Episodes

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01Deborah Frances White And Steve Ali2019122320191224 (R4)Greg Wise and Emma Thompson curate this collection of personal reflections on the meaning of Christmas.

The writings draw on the themes of kindness, acceptance and tolerance, taking us from Queensland to Pennsylvania to the Black Country and beyond.

More sobering memories come from a small village in Rwanda and London's inhospitable streets.

Greg and Emma introduce stand up comedian and screenwriter, Deborah Frances White.

Deborah writes about being adopted, and re-discovering Christmas in her 20s.

Her essay is paired with Steve Ali's, a Syrian refugee who was taken in by Deborah and her husband when he arrived in England, after fleeing Syria and the Jungle refugee camp in Calais.

Abridged in five parts by Richard Hamilton

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.

Personal seasonal reflections. The story of a comedian and a Syrian refugee.

Emma Thompson and Greg Wise's collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas

Greg Wise and Emma Thompson curate this collection of personal reflections on the meaning of Christmas.

The writings draw on the themes of kindness, acceptance and tolerance, taking us from Queensland to Pennsylvania to the Black Country and beyond.

More sobering memories come from a small village in Rwanda and London's inhospitable streets.

Greg and Emma introduce stand up comedian and screenwriter, Deborah Frances White.

Deborah writes about being adopted, and re-discovering Christmas in her 20s.

Her essay is paired with Steve Ali's, a Syrian refugee who was taken in by Deborah and her husband when he arrived in England, after fleeing Syria and the Jungle refugee camp in Calais.

Abridged in five parts by Richard Hamilton

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.

Personal seasonal reflections. The story of a comedian and a Syrian refugee.

Emma Thompson and Greg Wise's collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas

022. Greg Wise & Emma Thompson20191224

Greg Wise and Emma Thompson curate this collection of personal reflections on the meaning of Christmas.

In this episode, Greg recounts his less than happy childhood Christmas experiences.

Then his wife, Emma Thompson, explains how she worked tirelessly to change his perspective in her funny and moving piece on the pitfalls of the festive season, particularly for Greg.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.

Personal reflections from Greg Wise and Emma Thompson on the festive season.

Emma Thompson and Greg Wise's collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas

022. Greg Wise & Emma Thompson2019122420191225 (R4)

Greg Wise and Emma Thompson curate this collection of personal reflections on the meaning of Christmas.

In this episode, Greg recounts his less than happy childhood Christmas experiences.

Then his wife, Emma Thompson, explains how she worked tirelessly to change his perspective in her funny and moving piece on the pitfalls of the festive season, particularly for Greg.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.

Personal reflections from Greg Wise and Emma Thompson on the festive season.

Emma Thompson and Greg Wise's collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas

033. Aimee Mullins & Bill Scanlon20191225

Greg Wise and Emma Thompson curate this collection of personal reflections on the meaning of Christmas - drawing on the themes of kindness, acceptance and tolerance.

In this episode, American athlete, actress and speaker, Aimee Mullins, reflects on childhood Christmases spent with her large family.

Then Bill Scanlon explains how - after a successful career - he fell on hard times, and how things changed.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.

Personal seasonal reflections. A tennis player falls on hard times and an athlete\u2019s story.

Emma Thompson and Greg Wise's collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas

033. Aimee Mullins & Bill Scanlon2019122520191226 (R4)

Greg Wise and Emma Thompson curate this collection of personal reflections on the meaning of Christmas - drawing on the themes of kindness, acceptance and tolerance.

In this episode, American athlete, actress and speaker, Aimee Mullins, reflects on childhood Christmases spent with her large family.

Then Bill Scanlon explains how - after a successful career - he fell on hard times, and how things changed.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.

Personal seasonal reflections. A tennis player falls on hard times and an athlete\u2019s story.

Emma Thompson and Greg Wise's collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas

044. Meera Syal & Malcolm Walker20191226

Greg Wise and Emma Thompson curate this collection of personal reflections on the meaning of Christmas.

Actress Meera Syal reflects on belonging and the festive season, while cardiologist Malcolm Walker has gift giving on his mind.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.

Personal seasonal reflections. An actress on belonging and a cardiologist on gifts.

Emma Thompson and Greg Wise's collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas

044. Meera Syal & Malcolm Walker2019122620191227 (R4)

Greg Wise and Emma Thompson curate this collection of personal reflections on the meaning of Christmas.

Actress Meera Syal reflects on belonging and the festive season, while cardiologist Malcolm Walker has gift giving on his mind.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton

Producer: Elizabeth Allard

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2019.

Personal seasonal reflections. An actress on belonging and a cardiologist on gifts.

Emma Thompson and Greg Wise's collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas

0520191227

Curated by Greg Wise and Emma Thompson this collection of personal writings reflects on the meaning of Christmas, drawing on the themes of kindness, acceptance and tolerance. In today's episode, the BBC's chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, on how the Christmas message of hope, peace and community is universal. Refugee Tindyebwa Agaba follows, with his account of childhood Christmases in Rwanda, before the militia arrived.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton
Produced by Elizabeth Allard

Personal reflections on the festive season by Lyse Doucet and Tindyebwa Agaba.

Emma Thompson and Greg Wise's collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas

052019122720191228 (R4)

Curated by Greg Wise and Emma Thompson this collection of personal writings reflects on the meaning of Christmas, drawing on the themes of kindness, acceptance and tolerance. In today's episode, the BBC's chief international correspondent, Lyse Doucet, on how the Christmas message of hope, peace and community is universal. Refugee Tindyebwa Agaba follows, with his account of childhood Christmases in Rwanda, before the militia arrived.

Abridged by Richard Hamilton
Produced by Elizabeth Allard

Personal reflections on the festive season by Lyse Doucet and Tindyebwa Agaba.

Emma Thompson and Greg Wise's collection of personal essays about the meaning of Christmas