Beyond Lonely

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

A Lonely Life

20250414

20250818 (R4)

Loneliness is something all of us will experience at some point in our lives. For some it's a transitory feeling, for others a more chronic condition. As a child Jason Arday was diagnosed with autism and global development delay. He learnt to speak aged eleven, and to read and write at eighteen. His rise through the ranks of academia has been meteoric and he became Professor of the Sociology of Education at Cambridge aged thirty-seven. But for him success has come at a cost. Jason is lonely. In this five part series he explores his own reasons for being lonely as well as hearing from others the reasons they experience it.

Contributors include therapist Rotimi Akinsete and Noreena Hertz, economist and author of The Lonely Century: A Call To Reconnect

Producer: Maggie Ayre for BBC Audio Bristol

Presented by Professor Jason Arday

This series takes a personal look at a growing problem - loneliness. Professor Jason Arday explores his own experience of it.

Loneliness is something all of us will experience at some point in our lives. For some it's a transitory feeling, for others a more chronic condition. As a child Jason Arday was diagnosed with autism and global development delay. He learnt to speak aged eleven and to read and write at eighteen. His rise through the ranks of academia has been rapid and he became Professor of the Sociology of Education at Cambridge aged thirty-seven. But for him success has come at a cost. Jason is lonely. In this five part series he explores his own reasons for being lonely as well as hearing from others the reasons they experience it.

[LISTEN NOW]

Young And Lonely In The Connected World

20250415

20250819 (R4)

When he was a teenager Jason Arday spent hours alone practising snooker shots. His experience of autism meant he relished the focus and solitude of the snooker hall. But he now recognises that this has contributed to his sense of loneliness. This episode looks at his teenage experience of isolating himself from others and asks why the Gen Z generation of 16-24 year olds despite having technology at their fingertips feel more lonely and disconnected than any other age group. With contributions from academic and essayist on loneliness Amelia Worsley, author Noreena Hertz and Jameson and Lucy of the Luddite Club in New York.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Presented by Professor Jason Arday of the University of Cambridge

Professor Jason Arday looks at loneliness.

In this series, Jason Arday wants to understand his own loneliness as well as that of others.

When he was a teenager Jason Arday spent hours alone practicing snooker shots. His experience of autism meant he relished the focus and solitude of the snooker hall. But he now recognises that this has contributed to his sense of loneliness. This episode looks at his teenage experience of isolating himself from others and asks why the Gen Z generation of 16-24 year olds despite having technology at their fingertips feel more lonely and disconnected than any other age group. With contributions from academic and essayist on loneliness Amelia Worsley, author Noreena Hertz and Jameson and Lucy of the Luddite Club in New York.

In this series Jason Arday wants to understand his own loneliness as well as others

[LISTEN NOW]

Ever So Lonely

20250416

20250820 (R4)

Jason Arday looks at loneliness in the workplace and how those of working age are experiencing increased feelings of isolation. The pandemic has changed the way we work and although it's meant greater flexibility to work alone from home it's also exacerbated loneliness in many people. For Jason lockdown meant burying himself in work writing research papers. While he freely admits this has made him very successful professionally, he also recognises that his 'unhealthy' habit of locking himself away to work has increased his feelings of loneliness. He seeks the thoughts and experiences of others who discuss navigating the world of work post pandemic. Contributors include therapist Rotimi Akinsete and Holly Cooke who set up a meetup group during the pandemic - The Lonely London Girls Club - that has burgeoned into a nationwide network of over 130,000 members.

Presented by Professor Jason Arday, University of Cambridge

Producer: Maggie Ayre for BBC Audio Bristol

Jason Arday explores loneliness from a personal perspective.

In this episode, Jason Arday looks at the changing world of work and how it is increasing our sense of isolation.

[LISTEN NOW]

All The Lonely People

20250417

20250821 (R4)

Jason Arday credits his Mum Gifty for bringing him out of himself and encouraging him to socialise and learn from others. As his parents age he considers loneliness in later life and how he might take steps to overcome his own sense of it as he grows older.

In hearing from other people, including Amy Perrin founder of the loneliness charity The Marmalade Trust and 63-year-old Phil, he hopes to gain tools to guard against isolation.

Presenter Jason Arday is Professor of the Sociology of Education at the University of Cambridge

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Professor Jason Arday explores his loneliness.

In seeking to understand and remedy his feelings of loneliness, Jason Arday talks to different people about their experiences of it.

Jason Arday credits his Mum Gifty for bringing him out of himself and encouraging him to socialise and learn from others. As his parents age he considers loneliness in later life and how he might takes steps to overcome his own sense of it and prevent the isolation that can affect older people.

In hearing from other people include Amy Perrin founder of the loneliness charity The Marmalade Trust and 63 year old Phil he hopes to gain tools to guard against isolation.

[LISTEN NOW]

05 LAST

Loneliness Is Not The Same As Being Alone

20250418

20250822 (R4)

Jason Arday considers the concept of solitude as opposed to loneliness and wonders if we should consider embracing solitude more. In an increasingly hectic and connected world, many people are feeling more lonely than ever. But others are choosing to disconnect and enjoy the freedom of being alone. In this episode, Jason hears from Rachel Denton who is a religious hermit. After taking a vow with the Church's blessing twenty years ago, Rachel has lived simply and silently ever since. She shares her experiences of happiness, gratitude and fulfilment that could perhaps teach us all to find contentment in being alone from time to time. Meanwhile Jason is taking steps to feel less lonely by accepting invitations to social events. This is a start, he says, to changes he wants to make as a direct result of making this series.

Beyond Lonely is presented by Professor Jason Arday

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Professor Jason Arday explores his own and others' sense of loneliness.

As loneliness levels rise, Jason Arday examines why he and so many of us are feeling increasingly lonely.

Jason Arday considers the concept of solitude as opposed to loneliness and wonders if we should consider embracing solitude more. In an increasingly hectic and connected world many people are feeling more lonely than ever. But others are choosing to disconnect and enjoy the freedom of being alone. In this episode Jason hears from Rachel Denton who is a religious hermit. After taking a vow with the Church's blessing twenty years ago Rachel has lived simply and silently ever since. She shares her experiences of happiness, gratitude and fulfilment that could perhaps teach us all including Jason to find contentment in being alone.

[LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	A Lonely Life	20250414	20250818 (R4)	Loneliness is something all of us will experience at some point in our lives. For some it's a transitory feeling, for others a more chronic condition. As a child Jason Arday was diagnosed with autism and global development delay. He learnt to speak aged eleven, and to read and write at eighteen. His rise through the ranks of academia has been meteoric and he became Professor of the Sociology of Education at Cambridge aged thirty-seven. But for him success has come at a cost. Jason is lonely. In this five part series he explores his own reasons for being lonely as well as hearing from others the reasons they experience it. Contributors include therapist Rotimi Akinsete and Noreena Hertz, economist and author of The Lonely Century: A Call To Reconnect Producer: Maggie Ayre for BBC Audio Bristol Presented by Professor Jason Arday This series takes a personal look at a growing problem - loneliness. Professor Jason Arday explores his own experience of it. Loneliness is something all of us will experience at some point in our lives. For some it's a transitory feeling, for others a more chronic condition. As a child Jason Arday was diagnosed with autism and global development delay. He learnt to speak aged eleven and to read and write at eighteen. His rise through the ranks of academia has been rapid and he became Professor of the Sociology of Education at Cambridge aged thirty-seven. But for him success has come at a cost. Jason is lonely. In this five part series he explores his own reasons for being lonely as well as hearing from others the reasons they experience it. [LISTEN NOW]
02	Young And Lonely In The Connected World	20250415	20250819 (R4)	When he was a teenager Jason Arday spent hours alone practising snooker shots. His experience of autism meant he relished the focus and solitude of the snooker hall. But he now recognises that this has contributed to his sense of loneliness. This episode looks at his teenage experience of isolating himself from others and asks why the Gen Z generation of 16-24 year olds despite having technology at their fingertips feel more lonely and disconnected than any other age group. With contributions from academic and essayist on loneliness Amelia Worsley, author Noreena Hertz and Jameson and Lucy of the Luddite Club in New York. Producer: Maggie Ayre Presented by Professor Jason Arday of the University of Cambridge Professor Jason Arday looks at loneliness. In this series, Jason Arday wants to understand his own loneliness as well as that of others. When he was a teenager Jason Arday spent hours alone practicing snooker shots. His experience of autism meant he relished the focus and solitude of the snooker hall. But he now recognises that this has contributed to his sense of loneliness. This episode looks at his teenage experience of isolating himself from others and asks why the Gen Z generation of 16-24 year olds despite having technology at their fingertips feel more lonely and disconnected than any other age group. With contributions from academic and essayist on loneliness Amelia Worsley, author Noreena Hertz and Jameson and Lucy of the Luddite Club in New York. In this series Jason Arday wants to understand his own loneliness as well as others [LISTEN NOW]
03	Ever So Lonely	20250416	20250820 (R4)	Jason Arday looks at loneliness in the workplace and how those of working age are experiencing increased feelings of isolation. The pandemic has changed the way we work and although it's meant greater flexibility to work alone from home it's also exacerbated loneliness in many people. For Jason lockdown meant burying himself in work writing research papers. While he freely admits this has made him very successful professionally, he also recognises that his 'unhealthy' habit of locking himself away to work has increased his feelings of loneliness. He seeks the thoughts and experiences of others who discuss navigating the world of work post pandemic. Contributors include therapist Rotimi Akinsete and Holly Cooke who set up a meetup group during the pandemic - The Lonely London Girls Club - that has burgeoned into a nationwide network of over 130,000 members. Presented by Professor Jason Arday, University of Cambridge Producer: Maggie Ayre for BBC Audio Bristol Jason Arday explores loneliness from a personal perspective. In this episode, Jason Arday looks at the changing world of work and how it is increasing our sense of isolation. [LISTEN NOW]
04	All The Lonely People	20250417	20250821 (R4)	Jason Arday credits his Mum Gifty for bringing him out of himself and encouraging him to socialise and learn from others. As his parents age he considers loneliness in later life and how he might take steps to overcome his own sense of it as he grows older. In hearing from other people, including Amy Perrin founder of the loneliness charity The Marmalade Trust and 63-year-old Phil, he hopes to gain tools to guard against isolation. Presenter Jason Arday is Professor of the Sociology of Education at the University of Cambridge Producer: Maggie Ayre Professor Jason Arday explores his loneliness. In seeking to understand and remedy his feelings of loneliness, Jason Arday talks to different people about their experiences of it. Jason Arday credits his Mum Gifty for bringing him out of himself and encouraging him to socialise and learn from others. As his parents age he considers loneliness in later life and how he might takes steps to overcome his own sense of it and prevent the isolation that can affect older people. In hearing from other people include Amy Perrin founder of the loneliness charity The Marmalade Trust and 63 year old Phil he hopes to gain tools to guard against isolation. [LISTEN NOW]
05 LAST	Loneliness Is Not The Same As Being Alone	20250418	20250822 (R4)	Jason Arday considers the concept of solitude as opposed to loneliness and wonders if we should consider embracing solitude more. In an increasingly hectic and connected world, many people are feeling more lonely than ever. But others are choosing to disconnect and enjoy the freedom of being alone. In this episode, Jason hears from Rachel Denton who is a religious hermit. After taking a vow with the Church's blessing twenty years ago, Rachel has lived simply and silently ever since. She shares her experiences of happiness, gratitude and fulfilment that could perhaps teach us all to find contentment in being alone from time to time. Meanwhile Jason is taking steps to feel less lonely by accepting invitations to social events. This is a start, he says, to changes he wants to make as a direct result of making this series. Beyond Lonely is presented by Professor Jason Arday Producer: Maggie Ayre Professor Jason Arday explores his own and others' sense of loneliness. As loneliness levels rise, Jason Arday examines why he and so many of us are feeling increasingly lonely. Jason Arday considers the concept of solitude as opposed to loneliness and wonders if we should consider embracing solitude more. In an increasingly hectic and connected world many people are feeling more lonely than ever. But others are choosing to disconnect and enjoy the freedom of being alone. In this episode Jason hears from Rachel Denton who is a religious hermit. After taking a vow with the Church's blessing twenty years ago Rachel has lived simply and silently ever since. She shares her experiences of happiness, gratitude and fulfilment that could perhaps teach us all including Jason to find contentment in being alone. [LISTEN NOW]