeared on a BBC Radio 4 podcast and discussed previous comments she'd made about racism.

She maintained there is a difference between racism based on skin colour and other kinds of racism. This sparked conversation around the different types of racism and prejudice faced by Black people, Jewish people, and Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller people. We look at the statistics and discuss the history of the anti-racism movement.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Lucy Proctor, Nik Sindle, Simon Maybin, Natasha Fernandes

Editor: Penny Murphy

Studio Manager: Hal Haines

Is it useful to talk about a hierarchy of racism?

Do different groups experience racism in different ways?

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An app offering women dating safety tools and advice has suspended some of its services following a hack, sparking a debate between the sexes about fairness and respect in dating.

Tea, which lets women do background checks on potential male dates, is only available in the USA, but the incident has prompted discussion about similar online groups available in the UK, like 'Are We Dating The Same Guy' on Facebook. Some users say online spaces where they can flag concerns about infidelity or potential abuse are vital for women's wellbeing and safety, but some men feel they are being treated unfairly and that the groups are spreading lies.

We spill the tea on the Tea app, look at the laws around what users can and can't say on these groups, and ask whether men really are less trustworthy than women when it comes to dating. Plus, online dating has changed the way we meet potential partners - how has the industry evolved?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Tulett, Lucy Proctor, Nik Sindle, Natasha Fernandes

Editor: Penny Murphy

Studio Manager: Hal Haines

Are women-only dating advice groups doing more harm than good?

Women-only apps and online groups for sharing advice about male dates were designed to keep members safe, but are they creating division between the sexes and making dating toxic?

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Some people say the advert promotes a eugenicist ideal of blonde hair and blue eyes. Others say it's a sign that the days of diversity in the advertising industry are over. Is 'woke' dead? And what does the controversy tell us about how brands use culture to get our attention?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Tulett, Lucy Proctor, Natasha Fernandes, Mike Wendling

Editor: Penny Murphy

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Studio engineer: Annie Gardiner

Does an advert for jeans signal the end of 'woke'?

Does an advert for jeans signal the end of 'woke' or the rise of eugenics?

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Anger has flared outside hotels used to house asylum seekers. Protestors say they are worried about illegal migration, cost to the taxpayer and a lack of consultation, but one issue seems to spark even more concern - the safety of women and children. Opponents have accused protestors of racism and whipping up hate.

Is there any evidence that asylum seekers are more likely to commit sexual offences? We trace the clamour for more data to answer that question.

Police have been given new guidance on disclosing the ethnicity and nationality of suspects in criminal cases - especially high profile ones. What might be the effect?

And why are so many asylum seekers currently housed in hotels anyway? We hear how the system is supposed to work and how it's evolved.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Tulett, Natasha Fernandes, Emma Close and Tom Gillett

Editor: Penny Murphy

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Studio engineer: Annie Gardiner

Protestors outside asylum hotels say they fear for the safety of women and children.

Some protestors outside asylum hotels say they fear for the safety of women and children in surrounding areas. Opponents say they are racist. Adam Fleming and guests discuss.

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It seems like everyone wants to be a patriot this week, from Prime Minister Keir Starmer to people hoisting flags up British lampposts. But what does patriotism really mean?

At the Labour Party conference there was lots of talk of 'progressive patriotism' - a definition of the term that emphasises Britain's tolerance and multiculturalism. Others invoke patriotism when seeking a return to the past. Others reject the word entirely because of its links to nationalism.

We find out why Keir Starmer and the Labour Party are trying to formulate 'progressive patriotism', examine the history of the concept going back to the ancient Greeks, and ask what polling tells us about how patriotic British people feel.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Production team: Lucy Proctor, Natasha Fernandes, Mike Wendling, Tom Gillet

Studio manager: Andy Mills

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Bridget Harney

The battle to define patriotism in the UK.

The Labour Party is promoting 'progressive patriotism' - does the concept make sense?

News and discussion of consumer affairs

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Football pundit and former Manchester United star Gary Neville posted a video that he pitched as a call to national unity. But was greeted by a wave of online vitriol for one line in which he blamed “angry middle-aged white men ? for creating political division.

Many middle-aged white men took to social media – to deny they are angry, to describe their anger as justified, or to call Neville's comments the out-of-touch ramblings of a “champagne socialist ?.

But the footballer has his supporters too, with some saying he put his finger on a specific group that has been pulling at the fault lines of British politics by hoisting flags and protesting against immigration.

What do polling and history tell us about the political divides within our society – and when it comes to our political divisions, who's really to blame?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Production team: Emma Close, Natasha Fernandes, Mike Wendling

Studio manager: Andy Mills

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Richard Vadon

Are they dividing the country?

Was Gary Neville right when he said 'angry middle-aged white men' are responsible for Britain's political divisions?

News and discussion of consumer affairs

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An art exhibition in Canterbury Cathedral has enraged traditionalists who believe that it doesn't fit with the holy site's beauty or the church's mission. The works consist of a set of temporary vinyl stickers with questions like “Why did you create hate when love is by far more powerful? ? and “Does our struggle mean anything? ? The questions for God were devised after artist Alex Vellis and curator Jacquiline Creswell consulted a series of marginalised groups.

The organisers say the stickers were tested to make sure they did not damage the cathedral's ancient walls. But they have faced criticism on artistic grounds and questions about the appropriateness of the art and the values behind it.

Among the outraged were Vice President JD Vance, who called the stickers “ugly ?, and Elon Musk, who called it an affront to western civilisation

They in turn were faced with supporters of the exhibition who argued it reflected the church's mission and spread a message of inclusiveness and tolerance.

Art has always been intrinsically tied to religion and the Anglican Church, so how far back does this culture war battle really go – and why did political leaders in America jump into the controversy?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Production team: Natasha Fernandes, Ellie House, Mike Wendling

Studio manager: Andy Mills

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Richard Vadon

Does a modern art exhibition belong in Canterbury Cathedral?

A modern art exhibition has offended some traditionalists. Does it belong in Canterbury Cathedral?

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News and discussion of consumer affairs

Sir Lenny Henry has called for the UK government to pay £18tn in slavery reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, and argued that every black Briton also deserves compensation. The comedian, co-author of a new book titled The Big Payback, says the payments would help repair damage caused in parts of the Americas, especially the Caribbean, and argues slavery has contributed to modern day racism and poorer outcomes for black people in the UK. Opponents have argued it's unfair to hold modern Britons responsible for past wrongs and called the £18tn figure absurd and divisive - we find out where that figure came from, and what calculations went into it. Many in this debate point out that, although Britain profited from slavery, it also abolished it - we look at the reasons behind that shift and what it meant for slaves and slave owners. Plus, reparations used to be all about wars - how else have they been applied throughout history?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Simon Tulett, Mike Wendling, Natasha Fernandes

Editor: Richard Vadon

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Studio engineer: Andrew Mills

Does the UK government owe \u00a318tn in compensation for slavery?

Sir Lenny Henry has called for the UK government to pay £18tn in slavery reparations, but is it justified, and would it improve race relations?

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News and discussion of consumer affairs.

A petition calling for women-only tube carriages has surpassed 12,000 signatures. It comes amid increased reports of sexual offences on public transport, both in London and beyond.

Supporters claim that giving women the option to travel separately from men will make them safer, and send a message that harassment is unacceptable. Critics argue that this is a backwards step, amounting to segregation. Some say it unfairly stigmatises men.

We hear from the woman leading the campaign, and explore the history of single-sex train carriages in the UK. Does the data show that sexual harassment on trains is on the rise, or are the figures a symptom of increased reporting? What do we know about other public safety campaigns attempting to tackle sexual harassment and violence over the years - and do they point us towards better solutions?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Production team: Ellie House, Natasha Fernandes, Tom Gillett, and Bob Howard

Studio manager: Andrew Mills

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

Should we bring back women's-only train carriages to prevent sexual harassment?

A petition calling for women-only tube carriages has surpassed 10,000 signatures, and sparked a debate about protecting women from sexual harassment on public transport.

[LISTEN NOW]

News and discussion of consumer affairs

An article in British Vogue asking if it's 'embarrassing' to have a boyfriend prompts a discussion about whether women might be better off ditching men and staying single.

Some women say they feel more empowered by single life, and that they expect much higher standards of men these days. Others think it's divisive to suggest men are, on average, poor relationship material and that it's unfair to demean women who are happy with a partner.

We speak to author of the British Vogue article, Chanté Joseph, to find out what prompted it and what it revealed. The image of single women in society has a long, and largely negative, history - we open the archives on cat ladies and old maids.

And who's happier anyway - single women or those in relationships? We look at the available data.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Production team: Simon Tulett, Natasha Fernandes, Paul Moss, Marie Lennon

Studio manager: Andrew Mills

Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman

Editor: Penny Murphy

A viral article on relationships sparks a row about whether women are better off single.

A viral article about boyfriends and relationships sparks a row about whether women are better off being single. Adam Fleming and guests discuss.

An article about 'embarrassing' boyfriends prompts a debate over women's singledom

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Elon Musk's social networking site X has restricted access to one of the features on its artificial intelligence chat-bot called Grok, because of a global outcry. It allows users to alter photos, for example changing a person's clothes - without their permission. With a simple instruction a man's trousers can become swimming trunks -- and more frequently -- a woman can be made to wear a bikini.

The platform faced a backlash with governments around the world calling for urgent action and some politicians calling for X to be banned.

We hear from someone whose image was manipulated without her consent and from someone who uses it in her business career. So is A.I. image manipulation a force for good or not?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Production team: Emma Close, Natasha Fernandes and Tom Gillett

Studio manager: Andrew Mills

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

Should image manipulation be allowed?

Adam Fleming helps you work out what the culture wars are really about.

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A podcast conversation between the entrepreneur Steven Bartlett and the gamer-turned psychiatrist-turned-online self help guru Dr K has gone viral. And it's about what might happen if men can't get a date.

The podcast was originally published last summer but more recently re-surfaced clips have sparked a debate online about how far society should go to help men who are struggling to find a partner.

Should we have sympathy for men who can't get a date?

We hear from an intimacy coach who helps men and couples navigate the dating world and from a talent manager and content creator who makes videos about feminism, being single and child free.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Production team: Emma Close, Natasha Fernandes and Tom Gillett

Studio manager: Hal Haines

Production coordinator: Janet Staples

Editor: Penny Murphy

Should society intervene to help lonely men?

Resurfaced clips from a podcast conversation have sparked online debate around whether society should intervene to help lonely men.

Adam Fleming helps you work out what the culture wars are really about.

[LISTEN NOW]

Adam Fleming helps you work out what the culture wars are really about.

The UK's most popular TV show, The Traitors, has come under the spotlight not just because of its popularity but because it has been accused of reflecting prejudice in British society. The charge is that contestants from ethnic minorities are more likely to be expelled early on in the game because of unconscious bias, particularly unconscious racial bias. Others shows too, like Strictly Come Dancing, Love Island and Big Brother have faced similar accusations.

Adam Fleming unpicks the debate.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Production team: Charlotte McDonald, Natasha Fernandes and John Murphy

Studio manager: Andrew Mills

Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman

Editor: Penny Murphy

Are contestants on the TV show guilty of unconscious bias?

Are the contestants on the TV show guilty of unconscious bias?

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Adam Fleming helps you work out what the culture wars are really about.

Should we have more child-free spaces?

The French state railway company has introduced child-free carriages on some of its high-speed trains. This has caused a row online.

Adam Fleming gets to the bottom of the story and asks if there is a growing demand for more child-free spaces. But is the debate simply a measure of growing intolerance - particularly of children - in society.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Natasha Fernandes, Tom Gillett, John Murphy

Studio manager: Andrew Mills

Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

Series Editor: Penny Murphy

Adam Fleming asks, should we have more child-free spaces? Are we becoming less tolerant?

[LISTEN NOW]

Adam Fleming helps you work out what the culture wars are really about.

Peace talks for the culture wars. Nostalgia and the cringe factor. Adam Fleming explores why 2016 is big online, especially for Gen Z. Can you really be nostalgic for things you didn't really experience. With the help of others, Adam unpicks what nostalgia is and where it came from.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: Natasha Fernandes, Tom Gillett and John Murphy

Studio Manager: Andrew Mills

Editor: Penny Murphy

In an era of polarisation, propaganda, and pile-ons, Adam Fleming helps you work out what the culture wars are really about. This week it's nostalgia and cringe.

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Adam Fleming helps you work out what the culture wars are really about.

Peace talks for the culture wars. The latest version of Wuthering Heights has come in for criticism on social media, especially about the casting of a white actor as Heathcliff. Chris Warburton and guests examine the debate about representation on the big screen.

Presenter: Chris Warburton

Producers: Natasha Fernandes, Tom Gillett, John Murphy

Studio Manager: Andrew Mills

Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

Editor: Penny Murphy

Should Heathcliff be played by a white actor?

Chris Warburton and guests examine the latest Wuthering Heights film and arguments that Heathcliff should not be played by a white actor.

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Adam Fleming helps you work out what the culture wars are really about.

Peace talks for the culture wars. Adam looks at the dark art of looksmaxxing, asking what is it, where does it come from and why has it been growing online?

Adam gets a glossary of the terms around this trend. He hears how social media is influencing beauty standards. And we find out about 'pretty privilege.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Producers: John Murphy, Natasha Fernandes and Annabel Deas.

Studio manager: Jack Wilfan

Production co-ordinator: Gemma Ashman

Editor: Penny Murphy

The dark art of looksmaxxing, and why it has been trending online.

Adam Fleming explores the dark art of looksmaxxing - what is it, where does it come from, and why has it been growing online?

[LISTEN NOW]

The organising body of the Girl Guides says that trans girls - biological males - will have to leave by the 6th September to conform with a ruling by the Supreme Court last year. Whatever the perceived rights and wrongs of this decision, it's another chapter in the debate about whether we need single sex groups at all, from the Brownies to the gentleman's club.

We look into the history of the Girl Guides and the Scouts; hear what the law says about single sex organisations and ask whether girls really do better when boys aren't around?

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Production team: Lucy Proctor, Simon Tullet and Tom Gillett

Studio manager: Andrew Mills

Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman

Editor: Richard Vadon

The Girl Guides says that trans girls will have to leave but do we need single sex groups?

The Girl Guides says that trans girls will have to leave by the 6th of September to conform with a ruling by the Supreme Court last year. But do we need single sex groups at all?

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Should we call out celebrities we deem too thin, or just leave them alone? That's the debate prompted by an apparent shift among A-list stars - mostly women - to lose weight. Some people say it's a worrying trend, fuelled by weight loss drugs, that's damaging women's views of their bodies. Others say it's none of our business what these celebs look like, and that they are the product of a culture that still prizes thinness.

We hear about some of the most prominent celebs to hit the headlines recently, find out what 'body positivity' really means, and explore how some in this debate are linking body shapes to politics.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Production team: Simon Tulett, Annabel Deas and Ellie House

Studio manager: Andrew Mills

Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman

Editor: Richard Vadon

What does Hollywood's ultra-thin trend mean for body positivity?

What does Hollywood's ultra-thin trend mean for body positivity? Adam Fleming and guests discuss.

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A report by a Christian charity, suggesting a surge in churchgoing is withdrawn due to faulty data, but some Christians in the UK still believe in the finding that there is a 'quiet revival'. Others point to recent data showing the steep decline in Christianity. We get into the story of the report and ask whether data and our institutions can tell us just how Christian the UK really is.

Presenter: Adam Fleming

Production team: Annabel Deas, Simon Tulett and Ellie House

Studio manager: Andrew Mills

Production coordinator: Gemma Ashman

Editor: Penny Murphy

A report suggesting a spike in church attendance reignites a long-standing debate.

A report suggesting a spike in church attendance reignites a long-standing debate. Adam Fleming and guests discuss.

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