From King Alfred to our modern-day love of the Victoria sponge cake and puddings such as Pineapple upside down cake, there's a cake and a pudding for every occasion. Jenni talks to Alysa Levene, author of Cake: A Slice of History and Regula Ysewijn author of Pride and Pudding about their social history and what making them tells us about women.

Ian Duncan Smith can be seen breaking down in tears in documentary 'Workers or Shirkers' which goes out tonight on BBC 2 As he adds his name to the list of weeping politicians Behavioural Psychologist, Jo Hemmings joins us to discuss how we react when men and women in power cry.

Di Slaney decided to take a step back from run her own marketing company in Nottingham in order to move to the country and take over an old farm. Little did she know that the lifestyle change would also lead to a creative career. She talks about how becoming a farmer inspired her new poetry collection The Reward for Winter.

When two female backpackers were killed in Ecuador earlier this year, many were quick to ask why they didn't have a man with them. Why is travelling alone still considered by many a risky, frivolous pursuit for women? Francis Lynsey-Gordon a writer for Lonely Planet and solo traveller Sophie Radice, currently in the Borneo jungle.

Plus the fourth link in The Chain - the American art director Libby Delana founder of the advertising agency Mechanica

Presenter Jenni Murray
Producer Beverley Purcell. Show less