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A recent episode of Radio 4's Inside Health, presented by James Gallagher, reported a groundbreaking advance in the biomedical study of ME - myalgic encephalomyelitis, sometimes known as chronic fatigue syndrome. On Feedback, we've heard from listeners with ME who were encouraged by the good news but wanted more personal stories that gave a message of hope. Andrea Catherwood talks to Dr Charles Shepherd, honorary medical advisor to the ME Association, about the change in attitudes to ME.It's also a big moment for all fans of Radio 4 Extra - it's time for another All Request Weekend. We hear from a listener who put something forward for selection, and talk to the station's Editor Richard Culver about how it all works.And we hear from listeners reacting to the Today programme's unusual decision to air an 11 minute monologue from BBC International Editor Jeremy Bowen about the strands of history of US interventions in the Middle East and involvement of US Presidents.Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Illuminated is Radio 4's home for powerful, original audio storytelling - and recently we've heard from listeners who were moved by a documentary called Functioning, about the effect of alcohol addiction on two women's lives. Andrea Catherwood talks to the programme's producer Jodie Taylor, and Radio 4 documentary commissioner Hugh Levinson, and hears a remarkable insight into how the programme came to be.Feedback's listeners are pretty clued up when it comes to giving their thoughts to the BBC, but we came across one last week who seemed to know more than most - as it turned out, he did a PhD on charter renewal. Andrea talks to Dr Tom Chivers, academic at Goldsmiths, University of London, about what the BBC can do to reach its audience during a consultation that could result in radical change.And following our discussion of news avoidance on last week's programme, we hear from a listener who has discovered his own method for avoiding news that feels excessive, or irrelevant.Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

The main news this week has been about the US-Israel attacks on Iran - but how is BBC Radio handling its coverage? We'll hear from you on the situation.And in light of that, is there a chance that more and more people might be switching the news off? BBC Radio 4 recently aired a series of programmes all about positive news items, which many listeners felt was a relief to hear. Presenter Andrea Catherwood talks to Nic Newman, a founding member of the BBC News website and currently a Senior research associate with the Reuters Institute for the study of journalism, to find out what's fuelling the trend towards news avoidance. Following our piece last week about the end of regular episodes of Ukrainecast, we'll hear more of your thoughts on what you'll miss about the podcast.We also hear from listeners concerned that the music quiz programme Counterpoint is no longer recorded in front of a live audience. And there's information about how you can give your thoughts in the UK government's ongoing open consultation on the BBC's Charter Renewal, which closes at midnight on 10th March. The survey can be found on the government's website, under the heading Britain's Story: The Next Chapter.Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: Mark RickardsA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

The war in Ukraine is still raging on, but is BBC Radio's coverage being faded out? Regular episodes of hugely popular Ukrainecast stopped before Christmas 2025, although the BBC has stated that they will produce pop-up episodes at particularly urgent moments in the conflict. But what do you think? We hear from listeners and Andrea Catherwood talks to Olga Tokariuk, journalist and Academy associate at Chatham about the impact that Ukrainecast made.There's been some buzz around a recent episode of Any Questions? which broadcast from Dumbarton. The programme in front of a live audience was interrupted several time by protesters and one question from an audience member was changed before it was broadcast. We hear from you on how presenter Alex Forsyth handled it. It's also the first VoxBox of the series - this time, couple Becky and Alex stepped into our booth to discuss the recent Radio 4 series The Fibre Factor, presented by food writer Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. But did Hugh's nutrition-focused programme give them food for thought?Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

All year long we've been asking listeners to send in their nominations for Feedback's Interview of the Year, and finally the time has come to crown the winner.In this special episode of Feedback, Andrea Catherwood will hear your nominations for the BBC Audio Interview of the Year - any conversation from across BBC radio or podcasts that inspired, surprised, or stopped you in your tracks.We'll also reveal the interview that was judged the best by our listener judging panel - and talk to the winner. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: David Prest and Rebecca Guthrie Judging Panel Coordinator: Mike Hally Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

The Reith Lectures are one of the most anticipated broadcasts in the radio year, and the conversation around this year's iteration, presented by Dutch historian Rutger Bregman on the theme of 'Moral Revolution', has been making headlines. Bregman complained on social media that one of his lines was edited out of the broadcast of the first lecture - and it set your tongues wagging. Andrea Catherwood catches up with the lectures' commissioner Hugh Levinson to ask about the decisions behind this year's series.And it's 70 years since From Our Own Correspondent - or FOOC = was first broadcast on the BBC, giving a space for long-form, single-voice reports from correspondents all over the world. Editor Richard Fenton-Smith and Today presenter Anna Foster joins us to hear your thoughts on the programme as it celebrates a big birthday. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for Radio 4

What can you say on the radio these days? For some listeners, instances of swear words and racialised language do not belong on Radio 4. Andrea Catherwood sits down with "king of the bleep" Roger Mahony, the Head of Editorial Standards for Radio 4, Radio 4 Extra and On Demand Speech, to discuss listeners' concerns and ask how the decision to give certain words the green light gets made.And listeners were entranced by a recent Illuminated documentary presented by poet Paul Farley about hearing loss and hearing aids. We put your points to the documentary's producer Geoff Bird.Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Mark Steel's In Town has just completed it's 14th series, and listeners from Shetland to Rutland and beyond have been tuning in. But what do they make of it? And what goes into putting each episode together? Mark joins presenter Andrea Catherwood on Feedback to answer your questions and unravel how the programme works.Some listeners also had questions about Radio 4's Materials of State, which is being broadcast this week. The first programme in the series covered the story of the UK's national flag - listeners claimed calling it the Union Jack was wrong. Malcolm Farrow, President of The Flag Institute, weighs in to clear up any confusion.And there's one final nomination for Feedback's Interview of the Year before nominations close. It comes from a listener who tuned in to Test Match Special Podcast to hear the BBC's Chief Cricket Reporter Stephan Shemilt interviewing veteran cricketer David Larter. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

There's been a raft of programming out on BBC Radio 4 and 5 Live over the past week about fatherhood. Feedback's heard from listeners to one particular series on Radio 4 - Father Figuring, presented by comedian Darren Harriott. In the series, Darren attempts to untangle his feelings about his complicated relationship with his own dad, and work out what makes a good father today. Andrea Catherwood puts your comments to him. BBC Radio Scotland has seen some big changes in the past week, as the current late night music programming is set to be changed. Veteran presenters Iain Anderson and Billy Sloan are among those seeing their shows wound down, in a move that has caused backlash among some listeners. Brian Ferguson, The Herald's Arts Correspondent, and Norman Paterson, whose music career was changed by an appearance on Iain Anderson's show, weigh in with their thoughts.And from one music legend to another - a new series of Legend is out on BBC Sounds, and this run is all about Bruce Springsteen. Listeners Christopher and Victoria enter our Feedback VoxBox to discuss whether the series left them blinded by the light, or if compared to other BBC podcasts, they felt it was tougher than the rest...Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Following resignations of the BBC’s Director General and the CEO of BBC News in light of accusations of institutional bias in the organisation, Andrea Catherwood puts listener comments about the integrity of the BBC and its coverage of the scandal to the former Radio 4 Controller Mark Damazer.As the story on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor continues to play out, the Senior Royal Correspondent Daniela Relph shares how she navigates a story of this sensitivity and magnitude. We pose listeners’ responses, including a query over naming conventions. And there's a moving conversation on 6 Music that’s been nominated for Feedback interview of the year by listener Bruce Shortland. He suggests a beautiful conversation between Chris Hawkins and the rapper Rosca Onya.Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Assistant Producer: Jac Phillimore Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

In last week's episode of Feedback, we spoke to BBC Radio 4 Comedy and Entertainment commissioner Julia McKenzie about Call Jonathan Pie in the 6.30pm comedy slot. In this week's entirely listener-led programme, we'll hear your comments and reaction to last week's interview. And two listeners, Abi and Clare, discuss Radical with Amol Rajan in our Vox Box. The relatively new podcast has Amol sitting down with some of the leading lights in tech, politics and more, for big conversations designed to help you, as the programme descriptions suggests, to 'win the future'. But is it as radical as its title?And some listeners are asking why the Today programme left the Chancellor of the Exchequer's live pre budget statement from Downing Street early. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

A series of Call Jonathan Pie is being repeated on BBC Radio 4, and it's been scheduled for the primetime 6.30pm comedy slot on Thursdays, albeit with edits to the version available on BBC Sounds. However, some listeners have contacted Feedback to complain that the content of some episodes wasn't appropriate for tea-time listening. Andrea Catherwood sits down with Radio 4 Commissioning Editor for Comedy and Entertainment Julia McKenzie, to discuss the comments and asks why it was broadcast in this slot. And there's another nomination for the annual interview round up, Feedback's Interview of the Year. This time listener Laura puts forward a recent episode of Life Changing, in which Dr Sian Williams talked to an ex British Army medic with an compelling story about complex PTSD, and whose life was changed when he met Charlie - his medical assistance dog. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: Mark Rickards A Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Saturday Live is a staple of BBC Radio 4's weekend schedule, and for years it was presented by Reverend Richard Coles and Nikki Bedi. Andrea interviewed Richard as he departed in 2023 when the programme moved to Cardiff. The lead presenter post was covered in the interim by Nikki Bedi with different co-hosts. Now, Adrian Chiles has entered the chat, as the new presenter of Saturday Live. Feedback listeners have been telling us what they think of this change. Andrea Catherwood puts your comments to Colin Paterson, Head of Audio for BBC Wales and the West of England. There's also been tweaks to how some listeners access BBC Sounds when using a browser, leading to widespread confusion. We've got an answer about the changes from the BBC Sounds team.Last week Andrea spoke to BBC Political Editor Chris Mason about how the BBC has been covering Reform UK and its leader Nigel Farage. We'll hear what you thought of the discussion. And finally, one listener has nominated John Wilson's interview with Northern Ireland fashion designer Jonathan Anderson, who has recently been appointed Creative Director at French fashion house Christian Dior, for Interview of the Year. As we learned in the interview, it's a far cry from Mid Ulster, where he grew up.Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

With a summer of political turmoil over, and party conference season near an end, Andrea Catherwood talks to Chris Mason about how BBC audio coverage has reflected the key political players. The Feedback inbox has been receiving messages that question the amount of coverage given to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party. Chris responds to your questions and weighs in on what he says is a change in UK politics we haven't seen in decades.And our search for BBC audio's best interview of 2025 continues. One listener has nominated an interview conducted by presenter Evan Davies in a recent episode of PM. He spoke to an unnamed asylum seeker from Somalia, currently waiting on an asylum application in the Bell Hotel in Epping. What they discussed revealed a different side of a story that has seized the attention of the nation this year. Finally, we've heard from a listener who has thoughts about a recent episode of Desert Island Discs - in which Rolling Stone's guitarist Ronnie Wood seemed to request an endless array of luxury items for his island getaway.Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

The first episode in a new series of Feedback, presented by Andrea Catherwood.A recent edition of File on 4 Investigates went inside the migrant hotels at the centre of anti-immigration protests in England to talk to residents about their experiences. But listeners were divided in what they thought of the documentary. The journalist who made programme, Sue Mitchell, joins Andrea to answer your comments and questions. While Feedback was off air we heard the news that veteran presenter Melvyn Bragg would be stepping down from presenting In Our Time after 27 years at the programme's helm. You've been suggesting your favourite names to take over - and we talk to radio critic Simon O'Hagan about the end of Melvyn's reign. And Radio 3 took the time to celebrate 200 years of the birth of the modern railway recently. There was a day of specially scheduled programming - Train Tracks, in which listeners heard Petroc Trelawney travelling from Inverness to London by train in the company of other Radio 3 presenters, soundtracked by themed playlists. Petroc joins us to hear what listeners had to say about the celebration.Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

It's the final episode of this series of Feedback, and we're ending it with a look at one of BBC Radio's high-end dramas - Central Intelligence. It follows the life of Eloise Page, who was a real-life CIA operative, and stars Kim Cattrall, Ed Harris, and Stephen Kunken. Stephen joins Andrea and director and writer John Scott Dryden to respond to listener comments and discuss what it's like to tell the story of the CIA. Artificial Intelligence is quickly becoming more and more embedded in everything around us, and radio is no different. Cliff Fluet, a partner at the law firm Lewis Silkin, who specialises in innovation and new technology in broadcasting, discusses the guidance around AI the BBC's output.And two friends enter our VoxBox to discuss their experience of listening to the Shipping Forecast.Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: Andrea CatherwoodA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

It's been almost two years since the most recent conflict between Israel and Palestine broke out, and it has generated almost constant radio news coverage, as well as plenty of challenges for BBC journalists while reporting. BBC News International Editor Jeremy Bowen joins Andrea Catherwood from Jerusalem to answer listener questions about the coverage of the conflict and the ongoing crisis in Gaza.Radio consultant Matt Deegan returns to discuss the recent RAJAR figures on radio listening. Matt gives his view of the data across all radio in the UK. And listeners share their thoughts on the ongoing BBC Sounds overseas saga, with an update on plans for 'catch up' listening on the new BBC App and bbc.com.Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

With news of starvation in Gaza making headlines, Today presenter Nick Robinson conducted an interview with Israeli Government Spokesperson David Mencer that divided listeners and lit up our inbox. We hear what you had to say. Andrea Catherwood talks to radio futurologist James Cridland about BBC.com and the BBC app, the two platforms offered as alternatives to overseas listeners after the closure of BBC Sounds outside of the UK. Listeners from around the world give their honest reviews of the website and app as they get to grips with them. And we get some answers to some of your more specific questions - including the whereabouts of The Archers Podcast.Also, we hear another nomination for Interview of the Year - this time it's for Jonathan Agnew's recent interview with young registered blind cricketer Ravi, on Test Match Special. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca GuthrieA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Comedian Tony Hawks is a lucky man - and that's why, in a recent series for Radio 4, he's been discussing how he's looking into alternatives to leaving an inheritance for his son once he's gone. Plenty of listeners got in touch with questions and comments on Tony Hawks Is Giving Nothing Away, and presenter Andrea Catherwood puts them to Tony directly. We also hear the second part of our conversation with BBC Radio 3 Controller Sam Jackson, who talks to Andrea about this year's Proms, and the part he plays in the UK's arts sector. And a listener has a nomination for Interview of the Year - this time it's for Chief North America Correspondent Gary O'Donaghue's interview with President Donald Trump. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4

Listeners have been turning to weather bulletins over the last few weeks to find out if the forecast is going to be full of blazing sunshine or torrential rain. But should weather forecasters reflect widespread concerns about climate change in their reports? Lead BBC Weather Presenter and Meteorologist Simon King joins Andrea Catherwood to explain. BBC Radio 3 controller Sam Jackson returns to answer more listener questions about BBC Radio's home of classical music, following a surge in listener numbers and a 'Station of Year' ARIA Gold award. And two listeners, Sion and Ella, arrive in our VoxBox to give their thoughts on BBC Radio's build-up to the European Women's Championship 2025 and the coverage of England's first match against France. Presenter: Andrea Catherwood Producer: Pauline Moore Assistant Producer: Rebecca Guthrie Executive Producer: David PrestA Whistledown Scotland production for BBC Radio 4