Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Can YOU give us Pause For Thought?

Vanessa launches Pause For Thought: Radio 2's Search For A New Voice - can make us stop, think and reflect in just two minutes? Would you like to be the newest voice on matters of faith on Radio 2? Then now's your chance!

1 hour, 27 minutes

Last on

Mon 1 Jul 2013 05:00

Music Played

  • Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

    The Tears Of A Clown

    • Motown: The Ultimate Hits Collection (Various Artists).
    • Motown.
  • Jamie Cullum

    Edge Of Something

    • Momentum.
    • Island.
    • 1.
  • Daryl Hall & John Oates

    Kiss On My List

    • Looking Back - The Best Of Hall & Oat.
    • BMG.
  • The Velvelettes

    Needle In A Haystack

    • Leaders Of The Pack (Various Artists.
    • Polygram Tv.
    • 6.
  • Travis

    Moving

  • 10cc

    The Things We Do for Love

    • The Greatest Hits Of 1976 (Various).
    • Premier.
  • Gabrielle Aplin

    Home

    • (CD Single).
    • Parlophone.
    • 1.
  • Harry Nilsson

    Everybody's Talkin'

    • Million Sellers Vol.10 - The Sixties.
    • Disky.
  • Dana

    Something's Cooking In The Kitchen

    • Epic.
  • Simon & Garfunkel

    The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)

    • The Definitive Simon & Garfunkel.
    • Columbia.
  • Diana Ross

    I'm Coming Out

    • Diana Ross & The Supremes - 40 Motown.
    • Polygram Tv.
  • Tom Jones

    Help Yourself

    • Tom Jones - Greatest Hits.
    • Universal.
  • Josh Groban

    False Alarms

    • All That Echoes.
    • Warner Bros.
    • 1.
  • Michael Jackson

    One Day In Your Life

    • No Greater Love (Various Artists).
    • Global Records & Tapes.
    • 4.
  • Chic

    Lost in Music [Live from Glastonbury]

KIERA PHYO - HOW TO WRITE FOR PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

KIERA PHYO - HOW TO WRITE FOR PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

"I鈥檇 have never described myself as a writer, so preparing the Pause for Thoughts has been a great learning curve. ... I鈥檝e found a new affection for grammar and wish I鈥檇 paid more attention in English classes at school!

After winning the Pause for Thought talent search last year, I鈥檝e made the transition from pre-recorded Thoughts to lives ones. It鈥檚 a buzz going into the studio and being part of something happening live across the country.听

I now appreciate how much work and skill goes into each part of a show; it feels pretty special to be able to contribute and be part of it.听 Vanessa and the production team are brilliant; highly professional and really welcoming, they make it great fun.

"On the early breakfast show we work with a theme....

"On the early breakfast show we work with a theme....

...and these can range from 鈥楽acrifice for a Cause鈥 to mark the anniversary of Emily Davison鈥檚 death to 鈥楲eadership鈥 to tie in with the American Inauguration. The themes help provide structure and give your mind a framework to think within.听听

I鈥檓 usually told the theme a few weeks before I鈥檓 due to go on air. In the lead up to putting pen to paper (tapping keys!), I mull over different ideas, stories and links to the theme. When I have in mind a relevant anecdote, a faith-based reflection and what it means to me, I鈥檓 set to start writing.

Some scripts seem to flow really easily and others are tricky little blighters! When talking about writing my Granny often says,

鈥淓ffort is better than inspiration, because effort is deliberate鈥.

"This has become my mantra for Pause for Thought....

"This has become my mantra for Pause for Thought....

...听A couple of the scripts I鈥檝e found most tricky have turned out to be the ones I鈥檓 proudest of.听听

Once it鈥檚 written I send it to the producer Michael Wakelin. Michael鈥檚 role is to check the thought; ensure it makes sense to fresh ears and that it will suit Vanessa鈥檚 programme and her audience. So after the odd edit it is sent over to Phil and Helen at Radio 2.

On the evening before the broadcast I usually make an appalling (!) attempt to go to bed early; it鈥檚 an early rise (even for someone with a toddler). I usually catch the bus, which is surprisingly full at four-thirty in the morning and arrive at quarter past five.听 I have a cup of tea - or two - say hi to producer Phil and listen to the show; getting a feel for it that morning.

"Come 5:40 Phil calls me into the studio...

"Come 5:40 Phil calls me into the studio...

....and when the song finishes Vanessa introduces me. I still get butterflies, it鈥檚 an exciting feeling knowing that something you crafted is being broadcast to millions of listeners. I often try and think of one person listening; someone who鈥檚 been driving through the night, a parent awake with kids or someone starting an early morning shift

Being involved with Pause for Thought has been fantastic. It is something I鈥檇 never have had the chance to do had it not been for the Talent Search. If you鈥檙e thinking of entering this year, I would suggest just going for it, ...you never know, the winner might be you.

Kiera鈥檚 top tips for entering

Kiera鈥檚 top tips for entering

To finish off this post we asked Kiera to name her top tips for entering the talent search.听

1.听听听 Listen to PFT examples before entering, especially as it鈥檚 now easier than ever with the .

2.听听听 Think about the Radio 2 audience and the style of Vanessa鈥檚 show.

3.听听听 Remember it is a religious broadcast; so don鈥檛 forget to reference your faith.

4.听听听 Make it personal, tell stories.

5.听听听 Have fun, enjoy it!

Pause For Thought - Kiera Phyo introduces this week's theme - Food

Kiera considers the power that food has to bring us together. She shares the story of how, with the assistance of some home baked goods, she caught the attention of a very special man

Hear Kiera's thought .

Word Of The Day

Word Of The Day

Stratagem - a plan, scheme, or trick for surprising or deceiving an enemy

Broadcast

  • Mon 1 Jul 2013 05:00