The History Of Secrecy

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

The Age Of Secrecy

20161219

20250811 (BBC7)
20180411 (R4)

1. In the Middle Ages it was thought alchemy could unravel the secrets of nature.

Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: Middle Ages alchemy

Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: in the Middle Ages could alchemy reveal the secrets of nature? From 2016.

But the story of secrecy is not as black and white as our contemporary prejudices would have it. For centuries secrecy has been seen to serve a useful purpose. It has protected citizens from the prying eyes of governments, it has protected the feelings of individuals and kept couples together. It has safeguarded professional integrity, and protected the vulnerable from abuse. Have we lost more than we have gained by abandoning our respect for the power and sanctity of secrecy?

Produced by Kate Bissell.

Post-Snowden, post-Savile, institutions which keep secrets are automatically seen as having something to hide, and openness and transparency are seen as the new imperatives.

Back in the Middle Ages it was thought alchemy could unravel the secrets of nature...

An exploration of the idea of secret knowledge.

Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge. Back in the Middle Ages could alchemy reveal secrets of nature? From 2016.

[LISTEN NOW]

God's Secrets

20161220

20250812 (BBC7)
20180418 (R4)

2. Tiffany travels to Rome to The Vatican's Secret Archive to discover how open they are at allowing access to a vast historical archive connected to the Catholic Church and Tiffany explores the importance of secrecy in creating a space and a connection to the divine. She explores whether accepting secrecy and mystery leads to wisdom as knowing what you don't know is wisdom itself.

Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: the power in secrets in religions

Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: the purpose and power of objects and secrets in religion. From 2016.

Produced by Kate Bissell.

A look at the purpose and power of secret objects and knowledge in different religions.

Tiffany Jenkins travels to Rome to The Vatican's Secret Archive to discover how open they are at allowing access to a vast historical archive connected to the Catholic Church.

She also explores the importance of secrecy in creating a space and a connection to the divine.

Does accepting secrecy and mystery lead to wisdom? - as knowing what you don't know is wisdom itself.

Tiffany Jenkins series exploring the idea of secret knowledge.

Tiffany Jenkins explores the power of secrets in religions.

The purpose and power of objects and secrets in religion. Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge. From 2016.

[LISTEN NOW]

State Secrets

20161221

20250813 (BBC7)

3. This programme traces the development of the “state secret ?. In the twentieth century Secrecy became known as the British disease. We even kept secret the fact we were keeping secrets. Tiffany looks at the growth of the Official Secrets Act which sought to control access to information which the state judged to need withholding. Visiting the National Archives as new MI5 files are disclosed for the first time Tiffany finds out why a certain amount of state secrecy is essential.

Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: the development of 'state secrets

Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: MI5, National Archives and the development of 'state secrets'. From 2016.

This programme traces the development of the 'state secret'. In the twentieth century Secrecy became known as the British disease. We even kept secret the fact we were keeping secrets. Tiffany looks at the growth of the Official Secrets Act which sought to control access to information which the state judged to need withholding. Visits the National Archives as new MI5 files are disclosed for the first time Tiffany finds out why a certain amount of state secrecy is essential.

Produced by Kate Bissell.

Tracing the development of the 'state secret', with a look at newly disclosed MI5 files.

Tiffany Jenkins traces the development of the “state secret ?.

In the 20th century, secrecy became known as the British disease. We even kept secret the fact we were keeping secrets.

She also visits the National Archives as new MI5 files are disclosed for the first time as Tiffany finds out why a certain amount of state secrecy is essential.

Series exploring the idea of secret knowledge.

Tiffany Jenkins explores the development of 'state secrets'.

MI5, National Archives and the development of 'state secrets'. Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge. From 2016.

[LISTEN NOW]

Family Secrets

20161222

20250814 (BBC7)
20180425 (R4)

4. For the Victorians, privacy meant keeping people out of your business. We hear from geneticist Sir Paul Nurse who has had several family secrets kept from him. We learn the importance of secrecy within the family as he describes the revelation of these secrets.

Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: the impact of family secrets

Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: is family secrecy harmful, or sometimes offers protection? From 2016.

Is secrecy within the family harmful, or can it offer a necessary form of protection?

[LISTEN NOW]

A Time Of No Secrets

20161223

20250815 (BBC7)
20180502 (R4)

5. Transparency is a political and cultural ideal, entrusted with fostering accountability and strengthening democracy, a pan-political good: embraced by the Left as well as the Right. Openness is advocated not just for governments, but for people too. The assumption, we must air our secrets for our own health and peace of mind. 'You are only as sick as your secrets,' a saying that has been used by Alcoholics Anonymous for decades, sums it up. We hear from a cross dresser who by keeping his desire to dress as a woman a secret gives himself the space to experiment. He believes that only those who need to know should know about his secret to protect his relationships.

Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: is 'transparency' a panacea?

Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: the impact of the new cultural ideal of 'transparency'. From 2016.

Produced by Kate Bissell.

Transparency is apparently the opposite of secrecy, but is it really a panacea?

Tiffany hears from a cross dresser who by keeping his desire to dress as a woman a secret gives himself the space to experiment. He believes that only those who need to know should know about his secret to protect his relationships.

Series exploring the idea of secret knowledge.

Tiffany Jenkins explores whether 'transparency' is a panacea?

The impact of the new cultural ideal of 'transparency'. Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge. From 2016.

[LISTEN NOW]

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	The Age Of Secrecy	20161219	20250811 (BBC7) 20180411 (R4)	1. In the Middle Ages it was thought alchemy could unravel the secrets of nature. Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: Middle Ages alchemy Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: in the Middle Ages could alchemy reveal the secrets of nature? From 2016. But the story of secrecy is not as black and white as our contemporary prejudices would have it. For centuries secrecy has been seen to serve a useful purpose. It has protected citizens from the prying eyes of governments, it has protected the feelings of individuals and kept couples together. It has safeguarded professional integrity, and protected the vulnerable from abuse. Have we lost more than we have gained by abandoning our respect for the power and sanctity of secrecy? Produced by Kate Bissell. Post-Snowden, post-Savile, institutions which keep secrets are automatically seen as having something to hide, and openness and transparency are seen as the new imperatives. Back in the Middle Ages it was thought alchemy could unravel the secrets of nature... An exploration of the idea of secret knowledge. Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge. Back in the Middle Ages could alchemy reveal secrets of nature? From 2016. [LISTEN NOW]
02	God's Secrets	20161220	20250812 (BBC7) 20180418 (R4)	2. Tiffany travels to Rome to The Vatican's Secret Archive to discover how open they are at allowing access to a vast historical archive connected to the Catholic Church and Tiffany explores the importance of secrecy in creating a space and a connection to the divine. She explores whether accepting secrecy and mystery leads to wisdom as knowing what you don't know is wisdom itself. Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: the power in secrets in religions Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: the purpose and power of objects and secrets in religion. From 2016. Produced by Kate Bissell. A look at the purpose and power of secret objects and knowledge in different religions. Tiffany Jenkins travels to Rome to The Vatican's Secret Archive to discover how open they are at allowing access to a vast historical archive connected to the Catholic Church. She also explores the importance of secrecy in creating a space and a connection to the divine. Does accepting secrecy and mystery lead to wisdom? - as knowing what you don't know is wisdom itself. Tiffany Jenkins series exploring the idea of secret knowledge. Tiffany Jenkins explores the power of secrets in religions. The purpose and power of objects and secrets in religion. Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge. From 2016. [LISTEN NOW]
03	State Secrets	20161221	20250813 (BBC7)	3. This programme traces the development of the “state secret ?. In the twentieth century Secrecy became known as the British disease. We even kept secret the fact we were keeping secrets. Tiffany looks at the growth of the Official Secrets Act which sought to control access to information which the state judged to need withholding. Visiting the National Archives as new MI5 files are disclosed for the first time Tiffany finds out why a certain amount of state secrecy is essential. Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: the development of 'state secrets Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: MI5, National Archives and the development of 'state secrets'. From 2016. This programme traces the development of the 'state secret'. In the twentieth century Secrecy became known as the British disease. We even kept secret the fact we were keeping secrets. Tiffany looks at the growth of the Official Secrets Act which sought to control access to information which the state judged to need withholding. Visits the National Archives as new MI5 files are disclosed for the first time Tiffany finds out why a certain amount of state secrecy is essential. Produced by Kate Bissell. Tracing the development of the 'state secret', with a look at newly disclosed MI5 files. Tiffany Jenkins traces the development of the “state secret ?. In the 20th century, secrecy became known as the British disease. We even kept secret the fact we were keeping secrets. She also visits the National Archives as new MI5 files are disclosed for the first time as Tiffany finds out why a certain amount of state secrecy is essential. Series exploring the idea of secret knowledge. Tiffany Jenkins explores the development of 'state secrets'. MI5, National Archives and the development of 'state secrets'. Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge. From 2016. [LISTEN NOW]
04	Family Secrets	20161222	20250814 (BBC7) 20180425 (R4)	4. For the Victorians, privacy meant keeping people out of your business. We hear from geneticist Sir Paul Nurse who has had several family secrets kept from him. We learn the importance of secrecy within the family as he describes the revelation of these secrets. Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: the impact of family secrets Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: is family secrecy harmful, or sometimes offers protection? From 2016. Is secrecy within the family harmful, or can it offer a necessary form of protection? [LISTEN NOW]
05	A Time Of No Secrets	20161223	20250815 (BBC7) 20180502 (R4)	5. Transparency is a political and cultural ideal, entrusted with fostering accountability and strengthening democracy, a pan-political good: embraced by the Left as well as the Right. Openness is advocated not just for governments, but for people too. The assumption, we must air our secrets for our own health and peace of mind. 'You are only as sick as your secrets,' a saying that has been used by Alcoholics Anonymous for decades, sums it up. We hear from a cross dresser who by keeping his desire to dress as a woman a secret gives himself the space to experiment. He believes that only those who need to know should know about his secret to protect his relationships. Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: is 'transparency' a panacea? Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge: the impact of the new cultural ideal of 'transparency'. From 2016. Produced by Kate Bissell. Transparency is apparently the opposite of secrecy, but is it really a panacea? Tiffany hears from a cross dresser who by keeping his desire to dress as a woman a secret gives himself the space to experiment. He believes that only those who need to know should know about his secret to protect his relationships. Series exploring the idea of secret knowledge. Tiffany Jenkins explores whether 'transparency' is a panacea? The impact of the new cultural ideal of 'transparency'. Tiffany Jenkins explores the idea of secret knowledge. From 2016. [LISTEN NOW]