Best BBC Radio 4 Extra Podcasts (2025)

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Chequered Flag Extra: Red Bull’s protest & Bottas on life in F1 38:03

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6d ago38:03

38:03

Harry Benjamin and the BBC's F1 correspondent Andrew Benson discuss Red Bull’s protest against George Russell following the Canadian Grand Prix. We also hear from Mercedes reserve driver Valtteri Bottas, who sat down with Harry to speak about his early days in racing, meeting Toto Wolff, becoming Lewis Hamilton’s team-mate and what’s next for him i…

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Canadian Grand Prix Review 40:49

10d ago40:49

40:49

Harry Benjamin and McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird, as well as special guest Kai Bachini, who was the BBC Radio 5 Live Young Commentator of the Year in 2018, react to a dramatic Canadian Grand Prix. We discuss the collision between the two McLaren drivers, and hear from both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Plus, we react to George Russell’s win, …

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Canadian Grand Prix Qualifying Review 28:40

11d ago28:40

28:40

Harry Benjamin & McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird reflect on qualifying at the Canadian GP. George Russell took a stunning pole position ahead of Max Verstappen. We hear from both drivers as they prepare to go head-to-head again in Sunday’s race. Meanwhile, it was a disappointing day for McLaren – we get the thoughts of Oscar Piastri and Lando Nor…

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Canadian Grand Prix Preview 55:59

12d ago55:59

55:59

Harry Benjamin and Jennie Gow are joined by F1 Academy champion Abbi Pulling and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to look ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix. Andrew sits down for a chat with Lando Norris, who speaks about his battle with team-mate Oscar Piastri for the drivers’ title as well as team orders at McLaren. We also discuss Max Vers…

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Back at Base: Bonus 2. Inside F1: The Movie 46:23

21d ago46:23

46:23

In this special bonus episode of F1: Back at Base, Sarah Holt and Holly Samos tell the behind-the-scenes story of the upcoming F1 movie. Through exclusive interviews with key figures, including legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Oscar nominee Kerry Condon, and F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, we document how the new movie was made. From …

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Spanish Grand Prix Review 37:25

24d ago37:25

37:25

Harry Benjamin, Jennie Gow & former Alpine F1 development driver Olli Caldwell reflect on the Spanish GP, where Oscar Piastri claimed victory. We hear from the Australian, as well as his teammate Lando Norris who came home in second. Plus, we break down Max Verstappen’s chaotic end to the race, hearing from the Dutchman, who was handed a ten second…

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Spanish Grand Prix Qualifying Review 24:04

25d ago24:04

24:04

Harry Benjamin & former Alpine F1 development driver Olli Caldwell reflect on qualifying at the Spanish GP, where Oscar Piastri took a stunning pole position ahead of Lando Norris and Max Verstappen. We hear from the top three, plus discuss George Russell’s good performance in the Mercedes and hear from Lewis Hamilton who qualified in fifth for Fer…

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Spanish Grand Prix Preview 34:36

27d ago34:36

34:36

Harry Benjamin, BBC F1’s Jennie Gow & former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer look ahead to the Spanish Grand Prix. How will the new technical directive coming into force this weekend change the pecking order? Will the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri continue their fight at the top of the driver standings? Or will Max Verstappen compete for vi…

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Monaco Grand Prix review 36:23

1M ago36:23

36:23

1996 world champion Damon Hill joins Rosanna and Harry to look back at the race from Monaco. They ask whether the new mandatory pit stop rules spiced up the action, and we hear from race winner Lando Norris on his return to the top step. Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri are also on the pod.By BBC Radio 5 Live

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Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying review 37:06

1M ago37:06

37:06

Harry Benjamin and Rosanna Tennant look back at qualifying from Monaco. It was Lando Norris that took his first pole since Australia, and with it set a new lap record around the streets of Monte Carlo. We hear from him, as well as Charles Leclerc, Oscar Piatsri and Max Verstappen.By BBC Radio 5 Live

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Monaco Grand Prix Preview 56:21

1M ago56:21

56:21

Jolyon Palmer and Harry Benjamin join Rosanna to preview the weekend’s action. Championship leader Oscar Piastri sits down with Andrew Benson for an in-depth chat, while the team discuss the new two-stop pit rule. Gimmick or game-changer? Plus, Harry checks in with Haas driver Oliver Bearman, and the team reveal their favourite Monaco memories.…

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Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Review 31:29

1M ago31:29

31:29

Ben Edwards, Andrew Benson & former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley react to Max Verstappen’s victory at the Emilia-Romagna GP. The team hear from the Dutchman, as well as McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Lewis Hamilton gives his thoughts after a turnaround in form for Ferrari, plus Alex Albon speaks about another strong Williams perform…

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Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Qualifying Review 31:23

1M ago31:23

31:23

Ben Edwards, Andrew Benson & former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley review qualifying at the Emilia-Romagna GP. Oscar Piastri took pole position at Imola ahead of Max Verstappen and George Russell. We hear from the top three as well as Lando Norris and a disappointed Lewis Hamilton, with Ferrari's struggles continuing.…

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Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix Preview 28:21

1M ago28:21

28:21

Eleanor Oldroyd, Jennie Gow & former McLaren mechanic Marc Priestley preview the Emilia-Romagna GP at Imola. The team discuss the title battle between Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, hearing from championship leader Piastri. Lewis Hamilton speaks about whether Ferrari will be able to turn their poor form around on home soil. Plus, w…

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Chequered Flag Extra: Colapinto In & Wheatley On Audi 34:04

2M ago34:04

34:04

Harry Benjamin & the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson react to the news that Alpine have replaced Jack Doohan with Franco Colapinto for the next five races. It comes in the same week that Oliver Oakes leaves his role as Alpine team principal. We also hear from Sauber team principal Jonathan Wheatley, who sits down with Jennie Gow to discuss his…

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Chequered Flag Extra: Steiner, Verstappen & Will Cadillac Be Competitive? 38:38

2M ago38:38

38:38

Special guest, former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, speaks with Harry Benjamin about his career. Harry is also joined by the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson to talk more about Max Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP penalty and the fallout from that. Plus, Harry and Andrew discuss Audi’s F1 chances and whether Cadillac will be competitive.…

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Back At Base S2: Bonus 1. Inside The Championship 43:11

3M ago43:11

43:11

With two race wins from two at the start of the 2025 F1 season, McLaren couldn’t have got off to a better start in the defence of their constructors’ world title. So what better time to look back on exactly how they achieved that success in 2024? In this bonus episode of F1: Back at Base - How To Go Racing, Holly Samos and Sarah Holt take you behin…

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Chinese Grand Prix Review 43:13

3M ago43:13

43:13

Harry Benjamin, McLaren Formula E driver Sam Bird and the BBC’s F1 correspondent Andrew Benson react to Oscar Piastri’s win at the Chinese Grand Prix. The team discuss team orders at McLaren, hearing from both drivers. We also hear from George Russell, talk about Ferrari and get the thoughts of Max Verstappen on Red Bull’s struggles.…

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Rebalancing the Grid: Female Drivers in F1 1:23:32

4M ago1:23:32

1:23:32

When will we next see a female driver in Formula One? Eleanor Oldroyd is joined by former F3 driver Alice Powell and BBC reporter Charlotte Simpson to examine why there aren’t any female drivers currently at the sport’s elite level. They look at the existing programmes designed to boost the number of female drivers and ask what more can be done. Le…

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Back At Base S2: 8. The Search For Perfection 45:19

4M ago45:19

45:19

In the desert kingdom of Abu Dhabi, the sun is about to set on a record-breaking Formula 1 season. After an intense battle across 23 races, just one will now decide which team will be crowned World Champions. Formula 1’s oldest rivals, McLaren and Ferrari are, once again, pitted against one another in a title fight. The Scuderia have 31 titles and …

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Back At Base S2: 7. A Lot More To Lose 39:48

4M ago39:48

39:48

In just 15 days’ time, the final chapter in the story of the 2024 Formula 1 season will be written. A triple header of races - from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the heat of Qatar and Abu Dhabi – will decide the World Championships. It’s late November, and time for Formula 1 to take up residency in Las Vegas. The sound of engines roaring down t…

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Back At Base S2: 6. Total Commitment 40:15

4M ago40:15

40:15

The McLaren and Aston Martin Formula 1 teams are preparing for a “Super Sunday” in Brazil. For just the sixth time in the sport’s history, both qualifying and the race are taking place on the same day. Stormy weather is testing the teams’ resources and resolve at the Interlagos Circuit, home to the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. The teams and drivers arrive…

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Chequered Flag Special: F1 75 Launch 56:42

4M ago56:42

56:42

Rick Edwards joins Jennie Gow, Harry Benjamin and Andrew Benson at the F1 75 launch event. The team look ahead to the start of the new season, discuss the glitz and glamour of this new day in the F1 calendar, and speak to the drivers, including George Russell and Lando Norris, as well as the team bosses, including Toto Wolff, Christian Horner and F…

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Back At Base S2: 5. Echoes From The Past 37:16

4M ago37:16

37:16

There are just five races left to go in the frenetic 2024 Formula 1 season - and the stakes are getting higher. McLaren are still in the hunt for both World titles but, after a penalty for Lando Norris at the U.S. Grand Prix, the team must regroup back at base. The next race in Mexico is vital for the team if they are to keep Norris’ hopes alive in…

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Back At Base S2: 4. The Calm Before the Storm 39:06

4M ago39:06

39:06

It’s late September. The seasons are turning – but the wheels of Formula 1 have stopped. There is now a three-week pause before racing resumes at the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. At Aston Martin’s Silverstone headquarters, the cars have made a rare return home. In 2024, the cars travel to 21 countries across five continents - that’s a total 12…

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Back At Base S2: 3. Mission Control 42:10

5M ago42:10

42:10

Tension is building inside the McLaren factory. The team is closer to a title than they have been for 12 years and, after dramatic races in Zandvoort and Monza, there is much to discuss. Not least the team’s philosophy that allows their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, to freely race each other. Team Principal Andrea Stella has returned to …

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Back At Base S2: 2. Project Pencil 37:41

5M ago37:41

37:41

The Aston Martin team is preparing to unveil the super signing of the 2024 season. Someone who will shape their Formula 1 cars and - if things go to plan - the team’s future at the front of the grid. But until then the news has to be kept under wraps. In the ultra-competitive world of Formula 1 secrecy is a necessity. The McLaren and Aston Martin t…

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Back At Base S2: 1. Opportunity Of A Lifetime 38:08

5M ago38:08

38:08

There are just 10 races left to go in the 2024 Formula 1 season - the longest season in the sport’s history with 24 grands prix. In this final phase of the season, both Championships - for the world’s best racing driver and team - are still up for grabs. At McLaren headquarters, in the commuter town of Woking just 23 miles outside London, the team …

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Coming Soon – S2: How To Go Racing 1:34

5M ago1:34

1:34

In this eight-part series, hosted by actor Josh Hartnett, we have been given unprecedented access to two of the most famous names in Formula 1 - McLaren and Aston Martin. These teams are unlocking the doors to their top-secret factories. It’s a critical moment in their season, but they are letting inside as they fight to the finish line in the fina…

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7. Bonus Episode - Extra Dose 40:34

6M ago40:34

40:34

Right, roll up your sleeve, it’s time for an extra dose of Best Medicine! This is a special episode of unheard bits that couldn’t be squeezed into Series 2, featuring more fascinating medical insights, extended bits and a whole Petri dish of jokes – some more cultured than others. Laura Smyth shares more on sleep, Zoe Lyons delves into transplants …

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6. Pain Management, Organoids, Prosthetic Leg Covers 28:46

6M ago28:46

28:46

Joining Kiri this week is comedian Desiree Burch who explains the best ways to cope with pain following surgery. Dr Abdullah Khan engineers mini versions of human organs in a dish to enable more effective testing of new medical treatments, and Mark Williams shows off personalised prosthetic legs clad in anything from gold and flames to beer and the…

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5. Books, Poetry, Scandal, Writing 28:43

6M ago28:43

28:43

Joining Kiri this week in a literary special recorded at the Hay Festival is comedian Ignacio Lopez who heals family wounds through writing. Dr Paul Craddock explains how one of the most prestigious medical journals started as a scandal magazine, Miss Shabnam Parkar shares how poetry helps her perform surgery, and Professor Neil Frude walks Kiri th…

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4. CAR T-cells, Ritual, Water, Crying 28:50

7M ago28:50

28:50

Joining Kiri this week are Dr Claire Roddie who retrains cells to fight cancer using revolutionary, game-changing CAR T-cell therapy, and comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri who finds spiritual healing in water. Dr Lindsey Fitzharris takes comfort in rituals both historical and present-day to help her remember her grandmother Dorothy Sissors, and Rev Benjami…

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3. Sleep, FMTs, Dr Charles Drew, Stem Cell Transplantation 28:52

7M ago28:52

28:52

Joining Kiri this week is comedian Laura Smyth who discovered the importance of sleep as she underwent cancer treatment. Historian Subhadra Das celebrates the incredible medical pioneer of blood transfusion Dr Charles Drew, Professor Lindsay Hall uses golden poo donors to cure serious infections, and Professor Nicholas Embleton’s life is saved by a…

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2. Sweating In Nature, Animals, Transplantation, Horticulture 28:46

7M ago28:46

28:46

Joining Kiri this week at the Hay Festival is comedian Zoe Lyons who tells Kiri how running helps with the stress associated with her alopecia - and how she survived getting rammed by a badger. Dr Matt Morgan explains how kangaroo vaginas held the key to developing IVF and whales’ hearts inspired new heart treatments for humans, Dr Fotios Sampaziot…

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1. MV140, Origami Surgical Capsules, Denial, Defibrillators 28:45

7M ago28:45

28:45

Joining Kiri Pritchard-McLean this week is comedian Daliso Chaponda who champions Denial as the best medicine (or does he?). Urology Consultant Mr Bob Yang explains how a pineapple-flavoured UTI vaccine is changing lives, Dr Dana Damian takes Kiri on a journey through the body with tiny swallowable Origami Surgical Robots, and paramedic Thomas Mart…

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Best Medicine: Series 2 - time for your second dose! 1:25

8M ago1:25

1:25

It's time for your second dose of Best Medicine! Award-winning comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean is joined by a funny and fascinating panel of comedians, doctors, scientists, and historians to celebrate medicine’s inspiring past, present and future. Each week Kiri challenges her guests to make a case for what they think is 'the best medicine', and eac…

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Back At Base: 8. The Final Piece in the Puzzle 39:32

1+ y ago39:32

39:32

For the last three months, we have followed the Williams and Mercedes teams as they prepared and built their cars for the 2024 season. Holly Samos and Sarah Holt have been our guides as we’ve gone with them inside the factories - but now it’s almost time to return to the track. First, the teams have to launch their race cars and reveal them to the …

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Back At Base: 7. The Bombshell 36:07

1+ y ago36:07

36:07

Lewis Hamilton has returned from the Christmas break with some shocking news for his Mercedes team. His bombshell makes headlines around the world - with some calling it the biggest story in Formula 1 this century. Even if that’s a little far-fetched, there is no doubt that his decision has sent shockwaves through the F1 community. At Mercedes, tea…

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Back At Base: 6. Two Seconds to Shine 33:54

1+ y ago33:54

33:54

Inside their high-tech Formula 1 factories, Mercedes and Williams are in a constant cycle of pushing the boundaries in the car build. And the clock is ticking. With just a few weeks to go until the start of the 2024 season, Williams are working overtime as the final components of the car go into manufacture. Team principal James Vowles says these c…

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Back At Base: 5. A New Year Begins 36:16

1+ y ago36:16

36:16

Back at base, Williams and Mercedes are returning to work after the winter shutdown. Now is the time for new beginnings – and whatever lies ahead for our two teams and the cars they are busy bringing to life inside their high-tech facilities. F1 experts Holly Samos and Sarah Holt are our guides as we catch up with the teams. At Mercedes, there is o…

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Back at Base: 4. No Fat in the Plan 34:10

1+ y ago34:10

34:10

When it comes to designing and building the new Williams and Mercedes Formula 1 cars for the looming 2024 season, there is precision and, most importantly, there is a plan. There has to be because all 10 teams are facing their first winter shutdown - a new ruling by the sport’s governing body, the FIA. But things don’t always go to plan - and the t…

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Back at Base: 3. A Shot at Redemption 32:07

1+ y ago32:07

32:07

Inside the Williams and Mercedes factories, where F1 cars come to life, the workforce is putting its heart and soul into the winter tasks now well underway. There are just 14 weeks between the 2023 season and the first race of 2024 in Bahrain. In this series, we have been allowed rare access into the heart of the operations. And at the Williams fac…

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Back At Base: 2. Big Air 31:31

1+ y ago31:31

31:31

The Williams and Mercedes Formula 1 teams have given us unprecedented access to their top-secret facilities as they work over the winter preparing their cars for the 2024 season. At Mercedes, the team’s superstar driver Lewis Hamilton is going into a restricted area to see how that crucial work is coming along. We follow in his footsteps as F1 expe…

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Back at Base: 1. The Homecoming 34:50

1+ y ago34:50

34:50

In this series, we have been given unprecedented access to two of the biggest teams in Formula 1 - Mercedes and Williams. It’s a few days after the final race of the 2023 season, and the teams are returning home to their UK factories after an epic year. It’s time to enjoy the year’s hard-fought success with the workforce of hundreds back at base. A…

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10. Epidurals, Embroidery, Play, Death 28:38

1+ y ago28:38

28:38

Joining Kiri this week are historian Dr Paul Craddock who unravels how vascular surgery owes a debt to 19th century Parisian embroiderer Marie-Anne Leroudier, historian Subhadra Das unearthing stories of death prevention, comedian Ria Lina pushing epidurals as the best medicine, and paediatrician Dr Guddi Singh who shows off with play. Best Medicin…

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9. Autopsies, Light, Escapism, Henrietta Lacks 28:32

1+ y ago28:32

28:32

Joining Kiri this week is a druid, a drag queen and a mortician...it's one man, Kristoffer Hughes, who puts forward the autopsy as the best medicine. Professor Olivette Otele tells us the tale of Henrietta Lacks, an extraordinary woman whose so called 'immortal cells' have saved countless lives, movie reviewer Ali Plumb talks about the importance o…

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8. Doing Less, Gardening, The Smartphone, Expertise 28:32

1+ y ago28:32

28:32

Joining Kiri are historian Dr Paul Craddock who talks about what gardening and skin grafting have in common, comedian Shaparak Khorsandi who tells us how doing less helps manage her ADHD, Professor Roger Kneebone who explains how puppeteers, fighter pilots and chefs can teach surgeons to become more skilful and Professor Jamie Ward, who reveals how…

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7. Failure, Detection, Herpes, Climate Change 28:43

1+ y ago28:43

28:43

Joining Kiri this week are Dr Lindsey Fitzharris who brings with her a Victorian clockwork surgical saw to demonstrate why failure can sometimes be the best medicine, while Professor Kevin Harrington explains how he uses molecular scissors to modify the herpes virus to attack cancer cells. We also hear from his patient Nigel who went from palliativ…

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6. CT Scans, Inhalation, Faith, Attention 28:34

1+ y ago28:34

28:34

Joining Kiri this week are Reverend Kate Bottley who offers up faith as the Best Medicine, Dr Subarna Chakravorty and John James OBE who team up to talk about sickle cell, comedian Ria Lina who wants everyone to get a CT scan, and historian Caroline Rance debunking dodgy inhalation practices throughout history. Best Medicine is your weekly dose of …