One To One

A move from China to the UK aged 9 meant a new language for journalist and broadcast editor at The Spectator, Cindy Yu. How did that change her upbringing and view of the world? She meets Asifa Majid, professor of language, communication and cultural cognition at the University of York. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard

Journalist and broadcast editor at The Spectator, Cindy Yu, moved from China to the UK aged 9. That meant switching languages. So how did that change her childhood and her view of the world? Cindy meets Leslie, who moved from the US to Mexico at a similar age. Leslie says it was traumatic at the time but now she feels the experience was a positive one, and she is proudly bilingual. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard

Jackie Weaver was the name on everyone's lips when she successfully shut down several unruly attendees of a local government Zoom meeting. So what does instant fame feel like?

The writer Anna Freeman speaks to Sheyi Thomas, who runs an escape room in Dalston. Anna delves into the world of escape rooms and explores how creating the experience of escape for people in a safe and cathartic way can be useful when facing our own fears. Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol: Caitlin Hobbs

In this episode of One to One, the writer Anna Freeman speaks to Brian Robson. In 1962, Brian was so desperate to return home to the UK from Australia, that he hatched a plan to mail himself home in a crate. He became the first person in history to fly for nearly five days in a crate across the Pacific Ocean; an incredibly dangerous feat. Anna hears how behind this daring tale was a young man willing to risk his life, just to make it home. Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol: Caitlin Hobbs

In this episode of One to One, writer Anna Freeman speaks to escape artist Miranda Allen. Together they explore their mutual love of escapes as a concept, and the delicate balance of peril and catharsis that makes Miranda's work so compelling. Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol: Caitlin Hobbs

Journalist Kieran Yates hears from people who have taught themselves new skills as adults and overcome fears or hesitation. In this programme, Kieran speaks to Colin Brien who, in his seventies, is entering the world of technology and learning how to stay connected. Kieran meets Colin at a community hub in Romford and hears how technology has opened up the world for him, enabling him to keep in touch with friends and family. Colin tells how learning to dance has seen him through lockdown and Kieran asks him if he can inspire her to get on a bike - something she's still learning to do. Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol: Caitlin Hobbs

Like much of the country, the last year has seen people picking up new skills to pass the time, from cooking, yoga or becoming knitting experts. But what about the small things that many people have learned before adulthood? In this set of programmes, journalist Kieran Yates explores how adopting seemingly simple skills in later life - that maybe we missed out on learning when we were younger, or that we have to face now - can lead to radical changes in our well-being. In this programme she speaks to Yewande Adesida, a cyclist who, in her twenties, decided to switch from her career as a competitive rower to a racing track cyclist. Kieran meets Yewande at Herne Hill velodrome and asks her just how much getting on a bike as an adult opened up the world for her, and as somebody who can't ride a bike herself, sees if Yewande can help get her pedalling. Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol: Caitlin Hobbs

What happens when you do something you thought you could never do? In this programme, journalist Kieran Yates speaks to Ellie who has been managing her agoraphobia for a few years, to hear how she has learned the mighty task of how to leave the house. Kieran hears how Ellie has faced up to her fears and learnt how to cope through breathing and disco music. Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol: Caitlin Hobbs

What do you think of when you hear the words "A.I." or "Artificial Intelligence"? Thanks to science-fiction it's often strange-looking humanoids or futuristic robots hell-bent on destruction. But as Kriti Sharma points out, we are probably using A.I. hundreds of times a day without even thinking about it. It could be, she says, a bank deciding whether to accept or reject your application, or an algorithm might decide whether you get a job interview or what exam grade you receieve. She made her first robot when she was a teenager, and has gone on to use A.I. to help the victims of domestic abuse and to challenge the rise of what she sees as subservient female online assistants. Kriti is now an advisor on A.I. to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Marcus Smith is a content creator from Bristol and a digital native. He is fascinated by technology's impact on us and has studied the effects of online gambling on young people. For 'One to One', Marcus is looking at the 'tech for good' mov

Actress Tuppence Middleton has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It's not something she's really talked about before, except with a therapist. That is, until now. In this series, she's on a mission to find out more about the disorder - and herself - and to bust some myths along the way. Today, she talks journalist David Adam, writer of the best-selling book 'The Man Who Couldn't Stop' with the strap-line 'OCD and the true story of a life lost in thought.' David's OCD was triggered by an illogical obsession with contracting HIV/AIDS in the 1980s. He says each era has its "bogeyman". What might this mean for people today, in the age of coronavirus? Photo credit: Robert Harper. Producer: Becky Ripley.

Actress Tuppence Middleton has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It's not something she's really talked about before, except with a therapist. That is, until now. In this series, she's on a mission to find out more about the disorder - and herself - and to bust some myths along the way. Today, she talks to screenwriter and author Rose Cartwright, who wrote her memoir 'Pure' after a ten-year struggle with 'Pure O'. What is Pure O? Why are the intrusive thoughts that come with it often violent or sexual? And why do so many people with Pure O suffer in silence? Photo credit: Robert Harper. Producer: Becky Ripley.

Actress Tuppence Middleton has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It's not something she's really talked about before, except with a therapist. That is, until now. In this series, she's on a mission to find out more about the disorder - and herself - and to bust some myths along the way. Today, she talks to clinical psychologist Dr Gazal Jones. What's going on in the brain? How does it affect people differently? And what's the best way to get treatment? Photo credit: Robert Harper. Producer: Becky Ripley.

Have you ever scrolled through social media and been surprised by an advert for something you were looking at the other day? This is no accident. Every view, every like, every click is stored, assessed and calculated, and allows the companies who run these platforms to target you with increasingly accurate advertising. But if you're not paying for the platform you're using, is there anything wrong with that? Well yes, according to Tristan Harris, one of the contributors to the successful Netflix documentary, The Social Dilemma. Social media may have started as a means of staying in touch with friends but it has led to multi-million pound businesses which use an economic model that competes for our attention, and Tristan fears this is doing society irrevocable harm. Marcus Smith is a content creator from Bristol and a digital native. He is fascinated by technology's impact on us and has studied the effects of online gambling on young people. For this series of 'One to One' Marcus is looking at the 'tec

Can mothers and daughters ever truly be friends? In this episode of the One to One series, BBC News correspondent Sima Kotecha speaks to her mother Hansa about their own relationship; from the love they have to the topics that are absolutely off limits. Produced by Caitlin Hobbs for BBC Audio in Bristol

BBC News correspondent Sima Kotecha talks to the cook and writer Ella Risbridger about friendship - from declaring someone your best friend after a drunken party to longer term, deeper relationships. Are group friendships better than one on one relationships, and how much can you really depend on friends when the chips are down? Produced by Caitlin Hobbs for BBC Audio in Bristol

BBC journalist Sabet Choudhury donated a kidney to his mother five years ago. He says it was not a difficult decision to make. Once he heard she only had 3 years to live unless he stepped up, his decision was already made. The transplant transformed her life and Sabet says it opened his eyes to the whole issue of organ donation. During his personal donation journey he discovered that there is a lack of organ donors from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in the UK and this can lead to extra-long waits for a transplant. In this, the last of three programmes, Sabet talks to Saj Khan, a teacher from Birmingham who has experience of the emotional highs and lows of waiting for a kidney. Saj had his first transplant as a very young man, but sadly the kidney failed just after he graduated and he has spent years and years waiting for a new kidney. Produced by Jo Dwyer for BBC Audio in Bristol

Five years ago BBC journalist Sabet Choudhury donated a kidney to his mother. She’d been given just three years to live and the transplant transformed her life. Sabet, who is of Bangladeshi origin, says it wasn’t a difficult decision to make once he realised she could be waiting for years, because of a shortage of Asian donors in the UK. In this, the second of three programmes, Sabet talks to Faruk Choudhury. He is no relation, but he was Lord Mayor of Bristol in 2013 and he set out to increase the number of blood and organ donations from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in the city. This was happening at the same time that Sabet was coming to terms with his mum’s failing health and his decision to donate, so he followed the Lord Mayor’s project closely and sees it as part of his own donation story. Produced by Jo Dwyer for BBC Audio in Bristol

Five years ago Sabet Choudhury donated a kidney to his mother. It transformed her life. Sabet, a BBC journalist, says the experience changed his life for the better too. He’s now fitter and healthier than before and he’s forged a closer relationship with his parents. Organ donation was never on his radar before his mother became so ill, but it’s an issue that’s very real to him now. In this, the first of three programmes, Sabet talks to Kay Hamilton, his Kidney Coordinator, who played such an important part in his donation journey – and someone he has kept in close contact with since his operation. Produced by Jo Dwyer for BBC Audio in Bristol

For more than 30 years arts journalist and broadcaster Rosie Millard has reported on people following their dreams and striving for success in the unpredictable world of the creative arts. But just what is success and failure, particularly in the creative industries? And who makes that judgement anyway? The fairy story we love to hear is that all you need to do is follow your dream, and success will be yours. But for many the dream does not materialise. They don’t get that lucky break. For others it’s just a long hard slog, and then there are those who reframe their ambitions as they go through life. In this programme Rosie talks to amateur actor and director Ben Hopwood about living his own dream - on his own terms. Produced by Jo Dwyer for BBC Audio in Bristol