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Something Understood Episodes

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  1. Pricking Pomposity

    Mark Tully considers the social importance of caricature, mockery and satire.

  2. Living With Poverty

    Mark Tully considers social, religious and personal attitudes towards poverty.

  3. Eruption

    Samira Ahmed explores the power of unexpected eruptions - spiritual or geological.

  4. Sleeping on It

    John McCarthy investigates the weird and wonderful world of sleep.

  5. Fear Not

    Marie-Louise Muir reflects on the last words of poet Seamus Heaney, 'do not be afraid'.

  6. The Candle

    Sarah Cuddon reflects on the special qualities of candlelight.

  7. At the Darkest Point

    As midwinter approaches, John McCarthy explores how we cope with dark times.

  8. The Myth of Christmas

    During Advent, Mark Tully asks what we learn from Christmas myths.

  9. Longing for Home

    The pianist Lucy Parham reflects on the yearning of the exile.

  10. The Court of Public Opinion

    Mark Tully discusses the power of the court of public opinion in the era of social media.

  11. The Teen Within

    Samira Ahmed reflects on the angst and intensity of adolescence.

  12. Obsession

    A look at obsession and the moral consequences of the determined pursuit of a desire.

  13. New Homes, Strange Lands

    Mark Tully considers the difficulty and the potential of making a home in new country.

  14. Embarrassment

    Embarrassment teaches, amuses and can even kill us. Mark Tully studies its repercussions.

  15. Enough Is Enough

    Does the aspiration for 'stuff' and status get in the way of personal contentment?

  16. The Return

    Writer Kirsty Gunn reflects on the idea of returning home.

  17. Why Do We Need the Devil?

    In an increasingly secular society, Mark Tully asks whether belief in a devil is necessary

  18. The Art of Correspondence

    Mark Tully investigates the art of correspondence, from beautiful letters to pithy emails.

  19. The Lump in the Throat

    Laura Barton reflects on how feeling finds its way into words.

  20. The Other Place

    From Dante to Dickens, Samira Ahmed explores ideas about what happens after death.

  21. Schadenfreude

    Mark Tully investigates the tendency to take joy in the misfortune of others.

  22. A Good Argument

    Arguing can have a bad press: Mark Tully discusses the benefits of a good argument.

  23. Strains of Paradise

    Samira Ahmed explores the idea of paradise and its contemporary meanings.

  24. Bread of Life

    John McCarthy considers the importance of bread in people's physical and spiritual lives.

  25. Changing the Mirror

    Actor Adjoa Andoh explores the importance of seeing our own identity reflected in culture.

  26. Inside the Institution

    Mark Tully discusses the impact and the power institutions have in our lives.

  27. Here Be Dragons

    Mark Tully investigates the fascinating power of dragons in Eastern and Western culture.

  28. Away Being, Coming Home

    Samira Ahmed asks what is a home. She explores how and why people leave them behind.

  29. Breath, You Invisible Poem

    John McCarthy explores the cultural and metaphorical significance of breathing.

  30. Regret

    Mark Tully asks if it is right to live with regret, or better to get over our mistakes.

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