Something to Declare

BBC Radio 4
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How do other cultures handle the universal problems that we face here at home? Something to Declare is here to find the answer. Join Jack Boswell as he explores the roots of global cultural practices and how people are interpreting them today, from Japanese Wabi Sabi philosophy to the Sacred Geography of Andean tribes.

  1. JAN 17

    How to Laugh It Off

    In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the Irish concept of "Craic"—a unique blend of humour, storytelling, and community that brings joy and resilience to everyday life. Joining Jack is stand-up comedian Cat Anderson, who unpacks the elusive essence of Craic. Is it simply about having fun, or does it hold a deeper significance in Irish culture? She explains how Craic is woven into Ireland's rich history, serving as a way to find levity and connection even during the hardest times. Whether in a lively pub or a quiet gathering, Craic is about elevating shared moments with laughter and lightheartedness. Jack also visits an Irish pub, microphone in hand, to hear firsthand from locals. Through stories and banter, the pub’s patrons reveal how Craic fosters connections, builds community, and even helps navigate life’s challenges with a smile. This episode highlights how humour, vulnerability, and the art of storytelling can transform our social experiences, offering not only joy but also comfort during difficult times. Whether you're Irish or not, Craic offers a universal lesson - life is better shared with laughter. Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer and Lizzy Andrews A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

    15 min

  2. JAN 10

    How to Rise to the Challenge

    Jack Boswell explores the Finnish concept of sisu - a profound inner strength that emerges when we face life’s toughest challenges. Joining him is Emilia Elisabet Lahti, a Finnish behavioural scientist, who delves into the origins of sisu, a cornerstone of Finnish culture. She explains how this powerful quality - described as the “life force in times of adversity” - has helped individuals and the nation persevere through extraordinary hardships, including the Winter War. Elisabet shares how her own experiences of overcoming personal trauma inspired her to study sisu and its universal relevance. Jack also meets Mikko Paasi, a Finnish cave diver whose reliance on sisu was tested during the 2018 Tham Luang Cave Rescue in Thailand. Mikko recounts the harrowing operation to save a trapped youth football team, describing how determination, step-by-step focus, and a deep reservoir of mental strength helped him and his team navigate impossible odds. His reflections on resilience and redemption reveal how sisu can guide us not just through crises, but also towards healing from our past. Elisabet offers practical insights into how sisu can be cultivated by anyone, anywhere. Through techniques like breathwork and self-compassion, she highlights how this universal human quality helps us push forward when the going gets tough. This episode is an inspiring exploration of resilience, courage, and the quiet power within all of us to persevere - no matter how steep the climb. Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer and Lizzy Andrews A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

    15 min

  3. JAN 3

    How to Tune into Your Surroundings

    Jack Boswell explores the Parisian tradition of flânerie, the art of strolling aimlessly through city streets, discovering beauty in the everyday. Joining him is Dr Aimée Boutin, a French literature professor and flânerie expert, who explains its origins in 19th-century Paris and how urban renewal gave rise to this mindful, poetic practice. Aimée shares how the flâneur engages all the senses to experience the city, describing it as a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, and stories waiting to be uncovered. Jack also takes to the streets of north London with Adélie, a Parisian friend, to explore how this timeless concept resonates today. Together, they wander through bustling crowds, soak in festive lights, and reflect on the joys of slowing down. A chance encounter with strangers highlights the connections that can emerge when we embrace the unexpected and open ourselves to the world around us. This episode invites you to rediscover the simple, transformative act of walking - not to reach a destination, but to engage with your surroundings in a way that is both mindful and poetic. Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer and Lizzy Andrews A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

    15 min

  4. 12/27/2024

    How to Take a Break

    Jack Boswell explores Sweden’s cherished tradition of fika and its lessons on the art of taking a break. Joining him is Anna Brones, author of Fika: The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break, who shares how this ritual goes beyond coffee and pastries to create intentional moments of connection and reflection. Anna explains how fika encourages us to pause, savour a sweet treat, and enjoy meaningful conversations - whether with colleagues, friends, or family. Reine Eriksson, CEO of a Swedish telecommunications company, adds insight into how fika transforms workplaces, fostering creativity and collaboration. He reveals how this simple practice, embedded in Swedish culture, builds stronger relationships and a positive work environment by creating a level playing field, where all voices are heard. Together, Jack and his guests uncover the roots of fika - from its social dimension, to its modern global appeal as a counterbalance to our fast-paced lives. They reflect on how fika’s emphasis on connection can combat isolation, nurture creativity, and remind us of the joy in everyday moments. This episode celebrates fika as more than a coffee break - it’s a philosophy that shows how taking time for others and ourselves can enrich our lives. Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer and Lizzy Andrews A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

    15 min

  5. 12/20/2024

    How to Treat Others with Reverence

    In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the intricate Iranian custom of taarof, a tradition of elaborate etiquette and rituals of deference that reveal how small acts of courtesy can foster deep connections and mutual respect. Joining Jack is Eve Esfandiari-Denney, a poet and PhD candidate in creative writing, who shares how taarof has shaped her identity and family relationships. For Eve, taarof is more than just politeness - it’s a way to honour loved ones and express care, even in simple gestures. Jack also speaks with William Beeman, an anthropologist who has spent years studying Iranian culture. William explains how taarof acts as a “social lubricant”, smoothing interactions by encouraging people to symbolically elevate others while lowering themselves. Rooted in humility and reciprocity, taarof creates a balanced social harmony where respect is shared, and hierarchies are softened. Beyond its role in daily life, Jack and his guests uncover a deeper spiritual dimension to taarof, with ties to ancient Sufi traditions of love and unity. Whether among strangers or family, taarof becomes a ritualised way of showing reverence, empathy, and even joy - turning ordinary exchanges into meaningful moments of connection. This episode reflects on the beauty of this tradition and how it reminds us of the profound value in elevating others, nurturing relationships and expressing gratitude in our own lives. Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton and Sophie McNulty Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer and Lizzy Andrews A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

    15 min

  6. 12/13/2024

    How to Appreciate What Matters

    In this episode, Jack Boswell explores the sacred connection between indigenous Quechua-speaking communities in the Peruvian Andes and their natural environment, offering a profound perspective on how we value what truly matters. Joining him is Yojana Miraya Oscco, a researcher and member of a Quechua-speaking community, who explains how the mountains, rivers, and land are seen as living relatives. Through rituals and offerings, these communities honour Pachamama - Mother Earth - and maintain a deep connection with the natural world, which sustains their way of life. Yojana shares stories from her childhood, recalling ceremonies that celebrated the land’s abundance and the deep respect her family showed for their surroundings. Anthropologist Zoila Mendoza also joins Jack to provide context, describing how the Andean worldview is rooted in the belief that humans are just one small, fragile part of a larger cosmic community. She explains how this perspective shapes daily life, fostering gratitude and reciprocity for the gifts of nature. However, these sacred traditions face growing threats from mining and industrial exploitation, which tear apart not only the environment but the cultural and spiritual fabric of these communities. This episode offers a powerful lesson in appreciating what truly matters. Through the Andean practice of honouring the sacred, Jack learns that recognising the vulnerability of the things we treasure - whether it’s a cherished tradition, a natural space, or a moment with loved ones - can deepen our gratitude and connection to the world around us. By embracing this perspective, we’re reminded to pause, reflect, and hold space for what brings meaning to our lives before it’s gone. Host: Jack Boswell Producers: Emma Crampton and Sophie McNulty Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer and Lizzy Andrews A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

    15 min

  7. 12/06/2024

    How to Nurture Community

    Jack Boswell explores the South African philosophy of Ubuntu, a profound perspective on humanity that emphasises the interconnectedness of all people and the transformative power of community. Joining Jack is Reverend Nontombi Naomi Tutu, a South African-born priest and daughter of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She explains how Ubuntu - the belief that "I am because we are" - is rooted in recognizing our shared humanity. Nontombi reflects on how this philosophy shaped her father’s work as a key figure in South Africa’s anti-apartheid movement, grounding his fight for justice in compassion and dignity for all, even his oppressors. She shares practical ways to embody Ubuntu in daily life, from acknowledging others with a simple greeting to cultivating gratitude for small acts of kindness. Also joining Jack is Refiloe Moahloli, a South African children’s author whose book We Are One introduces Ubuntu to a global audience. Refiloe explains how this philosophy celebrates diversity and encourages individuals to embrace their unique gifts while contributing to the greater good. She reflects on the ripple effect of self-respect and kindness, likening it to a single flower blooming and inspiring growth in its surroundings. This episode unpacks how Ubuntu invites us to rethink our relationships, not just with others but with ourselves. It’s a reminder that by recognising our own worth, we can foster deeper connections and help create a more compassionate world. Jack learns how this ancient African philosophy continues to resonate across cultures, offering lessons on healing, resilience, and hope in an increasingly divided world. Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

    15 min

  8. 11/29/2024

    How to Make Peace With the Past

    Jack Boswell delves into saudade, a Portuguese word often described as untranslatable. Saudade captures a complex mix of longing, melancholy, and bittersweet nostalgia - a "pleasant sadness" that simultaneously consoles and aches. Jack unpacks the profound emotional resonance of this concept and how it might help us navigate difficult feelings in our own lives. Jack begins by speaking with Helder Macedo, a celebrated writer and Emeritus Professor of Portuguese at King’s College London. Helder describes saudade as the paradoxical feeling of longing for something - be it a person, moment, or way of life - that is gone, yet whose absence offers a bittersweet comfort. Rooted in Portugal’s maritime history, where separation and uncertainty were common, saudade shaped the national psyche and found expression in Fado, Portugal’s iconic music. Helder likens it to a pinch of salt - enhancing when balanced but overpowering if excessive. The episode also features Christina Branco, a renowned Fado singer who shares how her music channels the vulnerability and raw emotion of saudade. For Christina, Fado - a genre deeply intertwined with this feeling - is both a personal catharsis and a mirror for her audience, encouraging them to confront their own emotions. She shares how Fado helps her transform pain into strength and creativity. Through heartfelt conversations, Jack learns how saudade resonates in art, memory, and even daily life. This episode invites listeners to reflect on their own moments of longing and consider how embracing vulnerability can deepen connections, foster resilience, and inspire transformation. Host: Jack Boswell Producer: Emma Crampton Senior Producer: Harry Stott Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari Production Coordinator: James Cox Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle Sound Editor: Alan Leer A Message Heard production for BBC Radio 4

    15 min
See All (13)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

How do other cultures handle the universal problems that we face here at home? Something to Declare is here to find the answer. Join Jack Boswell as he explores the roots of global cultural practices and how people are interpreting them today, from Japanese Wabi Sabi philosophy to the Sacred Geography of Andean tribes.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2025
  • Show Website
    Something to Declare

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