Sliced Bread

Can creatine boost your body and mind?Listener Simon has been taking the fitness supplement creatine and wants to know if the science backs up the claim that it can make you stronger and faster. He's also heard that it can help with cognitive function. To find out if creatine can boost body and mind, presenter Greg Foot is joined by Graeme Close, Professor of Physiology at Liverpool John Moores University and Fabienne Sandkuhler, postdoctoral researcher at LMU Munich.Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them?All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Can supersonic air travel make a comeback?Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show 'Sliced Bread', now brings you 'Dough'.Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives.Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like within five, ten and fifty years.This episode examines the future of flight. How could new, supersonic flights not cost the earth? Will your future taxi be a flying one without a pilot? Could a new shape for aeroplanes make them more spacious and efficient?Alongside Greg is the futurist, Tom Cheesewright, and expert guests Mariya Tarabanovska, an aerospace engineer and the founder of Flight Crowd, a non-profit educational organisation focused on electric aviation and Simon Davies, chief test pilot at Vertical Aerospace, a British aerospace technology company.This episode was produced by Jay Unger.Dough is a BBC Audio North Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Could 'smart' clothing monitor our health?Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show 'Sliced Bread', now brings you 'Dough'.Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives.Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like within five, ten and fifty years.This episode examines the future of our clothing.How can manufacturers dye clothes without using water? Could 'smart' fabrics monitor weather conditions and provide extra warmth or cooling when we need it? Will our body movements, instead of bulky batteries, provide the power for clothing to monitor our health? Will synthetic material be completely replaced by natural fibres and those made from waste products? Greg is joined by the futurist, Tracey Follows, and expert guests Dr Marie O'Mahony, programme leader for E-textiles and Wearable Technologies at the Winchester School of Art at the University of Southampton and Jenny Prendergast, Programme Leader for Fashion and Design Technology at Loughborough University.This episode was produced by Jay Unger.Dough is a BBC Audio North Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Could your future home be built by a robot bricklayer?Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show 'Sliced Bread', now brings you 'Dough'.Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives.Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like within five, ten and fifty years.This episode examines the future of UK housebuilding.Will new homes be cheaper to run and built to a higher standard? What potential do robots have to build quality homes quickly and cheaply? Could building homes with bricks become a thing of the past? Might 3D printing homes with concrete be a realistic alternative? And will factories play a bigger part in meeting the demand for new housing?Alongside Greg is the futurist Tom Cheesewright and expert guests including Prof. Richard Fitton, Professor of Building Performance at the University of Salford and Salar al Khafaji, the CEO and founder of Monumental which builds autonomous on-site construction robots. Produced by Jon Douglas. Dough is a BBC Audio North Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Will delivery drones and robots make popping to the shops a thing of the past?Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show 'Sliced Bread', now brings you 'Dough'.Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives.Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like within five, ten and fifty years.This episode looks at the future of home parcel delivery. One of the UK's biggest parcel delivery companies, Evri, explains why its trial of a robot delivery 'dog' will not spell the end for human couriers. A service already delivering coffee and groceries by drone in part of Dublin outlines its plans to take off in the UK.And Greg hears how looking to the past may improve home deliveries in future by making more of our inland waterways and rail network.Alongside Greg, delivering her expertise, is the futurist Tracey Follows and expert guests including:-Craig Noonan, UK Director of Communications and Brand at Evri -Alan Hicks, Chief Technology Officer at Manna Drone Delivery -Michelle Gardner, Deputy Director of Policy at the trade association, Logistics UKProduced by Jon Douglas. Dough is a BBC Audio North Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Will your car be driving you by 2050?Greg Foot, host of the BBC Radio 4 show Sliced Bread, now brings you Dough.Each episode explores future wonder products that might rise to success and redefine our lives.Experts and entrepreneurs discuss the trends shaping what today's everyday technology may look like tomorrow, before a leading futurist offers their predictions on what life might be like within five, ten and fifty years.The series kicks off with a look at the future of cars.Will new battery technology transform the range and price of electric cars? Why are fully autonomous vehicles still not yet allowed on the UK's public roads? Which self-driving vehicles are we most likely to see first? Will we really let our cars do the driving for us anyway? Could vehicles communicating with streetlights make journeys quicker for select motorists?Alongside Greg in the passenger seat is the futurist Tom Cheesewright and expert guests including:-Phil Blythe CBE - a former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK's Department for Transport and Professor of Intelligent Transport Systems at Newcastle University -Paul Shearing - Director of the Zero Institute at Oxford University and the Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Battery Technologies -Paul Newman - Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Oxa, a UK-based company developing software for self-driving vehiclesProduced by Jon Douglas. Dough is a BBC Audio North Production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Is it worth getting a Smart Doorbell?Greg Foot pushes all the right buttons as he gathers consumer and crime experts to get answers for listener Derek, who's keen to learn more about the various features, prices and security elements in the growing market of smart doorbells. Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them?This episode is the last in the current series of Sliced Bread, but we're hungry for your suggestions so we can prepare another batch! If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Is expensive salt better for your health?Greg Foot gathers the experts, dives into the data and crunches the numbers to get the answers for listener Sally.Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them?All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Greg Foot gathers the experts, and "chips" away at the science for listener Helen.Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them?All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: KATE HOLDSWORTH & GREG FOOT

Greg Foot gathers the experts, to find out which claims "stand up" to scrutiny for listener Bede. Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them?All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: KATE HOLDSWORTH AND GREG FOOT

Can dehumidifiers dry out your house - and your clothes?Greg Foot gathers the experts, dives into the data and crunches the numbers to get answers for listener Rhys.Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them?All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Which chopping board material is best for hygiene and the planet?Greg Foot gathers the experts, dives into the data and crunches the numbers to get answers for listener Simon.Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them?All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: PHIL SANSOM AND GREG FOOT

Can jug or under sink filters, promising to soften tap water and improve taste, really take out what they claim?Greg Foot gathers the experts live at Cheltenham Science Festival, dives into the data and crunches the numbers to get answers for listener Elaine.Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them?All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: KATE HOLDSWORTH AND GREG FOOT

Is more expensive dog food worth it?Greg Foot gathers the experts, dives into the data and crunches the numbers to get answers for listeners Izzy and Pete. Each episode Greg investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread' and should you spend your money on them?RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Homebase was once one of our leading home improvement chains so, why did it have to close all of its stores?The BBC Business journalist Sean Farrington investigates.Alongside him is the entrepreneur Sam White, who at the end of the show has to reach her own conclusions, based only on what she has heard and her own business acumen.Homebase was established by the supermarket chain Sainsbury's and a Belgian retailer which was already running a DIY business in Europe and America. The first Homebase store opened in Croydon in 1981 and it had to be temporarily closed by the police after visiting crowds caused a traffic jam. The chain expanded across the UK and had more than 300 stores. It went through some highs, and some serious lows, with various owners but what ultimately caused the closure of its shops?Sean and Sam hear from expert guests including:- Allison Foster, curator of the Sainsbury Archive, which is based at London Museum Docklands- Dave Elliott, a former Trading Director then later Commercial Director at Homebase under different owners- Matt Walton, senior data analyst at GlobalDataWhile Homebase's standalone stores are toast, the brand continues to trade online under new ownership. Homebase garden centres and products are also being included within branches of The Range. Produced by Jon Douglas, Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.You can email the programme at toast@bbc.co.ukFeel free to suggest topics which could be covered in future episodes.

FHM was the men's magazine that sold vastly more copies than any of its competitors but still ended up toast. So, why did its publishers stop printing it while other men's magazines survived? The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, charts its highs and lows in the company of four of FHM's former editors.Alongside them is the entrepreneur, Sam White, who has to use her business acumen to reach her own conclusions based upon what she has heard. Featuring in the show are: - Eric Musgrave - the original editor of 'For Him Magazine' as it was known when it launched in 1985- Mike Soutar - the FHM editor who took sales to over half-a-million a month in the late 1990s- Piers Hernu - FHM's editor-at-large who took to the airwaves to defend lads' mags against accusations of sexism - Joe Barnes - who edited the magazine for four years until shortly before its print publication ceasedProduced by Jon Douglas, Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.You can email the programme at toast@bbc.co.ukFeel free to suggest topics which could be covered in future episodes.

Nike's FuelBand was among the first fitness trackers to be launched and was worn by sports stars including the tennis player, Serena Williams. So, why did Nike give up on it so soon after its launch?The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, is joined by Nike's former Vice President of Digital Sport, Stefan Olander, to get the inside story on what happened to the successful product. Alongside them is the entrepreneur, Sam White, who at the end of the show, based only upon what she has heard and using her business acumen, has to reach her own conclusions. Other guests include:- Nikki Legg - a FuelBand fan who bought one as soon as they came out and wrote to Toast suggesting we cover the fitness tracker on the show.- Chris Smith - a sports and technology journalist who has written about the FuelBand and is an early adopter of wearable techProduced by Jon Douglas, Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.You can email the programme at toast@bbc.co.ukFeel free to suggest topics which could be covered in future episodes.

Freeserve rapidly became the UK's number one internet service provider within months of its launch in 1998, yet the brand disappeared almost as quickly. So, what happened? The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates. Alongside him is the entrepreneur, Sam White, who at the end of the show has to reach her own conclusions, based only on what she has heard and her own business acumen.Sean and Sam hear from expert guests including:- Rory Cellan-Jones OBE - the BBC's former technology correspondent who covered Freeserve's rise and later dedicated a chapter to it in his book 'Dot Bomb - the Rise and Fall of Dot Com Britain'.- Ajaz Ahmed - a 'Freeserve founder' who badgered bosses to start an ISP while working as a store manager at PC World in Leeds. He later became Freeserve's Business Development Manager.- Mark Danby - a former Chief Operating Officer at Freeserve.Produced by Jon Douglas, Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.You can email the programme at toast@bbc.co.ukFeel free to suggest topics which could be covered in future episodes.

Woolworths was once a family favourite with well over 1,000 UK stores selling everything from kitchenware to pick and mix. So, why did the business collapse when other general retailers were on the rise? The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, charts the company's highs and lows before asking 'what went wrong at Woolies?'. Alongside him is the entrepreneur, Sam White, who at the end of the show has to reach her own conclusions, based only on what she has heard and her own business acumen. Sean and Sam hear from expert guests including: - Richard Hawkins - an honorary research fellow at the University of Wolverhampton and president of the marketing history organisation, Charm, who has written about the company’s early days- Clare Bailey - a retail consultant who was employed by Woolworths- Claire Robertson - whose retail career began with a Saturday job at her local Woolies and led to her running a spin-off business (called 'Wellworths') after the original failed.- Tony Page - Commercial and Marketing Director at Woolworths from 2006 who tried to save the business after it went into administrationProduced by Jon Douglas, Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.You can email the programme at toast@bbc.co.ukFeel free to suggest topics which could be covered in future episodes.

Can supplements claiming to make menopause symptoms more bearable, really help? Going through menopause can result in a myriad of symptoms, leaving women stressed, exhausted, and desperate for anything that might make it easier to deal with. In recent years, a huge range of products have become available in supermarkets, pharmacies and online, all promising to help alleviate some of these symptoms – for a price. So listener Susie, who said she felt she was experiencing some of these symptoms, got in touch with Sliced Bread, to ask if it might be money well spent? Greg Foot drills down into the top ingredients of these supplements and their claims, alongside GP Dr Helen Wall who runs a Menopause Clinic in Greater Manchester. They look at what the science says, and ask if these supplements really can support women through the menopause?RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM PRODUCER: KATE HOLDSWORTH, PHIL SANSOM & GREG FOOT